bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Post‐annealing effects on trapping behaviors in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Kim H. , Lee J. , Lu W. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractTrapping effects in AlGaN/GaN high‐electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are investigated using dynamic current–voltage (I–V) measurements with different quiescent biases and pulse widths to examine post‐annealing effects after Schottky gate formation. The results show that trapping/detrapping phenomena by traps with emission/capture time constants of shorter than 10 µs are dominant in non‐annealed devices. The devices annealed at 400 °C for 10 minutes in a furnace exhibit significantly smaller current dispersion and have a smaller number of traps. However, after post‐annealing, a small number of traps with a time constant of longer than 10 µs are created or activated. Further annealing at 400 °C leads to increase in current dispersion, indicating that more traps with an emission time constant >10 ms are created. These traps induced by post‐annealing are responsible for the trapping effects when pulse width ≥10 µs. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Intensity dependent time‐resolved photoluminescence studies of GaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells of varying well width on laterally overgrown a‐plane and planar c‐plane GaN
Authors: Garrett G. A. , Shen H. , Wraback M. , Imer B. , Haskell B. , Speck J. S. , Keller S. , Nakamura S. , DenBaars S. P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractGaN/AlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) of varying well width grown on planar c‐plane GaN and a‐plane GaN templates fabricated by lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO) have been studied by subpicosecond photoluminescence (PL) downconversion and time‐correlated single photon counting as a function of pump intensity. Although slower room temperature decays at higher carrier density are observed in both a‐plane LEO and c‐plane MQWs with 3 nm well width, this behavior is attributed to suppression of electric field‐enhanced recombination through the barriers and interfaces at higher carrier density in the c‐plane MQW, while in the a‐plane LEO MQW the sublinear dependence of the PL signal at t = 0 on pump intensity implies that the radiative lifetime in this high quality sample increases due to a reduction in excitonic oscillator strength associated with phase space filling. The combination of more intense time‐integrated PL spectra and shorter PL lifetimes with decreasing well width in the a‐plane LEO MQWs for low pump intensity suggests that the radiative lifetime becomes shorter due to the accompanying increase in exciton binding energy and oscillator strength at smaller well width. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Understanding complex surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, using quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Arenas Juan F. , Soto Juan , Pelaez Daniel , Fernandez David J. , Otero Juan C. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractSeveral key issues concerning surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) are discussed, especially the surface orientation of the adsorbate, the enhancement mechanism relevant in a particular experiment, and the dependence of SERS frequencies and intensities on the electrode potential. It is shown that ab initio calculations of energies, geometries, and vibrational frequencies are essential in order to understand the complex behavior displayed by SERS spectra, particularly calculations dealing with radical anions of adsorbates. The main conclusion is the confirmation of the presence of resonant charge transfer processes in SERS of aromatic molecules. Such resonant mechanism involves the transient formation of the radical anion of adsorbates such as pyrazine, pyridine, and derivatives. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer in the placentas of women with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Xiang W. , Chen H. , Xu X. , Zhang M. , Jiang R. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) in the placenta of women with pre‐eclampsia (PE) and discuss its role in the pathogenesis of PE.MethodsWestern blot analysis was used to detect the expression of NOSTRIN and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The activity of eNOS in placental tissue was assayed by spectrophotometry. Serum and placental NO2/NO3, the stable metabolic end product of NO, was measured using nitrate reductase.ResultsWestern blot analysis showed that the protein level of NOSTRIN was significantly higher in women with PE than in the control group (P<0.01). However, no significant difference between groups was observed in the expression of placental eNOS (P>0.05). The activity of eNOS was significantly decreased in women with PE (13.727±3.58 U/mg) compared with the control group (21.69±3.84 U/mg) (P<0.01). The placental levels of NO2/NO3 were significantly lower in women with PE (27.53±8.51 μmol/mg) than in the control group (44.38±9.59 μmol/mg) (P<0.01). The levels of serum NO2/NO3 were significantly lower in women with PE (48.56±8.49 μmol/L) than in the control group (65.37±9.61 μmol/L) (P<0.01). A significant negative correlation existed between the expression of NOSTRIN protein and the activity of eNOS in the placental tissues of women with PE (r=−0.57, P<0.01).ConclusionThe level of NOSTRIN expression in the placental tissues of women with PE is increased and is negatively correlated with the activity of eNOS—which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PE.
Comparison Between QRS Duration at Standard ECG and Signal‐Averaging ECG for Arrhythmic Risk Stratification After Surgical Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: RUSSO GIULIA , FOLINO ANTONIO FRANCO , MAZZOTTI ELISA , REBELLATO LUCA , DALIENTO LUCIANO 
Published: March 2005

