bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agriculture in central Tibet: an assessment of climate, farming systems, and strategies to boost production
Authors: Paltridge Nicholas , Tao Jin , Unkovich Murray , Bonamano Alessandra , Gason Alexandra , Grover Samantha , Wilkins John , Tashi Nyima , Coventry David
Published: July 2009

In the south of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China there is a network of valleys where intensive agriculture is practiced. Although considered highly productive by Tibetans, farm incomes in the region are low, leading to a range of government initiatives to boost grain and fodder production. However, there is limited information available on current farming practices, yields, and likely yield constraints. The present paper uses available data and farmer interviews to describe the agro-climate and current systems of crop and livestock production, and considers possible strategies to boost production. Although winters in Tibet are cold and dry, summer and autumn provide ideal conditions for crop growth. Cropping systems are characterised by heavy tillage, frequent irrigation, high seeding rates and fertiliser applications, some use of herbicides, and little stubble retention or mechanisation. Spring barley and winter wheat are the predominant crops, followed by rapeseed, winter barley, and minor fodder and vegetable crops. Average yields for the main grain crops are around 4.0 t/ha for spring barley and 4.5 t/ha for winter wheat, significantly lower than should be possible in the environment. Farmers typically keep five or six cattle tethered near the household. Cattle are fed diets based on crop residues but are generally malnourished and rarely produce beyond the needs of the family. It is suggested that research and extension in the areas of crop nutrition, weed control, irrigation, seeding technology, and crop varieties should enable significant increases in grain yield. Increases in cattle production will require increases in the supply of good quality fodder. Cereal/fodder intercrops or double crops sown using no-till seed drills might enable the production of useful amounts of fodder in many areas without jeopardising food grain supply, and allow more crop residues to be retained in fields for improved soil health.
The role of seasonal indices in monitoring and assessing agricultural and other droughts: a review
Authors: White D. H. , Walcott J. J.
Published: July 2009

Indices for monitoring climate variability and the impacts of drought have long been used as the basis for planning and assessing the need for domestic and international aid to affected populations. Associated with this has been ongoing debate as to which indices are the most reliable and appropriate to aid decisions by government and private agencies on when and where to provide financial assistance.
The simplest indices measure meteorological drought, the effects of which are measured in terms of agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic drought. Even though lack of rain is the primary cause of agricultural drought, rainfall data alone are frequently insufficient to assess the effect of drought on agricultural productivity.
In this study we consider a range of seasonal indices in terms of how they relate to the impact of drought on rural Australia. This includes reviewing available and prospective indices that could aid government decision makers, in terms of when and where to intervene, in developing and implementing their policies. Clear and consistent policy helps agricultural managers to determine their production and financial targets and strategies, how much physical and financial risk they and their farms will be exposed to, and even whether they should continue to remain in farming. The significance of policy in considering triggers for government intervention is that it alters the level of risk that farmers are exposed to, which in turn influences the management strategies and tactics that farmers are likely to adopt. Minimising the risk to the biophysical resource base of every farm is also of paramount importance.
We conclude that indices may provide effective summaries of droughts provided the purpose is clearly and precisely defined: in terms of activity, location and timing. However, given the important role of context in evidence-based decision-making, which in this case covers a range of industries, management systems, types of droughts, and seasons across Australia, it is likely that no single index could be effective for widespread, general usage in monitoring climate variability.
The single heterogeneous paddock approach to modelling the effects of urine patches on production and leaching in grazed pastures
Authors: Snow V. O. , Johnson I. R. , Parsons A. J.
Published: July 2009

Despite the fact that urine patches within grazed paddocks are the primary source of N leaching, virtually all pastoral simulation models assume a uniform spatial return of urinary-N to the soil. This simple spatial averaging might not be appropriate if the aim of the modelling is to explore leaching losses because of the non-linearity caused by the high N concentration in urine patches. Here we describe the single heterogeneous paddock (SHP) approach to modelling the dynamics of N in pastoral systems. We also examine the potential for manipulating rate parameters in a simpler uniform-return model (URM) to compensate for the lack of explicit description of urine patches. Comparison of simulation results from the URM and SHP showed some differences in the patterns of production and a substantial difference in leaching. Depending on soil and climate simulated, there was 5–30% higher pasture production in the URM because simulated leaching in the URM was 5–85% of that simulated by the SHP. Examination of the ratio of the outputs from the two models revealed that the differences in pasture production and N fixation in the URM could probably be corrected with a change in parameter values. This was not true of leaching where there was considerable variation and skew in the ratios, so at the very least, any correction factor would be highly soil and climate specific. We suggest that models of grazed grass–legume systems can probably adequately simulate production with a simple URM but that the simulation of leaching requires an explicit representation of the heterogeneous urine return. The SHP approach is one methodology for this but this has implications for model and software complexity and for model run-time duration.
Which crops should be included in a carbon accounting system for Australian agriculture?
Authors: Unkovich Murray , Baldock Jeff , Marvanek Steve
Published: July 2009

