bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing Effective Skills for 1992
Authors: Malcolm Pugh T.
Published: April 2005

Considers the training requirements for the UK workforce in the
increased competition of the Single European Market. Examines areas of
training for different people resources: induction training, basic
training, advanced training, and retraining, as well as the principle of
the training audit to establish training requirements. Concludes that
recruitment and retention of staff will become increasingly difficult,
making it essential for training to be taken seriously to meet the
challenges of the 1990s.
MTM Application in Electro‐mechanical Assembly
Authors: Greenwood Ron E.
Published: April 2005

Examines the development of a new MTM application for a company
supplying products to the medical industry, prompted by moving to a new
site. Discusses measurement procedure, dispute procedure, recording
techniques, MTM system choice, element coding, and the computer
application used. Concludes that the constraints on the system has
entailed building up groups of data which are capable of covering a wide
range of work.
Planning and Monitoring Warehouse Resources
Authors: Cooper Susan
Published: April 2005

Discusses the system introduced by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries
plc for planning warehouse manpower, containing details of tasks carried
out by employees, methods used, and a standard time for each task.
Considers both the system used to gain data and how the data is used to
forecast manning requirements and monitor performance. Concludes that
the new system provides user‐friendly, sophisticated information to
control warehouses, and that the method of calculating standard times is
easily updated.
Fax Facts
Authors: Gregson Ken
Published: April 2005

Examines the recent boom in the fax machine industry. Considers
general fax machine technology as well as specific areas: personal fax,
basic and full‐featured business faxes, fax groups, problems with fax
machines, and fax cards for Pcfax. Reviews the nature of the fax market
and where to buy.
Computer Work Measurement Systems
Authors: Hall Matt
Published: April 2005

Considers the frequently expressed objections to work measurement
and the evolution of four main categories of data, determined by the
methods applied to create the data. Examines the application of
computers, the quality of data, and the present and future of data
manipulation in work study programmes. Concludes that O&M staff will
experience a change in role in the future, possibly becoming part of the
design and planning team.
Solid State Time Recording
Authors: Phillips Mike
Published: April 2005

Discusses one particular solution to the problem of recording
employees′ time in commercial organizations, a low‐price British
electronic recorder – Timelink 2000. Examines the reasons for its
development and the machine′s standard and optional features. Concludes
that while Timelink 2000 has numerous advantages over older designs, and
a price advantage over other electronic recorders, its success remains
to be proven.
A comparison of cohabiting relationships among older and younger adults
Authors: King Valarie , Scott Mindy E.
Published: April 2005

This study explores how cohabitation differs for older and younger adults, drawing on data from 966 cohabitors in each of the first 2 waves of the National Survey of Families and Households. Older cohabitors report significantly higher levels of relationship quality and stability than younger cohabitors, although they are less likely to have plans to marry their partners. Few differences were found in the reasons to cohabit, although assessing compatibility is a more important reason for younger cohabitors. Findings suggest that older cohabitors are more likely to view their relationship as an alternative to marriage, whereas younger cohabitors are more likely to view their relationship as a prelude to it.
Husbands’ and wives’ time spent on housework: A comparison of measures
Authors: Lee Yun‐Suk , Waite Linda J.
Published: April 2005

This study compares a series of estimates of the time spent on housework from survey responses and time‐use estimates from the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) obtained from husbands and wives in the Sloan 500 Family Study. These include estimates from husband's and wife's answers to questions about own time and spouse's time on household tasks, and time‐use estimates from the ESM. The three ESM estimates include primary activity only, primary plus secondary activity, and primary and secondary activity plus time spent thinking about household tasks. We find that estimates of hours spent on housework differ substantially and significantly across various measures, as does the absolute size of the gap between hours spent by husbands and wives. Share of housework done by husbands differs somewhat less.
Married women's resource position and household food expenditures in Cebu, Philippines
Authors: Schmeer Kammi K
Published: April 2005

This study analyzes how married women use their access to and control over economic resources to increase household spending on food. Using data from Cebu, Philippines, where child malnutrition is high, this study finds that the more income women earn and control, the more households spend on food. Women's control over their income is particularly important for increasing food expenditures in the poorest households. In richer households, women who earn little of their own income also use spouse income transfers to increase food expenditures. The findings from this study suggest that in a developing country setting, improving women's economic status so that they earn and control more household resources can increase household spending on goods that benefit children.
How the birth of a child affects involvement with stepchildren
Authors: Stewart Susan D.
Published: April 2005

This study investigates the effect of childbearing on parental involvement in stepfamilies and intact families, based on the reports of 1,905 stepparents and biological parents from the National Survey of Families and Households. Regression analysis indicates that involvement with children declines over time, especially among respondents with only stepchildren in the household. Respondents who have had a child between waves of the survey reduce parental involvement at a slower rate than respondents who did not have a child. These effects are explained by the children's age. The birth of a child has a similar effect on parental involvement in stepfamilies and intact families. These findings suggest that the addition of a half‐sibling is not particularly beneficial to stepchildren and provides further evidence that couples with children from prior relationships should not make the decision to reproduce to “cement” stepfamily bonds.
Residential mobility and the onset of adolescent sexual activity
Authors: South Scott J. , Haynie Dana L. , Bose Sunita
Published: April 2005

