bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalized service? Changing the role of the government librarian
Authors: Taylor Katherine , Corrall Sheila
Published: March 2007

This study investigated the feasibility of a personalized information service in a government department. A qualitative methodology explored stakeholder opinions on the remit, marketing, resourcing and measurement of the service. A questionnaire and interviews gathered experiences of personalized provision across the government sector. Potential users were similarly surveyed to discuss how the service could meet their needs. Data were analysed using coding techniques to identify emerging theory. Lessons learned from government librarians centred on clarifying requirements, balancing workloads and selective marketing. The user survey showed low usage and awareness of existing specialist services, but high levels of need and interest in services repackaged as a tailored offering. Fieldwork confirmed findings from the literature on the scope for adding value through information management advice, information skills training and substantive research assistance and the need to understand business processes and develop effective partnerships. Concluding recommendations focus on service definition, strategic marketing, resource utilization and performance measurement.
A contingency approach to incorporate human, emotional and social influence into a TAM for KM programs
Authors: Wu Wann-Yih , Li Chia-Ying
Published: March 2007

In our dynamic environment with its accelerating technological progress, knowledge has become a very important asset through which firms can acquire competitive advantages. Most previous studies have focused on the influence of the technological perspective of knowledge management (KM) programs, neglecting the influence of the human side of the situation. The study aims to incorporate human, emotional and social influence variables into a technology acceptance model (TAM) and then to empirically test the model's feasibility. Through a series of expert interviews in conjunction with a questionnaire survey, our study results yield three conclusions. First, a contingency fit between KM orientation and emotional factors will enhance employees' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation toward using a specific KM program. Second, intrinsic motivation will not only serve as a mediation variable to influence perceived usefulness, but also a direct influential variable on attitude and intention toward using a KM program. Third, the social influence factors, including internalization and identification, will serve as both direct and moderating effects on employees' attitude and intention toward using a KM program. Since none of the previous studies have simultaneously incorporated human, emotional and social influence factors into a TAM, the results of this study have provided a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of KM program implementation.
Fostering the determinants of knowledge transfer: a team-level analysis
Authors: Wu Wei-Li , Hsu Bi-Fen , Yeh Ryh-Song
Published: March 2007

The research area of knowledge transfer is a critical one in the current era of the knowledge economy. Previous studies have channelled much effort into understanding how knowledge transfer could be facilitated efficiently. Yet most of these studies conducted research only at the individual level, ignoring the fact that, in many organizations, the team now serves as the basic unit for transferring and preserving knowledge. In addition, these studies have not put much emphasis on the learning side of knowledge transfer. This study attempts to fill the gaps left by previous studies. First, we identify two determinants of knowledge transfer, namely, knowledge sharing and learning intensity. Furthermore, we discuss how to efficiently foster knowledge sharing and learning intensity at the team level from the perspective of social capital. Finally, we conduct an empirical survey to examine relationships among the components of social capital (i.e. trust and social interaction), and knowledge sharing and learning intensity.
Knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity, and innovation capability: an empirical study of Taiwan's knowledge-intensive industries
Authors: Liao Shu-hsien , Fei Wu-Chen , Chen Chih-Chiang
Published: March 2007

This research investigates the relationships between knowledge sharing, absorptive capacity, and innovation capability in Taiwan's knowledge-intensive industries. We propose statistical hypotheses and a LISREL model to study these based on the data sampled from 170 Taiwanese firms, including electronic, financial insurance and medical industries, yielding 355 valid returned research samples. By testing three hypotheses, this study finds that absorptive capacity is the intervening factor between knowledge sharing and innovation capability. It also shows that knowledge sharing has a positive effect on absorptive capacity, and that a completely mediating model exhibits both model generalization and extension characteristics through multiple model comparison in different industry population samples. Finally, managerial implications are discussed and a brief conclusion is presented.
Controlling the net: European approaches to content and access regulation
Authors: Cooke Louise
Published: March 2007