Dryland agriculture is both a potential source and potential sink for CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Many carbon accounting systems apply simple emissions factors to production units to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. However, in Australia, substantial variation in climate, soils, and management across >20 Mha of field crop sowings and >30 Mha of sown pastures in the intensive land use zone, provides substantial challenges for a national carbon accounting system, and simple emission factors are unlikely to apply across the region. In Australia a model framework has been developed that requires estimates of crop dry matter production and harvested yield as the first step to obtain carbon (residue) inputs. We use Australian Bureau of Statistics data to identify which crops would need to be included in such a carbon accounting system. Wheat, barley, lupin, and canola accounted for >80% of field crop sowings in Australia in 2006, and a total of 22 crops account for >99% of the sowing area in all States. In some States, only four or six crops can account for 99% of the cropping area. We provide a ranking of these crops for Australia and for each Australian State as a focus for the establishment of a comprehensive carbon accounting framework. Horticultural crops, although diverse, are less important in terms of total area and thus C balances for generic viticulture, vegetables, and orchard fruit crops should suffice. The dataset of crop areas presented here is the most comprehensive account of crop sowings presented in the literature and provides a useful resource for those interested in Australian agriculture. The field crop rankings presented represent only the area of crop sowings and should not be taken as rankings of importance in terms of the magnitude of all GHG fluxes. This awaits a more detailed analysis of climate, soils, and management practices across each of the regions where the crops are grown and their relationships to CO2, nitrous oxide and methane fluxes. For pastures, there is a need for more detailed, up to date, spatially explicit information on the predominant sown pasture types across the Australian cropping belt before C balances for these can be more reliably modelled at the desired spatial scale.
The flow of alleles of important photoperiod and vernalisation genes through Australian wheat
Authors: Eagles H. A. , Cane Karen , Vallance Neil
Published: July 2009

The photoperiod sensitivity gene Ppd-D1 and the vernalisation genes Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, and Vrn-D1 are known to contribute to optimal adaptation to specific environments. Diagnostic molecular markers for detecting important alleles of these genes are now available, including for 2 distinct spring alleles of Vrn-A1 (a and b). As a first step for determining the relative importance of these alleles, they were characterised in Australian cultivars released from the late 19th until the early 21st Century. The photoperiod-insensitive Ppd-D1a allele did not occur in the Australian cultivars we assessed until after the release of cultivars containing CIMMYT germplasm in 1973. Thereafter, this allele became common; however, cultivars with an alternative, presumably photoperiod-sensitive, allele have continued to be released for all parts of the Australian wheatbelt, including for latitudes less than 28°S. In contrast to other parts of the world, Vrn-A1b was frequent in cultivars released during the first 70 years of the 20th Century and is still present in modern cultivars. Before the use of CIMMYT germplasm, the spring allele of Vrn-B1 and the winter allele of Vrn-D1 were common. Four major combinations of alleles of these major genes were identified in modern cultivars: first, those similar to WW15 (Anza), with the Ppd-D1a allele, the spring Vrn-A1a allele, and winter alleles at Vrn-B1 and Vrn-D1; second, those similar to Spear or Kite, with the alternative, photoperiod-sensitive allele at Ppd-D1, the spring Vrn-A1a allele, the spring Vrn-B1a allele, and the winter allele at Vrn-D1; third, those similar to Pavon F 76, with the Ppd-D1a allele, the winter allele at Vrn-A1, and the spring alleles at Vrn-B1 and Vrn-D1; fourthly, those similar to Gabo, with the winter allele at Vrn-A1, the spring allele at Vrn-B1, the winter allele at Vrn-D1, but the Ppd-D1a allele. Other combinations were found, including those for winter cultivars and those for early heading cultivars. A hypothesis was suggested for the facultative cv. Oxley. Evidence was presented to suggest that modern full-season cultivars head ~1 week earlier in a Mallee environment than cultivars from the late 19th Century.
Met induces mammary tumors with diverse histologies and is associated with poor outcome and human basal breast cancer
Authors: Ponzo Marisa G. , Lesurf Robert , Petkiewicz Stephanie , O'Malley Frances P. , Pinnaduwage Dushanthi , Andrulis Irene L. , Bull Shelley B. , Chughtai Naila , Zuo Dongmei , Souleimanova Margarita , Germain David , Omeroglu Atilla , Cardiff Robert D. , Hallett Michael , Park Morag
Published: July 2009

