bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Winding inductances of fractional slot surface‐mounted permanent magnet brushless machines
Authors: EL‐Refaie Ayman M. , Zhu Z.Q. , Jahns Thomas M. , Howe David
Published: November 2009

Purpose

Permanent magnet (PM) brushless machines equipped with fractional‐slot concentrated‐windings (FSCW) have been receiving considerable attention over the past few years, due to the fact that they have short end‐windings, a high‐slot fill factor, a high efficiency and power density, and good flux‐weakening and fault‐tolerance capabilities. A key design parameter for such machines is the phase winding inductance since this has a significant impact on the performance, as well as on the magnitude of any reluctance torque. The purpose of this paper is to describe a detailed investigation of the various components of the winding inductance in machines equipped with both overlapping and non‐overlapping windings and different slot/pole number combinations. It also examines the influence of key design parameters, which affect the inductance components, with particular reference to the inductances of machines in which all the teeth are wound and those in which only alternate teeth are wound.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes and compares various inductance components which result from different winding configurations.

Findings

It is shown that the main component of the winding inductance is the relatively large slot‐leakage component. Both analytical and finite element models are employed and predicted results are validated on several prototype machines.

Originality/value

Such a thorough investigation of the various inductance components for these type of machines has not been presented before. The paper will serve as a good reference for engineers and researchers designing PM machines equipped with FECW.
On numerical methods for highly oscillatory problems in circuit simulation
Authors: Condon Marissa , Deaño Alfredo , Iserles Arieh , Maczyński Kornel , Xu Tao
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse a novel technique for an efficient numerical approximation of systems of highly oscillatory ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that arise in electronic systems subject to modulated signals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines a Filon‐type method with waveform relaxation techniques for nonlinear systems of ODEs.

Findings

The analysis includes numerical examples to compare with traditional methods such as the trapezoidal rule and Runge‐Kutta methods. This comparison shows that the proposed approach can be very effective when dealing with systems of highly oscillatory differential equations.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper constitutes a preliminary study of Filon‐type methods applied to highly oscillatory ODEs in the context of electronic systems, and it is a starting point for future research that will address more general cases.

Originality/value

The proposed method makes use of novel and recent techniques in the area of highly oscillatory problems, and it proves to be particularly useful in cases where standard methods become expensive to implement.
Identification of demagnetization faults in a permanent magnet synchronous machine by permeance network
Authors: Ahmed Farooq Jawad , Djerdir Abdesslem , Miraoui Abdellatif
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel method to identify demagnetization faults in the magnet of a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) using some externally measurable parameter.

Design/methodology/approach

The machine is modelled by using permeance network theory. The new feature introduced in the permeance network is the subdivision of magnets into segments, modelled as bidirectional elements. These bidirectional elements allow taking into account the effect of one element on the other. To detect the demagnetization faults, a gradient‐based algorithm is also developed. This algorithm uses the permeance network model of the PMSM and measurement data of some parameter to find the distribution of remanent induction in the magnet segments.

Findings

The methodology presented is able to detect the demagnetization fault using an external data. The measurement data in this paper is obtained through finite element simulations. The fast and accurate convergence of the algorithm makes the model to find its place in magnet fault diagnosis. Results for different magnet fault types have been presented.

Originality/value

This new approach to detect demagnetization fault can serve as a step towards development of better fault‐detection algorithms and fault‐tolerant control schemes.
Prediction of iron loss in magnetic laminations under PWM voltage supply
Authors: Gmyrek Zbigniew
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a new method of iron loss estimation under pulse width modulation (PWM) converter supply. The proposed method concerns the longitudinal magnetisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel method of iron loss estimation applies values of iron losses that come from a single higher harmonic coexisting with a DC‐bias field. This method considers non‐linearity of ferromagnetic. Results of estimation are validated using experimental results.

Findings

The paper formulates that the dependence of iron losses come from harmonics, on DC‐bias field. Moreover, it formulates possibilities of their utilization to iron loss estimation in case of deformed flux. On the other hand, it discusses the influence of DC‐bias field on static hysteresis and classical eddy current losses.

Research limitations/implications

Experimental verification will still be needed as to the accuracy of the proposed model and applicability to various magnetic materials.

Practical implications

The paper provides an easy mathematical method of iron loss estimation, under PWM voltage supply.

