bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) – a powerful tool for studying mass transport over various length scales
Authors: De Souza Roger A. , Martin Manfred 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSecondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) is a sophisticated analytical technique for determining the elements present in materials, and especially on surfaces, with trace level sensitivity and high spatial resolution. The aim of this article is to give a short introduction to the SIMS technique and to focus then on selected case studies of mass transport in oxides over various length scales. It is shown that SIMS is capable of analysing diffusion profiles on a broad length scale, from some tens of nanometres to several hundred micrometres, which makes it possible to measure diffusion coefficients from about 10–18 cm2 s–1 to 10–6 cm2 s–1. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thin niobium/boron bilayers and multilayers annealed via Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
Authors: Mertens R. , Bock W. , Lommel B. , Kolbesen B. O. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNb/B bilayers (thickness: 210 nm) and multilayers (thickness: 306 nm) have been deposited on Si‐(100) wafers with 100 nm thermally grown oxide. The niobium layers were deposited by magnetron sputtering, whereas the boron layers were deposited by electron‐beam‐evaporation. Both types of samples were heated separately via Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) at varying temperatures, under Ar gas flow to investigate the interdiffusion of niobium and boron, and under NH3 in order to observe the influence of this reactive gas on interdiffusion, as well as to form nitrides. The formation of phases was investigated by X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD). The surface morphology and roughness was studied via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), resp.. Elemental depth profiles of selected samples were recorded by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) to track the position of the phases formed in the film. Under the applied experimental setups the formation of NbB2 was observed only. Although NH3 is a reactive gas no nitride phases were found. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of HOLZ rings in EBSD patterns
Authors: Langer E. , Däbritz S. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHigher‐Order Laue Zone (HOLZ) rings and their appearance in Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD) pattern from molybdenum were fundamentally investigated in the Scanning Electron Microscope. HOLZ rings of the type 〈100〉, 〈110〉, 〈111〉, 〈113〉 and 〈133〉 could be unambiguous detected in EBSD pattern of different pure Mo crystals. The [100] HOLZ ring was observed more in detail in dependence on the accelerating energy in the pattern center, and the lattice spacing was determined for all energies. A relatively good accuracy could be obtained for Mo as model sample for problematical high atomic number materials. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural investigation of pristine and annealed nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films by X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Orendorz A. , Brodyanski A. , Lösch J. , Bai L. H. , Chen Z. H. , Le Y. K. , Ziegler C. , Gnaser H. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNanocrystalline anatase TiO2 films were prepared from colloidal suspensions using particles with a nominal size of 12 nm. Their structure was examined by Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The as‐prepared specimens exhibit exclusively features due to the anatase phase of TiO2 (e.g., the Eg, B1g and A1g vibration modes in Raman spectroscopy and the characteristic diffraction peaks in XRD). Isochronal annealing of the films in air at temperatures of up to 1320 K effected clear structural changes, observed both in Raman and XRD: the crystallite size increases from ∼13 nm to ∼125 nm between 470 K and 1220 K, with the crystallites remaining in the anatase phase. A phase transition to the rutile phase of TiO2 occurs gradually in the temperature range 1220 – 1320 K and the average crystallite size increases to ∼160 nm. The Eg vibration in anatase films reveals a blue shift and an asymmetric peak broadening towards higher frequencies for smaller particle size/lower annealing temperatures. A power‐law dependence between the Raman peak width and the inverse of the crystallite size is found. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Annealing of evaporated and sputtered niobium films in oxygen and nitrogen rich atmospheres by Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
Authors: Matylitskaya Volha A. , Brunkahl Oliver , Kothleitner Gerald , Bock Wolfgang , Kolbesen Bernd O. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThin films of niobium were deposited on thermally oxidized Si‐(100)‐wafers by two different methods: electron beam evaporation and direct current reactive magnetron sputtering. The thicknesses of as‐deposited niobium films were 200 and 500 nm. 200 nm evaporated niobium films were nitridated in nitrogen and ammonia using rapid thermal processing (RTP). In these investigations the reactivity of N2 and NH3 with Nb‐films was compared. 500 nm sputtered Nb‐films were annealed in several steps. At first niobium films were nitridated under ammonia atmosphere at 1000 °C for 1 min using an RTP. After that nitridated niobium films were oxidized in molecular oxygen at temperatures ranging from 400 to 600 °C. Before and after reactions with ammonia, oxygen and nitrogen evaporated and sputtered samples were characterized by several complementary analytical methods. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was used for phase analysis after annealing. Determination of the elemental depth profiles of the films was realized by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Microstructure and spatial distribution of the elements were imaged by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy‐filtered TEM (EFTEM). Electron energy loss spectra (EELS) were taken at selected positions to discriminate between different nitride, oxynitride and oxide phases. Investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed differences of the film morphology depending on the reactive agent and reaction temperature. Investigations of sputtered films show that surface roughness of the samples after oxidation of niobium films nitridated in ammonia before is lower then after direct oxidation of as deposited films in oxygen, in spite of the same phase of niobium pentoxide formed after annealing in both cases. We explain this due to large expansion of niobium lattice during direct oxidation of Nb‐film in molecular oxygen. By incorporation of oxygen in the crystal lattice of niobium and formation of niobium pentoxide substantial intrinsic stress was built up in the film frequently resulting in delamination of the film from the substrate. The possibility of the formation of niobium oxynitride phase after three steps annealing in ammonia, oxygen and finally in ammonia was investigated. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The photodissociation of hydrogen iodide: Is it adiabatic?
