bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile (SCIP)
Authors: Monsch Andreas U. , Feldmann Christina , Berres Manfred , Beutler Monique , Studer Andreas , Stähelin Hannes B. , Spiegel René
Published: October 2005

Zusammenfassung: Das SCIP wurde in den USA wenige Jahre nach der SIB als neuropsychologische Skala für die Untersuchung kognitiver Funktionen bei schwer Dementen veröffentlicht. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war die klinische Anwendung und empirische Überprüfung (Objektivität, Reliabilität, Empfindlichkeit im untersten Messbereich kognitiver Leistungen) einer deutschsprachigen Version des SCIP. Untersucht wurden 57 (42 w, 15 m) hospitalisierte, schwer demente Patienten (Alter: 83.0, SD 9.0; MMSE: 5.6, SD 5.3) verschiedener Ätiologie. Das SCIP zeigte eine sehr hohe Inter-Rater-Reliabilität (1.0) und Interne Konsistenz (.96). Die Korrelation mit dem MMSE-Score betrug 0.84, jene mit dem SIB-Score 0.97 (alle p < .001). Im SCIP erreichten 13 von 14 Patienten mit MMSE = 0 messbare Werte. Die deutschsprachige Version des SCIP erfüllt sowohl die Anforderung betr. Empfindlichkeit im untersten Messbereich, wie auch diejenigen der Objektivität und Reliabilität.
Datenerhebung bei hochaltrigen institutionalisierten Menschen
Authors: Miklautz Michaela , Mayring Philipp , Jenull-Schiefer Brigitte
Published: October 2005

Zusammenfassung: Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, ein abgestimmtes Verfahren (problemzentriertes Einzelinterview, Gruppendiskussion und offener Fragebogen) der qualitativen Sozialforschung zur Erforschung von aktuellen Aktivitäten und lebensspannenbezogenen Aktivitätsgewohnheiten von Senioren- und PflegeheimbewohnerInnen zu erproben. Mit dieser Vorgehensweise sollte sowohl den unterschiedlichen Beeinträchtigungen institutionalisierter Menschen begegnet als auch der Zeitökonomie innerhalb der qualitativen Sozialforschung Rechnung getragen werden können sowie das Argument der Einzelfallbezogenheit, das oft gegen eine Verwendung qualitativer Methoden spricht, entkräftet werden. Daten von 131 HeimbewohnerInnen liegen vor. Generell zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass alle drei Erhebungsverfahren bei dieser Personengruppe anwendbar sind. Entgegen den Erwartungen konnten diese jedoch nicht gemäß ihrer theoretischen Planung eingesetzt werden. Mehr als drei Viertel der StudienteilnehmerInnen nahmen das problemzentrierte Einzelinterview für sich in Anspruch, was natürlich Auswirkungen auf die Zeitökonomie mit sich brachte. Die Präferenz von StudienteilnehmerInnen für ein Erhebungsverfahren muss in zukünftigen Studien vermehrt Berücksichtigung finden.
Alkoholkonsum in der Adoleszenz - soziale und individuelle Einflussfaktoren
Authors: Hinckers Anne , Laucht Manfred , Heinz Andreas , Schmidt Martin H.
Published: October 2005

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Der Einfluss verschiedener sozialer und individueller Faktoren auf den Alkoholkonsum Jugendlicher wurde geprüft. Methodik: Mit Hilfe einer ursprünglich 384 Probanden umfassenden, prospektiven Längsschnittstudie wurde die psychische Entwicklung von der Geburt bis zum Jugendalter untersucht. Als Variablen im Jugendalter wurden erfasst: 1) der Alkoholkonsum mit 16 Jahren, 2) die Sensitivität gegenüber der Wirkung von Alkohol, 3) Temperament, 4) der Kontakt zu Gleichaltrigen, 5) das elterliche Erziehungsverhalten und 6) psychische Auffälligkeiten. Ergebnisse: Die Mehrheit der Jugendlichen (97%) konsumierte Alkohol, 24% mindestens einmal wöchentlich. Soziale Faktoren (wie der negative Einfluss der Peers, elterliches Erziehungsverhalten) und individuelle Faktoren (wie die Sensitivität gegenüber der Wirkung von Alkohol, Temperamentsmerkmale und psychische Auffälligkeiten) sagten die Menge des monatlich konsumierten Alkohols im Alter von 16 Jahren voraus. Schlussfolgerungen: Gefährdete Jugendliche sollten frühzeitig identifiziert werden. Zur Prävention eignen sich Maßnahmen zur Stärkung der Eltern, Verringerung des Kontakts zu sozial auffälligen Jugendlichen und ein Training zur Verbesserung der Körperwahrnehmung und Alkoholsensitivität.
Upstream sediment input effects on experimental dune trough scour in sediment mixtures
Authors: Kleinhans M. G.
Published: October 2005