Introduction: Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot is complicated by the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Among different indexes proposed to assess prognosis of these patients, the study of QRS and repolarization provided useful information. Controversial results come from the analysis of signal‐averaging ECG (SAECG). The aim of our study was to identify patients operated for tetralogy of Fallot at higher risk of sudden death by means of SAECG. Methods and Results: Sixty‐six consecutive patients, mean age 26 ± 10 years, were studied 17.7 ± 5.8 years after total correction for tetralogy of Fallot using standard ECG, 24‐hour Holter recordings, SAECG, and echocardiography. The following variables were measured: standard QRS duration, filtered QRS duration (fQRS), high‐frequency and low‐amplitude signal duration (HFLA), root mean square of the mean voltage in the terminal portion of filtered QRS (RMS), left and right end‐diastolic volumes, and ejection fractions.During a mean follow‐up period of 7.3 ± 3.1 years, 12 patients had episodes of sustained VT and two of them suddenly died. All patients had complete right bundle branch block. Patients with VT were characterized by a significantly longer fQRS duration at all filter settings. On the contrary, there was no difference in standard QRS duration in patients with or without VT. At a multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction and fQRS were independent predictors for VT. Conclusions: A longer fQRS duration is associated with an increased risk in developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot.
LIBERALISM AND GROUP IDENTITIES
Authors: Macedo Stephen 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The essays in Part III of the book, on liberal constraints and traditionalist education, argue for a more regulatory conception of liberal education and emphasize the need for some controls over cultural and religious educational authority. In the last chapter, on liberalism and group rights, according to Stephen Macedo, while the commitment of liberalism to individual freedom and equality is far more easily reconciled with group-based remedies for group-based inequalities than the critics of liberalism allow, the liberal commitment to freedom of association imposes limits on group recognition by insisting on intragroup openness and diversity. The chapter has two main parts. Section 15.1, Liberalism, Education, and Group Identities, rebuts the charge that a liberal public philosophy embraces a narrow individualism that is incompatible with tackling group-based forms of inequality, and surveys some of the myriad liberal reforms of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s that promoted more equal respect for differing group identities, especially in schools. Section 15.2, Special Exemptions and the Rights of Traditional Communities, focuses on the difficulties raised by “traditionalistic” groups that seek special accommodations in part because they reject liberal values of equal freedom for all, and makes the point that a liberal regime should not seek to be equally hospitable or accommodating to groups that accept and those that reject educational policies designed to promote the equal freedom of all persons; various examples are presented and discussed.
A role for ab T cells in the resistant phase of the Brown Norway rat model of vasculitis
Authors: Vinen C S , Turner D R , Oliveira D B G 
Published: March 2005

SummaryAdministration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) to Brown Norway rats causes Th2 dominated autoimmunity including a caecal vasculitis. Disease peaks 14 days after starting HgCl2 after which animals immunoregulate spontaneously. In a third phase, if animals are rechallenged with HgCl2 6 weeks later they appear resistant, developing only attenuated disease. Previous studies suggested a role for CD8+ cells as partial mediators of resistance but no groups had studied the role of αβ T cells, γδ T cells or natural killer (NK) cells in resistance. We used adoptive transfer and in vitro cell depletion to show that αβ T cells are also partially responsible for resistance. Donor animals were treated with HgCl2 or saline and killed 21 days later. Cells from donor spleens were transferred into recipient animals which were challenged with HgCl2 and killed 14 days later. Test recipients received spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors after in vitro depletion of one subset of cells. Recipients receiving spleen cells from saline-treated donors remained susceptible to HgCl2-induced vasculitis; those receiving spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors were resistant. Animals receiving αβ T-cell-depleted spleen cells from HgCl2-treated donors showed partial reversal of resistance. Our results suggest a role for αβ T cells in the resistant phase of the Brown Norway rat model of vasculitis.
Immunological development of preterm infants in early infancy
Authors: Zhang B , Ohtsuka Y , Fujii T , Baba H , Okada K , Shoji H , Nagata S , Shimizu T , Yamashiro Y 
Published: March 2005

SummaryTo evaluate the immunological development of preterm infants, especially in early infancy, we examined the serum cytokine levels and the expression of Th2 and Th1 chemokine receptors, CCR4 and CCR5, on days 0, 14 and 28 in 16 low birth weight infants (1720·38 ± 502·80 g) born at less than 37 (33·63 ± 3·29) weeks of gestation. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum interleukin (IL)-4 levels exhibited an increase on day 14, but decreased to the initial level on day 28 (P &lt; 0·05). The significant elevation of serum transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels was confirmed on day 14 (P &lt; 0·05) but decreased to the initial level on day 28 (P &lt; 0·05). The expression of CCR4 and CCR5 were examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometric analysis. The RT-PCR confirmed the expression of CCR5-mRNA soon after birth, while there was no expression of CCR4-mRNA. Thereafter, the expression of CCR4-mRNA increased significantly and reached the level of CCR5-mRNA expression on day 28 (P &lt; 0·05). Flow cytometric analysis, however, revealed that the expression levels of both CCR4 and CCR5 were low at birth. Thus, CCR4+ CD4+ cells were significantly increased from days 0–28 (P &lt; 0·05), while CCR5+ CD4+ cells were not. Increased IL-4 and TGF-β synthesis as well as increased CCR4+ CD4+ cells suggest that, under extra-maternal circumstances, there is a shift in bias toward Th2 responses even in preterm infants soon after delivery, while they may be capable of developing Th1 mediated responses soon after birth.
The role of tumour necrosis factor in the kinetics of lipopolysaccharide-mediated neutrophil priming in whole blood
Authors: Van Leeuwen H J , Van Der Tol M , Van Strijp J A G , Verhoef J , Van Kessel K P M 
Published: March 2005