Authors: Brown Alex 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe assumption that the photodissociation of HI proceeds adiabatically is re‐examined in the context of recently calculated alignment parameters, a(⟂), for the ground state halogen atoms resulting from photodissociation of the analogous HCl and HBr molecules. The a(⟂) alignment parameters for HCl, HBr, and HI are determined from time‐dependent quantum mechanical wave packet calculations based on the best available ab initio electronic structure for each molecule. The experimental measurement of the alignment of the I(2P3/2) atoms is proposed as a stringent test of whether the photodissociation is adiabatic or involves non‐adiabatic coupling of the A1Π1 and a3Π1 electronic states. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Donor–acceptor origin of fullerene C60 dimerization
Authors: Sheka Elena F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe fullerene dimerization is considered as a consequence of donor–acceptor interaction between monomer molecules which is significant for C60+C60 binary system. The dimerization is provided by a two‐well structure of the ground state energy term. Analyzing characteristics of the term, proven by quantum–chemical calculations at different starting intermolecular distances, mechanisms of both physically (photoexcitation, thermal, high pressure, plasma, electron beam, and electric field) and chemically (alkali‐metal adducts AC60) stimulated dimerization processes are suggested. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Electron ionization mass spectra of ephedrines in a doping confirmatory procedure: a curious migration of the trimethylsilyl group in the N‐acetyl‐O‐trimethylsilyl derivatives
Authors: de Oca Porto Rodny Montes , Pérez Arístides Rosado , Correa Vidal Margarita Teresa 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEphedrines have central nervous system stimulating properties and, for this reason, some of them are forbidden in sport by the World Antidoping Agency (WADA). They are screened and quantitated in urine by several published techniques and confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this paper, a simple confirmation procedure for norpseudoephedrine, norephedrine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in human urine by GC/electron ionization (EI)‐MS is described. After the addition of levallorphane as internal standard, a liquid‐liquid extraction procedure under alkaline conditions with tert‐butyl methyl ether was applied to the samples. The analytes were derivatized with acetic acid anhydride and N‐methyl‐N‐trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide to form N‐acetyl‐O‐trimethylsilyl derivatives. The EI mass spectra of all the studied substances have many diagnostic ions with relative abundance in accordance with WADA requirements and show great structural information content. A curious migration of the trimethylsilyl group is proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood glucose regulation using higher‐order sliding mode control
Authors: Kaveh Parisa , Shtessel Yuri B. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractDiabetes is discussed as a serious condition in which the body's production and use of insulin are impaired, causing glucose concentration level to increase in the bloodstream. In this paper, higher‐order sliding mode control techniques, in specific prescribed convergence law, quasi‐continuous and super‐twisting control algorithms, are used to robustly stabilize the glucose concentration level of a diabetic patient in presence of the parameter variations and meal disturbance. The structure of the proposed higher‐order sliding mode controllers is appropriate for making the insulin delivery pumps in closed‐loop control of diabetes. A computer simulation is performed to manifest the theoretical analysis. The super‐twisting algorithm is employed to attenuate the effect of chattering and obtain continuous control in the simulations. The efficiency of the proposed controller, i.e. robustness and high accuracy, in presence of physical disturbances like food intake and parametric uncertainties is verifiedviasimulations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐order sliding‐mode observer for a quadrotor UAV
Authors: Benallegue A. , Mokhtari A. , Fridman L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn this paper, a feedback linearization‐based controller with a high‐order sliding mode observer running parallel is applied to a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle. The high‐order sliding mode observer works as an observer and estimator of the effect of the external disturbances such as wind and noise. The whole observer–estimator–control law constitutes an original approach to the vehicle regulation with minimal number of sensors. Performance issues of the controller–observer are illustrated in a simulation study that takes into account parameter uncertainties and external disturbances. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sparse pseudorandom distributions
Authors: Goldreich Oded , Krawczyk Hugo 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe existence of sparse pseudorandom distributions is proved. These are probability distributions concentrated in a very small set of strings, yet it is infeasible for any polynomial‐time algorithm to distinguish between truly random coins and coins selected according to these distributions. It is shown that such distributions can be generated by (nonpolynomial) probabilistic algorithms, while probabilistic polynomial‐time algorithms cannot even approximate all the pseudorandom distributions. Moreover, we show the existence of evasive pseudorandom distributions which are not only sparse, but also have the property that no polynomial‐time algorithm may find an element in their support, except for a negligible probability. All these results are proved independently of any intractability assumption.
