bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bandgap Widening of Titania through Semiconductor Support Interactions
Authors: Gärtner Marc , Dremov Viatcheslav , Müller Paul , Kisch Horst
Published: March 2005

Silica‐supported titania powders with 50, 36, 13 and 4 wt % of TiO2 (TiO2‐50/SiO2, TiO2‐36/SiO2, TiO2‐13/SiO2 and TiO2‐4/SiO2) were prepared by hydrolysis of TiCl4 in the presence of silica, followed by calcination at 500 °C. The formation of TiOSi linkages was confirmed by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy indicated the presence of titania crystals larger than 15 nm. All supported materials exhibited a blue‐shift of the TiO2 absorption edge, which was attributed to an electronic semiconductor support interaction. Bandgap energies of TiO2‐50/SiO2, TiO2‐36/SiO2, TiO2‐13/SiO2 and TiO24/SiO2 were measured to be 3.28, 3.36, 3.40 and 3.42 eV, respectively, as compared to 3.15 eV for unsupported TiO2. From these values, and from the quasi‐Fermi level of electrons, a high anodic shift of both the valence and the conduction band was estimated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements of oxygen 1s‐ and titanium 2p‐binding energies confirmed the anodic shift of the band edges.
A Convenient Synthesis of Functionalised 1‐Aryl‐1,3‐alkadiynes
Authors: Balova Irina A. , Sorokoumov Victor N. , Morozkina Svetlana N. , Vinogradova Olga V. , Knight David W. , Vasilevsky Sergey F.
Published: March 2005

A two‐step, one‐pot synthesis of functionalised 1‐arylalka‐1,3‐diynes is described. A key feature in this approach is exploitation of the “acetylene zipper” reaction to obtain terminal 1,3‐alkadiynes 3 from internal isomers 1. Without isolation, but after protonation, the 1,3‐alkadiynes 3 are subjected to subsequent Pd/Cu‐catalyzed Sonogashira cross‐couplings with aryl iodides having both electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups. The whole sequence takes place under mild reaction conditions to afford functionalised 1‐arylalka‐1,3‐diynes 21–35 in high yields. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
On‐line concentration of proteins in pressurized capillary electrochromatography coupled with electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Liang Zhen , Zhang Lihua , Duan Jicheng , Yan Chao , Zhang Weibing , Zhang Yukui
Published: March 2005

Pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) and electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) have been hyphenated for protein analysis. Taken cytochrome c, lysozyme, and insulin as samples, the limits of detection (LODs) for absolute concentrations are 10−11 mol (signal‐to‐noise ratio S/N = 3) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention time and peak area, respectively, of less than 1.7% and 4.8%. In order to improve the detection sensitivity, on‐line concentration by field‐enhanced sample‐stacking effect and chromatographic zone‐sharpening effect has been developed, and parameters affecting separation and detection, such as pH and electrolyte concentration in the mobile phase, separation voltage, as well as enrichment voltage and time, have been studied systematically. Under the optimized conditions, the LODs of the three proteins could be decreased up to 100‐fold. In addition, the feasibility of such techniques has been further demonstrated by the analysis of modified insulins at a concentration of 20 μg/mL.
Analysis of gadobenate dimeglumine by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with electrospray‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Campa Cristiana , Rossi Marco , Flamigni Anna , Baiutti Edi , Coslovi Anna , Calabi Luisella
Published: March 2005

Highly reliable and accurate analytical methods are needed for the determination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in complex matrices of clinical interest. We demonstrate the reliability of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) for the analysis of MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine), a gadolinium‐based MRI agent. A sheath liquid interface connected the CE system with an electrospray mass spectrometer equipped with an ion‐trap analyzer. CZE with ultraviolet (CZE‐UV) and with mass detection (CZE‐MS) were compared by analyzing gadobenate dimeglumine and the free ligand diluted in water and in biological fluids (i.e., human serum and urine). The optimization of some relevant CZE‐MS parameters was accomplished, like CE buffer composition, sheath liquid composition and flow, and type and length of the separation capillary. CZE‐UV was highly influenced by the biological sample components, which hindered a reliable quantification of both gadobenate and free ligand in serum and urine. In CZE‐MS, on the other hand, the electrophoretic runs turned out to be independent of the clinical matrices, due to the informative potential and to the selectivity of MS detection.
Preparation of glucose oxidase immobilized in different carriers using radiation polymerization
Authors: Atia KS , El‐Batal AI
Published: March 2005

Glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) was immobilized on different polymeric materials using different immobilization techniques (entrapping by γ‐irradiation, and covalent binding using epichlorohydrin). Studies were carried out to increase the thermal stability of glucose oxidase (GOD) for different applications. The activity and stability of the resulting biopolymers have been compared with those of free GOD. The effect of different polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylamide (PVA/PAAm) compositions of the copolymer carrier on the enzymatic activity of the immobilized GOD was studied. The maximum enzymatic activity was obtained with the composition ratio of PVA/PAAm of 60:40. The behaviour of the free and immobilized enzyme was analysed as a function of pH. A broadening in the pH profile (5.5–8) was observed for immobilized preparations. The activity and stability of the resulting biopolymers produced by immobilization of GOD onto different carriers have been compared, in both aqueous and organic media, with those of the free GOD. The enzyme's tolerance toward both heat and organic solvent was enhanced by immobilization onto polymers. The addition of different concentrations of organic solvents (10–50%, v/v) to the enzyme at higher temperature (60 °C) was found to stabilize the enzyme molecule. The strongest stabilizing effect on the enzymatic activity was achieved at a concentration of 10%. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Syndiotactic Polystyrene Containing ortho‐Dichlorobenzene: Crystal Structure of the Clathrate Form
Authors: Tarallo Oreste , Petraccone Vittorio
Published: March 2005

Summary: The crystal structure of the clathrate form of syndiotactic polystyrene containing ortho‐dichlorobenzene has been determined, and compared with those of the other crystalline clathrate structures of s‐PS already known. This guest molecule, characterized by a quite different shape and volume from the others already described, gives rise to the only example of clathrate form of s‐PS presenting a statistical orthorhombic symmetry (cell constants a = 17.5 Å, b = 22.9 Å, c = 7.8 Å and space group Ccmb). This symmetry is generated by the random coexistence in the crystals of domains, with the same monoclinic P21/a symmetry found for the other clathrate forms, that can be realized by two different but energetically equivalent packings of the chains. The unit cell constants are a = 17.5 Å, b = 14.4 Å, c = 7.8 Å and γ = 127.4°. The shape of the guest molecule produces a significant modification of the cavities (if compared to δ form) realized mainly through a shift of the ac layers of chains delimiting the cavities along the a axis direction that turns out in the highest γ value found for these kinds of structures.

Schematic representation of the arrangement of the chains according to the orthorhombic (solid line) and to the monoclinic (dotted line) unit cells proposed for the crystal structure of the clathrate form of s‐PS containing o‐DCB.

magnified image

Schematic representation of the arrangement of the chains according to the orthorhombic (solid line) and to the monoclinic (dotted line) unit cells proposed for the crystal structure of the clathrate form of s‐PS containing o‐DCB.
Investigation of multiple binding sites on ribonuclease A using nano‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Sundqvist Gustav , Benkestock Kurt , Roeraade Johan
Published: March 2005

Multiple non‐active site interactions between ribonuclease A (RNAse) and selected target molecules were investigated using nano‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (nano‐ESI‐MS). Among the building blocks of RNA, phosphate and ribose showed such multiple interactions. Multiple phosphate interactions survived a high cone voltage, while multiple interactions with D‐ribose disappeared already at a low cone voltage. Using nano‐ESI‐MS, only cytosine among the individual bases appeared to interact with RNAse. Interestingly, guanosine binds to the RNAse surface at high cone voltage, probably as a result of cooperative binding of the sugar and the guanine base. Upon binding of deoxycytidine oligonucleotides with six (dC6), nine (dC9) and twelve (dC12) deoxycytidine nucleotide units to RNAse, the dC12 unit showed the strongest interaction. Upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of the RNAse/dC6 complex, this complex survived dissociation at an energy level where covalently bound cytosine from dC6 was lost. This is in contrast to CID of RNAse complexed with mononucleotide cytidine 2′‐monophosphate (CMP), which dissociates from the protein without breaking of covalent bonds. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular cloning, expression and pharmacological characterization of the canine cholecystokinin 1 receptor
Authors: Morton Magda Francesca , Pyati Jayashree , Dai Heng , Li Lina , Moreno Veronica , Shankley Nigel Paul
Published: March 2005

The full‐length, canine cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1) receptor was cloned from gallbladder tissue using RT–PCR with a combination of primers designed to interact with conserved regions of the human and rat CCK1 receptor, which also shared homology with the canine genomic sequence.

Analysis of the sequence of the canine CCK1 receptor revealed a 1287 base pair product, which encoded a 429 amino‐acid protein. This protein was 89% identical to the human and 85% identical to the rat CCK1 receptor.

The canine CCK1 receptor was expressed in CHO‐K cells for pharmacological characterization. In competition studies, using [125I]BH‐CCK‐8S as radioligand, the affinity values estimated for CCK receptor‐selective compounds were not significantly different between the canine and human CCK1 receptors (pKI±s.e.m. at canine CCK1 receptor; L‐364,718=8.82±0.08, L‐365,260=6.61±0.05, YF476=7.91±0.15, YM022=8.28±0.06 and dexloxiglumide=7.53±0.11). Furthermore, the selectivity of these compounds between canine CCK1 and CCK2 receptors was consistent with the selectivity between the human CCK1 and CCK2 receptors.