Data from almost 5,000 adolescent respondents to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) are used to examine the mechanisms that transmit the facilitative effect of residential mobility on the timing of the transition to first premarital sexual intercourse. Adolescents who have recently moved are approximately one third more likely than nonmobile adolescents to experience first premarital intercourse between the first two waves of Add Health. We find that much of the difference between adolescent movers and stayers in the onset of sexual activity is attributable to the greater propensity for delinquency and the weaker academic performance among members of movers’ school‐based friendship networks. Adolescents’ own delinquent behavior and academic performance also help to mediate the association between residential mobility and the transition to first intercourse.
Family and child characteristics linking neighborhood context and child externalizing behavior
Authors: Roosa Mark W. , Deng Shiying , Ryu Ehri , Lockhart Burrell Ginger , Tein Jenn‐Yun , Jones Sarah , Lopez Vera , Crowder Sakina
Published: April 2005

Neighborhood conditions are related to children's externalizing behavior, although few processes that help explain this association have been identified. With data from 189 primarily low‐income Anglo and Mexican American families, we tested a stress process model that included 3 potential mediators of this relationship. The results showed that child stressful life events, association with deviant peers, and parent‐child conflict mediated the relationship between neighborhood context and child externalizing behavior when household income and maternal depression were controlled. The model explained more than 25% of the variance in externalizing behavior. Furthermore, differences in results for families with a U.S.‐born versus Mexico‐born mother showed that neighborhood influences on families and children may be quite complex.
Explaining the “Natural Order of L2 Morpheme Acquisition” in English: A Meta‐analysis of Multiple Determinants
Authors: Goldschneider Jennifer M. , DeKeyser Robert M.
Published: April 2005

This meta‐analysis pools data from 25 years of research on the order of acquisition of English grammatical morphemes by students of English as a second language (ESL). Some researchers have posited a “natural” order of acquisition common to all ESL learners, but no single cause has been shown for this phenomenon. Our study investigated whether a combination of 5 determinants (perceptual salience, semantic complexity, morphophonological regularity, syntactic category, and frequency) accounts for the variance in acquisition order. Oral production data from 12 studies, together involving 924 participants, were pooled to obtain weighted accuracy scores for each of 6 grammatical functors. Results of a multiple‐regression analysis showed that a large portion of the total variance in acquisition order was explained by the combination of the 5 determinants. Several of these determinants, it was argued, can be seen as part of a broad conceptualization of salience.

Since the article was originally published, a number of meta‐analyses have appeared in the applied linguistics literature (e.g.,Masgoret & Gardner, 2003;Norris & Ortega, 2000;Ortega, 2003), and a book on meta‐analysis in applied linguistics research is forthcoming (Norris & Ortega, in press). Meanwhile, research on the acquisition of Hebrew as a second language has begun to provide cross‐linguistic evidence for how different aspects of salience contribute to ease or difficulty of second language acquisition (DeKeyser, Alfi‐Shabtay, Ravid, & Shi, 2005) and how salience interacts with age of learning (DeKeyser, Ravid, & Alfi‐Shabtay, 2005).
Ceratioid anglerfish of the families Gigantactinidae and Linophrynidae (Lophiiformes, Ceratioidea) collected off Madeira, including two species new to the north‐eastern Atlantic
Authors: Swinney G. N.
Published: April 2005

Specimens of the rare deep‐sea anglerfish Gigantactis ios, Linophryne brevibarbata, L. aff. coronata and L. racemifera, caught in the north‐eastern Atlantic, off Madeira, are reported and compared with previously described specimens, G. ios and L. racemifera are recorded for the first time from the north‐eastern Atlantic.
Ontogenic changes and sexual dimorphism in the head, mouth and teeth of the lesser spotted dogfish
Authors: Ellis J. R. , Shackley S. E.
Published: April 2005

Male Scyliorhinus canicula possess a longer and narrower mouth than females resulting in pronouced sexual dimorphism with respect to the mouth length/mouth width ratio (0.49 and 0.43, respectively). Significant sexual differences in the girth of the head and pre‐oral, pre‐branchial and head lengths were also recorded. Males were found to have longer teeth than females. Reasons for these differences are discussed.
A histological study of seasonal ovarian development in freshwater drum in the Red Lakes, Minnesota
Authors: Palmer E. E. , Sorensen P. W. , Adelman I. R.
Published: April 2005

Female freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque, from the Red Lakes of north central Minnesota, U.S.A. were sampled periodically over a 13‐month period. Red Lakes drum mature at approximately age 9 and can live to be over 60 years old. The ovarian development of drum from its northern limit of distribution is described histologically. The stages of oocyte growth and the seasonal change in the proportion of oocyte stages within the ovaries are presented. Drum ovaries contained a continuum of oocyte sizes and at spawning, only the largest oocytes are ovulated. A large percentage of the oocytes became atretic mid‐way through the spawning season, while gonadosomatic indexes were still high. This may have reduced the spawning potential of Red Lakes drum.
Phylogeny and evolution of the genus Barbus in the Iberian Peninsula as revealed by allozyme electrophoresis
Authors: Machordom A. , Doadrio I. , Berrebi P.
Published: April 2005