A note on the probabilistic analysis of patricia trees
Authors: Devroye Luc 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe consider random PATRICIA trees constructed from n i.i.d. sequences of independent equiprobable bits. We study the height Hn (the maximal distance between the root and a leaf), and the minimal fill‐up level Fn (the minimum distance between the root and a leaf). We give probabilistic proofs of .
Can eco‐footprinting analysis be used successfully to encourage more sustainable behaviour at the household level?
Authors: Sutcliffe Marcus , Hooper Paul , Howell Ros 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe human family is currently on an unsustainable development path, which is likely to lead to a full blown environmental crisis. Humanity is overshooting nature's carrying capacity by over 20%. In the absence of politically applied environmental limits to growth, some authors believe the solution to environmental sustainability has to include a bottom‐up approach, whereby individuals are encouraged to take action to reduce their own environmental impact. One factor that has limited the potential to develop this approach to date has been the inability to measurably personalize the link between global unsustainable consumption and individual lifestyles.Ecological footprinting analysis (EFA) has the potential to bridge this gap. EFA aggregates a range of individual consumption and waste components and converts them into the bioproductive land area required to support this activity. This empirical pilot study tests whether there is scope to utilize EFA at the household level to see whether it can be used to encourage changes in behaviour towards less resource intensive lifestyles. The results support this hypothesis in that all participating households took some action to reduce their ecological footprints. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Dendrimer‐Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles as a Platform for Cancer‐Cell Targeting and Imaging
Authors: Shi Xiangyang , Wang Suhe , Meshinchi Sasha , Van Antwerp Mary E. , Bi Xiangdong , Lee Inhan , Baker James R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe present a general approach for the targeting and imaging of cancer cells using dendrimer‐entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs). Au DENPs were found to be able to covalently link with targeting and imaging ligands for subsequent cancer‐cell targeting and imaging. The Au DENPs linked with defined numbers of folic acid (FA) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FI) molecules are water soluble, stable, and biocompatible. In vitro studies show that the FA‐ and FI‐modified Au DENPs can specifically bind to KB cells (a human epithelial carcinoma cell line) that overexpress high‐affinity folate receptors and they are internalized dominantly into lysosomes of target cells within 2 h. These findings demonstrate that Au DENPs may serve as a general platform for cancer imaging and therapeutics.
