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Notes: The electrical transport properties of CoSi2 and Co(SixGe1−x)2 thin films formed by solid state interaction and co-evaporation in the range of 4–300 K were studied. The Hall effect data indicate a hole carrier conduction in all samples. The rapid thermal annealed CoSi2 exhibits a typical metallic conduction with a residual resistivity of 3.3-μΩ-cm and room-temperature (RT) resistivity of 15 μΩ cm. The co-evaporated CoSi2 and Co(Si0.9Ge0.1)2 films after low temperature annealing up to 250 °C show a low resistivity of 70–80 μΩ cm at RT and change little down to 4 K. The hole carrier density of all the samples studied has values close to 2–3×1022 cm−3, while the carrier Hall mobility has large differences.

Notes: The complex dielectric response of strontium barium niobate relaxor ferroelectrics has been studied as a function of orientation and composition. The dielectric response was found to be strongly dependent on orientation, in distinct comparison to the nearly orientation-independent response found for Pb-based perovskite relaxors. Investigations of the temperature dependence of the high-field polarization behavior found that the square-to-slim loop hysteresis transition occurred rapidly with increasing temperature. In addition, no deviations from Curie–Weiss behavior were found, however two distinct linear regions were observed. An anisotropic dielectric glasslike model involving the freezing of heterophase fluctuations is then discussed in reference to the data.

Notes: YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting thin films with a critical current density of 2.3×106 A/cm2 at 77.7 K and 0 T were prepared by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition process. The films were formed in situ on LaAlO3 at a substrate temperature of 730 °C in 2 Torr partial pressure of N2O. Resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements of the as-deposited films show a sharp superconducting transition temperature of 89 K with a narrow width of less than 1 K. Critical current densities were measured by the dc transport method with a patterned bridge of 120 μm×40 μm. Both x-ray diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy measurements indicate that films grew epitaxially with the c axis perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

Notes: Doppler broadened gamma spectra from positron annihilations in alumina and several zeolites were measured as a function of internal surfaces. In all cases, the gamma line shape parameter was found to vary proportionally with surface area. The results greatly enhance the potential of using positron annihilation spectroscopy as a microprobe for surface studies of porous materials.

Notes: Lymph nodes, spleen and thymus obtained from Lewis rats were examined over the course of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) for the distribution and the number of antigen-reactive CD4+ T helper cells which, upon recognition of Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or the α, β, γ or δ subunits of Torpedo AChR, responded by secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). T cells with these specificities were detected in these three immune organs. Numbers were highest in lymph nodes. In spleen and thymus, numbers of antigen-reactive T cells did not differ. T cells reacting against the intact AChR were more frequent than T cells recognizing any of the subunits. The immunogenicity between the four subunits did not differ, with the exception that the α subunit induced a slightly higher T-cell response. No restriction of the T-cell repertoire to the four subunits was detected during early compared to late phases of EAMG. The AChR and subunit-reactive T cells could—via secretion of effector molecules including IFN-γ—play an important role in the initiation and perpetuation of EAMG. and consequently also of human myasthenia gravis. T cells with the same specificities were also detected in control animals injected with adjuvant only, but at much lower numbers which were within the range of T cells recognizing the control antigen myelin basic protein. They could represent naturally occurring autoimmune T cells.