Understanding causes of dune irregularity, especially dune trough scour, is important for the modeling of vertical sorting of sediment mixtures in morphological models of rivers with sediment mixtures. Sediment in dunes is generally sorted in a fining‐upward manner, which affects the sediment transport composition depending on the scour depth distribution of the dunes. Why dunes become more irregular and develop deep scour holes in some conditions is only partially understood. Moreover, there is a feedback between vertical sorting and dune irregularity. In gravelly sands, erosion‐resistant coarse layers may form that decrease or inhibit dune trough scour. The causes of dune irregularity and the feedback by coarse sediment layers are explored in experiments and are demonstrated to be related partly to the upstream sediment boundary condition determined by the experimental setup: sediment feeding or recirculating. Sediment recirculation flumes promote fining of the transported sediment and formation of a less or immobile gravel lag layer in the dune troughs. Sediment feed flumes may force the transported sediment at the flume entry to be equal to the bed sediment (equal mobility condition) and hence allow no lag layer formation. Experiments show that the dune trough scour in recirculation is less deep than in feed flumes, and the vertical sorting and transport sediment composition are different. The experiments also indicate that dune irregularity in feed flumes is related to dimensionless shear stress similarly as in uniform sediments. Interpretation of experiments of dune dynamics in sediment mixtures should therefore account for differences in the upstream sediment supply condition. More in general, it is hypothesized that the upstream sediment supply condition (resembling either recirculation or feed flumes) in rivers may affect dune and vertical sorting dynamics.
Time domain coupling to a device on a printed circuit board inside a cavity
Authors: Lertsirimit Chatrpol , Jackson David R. , Wilton Donald R.
Published: October 2005

Time domain coupling from an incident plane wave pulse to a device on a printed circuit board inside of a metallic cavity enclosure is calculated and studied, using an efficient hybrid method. The cavity has an exterior feed wire that penetrates through an aperture and makes direct contact with the printed circuit board trace that leads to the device. The signal level at the input port of the device is calculated and studied. The incident electromagnetic field is assumed to be a time domain plane wave in the form of a pulse, and two pulse shapes (a Gaussian pulse and an exponentially damped sinusoidal pulse) are studied. Results show how different pulse characteristics produce different types of signals at the input to the device. The time domain results are validated by comparing with simple expressions based on the resonant frequencies and the quality factor of the cavity.
Flux measurements of volatile organic compounds from an urban landscape
Authors: Velasco E. , Lamb B. , Pressley S. , Allwine E. , Westberg H. , Jobson B. T. , Alexander M. , Prazeller P. , Molina L. , Molina M.
Published: October 2005

Direct measurements of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions that include all sources in urban areas are a missing requirement to evaluate emission inventories and constrain current photochemical modelling practices. Here we demonstrate the use of micrometeorological techniques coupled with fast‐response sensors to measure urban VOC fluxes from a neighbourhood of Mexico City, where the spatial variability of surface cover and roughness is high. Fluxes of olefins, methanol, acetone, toluene and C2‐benzenes were measured and compared with the local gridded emissions inventory. VOC fluxes exhibited a clear diurnal pattern with a strong relationship to vehicular traffic. Recent photochemical modelling results suggest that VOC emissions are significantly underestimated in Mexico City, but for the olefin class, toluene, C2‐benzenes, and acetone fluxes measured in this work, the results show general agreement with the gridded emissions inventory. While these measurements do not address the full suite of VOC emissions, the comparison with the inventory suggests that other explanations may be needed to explain the photochemical modelling results.
Thermo‐compositional convection in Europa's icy shell with salinity
Authors: Han Lijie , Showman Adam P.
Published: October 2005

We present two‐dimensional numerical simulations of thermo‐compositional convection to test the hypothesis that the combined buoyancy from both thermal and salinity contrasts in Europa's ice shell can produce the numerous uplifts and pits on Europa's surface. Our simulations show that uplifts and pits with amplitude of 100–500 m and diameters of 10–30 km (similar to some of the observed features) can be produced in a 10–30 km‐thick ice shell with 2–10% compositional density variations if the viscosity contrast due to temperature variation does not exceed 106. The pit and uplift formation time and lifetime are approximately proportional to the surface viscosity, ranging from 104 years to 107 years for viscosity contrasts of 104–106. Convection cannot produce substantial surface topography if the viscosity contrast exceeds 107–108. These results imply that thermo‐compositional convection can only produce Europa's pits and uplifts if Europa's surface is weak.
Geophysical evidence of gas hydrates in shallow submarine mud volcanoes on the Moroccan margin
Authors: Depreiter D. , Poort J. , Van Rensbergen P. , Henriet J. P.
Published: October 2005

Gas hydrates inside mud volcanoes have been observed in several locations but are generally found at water depths of 1000 m and deeper. We present the first observation of the base of a gas hydrate stability zone within a shallow mud volcano in the El Arraiche mud volcano field on the Moroccan Atlantic margin. The mud volcano base is located at about 475 m and is over 125 m high. On high‐resolution seismics we observed an anomalous but coherent reflection under the slopes of the mud volcano. The event was interpreted as the base of a gas hydrate stability zone because of its inverse polarity and its morphology. Far from the crater, the event is nearly parallel to the seafloor. Closer toward the crater, the event shallows. Inside the mud volcano crater, no event is observed. A stability model using thermogenic gas compositions is applied to local P‐T conditions, indicating that thermogenic gas hydrates can be stable at this depth. The high modeled heat flow in the crater of the mud volcano indicates a focused flow of warm fluids. Below the slopes of the mud volcano, the inferred heat flow is also elevated but less high. In areas of thermogenic gas production, gas hydrates can occur at shallow water depths, even in areas with high heat flow. This also suggests that dewatering of the accretionary wedge complex is mainly focused along fault surfaces and through seafloor structures, such as mud volcanoes.
Multiproxy evidence of Holocene climate variability from estuarine sediments, eastern North America
Authors: Cronin T. M. , Thunell R. , Dwyer G. S. , Saenger C. , Mann M. E. , Vann C. , Seal R. R.
Published: October 2005

