bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Temperature Dependent Line Shape of Mössbauer Hyperfine Spectra in the Paramagnetic and the Ordered Region
Authors: Schwegler Helmut
Published: July 2007

A general, microscopic and quantum mechanical theory of the temperature dependent line shape of Mössbauer hyperfine spectra is presented. This theory covers the slow as well as the fast relaxation region and spectra of both paramagnetic and magnetically ordered samples. On a phenomenological level the theory results in generalized Wickman equations but with explicit expressions for the relaxation parameters in terms of the interaction Hamiltonians. The connection between this fully quantum mechanical theory and the stochastic models is also discussed.

In the second part relaxation times are calculated for special interaction Hamiltonians. The relation between the relaxation times obtained by Mössbauer measurements and the results of other relaxation time measurements, especially those of the longitudinal susceptibility χ|, is also considered.

In the third part the critical slowing down of the relaxation time above a transition point is briefly discussed. Finally the superparamagnetism hypothesis, which is able to explain the so‐called anomalous spectra measured below transition points, is outlined.
The Padé Approximation and its Physical Applications
Authors: Basdevant J. L.
Published: July 2007

The Padé approximation, its mathematical features, and its practical and physical applications are reviewed. We describe the present status of the convergence problem. Among the physical applications, we give particular emphasis to elementary particle theory. We discuss various proofs of convergence, and show why the approximation is particularly well suited for studying strong interaction dynamics. We finally review the various achievements of the approximation in the determination of ππ, πN and NN scattering amplitudes.
A Rigorous Formulation of the Boson Method in Superconductivity
Authors: Matsumoto H. , Umezawa H.
Published: July 2007

A rigorous formulation of the boson method in superconductivity is presented. Assuming the local gauge invariance and presence of a phase‐dependent order parameter and utilizing the path‐integral formalism, we derive a set of macroscopic equations which control all the superconducting states. These equations are model‐independent. They contain certain functions and parameters which should be calculated for a given model. Using this rigorous formulation, we study what kind of approximations are involved in the usual formulation of the boson method and how these approximations can be improved.
Extended Unitarity in Hadronic Multichannel Scattering with Coulomb Interactions Present
Authors: Rasche G. , Woolcock W. S.
Published: July 2007

The matrix J of scattering amplitudes for a partial wave is considered for a set of n coupled hadronic two‐body channels with thresholds s1, …, sn satisfying s1 < s2 < … < sn, s being the usual Mandelstam variable. The analyticity properties which follow from the Mandelstam hypothesis are assumed and it is shown rigorously that extended unitarity is equivalent to the absence from the K‐matrix of the cut from s1 to the threshold for the first competing channel with more than two particles. The extension of this result to the case where an attractive Coulomb interaction is present in some channels is discussed fully.
Source Methods in Quantum Field Theory
Authors: Dittrich Walter
Published: July 2007

Schwinger's source theory is used to present a pedagogical review of various methods and models in quantum field theory. In the interest of simplicity we start out with a charged scalar model. Later on we also incorporate more complicated concepts in order to treat quantum electrodynamics, effective Lagrangians and model approximations.
Heisenberg Equations of Motion in a Nonabelian Gauge Theory
Authors: Drechsler W.
Published: July 2007

Heisenberg type equations of motion are established in a nonabelian gauge theory with minimal and nonminimal couplings and various relativistic particle equations of motion are derived from them. These equations for pointlike particles possessing a nonabelian gauge interaction (chosen for definiteness to be of SO(4,1) type) ore obtained in classical limit, ħ → 0, or in a semiclassical limit in which contributions of first order in ħ are retained. As a byproduct of the formalism, which can be applied to an arbitrary gauge group, a simple derivation of the Lorentz equation and the Bargmann‐Michel‐Telegdi equation from spinor electrodynamics with anomalous (i.e. nonminimal) coupling is given starting from the associated quantum mechanical Heisenberg equations of motion and specializing the gauge group to the electromagnetic U(1) group.
Lattice Gauge Theory in Two Spacetime Dimensions
Authors: Dosch H. G. , Müller V. F.
Published: July 2007

Euclidean lattice Yang‐Mills theories with arbitrary values of the self‐coupling are investigated. We prove the existence of the infinite volume expectation values and their independence of the boundary conditions originally imposed. The continuum limit of the general N‐loop function is derived and the continuum limit of the gauge dependent 2‐point function examined.
Electrodynamics of Superconductors as a Consequence of Local Gauge Invariance
Authors: Fusco‐Girard M. , Mancini F. , Marinaro M.
Published: July 2007

The electromagnetic properties of superconductors are studied in the framework of a quantum gauge‐invariant theory.

