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The flux pinning and other superconducting properties of the Y-Ba-Cu-O films doped with BaZr[O.sub.3] (BZO) nanoparticles prepared by multilayer and single target methods are explained.

The incorporation of various nanoparticulate flux pinning centers in the Y[Ba.sub.2][Cu.sub.3][O.sub.7-[delta]] films is described. The study shows that such incorporation helps in improving the in-field performance of these films.

The ultrasonic force microscopy (UFM) technique is employed for imaging of the nanoparticles present in the interior of the Y[Ba.sub.2][Cu.sub.3]pO.sub.7-x] (YBCO) films. The method also helps in providing high resolution images of the screw dislocation induced terraces present in the film.

The analysis of the transport and magnetic properties is employed for the characterization of the individual filaments in a multifilamentary YBCO coated conductor. The results show that the values of the filament critical current and the n-factor vary largely with the filament.

The study describes a newly devised hall probe system, which is used for studying the AC transport current distribution in the YBCO coated conductors at different frequencies up to 700 Hz. The sensors are found to be very advantageous because of its sensitivity, low cost and versatility.

Several studies are conducted to measure the local current transport and the current sharing between different filaments in striated coated YBCO conductors with artificial defects. The local current crowding is found to be the main cause of the dissipation of the current in these conductors.

The safety measures to be taken by organizations to prevent crime with relation to organization size are presented.

Many future military systems will depend heavily on high electrical power input ranging from hundreds of kilowatts up to the multimegawatt level. These weapon systems include electromagnetic launch applications as well as electrically driven directed energy weapons (DEW), such as high-power microwaves and solid-state lasers. These power generation subsystems must often be packaged using limited space and strict weight limits on either ground mobile or airborne platforms. Superconducting generators made of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) will enable megawatt-class airborne power systems that are lightweight and compact. Also discussed briefly are new advances in HTS conductors and refrigeration systems furthering the development of HTS power systems. Index Terms--Generators, high-temperature superconductors, superconducting filaments and wires, superconducting tapes.

Investigating the peak shape of the Y(3d) photoelectron peak in YBCO thin films are different compared to bulk YBCO specimens is discussed. The XPS photoelectron peaks and cationic concentration profiles of several thin film superconductors have been compared.

Having investigated the variation of Q (sub h) with d for various striated thin YBCO films is discussed. It is concluded that having computed the dependence of N on the quantity [H (sub m)/H (sub d)] within a practical range of interest.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and school counselors are working on adopting alternatives to traditional service delivery models. Collaborative consultation is one approach that may alleviate the pressures resulting from expanding workloads [...]

The dehydration and cation mobility in Clinoptilolite using in situ synchroton dispersion and microcrystal diffraction using a hybrid simulation technique is studied. The result shows the 'heat collapse' framework transformation with the help of in situ diffraction data and computer modeling.

Plateau live oak (Quercus virginiana var. fusiformis) is thought to act as a nurse plant to other woody species in the upland savannas of the Edwards Plateau of central Texas; however, little is known of the nature, extent and duration of this facilitation. We tested the hypothesis that spatial asymmetry exists in the composition of the understory woody plant community associated with live oak trees that would indicate facilitative effects of the oak canopy on understory microclimate. The central live oaks in 20 discrete tree-shrub clusters sampled at a location in the eastern Edwards Plateau were relatively large and possessed a dense understory of 5 to 11 species of shrubs and small trees. Both adult and juvenile woody plants were nonuniformly distributed around the central live oak with significantly more individuals and species found in the northern than southern halves of clusters. No statistical differences were found between northern (NE vs. NW) or southern (SE vs. SW) quadrants or between eastern and western sides. Similar patterns were found for total cover (canopy and basal diameter) of adults and density and cover of Juniperus ashei, the dominant understory species. Neither the degree of this asymmetry or extent of understory development (i.e., total shrub density or species richness) was related to the size of the central live oak. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that microclimate modification by the live oak overstory is an important and perhaps persistent mechanism of facilitation in these woody clusters. These findings also suggest that processes structuring these live oak clusters differ from those of other tree-shrub clusters in subtropical savannas in this general region.

The development of nickel alloy substrates for Y-Ba-Cu-O coated conductor applications is described.