Two additional forms of the canine CCK1 receptor were identified during the cloning procedure. These had three (variant #1) and six (variant #2) amino‐acid differences from the wild‐type canine CCK1 receptor. Variant #1 bound [125I]BH‐CCK‐8S and displayed an identical pharmacological profile to the wild‐type receptor using the ligands described above. No significant binding was measured with variant #2.

In conclusion, we have cloned and pharmacologically characterized the canine CCK1 receptor. The data obtained will facilitate the interpretation of numerous pharmacological experiments that have been performed using canine tissue to elucidate the actions of CCK and gastrin.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 374–384. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706196
Quasianalyticity and pluripolarity
Authors: Coman Dan , Levenberg Norman , Poletsky Evgeny
Published: March 2005

We show that the graph\[Γf={(z,f(z))∈C2:z∈S}\Gamma _f=\{(z,f(z))\in {\mathbb {C}}^2:\,z\in S\}\]inC2{\mathbb {C}}^2of a functionffon the unit circleSSwhich is either continuous and quasianalytic in the sense of Bernstein orC∞C^\inftyand quasianalytic in the sense of Denjoy is pluripolar.
In Defense of Sentimentality
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Philosophy has as much to do with feelings as it does with thoughts and thinking. It requires sensitivity and a kind of devotion as well as curiosity about the world and a critical spirit. It is a fascination not only with abstract ideas and logically possible worlds but with concrete and very real human concerns and engagements, “the human condition” To be a philosopher is to be steadfastly attentive to what it means to be human, to the passions as well as to much-celebrated “rationality” It is to be concerned with what it means to “exist,” to the satisfactions and worries and real life joys and confusions that affect us all. That is why one of the canonical exhortations in philosophy, inherited from the Delphic Oracle via Socrates, has always been “know thyself,” for it is through unusually rigorous self-examination that we come to know not only ourselves but our Selves, our deepest feelings, fears, and hopes. Philosophy, accordingly, in its concern for feelings, requires not only emotional sensitivity but an understanding of the emotions, not as curious but marginal psychological phenomena but as the very substance of life. And yet, philosophy and philosophers have much more often than not shunned the emotions and defined their profession and themselves strictly in terms of reason and rationality. In the history of philosophy sensitivity is often dismissed as mere “sentimentality.” Sentiment and sentimentality are to be avoided. In this book I am concerned to defend sentimentality and the emotions–at least, some emotions–as essential to life. Foremost among the essential emotions are the sentiments of love and compassion. Not all of the sentiments are so kindly, however. Accordingly, I discuss not only such “moral sentiments” as sympathy and compassion but also grief, gratitude, love, horror, and even vengeance. All of these have suffered from considerable abuse, though from different quarters, but all of them play a central if not essential role in our experience and our lives.
In Defense of Sentimentality
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Too often, since the 19th century, sensitivity is dismissed as mere “sentimentality” in philosophy and in literature. It is charged that sentimentality is distorting, self-indulgent, self-deceptive. I argue that all of these charges are misplaced or themselves distorted and betray a suspicion of emotions and the tender sentiments that is unwarranted.
Care and Compassion
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

What is compassion? I suggest that it is, as Adam Smith and David Hume once argued, a moral sentiment that is subject to a great many constraints and variations but is nonetheless “natural.” I also consider Nietzsche's rather vehement attack on Mitleid (pity) and current social psychological literature on empathy.
Comic Relief
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

There seems to be no end to moralizing about the vices, but there is too little appreciation of them as mere human foibles and an essential part of the “human circus.” There are also serious questions about whether some of the so-called deadly sins are sinful at all.
On Kitsch and Sentimentality
Authors: Solomon Robert C.
Published: March 2005

Finally, I return to the theme of sentimentality with a particular focus on art and what is often called “kitsch” I ask, as I did for sentimentality in general, What's wrong with kitsch? And I defend it, as I did for sentimentality, by suggesting that the attacks on kitsch are often not what they seem to be.
The Cosmological Case for Intelligent Design
Authors: Shanks Niall
Published: March 2005

The cosmological case for intelligent design, the idea that certain anthropic coincidences in the initial conditions of the universe at the big bang are evidence of an intelligent creator, is examined. Since no good account has ever been offered of how a nonphysical substance could act on a physical one, it is not clear that the hypothesis that the universe has been “fine-tuned” by an intelligent designer to produce creatures like us is even coherent. Even if it is, the possibility that our universe is one amongst many that exist or have existed – the multiverse hypothesis, which would render anthropic coincidences unremarkable – is at least as worthy an explanation of the existence of our universe as the ideas that it resulted either from design or chance. It is concluded that cosmology does not represent the extraordinary evidence from which it would be possible to infer the existence of a supernatural creator.
Introduction
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This introductory chapter begins with a discussion on the issue of managing local or village-level natural resources. It highlights the difference between regulated common property and private property. The studies featured this volume and their main arguments are then presented.
Natural Resources and Economic Growth: Towards a Definition of Sustainability
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter presents a rationale for a conservationist policy, but argues against the preservation of all renewable natural resources. Production becomes more sensitive to resource degradation the more fragile the resource base. When conservation investments are less effective, the adoption of shut-down practices will be optimal for resource users, and the lower long-run (steady-state) stock of the resources becomes even under conservation practices.
Co‐Ordination and Leadership in the Unregulated Common Property: Some Lessons from Game Theory
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses the contribution of game theory in understanding the problems of unregulated common property. It argues that the problems of resource exploitation may or may not be adequately described as prisoner’s dilemma games. Emphasis is given to heterogeneous situations in which different types of actors interact. The threat posed by small and large groups of minority actors to the stability of coordinated solutions is examined.
The Possibility of Co‐Operation: Lessons from Experimental Social Psychology
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