Variation of 14 enzyme systems encoded by 31 presumptive loci in different barbel species was studied using starch gel electrophoresis. Eighteen samples representing 11 Barbus tetraploid taxa were taken, including 10 populations from the Iberian Peninsula, six from other parts of western and southern Europe, one from northern Africa and one diploid species as outgroup from Asia Minor. The genetic analysis reassessed of the taxonomic status of the Iberian barbels into two distinct species groups. The first group included B. bocagei, B. comiza, B. graellsii, B. gulraonis, B. microcephalus, and B. sclateri, that aligned with B. callensis from northern Africa and with B. apoensis from Asia Minor; the other group included B. haasi and B. merldlonahs that was related to the European species, B. barbus, B. plebejus and B. peloponnesius. These groups are probably not monophyletic. It is suggested that the isolation of the Iberian Peninsula from Europe since the Oligocene‐Miocene may explain the genetic affinities of the Iberian barbels with those of North African rather than with the European group.
Variation in growth and age at maturity in bluegill sunfish: genetic or environmental effects?
Authors: Belk M. C.
Published: April 2005

Populations of bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus, experiencing heavy juvenile predation, showed increased growth rates and increased age and size at maturity relative to populations experiencing decreased predation on juveniles but increased predation on adults. This study examined bluegills experimentally from both types of populations and a cross between them in a common environment to determine if variation in growth and age at maturity is genetically or environmentally induced. Two factorial experiments, varying strain of bluegills and resource availability, were used to evaluate differences in growth rate. One experiment, varying strain of bluegills, was used to assess differences in age at maturity. Growth was strongly influenced by resource level, but growth rate did not vary among populations. Nearly all bluegills in each population matured at 1 year of age in a common environment. Thus, variation observed in source populations must be mostly attributable to differences in the environment between populations. At least three factors could potentially cause differences in growth and age at maturity: (1) variation in resource availability; (2) variation in demographic structure; and (3) variation in size‐specific mortality rates caused by differences in predator abundance between populations. Observed patterns of variation between populations are best explained by effects of differences in predator populations.
Habitat selection by grayling—I. Spawning habitats
Authors: Sempeski P. , Gaudin P.
Published: April 2005

Grayling spawning sites were investigated in two French rivers, the Pollon (1 year) and the Suran (2 years) and described by current velocity, water depth, and substrate composition, completed by an assessment of bottom shear stress with FST‐hemispheres. A comparison was made between used and available habitats, the latter being characterized by random sampling of 300 m long (Pollon) and 510 m long (Suran) river sections, both including three riffle/pool sequences. Mean velocities observed on spawning sites did not differ significantly between rivers or years (overall mean 48–9 cm s‐1 S.D. = 11.9, range 25.8–91.7 cm s‐1,n=150). Most water depths ranged from 10 to 40 cm in both rivers, but mean depths were significantly different (P<0.05). Substratum of spawning grounds was dominated by gravel and pebbles (2–64 mm) in both rivers. Most spawning sites (99%) were characterized by a narrow range of hemispheres (nos 9–13), i.e. a range of shear stress of about 5–16 dyn m‐2. In the Pollon, spawners between spawning acts were found in a resting pool located immediately downstream from the spawning area and characterized by slow‐flowing water (mainly <20 cm s‐1) and great depth (mainly >60 cm), with cover provided by overhanging branches and tree roots.
Standing crop and distribution of fish in drifting and attached floating meadow within an Upper Amazonian varzea lake
Authors: Henderson P. A. , Hamilton H. F.
Published: April 2005

The standing crop and distribution of fish within the floating meadow habitat of Lago Mamirauá, an upper Amazonian floodplain lake, were studied during December 1993 when the water was rising and had just begun to enter the forest. The ichthyofauna was dominated by six groups, the Anostomidae, Gymnotiformes, Erythrinidae, Serrasalmidae, Synbranchidae and Cichlidae. For anchored meadow, total wet weight was estimated as 312 kg ha ‐1 and total number as 90 400 individuals ha‐1. This biomass estimate was probably below the annual maximum because some fish had already dispersed into the forest, but, the number of individuals was close to the annual maximum because of the recent arrival of juvenile Serrasalmidae and Cichlidae. For drifting islands of meadow fish biomass and density were estimated as 192kg ha‐1 and 12 700 individuals ha‐1 respectively. The Synbranchidae, Gymnotiformes and Erythrinidae avoided drifting meadow. In comparison, the Cichlidae and Anostomidae, while favouring marginal, anchored meadow, were frequently dispersed by drifting islands. The Siluriformes were unique in favouring drifting over anchored meadow. For this group the observed down‐stream drift may be a seasonal migration to the main river channels. Juvenile fish avoided drifting islands, presumably to avoid being flushed from the lakes. Their abundance was lowest at the mouth of the lake. The generally abundant Serrasalmus spp. juveniles were absent from meadow at the mouth of the lake.
Evolutionary relationships of the Lake Malawi Oreochromis species: evidence from allozymes
Authors: Sodsuk P. K. , McAndrew B. J. , Turner G. F.
Published: April 2005