Originality/value

The paper explains how to use an analytical method and results of iron losses come from single harmonics, obtained under coexistence with DC‐bias field, to iron loss estimation in case of longitudinal magnetisation where deformed magnetic flux occurs.
Usability study of a federated search product at Punjab University
Authors: Fatima Warraich Nosheen , Ameen Kanwal , Tahira Muzammil
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usability of the Electronic Library Information Navigator (ELIN), the federated search product used by the University of the Punjab (PU) and other Higher Education Commission‐recognized institutions in Pakistan for the effective use of expensive electronic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Two usability tests were conducted.

Findings

Overall, participants performed the required tasks and found ELIN to be a useful tool for searching. They did, however, have some technical limitations and faced difficulties with the choice of search options and were frustrated by the display of results. Full text availability and relevancy of subject results were mentioned as major problems. The majority of users did not complete the questions requesting suggestions for improvement of the web site.

Originality/value

This study provides a baseline for further user studies in higher education institutions. It is recommended that including audio might enhance search capabilities.
The importance of self‐service kiosks in developing consumers' retail patronage intentions
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Joo , Fairhurst Ann E. , Lee Min‐Young
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine ways in which service quality delivered by self‐service kiosks influences consumers' retail patronage intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested in two self‐service kiosk settings: self‐checkout and information kiosk. Survey participants were members of a consumer panel from an online survey agent. A total of 1,230 e‐mails were distributed. Of these, 600 usable surveys were used for data analysis. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study demonstrates that service quality delivered by self‐service kiosks is a direct and an indirect determinant of consumers' retail patronage intentions; service quality delivered by self‐service kiosks directly influences consumers' retail patronage intentions and also indirectly influences consumers' retail patronage intentions through three dimensions of retail service quality (i.e. reliability, personal interaction, and problem solving).

Originality/value

Compared with previous studies that were heavily focused on consumer acceptance or trial of self‐service technologies, the study attempts to address formerly unexplored aspects of self‐service kiosks' contribution to retail patronage. A second contribution of the study which makes it different from prior studies that were mostly conducted in the context of self‐checkouts is that it tests a conceptual model related to two types of self‐service kiosks (i.e. self‐checkout and information kiosk) to examine whether the proposed relationships are similar or dissimilar across the two types.
From little things big things grow: scaling‐up assessment of experiential learning
Authors: Quinn Diana , Shurville Simon
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The new economies of the twenty‐first century require new approaches to learning and teaching from higher education (HE). Accordingly many universities have gradually scaled‐up learner‐centred approaches, including flexible delivery and technology‐enhanced learning, from the domains of enthusiasts towards the institutional level. This paper seeks to argue that these new economies and styles of learning and teaching bring similar requirements for scaling of assessment practices in HE, in particular, that it is now time for many universities to consider change initiatives to scale‐up the assessment of experiential learning to the institutional level.

Design/methodology/approach

The need to scale‐up assessment of experiential learning in the Australian and international higher HE contexts is discussed and a variety of change initiatives to scale‐up assessment of experiential learning at the University of South Australia is described. These initiatives are explored in the wider context of change management in HE.

Findings

Assessment of experiential learning is at a tipping point where it needs to transition from the enthusiasts towards the mainstream of academics. Support for this process is a new challenge for academic developers, educational technologists, librarians and other stakeholders, akin to other recent challenges such as mainstreaming flexible learning and technology‐enhanced learning. It is argued that for change to succeed learners and academics require local or regional evidence that experiential learning and its assessment are both beneficial and manageable.

Originality/value

Taking assessment of experiential learning to the institutional level is a challenge that is reminiscent of the need to scale‐up flexible delivery and technology‐enhanced learning over the past decade. Information that can help universities to graduate large numbers of knowledge workers with appropriate graduate attributes developed through experiential learning should be beneficial to the graduates, the institutions and society at large.
Automating formative and summative feedback for individualised assignments
Authors: Hamilton Ian Robert
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the rationale behind the use of a unique paper‐based individualised accounting assignment, which automated the provision to students of immediate formative and timely summative feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

As students worked towards completing their assignment, the package provided immediate formative feedback with sufficient indicators for the student to identify that they had made an error and provided encouragement for the student to take appropriate corrective action until they were satisfied that their answer was correct. Once the student was satisfied with their work, their submission was automatically marked by the assessment package according to the pre‐set marking scheme.

Findings

The assignment experience reported here has shown the potential for interactive spreadsheets to be created for a wide range of rule‐based accounting problems to provide formative and summative feedback. The package can be (and has been) easily extended beyond financial accounting to many other accounting‐ and non‐accounting‐related fields, e.g. tax, audit, economics and statistics. In fact, individualised assignments utilising interactive spreadsheets appear to have broad applicability in any educational context (including mathematics, engineering and science) where a correct numerical answer is required.