Organizations, national governments and supranational bodies have all been active in formulating measures to regulate access to internet content. This paper reports the findings of a documentary analysis of such measures adopted over a 10-year period by the European Union. The investigation took place from a perspective of concern for the potential impact of such initiatives on freedom of expression and freedom of enquiry. On a theoretical level, the study adopted Lessig's models of direct and indirect regulation as an analytical framework. The Habermasian concept of the erosion of the Public Sphere was used as an analogy for the issues posed by the regulation of speech on the internet. It is argued that the findings of the study suggest that the democratizing potential of the internet is indeed being constrained by measures imposed in an attempt to control the perceived dangers posed by the medium.
AASA: a Method of Automatically Acquiring Semantic Annotations
Authors: Han Lixin , Chen Guihai , Xie Li
Published: March 2007

An important precondition for the success of the Semantic Web is founded on the principle that the content of web pages will be semantically annotated. This paper proposes a method of automatically acquiring semantic annotations (AASA). In the AASA method, we employ a combination of data mining and optimization to acquire semantic annotations. Key features of AASA include combining association rules, inference mechanism, genetic algorithm and self-organizing map to create semantic annotations, and using the k-nearest-neighbor query combined with simulated annealing to maintain semantic annotations.
Eminence of scientists in the light of the h-index and other scientometric indicators
Authors: Vinkler Peter
Published: March 2007

Scientometrics cannot offer a simple consistent method for measuring the scientific eminence of individuals. The h-index method introduced by Hirsch was found applicable for evaluating publications of senior scientists with similar publishing features, only. Some simple methods — using the number of citations and journal papers, and the number of citations obtained by the most frequently cited papers — are suggested and tested to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of such indexes. The results indicate that calculating scientometric indexes for individuals, self-citations should be excluded and the effect of the different bibliometric features of the field should be taken into account. The correctness of the indexes used for evaluating journal papers of individuals should be investigated also on the individual level.
Is a knowledge society possible without freedom of access to information?
Authors: Lor Peter Johan , Britz Johannes Jacobus
Published: March 2007

Modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) are seen not only as allowing global economic activities and the sharing of knowledge, but also as favouring transparency and democracy by creating space and a public sphere for civil society. The internet, and in particular the world wide web, have proved a powerful tool in both the manipulation of economic activities and the mobilization of civil society. Much is made of the democratizing effect of ICTs in e-government. Yet there are governments that attempt to control in an authoritarian manner both who accesses the internet and what content may be accessed and used. The question arises whether an information society and, more critically, a knowledge society can develop in the absence of freedom of access to information, freedom of expression and freedom to access the digital economy. Against this broad background the authors put forward four pillars of a knowledge society: (a) ICTs and connectivity, (b) content and the usability thereof, (c) infrastructure other than ICTs, and (d) human capacity. They attempt to evaluate the effect of authoritarian governmental control of access and content on each of them. It is argued from an ethical perspective, and more specifically from a perspective of social justice that, while a technologically oriented concept of the information society may not be incompatible with severe state control, a more multi-dimensional knowledge society cannot develop under such circumstances. Freedom is fundamental to participation in a knowledge society. Purely pragmatic arguments lead to the same conclusion.
Site navigation and its impact on the content viewed by the virtual scholar: a deep log analysis
Authors: Huntington Paul , Nicholas David , Jamali Hamid R.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents early findings of a unique analysis that related questionnaire data to site usage as recorded in the transaction log reports of ScienceDirect, for the same people. Its focus is the differences in the online behaviour of three types of navigational users: those accessing the site via a gateway (either via a reference hyperlink or subject search facility), those using the on site search facility and those employing menus. Towards this end 16,865 sessions were analysed and grouped by navigational entry and compared over three types of online behaviour: the viewing of articles in press (AIP), the number of different journals viewed in a session and the viewing of old material. A strong association was found between form of navigation and behavioural trait. Those using menus were more likely to view AIPs, while those using the search facility were more likely to view a greater number of different journals and were more likely to view older material. This supports a hypothesis proposed by Nicholas et al. (2006) that use of the online searching facility increases the visibility of material irrespective of journal and age and results in a greater use of older material and a more diverse journal use compared to other online and off-line information retrieval methods. Although research has been undertaken on the different strategies that users employ to navigate and find their way around a collection of content (e.g. a digital library), this we believe is the first time the effect of different navigational strategies on outcomes (for example, what is viewed) has been investigated.
Descriptive Profile of Hip Rotation Range of Motion in Elite Tennis Players and Professional Baseball Pitchers
Authors: Ellenbecker Todd S. , Ellenbecker Gail A. , Roetert E. Paul , Silva Rogerio Teixeira , Keuter Greg , Sperling Fabio
Published: March 2007

Background

Repetitive loading to the hip joint in athletes has been reported as a factor in the development of degenerative joint disease and intra-articular injury. Little information is available on the bilateral symmetry of hip rotational measures in unilaterally dominant upper extremity athletes.