The formulation is developed in the generalized pair approximation which preserves the Ward‐Takahashi identities. The macroscopic equations which regulate current and electromagnetic fields are derived by means of the boson transformation method. Comparison with previous works is reported.
Asymptotic Series of Quantum Field Theory and Their Summation
Authors: Kazakov D. I. , Shirkov D. V.
Published: July 2007

The problem of investigation of ultraviolet asymptotics in quantum field theory has met recently with specific difficulties related to the asymptotic character of power expansions of quantum perturbation theory. This article is a review on the present status of this problem. First, we discuss the saddle‐point method for the path integral, by which many important results have been obtained in the last years. Then a sketch of results is given concerning the asymptotic series in problems of quantum field theory and quantum mechanics. Next we consider the problem of “summation” of such series, which arises in attempting to reach the region of not small values of the coupling constant g.
The Einstein Podolsky Rosen Paradox and Local Hidden—Variables Theories
Authors: Paul H.
Published: July 2007

Einstein's severe critique of quantum mechanics took its ultimate form in the so‐called Einstein Podolsky Rosen (EPR) paradox. The latter remained a subject of mere dispute, until a remarkable progress was initiated in 1964 by Bell who showed that quantum mechanical correlations specific for an EPR type experiment cannot be reproduced in any local hidden—variables theory. Afterwards, realistic versions of EPR experiments have been conceived and, in fact, carried out. The objective of the present paper is to give a review of this recent exciting development, both theoretical and experimental, which reveals one of the most striking features of quantum theory, the “quantum interconnectedness of distant systems”.
The electrical design for manufacture of ceramic capacitors
Authors: Hannaford C. D. , Ingleson H.
Published: July 2007

The design of components is examined from the standpoint of optimizing production yield and quality rather than electrical performance and unit cost. General observations are made on the compromises which must be made between these criteria, and they are illustrated by considering two specific types of well‐established ceramic capacitor. It is demonstrated that appropriate electrical design changes can produce significant improvements in production yield which more than offset the resulting small increases in material and fabrication costs.
Product warranty and quality control
Authors: Murthy D. N. P. , Wilson R. J. , Djamaludin I.
Published: July 2007

When a product is sold with a warranty, the manufacturer incurs additional costs in the form of warranty servicing costs. Owing to quality variations in manufacturing, some of the items produced do not meet the design specification and are labelled as defective (or non‐conforming) items. The warranty servicing costs for such items are high and can be reduced through a weeding process. This paper deals with life testing as a means to weed out defective items being released, and examines the optimal testing period for three different types of warranties.
On parameter design of binary‐input‐and‐binary‐output dynamic systems
Authors: Yum Bong‐Jin , Kim Seong‐Jun
Published: July 2007

This paper deals with the binary‐input‐and‐binary‐output (BIBO) dynamic parameter design problem. In the Taguchi two‐step procedure, the settings of control factors are first determined such that the so‐called standardized SN ratio is maximized, and then the levelling factor is adjusted to achieve the desired proportion of misclassification probabilities. The standardized SN ratio ηs is calculated assuming that levelling is conducted to make both misclassification probabilities equal. Then, a question arises whether or not ηs is still a valid measure for comparing different designs when the desired ratio α of the two misclassification probabilities is not 1 (as in some chemical or metallurgical separations). In addition, Taguchi did not explain what the optimization criterion is in the above two‐step procedure. In this paper, we first show that using ηs in the Taguchi approach can be justified even for the case where α is not 1. Then, we formulate the BIBO parameter design problem in terms of minimizing expected quadratic loss, and show that the Taguchi two‐step procedure can be also justified with respect to this criterion if a certain set of assumptions is satisfied. The appropriate value of α is also determined.
Localization and characterization of latch‐up sensitive areas using a laser beam: Influence on design rules of ICs in CMOS technology
Authors: Fouillat P. , Danto Y. , Dom J. P.
Published: July 2007

The technique of ‘scanning’ with a laser beam permits a localization of latch‐up sites in CMOS technology with a resolution less than one micron. Electrical simulations correlated to experimental curves of ‘supply current’ versus ‘photo‐induced current’ offer a good evaluation of the predominant parameters of the parasitic structure.
Reliability engineering concepts in design for usability
Authors: Kohoutek Henry J.
Published: July 2007

Engineering and managerial response to the increased demand for more usable computer products is hindered by lack of relevant knowledge in the majority of current Research and Development environments. This paper proposes to use reinterpretation of the existing reliability engineering knowledge base into the language of design for usability, as a way to speed up acceptance and adoption of human factors engineering tools, methods and expertise into the computer designers' set of core competencies. Described similarities in concepts, definitions, formal models and practical aspects between reliability and usability, justify this proposal.
Quality and reliability research into the next century
Authors: Blanks H. S.
Published: July 2007

The paper examines the research needed to advance the science of Q&R and in particular looks at that required to overcome the present crisis in reliability prediction and assessment. Areas requiring special attention are methods for the objective grading of product and organizational quality, research into human error causes and prevention, better modelling of reliability for prediction purposes, the discovery and use of unreliability diagnostic parameters, and better understanding and application of accelerated testing. Accelerated testing, screening and reliability prediction should all be more failure‐mode‐specific than they are currently. Reliability physics should pay increased attention to the precise effect material and geometric defects have on device life.
Electrical measurements as performance indicators of electromigration
Authors: Jones B. K. , Xu Y. Z. , Denton T. C.
Published: July 2007