We reconstructed paleoclimate patterns from oxygen and carbon isotope records from the fossil estuarine benthic foraminifera Elphidium and Mg/Ca ratios from the ostracode Loxoconcha from sediment cores from Chesapeake Bay to examine the Holocene evolution of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)‐type climate variability. Precipitation‐driven river discharge and regional temperature variability are the primary influences on Chesapeake Bay salinity and water temperature, respectively. We first calibrated modern δ18Owater to salinity and applied this relationship to calculate trends in paleosalinity from the δ18Oforam, correcting for changes in water temperature estimated from ostracode Mg/Ca ratios. The results indicate a much drier early Holocene in which mean paleosalinity was ∼28 ppt in the northern bay, falling ∼25% to ∼20 ppt during the late Holocene. Early Holocene Mg/Ca‐derived temperatures varied in a relatively narrow range of 13° to 16°C with a mean temperature of 14.2°C and excursions above 16°C; the late Holocene was on average cooler (mean temperature of 12.8°C). In addition to the large contrast between early and late Holocene regional climate conditions, multidecadal (20–40 years) salinity and temperature variability is an inherent part of the region's climate during both the early and late Holocene, including the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Age. These patterns are similar to those observed during the twentieth century caused by NAO‐related processes. Comparison of the midlatitude Chesapeake Bay salinity record with tropical climate records of Intertropical Convergence Zone fluctuations inferred from the Cariaco Basin titanium record suggests an anticorrelation between precipitation in the two regions at both millennial and centennial timescales.
Wigner-Moyal description of free variable mass Klein-Gordon fields
Authors: Santos J. P. , Silva L. O.
Published: October 2005

A system of coupled kinetic transport equations for the Wigner distributions of a free variable mass Klein-Gordon field is derived. This set of equations is formally equivalent to the full wave equation for electromagnetic waves in nonlinear dispersive media, thus allowing for the description of broadband radiation-matter interactions and the associated instabilities. The standard results for the classical wave action are recovered in the short wavelength limit of the generalized Wigner-Moyal formalism for the wave equation.
Ground state of the massless Nelson model in a non-Fock representation
Authors: Sasaki Itaru
Published: October 2005

We consider a model of a particle coupled to a massless scalar field (the massless Nelson model) in a non-Fock representation. We prove the existence of a ground state of the system, applying the method of Griesemer, Lieb, and Loss.
Population dynamics simulations of functional model proteins
Authors: Blackburne Benjamin P. , Hirst Jonathan D.
Published: October 2005

In order to probe the fundamental principles that govern protein evolution, we use a minimalist model of proteins to provide a mapping from genotype to phenotype. The model is based on physically realistic forces of protein folding and includes an explicit definition of protein function. Thus, we can find the fitness of a sequence from its ability to fold to a stable structure and perform a function. We study the fitness landscapes of these functional model proteins, that is, the set of all sequences mapped on to their corresponding fitnesses and connected to their one mutant neighbors. Through population dynamics simulations we directly study the influence of the nature of the fitness landscape on evolution. Populations are observed to move to a steady state, the distribution of which can often be predicted prior to the population dynamics simulations from the nature of the fitness landscape and a quantity analogous to a partition function. In this paper, we develop a scheme for predicting the steady-state population on a fitness landscape, based on the nature of the fitness landscape, thereby obviating the need for explicit population dynamics simulations and providing some insight into the impact on molecular evolution of the nature of fitness landscapes. Poor predictions are indicative of fitness landscapes that consist of a series of weakly connected sublandscapes.
Monte Carlo simulation of Li+ motion in polyethylene based on polarization energy calculations and informed by data compression analysis
Authors: Scarle S. , Sterzel M. , Eilmes A. , Munn R. W.
Published: October 2005

We present an n-fold way kinetic Monte Carlo simulation of the hopping motion of Li+ ions in polyethylene on a grid of mesh 0.36Å superimposed on the voids of the rigid polymer. The structure of the polymer is derived from a higher-order simulation, and the energy of the ion at each site is derived by the self-consistent polarization field method. The ion motion evolves in time from free flight through anomalous diffusion to normal diffusion, with the average energy tending to decrease with increasing temperature through thermal annealing. We compare the results with those of hopping models with probabilistic energy distributions of increasing complexity by analyzing the mean-square displacement and the average energy of an ensemble of ions. The Gumbel distribution describes the ion energy statistics in this system better than the usual Gaussian distribution does; including energy correlation greatly affects the ion dynamics. The analysis uses the standard data compression program GZIP, which proves to be a powerful tool for data analysis by giving a measure of recurrences in the ion path.
Direct measurement of curvature-dependent ion etching of GaN
Authors: Cui Bentao , Cohen P. I. , Dabiran A. M. , Jorgenson Robert
Published: October 2005