Three tilapiine species belonging to the endemic Lake Malawi species flock known as‘ chambo’Oreochromis (Nyasalapia) karongae, O. (N.) lidole and O. (N.) squamipinnis and the species Oreochromis (Oreochromis) shiranus were collected from the wild. These four species were analysed at 43 enzyme loci using starch gel electrophoresis. No significant deviations from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium were observed after correcting for multiple simultaneous testing. The expected heterozygosity (He) was lowest in O. (O.) shiranus (He=0.082). The three chambo species had higher levels: He=0.103 to He=0.116. The three chambo species as a whole were polymorphic (99%) at 16 different loci sharing 10 of these in common. No fixed differences between the three chambo species were observed but highly significant allele frequency differences existed between all the chambo species. The FST calculated for the three chambo species was 0051, closer to intra‐specific than to inter‐specific levels. O. (O.) shiranus could be clearly separated from all chambo species at five fixed loci. Comparison of the allozyme data from these species with five species from the same sub genera support the hypothesis that the chambo form a monophyletic group and that O. (N.) macrochir or a related species represents the sister taxon.
Habitat selection by grayling‐II. Preliminary results on larval and juvenile daytime habitats
Authors: Sempeski P. , Gaudin P.
Published: April 2005

Larval grayling were found along the shoreline at velocities <20 cm s‐1 depths <40 cm, shear stress <2 dyn m‐2 and over sand and silt. Juveniles were found in the river channel at currents of 20‐40 cm s‐1 depths of 40‐60 cm and shear stresses of 2‐4 dyn m‐2, over gravel and pebbles.
Post‐exercise metabolic rate in Atlantic cod and its dependence upon the method of exhaustion
Authors: Reidy S. P. , Nelson J. A. , Tang Y. , Kerr S. R.
Published: April 2005

This study tests whether or not post‐exercise oxygen consumption rates (Mo2) in fish are dependent upon how exhaustion is induced. A group of eight Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were each exercised using (1) a critical swimming speed (Ucrit) protocol, (2) an exercise protocol designed to measure anaerobic capacity of fish (Uburst), and (3) a protocol in which the fish were chased to exhaustion manually. Mo2 was measured for a 2‐h period following exhaustion induced by all three exercise regimes (Ucrit, Uburst and chase). Post‐exercise Mo2 following exhaustion from the Uburst and chase protocols were significantly higher than post‐exercise Mo2 following the Ucrit protocol. Each fish during the Ucrit protocol exhibited maximal Mo2 during exercise rather than during recovery, yet 75% of the fish during Ubrust recovery and 100% during chase recovery exhibited Mo2 higher than that measured during Ucrit exercise. These results, as well as the large interindividual variations in Mo2 among the eight fish, show that post‐exhaustion Mo2 is specific to the exercise regime employed, thus, investigators must exercise caution when combining results from different exercise protocols and/or individuals.
Fathead minnows avoid conspedfic and heterospedfic alarm pheromones in the faeces of northern pike
Authors: Brown G. E. , Chivers D. P. , Smith R. J. F.
Published: April 2005

Groups of fathead minnows Pimephales promelas were tested to determine if they avoided areas of a test tank labelled with the faeces of a predator (northern pike, Esox lucius) which had recently been fed minnows, brook sticklebacks Culaea inconstans, or swordtails Xiphophorus helleri. Minnows exhibited a fright reaction upon presentation of sponges labelled with faeces, when the pike had consumed minnows or sticklebacks, but not swordtails (which lack alarm pheromones). The fright reaction was characterized by increased shoal cohesiveness and increased dashing and freezing behaviour. Minnows avoided the area of the tank containing the faeces from pike on diets of minnows or sticklebacks, but not from pike fed a diet of swordtails. These data demonstrate that: (1) minnows actively avoid the faeces of pike fed minnows or brook sticklebacks, and (2) minnows exhibit a fright reaction to the faeces of a pike fed brook sticklebacks.
Histological effects of cyanide, stress and starvation on the intestinal mucosa of Pomacentrus coelestis, a marine aquarium fish species
Authors: Hall K. C. , Bellwood D. R.
Published: April 2005

The histological effects of cyanide, stress and starvation on the gastrointestinal tract of Pomacentrus coelestis, a common marine aquarium fish species, were investigated. Neither anaesthetic cyanide nor stress were found to have any detectable effects on the mucosal lining of the intestine. However, starvation resulted in a significant reduction in the intestine length, the surface area of the intestinal mucosa and the mucosal thickness, all occurring within 13 days.
Ontogenesis of cytological structures around the yolk sac during embryologic and early larval development of some cichlid fishes
Authors: Fishelson L.
Published: April 2005