Originality/value

The unique automated feedback and marking package was developed by the author utilising Microsoft's Excel spreadsheeting tool. The marking package generated a detailed summary providing important feedback to students clearly identifying correct answers and specific problem areas, enabling the student to review these aspects. The package also provided feedback to the teacher identifying the cohort's performance on each item in the assessment.
Developing team skills with self‐ and peer assessment
Authors: Willey Keith , Gardner Anne
Published: November 2009

Purpose

Self‐ and peer assessment has proved effective in promoting the development of teamwork and other professional skills in undergraduate students. However, in previous research approximately 30 percent of students reported that its use produced no perceived improvement in their teamwork experience. It was hypothesised that a significant number of these students were probably members of a team that would have functioned well without self‐ and peer assessment and hence the process did not improve their teamwork experience. This paper aims to report the testing of this hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews some of the literature on self‐ and peer assessment, outlines the online self‐ and peer assessment tool SPARKPLUS, and analyses the results of a post‐subject survey of students in a large multi‐disciplinary engineering design subject.

Findings

It was found that students who were neutral as to whether self‐ and peer assessment improved their teamwork experience cannot be assumed to be members of well‐functioning teams.

Originality/value

To increase the benefits for all students it is recommended that self‐ and peer assessment focuses on collaborative peer learning, not just assessment of team contributions. Furthermore, it is recommended that feedback sessions be focused on learning not just assessment outcomes and graduate attribute development should be recorded and tracked by linking development to categories required for professional accreditation.
Assessment of online discussion in work‐integrated learning
Authors: McNamara Judith , Brown Catherine
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how online discussion can be used in work‐integrated learning as a vehicle for students to demonstrate their learning in the workplace and to facilitate collaborative learning where face‐to‐face classes are not feasible.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper evaluates the use of assessable online discussion in facilitating collaborative learning and scaffolding reflection in work placement subjects. It reviews the literature regarding the use of online discussion, particularly for work placement subjects, and evaluates the use of an online discussion forum in a case study subject in the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) undergraduate law course.

Findings

The paper suggests that assessable online discussion forums are appropriate to facilitate student collaboration and collaborative learning in work placement subjects.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its examination of the assessment of online discussion in a work‐integrated learning context.
Behavioral dimensions of public relations leadership in organizations
Authors: Choi Jounghwa , Choi Yoonhyeung
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The evolution of public relations into a management function has brought the importance of leadership to the forefront of professional discussion. This study aims to identify and develop a measure of behavioral dimensions critical to effective public relations for organization‐wide public relations leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a national survey of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) members (n=159), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the seven theoretically‐driven leadership behaviors: upward influence, coordinating, internal monitoring, networking, representing, providing vision, and acting as a change agent.

Findings

The results suggest that the measurement model had a good internal and global fit. CFA results supported the seven‐factor model over the one‐factor model, suggesting that public relations leadership is multi‐dimensional. Among the behaviors, “providing vision” and “acting as a change agent” were those most strongly associated with the value of public relations in an organization.

Originality/value

The study shows that understanding public relations leadership from an organization‐wide perspective opens up a whole new avenue for future research to strengthen public relations as a management function. The present study also provides public relations managers with valuable insight concerning the leadership behaviors they can exercise to contribute to the value of public relations in their organizations.
Linking the quality of public spaces to quality of life
Authors: Beck Helen
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present how high quality public spaces contribute positively to people's quality of life. However, sources of credible evidence in support of this statement are surprisingly scarce. One impact is that it can be frustratingly difficult to quantify links between investment in the public realm and improvements to people's quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

CABE Space, the government's national advisor on well‐designed, planned and maintained urban public spaces, fund a scoping study which seeks to determine and understand useful correlative relationships between existing data on quality of life and existing data on the quality of public space. The researchers analyse a total of 34 national datasets to ascertain what they can tell us about how the quality of public spaces affects people's quality of life.

Findings

Numerous small scale research studies have examined the benefits of high quality public spaces in terms of their economic, social and environmental value. However, a national evidence base to inform policy agendas relating to well‐being and liveability is lacking.

Research limitations/implications

Better understanding is needed to maximise the benefits of provision for individuals and the areas that they live in, especially because the poorest areas suffer from the poorest quality of environments.