Elevated MET receptor tyrosine kinase correlates with poor outcome in breast cancer, yet the reasons for this are poorly understood. We thus generated a transgenic mouse model targeting expression of an oncogenic Met receptor (Met
mt
) to the mammary epithelium. We show that Met
mt
induces mammary tumors with multiple phenotypes. These reflect tumor subtypes with gene expression and immunostaining profiles sharing similarities to human basal and luminal breast cancers. Within the basal subtype, Met
mt
induces tumors with signatures of WNT and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Among human breast cancers, MET is primarily elevated in basal and ERBB2-positive subtypes with poor prognosis, and we show that MET, together with EMT marker, SNAIL, are highly predictive of poor prognosis in lymph node-negative patients. By generating a unique mouse model in which the Met receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed in the mammary epithelium, along with the examination of MET expression in human breast cancer, we have established a specific link between MET and basal breast cancer. This work identifies basal breast cancers and, additionally, poor-outcome breast cancers, as those that may benefit from anti-MET receptor therapies.
The genetic architecture of Down syndrome phenotypes revealed by high-resolution analysis of human segmental trisomies
Authors: Korbel Jan O. , Tirosh-Wagner Tal , Urban Alexander Eckehart , Chen Xiao-Ning , Kasowski Maya , Dai Li , Grubert Fabian , Erdman Chandra , Gao Michael C. , Lange Ken , Sobel Eric M. , Barlow Gillian M. , Aylsworth Arthur S. , Carpenter Nancy J. , Clark Robin Dawn , Cohen Monika Y. , Doran Eric , Falik-Zaccai Tzipora , Lewin Susan O. , Lott Ira T. , McGillivray Barbara C. , Moeschler John B. , Pettenati Mark J. , Pueschel Siegfried M. , Rao Kathleen W. , Shaffer Lisa G. , Shohat Mordechai , Van Riper Alexander J. , Warburton Dorothy , Weissman Sherman , Gerstein Mark B. , Snyder Michael , Korenberg Julie R.
Published: July 2009

Down syndrome (DS), or trisomy 21, is a common disorder associated with several complex clinical phenotypes. Although several hypotheses have been put forward, it is unclear as to whether particular gene loci on chromosome 21 (HSA21) are sufficient to cause DS and its associated features. Here we present a high-resolution genetic map of DS phenotypes based on an analysis of 30 subjects carrying rare segmental trisomies of various regions of HSA21. By using state-of-the-art genomics technologies we mapped segmental trisomies at exon-level resolution and identified discrete regions of 1.8–16.3 Mb likely to be involved in the development of 8 DS phenotypes, 4 of which are congenital malformations, including acute megakaryocytic leukemia, transient myeloproliferative disorder, Hirschsprung disease, duodenal stenosis, imperforate anus, severe mental retardation, DS-Alzheimer Disease, and DS-specific congenital heart disease (DSCHD). Our DS-phenotypic maps located DSCHD to a <2-Mb interval. Furthermore, the map enabled us to present evidence against the necessary involvement of other loci as well as specific hypotheses that have been put forward in relation to the etiology of DS—i.e., the presence of a single DS consensus region and the sufficiency of
DSCR1
and
DYRK1A
, or
APP
, in causing several severe DS phenotypes. Our study demonstrates the value of combining advanced genomics with cohorts of rare patients for studying DS, a prototype for the role of copy-number variation in complex disease.
Influence of paced maternal breathing on fetal–maternal heart rate coordination
Authors: Van Leeuwen P. , Geue D. , Thiel M. , Cysarz D. , Lange S. , Romano M. C. , Wessel N. , Kurths J. , Grönemeyer D. H.
Published: July 2009

Pregnant mothers often report a special awareness of and bonding with their unborn child. Little is known about this relationship although it may offer potential for the assessment of the fetal condition. Recently we found evidence of short epochs of fetal–maternal heart rate synchronization under uncontrolled conditions with spontaneous maternal breathing. Here, we examine whether the occurrence of such epochs can be influenced by maternal respiratory arrhythmia induced by paced breathing at several different rates (10, 12, 15, and 20 cycles per minute). To test for such weak and nonstationary synchronizations among the fetal–maternal subsystems, we apply a multivariate synchronization analysis technique and test statistics based on twin surrogates. We find a clear increase in synchronization epochs mostly at high maternal respiratory rates in the original but not in the surrogate data. On the other hand, fewer epochs are found at low respiratory rates both in original and surrogate data. The results suggest that the fetal cardiac system seems to possess the capability to adjust its rate of activation in response to external—i.e., maternal—stimulation. Hence, the pregnant mothers' special awareness to the unborn child may also be reflected by fetal–maternal interaction of cardiac activity. Our approach opens up the chance to examine this interaction between independent but closely linked physiological systems.
Wild birds of declining European species are dying from a thiamine deficiency syndrome
Authors: Balk Lennart , Hägerroth Per-Åke , Åkerman Gun , Hanson Marsha , Tjärnlund Ulla , Hansson Tomas , Hallgrimsson Gunnar Thor , Zebühr Yngve , Broman Dag , Mörner Torsten , Sundberg Henrik
Published: July 2009

Wild birds of several species are dying in large numbers from an idiopathic paralytic disease in the Baltic Sea area. Here, we demonstrate strong relationships between this disease, breeding failure, and thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency in eggs, pulli, and full-grown individuals. Thiamine is essential for vertebrates, and its diphosphorylated form functions as a cofactor for several life sustaining enzymes, whereas the triphosphorylated form is necessary for the functioning of neuronal membranes. Paralyzed individuals were remedied by thiamine treatment. Moreover, thiamine deficiency and detrimental effects on thiamine-dependent enzymes were demonstrated in the yolk, liver, and brain. We propose that the mortality and breeding failure are part of a thiamine deficiency syndrome, which may have contributed significantly to declines in many bird populations during the last decades.
Quantification of nano-scale intermembrane contact areas by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Bendix Poul Martin , Pedersen Mette S. , Stamou Dimitrios
Published: July 2009