The evolution of nanoscale pores or dimples during ion etching of GaN was used to measure the magnitude of the curvature-dependent roughening. GaN(0001) surfaces were ion etched with glancing-incident, 300 eV Ar and nitrogen ions using a beam flux of 3.6×1014ionscm−2s−1. The samples were rotated during the etching, and the sample temperatures maintained between room temperature and 600 °C. This etch process smoothened the surface but left nanoscale dimples or pores with diameters between 30 and 800 nm. The density of these dimples remained constant during the etch process but the dimples were observed to grow larger in size until coalescence occurred. The formation of these ion-induced, nanoscale features was analyzed in terms of a continuum model that included a curvature-dependent roughening term and a smoothening term. The integral of the removed material was measured in order to directly determine the curvature dependence of the sputter yield. From the evolution of the dimple dimensions, we measured the roughening coefficient as 43±5 and 28±4nm2∕s at 460 and 315 °C, respectively, which are four orders of magnitude larger than that calculated using curvature-dependent sputtering alone. Preliminary measurements of the roughening coefficient versus temperature show a minimum at a temperature of about 365 °C.
Origin of the high permittivity in (La0.4Ba0.4Ca0.2)(Mn0.4Ti0.6)O3 ceramics
Authors: Li Ming , Feteira Antonio , Sinclair Derek C.
Published: October 2005

Single-phase cubic (La0.4Ba0.4Ca0.2)(Mn0.4Ti0.6)O3 (LBCMT) was reported by Jha et al. [J. Solid State Chem. 177, 2881 (2004)] to exhibit an extraordinarily high effective permittivity (εeff∼6980 and 590 at 1 and 100kHz, respectively) at room temperature. According to x-ray-diffraction analysis, the structure of this perovskite can be fully described on the centrosymmetric space-group Pm3¯m, which precludes the occurrence of ferroelectricity. In the present work, impedance spectroscopy has shown that LBCMT exhibits a bulk permittivity, εr∼40–45, in accordance with that expected for a cubic, centrosymmetric perovskite. LBCMT is a semiconductor with a bulk resistivity of ∼3kΩcm at 300K and an activation energy for conduction of ∼0.20eV which is consistent with an electron hopping conduction mechanism. Finally, it is demonstrated that the high effective permittivity εeff reported previously is not an intrinsic bulk effect arising from hopping conduction between Mn+3 and Mn+4, but is ultimately associated with grain-boundary effects.
Partially ferromagnetic electromagnet for trapping and cooling neutral atoms to quantum degeneracy
Authors: Fauquembergue M. , Riou J-F. , Guerin W. , Rangwala S. , Moron F. , Villing A. , Le Coq Y. , Bouyer P. , Aspect A. , Lécrivain M.
Published: October 2005

We have developed a compact partially ferromagnetic electromagnet to produce an Ioffe-Pritchard trap for neutral atoms. Our structure permits strong magnetic confinement with low power consumption. Compared to the previous iron-core electromagnet [B. Desruelle, V. Boyer, P. Bouyer, G. Birkl, M. Lécrivain, F. Alves, C. Westbrook, and A. Aspect, Eur. Phys. J. D 1, 255 (1998)], it allows for easy compensation of remnant fields and very high stability, along with cost-effective realization and compactness. We describe and characterize our apparatus and demonstrate trapping and cooling of Rb87 atoms to quantum degeneracy. Pure Bose-Einstein condensates containing 106 atoms are routinely realized on a half-minute cycle. In addition we test the stability of the magnetic trap by producing atom lasers.
Design and optimization of a compact, repetitive, high-power microwave system
Authors: Chen Y. J. , Neuber A. A. , Mankowski J. , Dickens J. C. , Kristiansen M. , Gale R.
Published: October 2005

The electrical characteristics and design features of a low inductance, compact, 500 kV, 500 J, 10 Hz repetition rate Marx generator for driving an high-power microwave (HPM) source are discussed. Benefiting from the large energy density of mica capacitors, four mica capacitors were utilized in parallel per stage, keeping the parasitic inductance per stage low. Including the spark-gap switches, a stage inductance of 55 nH was measured, which translates with 100 nF capacitance per stage to ∼18.5Ω characteristic Marx impedance. Using solely inductors, ∼1mH each, as charging elements instead of resistors enabled charging the Marx within less than 100 ms with little charging losses. The pulse width of the Marx into a matched resistive load is about 200 ns with 50 ns rise time. Repetitive HPM generation with the Marx directly driving a small virtual cathode oscilator (Vircator) has been verified. The Marx is fitted into a tube with 30 cm diameter and a total length of 0.7 m. We discuss the Marx operation at up to 21 kV charging voltage per stage, with repetition rates of up to 10 Hz in burst mode, primarily into resistive loads. A lumped circuit description of the Marx is also given, closely matching the experimental results. Design and testing of a low cost, all-metal Vircator cathode will also be discussed.
Velocity-shear-driven drift waves with simultaneous azimuthal modes in a barium-ion Q-machine plasma
Authors: Kaneko T. , Reynolds E. W. , Hatakeyama R. , Koepke M. E.
Published: October 2005

Low-frequency instabilities modified by a field-aligned flow velocity shear are investigated, where the shear is controlled using a concentrically three-segmented ion emitter in a modified double-ended Q-machine [T. Kaneko et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 73, 4218 (2002)]. When the barium-ion flow velocity shear is produced by applying different bias voltages to two of the three segments of the ion source, drift waves having azimuthal mode number m=1, 2, and 3 are observed to be excited simultaneously. It is found that the excitation-threshold value of the shear strength depends on the azimuthal mode number, as expected from a model based on kinetic theory, suggesting that the observations are explained by the competition between inverse electron Landau damping and shear-modified ion Landau damping.
Migration of twisted ribbon-like particles in simple shear flow
Authors: Makino Masato , Doi Masao
Published: October 2005