Hypothesis

Side-to-side differences in hip joint range of motion may be present because of asymmetrical loading in the lower extremities of elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers.

Study Design

Cohort (cross-sectional) study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Descriptive measures of hip internal and external rotation active range of motion were taken in the prone position of 64 male and 83 female elite tennis players and 101 male professional baseball pitchers using digital photos and computerized angle calculation software. Bilateral differences in active range of motion between the dominant and nondominant hip were compared using paired t tests and Bonferroni correction for hip internal, external, and total rotation range of motion. A Pearson correlation test was used to test the relationship between years of competition and hip rotation active range of motion.

Results

No significant bilateral difference (P > .005) was measured for mean hip internal or external rotation for the elite tennis players or the professional baseball pitchers. An analysis of the number of subjects in each group with a bilateral difference in hip rotation greater than 10° identified 17% of the professional baseball pitchers with internal rotation differences and 42% with external rotation differences. Differences in the elite male tennis players occurred in only 15% of the players for internal rotation and 9% in external rotation. Female subjects had differences in 8% and 12% of the players for internal and external rotation, respectively. Statistical differences were found between the mean total arc of hip range of internal and external rotation in the elite tennis players with the dominant side being greater by a clinically insignificant mean value of 2.5°. Significantly less (P < .005) dominant hip internal rotation and less dominant and nondominant hip total rotation range of motion were found in the professional baseball pitchers compared with the elite male tennis players.

Conclusion

This study established typical range of motion patterns and identified bilaterally symmetric hip active range of motion rotation values in elite tennis players and professional baseball pitchers. Asymmetric hip joint rotational active range of motion encountered during clinical examination and screening may indicate abnormalities and would indicate the application of flexibility training, rehabilitation, and further evaluation.
Why Weren't They Feminists?
Authors: Macknight Elizabeth C.
Published: March 2007

This article examines the responses of Parisian noble women to campaigns for women's rights in France of the early Third Republic. The methodology of the article is based on the works of Pierre Bourdieu. His concept of the habitus is used to analyse the effects of class and gender in noble women's attitudes to French feminisms before the First World War. The conditioning of Parisian noble women explains their resistance, indeed often outspoken opposition, to feminists' demands. These female aristocrats supported their own oppression within a social order governed by the state, the scientific and medical establishments, the expectations of family, and the Catholic Church of the time.
Microstructure of alumina ceramic/Ag–Cu–Ti brazing alloy/Kovar alloy joint
Authors: Wang Y. , Feng J. C. , Zhang L. X. , He P. , Zhang J. H.
Published: March 2007

The microstructure of the alumina ceramic/Kovar alloy joint brazed with Ag–35·2Cu–1·8Ti (wt-%) was studied. The effects of brazing temperature on the microstructure were also discussed. It was found that the microstructure of the joint brazed at 1173 K for 5 min was TiO + TiNi3 + TiFe/eutectic Ag–Cu/TiFe2 + TiNi3/TiFe2 + Cu (s.s) +Ag (s.s). When the brazing temperature was >1193 K, there was no TiO formed on the alumina ceramic/brazing alloy interface.
Analysis of local microstructure and hardness of 13 mm gauge 2024-T351 AA friction stir welds
Authors: Booth D. P. P. , Starink M. J. , Sinclair I.
Published: March 2007