Nanometer-scale intermembrane contact areas (CAs) formed between single small unilamellar lipid vesicles (SUVs) and planar supported lipid bilayers are quantified by measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a homogenous layer of donor fluorophores labeling the supported bilayer and acceptor fluorophores labeling the SUVs. The smallest CAs detected in our setup between biotinylated SUVs and dense monolayers of streptavidin were ≈20 nm in radius. Deformation of SUVs is revealed by comparing the quenching of the donors to calculations of FRET between a perfectly spherical shell and a flat surface containing complementary fluorophores. These results confirmed the theoretical prediction that the degree of deformation scales with the SUV diameter. The size of the CA can be controlled experimentally by conjugating polyethylene glycol polymers to the SUV or the surface and thereby modulating the interfacial energy of adhesion. In this manner, we could achieve secure immobilization of SUVs under conditions of minimal deformation. Finally, we demonstrate that kinetic measurements of CA, at constant adhesion, can be used to record in real-time quantitative changes in the bilayer tension of a nano-scale lipid membrane system.
Modeling oxygen transport in surgical tissue transfer
Authors: Matzavinos Anastasios , Kao Chiu-Yen , Green J. Edward F. , Sutradhar Alok , Miller Michael , Friedman Avner
Published: July 2009

Reconstructive microsurgery is a clinical technique used to transfer large amounts of a patient's tissue from one location used to another in order to restore physical deformities caused by trauma, tumors, or congenital abnormalities. The trend in this field is to transfer tissue using increasingly smaller blood vessels, which decreases problems associated with tissue harvest but increases the possibility that blood supply to the transferred tissue may not be adequate for healing. It would thus be helpful to surgeons to understand the relationship between the tissue volume and blood vessel diameter to ensure success in these operations. As a first step towards addressing this question, we present a simple mathematical model that might be used to predict successful tissue transfer based on blood vessel diameter, tissue volume, and oxygen delivery.
Distinct opioid circuits determine the palatability and the desirability of rewarding events
Authors: Wassum K. M. , Ostlund S. B. , Maidment N. T. , Balleine B. W.
Published: July 2009

It generally is assumed that a common neural substrate mediates both the palatability and the reward value of nutritive events. However, recent evidence suggests this assumption may not be true. Whereas opioid circuitry in both the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum has been reported to mediate taste-reactivity responses to palatable events, the assignment of reward or inventive value to goal-directed actions has been found to involve the basolateral amygdala. Here we found that, in rats, the neural processes mediating palatability and incentive value are indeed dissociable. Naloxone infused into either the ventral pallidum or nucleus accumbens shell blocked the increase in sucrose palatability induced by an increase in food deprivation without affecting the performance of sucrose-related actions. Conversely, naloxone infused into the basolateral amygdala blocked food deprivation-induced changes in sucrose-related actions without affecting sucrose palatability. This double dissociation of opioid-mediated changes in palatability and incentive value suggests that the role of endogenous opioids in reward processing does not depend on a single neural circuit. Rather, changes in palatability and in the incentive value assigned to rewarding events seem to be mediated by distinct neural processes.
‘I h8 u’: Findings from a five‐year study of text and email bullying
Authors: Rivers Ian , Noret Nathalie
Published: July 2009

This study charts reports of nasty or threatening text and email messages received by students in academic years 7 and 8 (11–13 years of age) attending 13 secondary schools in the North of England between 2002 and 2006. Annual surveys were undertaken on behalf of the local education authority to monitor bullying. Results indicated that, over five years, the number of pupils receiving one or more nasty or threatening text messages or emails increased significantly, particularly among girls. However, receipt of frequent nasty or threatening text and email messages remained relatively stable. For boys, being a victim of direct‐physical bullying was associated with receiving nasty or threatening text and email messages; for girls it was being unpopular among peers. Boys received more hate‐related messages and girls were primarily the victims of name‐calling. Findings are discussed with respect to theoretical and policy developments, and recommendations for future research are offered.
Traditional Medicinal Plant Extracts and Natural Products with Activity against Oral Bacteria: Potential Application in the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Diseases
Authors: Palombo Enzo A.
Published: July 2009