The motion of rigid twisted ribbon-like particles in shear flow is studied by computer simulation. It is shown that the twisted ribbon migrates in the vorticity direction in strong shear flow with the sign determined by the chirality: the right-handed particles and their mirror-imaged particles move in opposite directions. This enables the separation of chiral particles from the racemic mixture. The average migration velocity in the vorticity direction is studied as a function of the shear rate, the length, and the pitch of the particle.
Relaxation of biaxial tensile strain in ultrathin metallic films: Ductile void growth versus nanocrystalline domain formation
Authors: Gungor M. Rauf , Maroudas Dimitrios
Published: October 2005

We report a computational analysis of the atomistic mechanisms of relaxation of biaxially applied tensile strains over a range of strain levels up to 17% in free-standing ultrathin metallic films with the film plane oriented normal to the [111] crystallographic direction. The analysis is based on molecular-dynamics simulations using slab supercells that contain millions of atoms to model single-crystalline thin films without and with cylindrical voids oriented normal to the film plane and penetrating through the film thickness. At high levels of applied strain (>8%), a strain relaxation regime other than the ductile void growth is revealed that gives rise to a practically uniform distribution of dislocations in the film and subsequent formation of nanometer-scale face-centered-cubic crystalline domains, i.e., a single-to-polycrystalline structural transition. It is demonstrated that in this strain relaxation regime, void growth is inhibited as the dislocations emitted from the void surface are pinned by their interaction with the simultaneously generated network of defects in the nanocrystalline material.
Microbalance chemical sensor based on thin-film bulk acoustic wave resonators
Authors: Benetti M. , Cannatà D. , Di Pietrantonio F. , Foglietti V. , Verona E.
Published: October 2005

An electroacoustic chemical sensor based on thin-film bulk acoustic wave resonators (TFBAR) is presented. It operates on the same principle of the well-known quartz crystal micro-balance, at an operation frequency extended up to several GHz. The larger output signal, associated to the higher operation frequency, is a condition to improve the device sensitivity. TFBARs have been implemented on (001) Si wafers, using Si3N4∕AlN membranes, obtained by anisotropic etching of Si. Time response and calibration curves have been tested on TFBAR sensors exploiting two different chemically interactive membranes: Pd and Co-tetra-phenyl-porphyrin, both deposited in the form of thin-films by thermal evaporation. Measurements performed upon exposure to H2, CO, and ethanol have shown the ability of the device to detect low concentrations of the analyte with a fast and repeatable response.
Efficient organic light-emitting diode using semitransparent silver as anode
Authors: Peng Huajun , Zhu Xiuling , Sun Jiaxin , Xie Zhiliang , Xie Shuang , Wong Man , Kwok Hoi-Sing
Published: October 2005

A semitransparent silver layer is investigated as the anode for organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). By pretreating the silver layer in a CF4 plasma, hole injection into the hole-transport layer is greatly enhanced. A bottom-emitting OLED using the modified, semitransparent silver anode, demonstrates improved current density-voltage characteristics and a 20% higher external quantum efficiency, compared to a conventional OLED using indium tin oxide as an anode. The superior optical characteristics are attributed to a higher outcoupling efficiency in the microcavity structure.
Methanofullerene-coated tetrabenzoporphyrin organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Shea Patrick B. , Kanicki Jerzy , Cao Yong , Ono Noboru
Published: October 2005

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) using a solution-processable form of the organic semiconductor tetrabenzoporphyrin were fabricated with a top coating of a soluble n-type organic semiconductor. The top coating was found to extend the lifetime of the device in that the field-effect mobility, subthreshold slope, and OFF-state current were maintained at or near their as-fabricated states. Oxygen doping by extended air exposure was effectively slowed by the electron-accepting coating layer. Coated devices also display a transfer characteristic indicative of a parasitic latch-up transistor formed at the back channel of the OFETs.
Josephson devices for controllable flux qubit and interqubit coupling
Authors: Granata C. , Ruggiero B. , Russo M. , Vettoliere A. , Corato V. , Silvestrini P.
Published: October 2005

We present niobium-based Josephson devices as prototypes for applications to quantum computation with flux qubits. The most interesting feature of this device is the use of a Josephson vertical interferometer for a fine tuning of flux qubit and interquibit coupling. These devices allow a control of the off-diagonal Hamiltonian terms of flux qubit and of the flux transfer function of a superconducting transformer. In the vertical interferometer, the Josephson current is precisely modulated from a maximum to zero with fine control and precision by a small transversal magnetic field parallel to the radio-frequency superconducting loop plane and to the flux transformer.
Thermoelectric properties and microstructure of c-axis-oriented Ca3Co4O9 thin films on glass substrates
Authors: Hu Y. F. , Sutter E. , Si W. D. , Li Qiang
Published: October 2005

c -axis-oriented Ca3Co4O9 thin films have been grown directly on glass (fused silica) substrate by pulsed laser deposition. Detailed microstructure analysis showed stacking faults abundant throughout the films. However, the Seebeck coefficient (∼130μV∕K) and resistivity (∼4.3mΩcm) of these films on glass substrate at room temperature were found comparable to those of the single-crystal samples. The presence of these structural defects could reduce thermal conductivity, and thus enhance the overall performance of cobaltate films to be potentially used in the thermoelectric devices.
Direct Subsidies and Housing Affordability in Australian Private Rental Markets
Authors: Wood Gavin A , Forbes Matthew , Gibb Kenneth
Published: October 2005