Summary
Neutrophils can be primed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for an enhanced oxidative burst, which is a key element in the pathogenesis of Gram-negative sepsis. Some serum proteins (e.g. lipopolysaccharide-binding protein) avidly bind LPS and markedly enhance receptor binding and cellular activation while other serum factors (lipoproteins, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) neutralize LPS and prevent neutrophil activation. In this paper we examined the kinetics of this priming reaction in whole blood. To study the balance between neutrophil activation and LPS neutralization a sensitive chemiluminescence assay was used in a whole blood system. LPS was able to prime neutrophils for enhanced oxidative burst in whole blood with an optimum incubation time of 25 min. However, LPS was neutralized very rapidly with a t1/2 of 10 min. After 20 min a second priming factor was already generated, which was shown to be monocyte-derived tumour necrosis factor (TNF).
Quantifying the effects of individual and environmental variability in fish recruitment
Authors: PITCHFORD JONATHAN W. , JAMES ALEX , BRINDLEY JOHN 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe effect of environmental variability on fish recruitment is analysed using simple linear growth models. It is shown that variance in an individual's environment significantly increases the probability of recruitment. It is also argued that environmental variance should lead to differences in growth rates observed in recruited fish, and in the mean observed growth rate of the overall population. These conclusions are discussed with reference to recent observations from field studies.
Incorporating an environmental stock–recruitment relationship in the assessment of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)
Authors: SINCLAIR A. F. , CRAWFORD W. R. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe robustness of a previously described environmentally mediated stock–recruitment relationship for Pacific cod in Hecate Strait, BC, Canada was tested with 10 yr of additional data. The original analysis tested several alternative hypotheses and concluded that water transport through Hecate Strait, as indicated by sea level height, coupled with cod spawning biomass formed the best model. The present analysis indicates the relationship held through the 1990s. The implications of variation in sea level on stock production were investigated with a delay‐difference stock production model that included an environmentally mediated stock–recruitment relationship. The model predicted that the maximum fishery yield would vary between 1750 and 3670 t yr−1 over the observed range of sea level height, and the estimated unsustainable fishing mortality during periods of low productivity would be only 0.5 times that in periods of high productivity.
Population dynamics and avian brood parasitism: persistence and invasions in a three‐species system
Authors: NEY‐NIFLE MURIEL , BERNSTEIN CARLOS , REBOREDA JUAN C. , KACELNIK ALEX 
Published: March 2005

