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Notes: The wiggler beamline BW2 at HASYLAB provides an intense monochromatic photon beam in the x-ray range from 2.02 to 33.5 keV for a diversity of experimental x-ray techniques such as surface diffraction, photoemission, absorption, microtomography, standing waves, etc. The beamline layout and its overall performance are described. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: alpha-Alumina and boehmite particles were synthesized by coprecipitation followed by a hydrothermal treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that alpha-Al2O3 was the major phase and coexisted with 4% of boehmite in the presence of the alpha-Al2O3 seeds. On the other hand, a single boehmite phase was obtained in the absence of the alpha-Al2O3 seed particles. The powder densified in the temperature range from 1050° to 1350°C. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that the particle size of the synthesized alpha-Al2O3 was 60 nm. The surface area was 245 m2/g.

Notes: The x-ray structure (λ〈10 A(ring)) of the DPF-78 discharge was investigated with different heavy-gas admixtures to a basic D2 filling. A possible classification of plasma features is proposed. Micropinches with an unusual high aspect ratio of about 10:1 were found. Soft x-ray spectra of single micropinches were registered on film. The use of x-ray spectroscopic methods by means of spectra simulation codes allowed us to estimate the parameters of particular types of pinches with axial size of 0.5 mm and full radial size of 0.05 mm. In the He-like ionization state we obtained ne≈3×1021 cm−3 and Te≈0.8 keV. The electron temperature determined in the H-like ionization stage was considerably higher, Te≈2 keV, indicating a strong ionizing plasma. Possible deviations from the Bennett condition are discussed in connection with the spectroscopic results. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: We report the observation of tunneling induced transparency in asymmetric double quantum well structures. Resonant tunneling through a thin barrier is used to coherently couple the two upper states in a three level system of electronic subbands in a GaAs/AlGaAs structure. This creates Fano-type interferences for the collective intersubband excitations in the absorption from the ground state, analogous to electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in atomic systems. We observe a 50% reduction in absorption between the subband resonances which can be explained by taking into account the coherent coupling of the upper states. We analyze the bias dependent absorption spectra and determine the relevant lifetime broadening and dephasing rates for the transitions. © 1997 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: A versatile model for ultraviolet (UV) laser ablation of polymers is presented, which is very successfully applied to the calculation of a variety of different properties of this process, including the influence of plume attenuation dynamics. The polymer is described as a system of chromophores with two possible electronic states. The model is based on the combination of photothermal decomposition and photodissociative bond breaking in the electronically excited state. Laser induced chemical modifications are incorporated via different absorption coefficients for the initial and for the modified polymer after absorption of UV light. Dynamic attenuation of the expanding ablation plume and heat conduction are taken into account. The results of the theoretical calculations are compared with the results of three different series of experiments performed with polyimide (PI) and polymethylmethacrylate at the excimer laser wavelength 248 nm and with PI also at 308 nm: (1) Measurement of the ablation rate as a function of fluence for four different pulse durations between 20 and 250 ns; (2) Measurements of the ablation rate as a function of fluence for five different laser irradiation spot radii between 10 and 150 μm, and (3) Time resolved measurement of the dynamic plume attenuation at the ablating laser wavelength as a function of fluence for four different pulse durations between 20 and 250 ns. The model leads to a prediction of etch rates, ablation thresholds, plume attenuation, and surface temperatures during the ablation process, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. The observed increase of the ablation rate with increasing pulse length and with decreasing laser spot size can be explained by the model as a consequence of laser induced modified absorption in combination with the dynamic shielding of the expanding plume. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: High frequency modulation of gain-coupled (GC) and index-coupled (IC) InGaAs/InGaAlAs distributed feedback (DFB) lasers is investigated. Laser dynamics of conventionally fabricated IC DFB lasers are compared with GC DFB lasers realized by the new technology of masked implantation enhanced intermixing. Band structure dependence of the modulation response at low temperature (T=2K) is analyzed by detuning the emission energy of the DFB lasers with respect to the gain maximum using different grating periods. Pulse widths decreasing from 53 ps down to 4.5 ps with increasing emission energy demonstrate the capability of both coupling types. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with a theory without any fit parameter based on laser rate equations. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: Epitaxial ferromagnetic La0.8Sr0.2MnO3−δ films have been sputtered on SrTiO3 bicrystal substrates. Etched patterns crossing the bicrystal grain boundary are compared with identical patterns not crossing it. The films were annealed at different conditions and their magnetoresistance measured as a function of temperature T and of in plane magnetic field H strength and direction. Annealing at 900 °C was found to modify the grain boundary and to increase its magnetoresistance. For H=±80 Oe parallel to the grain boundary and T=32 K narrow magnetoresistance peaks of 60% height are measured. They are interpreted in the frame of an in plane magnetotunneling structure. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: The availability of molecular markers linked to mildew resistance genes would enhance the efficiency of apple-breeding programmes. This investigation focuses on the identification of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the Pl1 gene for mildew resistance, which has introgressed from Malus robusta into cultivated apples. The RAPD marker technique was combined with a modified ‘bulked seg-regant analysis’ mapping strategy. About 850 random decamer primers used as single primers or in combinations were tested by PCR analysis on the basis of resistant and susceptible DNA pools. Selected primers producing RAPD fragments were applied in an additional selection step to M. robusta and genotypes representing intermediate breeding stages of the breeding population 93/9, for which a 1:1 segregation could be observed for the resistance trait. Seven RAPD markers, all representing introgressed DNA sequences from M. robusta, were identified and arranged with the Pl1 locus in a common linkage group. The two most tightly-linked RAPD markers, OPAT20450 and OPD21000 were mapped with a genetic distance of 4.5 and 5 cM, respectively, from the Pl1 gene. Both markers are suitable for marker-assisted selection in apple breeding. The polymorphic DNA fragment OPAT20450 was cloned and sequenced, and longer primers for the generation of a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker have been constructed; this marker was easier to score than the original RAPD marker.