Many countries have undergone a broad retreat from the use of indirect (supply) subsidies to meet low-income housing-affordability problems, shifting to direct subsidies often linked to means-tested income-maintenance systems. Although the reasons for this change of direction are well documented, the efficacy of direct housing subsidies in terms of tackling affordability remains in question. The authors examine in detail one such system, Australia's Rent Assistance (RA) programme, making use of a microsimulation model of the Australian housing market linked to a model of the social security system. It is found that there is considerable targeting error because many low-income renters are ineligible for direct subsidies. It is also found that RA is relatively ineffective in overcoming affordability problems in high housing cost areas of Australia. Although RA does not of itself contribute much to poverty-trap problems, it may deter unemployed households from moving to areas where job vacancies exist. The authors conclude that future comparative work could usefully analyse the distributional and behavioural impacts of different forms of housing allowances. Moreover, alternative policies could be recalibrated within the microsimulation model in order to examine the first-round impacts of policy design change.
Meeting the New Foreign Direct Investment Challenge in East and Central Europe: Place-Marketing Strategies in Hungary
Authors: Young Craig
Published: October 2005

The attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) has become a major economic development goal of the postsocialist countries of East and Central Europe (ECE). ECE countries have rapidly adopted ‘Western’-style place-marketing policies to attract FDI. However, little is known about place marketing under postsocialism, and particularly in the context of an enlarged European Union; hence the author presents an analysis of the supply-side policies which Hungary has developed in response to its rapidly changing position with regard to FDI. In particular, he examines the strategies developed by two key agencies responsible for attracting inward investment, the Ministry of Economy and Transport and the Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency. Hungary's current position in respect to patterns of attracting FDI is evaluated and, through outlining the key changes in the nature of FDI, a set of key issues which must be addressed in any place-marketing strategy in ECE is developed. The author then analyses how these two key agencies have responded to this new FDI context. The author assesses how Hungary has been able to address the new FDI context and also considers how FDI and attempts to attract it is reshaping supply-side policies, and postsocialist states themselves.
Spatial Diversity in Local Government Revenue Effort under Decentralization: A Neural-Network Approach
Authors: Warner Mildred E , Pratt James E
Published: October 2005

Decentralization reflects a global trend to increase the responsiveness of state and local governments to economic forces, but it raises the challenge of how to secure redistributive goals. Theoretically, as the equalizing impact of federal aid declines under devolution, we expect subnational state-level government policy to become more important, and geographic diversity in local governments' efforts to raise revenue to increase. In this paper we explore the impact of state fiscal centralization and intergovernmental aid on local revenue effort with the aid of Census of Governments data for county areas from 1987 for the Mid-Atlantic and East North Central region of the United States, with particular attention paid to rural counties. The 1987 period was chosen because it is the first year in which state policy trends diverged from federal decentralization trends and both state aid and state centralization increased while federal aid to localities continued to decline. Using a neural-network approach, we explore the spatially differentiated impact of state policy and find complementary responses in effort among some localities and substitution responses among others. Classification-tree analysis of this diversity suggests that decentralization and the competitive government it promotes are likely to exacerbate inequality among local governments.
Protein secretion by the endometrium during pregnancy in the ewe
Authors: Zhang X , Miller BG , Stone GM
Published: October 2005

Mature Merino ewes were surgically prepared so that after mating they became unilaterally pregnant. Ewes were killed between days 91 and 124 of pregnancy and the uterine milk was collected from the ligated uterine horn. Explants of intercaruncular and intercotyledonary endometrium were collected from the ligated and unligated uterine horns, respectively, and incubated in the presence of L-[4,5-3H]leucine to determine in vitro rates of protein synthesis and secretion. Protein:DNA and DNA:wet tissue ratios were also determined in the explants from some ewes. The proteins secreted in vitro and those present in uterine milk were partially characterized, using several procedures. Antisera raised in rabbits against uterine milk and absorbed against plasma from an ovariectomized ewe were used to detect uterine milk antigens in a variety of tissues and plasma. An average of 150 +/- 26 mL of creamy coloured uterine milk containing 30.7 +/- 4.6 mg mL-1 protein was recovered from 14 ewes. The rates of protein synthesis and secretion in vitro and the protein:DNA ratio were all higher in intercotyledonary than in intercaruncular endometrium, but the predominant radiolabelled protein(s) secreted in vitro by both types of endometrium was shown by gel filtration to have a molecular weight of approximately 60 kDa. This 'uterine pregnancy protein' was not secreted by endometrial explants from a non-pregnant ewe. Uterine milk contained a substantial amount of 60 kDa protein. The molecular weight and lack of sub-unit structure of the 60 kDa fraction of proteins secreted in vitro was confirmed by SDS-acrylamide electrophoresis and density gradient centrifugation. Pronase treatment confirmed the proteinaceous nature of the 60 kDa fraction, and heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography showed that the predominant secreted protein(s) in this fraction was a glycoprotein. In immuno-double-diffusion tests antisera prepared against uterine milk produced a number of precipitation bands against both uterine milk and culture medium (after incubation of endometrial explants from a pregnant ewe) and a single band against allantoic fluid, but did not react with plasma from an ovariectomized ewe or a day-124 pregnant ewe or its fetus. The antisera did not react with lung, kidney or liver from the same pregnant ewe or with uterine flushings from a non-pregnant ewe. In immuno-electrophoresis tests, at least eight distinct antigens were detected in uterine milk and three of these were also present in allantoic fluid.
Interleukin-1 alpha stimulation of spermatogonial proliferation in vivo
Authors: Pollanen P , Soder O , Parvinen M
Published: October 2005