The friction stir welding process has been used to join 13 mm gauge 2024-T351 aluminium alloy plates together. A detailed microstructural study of the resulting weld was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry, hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to explain the hardness results at a number of regions across the weld in terms of co-cluster dissolution and reformation and S phase formation, coarsening and dissolution. The ‘onion rings’ structure found in the nugget weld was shown to be the result of a combination of the slight grain size variations and a change in nature and size of the particles present, i.e. intragranular v. intergranular. The variation in corrosion properties and hardness of the rings is discussed in terms of the local microstructure and quench sensitivities.
Tensile and fatigue properties of 6063-T6 aluminium alloy coated with electroless Ni–P deposit
Authors: Piñeiro-Jiménez A. , Villalobos-Gutiérrez C. , Staia M. H. , Puchi-Cabrera E. S.
Published: March 2007

The tensile and fatigue properties of a 6063-T6 aluminium alloy coated with an electroless Ni–P (EN) deposit have been investigated. The EN plating was in the as deposited condition, that is to say, without any post-heat treatment. The thickness of the coating was of about 40–50 μm and it had a P content of ∼9·5 wt-%. The results obtained indicate that such a plating gives rise to a decrease in the number of cycles to failure Nf, when the substrate coating system is tested both in air and in a 3 wt-%NaCl solution. When the coated system is tested in air the decrease in Nf varies from about 56–45%, whereas during testing in the NaCl solution such a decrease ranges between about 65–44%. In both cases, larger decrements in Nf are observed to be associated with smaller maximum alternating stresses. It is shown that the EN deposit employed in the present investigation has a very good adhesion to the substrate, since no delamination is observed even when the coated system is subjected to tensile stresses above the yield strength. Extensive cracking in the form of rings normal to the tensile axis were observed to form during tensile testing and therefore the coating is unable to contribute to the yield strength of the coated system. The comparison of the fatigue curves of the uncoated and coated specimens indicates that the presence of the coating would be equivalent, as far as the fatigue behaviour of the material is concerned, to the superposition of a mean tensile stress in the range of ∼23 MPa. Fatigue cracks have been observed to nucleate at the surface of the EN plating and to propagate from there towards the underlying substrate. Also, it has been concluded that, although the EN plating could provide wear and corrosion resistance to the substrate, such an improvement in surface properties takes place at the expense of its fatigue properties, a fact that should be taken into account for design purposes.
Solidification characteristics of newly developed die cast magnesium alloy MRI153M
Authors: Aghion E. , Moscovitch N. , Arnon A.
Published: March 2007

MRI153M is a newly developed magnesium alloy for high pressure die casting applications. This alloy exhibits excellent creep resistance combined with relatively high strength and good corrosion performance. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the solidification characteristics of MRI153M in comparison with conventional alloys, namely AZ91D and AM50A. The purpose was to generate practical data that can be used for part design and for optimising the casting parameters of MRI153M. The required data were obtained using computer simulation and microstructural assessment.
Thermal cycling of EB-PVD/NiCoCrAlYHf thermal barrier coatings
Authors: Xu Q. G. , Lu F. , Wu X. R.
Published: March 2007

Microstructural evolution, interfacial toughness and damage initiation of Y2O3 partially stabilised ZrO2 thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which have been deposited by electro-beam physical vapour deposition on NiCoCrAlYHf coated superalloy substrate, were studied as a function of thermal cycles at 1150°C. Interfacial toughness of TBC systems was measured by indentation method. The results show that bond coat (BC) is composed of β-(Ni,Co)Al and γ solid solution at the initial cycles. β phase is completely transformed into γ at 185 cycles. The thermally grown oxide (TGO), which consists of an Al2O3 layer and a thin spinel layer, has a high growth rate and grows irregularly because of preferential oxidation of Hf rich phases in the BC. This TBC system has a larger critical TGO thickness for failure. The thickness of TGO at planar place is approximately 10 μm when the TBCs spalled. Interfacial toughness decreases substantially at the initial stage of thermal cycling.
Effect of temperature on formation of reaction products and strength properties of titanium and stainless steel joints using copper interlayer
Authors: Kundu S. , Chatterjee S.
Published: March 2007