Oral diseases are major health problems with dental caries and periodontal diseases among the most important preventable global infectious diseases. Oral health influences the general quality of life and poor oral health is linked to chronic conditions and systemic diseases. The association between oral diseases and the oral microbiota is well established. Of the more than 750 species of bacteria that inhabit the oral cavity, a number are implicated in oral diseases. The development of dental caries involves acidogenic and aciduric Gram‐positive bacteria (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and actinomycetes). Periodontal diseases have been linked to anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus, Prevotella and Fusobacterium). Given the incidence of oral disease, increased resistance by bacteria to antibiotics, adverse affects of some antibacterial agents currently used in dentistry and financial considerations in developing countries, there is a need for alternative prevention and treatment options that are safe, effective and economical. While several agents are commercially available, these chemicals can alter oral microbiota and have undesirable side‐effects such as vomiting, diarrhea and tooth staining. Hence, the search for alternative products continues and natural phytochemicals isolated from plants used as traditional medicines are considered as good alternatives. In this review, plant extracts or phytochemicals that inhibit the growth of oral pathogens, reduce the development of biofilms and dental plaque, influence the adhesion of bacteria to surfaces and reduce the symptoms of oral diseases will be discussed further. Clinical studies that have investigated the safety and efficacy of such plant‐derived medicines will also be described.
Assessment of the Antioxidant and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Activity of Methanolic Extract of Caesalpinia crista Leaf
Authors: Mandal Sourav , Hazra Bibhabasu , Sarkar Rhitajit , Biswas Santanu , Mandal Nripendranath
Published: July 2009

“Oxidative stress” is initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible for majority of the diseases. However, antioxidants with ROS scavenging ability may have great relevance in the prevention of oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken, using a 70% methanolic extract of Caesalpinia crista leaves, to examine different in vitro tests in diversified fields including total antioxidant activity, scavenging activities for various ROS, iron chelating activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. Total antioxidant activity was evaluated as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value of 0.546 ± 0.014. The extract was investigated for different ROS scavenging activities and IC50 values were found to be 0.44 ± 0.1 mg/ml, 24.9 ± 0.98 μg/ml, 33.72 ± 0.85 μg/ml, 61.13 ± 3.24 μg/mL and 170.51 ± 4.68 μg/mL for hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen and hypochlorous acid, respectively; however, no significant results were obtained in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite anion. The extract was found to be a potent iron chelator with IC50 = 279.85 ± 4.72 μg/mL. The plant extract (100 mg) yielded 50.23 ± 0.003 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent phenolic content and 106.83 ± 0.0003 mg/mL quercetin equivalent flavonoid content. In the in vivo experiments, the extract treatment showed significant increase in the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and reduced glutathione. In a word, it may be concluded that 70% methanol extract of C. crista leaves acts as an antioxidant and ROS scavenger; which may be due to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds.
Innovation and labour flexibility
Authors: Martínez‐Sánchez Angel , José Vela‐Jiménez María , Pérez‐Pérez Manuela , de Luis‐Carnicer Pilar
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between labour flexibility and innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of theoretical perspectives to analyze this relationship. A postal survey of a sample of Spanish manufacturing and service firms was conducted and this was subject to nonparametric analysis.

Findings

High‐innovative Spanish firms are more flexible than low‐innovative firms although the comparison across industries and type of innovation indicates that not all flexibility dimensions are statistically significant in their relationship to innovation performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study's single country setting could limit the generalizability of the findings. Longitudinal as opposed to cross‐sectional data are needed for studying the causal assumptions suggested by this research.

Practical implications

Given the differences of flexibility dimensions found across industries and type of innovation firms should use flexibility capabilities to complement innovation capabilities. On the other hand, some flexible managerial practices should be adopted as early as possible because they appear to be global in knowledge‐intensive firms and do not have differences across sectors and type of innovation.

Originality/value

This paper combines in the same analysis the relationship of internal and external flexibility with innovation performance, and their managerial implications.
Classifying and clustering construction projects by customer satisfaction
Authors: Kärnä Sami , Sorvala Veli‐Matti , Junnonen Juha‐Matti
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Construction is often a long‐term project described as a dynamic and complex entity. This is one of the factors making the assessment of construction quality so difficult. The actors in the field of construction need versatile and systematic data about the quality of the construction process and the building in order to be able to operate in a customer‐oriented manner and develop their own operations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the typical factors in a construction project as regards customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The cluster analysis differentiating between projects in this paper is conducted with a total of 831 construction projects.

Findings

The paper reveals seven similar but nevertheless different clusters. What the best clusters as regards customer satisfaction has in common is that the management's professional skills and the cooperation methods are successful when compared to other areas of the cluster. Additionally, good cooperation methods predict good level of customer satisfaction. In all clusters, handover inspections has the lowest level of success. When examining various, good and poor projects, it may be stated that the same factors were successful in all of the projects.

Originality/value

Improving the quality of construction projects from the customer's perspective has gained growing interest also in construction industry. Indeed, information about the project's success factors from the customer's perspective is needed in the construction business. Owing to the complex nature of construction and the special characteristics of project production, construction has had several problems in producing quality in a customer‐oriented manner. This paper describes, the success factors from the viewpoint of customer satisfaction. Construction has become a service industry adopting methods from the field of service management but the use of “soft” measurement tools, such as customer satisfaction, is still at an early stage of development.
Simulation of laminar flow in a three‐dimensional lid‐driven cavity by lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: De Santanu , Nagendra K. , Lakshmisha K.N.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply lattice Boltzmann equation method (LBM) with multiple relaxation time (MRT) model, to investigate lid‐driven flow in a three‐dimensional (3D), rectangular cavity, and compare the results with flow in an equivalent two‐dimensional (2D) cavity.