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a family of hormone-like polypeptides originally isolated from cultures of activated monocyte/macrophages and known to act as a potent mediator of inflammation (Dinarello 1984). The effects of IL-1 include augmentation of T and B lymphocyte proliferation (Oppenheim and Gery 1982), but also mitogenic effects on a wide variety of other cells such as fibroblasts (Libby et al. 1985), glial cells (Giulian and Lachman 1985), keratinocytes (Ristow 1987) and chondrocytes (Soder and Madsen 1988). Recent observations indicate that an IL-1-like factor with molecular characteristics similar to the macrophage-derived IL-1 alpha (March et al. 1985) is constitutively produced by the seminiferous tubules (Khan et al. 1987). The present data show that recombinant IL-1 alpha (rIL-1 alpha) stimulates DNA synthesis in intermediate and type B spermatogonia in vivo and suggest that IL-1 alpha may act as a growth factor for spermatogonia.
Establishment of pregnancy in sheep and pigs
Authors: Bazer FW
Published: October 2005

Sheep conceptuses secrete a protein, ovine trophoblast protein-1 (oTP-1), between days 10 and 21 of gestation, that is responsible for establishment of pregnancy. oTP-1 inhibits uterine production of episodic release of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha (PGF) necessary for luteolysis and produced in response to oestradiol and oxytocin. oTP-1 does not compete with oxytocin for binding to its receptors or interfere with oxytocin stimulation of the inositol phospholipid second messenger system after oxytocin receptors are formed. However, oTP-1 may affect synthesis of oxytocin, oestrogen and/or progesterone receptors to alter the ability of the uterus to produce episodic pulses of PGF in response to episodic pulses of oxytocin. Porcine conceptuses secrete oestrogens between days 10 and 15 of pregnancy that are essential for establishment of pregnancy. Oestrogens, directly or indirectly, alter secretion of PGF from an endocrine direction (toward the uterine vasculature) to an exocrine direction (toward the uterine lumen). PGF sequestered in the uterine lumen is unavailable to exert a luteolytic effect on the corpus luteum (CL). Pig conceptus secretory proteins stimulate uterine production of PGF and PGE, but do not appear to be responsible for inhibition of luteolysis. Conceptus secretory proteins of sheep and pigs include proteins that have antiviral activity and are considered interferons. In sheep, oTP-1 has antiluteolytic, immunosuppressive, antiviral and possibly antiproliferative properties. The specific pig conceptus secretory protein(s) possessing antiviral activity has not been established. Unlike oTP-1, however, pig interferon-like protein(s) does not appear to possess antiluteolytic activity.
Stage-specific inhibin secretion by rat seminiferous tubules
Authors: Gonzales GF , Risbridger GP , Hodgson YH , Pollanen P , de Kretser DM
Published: October 2005

The endogenous inhibin content was measured by radioimmunoassay in segments of seminiferous tubules at specific stages of the spermatogenic cycle isolated by transillumination-assisted dissection as described by Parvinen (1982). In addition, the immunoactive inhibin production in response to FSH stimulation was investigated. The inhibin content was greatest in tubules at stages II-VI of the cycle and was lowest at stages VII-VIII. Over 48 h of culture, the secretion of inhibin into the medium was greatest at stages XIII-VI and lowest at stages VII-VIII. The inhibin response to FSH stimulation was greatest at stages IX-XIII and least at stages VII-VIII. The results demonstrate that the secretion of inhibin by adult tubules in vitro varies according to the stage of the seminiferous cycle.
Changes in milk composition during lactation in the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula (Marsupialia: Phalangeridae)
Authors: Cowan PE
Published: October 2005

The milk constituents of Trichosurus vulpecula, a folivorous marsupial, showed marked quantitative and qualitative changes during the course of lactation. The milk produced in the early stages of lactation was dilute, with about 9-13% (w/w) solids during the first 3 weeks, comprising mostly carbohydrate and protein (35-40%). At 20 weeks, about three-quarters of the way through lactation, the milk was much more concentrated, about 28% solids, with lipid the predominant fraction (30-35%), after a marked decline in carbohydrate content (20-25%). Concentrations of the electrolytes sodium and potassium also underwent marked changes. The changes in milk composition of T. vulpecula during the first three-quarters of lactation were similar to those described for a range of herbivorous, insectivorous and carnivorous marsupials. In the last quarter of lactation, however, brushtail possum milk maintained a relatively stable composition, with higher levels of carbohydrate and lower levels of lipid than for other marsupials. There appears to be a uniform pattern of changes in milk composition throughout the Marsupialia over most of lactation, with family differences evident only in the latter stages.
Effects of glucose and adenosine on the ATP content of hamster spermatids
Authors: Mackenbach P , Den Boer PJ , de Jong JW , Grootegoed JA
Published: October 2005