The findings on non-cooperative game theory from the previous chapters are analysed within context of social experimental psychology. It covers cooperation in repeated games, cooperation in game with communication, and cooperation in one-shot games. It argues that people often fail to behave in ways that do not support the universal free-riding hypothesis, even when interactions are not repeated.
The Regulated Common Property
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses the regulated common property regime, wherein human groups impose sufficient discipline upon their members to save common property resources from destruction or degradation. It discusses the efficiency of regulated common property, the distributive effects of regulating common property, and common property resources in the context of pervasive factor-market imperfections. It identifies two problems with regulation: its difficulty to achieve and carry out, and its impact on income distribution which could prompt opposition from some users.
Were People Traditionally Conservationists?
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter analyses resource management by traditional rural communities. It argues that traditional rural communities are not inherently conservationists despite their ability to perceive and solve distributive problems in the use of natural resources. They have been less efficient in preventing the depletion/degradation of common property resources because they view their natural environment and their relations with it differently from people in modern, rationalist societies.
General Conclusion
Authors: Baland Jean‐Marie , Platteau Jean‐Philippe
Published: March 2005

This chapter discusses the most significant findings or propositions of this study on managing village or local resources, and their policy implications. Given the variety of situations that can occur in the field, researchers play a key role in determining the theoretical model that best suits a specific situation, by identifying the relevant characteristics of the resource, of the users, and the social structure in which these belong.
International Democracy and the West
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This book adds to debates on the international dimensions of democratisation by exploring the politics and actions of Western governments, multinational companies, and non-profit organisations (NGOs). It finds that governments, businesses and NGOs all show increased concern for democratic trends, but their strategies are beset by uncertainty and ambivalence.
A Composite Perspective on International Democracy
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This introductory chapter sets out the goals for this study amidst ongoing debates on the international dimensions of democratisation. It outlines the state of academic thinking on democracy’s relationship to international security concerns, and the interests of international investors. It highlights democracy’s strategic and economic utility, and calls for a more composite picture of its international dimensions.
Democracy and Western Strategic Interests
Authors: Youngs Richard
Published: March 2005

This chapter examines Western powers’ democracy promotion strategies. It contrasts Western perceptions on democratic change in relation to three conceptually distinct security logics: managing states of strategic concern, the preservation of alliances, and the management of conflict within developing states. Support was forthcoming for very gradual processes of political change, through a combination of bottom-up direct initiatives and support for top-heavy political structures to manage reform processes.
Why Has the Income Distribution Changed?
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Looks at some of the causes of the rapid growth of inequality between the 1970s and 1990s, and of more recent trends. Looks at the widening distribution of earnings for those in work in the UK and other countries, and at the factors that are suggested to have led to changes in it, such as ‘skill-biased technological change’ and breakdown of social norms. It looks at other key elements in determining how much income households receive from earnings – the levels of unemployment, worklessness, and economic inactivity. This shows the complexity of the relationship between the levels of unemployment and of poverty, for instance. Discusses other sources of market income, the impact of tax and benefit policy, and of changes in them, such as in the level of cash benefits relative to other incomes.
Social Spending and the Boundaries Between Public and Private Sectors
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Discusses social spending, its extent, and issues in the design of social security programmes, examining both public and private spending on areas that have traditionally come under the heading of the ‘welfare state’. Looks at public social spending in the UK, recent trends in it, and its relationship with government spending as a whole, including issues connected with the changing structure of social security, particularly the balance between ‘universal’ and means-tested benefits. Compares trends in social spending in the UK with those in other industrialized countries. Presents information on the changing roles over the last 20 years of public and private sectors in education, health care, income maintenance, housing, and personal care, distinguishing their roles in three different ways, depending on who is the provider of a service, who pays for it, and who is in control. Finally, examines public attitudes to social spending and its distribution, particularly towards means-testing, perceived problems in the social security system, and at whether the views of those using private welfare services towards the welfare state differ from others.
Tax and Welfare
Authors: Hills John
Published: March 2005