Diffusion bonded assemblies of titanium |Cu| stainless steel were carried out in the temperature range of 900–1000°C for 30 min under 3 MPa load in vacuum. The microstructures of the bonded assemblies were observed using optical and scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). The present study exhibited the presence of different reaction layers in the diffusion zone and their chemical compositions were determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The CuTi2, CuTi, Cu3Ti2, Cu4Ti3, FeTi, Fe2Ti, Cr2Ti, T1 (Ti33Cu67−xFex; 1< x<2·5), T2 (Ti40Cu60−xFex; 5< x<17), T3 (Ti43Cu57−xFex; 21< x<24), T4 (Ti37Cu63−xFex; 6< x<7) intermetallic phases are formed in the diffusion interfaces. These reaction products were confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique. The maximum tensile strength of ∼318 MPa (∼99% of Ti) and shear strength of ∼239 MPa (∼81% of Ti) along with 7·2% ductility were obtained for the couple bonded at 950°C owing to better coalescence of mating surface. At 1000°C processing temperature, bond strength decreases owing to the increase in the width of the brittle Fe–Ti base intermetallic phases. At 900°C, the bond strength is also poor presumably owing to the incomplete coalescence of the mating surfaces. Observation of fracture surfaces in SEM using EDS demonstrates that failure takes place through stainless steel/copper interface.
Studies on photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene
Authors: Bandyopadhyay A. , Basak G. Chandra
Published: March 2007

This paper reports the photo degradation of polystyrene (PS) by using zinc oxide (ZnO) as photo catalyst. Virgin PS is not responsive to degradation by ultra violet (UV) light because of the presence of phenyl rings in its repeating units. ZnO acts as an UV absorber and helps in transferring the absorbed energy to various bonds of PS and causes degradation. The concentration of ZnO followed by the dispersion within the PS matrix has been found to be the key as the maximum weight loss of ∼ 16% in 2 h has been obtained with 0·5 wt-% of ZnO. Below and above this concentration, the degradation is clearly low. Addition of a UV sensitive dye has further improved this degradation (up to 18%) owing to synergism with ZnO. The degradation of PS has been further highlighted from infrared spectroscopy, surface analysis, viscosity average molecular weight studies and mechanical properties analysis. A suitable mechanism supporting the UV degradation has also been proposed.
Fatigue of continuous cast AA5754 Al alloy sheet
Authors: Li J. X. , Wen X. Y. , Man C.-S. , Zhai T.
Published: March 2007

The continuous casting technology is a cost effective way to produce aluminium alloy sheet. As a result, aluminium alloys produced by this technology have great potentials to substitute steel in autobody panel applications. In the present work, fatigue tests were carried out on hot band (in as received and heat treated conditions) of a continuous cast AA 5754 aluminium alloy (4 mm thick) in directions of 0, 45 and 90° relative to the rolling direction. S–N curves of the alloy were measured in these directions. The alloy was produced using a twin belt continuous caster. The heat treatment on the alloy was conducted using both a batch anneal furnace at a slow heating rate (0·01°C s−1) and an induction heater at a fast heating rate (116°C s−1). The effects of heating/cooling rates during heat treatment on the fatigue anisotropy were studied in the alloy. It was found that induction heat treatment at 465°C greatly improved the tensile isotropy and reduced the fatigue anisotropy in this alloy.
Continuous compaction of spray deposited Al–20 wt-%Si/SiCP composites via wedge pressing technique
Authors: Chen Z. H. , Teng J. , Yan H. G. , Chen D.
Published: March 2007

Spray deposited Al–20 wt-%Si/SiCP composites were subjected to compaction via a wedge pressing technique. Effects of compaction on the microstructures, mechanical properties and wear properties of composites were investigated by an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and wear tests. It has been found that the as compacted composites were characteristic of higher hardness, higher tensile strength and better wear resistance than the as spray deposited state.
Influence of solidification conditions on grain boundary cohesion in the mushy zone during directional solidification of nickel base superalloy
Authors: Zhou Y. Z. , Volek A.
Published: March 2007

The effect of solidification rates on grain boundary (GB) cohesion in mushy zone during directional solidification was explored. The mushy zone structures were frozen by tin bath quenching. It was found that high solidification rate leads to an extended mushy zone thus vulnerable region, while there are larger areas where dendrites are bridged at higher solidification rate, i.e. there is a high fraction of bridging areas in the mushy zone as solidification rate is increased. The smaller hot tearing susceptibility at higher solidification rate cannot be explained by the greater mushy zone or vulnerable region, but it can be explained by stronger GB cohesion. The results suggest more attention should be paid to the GB cohesion rather than the range of mushy zone or vulnerable region in order to avoid hot tearing at least in some alloys.
Influence of ZnO buffer layer thickness on electrical and optical properties of GZO thin films deposited on polymer substrates
Authors: Kim S. , Lee W. , Lee C.
Published: March 2007