Measurements were made of various electrical parameters on metal interconnects at intervals during electromigration life tests. The results show a close correlation between the progression of electro‐migration and increases of the resistance values, harmonic content and excess noise. Also, the statistical trend of the variations of these parameters with normalized lifetime for a number of failed samples is very consistent with the trend during a continuously monitoring experiment, where the electrical properties of tracks were monitored continuously while being electrically and thermally stressed. There are implications in the potential importance of such measurements for the non‐destructive tests of electromigration.
Unimodality and bimodality of mixed weibull distributions
Authors: Gera Amos E.
Published: July 2007

The failure density function and probability density function of logarithmic lifetime are partially correlated. Normally, both patterns are either unimodal or else bimodal. This is not always the case. Quantitative criteria are introduced to check their correlation.
Practical reliability testing considerations
Authors: Keene Samuel J. , Vattano Paul
Published: July 2007

This paper covers practical test concerns such as proper test design and analysis of data. It will speak to software and hardware testing as well as test design techniques such as design of experiments. Reliability and test terminology will be given. Some test lessons learned will be shared.
Testing of a solder replacement technology
Authors: Hvims Henrik L.
Published: July 2007

Environmental issues have an ever‐increasing influence on the selection of material and processes in electronic manufacturing. This paper discusses the use of conductive adhesives as a replacement for solder on SMT printed circuit boards. As a result of a world‐wide market survey, a number of conductive adhesives has been selected. One of the two key issues of this paper has been to uncover the market for adhesive types and their composition. The other key issue has been the technical investigation of the influence of component termination and printed circuit surface types on adhesive bonding stability. Four different types of adhesives on two different metal surfaces are compared with conventional solder technology. Each adhesive has been applied to the PCBs by either screen printing or dispensing according to the manufacturer's recommendation, followed by curing. All PCBs went through thermal and humidity cycling followed by electrical measurements of resistance. Finally all variants have been adhesion tested. All adhesive variants have been microsectioned for metallurgical and microstructure examination. Energy dispersive analysis of X‐ray (EDAX) of the metal particles in the adhesive has been carried out and documented. Rework of conductive joints is briefly commented on. Finally, aspects of occupational health are discussed concerning work with adhesive types. Work with epoxy based adhesives has been brought into special focus.
Optimal reliability and maintainability allocation in manufacturing systems
Authors: Calabria R. , Pulcini G. , Rapone M.
Published: July 2007

In this article an attempt has been made to solve an important task in the reliability management of manufacturing systems: the definition of reliability and maintainability specifications of parts, the general objective being to increase productivity while maintaining costs low. An analytical approach has been considered to evaluate an average index of production capability in series‐parallel systems. A heuristic optimization procedure has been developed to solve the following problems: (a) determine the optimal reliability and maintainability allocation of parts to achieve the maximum production index at a given cost; and (b) determine the optimal reliability and maintainability allocation of parts which minimizes the total cost of investments, subject to the constraint of meeting a system production requirement. Numerical examples prove the effectiveness of the proposed procedure and show that the application of optimization analyses can provide large gains in terms of either productivity or total cost.
Translation of the baldrige award criteria to a context more accessible to small companies
Authors: Dunn Robert H.
Published: July 2007

Experience has shown that many small companies find it too costly or impractical to use the criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award as a tool to improve their quality culture. A statelevel award has found a way to make the criteria more accessible to small companies without diluting the essence of the criteria. The Connecticut Quality Improvement Award has translated the specifics of the Baldrige criteria to a set of 37 questions to which applicants, or those wishing to use the criteria for self‐assessment, can respond with considerably reduced effort.
Shape changes of voids in bamboo lines: A new electromigration failure mechanism
Authors: Kraft O. , Möckl U. E. , Arzt E.
Published: July 2007

The behaviour of electromigration‐induced voids in narrow, unpassivated aluminium interconnects is examined. Failure voids are categorized in two different types: extended wedge‐shaped voids and narrow slit‐like voids. The occurrence of slits is found to increase with decreasing current density and line width. It is observed that shape changes of voids lead to the formation of the slit‐like voids. These shape changes may consume a major part of the lifetime of a conductor line. A model to describe the evolution of the void shape is presented.
Gate oxide evaluations from high‐e tests
Authors: Peck D. Stewart
Published: July 2007

Recent published data show the complete pattern of defect failures, intrinsic failures and the transition region between them. This explains many earlier misinterpretations. It provides a life curve for intrinsic failures, extending far beyond observation times in most cases, using a plot of acceleration factors independent of the 1/E vs. E relationship controversy between 6MV/cm. Life is linear with 1/E at 6MV/cm and above.