Originality/value

Linking the quality of public spaces and the quality of life is a complex and multifaceted area that suffers from a meagre evidence base. This research aims to further this area of research and is original in its national scale of analysis.
Systemic risk, coordination failures, and preparedness externalities
Authors: Hirshleifer David , Hong Teoh Siew
Published: November 2009

Purpose

Sometimes resources are badly employed because of coordination failures. Actions by decision makers that affect the likelihood of such failures are sometimes said to cause “systemic risk.” This paper seeks to consider the externality in the choice of ex ante risk management policies by individuals and firms, concerned with private risk, not with their contribution to systemic risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The implications for debates over fair value accounting are considered.

Findings

One consequence is that individuals and firms become overleveraged from a social viewpoint. The recent credit crisis exemplifies the importance of this problem. The US tax system taxes equity more heavily than debt, and therefore exacerbates the bias toward overleveraging. A possible solution is to reduce or eliminate taxation of corporate income and capital gains. Preparedness externalities can also cause firms to become too transparent, and thereby subject to financial runs.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into systemic risk, coordination failures, and preparedness externalities, focusing on tax and accounting policy.
Short sales around M&A announcements
Authors: Mai Liuqing , van Ness Robert , van Ness Bonnie
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in short‐sale transactions of target firms and acquiring firms around merger and acquisition (M&A) announcements using daily short‐sale transaction data from the New York stock exchange and NASDAQ. The paper further aims to investigate the link between short‐sale transactions and trading costs.

Design/methodology/approach

Two abnormal short‐sale measures are developed. Two regression models based on the two short‐sale measures are constructed and ordinary least squares is used to estimate the regressions. Two samples to test bid‐ask spreads (BAS) before and after M&A announcements t‐test are used.

Findings

The paper finds that target firms experience significant excess short sales (ES) from day−1 to day+7; while acquiring firms experience significant ES from day 0 to day+20. For acquiring firms, the five‐day pre‐announcement abnormal short sale is negatively related to the announcement day return and is positively related to post‐announcement return. Such a relationship for target firms is not observed. For target firms, it is found that changes in short activity are not significantly related to changes in trading cost. For acquiring firms, short activity changes are positively related to quoted spreads and percentage quoted spreads. The short‐sale activity changes are negatively related to effective spreads.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a first step to understanding whether short sales affect market liquidity around M&A announcements; therefore restriction is necessary. Additional research can be done which should extend the current study to include the options market.

Practical implications

From the results, the paper cannot conclude that short sellers are informed traders around M&A announcements. Therefore restrictions on short sales around M&A announcements may not be warranted.

Originality/value

The paper fills an important blank in the existing literature by examining short‐sale transactions around M&A announcements. Such an investigation is of particular interest to market regulators as they try to update the short‐sale rules.
Effect of ketoconazole on the pharmacokinetics of udenafil in healthy Korean subjects
Authors: Shin Kwang‐Hee , Chung Yong‐ju , Kim Bo‐Hyung , Kim Tae‐Eun , Kim Hwa‐Sook , Cho Joo‐Youn , Jang In‐Jin , Shin Sang‐Goo , Yu Kyung‐Sang
Published: November 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Udenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

• Udenafil is safe and well tolerated in healthy subjects, and effective as treatment for erectile dysfunction.

• In vitro studies have demonstrated that CYP3A4 is the major enzyme responsible for the metabolism of udenafil.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The pharmacokinetic characteristics of udenafil in the presence of ketoconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, were determined in healthy Korean volunteers.

• Systemic exposure of udenafil was significantly increased when it was administered with ketoconazole.

AIMS Udenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is metabolized to DA‐8164, a major metabolite, by CYP3A4. This study was performed to investigate the effect of ketoconazole, a known CYP3A4 inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of udenafil.

METHODS An open‐label, two‐period, fixed‐sequence crossover study was performed in 12 healthy male volunteers. They received a single 100‐mg oral dose of udenafil. Following a 5‐day interval, 400 mg of ketoconazole was administered once a day for three consecutive days. On day 3 of ketoconazole treatment, a second 100 mg of udenafil was dosed concomitantly. Blood samples were collected at time points up to 48 h without ketoconazole treatment and up to 72 h with ketoconazole co‐administration. The plasma concentration of udenafil was determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS Following ketoconazole co‐administration, the mean Cmax and AUClast of udenafil (95% confidence interval) increased 1.9‐fold (1.60, 2.27) and 3.2‐fold (2.82, 3.63), respectively. The median time to reach the Cmax was delayed in the co‐administrated treatment, while the mean terminal elimination half‐life (t1/2) remained relatively unchanged regardless of ketoconazole co‐administration. The metabolic AUC ratio (AUClast of DA‐8164/AUClast of udenafil) was 1.71 when udenafil was administered alone, and the value decreased to 0.19 when udenafil was dosed in the presence of ketoconazole. Regarding safety assessments, no clinically significant difference or serious adverse event was observed.