Discusses tax policy and its relationship with social security. Sets out trends in taxation in the UK over the last 25 years, how these compare with those in other countries, and the relationship between the totals of tax and public spending. Describes Britain’s overall tax structure, the changing role of tax reliefs and what are now known as ‘tax credits’, and at how much tax people at different points in the income distribution pay. Looks at the changing interaction between tax and social security, at how the reforms of the last few years have affected incomes, and the implications of these changes for work incentives. The final section presents public attitudes towards taxation, in terms of its overall level, its links to particular spending items, and its progressivity – the evidence suggests some important differences between how people think the tax system works, how they think it ought to work, and how it actually does.
The current practice of tracheostomy in the United Kingdom: a postal survey
Authors: Krishnan K. , Elliot S. C. , Mallick A.
Published: March 2005

A postal questionnaire was sent to 228 intensive care units throughout the United Kingdom to determine aspects of current tracheostomy practice. From the number of units responding (n = 178, 78%), the majority (n = 173, 97%) practised percutaneous tracheostomy as opposed to open surgical tracheostomy. The Blue Rhino single dilator was the most popular technique (n = 114, 64%). Percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly carried out under bronchoscopic guidance (n = 148, 83%); however, there remains considerable variation in the timing of tracheostomy and only 61 units (34%) have set follow‐up procedures.
A Development‐friendly Prioritisation of Doha Round Proposals
Authors: Charlton Andrew H. , Stiglitz Joseph E.
Published: March 2005

Agriculture looms large on the WTO's agenda. It was the first substantive item listed in the work programme of the Ministerial Declaration launching the Doha Round, and it was arguably at the centre of the failure at Cancun. Developing countries made it clear both before and during the Cancun meeting that progress on agriculture was their primary objective. Negotiations in other areas have received less attention and progressed more slowly. This paper considers that prioritisation, and suggests that the interests of developing countries in the current round of trade negotiations are much broader than is suggested by the narrow range of agricultural issues that have dominated negotiations. A true development round would require a significant reprioritisation of many areas of the WTO's current agenda.
Two Naked Emperors?* Concerns about the Stability & Growth Pact and Second Thoughts about Central Bank Independence
Authors: BUITER WILLEM H.
Published: March 2005

This paper addresses two sets of issues relevant to current and prospective future E(M)U members: the consequences of the Stability & Growth Pact for fiscal‐financial sustainability and macroeconomic stability, and some risks associated with operational independence of the central bank. To be effective as a lender of last resort or to stabilise demand when short nominal interest rates are close to their zero lower bound, the central bank must coordinate and cooperate with the fiscal authorities. Central bank independence is unlikely to survive if such coordination and cooperation are not forthcoming.
Targeting Social Assistance
Authors: BRADBURY BRUCE
Published: March 2005

This paper reviews the normative welfare economic literature on income‐based targeting and contrasts its assumptions with those underlying current policy discourse. One current policy debate concerns the potential role for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) income tests. In general, economic models within the standard (for economists) ‘welfarist’ approach provide little support for such policies. However, much policy discourse is explicitly non‐welfarist, placing a negative social value on the leisure or home production of the poor. From this perspective, EITC or workfare‐type programmes may be socially optimal. The normative foundations of this policy discourse, however, have yet to be subject to the rigorous analysis that underlies the welfarist approach.
Designing Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations: Some Insights from the Recent Italian Reform
Authors: ARACHI GIAMPAOLO , ZANARDI ALBERTO
Published: March 2005

During the last decade, the Italian system of intergovernmental fiscal relations has been involved in a radical process of reform that is still under way. The reform has assigned Regions new taxing powers and has introduced a new system of interregional transfers. This paper provides a review of the recent reform and offers some tentative answers to the issues still open, relying on a series of simulations and projections. A number of conclusions have been reached. First, when the long‐run performance of the new financing systems is investigated, regional resources may no longer be adequate to meet future health needs. Second, the incentives for active tax policies seem either to prove too weak or even to cause undesirable results. Finally, the complete devolution to the Regions of some significant public expenditure functions risks strengthening the polarisation of financial flows between the Northern and Southern Regions in the long run.
Time Discounting and of the Cost of Capital in Government
Authors: SPACKMAN MICHAEL
Published: March 2005

The literature on public sector discounting has brought important insights, but there remain wide differences on some fundamental issues. This paper reviews the main conflicts and the reasons underlying them. It suggests practical procedures for discounting in government which are consistent with most of the literature but not with the ‘efficient market’ thesis that financial markets provide all the information needed to define these procedures.
Taking the Keys from Grandpa
Authors: Sharp Elaine B. , Johnson Paul E.
Published: March 2005

