bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photonic crystal microcavities for chip‐based cavity QED
Authors: Srinivasan Kartik , Barclay Paul E. , Painter Oskar 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe suitability of recently demonstrated high quality factor (Q), ultra‐small mode volume (Veff) graded square lattice photonic crystal microcavities for cavity QED experiments is discussed. In addition to the basic importance of the Q and Veff of such cavities, other issues of both practical and fundamental relevance are considered. Included amongst these are the robustness of the cavity's performance to fabrication errors and the ability to efficiently source and collect light from the cavity through conventional fiber optics. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interaction effects in high‐mobility two‐dimensional electron and hole systems
Authors: Savchenko A. K. , Galaktionov E. A. , Safonov S. S. , Proskuryakov Y. Y. , Li L. , Pepper M. , Simmons M. Y. , Ritchie D. A. , Linfield E. H. , Kvon Z. D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractElectron–electron interaction in the presence of impurities is studied in two‐dimensional systems where the parameter kBTτ/ħ changes from 0.1 to 10 (τ is the momentum relaxation time). This corresponds to the intermediate and ballistic regimes of electron interaction. We analyse the interaction correction to the Drude conductivity in terms of recent theories and show that it is strongly dependent on the character of the impurity potential. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface analysis of prosthetic wear debris
Authors: Tokash J. C. , Stojilovic N. , Ramsier R. D. , Kovacik M. W. , Mostardi R. A. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractTotal knee arthroplasty introduces foreign materials into the body that are intended to withstand significant biological and mechanical stresses while maintaining biocompatibility. Unfortunately many arthroplasty patients experience inflammation and pain, presumably due to wear debris that dislodges from the artificial joint over time. The failure mechanisms of prosthetic devices and the chemical make‐up of the associated wear debris are presently unclear. In this study, we use x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman microscopy to identify the chemical composition of the wear debris. Knee synovial fluid was aspirated from seven different prosthetics patients and centrifuged, resulting in small deposits of wear debris. Our analysis identifies oxidized titanium in five of the seven sets of samples, indicating femoral component wear and potentially back‐side wear of the tibial base plates of the prosthetics. Furthermore, samples with large percentages of titanium also contain sodium, whereas the others contain chlorine. This may indicate differences in the chemical composition of synovial fluid under different inflammatory conditions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of indium‐tin‐oxide films with improved corrosion resistance
Authors: Gaarenstroom Stephen W. , Balogh Michael P. , Militello Maria C. , Waldo Richard A. , Wong Curtis A. , Kelly Nelson A. , Gibson Thomas L. , Kundrat Matthew D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractTriple‐junction amorphous silicon solar cells coated with indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) can be used to produce hydrogen gas from water and sunlight. However, a major limitation in their use is the short lifetime due to corrosion of the ITO coating that forms the anode in photoelectrochemical devices. In this work, we compare corrosion rates for ITO film electrodes grown using different sputter deposition conditions. The corrosion resistance varied by more than a factor of 15, with the longest‐lasting film having a time‐to‐failure of 25 h. The films were characterized exhaustively by techniques including electron microscopy, electron spectroscopy, electron microprobe and x‐ray diffraction to determine composition, thickness and microstructure. The most corrosion‐resistant films had the most well‐formed crystals and showed the most crystal texturing. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth, characterization and application of CdS thin films deposited by chemical bath deposition
Authors: Chang Y.‐J. , Munsee C. L. , Herman G. S. , Wager J. F. , Mugdur P. , Lee D.‐H. , Chang C.‐H. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe recent advance in soft solution processing of inorganic materials offers an exciting opportunity to develop large‐area manufacturing technologies for inorganic thin‐film transistors (TFTs). In this paper, we report our recent progress in fabricating CdS TFTs using chemical bath deposition (CBD) to deposit CdS channel layers. Device analysis of an enhancement‐mode CdS metal–insulator–semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET) with a field‐effect mobility of ∼1.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 and a threshold voltage of VT ∼ 14 V is reported here. An on‐to‐off ratio of ∼106 is achieved. This rather large drain current on‐to‐off ratio indicates that this device will function well as a switch. An examination of the CdS film morphology by scanning electron microscopy indicates that the films deposited by CBD and used for our current device fabrication are dominated by a particle sticking growth mechanism. This is supported by a real‐time quartz crystal microbalance growth curve and atomic force microscopy characterizations of the particles formed in the CBD solution. A different bath condition for CBD was tested to obtain a dense CdS layer. A selected‐area electron diffraction pattern indicates that the CdS thin film deposited by CBD has a hexagonal structure with an optical bandgap of 2.4 eV as determined by UV–Vis absorption. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Whole blood endotoxin responsiveness in patients with chronic heart failure: the importance of serum lipoproteins
Authors: Sharma Rakesh , von Haehling Stephan , Rauchhaus Mathias , Bolger Aidan P. , Genth‐Zotz Sabine , Doehner Wolfram , Oliver Brian , Poole‐Wilson Philip A. , Hans‐Dieter Volk , Coats Andrew J.S. , Adcock Ian M. , Anker Stefan D. 