CONCLUSIONS The systemic exposure of udenafil increased significantly when it was administered with ketoconazole. Dose adjustment may be required when these drugs are used together.
Herbivory patterns in mature sugar maple: variation with vertical canopy strata and tree ontogeny
Authors: THOMAS SEAN C. , SZTABA AGNIESZKA J. , SMITH SANDY M.
Published: November 2009

1. Although leaf morphology and chemistry show profound changes as trees age, the consequences of such changes to herbivory have received little attention, particularly late in the ontogeny of canopy trees.

2. Using a mobile aerial lift for canopy access, patterns of leaf damage were evaluated in canopy‐dominant mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) trees ranging from ∼20 to 70 cm in diameter, corresponding to an age range of ∼40–180 years.

3. Herbivore damage patterns varied in relation to both vertical canopy position (among upper‐, mid‐, and lower‐canopy positions) and with tree size. Damage types attributable to herbivores active on leaf surfaces, including leaf skeletonizers and leaf cutters (both principally Lepidoptera), and leaf stippling inducers (Hemiptera) showed decreases with tree size, and with increasing height in the canopy. In contrast, leaf damage from the most abundant gall‐forming arthropod in the system, the eriophyid mite Vasates aceriscrumena, increased markedly with tree size.

4. The results indicate that herbivory patterns vary with both canopy stratum and with tree size in sugar maple, and that the relative strength of vertical stratification and tree ontogeny effects are similar in magnitude. The predominant patterns are of a decrease in herbivory with increasing height in the canopy and with tree size, but certain galling arthropods exhibit the reverse trends.
Effect of supportive care on the anxiety of women with suspected breast cancer
Authors: Liao Mei‐Nan , Chen Ping‐Ling , Chen Miin‐Fu , Chen Shin‐Cheh
Published: November 2009

liao m.‐n., chen p.‐l., chen m.‐f. & chen s.‐c. (2010) Effect of supportive care on the anxiety of women with suspected breast cancer. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(1), 49–59.

Title.  Effect of supportive care on the anxiety of women with suspected breast cancer.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the effect of supportive care on anxiety levels of women with suspected breast cancer during the diagnostic period.

Background.  Informational and psychosocial support has been shown to improve care outcomes for women with breast cancer. However, little is known about the effect of supportive care on women’s psychological status during the breast cancer diagnostic period.

Methods.  For this longitudinal quasi‐experimental study, 122 participants were recruited from a large teaching hospital in Taiwan. The experimental group (n = 62) received a supportive care programme that included health education pamphlets about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, three face‐to‐face sessions of informational and emotional support, and two follow‐up telephone consultations. The control group (n = 60) received routine care. Data were collected from October 2006 to April 2007 using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory at baseline (notification of need for breast biopsy), before biopsy, and after receiving biopsy result (diagnosis).

Findings.  After adjusting for covariance of breast discomfort, regular breast self‐examination, and biopsy result, the anxiety levels of women receiving supportive care were significantly lower before biopsy (P = 0·017) and after diagnosis (P = 0·001) than those of women receiving routine care.

Conclusion.  Supportive care that incorporates informational and emotional support and follow‐up telephone consultations can decrease anxiety levels of women with suspected breast cancer. These findings can serve as a reference for clinical nursing staff to improve care quality during the breast cancer diagnostic period by providing women with individualized and culturally sensitive care.
Transformational experiences in adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplant recipients
Authors: Watanabe Akemi , Inoue Tomoko
Published: November 2009

watanabe a. & inoue t. (2010) Transformational experiences in adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplant recipients. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(1), 69–81.

Title.  Transformational experiences in adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplant recipients.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the transformational experiences of adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplant recipients.

Background.  Living‐donor liver transplant was developed to overcome the shortage of cadaveric livers available for transplantation. However, living‐donor liver transplant generates multifaceted psychosocial problems for recipients.

Method.  Data were collected from 2002 to 2004 through in‐depth interviews and participant observations. We adopted a phenomenological approach that examined the experience of 30 recipients.

Findings.  We classified the experiences into three types: common, innate and unrealized. Analysis of the transcripts revealed four themes, all with associated sub‐themes. The first theme, guilt and concrete issues, includes anguish when thinking about survival by hurting a potential donor and problems associated with donor and cost. The second theme, let it happen includes leave it to fate; ambivalence; and worry about the donor candidate and whether he/she will change their mind. The third theme, pain, includes extreme physical and mental pain for me and the donor; and worry about cost. The fourth theme, balancing gains and losses, includes grateful for and hoping to enjoy my new life; burden of new body; difficulty in adapting to modified life plan; and changes in family relationships.