Recent highly publicized traffic accidents involving older drivers have led to renewed interest in state policies and administrative practices that award and renew drivers’ licenses in the American states. Because the probability of traffic accidents is linked to the medical conditions that are more prevalent among the elderly, and because the number of older drivers is expected to rise over the next several decades, one might expect that this will be an increasingly important policy issue. This article discusses variations that are observed across states in law and administrative practice. A longitudinal analysis of data on crashes involving elderly drivers in fifteen states indicates that crash rates are directly related to the length of the renewal cycle for older drivers and inversely related to the stringency of testing at renewal. It is also likely that states requiring physicians to report conditions that would impair driving will experience lower crash rates. A secondary analysis of policy impacts on the licensing rates is not conclusive, a finding that is attributable to inaccuracies in the reported numbers of licensed drivers.
Braking Behavior of C/SiC Composites Prepared by Chemical Vapor Infiltration
Authors: Zhang Yani , Xu Yongdong , Lou Jianjun , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei , Lou Jianjun , Chen Zhijun
Published: March 2005

Carbon fiber‐reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites have the potential to overcome the shortcoming of the currently used carbon/carbon friction materials in aircraft brakes. In this article, the carbon/silicon carbide (C/SiC) composites were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration method, and the brake disks with different densities and component content were finally obtained. The friction coefficient and friction stability can be significantly improved by increasing both material density and carbon content. When the density of C/SiC composite is 2.3 g/cm3, the coefficient of friction measured is 0.23, the coefficient of friction stability remains about 0.43, the liner wear rate is less than 9.3 μm/cycle, and the weight wear rate is less than 9.1 μm/cycle. The rapid increase of friction coefficient approaching the end of braking is mainly related to the increasing of surface temperature in a short time and the enhanced adhesion and abrasion of contact conjunctions and asperities. The C/SiC composites exhibited a good stability of braking against fading versus the braking number and surface temperature. The surfaces of C/SiC brake disks were covered with wear debris including the fragment of carbon fibers after the braking tests. The wear on the surfaces is significantly determined by cyclic mechanical and thermal stresses, which result in the micro‐cracks in the SiC matrix, the thin flakes of the surface materials as well as the grooves.
Progress in Processing and Performance of Porous‐Matrix Oxide/Oxide Composites
Authors: Simon Reinhard A.
Published: March 2005

All‐oxide continuous fiber‐reinforced ceramic matrix composites are enabling materials for high‐temperature structural applications in oxidizing environments. However, their industrial use requires further improvements in material performance as well as a significant reduction of the processing costs. This article gives some insight into a novel colloidal processing route. A porous mullite matrix was designed to obtain damage‐tolerant behavior as well as high‐temperature long‐term stability. Laminated composites were formed with conventional techniques similar to the manufacture of polymer matrix composites. This simple and low‐cost process leads to homogeneous microstructures with improved material properties compared with the state of the art in continuous fiber‐reinforced oxide/oxide composites. The developed composites in the present study exhibit favorable mechanical properties both at room temperature and after thermal aging for 1000 h at temperatures up to 1300°C.
Isomorphism Identification of Kinematic Chains Using Novel Evolutionary Approaches
Authors: Xiao Renbin , Tao Zhenwu , Liu Yong
Published: March 2005

This paper presents a new method to isomorphism identification based on two novel evolutionary approaches—ant algorithm (AA) and artificial immune system (AIS). Salient features of the two evolutionary approaches are their efficient, robust and general-purpose algorithms for isomorphism identification despite its nondeterministic polynomial (NP) hard nature. First, based on the rearrangement of the vertexes in kinematic chains, the isomorphism identification of kinematic chains is transformed into a degree-reducible traveling salesman problem (TSP), so that the dimension and complexity can be largely decreased. Then AA and AIS algorithms are adopted to solve the transformed TSP. At last, characteristics of the two evolutionary approaches are discussed based on case studies.
Determining Interference Between Parts in CAD STEP Files for Automatic Assembly Planning
Authors: Pan Chunxia , Smith Shana S.-F. , Smith Gregory C.
Published: March 2005

In this paper, a neutral file format—STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) is used to transfer geometrical data from CAD tools to assembly analysis tools. JSDAI (Standard Data Access Interface for STEP binding to JAVA) is used to read geometrical data from the CAD STEP files. After all necessary geometrical data is extracted from the CAD STEP files, the interference relationships between parts are analyzed. The methods developed for using JSDAI to extract geometrical data from CAD STEP files and for determining interference relationships between parts in the assemblies are introduced.
SELF-STABILIZING ALGORITHMS FOR ORDERINGS AND COLORINGS
Authors: GODDARD WAYNE , HEDETNIEMI STEPHEN T. , JACOBS DAVID P. , SRIMANI PRADIP K.
Published: March 2005

A k-forward numbering of a graph is a labeling of the nodes with integers such that each node has less than k neighbors whose labels are equal or larger. Distributed algorithms that reach a legitimate state, starting from any illegitimate state, are called self-stabilizing. We obtain three self-stabilizing (s-s) algorithms for finding a k-forward numbering, provided one exists. One such algorithm also finds the k-height numbering of graph, generalizing s-s algorithms by Bruell et al. [4] and Antonoiu et al. [1] for finding the center of a tree. Another k-forward numbering algorithm runs in polynomial time. The motivation of k-forward numberings is to obtain new s-s graph coloring algorithms. We use a k-forward numbering algorithm to obtain an s-s algorithm that is more general than previous coloring algorithms in the literature, and which k-colors any graph having a k-forward numbering. Special cases of the algorithm 6-color planar graphs, thus generalizing an s-s algorithm by Ghosh and Karaata [13], as well as 2-color trees and 3-color series-parallel graphs. We discuss how our s-s algorithms can be extended to the synchronous model.
RANDOMIZED SORTING ON THE POPS NETWORK
Authors: DAVILA JAIME , RAJASEKARAN SANGUTHEVAR
Published: March 2005