Estimates of defect densities are available from the transition region, and are capable of extrapolation from high‐E life tests to low gradients of operation. At voltage gradients much below 6MV/cm, however, this extrapolation cannot be corroborated in the long straight line of the transition. A single point test can be performed at about the time to the inflection point at 8 or 9 MV/cm stress to serve as a quality control point for the oxide defect density.

This transition life line, however, can be used to derive a plot of failure rate which can be used to define screening procedures.
Fast image registration based on geometric correspondence between two levels of pyramid structure
Authors: Onoe Morio , Sone Mitsuo
Published: July 2007

The use of a pyramid structure has been known to reduce the time required for image registration. Discussions on a required search range without backtracking, however, have been mostly experimental. In Tanimoto's example the range of 2 × 2 was insufficient, and he suggested the use of a 4 × 4 range, namely, the choice of the best of 16. However, his discussion was not complete. This paper presents a theory based on geometric rather than analog correspondence between levels. First, the upper left corner candidate and best estimate positions in template images of each level, respectively, are defined. Then a required search range is considered. It is shown that even a range of 4 × 4 is insufficient. The discussion is extended to cover the case of analog correspondence. Results obtained are applied to the registration of dynamic images using SSDA (Sequential Similarity Detection Algorithm). A substantial reduction of time is achieved by the use of a pyramid structure in comparison with a conventional method, which uses only the lowest level.
Absolute stability of neural networks
Authors: Matsuoka Kiyotoshi
Published: July 2007

A sufficient condition for the state of a recurrent neural network to converge stably to an equilibrium state is the symmetry of the weights of connections between constituent units. However, generally, it imposes a strong restriction on the capability of the network. Although several stability conditions have been proposed for asymmetric recurrent networks, they are too strict and not useful for actual neural networks. Six new stability conditions are derived herein by using two types of Lyapunov functions. Some of them provide milder constraints on the connection weights than the conventional results, and others are particularly useful when the mutual connections between units have opposite signs of weights.
An automatic measurement for intracranial volume using 3‐D image processings
Authors: Yasuda Takami , Harada Koji , Yokoi Shigeki , Toriwaki Jun‐Ichiro
Published: July 2007

This paper discusses the method of automatically extracting the intracranial region from the X‐ray CT image and measuring its volume. In craniofacial surgery, the predicted increase of the intracranial volume after surgery is the important criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of the surgery.

By applying the three‐dimensional (3‐D) image processing and the shape interpolation, a method is devised which almost automatically extracts the intracranial region and measures its volume. The processing method and the result of measurement are reported herein. The method can be applied to measure the intracranial volume before the surgery, after the surgery, and the intracranial volume simulated before the surgery for the postoperative skull. The feature of the method is that the intracranial volume can be determined for the post‐surgical and planned skull, even if there exists a number of holes due to the surgery.
A multistage stereo method giving priority to reliable matching
Authors: Yamaguchi Akashi , Shirai Yoshiaki , Nakayama Osafumi , Asada Minoru
Published: July 2007

The main problem with stereo vision is the method of searching for corresponding points in the left and right images. The correspondence problem becomes especially difficult in the case of complex scenes because many corresponding candidates are found for a weak feature point.

This paper proposes a multistage stereo method which determines the more reliable matching pairs first and later those less reliable, with the latter determined based on the first result. A feature point is a zero‐crossing point (ZC). If the contrast is high at a ZC, then the position and the direction of the ZC are clearly determined and the matching result is also reliable.

Therefore, the proposed method determines first the correspondence of ZCs with higher contrast. For each ZC in the left image, the corresponding candidates in the right image are those with a similar contrast and direction. For ZCs in a small region in the left image, a histogram of the disparity of all the matching pair candidates is obtained and the disparity of the region is determined by the profile of the histogram. Once the disparity of the window is obtained, the disparity of each ZC in the region is determined. After the forementioned processing is finished, a similar processing is repeated for ZCs with lower contrasts. Experiments with complicated indoor scenes proved that the proposed method is better than a conventional single‐stage method.
Detection of optical flow from a noisy image
Authors: Chiba Masataka , Ozawa Shinji
Published: July 2007

To obtain motion parameters from a moving object in a time‐varying image or to obtain information on a three‐dimensional structure and the collocation of an object, it is necessary to obtain the displacement from the object on the image prior to further processing. For this purpose, the gradient‐based method by which the motion of the object on the image can be detected directly form the spatio‐temporal changes of its brightness is widely used. However, in cases where the image contains noise or the conditions required for the gradient‐based method are not satisfied, a large error occurs in the estimation of the object.