Effects of glucose and adenosine on ATP metabolism were studied using isolated round spermatids from hamsters. The ATP content of the spermatids was strongly decreased after 1 h of incubation of the cells in the presence of 0.1 mM D-glucose. Glucose (1 mM) had no effect during 18 h of incubation in the presence of 12 mM sodium DL-lactate. However, 10 mM glucose caused an almost complete loss of cellular ATP in the presence of lactate. The effect of adenosine was estimated in the absence of glucose with lactate as the energy-yielding substrate. The cellular ATP content was approximately 4 and 8 nmol/10(6) cells, after 18 h of incubation in the absence and presence of 0.1 mM adenosine, respectively. This two-fold increase was prevented by inhibitors of adenosine uptake and phosphorylation and was slowly reversed after removal of the exogenous adenosine. Treatment of the cells with adenosine had no effect on the energy charge, which was higher than 0.90, and did not alter the cellular cyclic AMP content. The suggestion that the physiological ATP content of the round spermatids is probably stabilized in the region of 4 nmol/10(6) cells is discussed.
Effects of growth hormone injections on ovulation rate in ewes
Authors: Davis SR , Smith JF , Gluckman PD
Published: October 2005

Coopworth ewes were either treated with 5 mg recombinant-derived bovine growth hormone per day for each day of the oestrous cycle or were untreated. Ovulation rates at the pre-treatment, post-treatment and a subsequent oestrus were determined by endoscopy. These were 1.34, 1.51, 1.38 for the treated ewes and 1.32, 1.43, 1.39 for the control ewes. The ovulation rate post-treatment was significantly higher than for the other two cycles in the treated ewes but it was not significantly different from the post-treatment value of the control ewes. Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were elevated during treatment (90-130 nmol L-1) compared with concentrations of 25-50 nmol L-1 in the control ewes. No relationship was found between plasma IGF-I concentration and ovulation rate. Injection of ewes grazing ryegrass/white clover pasture with bovine growth hormone did not result in increased ovulation rate.
Salivary oestradiol and progesterone after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer using different luteal support regimens
Authors: Wong YF , Loong EP , Mao KR , Tam PP , Panesar NS , Neale E , Chang AM
Published: October 2005

Salivary oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels have been shown to reflect the biologically active fractions in the serum. The luteal-phase status of stimulated cycles was investigated after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Thirty patients were randomly allocated to one of three luteal therapy groups: group A had no support, group B had intramuscular P and group C had intramuscular P and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). One pregnancy was achieved in group A, two in group B and three in group C. Significant correlations between salivary and serum levels of E2 and of P in matched samples during luteal phase were found. Salivary E2 levels from luteal day 8 through day 14 and P levels from day 3 through day 14 were significantly higher in the pregnant than in the nonpregnant cycles. Among the nonpregnant cycles, salivary E2 and P levels were significantly higher in group C than in group A or B. These findings suggest that, in stimulated cycles for IVF-ET, determination of salivary E2 and P levels may be used as reliable alternatives to serum concentrations for assessing the luteal phase. Also, the additional hCG has an enhanced luteotrophic effect, as reflected by the higher salivary E2 and P levels, which may lead to a better pregnancy rate.
Effect of indomethacin on materno-fetal amino acid transfer in the dual-perfused human placental cotyledon
Authors: Krishna BR , King RG , Gu W , Brennecke SP
Published: October 2005

Indomethacin (1, 10 and 100 mumol L-1) was incrementally infused (8 min for each concentration) into the maternal and fetal circulations of dual-perfused human placental lobules, and measurements were made of materno-fetal amino acid transfer (using the non-metabolizable amino acid alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, or AIB) and fetal effluent perfusate prostaglandin (PG) E levels. No significant changes in AIB transfer compared with controls were observed at any of the doses of indomethacin infused. There was, however, a significant dose-dependent reduction compared with controls in PGE in the fetal circulation with the infusion of indomethacin.
Premature condensation of chromatin induced in goat (Capra hircus) oocytes after gonadotrophin treatment
Authors: Kumar J , Osborn JC , Cameron AW , Batt PA , Trounson AO
Published: October 2005

In comparison with ovine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), superovulation of goats with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) produced premature ovulations within 48 h of drug administration. To test the hypothesis that this may be associated with a differential effect of the two drugs on oocyte maturation, we have compared the meiotic status of oocytes obtained at three different time intervals from animals treated with 1200 i.u. PMSG or 12 mg ovine FSH and from untreated control animals. Significantly more oocytes from PMSG-treated, compared with control and FSH-treated, animals showed premature condensation of chromatin at both the time of sponge withdrawal and 20 h later. The chromatin condensation was, however, not associated with germinal vesicle breakdown. In contrast, when oocytes were examined 6 h before the expected time of ovulation following human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection, no significant difference was found in the proportion of oocytes undergoing germinal vesicle breakdown between the three treatment groups, with most oocytes being at the metaphase I or II stage of meiosis. We conclude that superovulation of goats with PMSG at a dose resulting in a high incidence of premature ovulations is associated with premature activation of the initial stages of nuclear maturation in oocytes. In contrast, although treatment with 12 mg ovine FSH did not cause premature ovulations, it was not totally devoid of premature chromatin-condensing activity in oocytes.