Ontogenesis of cell structures around the yolk sac was followed in three species of cichlids, the bottomspawner, Tilapia zillii, and two mouthbrooders, the parental Sarotherodon galilaeus and the maternal Pseudotropheus johanni. A description is given of the initial stages of embryogenesis and developments observed in the nucleoli released towards fertilization from the egg germinal vesicle into the yolk, and their participation in enzymatic food metabolism. Attention was focused on the development and involution of a special microvillar network that evolves from the perivitelline syncytium towards the overgrowing yolk sac blood net. In T. zillii this commences 16–18h after fertilization; in S. galilaeus 30–32 h after fertilization; and in P. johanni, with larger eggs and slower development, it commences 38–40 h after fertilization. The extending microvilli establish close contact with the yolk sac blood capillaries thus enabling food transport from the yolk to the developing embryo. Involution of the microvillar layer begins in free‐swimming larvae, dispersing in bottomspawners at age 6–7 days, and in mouthbrooders at 14–16 days.
Seasonal variation in growth, mortality and fat stores of roach and perch in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland
Authors: And D. Griffiths , Kirkwood R. C.
Published: April 2005

The annual cycle for roach (Rutilus rutilus) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland can be divided into warm ‘growing’ and cold ‘non‐growing’ seasons. Summer water temperatures declined between 1991–1993, as did the sizes of 0+ fish of both species. Small overwinter increases in length occurred after poor summers due, in roach, to size‐selective mortality. Fat content was size‐dependent and increased over the summer in both species. All sizes of roach but only small perch lost fat overwinter. Dead roach collected towards the end of the 1992/3 winter had significantly less fat than live individuals. The allocation of energy to growth (and ultimately reproduction) and to fat (and overwinter survival) was modelled as a tradeoff, assuming that fat has twice the energy density of protein and using observed summer and winter changes in body composition. The predicted allocation optima were close to observed values but, for roach, this entailed a substantial survivorship cost.
Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of mitochondrial rRNA genes from yellowtail rockfish
Authors: McGauley K. , Mulligan T. J.
Published: April 2005

A 1600 base pair region of the mitochondrial rRNA genes from 74 yellowtail rockfish, collected from three north‐east Pacific localities, was amplified via PCR. RFLP analysis yielded a total of 33 restriction sites allowing examination of 139 base pairs or 0·8% of the mtDNA molecule. Essentially no variation was detected within or among the three populations.
Rheology of Zirconia Suspensions in a Nonpolar Organic Medium
Authors: Moloney Veronique M. B. , Parris David , Edirisinghe Mohan J.
Published: April 2005

Three dispersants (stearic acid, oleic acid, and poly(12‐hydroxystearic acid)) are compared for their ability to produce low‐viscosity suspensions of zirconia in kerosene. Rheological measurements and sediment packing density measurements show that poly(12‐hydroxystearic acid) is a better dispersant than stearic acid or oleic acid; this is explained in terms of the longer tail of the poly(12‐hydroxystearic acid) surfactant molecule. The amount of dispersant can be optimized to reduce viscosity and yield point of the suspension, and to eliminate thixotropic hysteresis. The use of a dispersion medium of lower viscosity than the dispersant makes it easy to detect when complete monolayer coverage has been achieved. The loss of pseudoplasticity, brought about by a higher degree of deflocculation, can be recovered by increasing the volume fraction of solids of a suspension and this is beneficial in the plastic forming of ceramics. Rheological measurements showed that these suspensions reach a “critical state” above a critical shear stress (τc). This critical state is described by several parameters, i.e., the Bingham yield stress (τb), the plastic viscosity (νPl), and the critical shear rate (γc), which are dependent on the volume fraction of solids.
Low‐Temperature Observation of Relaxor Ferroelectric Domains in Lead Zinc Niobate
Authors: Mulvihill Maureen L. , Cross L. Eric , Uchino Kenji
Published: April 2005

Domain reorientation in single crystals of lead zinc niobatelead titanate solid solutions was examined, because the reorientation contributes to the electrically controlled change of shape and change of response in piezoelectric transducers and actuators. An optical microscope technique was used to explore the buildup of macropolar domains from micropolar regions in relaxor compositions. Poorly defined “ambiguous” spindlelike domains changed to distinct lamellar domains as PbTiO3 content was increased. The domain walls in Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3‐rich samples moved with a wavelike motion. The motion ceased or “froze‐in” below –130° and –30°C for field‐biased and nonbiased samples, respectively. The domains were observed at various temperatures from 300° to –185°C and electric fields up to ±10kV/cm.
Structural Relaxation around Substitutional Cr3+ Ions in Sapphire
Authors: Kizler Peter , He Jun , Clarke David R. , Kenway Philip R.
Published: April 2005

The local structural arrangement of ions around a substitutional Cr3+ ion in sapphire (ruby) has been studied experimentally using extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) in the vicinity of the Cr absorption edge. The findings are compared with an ionic model (Mott‐Littleton) computation using two sets of pairwise potentials. Both the EXAFS results and the computations reveal that when Cr substitutes for an Al ion in sapphire, the surrounding ions relax to an arrangement similar to that for Cr in α‐Cr2O3. Also, most of the structural relaxation is accommodated by the first shell of oxygen and aluminum ions around the substituted Cr3+ ion. The computations also indicate that with applied pressure (tensile and compressive) the ionic positions change self‐similarly and in proportion to the macroscopic strain.
Morphological Forms of α‐Alumina Particles Synthesized in 1,4‐Butanediol Solution
Authors: Cho Seung Beom , Venigalla Sridhar , Adair James H.
Published: April 2005