Byline: Paul Barnes (1,2) Keywords: Mergers; takeovers; acquisitions; prediction Abstract: This paper examines the methodological issues of using accounting ratios to predict takeover targets. Certain improvements are suggested, notably the use of industry-relative ratios and the deterimination of an ex ante cut off point which maximizes returns. The empirical study suggests that industry-relative ratios are not an improvement upon industry-specific models and that, although the models perform better than chance, they do not perform sufficiently well as to earn excess returns. Unfortunately, the results are not sufficiently sensitive as to be significantly affected by the choice of cut off point. Author Affiliation: (1) School of Management and Finance, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, NG7 2RD (2) School of Business, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, 08102 Article History: Registration Date: 15/10/2004

UK building societies were not as negatively effected by deregulation as US savings and loan associations. Diversified control of the building societies, some closer regulation, the 1986 Act, and the increased professionalism of boards of directors and senior management allowed the building societies to recover quickly from deregulation.

Absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy were used to examine the afterglow from radio frequency inductive excited discharges in Xe and I2 mixtures. The findings show that exciplex XeI* results in the afterglow when ground state Xe and highly excited I2 are combined. Ion-ion neutralization was also found to be an important precursor reaction for the development of I*(2P3/2) as well as of Xe*, Xe**, I2*, I2** and other excited species found in the afterglow.

An analysis was conducted to determine the reason behind the poor performance of bidders during a company merger bidding process which results in overpayment. Some hyphotheses such as the 'winner's curse,' that states that the generosity of the bidding term may increase the possibilities of a successful bid, seemed to explain the rationale of bidder's overpayment. However, the hypothesis did not adequately explain the issue at hand. Moreover, the overpayment in bidding can be attributed to the bidder's eagerness to merge as explained by the bargaining theory approach.

An experiment was conducted to study the kinetics of low pressure, 0.5-5 Torr, radio-frequency inductively excited discharges sustained in Xe and I2 to determine the source of radiating states. The diagnostics used in the study include optical absorption and emission spectroscopy, microwave absorption and microwave interferometry. Results showed that in time modulated discharges, the emissions from excited states of atomic iodine decays with time constants of hundreds of microseconds.

The low pressure radio frequency inductive discharges sustained in Xe/I2 mixtures for the production of ultraviolet radiation from XeI(B->X) at 253 nm was studied. Laser-induced fluorescence, optical absorption spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy were applied. Findings showed that for the experimental conditions, Xe+I2 -> XeI(B)+I is a major reaction which produces the excimer.

The effect of changes in corporate ownership and financial control in mergers, acquisitions and privatization may be linked to the form of ownership change. Corporate restructuring demands continued enhancement of performance and creation of value. The nature of 'value drivers', motivations and bargaining power can only be fully understood after closer examination of the areas of valuation, corporate control and governance.

An examination of the development of diamond films and their physical properties reveals that changes in surface chemistry parameters and gas phase chemistry parameters during settlement of microwave chemical vapor regulate the surface morphology of diamond films. Enhanced initial surface roughness increases the wear factor and does not influence the equilibrium coefficients and friction. In dry nitrogen and humid air, the equilibrium coefficients of friction are 0.02-0.04, and in vacuum they are 1.5-1.8.

Twenty-two cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) from diverse origins were grown under greenhouse conditions and exposed to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B; 280-320 nm) simulating a 5% reduction in stratospheric ozone in spring for the Philippines (14 degrees N lat.) to evaluate growth and morphological responses to UV-B. In comparison to controls that received no UV-B, plants exposed to UV-B exhibited significantly reduced dry matter production (total plant and shoot), shoot height, leaf blade length and total leaf area, increased number of tillers, and greater weight fractions in leaf blades and roots. For most cultivars, the relative effects of UV-B on shot morphology were greater than the effects on biomass production. The direction of the UV-B effects were generally similar for all cultivars, however, there were significant differences among cultivars in the magnitude of the UV-B-induced changes. Upland cultivars (IRAT104 and OS4) and two low-land cultivars commonly planted in the USA (Star Bonnet and Lemont) were found to be least affected by the UV-B, whereas modern, high yielding, lowland cultivars developed in the Philippines (IR52, IR35546-17-33, and IR58) were found to be among the most sensitive to UV-B. Our results indicate that in rice, as in other grasses, shoot morphology may be more responsive to solar UV-B change than plant productivity. Intraspecific variation in morphological responses to UV-B could contribute to differences among cultivars in susceptibility to UV-B induced changes in competitive balance between rice and associated weeds of the rice agroecosystem.

Auditors in the UK were criticized for failing to indicate in their audit reports the financial status of their client firms during the recent recessionthat hit the country. A case study of a UK-based company confirmed the reported reluctance of auditors to correctly qualify the status of their clients. Evidence indicate that external factors, although not important in the assessment of auditors' competence, exert tremendous influenceon the independence of auditors.