This paper proposes a method in which the optical flow is represented using polar coordinates, and all the conditions required for its magnitude and argument are considered when they are derived. The magnitude of the optical flow of a pixel and the correlation between its argument and neighboring pixels are examined using true motion. The method detects only the optical flow caused by true motion of an object, eliminating optical flows caused by noise, so that the gradient‐based method may be applied.
Effect of nanoparticle deposition on capillary wicking that influences the critical heat flux in nanofluids
Authors: Kim Hyung Dae , Kim Moo Hwan
Published: July 2007

When nanofluids are boiled, nanoparticles are deposited on the heater surface, causing a significant critical heat flux (CHF) enhancement. The authors examined the effect of the surface wettability and the capillarity of the nanoparticle deposition layer on CHF. It is well known that the deposition of nanoparticles changes the surface wettability, but it also causes capillary wicking on a porous surface, whereby the supplied liquid effectively delays the irreversible growth of a dry patch. This study demonstrates that the outstanding CHF enhancement in nanofluids is the consequence of both the improved surface wettability and the capillarity of the nanoparticle deposition layer.
Cellular cofactors affecting hepatitis C virus infection and replication
Authors: Randall Glenn , Panis Maryline , Cooper Jacob D. , Tellinghuisen Timothy L. , Sukhodolets Karen E. , Pfeffer Sebastien , Landthaler Markus , Landgraf Pablo , Kan Sherry , Lindenbach Brett D. , Chien Minchen , Weir David B. , Russo James J. , Ju Jingyue , Brownstein Michael J. , Sheridan Robert , Sander Chris , Zavolan Mihaela , Tuschl Thomas , Rice Charles M.
Published: July 2007

Recently identified hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates that are infectious in cell culture provide a genetic system to evaluate the significance of virus–host interactions for HCV replication. We have completed a systematic RNAi screen wherein siRNAs were designed that target 62 host genes encoding proteins that physically interact with HCV RNA or proteins or belong to cellular pathways thought to modulate HCV infection. This includes 10 host proteins that we identify in this study to bind HCV NS5A. siRNAs that target 26 of these host genes alter infectious HCV production >3-fold. Included in this set of 26 were siRNAs that target Dicer, a principal component of the RNAi silencing pathway. Contrary to the hypothesis that RNAi is an antiviral pathway in mammals, as has been reported for subgenomic HCV replicons, siRNAs that target Dicer inhibited HCV replication. Furthermore, siRNAs that target several other components of the RNAi pathway also inhibit HCV replication. MicroRNA profiling of human liver, human hepatoma Huh-7.5 cells, and Huh-7.5 cells that harbor replicating HCV demonstrated that miR-122 is the predominant microRNA in each environment. miR-122 has been previously implicated in positively regulating the replication of HCV genotype 1 replicons. We find that 2′-
O
-methyl antisense oligonucleotide depletion of miR-122 also inhibits HCV genotype 2a replication and infectious virus production. Our data define 26 host genes that modulate HCV infection and indicate that the requirement for functional RNAi for HCV replication is dominant over any antiviral activity this pathway may exert against HCV.
The Qajar Era in the Mirror of Time
Authors: Yarshater Ehsan
Published: July 2007

When I was in college (1937-41, that is the second decade of the Pahlavi era), the study of Qajar history was far less fashionable than that of earlier periods of Persian history. The earlier periods were thought of as the time frames for the political, military, or cultural achievements that one could feel good about, or else the temporal receptacles of calamities and defeats one could lament. The Qajar period, however, was not distant enough to command “historical” respectability. As might be expected in the aftermath of a fallen dynasty, the names of the Qajar kings were too much tainted by allegations of backwardness, ineptitude, corruption, and abuse of royal power to inspire sufficient interest. Social sciences had not yet made adequate headway in Persia to encourage the recording and analysis of contemporary events. Pioneers in researching Qajar history, like Abbas Eqbal, were few, and those who occupied themselves with it focused mainly on selected events of particular import, such as Persian defeats in the Perso-Russian wars, the reforms of Amir Kabir and his execution, Anglo-Russian intervention in Persian affairs, the Tobacco Régie and the Constitutional movement.
Local Politics in Eastern Iran under the Ghaznavids and Seljuks
Authors: Bulliet Richard W.
Published: July 2007

The political history of the Ghaznavid and Seljuk dynasties, which ruled much of Iran throughout the eleventh and twelfth centuries, is now fairly well known and recently has been drawn together in the excellent narrative of Professor Bosworth in the Cambridge History of Iran. It is still quite imperfectly understood, however, and will probably remain so for a good while yet to come. The old and serviceable schematization of the period based on the notion of a Sunni revival, keyed to the development of madrasa education and to the personality of Nizam al-Mulk, is still current despite increasing awkwardness in fitting the facts to it. It would be premature to attempt at this time an alternative schematization, and, indeed, such a schematization, when it eventually appears, may well be not so much an alternative to the old one as an expansion in which the main features of the old one have a prominent place.
Urban Migrants and the Revolution
Authors: Kazemi Farhad
Published: July 2007