Phase‐pure, monodispersed, hexagonal plates of single‐crystal α‐alumina (∼2 μm wide and ∼0.5 μm thick) have been prepared via precipitation by treating an aluminum hydrous oxide precursor in 1,4‐butanediol at 300°C under autogenous vapor pressure. Present work shows that KOH is the only reagent that precipitates an aluminum hydrous oxide precursor suitable to synthesize α‐alumina in 1,4‐butanediol solution. In contrast, the use of NaOH or NH4OH as the precipitating reagent for the precursor material does not yield the alpha phase. The solution pH at which the precursor materials are precipitated is also a critical factor for the formation of α‐Al2O3. Phase‐pure α‐alumina powders were also only synthesized from the aluminum hydrous oxide precursors precipitated in the pH range from 10 to 10.5. The results of X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy indicate that longer reaction times promote the phase transformation from the intermediate boehmite phase to α‐alumina. The complete transformation from boehmite to α‐alumina requires reaction times of about 12 h.
Influence of Residual Stresses, Interface Roughness, and Fiber Coatings on Interfacial Properties in Ceramic Composites
Authors: Singh Raj N. , Reddy Srinivas K.
Published: April 2005

Fiber pushout tests are performed on zircon‐matrix composites especially fabricated with a variety of silicon carbide reinforcing fibers and fiber coatings in order to create samples with different interfacial properties, surface roughness, and possibly in different states of residual stress to demonstrate their role on the interfacial and mechanical properties of fiber‐reinforced composites. The data obtained from fiber pushout tests are analyzed using linear, shear‐lag, and progressive debonding models to extract important interfacial properties, residual stresses, and surface roughness. The nature and magnitude of residual stresses in composites are independently characterized by measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber, the matrix, and the composite for comparison with similar values measured using the fiber pushout tests. These results are then compared for self‐consistency among different ways of analyzing data and with independently measured and calculated values. The results have shown that independent and complementary methods of data acquisition and analysis are required to fully understand interfacial properties in ceramic composites. In particular, independent measures of the coefficient of thermal expansion, residual stresses, and surface roughness are required to confidently interpret interfacial properties obtained by different analytical approaches and then relate them to the overall mechanical response of composites. It is also shown that composites with optimum mechanical response can be created by suitably engineering the interface using multiple fiber coatings.
Contacts and Coordination Numbers in a Compact of Polyhedral Particles
Authors: Ikegami Takayasu
Published: April 2005

Model experiments were carried out with plastic polyhedra (cuboctahedra, in particular) contained in a beaker. The packing structures of these polyhedra were characterized in terms of three different types of contacts‐point, line, and face contacts‐along with the coordination numbers, nc. The present data indicate that the numerical distribution of nc shifted to larger values of nc with increasing distance from the beaker wall. On the other hand, the fractional values with respect to each specific type of contact, np/(np+nI+nf), nI/(np+nI+nf), and nf/(np+nI+nf), changed little with location, except at the beaker wall. The small changes of these fractional values were explained with ignorance of the numerical distribution of contact angles and also of the contact areas in counting the three kinds of contacts. The measured percentages of point, line, and face contacts in the central region ranged from 17% to 20%, 60% to 65%, and 15% to 23%, respectively. The larger percentage of line contacts is attributable to the cooperation of two tendencies inducing opposite orders, namely (1) the stability of a contact between polyhedra free from the array of polyhedra around it, which gives np < nI < nf and (2) the adaptability of a contact to an array of polyhedra around it, which gives nf < nI < np. The number of contacts with small contact angles was substantial in the case of the point and line contacts.
Effect of Interfacial Shear Strength on Crack‐Fiber Interaction Behavior in Ceramic Matrix Composites
Authors: Kumaria Shashwat , Singh Raj N. , Gupta Vijay
Published: April 2005

Zircon matrix composites uniaxially reinforced with SiC fibers were fabricated with different interfacial properties by changing the fiber coatings. The phenomenon of crack interaction with fibers and/or fiber coatings and its dependence on the interfacial properties were studied using a microindentation technique. The influence of the fiber orientation relative to the crack extension direction on the crack‐fiber interaction was also investigated. Crack deflection was observed at the fiber‐matrix interface in composites having low interfacial shear strength, and the crack deflection was mostly single‐sided, but double‐sided deflection was also observed. Crack penetration into the fiber occurred in composites with high values of the interfacial shear strength. These observations were in general agreement with the theoretical predictions of the crack deflection behavior based on the bimaterial interfaces in ceramic composites, but additional observations were made on crack deflection at multiple fiber‐matrix interfaces.
Low‐Temperature Synthesis of Aluminum Silicon Carbide Using Ultrafine Aluminum Carbide and Silicon Carbide Powders
Authors: Hasegawa Minoru , Itatani Kiyoshi , Aizawa Mamoru , Howell F. Scott , Kishioka Akira
Published: April 2005