Published: March 2005

BackgroundEndotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] may be an important stimulus for cytokine release in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We sought to investigate the relationship between whole blood endotoxin responsiveness and serum lipoprotein concentrations. It is not known if low‐dose LPS is sufficient to stimulate immune activation.Methods and resultsWhole blood from 32 CHF patients (mean age 66±2 years, NYHA class 2.7±0.2, five female) and 11 healthy control subjects (mean age 47±4 years, six female) was stimulated with LPS at nine different concentrations (0.001 to 10 ng/mL), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) release was quantified. Reference standard endotoxin at concentrations of 0, 0.6, 1, and 3 EU/ml was added to whole blood from nine CHF patients (age 64α9.1 years, all NYHA class II, eight male) and incubated for 6 h, the TNF‐α production being measured. Serum lipoproteins were quantified using standard techniques. In CHF patients, there was an inverse relationship between whole blood TNF‐α release and serum cholesterol which was strongest at 0.6 ng/mL of LPS (r=−0.53, p=0.002). A similar although weaker relationship was found for serum HDL. No such correlation was found in healthy subjects or with serum LDL (all r2<0.1). Low concentrations of LPS induced a stepwise increase in TNF‐± release from whole blood to concentrations well above those seen in CHF.ConclusionsSerum lipoproteins may play an important role in regulating LPS bioactivity in CHF. Very low LPS activity, at levels seen in vivo in CHF, can induce significant TNF‐α production ex vivo.
Postnatal treatment with NAN‐190 but not with 5‐HT1A receptor agonists retards growth of the rat brain
Authors: Djavadian R.L. , Wielkopolska E. , Turlejski K. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWe investigated the influence of prolonged administration of the 5‐HT1A receptor agonists (8‐OH‐DPAT or buspirone) or its antagonist, NAN‐190 to rat pups on development of their cortical barrel field. Pups were injected daily with the drugs starting from the day of birth till either the 5th postnatal day or the 22–25th postnatal day and were perfused one day later. Square areas of their whisker barrel fields were measured on tangential sections of the cortex stained for cytochrome oxidase. Injections of 8‐OH‐DPAT or buspirone till the 5th postnatal day did not change any of the investigated parameters, while injections of NAN‐190 resulted in 15% reduction of the pups’ body and brain weight and proportional reduction of the square area of their barrel fields. Groups treated till the 22–25th postnatal day showed similar results. Some of these pups were injected with [C14]2‐deoxyglucose to investigate the strength of responses of their cortical barrels to stimulation of corresponding vibrissae. The cortical area labeled with 2‐deoxyglucose after stimulation of vibrissae of the row C was narrower in the NAN‐190 injected rats. This functional deficit was more pronounced than the anatomical one, which resembled the effects of neonatal serotonin depletion (Neuroreport, 1997). Therefore, the results of injecting NAN‐190 to the rat pups point to a deficit of trophic developmental influences of serotonin, adding new arguments for the hypothesis of a trophic role of 5‐HT1A receptors in the brain development.
The endothelin-1 receptor antagonist bosentan protects against ischaemia/reperfusion-induced endothelial dysfunction in humans
Authors: BÖHM Felix , SETTERGREN Magnus , GONON Adrian T. , PERNOW John 
Published: March 2005

Endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the extent of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. ET (endothelin)-1 receptor antagonism protects against myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in animal models. The present study investigated whether oral administration of an ETA/ETB receptor antagonist protects against ischaemia/reperfusion-induced endothelial dysfunction in humans. FBF (forearm blood flow) was measured with venous occlusion plethysmography in 13 healthy male subjects. Forearm ischaemia was induced for 20 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Using a cross-over protocol, the subjects were randomized to oral administration of 500 mg of bosentan or placebo 2 h before ischaemia. Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatation were determined by intra-brachial infusion of acetylcholine (1–10 μg/min) and nitroprusside (0.3–3 μg/min) respectively, before and after ischaemia. Compared with pre-ischaemia, the endothelium-dependent increase in FBF was significantly impaired at 15 and 30 min of reperfusion when the subjects received placebo (P&lt;0.01). When the subjects received bosentan, the endothelium-dependent increase in FBF was not affected by ischaemia/reperfusion. Endothelium-independent vasodilatation was not affected during reperfusion compared with pre-ischaemia. The vaso-constrictor response induced by intra-arterial infusion of ET-1 was attenuated significantly by bosentan (P&lt;0.001). The results suggest that the dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist bosentan attenuates ischaemia/reperfusion-induced endothelial dysfunction in humans in vivo. Bosentan may thus be a feasible therapeutic agent in the treatment of ischaemia/reperfusion injury in humans.