Partitioned Optical Passive Stars (POPS) network has been presented recently as a desirable model of parallel computation. Several papers have been published that address fundamental problems on this architecture. The algorithms presented in this paper are valid for POPS(d,g) where d>g and use randomization. We present an algorithm that solves the problem of sparse enumeration sorting of d∊ keys in [Formula: see text] time and hence performs better than previous algorithms. We also present algorithms that allow us to do stable sorting of integers in the range [1, log n] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] time. When g=n∊, for any constant 0<∊<½ this allows us to do sorting of integers in the range [1,n] in [Formula: see text] time. We finally use these algorithms to solve the problem of multiple binary search in the case where we have d∊ keys in [Formula: see text] time and in the case where we have integer keys in the range [1,n] in [Formula: see text] time, when g=n∊, for some constant 0<∊<½.
PALATINI FORMALISM OF FIVE-DIMENSIONAL KALUZA–KLEIN THEORY
Authors: DING YOU , MA YONGGE , HAN MUXIN , SHAO JIANBING
Published: March 2005

The Einstein field equations can be derived in n dimensions (n>2) by the variations of the Palatini action. The Killing reduction of five-dimensional Palatini action is studied on the assumption that pentads and Lorentz connections are preserved by the Killing vector field. A Palatini formalism of four-dimensional action for gravity coupled to a vector field and a scalar field is obtained, which gives exactly the same field equations in Kaluza–Klein theory.
TOPOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BERRY'S PHASE
Authors: FUJIKAWA KAZUO
Published: March 2005

By using a second quantized formulation of level crossing, which does not assume adiabatic approximation, a convenient formula for geometric terms including off-diagonal terms is derived. The analysis of geometric phases is reduced to a simple diagonalization of the Hamiltonian in the present formulation. If one diagonalizes the geometric terms in the infinitesimal neighborhood of level crossing, the geometric phases become trivial for any finite time interval T. The topological interpretation of Berry's phase such as the topological proof of phase-change rule thus fails in the practical Born–Oppenheimer approximation, where a large but finite ratio of two time scales is involved.
COULOMB SCATTERING OF QUANTUM DIPOLES IN QED
Authors: BLOK B.
Published: March 2005

We calculate the total scattering cross-section of a dynamical quantum electrically neutral dipole in QED of the infinitely heavy charge and of the infinitely heavy dipole in the leading order in α em .
The Challenges Our Contemporary World Presents to Christian Educators
Authors: Schuttloffel Merylann J.
Published: March 2005

This article explores Jacques Ellul’s challenges to Christian educators in a society permeated with technique or technological thinking. Responses to the three challenges Ellul puts forth to believing Christians, and, specifically, to Catholic Christian school educators, integrate a process of contemplative practice. This process integrates Catholic tradition and scriptural-based Gospel values with the practice of school leadership. The process focuses on the mindfulness required of leaders to make daily decisions coherent with a professed faith. Final reflections of the article argue the importance of critique and contemplative practice to prepare future Catholic Christian educational leadership. The article suggests that the responses to Ellul’s challenges within Catholic education serve as an example to all faith-based education.
Can birds be ammonotelic? Nitrogen balance and excretion in two frugivores
Authors: Tsahar Ella , Martínez del Rio Carlos , Izhaki Ido , Arad Zeev
Published: March 2005

We measured minimal nitrogen requirements (MNR), total endogenous nitrogen loss (TENL) and the effect of protein and water intake on the nitrogenous waste composition in two frugivorous bird species: yellow-vented bulbuls Pycnonotus xanthopygos and Tristram's grackles Onychognathus tristrami. The nitrogen requirements of both species were much lower than expected for their body mass. The two species differed in the composition of the nitrogenous waste that they produced. The grackles were uricotelic, and the chemical composition of their nitrogenous waste products was relatively independent of water and protein intake. In contrast, the bulbuls were`apparently ammonotelic'. Their ammonotely was related to low protein intake and high water flux, and was the result of post-renal urine modification. We suggest two non-exclusive mechanisms for the post-renal modification of urine in these birds: bacterial catabolism of uric acid and reabsorption of uric acid in the hindgut. As uric acid functions both as a nitrogenous waste product and as an antioxidant, birds might benefit from its reabsorption.
Formation of Self-assembled Tubular Structures by Mixing Cyclodextrin and Polymers without Solvents
Authors: Harada Akira , Okada Miyuko , Kawaguchi Yoshinori
Published: March 2005