Ga doped ZnO (GZO) thin films were deposited on polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates with a ZnO buffer layer using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique and the effects of the buffer layer thickness on the microstructure, and electrical and optical properties of the GZO films were investigated to develop transparent conductors for flexible display applications. The optimum buffer layer thickness with which the lowest resistivity of the GZO/ZnO films was obtained was determined to be 140 nm. The carrier concentration, the carrier mobility and the electrical resistivity of the GZO film with a ZnO buffer layer 140 nm thick were 7·5 × 1020 cm−3, 9·4 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 8·8 × 10−4 Ω cm respectively. The transmittance of the GZO/ZnO films was found to be higher than 85% and nearly independent of the ZnO buffer layer thickness.
Artificial neural network prediction on wear properties of high vanadium high speed steel (HVHSS) rolls
Authors: Xu L.-J. , Xing J.-D. , Wei S.-Z. , Zhang Y.-Z. , Long R.
Published: March 2007

The present paper is dedicated to the application of artificial neural networks in the prediction of the wear properties of high vanadium high speed steel (HVHSS) rolls, including predictions of wear weight loss W according to carbon content C and number of revolutions N. Multilayer backpropagation networks were created and trained using comprehensive datasets tested by the authors. Very good performances of the neural networks were achieved. The prediction results show that the wear weight loss nearly linear increases with increasing number of revolutions at constant carbon content. The relative wear resistance of roll reaches the optimal value when the carbon content is ∼2·55 wt-%. The prediction values have sufficiently mined the basic domain knowledge of wear process of HVHSS rolls. A convenient and powerful method of optimising the process parameters of abrasive resistant materials has been provided by the authors.
Effects of particle size on deformation behaviour of metal matrix composites
Authors: Yan Y. W. , Geng L.
Published: March 2007

By incorporating the dislocation strengthening effect into the Mori–Tanaka method, a new hybrid approach is developed in the present paper for calculating the deformation response of SiCp/Al composites. The diameters of the particles are 1, 5, 20 and 56 μm. Both numerical and experimental results indicate a close relationship between the particle size and the deformation behaviour of the composites at a constant particle volume fraction. The yield strength and plastic work hardening rate of the composites increase with decreasing particle size. The predicted stress–strain behaviour of the composites is in qualitative agreement with the experimental results. By incorporating Weibull statistics for particle fracture, the results simulated are agreed well with the experimental results for particle size >5 μm.
Mechanical behaviour and texture of annealed AZ31 Mg alloy deformed by ECAP
Authors: Su C. W. , Lu L. , Lai M. O.
Published: March 2007

AZ31 Mg alloy samples were processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 220°C for four passes. An average grain size of ∼1·9 μm with reasonable homogeneity was obtained. The ECAP process imparted large plastic shear strains and strong deformation textures to the material. Subsequent annealing of the equal channel angular pressed samples produced interesting mechanical behaviours. While yield strength increased and ductility decreased immediately after undergoing ECAP, annealing at temperatures <250°C restored ductility significantly at a small decrease in of yield strength. Annealing at temperatures >250°C reduced yield strength without additional improvement in ductility. It is believed that the combination of stress relief via dislocation elimination, refined microstructure and the retention of a strong ECAP texture at low annealing temperatures enhance ductility. High temperature annealing breaks down the ECAP texture resulting in no further improvement in ductility. The results show that the mechanical properties of the alloy can be positively influenced by annealing after ECAP to achieve a combination of strength and ductility.
Strain induced transformation of retained austenite in TRIP aided steels: A neural network model
Authors: Mukherjee M. , Singh S. B. , Mohanty O. N.
Published: March 2007

A neural network model has been developed to predict the strain induced transformation behaviour of retained austenite in transformation induced plasticity aided steels, as a function of the driving force for martensitic transformation, initial retained austenite content, matrix microstructure and forming conditions. The model was found to make realistic predictions that generally agree with established metallurgical principles and other published data.
Piezoresistive effect in amorphous carbon thin films
Authors: Tibrewala A. , Peiner E. , Bandorf R. , Biehl S. , Lüthje H.
Published: March 2007