Application of the theory of constraints to a bottleneck operation in a manufacturing plant
Authors: Pegels C. Carl , Watrous Craig 
Published: March 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a study of the successful application of the theory of constraints (TOC) to a manufacturing plant operations problem. The TOC application required the identification of a bottleneck constraint in the manufacturing process which limited through‐put and thus negatively affected plant productivity and efficiency.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used was a detailed case study of the bottleneck in the manufacturing process. The bottleneck in this case was the mold‐changing operations, consisting of a plastic injection process for heavy‐duty truck‐lighting systems components.FindingsIt was found that to eliminate the bottleneck four separate solution approaches were applied to the problem, and these four solutions collectively eliminated the bottleneck constraint.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this approach is that the application of the TOC method is highly specific to the particular operation.Originality/valueOn completion of the study the mold‐changing process improvements resulted in increased through‐put and concomitant improvements in productivity and efficiency in the heavy‐duty truck‐lighting systems plant.
A simulation‐based comparison of TOC and traditional accounting performance measures in a process industry
Authors: Mehra Satish , Inman R. Anthony , Tuite Gregory 
Published: March 2005

PurposeAims to compare performance measurement of a continuous process manufacturing operation under two accounting systems – a traditional cost accounting system and the theory of constraints (TOC) system.Design/methodology/approachUsing a computer‐based simulation methodology to capture operational performance, it is found that the TOC‐based accounting system presents a more realistic state of performance scenario.FindingsFindings from this research indicate that businesses using a TOC‐based system can improve their performance more accurately, and hence gain a sustainable competitive position in the future.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to continuous process manufacturing operations.Originality/valueThe research makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of performance measurement.
A neuro‐computing approach to the thermal profile control of the second‐side reflow process in surface mount assembly
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Nan , Yang Taho 
Published: March 2005

PurposeA neural‐network‐based predictive model is proposed to model the second‐side thermal profile reflow process in surface mount assembly with a view to facilitating the oven set‐up procedure and improving production yield.Design/methodology/approachThis study performs a 38−4 fractional factorial experimental twice to collect the thermal‐profile data from a second‐side board. The first experiment has components on the second side only, while the second experiment also has additional components on the primary side. A back‐propagation neural network (BPN) is then used to model the relationship between control variables and thermal‐profile measures.FindingsEmpirical results illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed BPN in solving the second‐side thermal‐profile prediction and control problem.Originality/valueThere is no study dedicated to the investigation of the second‐side thermal‐profile variance with and without the presence of primary‐side components. The study suggests that a variant oven‐setting strategy for the second‐side reflow process is important to ensure reflow‐soldering quality.
The validity of serologic tests for Trypanosoma cruzi and the effectiveness of transfusional screening strategies in a hyperendemic region
Authors: Pirard Marianne , Iihoshi Naomi , Boelaert Marleen , Basanta Paulino , López Freddy , Van der Stuyft Patrick 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: This study aims at obtaining unbiased estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of existing screening tests for Trypanosoma cruzi and at simulating the effectiveness of alternative screening strategies at different prevalence rates.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic random sample of 400 was taken from 1200 banked serum samples of donors screened between August 1998 and January 1999 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Samples were tested with indirect hemagglutination test (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and four enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Sensitivity and specificity of tests were estimated through latent class analysis.RESULTS: The sensitivity of individual tests ranged from 96.5 to 100 percent, and their specificity from 87.0 to 98.9 percent. Combinations of two tests used in parallel would, even at 40 percent prevalence, only miss approximately 1 infected unit per 10,000 screened. At 5 percent prevalence, however, they would yield 75 to 120 false‐positive units per 1000 units screened. Parallel testing with IHA plus ELISA or with IHA plus IFA is marginally more cost‐effective, compared to single IHA testing, than single ELISA or single IFA testing, regardless of the T. cruzi prevalence.CONCLUSIONS: Routine blood donor screening for T. cruzi with a single test results in unacceptable numbers of false‐negative samples in highly endemic areas or in at risk population groups. Adding a second test seems mandatory, but which one to choose depends on local cost components and feasibility.