The Iranian revolution of 1978-1979, which toppled the Pahlavi dynasty, came to fruition as a result of massive participation by diverse elements and groups in the social order. Similar to previous riots and uprisings in Iran, the locus of revolutionary activities centered in the country's towns and cities. The urban areas once again emerged as the focal points for demonstrations, riots, strikes, and other antiregime activities. Included among the participants in the revolution were large groups of urban dwellers who had migrated from Iran's villages and towns to its principal cities. The term urban migrants, then, encompasses a wide array of people with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and political orientations. For the purposes of this paper, however, the term is used to refer to the urban poor who had migrated from the rural areas to Iran's dominant and largest urban center, the capital city of Tehran.
American Policy and the Iranian Crisis
Authors: Cottam Richard W.
Published: July 2007

Anyone familiar with Iranian history would not have been surprised by the uneasy coalition of religious leaders, secular intellectuals, and bazaar merchants that spearheaded the antishah movement in Iran. Once each generation in this century such a coalition has attempted to gain political control of the nation. Each time, including this one, their efforts have met the determined resistance of one or more external powers. There appears to be a cruel geopolitical determinism at work. Iran, standing at the meeting point of competing imperial interests, is not allowed for long the luxury of chaotic development. Internal chaos threatens the delicate balance of external competitors—each fearing the other will take undue advantage of the situation. And since the kind of regime the coalition claims to seek, liberal and democratic, is certain to be at least initially unstable, it has been consistently the negative target of the external competitors.
Pink Nail Polish: A Story
Authors: Ahmad Jalal Al-e
Published: July 2007

Jalal Al-e Ahmad (1923-1969) is an author whose writings during a 25-year career would warrant attention in any consideration of literature and society in Iran. That he has assumed special significance in the post-Pahlavi era can be explained by his efforts in the 1960s, in Nikki Keddie's words, “to achieve a kind of return from secularism to what he understood to be the true, progressive Islam…Al-e Ahmad found cultural roots and ties to the Iranian people in Islam [and] defended Islam against the policy of Westernization at any price championed by the [Pahlavi] regime.” The lip service paid Al-e Ahmad in recent years by Iranian writers and other intellectuals, including the publication of a 30-page eulogistic tribute to him in the first issue of the Association of Writers of Iran's Nameh-ye Kanun-e Nevisandegan-e Iran (1979), is an indication of their awareness of his distinctive potential appeal in an Islamic republic.
Ebrahim Golestan's The Treasure: A Parable of Cliché and Consumption
Authors: Sprachman Paul
Published: July 2007

Asrar-e Ganj-e Darreh-ye Jenni [The Secrets of the Treasure of Possessed Valley], hereafter The Treasure, is the name of both a novel and a film by Ebrahim Golestan (b. 1922), the important short story writer and filmmaker now living in London. Golestan made the film in the fall and winter of 1971, and later, in the summer and fall of 1974, reworked the screenplay into a novel. This perspective is critically useful, for it helps to explain the presence of certain cinematic touches in the novel's composition. But, before a review of these touches, here is a summary of the contents of The Treasure.

The action of The Treasure betrays the simplicity of a parable. While plowing his field, a poor farmer accidentally uncovers an ancient burial chamber loaded with gold artifacts. Realizing that the trove would somehow liberate him from his bumpkin existence, he brings pieces of it to a jeweler in the city.
Merchants and Government, Tobacco and Trade: The Case of Kordestan, 1333 AH/1919 AD
Authors: Nezam-Mafi Mansoureh E.
Published: July 2007

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in studying the economic history of Persia in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, scholars have continued to feel the paucity of adequate source materials for such studies. The papers of Amin al-Zarb, a leading member of one of the great merchant families of the nineteenth century, came to light in the 1960s, suggesting that family papers of the merchant houses, if they could be traced, could offer an enormously valuable window onto economic activities and developments in Persia during this period. Few such family collections have turned up, however. The papers of Hajj Rahim Ettehadieh, a member of a merchant family whose activities in Azerbaijan and Tehran can be traced back at least to the last quarter of the nineteenth century, are not as rich as the Amin al-Zarb papers. Nonetheless, if carefully utilized, they have the potential of offering some intriguing glimpses into the activities and attitudes of the merchant community.
Agricultural Development Planning under the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Haghayeghi Mehrdad
Published: July 2007

On 31 January 1990 the Council of Guardians of the Islamic Republic of Iran ratified an amended version of a five-year economic, social and cultural development plan set forth by the Majlis for the 1989-93 period. In its economic dimension, the proposed plan represents a major departure from the development policies preached, and to some extent practiced, under the leadership of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. One of the most noteworthy aspects of this departure is a significant decline in the role of agriculture, hitherto the “major axis” of economic development. The plan instead designates a “high priority” status to the sector. This, according to some Majlis deputies and government officials, has placed the nation back on the pre-revolutionary development path so heavily criticized by the revolutionaries in the 1970s. The post-Khomeini government, however, considers its new policy orientation a practical step, motivated by technocratic realism, to remedy decades-old economic problems.
There you go again? Gary Sick, Ronald Reagan, and the Iranian revolution: A review article
Authors: Kuniholm Bruce
Published: July 2007