Design/methodology/approach

The second‐order MRT model is implemented in a 3D LBM code. The flow structure in cavities of different aspect ratios (0.25‐4) and Reynolds numbers (0.01‐1000) is investigated. The LBM simulation results are compared with those from numerical solution of Navier‐Stokes (NS) equations and with available experimental data.

Findings

The 3D simulations demonstrate that 2D models may predict the flow structure reasonably well at low Reynolds numbers, but significant differences with experimental data appear at high Reynolds numbers. Such discrepancy between 2D and 3D results are attributed to the effect of boundary layers near the side‐walls in transverse direction (in 3D), due to which the vorticity in the core‐region is weakened in general. Secondly, owing to the vortex stretching effect present in 3D flow, the vorticity in the transverse plane intensifies whereas that in the lateral plane decays, with increase in Reynolds number. However, on the symmetry‐plane, the flow structure variation with respect to cavity aspect ratio is found to be qualitatively consistent with results of 2D simulations. Secondary flow vortices whose axis is in the direction of the lid‐motion are observed; these are weak at low Reynolds numbers, but become quite strong at high Reynolds numbers.

Originality/value

The findings will be useful in the study of variety of enclosed fluid flows.
Banking performance and technological change in non‐core EU countries
Authors: Figueira Catarina , Nellis Joseph , Parker David
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cost efficiency of banks operating in two “non‐core” EU countries, Portugal and Spain, over a number of years. Specifically, the paper aims to examine the extent to which banks' efficiency is influenced by their portfolio orientation and scale of operation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis is used to identify banks' levels of performance over time in both countries. In order to decompose banks' total factor productivity change into technological, scale efficiency and pure efficiency changes, the Malmquist index method is applied.

Findings

Banks operating in both countries have improved their performance over time and savings banks and large banks, in particular, have tended to outperform other types of banks. Banks operating in Spain tend to perform better than in Portugal and Spanish‐owned banks perform better than their Portuguese‐owned counterparts. The improvements in performance revealed have mainly been due to technological change.

Research limitations/implications

Bankscope is a well‐respected data source and has been the basis of many studies of performance in international banking. Unfortunately, owing to data deficiencies, around 20 per cent of the banks operating in Portugal and Spain were not included.

Practical implications

If Portuguese banks are to be competitive internationally, there is considerable need for efficiency improvements.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the dynamics of the Portuguese and Spanish banking systems. The results should be of interest to management in banking and bank regulators in Europe, and economists and others studying bank performance trends. The research reported may shed light on some of the challenges facing the banking sectors of the “new” EU states (such as Poland and Hungary).
Powder‐Based Tin Oxide Microcomponents on Silicon Substrates Fabricated by Micromolding in Capillaries
Authors: Heule Martin , Schell Julia , Gauckler Ludwig J.
Published: July 2009

With the introduction of soft lithography and micromolding in capillaries, low‐cost microfabrication with liquid materials has become possible. In this article, we demonstrate how to fabricate porous ceramic lines of 10 μm width and several millimeter length on silicon wafer substrates by using colloidal suspensions of tin oxide. Microchannels of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) served as molds that were spontaneously filled owing to capillary forces with suspensions of 0.1–40 vol% solid loading. The resulting ceramic lines have a height of about 7 μm and therefore differ from the usual ceramic thin film coatings. The capillary filling characteristics were observed under the microscope, and the implications of rheology and suspension chemistry are discussed and evaluated. Using the same capillaries, even smaller lines (2–3 μm width) of powder particles could easily be prepared by adjusting only the solid content of the suspensions.
Optical and Mechanical Properties of α/β Composite Sialons
Authors: Jones Mark I. , Hyuga Hideki , Hirao Kiyoshi
Published: July 2009

Two‐phase α/β composites have been produced with a combination of high hardness, fracture toughness, and strength. Compared with a single‐phase α‐sialon, the composite showed around a twofold increase in both fracture toughness and bending strength, with only minimal reduction in hardness. Despite being a two‐phase material, the optical properties of the composite were very good, showing transparency in sections of around 0.5 mm thickness. The optical properties were in fact better for the composite than for the single‐phase α‐sialon. Work to date on transparent sialons has focused on single‐phase α‐materials, which have inherently low fracture toughness unless elongated microstructures are developed. However, this microstructural development appears to adversely affect optical transparency. In this work it has been shown that good combination of mechanical properties can be achieved while maintaining optical transparency in two‐phase composite sialons. The development of such materials should widen their range of application.
High‐Temperature Neutron Diffraction of the AlN–Al2O3–Y2O3 System
Authors: Medraj Mamoun , Hammond Robert , Thompson William T. , Drew Robin A. L.
Published: July 2009