The conditions for preparing α‐aluminum silicon carbide (α‐Al4SiC4) were examined by heating stoichiometric mixtures of ultrafine A14C3 and SiC powders with sizes of <0.1 μm at and below 1600°C. The starting A14C3 powder was obtained by the pyrolysis of trimiethylaluminum; the starting SiC powders were obtained by the pyrolyses of triethylsilane (3ES), tetraethylsilane (4ES), and hexamethyldisilane (6MDS). The reactivity of SiC with Al4C3 to form α‐Al4SiC4 varies according to the kind of starting alkylsilane: 3ES > 4ES > 6MDS. The reaction of 3ES‐derived SiC with A14C3 produced α‐Al4SiC4 at temperatures as low as 1400°C for 240 min, regardless of the presence of A14C3 (trace). Only α‐Al4SiC4 was formed at and above 1500°C for 60 min; the crystal growth was appreciable.
Effects of temperature and food availability on growth rate during late larval stage of Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region
Authors: TAKAHASHI MOTOMITSU , WATANABE YOSHIRO
Published: April 2005

During periods when the population size of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus is large, the abundance of 1‐yr olds has been considered to be dependent on the growth and survival processes in the late larval and early juvenile stages in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region off northern Japan. Recent growth rates for 10 days before capture of larval and early juvenile E. japonicus were estimated and examined in relation to the surface water temperature and the available copepod density in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Late larval and early juvenile E. japonicus were distributed in the waters with temperature from 15 to 19°C and available prey density from 10 to 1000 mg dry weight (DW) m−2 in the transition region. The late larval growth rates were found to be regulated more strongly by water temperature than by copepod density in the waters <16°C, and more strongly by copepod density than water temperature in the waters <100 mg DW m−2 in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition region. The recent growth rates decreased from the western waters to the eastern waters in the survey area 140–170°E in 1998, correlating with decreases of food availability to 50–100 mg DW m−2. While in 1999, the recent growth rates were faster in the waters east of 150°E, resulting from eastward expansion of warm water ranges and high available prey density 100–400 mg DW m−2. The key environmental factors regulating late larval growth rate of E. japonicus in the transition region seem to be spatially different between years.
Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia in three related Quarter horses in Brazil
Authors: BORGES ALEXANDRE S. , CONCEIÇÃO LISSANDRO G. , ALVES ANA L. G. , FABRIS VICIANY E. , PESSOA MARCELO A.
Published: April 2005

Abstract  Hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia belongs to a group of inherited, congenital connective tissue dysplasias usually described as hyperelastosis cutis, cutaneous asthenia, dermatosparaxis, or Ehlers–Danlos‐like syndrome. This report presents the clinical and histological features of three related Quarter horses affected with regional dermal asthenia. These horses had bilateral asymmetric lesions of the trunk and lumbar regions, where the skin was hyperextensible. Handling of the skin elicited a painful response and superficial trauma led to skin wounds. The skin was thinner than normal in the affected areas, with thickened borders and harder fibrotic masses (pseudotumours). The histopathological findings included thinner and smaller collagen fibrils, and a loose arrangement of collagen fibres in the middle, adventitial and deep dermis. Masson's trichrome and Calleja stains did not reveal any abnormality of collagen and elastic fibres. Electron microscopy showed no abnormalities. As in human patients, pseudotumour histopathological findings included fibroplasia and neovascularization. The pedigree chart of these animals supports an autosomal recessive type of inheritance, which has been suggested by other studies. This is the first report of this disease in Brazil. Its clinical and histological features resemble those described in horses affected with this condition in the United States.
Heat shock proteins expression in canine intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: ROMANUCCI MARIARITA , BONGIOVANNI LAURA , MARRUCHELLA GIUSEPPE , MARÀ MARINO , DI GUARDO GIOVANNI , PREZIOSI ROSARIO , DELLA SALDA LEONARDO
Published: April 2005

Abstract  Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are strongly implicated in the control of cell growth, differentiation and biological behaviour of many human cutaneous neoplasms. To our knowledge, no data have been published in the veterinary literature concerning either normal or neoplastic skin. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression of Hsp27, Hsp72 and Hsp73 was evaluated in normal canine skin, 14 intracutaneous cornifying epitheliomas (ICE), 10 well‐differentiated and 5 moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Expression was correlated with the histological degree of keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and investigated as to its usefulness in the differential diagnosis of these canine tumours. In normal epidermis, Hsp27 exhibited cytoplasmic labelling in the spinous and granular layers, whereas in neoplastic tissues it was detected particularly in those areas showing squamous differentiation. Hsp72 immunoreactivity was more intense in ICE and well‐differentiated SCC than in normal skin; however, reduced immunolabelling was observed in moderately differentiated SCC. Unlike Hsp72, Hsp73 showed less intense labelling in ICE and well‐differentiated SCC than in normal epithelium and an increased positivity in moderately differentiated SCC. These results indicate that HSP immunoreactivity differs between normal and neoplastic canine skin. Hsp27 expression seems to correlate directly with cellular differentiation; by contrast, the involvement of Hsp72/73 in proliferation and differentiation of tumour cells remains controversial. The pattern and intensity of immunolabelling of each investigated HSP did not show, however, significant differences between ICE and SCC; therefore, they do not seem to be useful in the differential diagnosis of these two canine tumours.
Evaluation of a point‐of‐care immunodot assay for predicting results of allergen‐specific intradermal and immunoglobulin E serological tests
Authors: OLIVRY THIERRY , JACKSON HILARY A. , MURPHY K. MARCY , TATER KATHY C. , ROBERTS MALCOLM
Published: April 2005