Gary Sick's latest book, October Surprise, has been frequently cited, less widely read, guardedly praised and savagely criticized in the last year, during which it has also led to two ongoing Congressional investigations. Such a book was undoubtedly the farthest thing from his mind when he retired from distinguished service with the U.S. Navy and began to write his first book, All Fall Down. First published in 1985 (it was republished in 1986 with a 15-page introduction), All Fall Down chronicled, on the basis of Sick's first-hand experience as the principal White House aide for Iran during the Iranian revolution and hostage crisis, and following his subsequent research into the question, the most complete and accurate account to date of the Carter administration's policies toward Iran. All Fall Down was voted one of the eleven best books of 1985 by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
A ‘Safavid Cadabi’ in the Royal Ontario Museum Reconsidered
Authors: Dal Farra Marta
Published: July 2007

A brilliant coral ground silk coat with a brocaded silk and silver gilt floral diaper sprig (fig. 1) was acquired in 1982 by the Textile Department of the Royal Ontario Museum (hereafter, “ROM coat“). It has been tentatively dated by the Department to mid-seventeenth - early eighteenth century Iran. There are as well several published garments, generally described as robes and sometimes classified as cadabi (sic.), which are very similar in cut, fabrics and trim to the ROM coat (see Appendix, “Related Robes“; hereafter, “Robes“).
Rereading the Enlightenment: Akhundzada and His Voltaire
Authors: Sanjabi Maryam B.
Published: July 2007

Among The Forerunners of Modernism in Nineteenth-Century Iran Mirza Fath ‘Ali Akhundzada was probably the most outspoken in his defense of secularism and his attack on religion as the chief obstacle to social progress. His writings on these subjects, his advocacy of an improvised script—a lifetime preoccupation—and his plays with distinct social messages, have already been subjects of study. In their treatment of Akhundzada most writers have satisfied themselves with cursory content analyses of his social ideas and literary achievements. Yet the question remains: to what extent was his socio-religious criticism—what he calledqirītīka(Persianized rendering of the Russiankritika)— the outcome of his exposure, directly or indirectly, to modern European thought? To what extent, on the other hand, was his blend of theological skepticism and social disquietude rooted in exposure to the lingering Perso-Islamic “esotericism”(bāṭinīya)of his time.
A Tidal Wave for Change
Authors: Tilson Barbara
Published: July 2007

The focus of this paper concerns change in the automotive supply chain,1 industry responses, and policy and strategic implications. Automotive components suppliers are buffeted by global trends and forces, including rising quality standards, environmental issues, and product and process innovation. Although the higher ranks of the supply chain adapt to change continuously, new technologies on the horizon threaten to make many automotive components manufacturers obsolete within some three to ten years. The West Midlands region is particularly vulnerable given its high concentration of automotive suppliers. The potential for related diversification is limited and investment is needed in new manufacturing activities (rather than assembly or sales/distribution) related to environmental, alternative power and electronic technologies. This will position the UK's automotive supply base at the forefront of technological advance against strong and aggressive global players notably from the US, Germany and the Far East. Both the private and public sectors have a strategic and supporting role to play in ensuring that opportunities are maximised. The West Midlands case study has a broader currency for initiatives targeting diversification both in vehicles production and in other manufacturing sectors. Its significance is heightened by the increasing tendency for other sectors—such as food and drink production, and domestic appliances—to adopt automotive practices.
Alcohol and Drug Problems in Minority Groups
Authors: Kamien M.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: Alcohol is a very recent introduction to the long history of Aboriginal occupation of Australia. The patterns of drinking have arisen as a copy of binge drinking which was and still is a common form of drinking in outback Australia. Grafted onto this is the cultural heritage of sharing as well as the tension release obtained for those at the lowest rung of Australia's socio‐economic ladder.

Abstract: Doctors and nurses are supposed to be the educated members of society and should be expected to go more than half the way in bridging the cultural gap necessary to initiate preventive and curative services to one of the major health problems facing Aborigines and other ethnic groups in Australia.
An industry view on advertising and alcohol
Authors: Dickason David T.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present the view of the brewing industry in response to the current discussion on the National Alcohol Policy in Australia. It is presented on behalf of the Australian Associated Brewers and seeks to present a balanced and constructive view on what is undeniably a very important social issue.
A New Hypothesis for Microvascular Inflammation in Shock and Multiorgan Failure: Self‐Digestion by Pancreatic Enzymes
Authors: SCHMID‐SCHÖNBEIN GEERT W. , HUGLI TONY E.
Published: July 2007