Efficacy of Epstein‐Barr virus removal by leukoreduction of red blood cells
Authors: Qu Lirong , Xu Shushen , Rowe David , Triulzi Darrell 
Published: March 2005

BACKGROUND: Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection results in life‐long carriage of latent virus in B lymphocytes in the majority of the adult population, including blood donors. The removal of EBV from red blood cell (RBC) components by leukoreduction was assessed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixteen randomly selected fresh AS‐5 units were leukoreduced by filtration. B lymphocytes from preleukoreduction specimens and mononuclear cells (MNCs) from postleukoreduction specimens were assayed for EBV DNA with sensitive real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).RESULTS: EBV genomes were detected in CD19+ B cells in 14 of 16 preleukoreduced RBC units. EBV genomic copy number in the units ranged from 0.18 to 96.84 per 105 B lymphocytes representing approximately 135 to 72,630 total EBV genomes per bag. Leukoreduction rendered all but one unit EBV‐negative by PCR. The lone PCR‐positive unit after leukoreduction amplified 1.2 EBV genome copies from MNCs recovered from the entire unit of leukoreduced RBCs; this unit had the highest EBV viral load before leukoreduction (72,630 EBV genomes).CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that a 4‐log reduction of EBV genomic copy number can be achieved with leukoreduction of RBC units and renders most RBC units EBV‐negative by sensitive PCR.
Evaluating explanations of the Australian ‘heroin shortage’
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Reuter Peter , Collins Linette , Hall Wayne 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTAims  In this paper we outline and evaluate competing explanations for a heroin shortage that occurred in Australia during 2001 with an abrupt onset at the beginning of 2001.Methods  We evaluated each of the explanations offered for the shortage against evidence from a variety of sources: government reports, police and drug law enforcement documents and briefings, key informant (KI) interviews, indicator data and research data.Results  No similar shortage occurred at the same time in other markets (e.g. Vancouver, Canada or Hong Kong) whose heroin originated in the same countries as Australia’s. The shortage was due most probably to a combination of factors that operated synergistically and sequentially. The heroin market had grown rapidly in the late 1990s, perhaps helped by a decline in drug law enforcement (DLE) in Australia in the early 1990s that facilitated high‐level heroin suppliers in Asia to establish large‐scale importation heroin networks into Australia. This led to an increase in the availability of heroin, increasingly visible street‐based drug markets, increased purity and decreased price of heroin around the country. The Australian heroin market was well established by the late 1990s, but it had a low profit margin with high heroin purity, and a lower price than ever before. The surge in heroin problems led to increased funding of the Australian Federal Police and Customs as part of the National Illicit Drug Strategy in 1998–99, with the result that a number of key individuals and large seizures occurred during 1999–2000, probably increasing the risks of large‐scale importation. The combination of low profits and increased success of law enforcement may have reduced the dependability of key suppliers of heroin to Australia at a time when seized heroin was becoming more difficult to replace because of reduced supplies in the Golden Triangle. These factors may have reduced the attractiveness of Australia as a destination for heroin trafficking.Conclusions  The Australian heroin shortage in 2001 was due probably to a combination of factors that included increased effectiveness of law enforcement efforts to disrupt networks bringing large shipments of heroin from traditional source countries, and decreased capacity or willingness of major traffickers to continue large scale shipments to Australia.
Selection and socialization effects of fraternities and sororities on US college student substance use: a multi‐cohort national longitudinal study
Authors: McCabe Sean Esteban , Schulenberg John E. , Johnston Lloyd D. , O'Malley Patrick M. , Bachman Jerald G. , Kloska Deborah D. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTAims  To examine how membership in fraternities and sororities relates to the prevalence and patterns of substance use in a national sample of full‐time US college students.Design  Nationally representative probability samples of US high school seniors (modal age 18 years) were followed longitudinally across two follow‐up waves during college (modal ages 19/20 and 21/22).Setting  Data were collected via self‐administered questionnaires from US high school seniors and college students.Participants  The longitudinal sample consisted of 10 cohorts (senior years of 1988–97) made up of 5883 full‐time undergraduate students, of whom 58% were women and 17% were active members of fraternities or sororities.Findings  Active members of fraternities and sororities had higher levels of heavy episodic drinking, annual marijuana use and current cigarette smoking than non‐members at all three waves. Although members of fraternities reported higher levels than non‐members of annual illicit drug use other than marijuana, no such differences existed between sorority members and non‐members. Heavy episodic drinking and annual marijuana use increased significantly with age among members of fraternities or sororities relative to non‐members, but there were no such differential changes for current cigarette use or annual illicit drug use other than marijuana.Conclusions  The present study provides strong evidence that higher rates of substance use among US college students who join fraternities and sororities predate their college attendance, and that membership in a fraternity or sorority is associated with considerably greater than average increases in heavy episodic drinking and annual marijuana use during college. These findings have important implications for prevention and intervention efforts aimed toward college students, especially members of fraternities and sororities.