Notes: Germination of skotodormant (imbibed or redried dormant in the dark) seeds of Johnson grass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is temperature dependent. There was better germination at 40°C than at lower temperatures. Alternating temperatures of 40/28 and 35/22°C were best, overall, for imbibed and re-dried dormant seeds, respectively. For the imbibed, dormant seeds, there was apparent stimulation of germination by light, gibberelent A3 (GA3) and immersion in 700 mm sodium hypochlorite (NaOC1). However, the combinations of GA3+light, NaOC1+light, and NaOC1+GA3+light all had synergistic effects on the stimulation of germination of imbibed, dormant seeds. Germination of dry seeds treated with 900 min H2O2 was not affected, whereas the same treatment given to imbibed, dormant seeds resulted in about 40–60% germination. Stimulation of germination by H2O2 depends not only upon seed moisture content, but also upon concentration of H2O2 and previous NaOC1 immersion. Dry seeds immersed for 15 min in concentrated H2SO4 and incubated on water gave almost complete germination while no imbibed, dormant seeds germinated following this treatment. However, as little as 4 h of re-drying of these imbibed, dormant seeds, prior to the same H2SO4 treatment, stimulated about 40% germination. It is suggested that the induction and breakage of skotodormancy in imbibed or re-dried seeds in response to seasonal fluctuations in temperature and moisture may provide a survival mechanism for S. halepense. Induction de la germination des graines dormantes de Sorgho D'Alep, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.La germination de graines dormantes (imbibées ou ressechées à l'obscurité) de Sorgho d'Alep dépend de la température. La germination est meilleure à 40°C qu'à des températures plus basses. Des alternances de 40/28 et 35/22C étaient optimales respectivement pour les graines imbibées ou ressechées. Pour les imbibées, il y a une stimulation par la lumière, la gibberelline A3 (GA3) et l'immersion dans une solution 700 mm d'hypochlorite de sodium (NaOC1). Cependant, les combinaisons GA3+lumière; NaOC1+lumière, et NaOC1+GA3+lumière ont toutes des effets de synergisme de la stimulation de la germination des graines dormantes imbibées. La germination des graines sèches traitées avec une solution 900 mm de H2O2 n'est pas affectée tandis que le même traitement appliqué aux imbibées résulte dans 40 à 60%de germination des semences dormantes. La stimulation de la germination pour H2O2 ne dépend pas uniquement de la teneur en humidité de la graine, mais également de la concentration en H2O2 et de la préimmersion dans NaOC1. Des graines sèches immergées pendant 15 min dans H2SO4 concentré et incubées à l'eau, donnent une germination presque complète tandis que des graines imbibées ne germent pas après ce traitement. Cependant, après un reséchage aussi petit que 4 h, les graines imbibées après un même traitement à H2SO4 germent à environ 40%. On peut conclure que l'induction et la levée de dormance des graines en relation avec les fluctuations saisonnières de température et d'humidité, fournissent un moyen de survie au Sorgho d'Alep. Keimungsinduktion bei skotodormanten Samen der Aleppo-Hirse (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.Die Keimung skotodormanter, d.h. im Dunkeln dormanter Samen (gequollen oder wiedergetrocknet) der Aleppo-Hirse (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) ist temperaturabhängig: Die Keimung war bei 40°C besser als bei niedrigen Temperaturen, und Wechseltemperaturen von 40/28 und 35/22°C waren allgemein am wirkungsvollsten für vorgequollene bzw. wiedergetrocknete dormante Samen. Für gequollene donnante Samen waren offensichtlich Licht, Gibberellin A3 (GA3) und Tauchen in 700 mm Natriumhypochlorit (NaOC1) keimungswirksam, und die Kombinationen GA3+Licht, NaOC1+Licht und NaOC1+GA3+Licht hatten alle eine synergistische Wirkung auf die Stimulation der Keimung vorgequollener dormanter Samen. Die Keimung trokener Samen blieb von einer Behandlung mit 900 mm H2O2 unbeeinflusst, während sie bei vorge-quollenen dormanten Samen zu etwa 40 bis 60% Keimung führte. Diëse Art Keimungsstimulation hängt nicht nur vom Feuchtigkeitsgehalt der Samen ab, sondern auch von der H2O2-Konzentration und einer vorausgehenden Behandlung mit NaOC1. Wurden trockene Samen 15 Minuten in konzentrierte H2SO4 getaucht und danach über Wasser inkubiert, keimten sie fast vollzählig, während vorgequollene dormante Samen nach dieser Behandlung nicht keimten, doch keimten sie zu etwa 40%, wenn sie vor derselben H2O2-Behandlung nur 4 h getrocknet wurden. Es wird angenommen, dass die Induktion und Brechung der Skotodormanz der je nach jahreszeitlichem Wechsel der Temperatur und Feuchtigkeit gequollenen oder wiedergetrockneten Samen einen Überlebensmechanismus für Sorghum halepense bilden.

Notes: Seeds of Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] germinated to higher percentages (20–30% higher) when incubated at 28 and 35° C than at 10 or 22° C. After-ripening was accelerated by dry storage of these seeds at 50°C. Seeds pre-chilled at 6°C for 2–4 weeks followed by incubation at 28°C germinated 40–60%. Light effects on germination were related to incubation temperatures; inhibitory at 22°C; no response at 28°C; and stimulatory at 35°C. Effects of gibberellin A3 (GA3) also varied depending on incubation temperature, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) immersion and light conditions. Immersion of dry seeds in either 700 mM NaOCl, 900 mM H2O2 or concentrated H2SO4 before incubation in water was effective in breaking dormancy. This result suggests the modes of action of H2SO4 in the termination of dormancy may be similar to those of NaOCl and H2SO4 as previously suggested by Hsiao & Quick (1984), that is by modification or scarification of the hull or seed coat membranes, and also by the supply of additional oxygen to the seed.

Notes: In this paper, elastic scattering and localization of guided waves on a thin anisotropic imperfect interfacial layer between two solids are studied. We have proposed a second-order asymptotic boundary condition approach to model such an interfacial layer. Here, using previous results, we derive simple stiffness-matrix representations of stress-displacement relations on the interface for the decomposed symmetric and anti-symmetric elastic motions. The stiffness matrices are given for an off-axis orthotropic layer or, equivalently, for a monoclinic interfacial layer. For the problem of scattering on such a thin anisotropic layer between identical isotropic semi-spaces the scattering matrices are obtained in explicit forms. Analytical dispersion equations for Stoneley-type interfacial waves localized in such a system are also given. Additional results are included for imperfect interfaces, such as fractured interfaces, modelled by spring boundary conditions. The applicability of the stiffness-matrix approach to the layer model is analysed by numerical comparison between the approximate and exact solutions. The numerical examples, which include reflection transmission on the interphase and dispersion curves of the interfacial waves, show that the stiffness-matrix method is a simple and accurate approach to describe wave interaction with a thin anisotropic interfacial layer between two solids.