The importance of aluminum nitride (AlN) stems from its application in microelectronics as a substrate material due to high thermal conductivity, high electrical resistance, mechanical strength and hardness, thermal durability, and chemical stability. Yttria (Y2O3) is the best additive for AlN sintering. AlN densifies by a liquid‐phase mechanism, where the surface oxide, Al2O3, reacts with Y2O3 to form an Y‐Al‐O‐N liquid that promotes particle rearrangement and densification. Construction of the phase relations in this multicomponent system is essential for optimizing the properties of AlN. The ternary phase diagram of the AlN–Al2O3–Y2O3 was developed by Gibbs energy minimization using interpolation procedures based on modeling the binary subsystems. This paper aims at testing the resultant understanding experimentally at selected compositions using in situ high‐temperature neutron diffractometry. These experimental results agree with the thermodynamic calculations of AlN–Al2O3–Y2O3. The ternary phase diagram has been constructed for the first time in this work. High‐temperature neutron diffractometry has permitted real time measurement of the reactions involved in this ternary system, especially to determine the temperature range for each reaction, which would have been difficult to establish by other means.
Joining of Calcium Phosphate Invert Glass‐Ceramics on a β‐Type Titanium Alloy
Authors: Kasuga Toshihiro , Nogami Masayuki , Niinomi Mitsuo
Published: July 2009

A bioactive calcium phosphate invert glass‐ceramic containing β‐Ca3(PO4)2 crystals could be joined strongly with a Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr alloy consisting of a β‐titanium phase by heating the metal on which the mother glass powders with a composition 60CaO·30P2O5·7Na2O·3TiO2 (mol%) were placed, at 800°C for 1 h in air; the tensile joining strength was estimated to be ∼26 MPa on average. A compositionally gradient layer was developed on the metallic substrate during the heating. When the metal with glass powders on it was heated at 850°C in air, the phosphate glassy phase flowed viscously, permeating the oxide layer formed around the surface of the metal, which was thicker than that formed by heating at 800°C; a compositionally gradient layer was not developed, and a strong joining was not realized. The joining between the glass‐ceramic and the metal is suggested to be controlled by viscous flow of the glassy phase in the glass‐ceramic and by reaction of the glassy phase with the oxide phase formed around the surface layer of the metal.
Influence of [Ba + Ca]/[Ti + Zr] Ratio on the Interfacial Property of (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 (BCTZ) Powders in an Aqueous Medium
Authors: Lee Jaeho , Lee Sangkyu , Hackley Vincent A. , Paik Ungyu
Published: July 2009

We report findings on the electrokinetic and solubility behaviors of (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 (BCTZ) powders having three different [Ba + Ca]/[Ti + Zr] ratios: 0.995, 1.000, and 1.005. Electrokinetic and solubility properties of BCTZ powders in aqueous media are phenomenologically similar to BaTiO3. Ba and Ca ions, occupying primarily A‐sites on the perovskite lattice, dissolve during acid titration, which results in surface depletion of A‐site cations in the surface region of BCTZ particles. The electrokinetics of colloidal BCTZ powders reflects changes in the surface chemistry that occur as a result of dissolution and adsorption/reprecipitation of surface ions. An increase in [Ba + Ca]/[Ti + Zr] ratio results in an increase in the dynamic mobility at all pH values, an increase in the titration hysteresis, and an increase in the isoelectric pH. Each of these effects can be attributed to Ba and Ca in the near‐surface region of BCTZ.
Effect of the Liquid‐Forming Additive Content on the Kinetics of Abnormal Grain Growth in Alumina
Authors: Ahn Jung Hyuck , Lee Je‐Hun , Hong Seong‐Hyeon , Hwang Nong‐Moon , Kim Doh‐Yeon
Published: July 2009

Alumina specimens with various amounts of CaO and SiO2 (1:2 ratio) were prepared, and their abnormal grain growth (AGG) kinetics were investigated. A plot of the area fraction covered by abnormal grains versus log (sintering time) had a sigmoidal shape with an apparent incubation period before the onset of AGG. The overall kinetics of AGG was similar to that of a phase transformation controlled by nucleation and growth. The incubation time and the end point of AGG were strongly dependent on the amount of liquid‐forming additives. Correspondingly, the final microstructure was affected by the liquid content: a large grain size and a high aspect ratio at low liquid content and a small grain size and a low aspect ratio at high liquid content.
Electronic Structure and Bonding in Crystalline Y10[SiO4]6N2
Authors: Ching Wai‐Yim , Xu Yong‐Nian , Ouyang Lizhi
Published: July 2009

The electronic structure and bonding of the complex ceramic crystal Y10[SiO4]6N2 is studied by a first‐principles method. It is shown that this crystal is an insulator with a direct band gap of 1.3 eV. It has some unique properties related to the one‐dimensional chain structure in the c‐direction and the planar N‐Y bonding in the x‐yplane.
Combinatorial Ink‐Jet Printer for Ceramics: Calibration
Authors: Mohebi Mohammad Masoud , Evans Julian R. G.
Published: July 2009