Conclusion.  Nursing practice should be developed to (1) give support to patients and their families during decision‐making; (2) give support for the dramatic life change; (3) help recipients accept the reality of the transplant; and (4) help achieve the essential balance between feelings of attainment and loss.
Structure investigations of nonpolar GaN layers
Authors: NEUMANN W. , MOGILATENKO A. , WERNICKE T. , RICHTER E. , WEYERS M. , KNEISSL M.
Published: November 2009

The microstructure of nonpolar m‐plane oriented GaN layers deposited on (100)γ‐LiAlO2 was analysed by transmission electron microscopy. This study shows that the films contain a large number of defects. The most dominant defects in the m‐plane GaN are intrinsic I1 basal plane stacking faults (∼104 cm−1), threading dislocations (∼109 cm−2) as well as a complex defect network consisting of planar defects located on prismatic GaN and differently inclined pyramidal planes. A large number of the stacking faults nucleate at the GaN/LiAlO2 interface. Furthermore, the inclined planar defects act as additional nucleation sites for the basal plane stacking faults. A decreasing crystal quality with an increasing layer thickness can be explained by this defect formation mechanism.
High temperature AFM study of CAP 30/45 pen grade bitumen
Authors: DE MORAES M.B. , PEREIRA R.B. , SIMÃO R.A. , LEITE L.F.M.
Published: November 2009

Bitumen is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons for which microstructural understanding is incomplete. In an effort to detail this microstructure, a asphalt cement sample (CAP 30/45) was analysed by thermal phase detection atomic force microscopy. Phase contrast and topography images showed that sample morphology is highly dependent on temperature. The ‘bee structure’ changed considerably at temperatures between 50°C and 56°C. A decrease of the oscillation amplitude was observed upon heating and the ‘bees’ completely disappeared at temperatures above 57°C. When the temperature was decreased after melting at 170°C, the ‘bees’ began to nucleate gradually at temperatures of 57°C and its evolution with time was followed. Changes in morphology were compared to thermal analysis results and a model for the ‘bee’ structure was proposed.
Suppression of clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) development in Arabidopsis thaliana by the endophytic fungus Acremonium alternatum
Authors: Jäschke D. , Dugassa‐Gobena D. , Karlovsky P. , Vidal S. , Ludwig‐Müller J.
Published: November 2009

This study investigated the ability of an endophytic fungus Acremonium alternatum to reduce clubroot formation in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which is highly susceptible to Plasmodiophora brassicae. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that A. alternatum colonized the P. brassicae‐infected roots and shoots of the host plant. When Arabidopsis plants were co‐inoculated with P. brassicae and A. alternatum, gall formation was reduced as shown by the reduction of the disease index (DI) by up to 50% compared to plants only infected with P. brassicae, whereas the infection rate was lowered by about 20% only in several, but not all, experiments. Clubroot was similarly suppressed when plants were inoculated with autoclaved A. alternatum spores or spore extracts, showing that viable spores were not needed. However, A. alternatum spores did not inhibit P. brassicae resting spore germination. Compared to the normal root galls, the smaller root galls on A. alternatum‐inoculated plants contained fewer resting spores of the clubroot pathogen. It was thus hypothesized that inoculation with A. alternatum delayed the development of P. brassicae. Using quantitative RT‐PCR to monitor the expression of P. brassicae genes differentially expressed during the development of the disease, a delayed pathogen development was corroborated. Furthermore, greenhouse experiments identified a time window in which the endophyte had to be administered, where the latest effective time point was 5 days before inoculation with P. brassicae and the optimum treatment was to administer A. alternatum and P. brassicae at the same time. These results indicate that A. alternatum and perhaps similar endophytes could be useful for the management of clubroot disease.
Enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI from 8 weeks of age–a sibling control study
Authors: McGill JJ , Inwood AC , Coman DJ , Lipke ML , De Lore D , Swiedler SJ , Hopwood JJ
Published: November 2009

McGill JJ, Inwood AC, Coman DJ, Lipke ML, de Lore D, Swiedler SJ, Hopwood JJ. Enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI from 8 weeks of age–a sibling control study