Improving process decisions in COTS‐based development via risk‐based prioritization
Authors: Yang Ye , Boehm Barry 
Published: May 2007

AbstractGood project planning requires the use of appropriate process models as well as effective decision support techniques. However, current software process models provide very little Commercial Off‐the‐Shelf (COTS)‐specific insight and guidance on helping COTS‐based application developers to make better decisions with respect to their particular project situations. This article presents a risk‐based prioritization approach that is used in the context of a COTS Process Decision Framework. This method is particularly useful in supporting many dominant decisions during a COTS‐based development (CBD) process, such as establishing COTS assessment criteria, scoping and sequencing development activities, prioritizing features to be implemented in incremental development, etc. In this way, the method not only provides a basis for optimal COTS selection but also helps focus limited development resources on more critical tasks that represent greater risks. The article also shows the evaluation results of applying this approach on the COTS Process Decision Framework through an experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using simulation to evaluate global software development task allocation strategies
Authors: Setamanit Siri‐on , Wakeland Wayne , Raffo David 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe describe a hybrid computer simulation model of the software development process that is specifically architected to study alternative ways to configure global software development (GSD) projects, including phase‐based, module‐based, and follow‐the‐sun allocation strategies. The model is a hybrid system dynamics and discrete‐event model. In this paper, test cases have been developed for each allocation strategy, and project duration is computed for each configuration under a range of plausible assumptions for key parameters. The primary finding is that although under ideal assumptions follow‐the‐sun is able to produce impressive reductions in time‐to‐market, under more realistic assumptions the reverse is true, thus corroborating findings by other researchers. We also conducted a factorial design to examine the impact of GSD factors including distance, culture, language, trust, and time zone on project duration under different task allocation strategies. The analysis reveals that different factors affected the performance of the selected allocation strategies in unique ways. These findings show how the unique ability of our GSD model to represent detailed development processes and work artifact transfer allows researchers to address challenging questions that are critical to GSD project success. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing process change in software organizations: Experience and reflection
Authors: Qin Shaowen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractManaging process change in software organizations involves many challenges. It requires an array of skills beyond the technical expertise associated with the process change. Based on the author's recent industrial working experience at Motorola's Global Software Group (GSG) as an organizational technology deployment champion, this article identifies challenges of change management through real world case studies and provides a summary of good practices and lessons learned in implementing process change in today's software organizations. Upon further reflection of the process change management experience and other relevant learning and observations, the author proposes the notion of creating a perception of freedom as a more fundamental success strategy and suggests that the strategy together with the change be built into software tools to facilitate seamless process change deployment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of antipsychotic treatments and D‐serine supplementation on the electrophysiological activation of midbrain dopamine neurons induced by the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK 801
Authors: Bennett Stephen , Gronier Benjamin 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe acute administration of the noncompetitive glutamate N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine (MK 801) is known to increase central dopaminergic activity in rats and to elicit schizophreniform behavior in human. The current study was undertaken to compare the effects of different acute or chronic neuroleptic treatments, on the response of ventral tegmental area dopamine (DA) neurons to MK 801, using the in vivo electrophysiological paradigm in anesthetized preparations. Sprague Dawley male rats were treated, acutely or chronically during 3 weeks, with saline, olanzapine (10 mg/kg), haloperidol (1 mg/kg) or the combination of haloperidol with D‐serine (1 mg/kg/300 mg/kg), a gliotransmitter coagonist of the NMDA receptor that has been shown to improve the efficacy of typical neuroleptics. In control animals, the acute administration of MK 801 (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) increased significantly both the firing and burst activity of DA neurons by 20 and 26%, respectively, the latter effect being partially reversed by the selective 5‐HT2A antagonist M 100,907 (0.4 mg/kg, i.v.). The acute preadministration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and olanzapine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to prevent or reverse the activatory effect of MK 801 on firing activity. On the other hand, MK 801‐induced burst activity, was partially prevented by olanzapine, but not by haloperidol pretreatment. All antipsychotic treatments, when administered chronically, prevent the activatory effect of MK 801 on both firing and burst activity, and occasionally convert the response to MK 801 on burst activity to an inhibitory response, the latter occurring more predominantly in rats treated with the combination haloperidol/D‐serine. These results suggest that a chronic antipsychotic regime alters the function of the NMDA receptors that tonically control the firing activity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Synapse 61:679–688, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contribution of prenatal imaging to the anatomical assessment of fetal hydrocolpos
Authors: Dhombres F. , Jouannic J.‐M. , Brodaty G. , Bessiere B. , Daffos F. , Bénifla J.‐L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHydrocolpos may be associated with a lower urinary tract obstruction in a spectrum of urorectal malformations ranging from persistent urogenital sinus to cloacal dysgenesis. As cloacal dysgenesis carries the worst postnatal prognosis, detailed prenatal ultrasound should focus on the fetal pelvic anatomy to provide the parents with appropriate prenatal counseling. We report three cases of fetal hydrocolpos associated with low urinary tract obstructions, including two with a normal appearance of the anal canal and rectum on prenatal ultrasound and one with a complex cloacal malformation which contributed to the precise prenatal assignment of the malformation in each case within the spectrum of urogenital sequence malformations. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.