This article describes an ink‐jet printer for the construction of combinatorial libraries and functionally graded ceramics. It can mix and print all possible compositions for high‐throughput screening. The number of components is set by the number of mixing valves that deliver ceramic ink from pressurized reservoirs into a circulation chamber. Compositional control is by either complete or incremental change. Organic liquids and ceramic inks are used in a systematic three‐stage calibration. The calibration protocol accounts for the effects of ink viscosity, reservoir pressure, valve‐opening time, and temperature, but reveals unexpected segregation effects that occur in the ink after deposition.
Improvement in the Oxidation Resistance of Oxide‐Matrix Silicon Carbide‐Particulate Composites by Mullite Infiltration
Authors: Tian Jintao , Shobu Kazuhisa
Published: July 2009

A SiC–∼50 vol% mullite‐particulate composite fabricated by melt infiltration was found to exhibit excellent oxidation resistance at temperatures >1500°C in air. Cristobalite was found on the surface of samples after 100 h oxidation at temperatures of 1515°, 1620°, and 1650°C. The oxidation rate constant at 1515°C was almost comparable to hot‐pressed bulk SiC, and at least 1 order of magnitude lower than the lowest value for the oxide‐matrix SiC‐particulate composites made by conventional processes, as reported in the literature and made by melt infiltration in the present study.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Bismuth Titanate Powders
Authors: Xu Huiwen , Bowman Keith J. , Slamovich Elliott B.
Published: July 2009

Bismuth titanate was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions from an amorphous bismuth–titanium precursor gel. The gel was formed by mixing a bismuth acetate complex with titanium butoxide and then adding the solution dropwise into 6M NaOH. The resulting gel suspension was reacted under hydrothermal conditions at temperatures ranging from 160° to 200°C to form crystalline bismuth titanate. The gel crystallization kinetics increased with temperature, which resulted in 100% crystalline bismuth titanate in 5 h at 200°C. Wavelength‐dispersive spectroscopy data indicated that sodium was incorporated into bismuth titanate during processing, and X‐ray diffractometry suggested that the powder was composed of the Bi5Ti4O15 phase. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed that the gel particles decomposed to 100–200 nm crystalline bismuth titanate particles during hydrothermal processing.
Assessing the impact of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics on fungal phytopathology
Authors: TAN KAR‐CHUN , IPCHO SIMON V. S. , TRENGOVE ROBERT D. , OLIVER RICHARD P. , SOLOMON PETER S.
Published: July 2009

Peer‐reviewed literature is today littered with exciting new tools and techniques that are being used in all areas of biology and medicine. Transcriptomics, proteomics and, more recently, metabolomics are three of these techniques that have impacted on fungal plant pathology. Used individually, each of these techniques can generate a plethora of data that could occupy a laboratory for years. When used in combination, they have the potential to comprehensively dissect a system at the transcriptional and translational level. Transcriptomics, or quantitative gene expression profiling, is arguably the most familiar to researchers in the field of fungal plant pathology. Microarrays have been the primary technique for the last decade, but others are now emerging. Proteomics has also been exploited by the fungal phytopathogen community, but perhaps not to its potential. A lack of genome sequence information has frustrated proteomics researchers and has largely contributed to this technique not fulfilling its potential. The coming of the genome sequencing era has partially alleviated this problem. Metabolomics is the most recent of these techniques to emerge and is concerned with the non‐targeted profiling of all metabolites in a given system. Metabolomics studies on fungal plant pathogens are only just beginning to appear, although its potential to dissect many facets of the pathogen and disease will see its popularity increase quickly. This review assesses the impact of transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics on fungal plant pathology over the last decade and discusses their futures. Each of the techniques is described briefly with further reading recommended. Key examples highlighting the application of these technologies to fungal plant pathogens are also reviewed.
Tumour necrosis factor antagonists and inflammatory bowel diseases: a national practice survey
Authors: OUSSALAH A. , ROBLIN X. , LAHARIE D. , FILIPPI J. , FLAMANT M. , FAURE P. , PHELIP J.‐M. , BIGARD M.‐A. , PEYRIN‐BIROULET L.
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 30, 854–863

Background  Although the use of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists is increasingly codified, several unresolved issues remain.

Aim  To conduct a French national survey on TNF antagonists use in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods  A postal questionnaire was sent to all French gastroenterologists among whom 450 prescribe TNF antagonists for IBD. Only anti‐TNF prescribers were invited to respond.

Results  A total of 333 questionnaires could be analysed, which represented a rate of survey completeness of 74%. Scheduled maintenance infliximab treatment was prescribed by 92% of gastroenterologists. In Crohn’s disease in remission after 1 year of TNF antagonists, 77.4% of physicians continued treatment. In luminal Crohn’s disease, 97% of hospital practitioners introduced infliximab as first‐line anti‐TNF therapy vs. 78% of physicians with nonhospital activity (P = 0.002); only 22.5% of gastroenterologists opted for adalimumab as first‐line therapy. In Crohn’s disease in remission after 6 months of azathioprine in combination with infliximab, 63.8% of practitioners discontinued azathioprine. In case of pregnancy during anti‐TNF treatment, 35.1% of physicians discontinued therapy at the time of conception and did not administer anti‐TNF therapy during pregnancy.

Conclusions  The attitudes of French gastroenterologists generally reflect the recommendations regarding the use of anti‐TNF and concomitant immunosuppressive therapy in IBD.