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI) is a progressive, multisystem disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme N‐acetylgalactosamine‐4‐sulphatase (ASB). Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been shown to clinically benefit affected individuals greater than 6 years of age. This case control study of affected siblings assessed the safety, efficacy and benefits of ERT in children less than 5 years of age. Siblings, aged 8 weeks and 3.6 years, were treated weekly with 1 mg/kg recombinant human N‐acetylgalactosamine‐4‐sulphatase (rhASB) with an end‐point of 3.6 years. Clinical and biochemical parameters were monitored to assess the benefits of ERT. The treatment was well tolerated by both siblings. In the younger sibling, ERT was associated with the absence of the development of scoliosis and preserved joint movement, cardiac valves and facial morphology. The older sibling had a marked improvement in joint mobility and cardiac valve pathology and scoliosis slowed or stabilized. Corneal clouding and progressive skeletal changes were observed despite treatment. This study demonstrated a clear benefit of early initiation of ERT to slow or prevent the development of significant pathological changes of MPS VI. These results indicate that the earlier ERT is started, the greater the response.
Effect of Rainfall Collecting with Ridge and Furrow on Soil Moisture and Root Growth of Corn in Semiarid Northwest China
Authors: Ren X. , Chen X. , Jia Z.
Published: November 2009

A plastic‐covered ridge and furrow farming of rainfall collecting (RC) system were designed to increase water availability to corn for improving and stabilizing agricultural production in the semiarid Loess region of northwest China. This system comprised two elements: the ridge mulched by plastic film that acts as a rainfall harvesting zone and the furrow as a planting zone. To adopt this system for large‐scale use in the semiarid region and bring it into full play, it is necessary to test the appropriate rainfall range for RC farming. A field study (using corn as an indicator crop) combined with rainfall simulation was conducted to determine the effect of RC on soil moisture, root characteristic parameters and the yield of corn under three different rainfall levels (230, 340 and 440 mm) during the growing seasons of 2006 and 2007. The results indicated that with the rainfalls ranging within 230–440 mm, the soil moisture at 0–100 cm depth for RC system in furrows was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of conventional flat (CF for control) practice. At 100–200 cm soil depth, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between soil moisture in the RC230plots and in the CF230plots during the corn growing seasons, while the soil moisture both in the RC340and RC440plots were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the CF340and CF440plots. The root length, root surface area, root volume and root dry weight for RC230and RC340plots all significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with CF230and CF340plots, but these root characteristic parameters at 440 mm rainfall slightly decreased compared with those of CF practice. Compared with the CF230–440pattern, the increasing amplitude of grain yield under the RC230–440pattern diminished with the rainfall increase and there was no obvious yield‐incrementing effect (P > 0.05) between two patterns at 440 mm rainfall in 2006. In comparison with these two farming practices, the RC system not only improved soil moisture of dry farmland, but also promoted the development of corn root systems when the rainfall ranged between 230 and 440 mm. Thus, it could be concluded that the optimal upper rainfall limit for the RC system is below 440 mm in the experiment. For corn, the adoption of the RC practice in the 230–440 mm rainfall area will make the system more effective during the whole growth period and offer a sound opportunity for sustainable farming in semiarid areas.
Control of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria of Xanthomonas spp. by the Essential Oil and Extracts of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Miki ex Hu In vitro and In vivo
Authors: Bajpai Vivek K. , Cho Moon Jae , Kang Sun Chul
Published: November 2009

Plant diseases constitute an emerging threat to global food security. Many of the currently available antimicrobial agents for agriculture are highly toxic and non‐biodegradable and cause extended environmental pollution. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial efficacy of the essential oil and organic extracts of Metasequoia glyptostroboides against plant pathogenic bacteria of Xanthomonas spp. The oil (1000 μg/disc) and extracts (1500 μg/disc) displayed potential antibacterial effect in vitro as a diameter of zones of inhibition against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris KC94‐17‐XCC, X. campestris pv. vesicatoria YK93‐4‐XCV, X. oryzae pv. oryzae KX019‐XCO and X. sp SK12, which were found in the range of 10–14 and 8–12 mm, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of oil and the extracts were ranged from 125–250 and 125 500 μg/ml and 250–1000 and 250–2000 μg/ml, respectively. Also the oil had strong detrimental effect on the viable count of the tested bacteria. Further, the oil displayed remarkable in vivo antibacterial effect up to 65 to 100% disease suppression efficacy against the tested strains of Xanthomonas spp. on greenhouse‐grown oriental melon plants (Cucumis melo L. var. makuwa). These results suggest that the oil and extracts of M. glyptostroboides could be potential source of natural antibacterials for applying in food and agriculture industries to control plant bacterial diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp.
Roles of Fyn in pancreatic cancer metastasis
Authors: Chen Zhi‐Yu , Cai Lei , Bie Ping , Wang Shu‐Guang , Jiang Yan , Dong Jia‐Hong , Li Xiao‐Wu
Published: November 2009

Background and Aims:  Src family kinases have been suggested to be associated with the metastasis of tumors, but their related mechanisms remain unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the possible mechanisms by which the inhibition of Fyn activation regulates pancreatic cancer metastasis.