Cyclodextrin has been found to form inclusion complexes with some polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) with high selectivity only by mixing powdered crystals of cyclodextrins and polymer samples without any solvents under ambient conditions.
Molecular Design of Squaraine Dyes for Efficient Far-red and Near-IR Sensitization of Solar Cells
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Weibo , Wang Xuesong , Zhang Baowen , Cao Yi
Published: March 2005

The introduction of short carboxyl anchoring groups into anilino-squaraines resulted in a much improved photosensitization on nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode over far-red/near-IR region, yielding a maximum monochromatic incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 73% at 670 nm.
Controlled Synthesis of SnO2 Hollow Microspheres via a Facile Template-free Hydrothermal Route
Authors: Shao Weiping , Wang Zhenghua , Zhang Yuanguang , Cui Jianhua , Yu Weichao , Qian Yitai
Published: March 2005

Hollow rutile-like SnO2 microspheres were synthesized via a facile template-free hydrothermal method at 160 °C for 5–28 h. The as-prepared samples were characterized with XRD, SEM, and PL. A possible formation mechanism of the hollow spheres is briefly discussed.
A New Sol–Gel Route to Synthesize YPO4:Tb as a Green-emitting Phosphor for the Plasma Display Panels
Authors: Di Weihua , Wang Xiaojun , Chen Baojiu , Zhao Xiaoxia
Published: March 2005

This work adopts a novel and low-cost sol–gel route to synthesize Tb3+-doped YPO4 as a green-emitting phosphor for the plasma display panel (PDP). The phosphor obtained by this route shows improved luminescence efficiency in vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation, compared with that obtained by a solid-state reaction.
The facilitating effect of verbalization on the recognition memory of incidentally learned faces
Authors: Itoh Yuji
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that requiring people to verbally describe a target face from memory facilitates their subsequent recognition when their memory for the target is poor and interferes with recognition when such memory is strong. In Experiment 1, a target face was presented to participants for 30 s or 100 s under a nominal task instruction, and they incidentally familiarized themselves with it. Verbalization increased the rate of correct recognition only when the target was presented for 30 s and the performance of control participants was poor. In Experiment 2, participants observed a target without instruction for intentional learning or other nominal instruction, in a more ecologically valid context. Recognition performance was poor for control participants and verbalization increased the rate of correct recognition. These results appear to support the hypothesis. The implications for the identification of persons by eyewitnesses are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ramification pattern of the thenar branch of the median nerve entering the thenar fascia and the distribution of the terminal branches in the thenar musculature: Anatomic cadaver study in 144 hands
Authors: Alp Mehmet , Marur Tania , Akkin Salih Murat , Yalcin Levent , Demirci Selman
Published: March 2005

Knowledge of the anatomy of the median nerve is important in surgery of the palmar aspect of the hand. The purpose of our study was to investigate the ramification pattern of the thenar branch before entering the thenar fascia and the distribution of the terminal branches in the thenar musculature. The observations were carried out on 144 hands of 74 dissecting room cadavers. According to the number of the thenar branches entering the thenar fascia we classified our specimens into four types. In 121 hands (84%, Group I) the thenar branch piercing the thenar fascia was a single trunk. In 19 hands (13.2%, Group II) two branches; in three (2.1%; Group III), three branches; and in one hand (0.7%; Group IV), four branches were identified entering the thenar fascia. Accessory thenar nerve was found in 8.3% of hands. The further division of each branch to its terminal branches was investigated in detail. Our results show that the more the number of thenar branches entering the thenar fascia, the less the terminal branching. Because more than one branch was seen in 16% of the specimens, meticulous dissection is required for preventing injury of the thenar branches before entering the thenar fascia. Clin. Anat. 18:195–199, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vector Hankel transform analysis of a tunable circular microstrip patch
Authors: Fortaki T. , Khedrouche D. , Bouttout F. , Benghalia A.
Published: March 2005

In this paper, a rigorous analysis of the tunable circular microstrip patch is performed using a dyadic Green's function formulation. To make the theoretical formulation more general and hence valid for various antennas structures (not only limited to tunable microstrip patch); the dyadic Green's function is derived when the patch is assumed to be embedded in a multilayered dielectric substrate. A very efficient technique to derive the dyadic Green's function in the vector Hankel transform domain is proposed. Using the vector Hankel transform, the mixed boundary value problem is reduced to a set of vector dual integral equations. Galerkin's method is then applied to solve the integral equation where two sets of disk current expansions are used. One set is based on the complete set of orthogonal modes of the magnetic cavity, and the other consists of combinations of Chebyshev polynomials with weighting factors to incorporate the edge condition. Convergent results for these two sets of disk current expansions are obtained with a small number of basis functions. The calculated resonant frequencies and quality factors are compared with experimental data and shown to be in good agreement. Finally, numerical results for the air gap tuning effect on the resonant frequency and half‐power bandwidth are also presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.