Shock is accompanied by a severe inflammatory cascade in the microcirculation, the origin of which has been hypothesized in the past to be associated with specific mediators such as endotoxin, oxygen free radicals, nitric oxide, cytokines, and lipid products. But no intervention with clinical effectiveness has been derived from these ideas to date. The authors propose here a new hypothesis suggesting that degradative enzymes, synthesized in the pancreas as part of normal digestion, may play a central role in shock and multiorgan failure. These powerful enzymes have the ability to digest almost every biological material. Self‐digestion (i.e. autodegradation) is prevented by compartmentalizing the fully activated degradative enzymes in the intestinal lumen by the mucosal barrier. In shock, maintenance of the mucosal barrier is impaired and it becomes permeable to pancreatic enzymes. Digestive enzymes thereby gain access to the wall of the intestine and initiate self‐digestion of submucosal extracellular matrix proteins and interstitial cells. The process leads to generation and release of a host of strong inflammatory mediators. The authors hypothesize that inhibition of pancreatic enzymes in the lumen of the intestine can serve to attenuate formation of these inflammatory mediators in ischemic tissues following hemorrhagic shock, and consequently prevent cell and tissue injury as well as multiorgan failure.
Obesity Exacerbates Sepsis‐Induced Inflammation and Microvascular Dysfunction in Mouse Brain
Authors: VACHHARAJANI VIDULA , RUSSELL JANICE M. , SCOTT KEITH L. , CONRAD STEVEN , STOKES KAREN Y. , TALLAM LAKSHMI , HALL JOHN , GRANGER D. NEIL
Published: July 2007

Objective: Obese patients with sepsis have higher morbidity and mortality than lean counterparts, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. The authors examined the inflammatory and thrombogenic responses of the cerebral microvasculature to sepsis induced by cecal ligation and perforation in obese and lean wild‐type mice.

Methods: Leukocyte and platelet adhesion in cerebral microvasculature and behavioral responses were measured in wild‐type and obese mice 4 h postperforation. P‐selectin expression in different vascular beds was assessed 6 h postperforation. The effects of immunoblockade of P‐selectin, ICAM‐1, and CD18 on leukocyte and platelet recruitment were evaluated in obese septic animals.

Results: Cerebral venules of obese and wild‐type mice assumed a proinflammatory and prothrombogenic phenotype 4 h post‐perforation, with greatly exaggerated responses in obese mice compared to the lean counterparts. These enhanced responses were attenuated by blocking P‐selectin, CD18, or ICAM‐1. Obese mice also exhibited a more profound behavioral deficit after sepsis, which appears to be unrelated to the recruitment of leukocytes and platelets. Cecal ligation and perforation‐induced P‐selectin expression was greater in obese mice compared with lean counterparts.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the increased morbidity to sepsis in obesity may result from exaggerated microvascular inflammatory and thrombogenic responses that include the activation of endothelial cells with subsequent expression of adhesion molecules, such as P‐selectin.
Interactions of Platelets, Blood‐Borne Tissue Factor, and Fibrin During Arteriolar Thrombus Formation In Vivo
Authors: SIM DEREK S. , FLAUMENHAFT ROBERT , FURIE BARBARA C. , FURIE BRUCE
Published: July 2007

Thrombus formation following vascular injury is an essential component of both hemostasis and pathologic vessel occlusion. This process occurs in a closed, pressurized environment in which blood flows rapidly over the injury site. Thrombus formation must occur quickly to reduce blood loss, but is carefully modulated to limit vessel occlusion. Circulating cells, plasma proteins, vessel wall components, and physical forces such as shear all influence thrombus formation. Historically, thrombus formation has been studied by isolating the separate components of blood involved in clot formation. With improved optical techniques, investigators have increasingly studied thrombus formation under conditions of flow in vitro and in live animals in vivo. Using multichannel fluorescence intravital videomicroscopy, the authors have studied the changes in the kinetics and deposition of platelets, fibrin, and tissue factor at the injury site during thrombosis in transgenic mice, bone marrow transplanted mice, and mice treated with pharmacological agents that modulate thrombosis. The differences in the kinetics of accumulation of the various components of thrombus in these mice have provided new insights about thrombus formation in arterioles. This review discusses the role of platelet intracellular signaling, P‐selectin expression on platelets, and tissue factor‐bearing microparticles in thrombus formation.
The Dark Side of Italian History 1943–1945
Authors: Ganapini Luigi
Published: July 2007

A study of the history of the Italian Social Republic (1943–1945) reveals the importance of the experience of Fascist Syndicalism and above all National Syndicalism. During the preceding 20 years of Fascist rule, Fascist Syndicalism had faced notable difficulties, divided as it was between the need to defend workers and that of obeying the dictatorship; but following the fall of Mussolini and the military defeat of Fascist Italy, new opportunities appeared to present themselves. In 1943 Mussolini had called for ‘socialization’ as a means of fighting the anti-Fascist democratic forces. In this context, the ideology of National Syndicalism became the key feature of a project for the construction of a totalitarian state. In spite of the inevitability of defeat, the final phase of Fascism thus involved an attempt to win over the working classes in the industrial centres of northern Italy in order to establish them as the basis for a possible revival.