Abstract  Immunotherapy to prevent recurrence of clinical signs of atopic dermatitis (AD) is based on intradermal or serological tests that assist in identifying allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E hypersensitivities. Unfortunately, the results of such tests can be negatively influenced by several factors, which include the age of the patients, the season of testing and the administration of anti‐allergic drugs. Screening to predict when these expensive tests will be useful would benefit owners of dogs with AD. The objectives of this study were to determine whether a point‐of‐care allergen‐specific immunodot assay (Allercept E‐Screen©, Heska Corp., Ft Collins, CO, USA) could predict results of either intradermal or Allercept© full panel serological tests in atopic dogs. Thirty dogs living in the south‐eastern USA were diagnosed with AD in accordance with current standards. Allergen‐specific intradermal, serological and E‐Screen© tests were performed in all subjects. For flea, house dust mite and pollen allergens altogether, results of the E‐Screen© assay agreed with those of intradermal and serological tests in 26/30 dogs (87%) and 25/30 dogs (83%), respectively. In this group of dogs, the probabilities of obtaining intradermal or serological tests positive for these allergens were 70 and 67%, respectively. If either skin or serum tests were performed only in dogs with positive E‐Screen© tests, the probability of obtaining positive results would be increased from 70 to 95% and from 67 to 90%, respectively. In this population of dogs with AD, results of the E‐Screen© point‐of‐care immunodot assay was found to often agree with those of allergen‐specific intradermal or Allercept© tests for selected allergen groups.
Intermittent pneumatic foot compression can activate blood fibrinolysis without changes in blood coagulability and platelet activation
Authors: Kohro S. , Yamakage M. , Sato K. , Sato J.‐I. , Namiki A.
Published: April 2005

Background:  Intermittent pneumatic foot compression (IPC) is a useful technique for prophylaxis of peri‐operative venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of IPC on blood coagulation/fibrinolysis and platelet function using a blood viscometer (SonoclotTM) and a platelet aggregation monitor (WBA analyzerTM), respectively. Using the same blood samples, serum levels of tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA), thrombomodulin (TM) and activated protein C (APC) were also measured.

Methods:  The soles and legs of each subject (n = 8) were compressed for 3 s (130 mmHg) at a 0.3‐Hz interval using an IPC device. Parameters were measured 2 min before and at the end of 60‐min compression.

Results:  Parameters of the Sonoclot time‐to‐peak were shortened and clot retraction rate was increased significantly by IPC, whereas the other parameters did not change. These results indicate that IPC can activate blood fibrinolysis but not coagulability. A parameter of the WBA analyzer PATI (platelet aggregatory threshold index) did not change, indicating that IPC cannot activate platelet function per se. The concentration of t‐PA decreased slightly but significantly. A decrease in the concentration of t‐PA can lead to activation of fibrinolysis. Other humoral parameters did not change, indicating that IPC has no effect on endothelial function. Although neither blood coagulability nor platelet function were affected by IPC, fibrinolytic activity increased slightly, probably by activation of t‐PA function.

Conclusion:  IPC is useful for prophylaxis for thromboembolism by activation of blood fibrinolysis as well as inhibition of blood stasis.
Effect of tidal volume and respiratory rate on the power of breathing calculation
Authors: Natalini G. , Marchesini M. , Tessadrelli A. , Rosano A. , Candiani A. , Bernardini A.
Published: April 2005

Background:  The power of breathing (PoB) is used to estimate the mechanical workload of the respiratory system. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different tidal volume‐respiratory rate combinations on the PoB when the elastic load is constant. In order to assure strict control of the experimental conditions, the PoB was calculated on an airway pressure‐volume curve in mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods:  Ten patients received three different tidal volume‐respiratory rate combinations while minute ventilation was constant. Respiratory mechanics, PoB and its elastic and resistive components were calculated. Alternative methods to estimate the elastic workload were assessed: elastic work of breathing per litre per minute, elastic workload index (the square root of elastic work of breathing multiplied by respiratory rate) and elastic double product of the respiratory system (the elastic pressure multiplied by respiratory rate).

Results:  Despite constant elastance and minute ventilation, the elastic PoB showed an increment greater than 200% from the lower to the greater tidal volume, accounting for approximately 80% of the whole PoB increment. On the contrary, elastic work of breathing per litre per minute, elastic workload index and elastic double product did not change.

Conclusion:  Changes in breathing pattern markedly affect the PoB despite constant mechanical load. Other indexes could assess the elastic workload without tidal volume dependence. Power of breathing use should be avoided to compare different mechanical loads or efficiencies of the respiratory muscles when tidal volume is variable.