SummaryAvian brood parasites include species that are host specialists and others that are generalists. The impact of each kind of parasite on the persistence of the host population is studied by means of a population dynamics model.Our model examines conditions for coexistence and invasions in a community of three South American cowbirds, the shiny cowbirdMolothrus bonariensis(a generalist parasite), the screaming cowbirdM. rufoaxillaris(a specialist parasite), and the bay‐winged cowbirdAgelaiodes badius(a nonparasite that hosts the other two).Three biologically realistic characteristics not previously included in brood parasitism models are explored and shown to be crucial for the stability of the system. These characteristics are: (i) female parasites take at least a day to produce an egg and cannot store eggs for delayed laying – this is modelled by means of a type II functional response; (ii) parasites often remove or puncture (destroy) host eggs when visiting a nest; and (iii) hosts desert nests when the total clutch (host plus parasite) exceeds some threshold.These characteristics have a direct impact on parasite population renewal and reduce dramatically the stable coexistence conditions.Comparing the stability conditions of the host–specialist system with those of the three‐species system shows the impact of the arrival of a generalist parasite on the persistence of the host–specialist system when the three characteristics are present. The stability boundaries are restricted when the generalist is absent and change little for a realistic density of generalist.The study of invasion by a specialist into a host–generalist stable community shows that the parameter region for coexistence and invasion coincide.Comparison of our model against its precursors using field data for the parameters when available, shows that the three‐species cowbird model system is stable for empirically realized parameter values, unlike a previous model by May & Robinson (1985;American Naturalist,126, 475–494) where none of the three characteristics were included.
Using stable isotopes to trace long‐distance dispersal in birds and other taxa
Authors: Hobson Keith A. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThe study of long‐distance dispersal (LDD) in animals may be advanced by recent applications of stable isotope analyses designed to track migratory organisms and to link populations throughout their annual cycle. This approach depends on there being enough isotopic difference in tissues among potential source populations such that individuals can be unequivocally assigned to their source. The isotopic mapping of such populations will be feasible only for species occurring in relatively few disjunct populations. However, the identification of isotopic outliers within known populations will be an extremely useful first step in the forensic application of stable isotopes to identify dispersal in general, and LDD in particular. The use of deuterium isotope analysis (δD) of tissues that can be assigned to its source (e.g. feather moult or its hair growth location) has provided a recent breakthrough in our ability to associate individuals with geographical origins at continental scales. The combination of this stable isotope with others and the ultimate combination of a variety of techniques, including the measurement of trace elements and molecular genetics markers, will undoubtedly improve resolution. The isotopic cataloguing of known history (i.e. philopatric) individuals within populations will be an important step in applying isotope techniques to evaluating LDD in any species. For aquatic insects, the isotopic marking of large numbers of individuals is possible through isotopic enrichment of local food webs using labelled compounds.
Pharmacokinetics of 0.5% levobupivacaine following ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric nerve blockade in children
Authors: Ala‐Kokko T. I. , Räihä E. , Karinen J. , Kiviluoma K. , Alahuhta S. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Bupivacaine (2 mg kg−1) has been recommended for blockade of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves in paediatric patients undergoing inguinal surgery. We determined the plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine following ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric block.Methods:  Twenty children scheduled for elective surgery for inguinal surgery received 2 mg kg−1 of 0.5% levobupivacaine. Surgical anaesthesia was maintained with mask inhalation of oxygen, nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. Venous blood samples were drawn at regular intervals up to 2 h and plasma was separated. Total venous plasma concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. Bupivacaine concentrations from a study with a similar protocol were used as historical controls for comparison.Results:  The groups were similar with respect to age, weight and dosage of local anaesthetic. The initial distribution half‐time (Talpha), the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) achieved, the time to the peak plasma concentration were similar (Tmax), and the mean areas under the concentration time curve (AUC) were similar between the two local anaesthetics.Conclusions:  Levobupivacaine and bupivacaine are equally absorbed to similar maximum concentrations.
An experimental trial to establish risk communication as a tool to decrease the risk by exposure to multiple chemicals for the future generations
Authors: TODAKA EMIKO , SAKURAI KENICHI , MORI CHISATO 
Published: March 2005

Background: Recently, it has become clear that fetuses are exposed to multiple chemicals and environmental contaminants. However, it has been reported that allergies among young children have been increasing rapidly in the last few decades, and some congenital anomalies are also increasing. There is no evidence to connect these facts directly, however if adverse health effects are caused by environmental reasons, it could be prevented by early education or risk communication.Methods: The authors gave lectures to students at a high school and universities, and carried out a questionnaire survey before and after the lectures to see the change of the students’ knowledge, attitude and behavior. The total number of high‐school students and university students was 47 and 605, respectively.Results: It became clear that all the levels of knowledge, attitude and behavior were elevated, and they were more elevated among high school students than university students. It was suggested that risk communication at a younger age is important to elevate people's attention and motivate them, and eventually prevent their future health risk from environmental contaminants.Conclusion: Risk communication at a young age would be more effective in increasing students’ knowledge, attitude and behavior. (Reprod Med Biol 2005;4: 65–70)
Housing Benefit and Financial Returns to Employment for Tenants in the Social Sector
Authors: GILES CHRISTOPHER , JOHNSON PAUL , MCCRAE JULIAN 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis paper examines the impact of the UK housing benefit system on the financial returns to employment of people in local authority or Housing Association accommodation. It outlines the current structure of housing benefit and examines its effects on the returns to employment using data from the Family Expenditure Survey. It analyses the consequences of a number of reforms to the current system — lowering social rents, increasing the levels of housing benefit received in work and restricting the amount of rent covered by housing benefit payments. This analysis highlights the trade‐offs involved in various strategies available for restructuring the present system. JEL classification: H3, H4, J3.
Competition in Electricity Supply: Will ‘1998’ Be Worth It?
Authors: GREEN RICHARD , MCDANIEL TANGA 
Published: March 2005

AbstractStarting in 1998, the electricity market in England and Wales will be opened up to full competition, and all consumers will be allowed to choose their electricity supplier. This promises to result in lower prices, but there will be additional transactions costs exceeding £100 million a year for the first five years. Relative to a counterfactual without competition, there are likely to be large transfers from electricity companies (and the coal industry) to consumers, but the companies lose more than consumers gain. This conclusion might be reversed if competitive pressure leads to significant additional cost savings in the future. JEL classification: L94