The influence of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (280-320 nanometers) on the morphology of 12 common dicot and monocot crop or weed species was examined to determine whether any common responses could be found that might, in turn, be useful in predicting possible changes in competitive balance under solar UV-B enhancement. Under glasshouse conditions, UV-B exposure (simulating a 20% reduction in stratospheric ozone at Logan, Utah) was found to reduce leaf blade and internode lenghts and increase leaf and axillary shoot production in several species. Overall, the directions of these trends were similar in the majority of species that exhibited a significant response. These morphological changes occurred without any significant reduction intotal shoot dry matter production. There was no clear distinction in the response of crops and weeds, though monocots were found to be generally more responsive than dicots. Previous work in dense canopies has shown that the photomorphogenetic effects of UV-B alter leaf placement and thereby influence competition for light. Our results suggest that, under these conditions, changes in competitive balance resulting from increased UV-B might be expected more frequently when monocots are involved in mixtures, rather than mixtures of only dicots.

Investigating the (Gd0.9Er0.2)(sub 2) O3 buffer layer, which matches 100% with superconducting layer, coated on RABiTS Ni substrate by using a sol-gel method is discussed. It is concluded that the different thickness of buffer layers and superconducting layer tried to the thickness effect on superconducting properties is shown.

The thickness dependence of critical current density ([J.sub.c]) is examined in Y[Ba.sub.2][Cu.sub.3][O.sub.7-x] films with BaZr[O.sub.3] (BZO) nanorods (YBCO/BZO) aligned along the film normal. The results have shown that the thickness dependence of [J.sub.c] is dictated by the microstructure and hence pinning mechanism in YBCO films.

Byline: Paul Barnes It is only recently that market abuse, of which insider dealing is a form, has been unlawful in the UK. The general impression is that insider dealing is common, that the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the main regulator, is aware of this but is unable, except in the most obvious of cases, to prosecute at the criminal level. The picture is less clear for other forms of market abuse and the evidence as to their frequency of occurrence is conflicting. As a result we are unable to assess the extent to which these go unchecked.

Tomographic energy dispersive diffraction imaging (TEDDI) is used for characterizing the structure of a heterogeneous catalyst body in situ during thermal treatment, where Ni/[gamma]-[Al.sub.2][O.sub.3] hydrogenation catalyst bodies are chosen as the system of study. TEDDI has shown that the decomposition of [Ni(en)[([H.sub.2]O).sub.4]][Cl.sub.2] has taken place via two intermediate crystalline structures.

The effects of different multifilamentary geometries on the dynamic current and field distributions in Y[Ba.sub.2][Cu.sub.3][O.sub.7-[delta]] thin films are studied. The studies have shown that increasing the distance between filaments has reduced the magnetic coupling and has decreased the ac losses.

Byline: Paul Barnes, Michael B. Charles, Mark Branagan, Alistair Knight This article deals with the way in which intelligence flows and other critical information can be embedded into a risk framework that will facilitate the early warning of emerging threat scenarios. That is, an organisation should be able to anticipate crisis triggers and know when a crisis situation will manifest itself. As an outcome, a conceptual framework that defines how to make sense of complex situations, datasets and real world anomalies is suggested.

Transport and scanning laser microscopy (SLM) techniques are used for studying multifilamentary coated conductor (MFCC) samples with patterned links. The results have shown that the patterned links between filaments have played important role in redistributing current and encouraging current sharing.

Factors that influenced graduating high school seniors to pursue additional education after some gap after schooling are evaluated by focusing on Midwest region schools.

The properties of weakly linked filaments in striated YBa2CuO(sub 7-d) (YBCO) coated conductors are investigated. The results indicate the potential of using weakly linked striations to allow current sharing between high temperature superconductor (HTS) filaments of striated coated conductors while still reducing the associated hysteretic loss.

The topotactic mechanism for the reduction of MoO3 to MoO2 is studied using well-supported experiments. The high quality in-situ Neutron Powder Diffraction (NPD) is used to monitor phase composition during the reduction of MoO3 in a flow of hydrogen at 550 degree Celsius.

Absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy were used to examine the afterglow from radio frequency inductive excited discharges in Xe and I2 mixtures. The findings show that exciplex XeI* results in the afterglow when ground state Xe and highly excited I2 are combined. Ion-ion neutralization was also found to be an important precursor reaction for the development of I*(2P3/2) as well as of Xe*, Xe**, I2*, I2** and other excited species found in the afterglow.