Methods:  We examined the expressions of Fyn in human pancreatic cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry and systematically investigated the relationship between Fyn expression and pancreatic cancer metastasis. A nude mouse xenograft model induced by BxPC3 cells with or without the inhibition of Fyn activation was used to explore the effect of the inhibition of Fyn on metastasis in vivo. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐labeling assays were used to examine the effect of the inhibition of Fyn on the cell proliferation of BxPC3 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were performed to explore the possible mechanism of Fyn‐induced metastasis.

Results:  We found that the upregulation of Fyn expression was correlated with human pancreatic cancer metastasis. In BxPC3 pancreatic cancer cells, the inhibition of Fyn activation by kinase‐dead Fyn transfection decreased liver metastasis in nude mice. Further analyses showed that Fyn activity modulated pancreatic cell metastasis through the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest a possible mechanism by which Fyn activity regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis that exerts an effect on pancreatic cancer metastasis.
Influential factors of prognosis in lamivudine treatment for patients with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Authors: Sun Li‐Jie , Yu Jian‐Wu , Zhao Yong‐Hua , Kang Peng , Li Shu‐Chen
Published: November 2009

Background and Aims:  Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health issue, and the prognosis of patients with HBV‐associated acute‐on‐chronic hepatic failure (ACLF) is extremely poor. In this study, the efficacy of lamivudine was investigated in patients with ACLF. The effects of HBV DNA load and its related factors on the prognosis were also further explored.

Methods:  A matched retrospective cohort study using data on ACLF patients derived from our hospital database was conducted. One hundred and thirty patients receiving lamivudine were selected into the lamivudine treatment group with another 130 without lamivudine treatment studied as control. They were matched for sex, age and imaging finding with the lamivudine treatment group. All the patients were followed up for 3 months and the survival rates were compared. The influential factors on the mortality were studied by the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results:  The cumulative survival rates of patients in the lamivudine group were higher than those of the control group (χ2 = 9.50, P = 0.0021). The mortality of patients in the high virus load group (71/95, 74.7%) was higher than that of those in the low virus load group (15/29, 51.7%) (χ2 = 5.536, P = 0.019). For patients with a Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 20–30 by week 4, the mortality of those with HBV DNA that was undetectable or declined for more than 2 log10 (2/12, 16.7%; 18/40, 45.0%) was lower than that of those with a less than 2 log10 decline (18/23, 78.3%) (χ2 = 10.106, P = 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, for patients with a MELD score of 20–30, treatment method (P = 0.002), pretreatment HBV DNA load (P = 0.007) and decline of HBV DNA load during therapy (P = 0.003) were independent predictors; for those with a MELD score of above 30, MELD score (P = 0.008) was the only independent predictor.

Conclusion:  Lamivudine can significantly decrease the 3‐month mortality of patients with a MELD score of 20–30, and a low pretreatment viral load and rapid decline of HBV DNA load are good predictors for the outcome of the treatment.
Confocal laser endomicroscopy for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective study
Authors: Ji Rui , Li Yan‐Qing , Gu Xiao‐meng , Yu Tao , Zuo Xiu‐Li , Zhou Cheng‐jun
Published: November 2009

Background and Aim:  Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a new endoscopy technique for subsurface analysis of the gastric mucosa and in vivo histology examination during endoscopy. We aimed to compare the clinical applicability and predictive power of CLE with the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods:  A total of 103 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo endoscopy were enrolled. CLE image criteria for H. pylori infection were established in a pilot study of 20 patients, then images for 83 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated, and data were correlated with the final diagnosis of H. pylori infection in a blinded manner.

Results:  We found good association between histopathology and CLE findings. H. pylori infection was identified by CLE with any of the following three features: white spots, neutrophils and microabscesses. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CLE diagnosis of H. pylori infection were 92.8%, 89.2% and 95.7%, respectively. The mean κ‐value for interobserver agreement in the prediction of H. pylori infection was 0.78. Neutrophils were the best diagnostic feature and had good sensitivity (83.8%) and specificity (97.8%). H. pylori‐associated changes were more common in the antrum than in the corpus among infected patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  H. pylori infection can be identified by specific cellular and subcellular changes of the surface gastric mucosa with CLE. CLE is a novel, useful method for predicting H. pylori infection in vivo during endoscopy.