Notes: Formation of the lignocaine metabolite monoethyl-glycine-xylidide (MEGX) by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes is a new method for evaluating liver function. The purpose of this study was to compare MEGX formation with other liver function parameters in surgical intensive care unit patients. The study included 29 critically ill patients who had been admitted to the unit for more than 3 days with a median APACHE III score-predicted mortality 〉 30%. On day 4, lignocaine was given intravenously at a dose of 1 mg.kg-1 over 2 min and MEGX formation was measured 15 min later. Eighty-nine percent of the patients had MEGX values below 90μg.l-1 indicating impaired liver function. Eleven patients died, 18 patients survived. The group of patients with fatal outcome had significantly lower MEGX values (median: 23μg.l-1) than the group of survivors (median: 53μg.l-1, p 〈 0.01). Bilirubin values were elevated in the non-survivor group (median: 2.8mg.dl-1) compared to the survivors (median: 0.9mg.dl-1, p 〈 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the other liver function tests. We conclude from our results that the MEGX test can be considered an indicator for hepatic dysfunction and predictor of survival in critically ill patients.

Notes: Summary. Radiological and orthopaedic outcome in severe and moderate haemophilia A and B patients undergoing long-term prophylactic treatment were prospectively investigated focusing on the age of onset of prophylaxis and the number of joint bleedings prior to treatment. We report on 21 patients with severe and moderate haemophilia A and B receiving prophylactic treatment of between 3.1 and 16.1 year's duration. Three patient groups were evaluated according to the age at onset of prophylaxis. In group I prophylactic treatment was initiated in the first 2 years of life. Patients in group II received prophylaxis at the age of 3–6 years. Late-onset or secondary prophylactic treatment was started at the age of 6 years and above in seven patients (group III). All patients received virus-inactivated F VIII or F IX concentrates at dosages of 30–50 IU/kg body weight i.v. three times per week for those with haemophilia A and twice per week for those with haemophilia B. Elbow, knee and ankle joints were investigated at 3–4-yearly intervals according to the radiological and orthopaedic scores recommended by the World Federation of Haemophilia. The total number of joint bleedings before and after start of prophylaxis were recorded in all patients. In group I 7/8 patients had unaffected joints with constant radiological and orthopaedic scores of zero or 1, after a median of 11.25 years of prophylactic treatment. One patient in this group demonstrated mild radiological alterations (score 4). Patients in group II showed neither radiological nor orthopaedic alterations at study entry. Surprisingly, worsening joint scores could be detected despite ongoing prophylaxis after the 3-year interval (median orthopaedic score 4, median radiological score 8). Treatment group III already showed considerable joint damage at study entry with a median radiological score of 11 (0–33) and a median orthopaedic score of 4 (0–11). Despite prophylactic treatment, both radiological (median 19.5, range 2–47) and orthopaedic scores (median 8, range 2–12) deteriorated after 3 years. Prior to onset of prophylaxis, no or only one joint bleeding occurred in treatment group I. In group II, a median of six joint bleeds (range 1–8) was reported before prophylaxis was started. Patients in group III usually experienced a median of more than 10 joint haemorrhages (range 6–10 or more). Under prophylactic treatment the number of joint bleedings decreased significantly in group II and III. However, radiological and orthopaedic scores increased as a sign of progressing osteoarthropathic alterations in patients reporting more than five joint haemorrhages before onset of prophylaxis whereas no joint alterations could be assessed in patients with no or only one joint bleeding episode prior to prophylaxis. Even a small number of joint bleedings seems to cause irreversible osteoarthropathic alterations leading to haemophilic arthropathy. Once apparent, further progression of joint damage could not be arrested despite of prophylactic treatment (groups II and III). In order to prevent haemophilic arthropathy, effective prophylaxis should be started before or at least after the first joint bleeding in severe haemophilia A and B.