In this contribution amorphous carbon (a-C) films are integrated as strain gauges in micromachined silicon boss membranes. Sputter deposited a-C films have high hardness and <2 % hydrogen content in it. The tribological properties of the a-C films are comparable with diamond and can be used for hard coatings. The films have very low resistivity which decreases with the temperature. Current voltage characteristics of a-C/oxide Si shows Ohmic behaviour. Variable range hopping mechanism is dominant at low temperatures and is thermally activated at room temperature and at higher temperatures. Piezoresistive gauge factor are measured in the temperature range 23–50°C.
A comparative study of low temperature plasma nitriding, carburising and nitrocarburising of AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Li C. X. , Bell T.
Published: March 2007

Samples of an AISI410 martensitic stainless steel were plasma nitrided (PN), plasma carburised (PC) and plasma nitrocarburised (PCN) at a low temperature of 450°C for 20 h. General metallurgical characterisations were performed to compare the phase constituents, the chemical compositions, the microstructures and hardness of the untreated and various plasma treated surfaces. Pin on disc tests and polarisation corrosion tests were performed to evaluate the wear and corrosion properties of the plasma treated and untreated steel. The results showed that the low temperature plasma treated surfaces of 410 martensitic stainless steel were dominated with compounds of either nitrides (for PN), carbides (for PC) or a mixed structure of carbonitride and carbides (for PCN). Plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising significantly improved the surface hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the 410 martensitic stainless steel. However, plasma carburising under the present treatment condition only achieved a small increase in surface hardness and wear resistance. It had no clear influence on the polarisation corrosion properties of the 410 stainless steel.
Investigation into manufacturing Fe–Cu–C alloy parts through indirect selective laser sintering
Authors: Zhang J. , Shi Y. S. , Liu J. H. , Chen K. H. , Huang S. H.
Published: March 2007

The properties of alloy parts can be adjusted conveniently if alloy element powders are used for manufacturing alloy parts by indirect selective laser sintering, but no research has been reported on this so far. In this paper several composite powders have been obtained by blending pure Fe, Cu and graphite powders, which have been used to produce green parts by indirect selective laser sintering. Cu infiltrated Fe–Cu–C alloy was manufactured after green parts had been degreased, high temperature sintered and infiltrated. Contents of composite powders, post-processing of green parts, microstructures and mechanical property of alloys were investigated. The results indicate that: Cu and C can diffuse into γ-Fe when green parts are being sintered at high temperature; the microstructures of alloy are composed of a large quantity of eutectoid structures mixtures of Fe–C and Fe–Cu at room temperature besides a coarse structure; the eutectoid structure varies regionally owing to the inhomogeneous concentration of Cu and C; the yield strength of Fe–Cu–C sample alloys is >300 MPa and the elongation is <3%.
Origin of fissures on fracture surfaces of impact samples of HSLA steels with ferrite/pearlite microstructures
Authors: Mintz B. , Maina E. , Morrison W. B.
Published: March 2007

A microstructural examination was carried out investigating the early stages of fissure formation. It was found, in certain steels particularly control rolled, that the tendency to start a fissure, i.e. initiate a crack, which could then propagate parallel to the surface plane in impact tested specimens, was very common. However, whether these grew sufficiently to form deep cracks and relieve the triaxial stress system associated with a notch depended on the degree of grain elongation. Cracks in the early stages of fissure formation were always intergranular, initiated at inclusions or carbide particles that were situated at the boundaries. The further development of the cracks to form a fissure occurred by the decohesion of the grain surfaces until the crack length was sufficient for normal brittle behaviour to take place or the crack had widened to such a degree that the leverage was great enough to make unpeeling of the grain surfaces very easy. Heavily control rolled steels in which the grains had become markedly elongated making crack propagation along the boundaries relatively easy, were therefore, most prone to forming deep fissures. For normalised steels which had essentially an equiaxed grain structure, although cracks initiated at the grain boundaries, they were not able to spread to adjacent grains and growth was stopped abruptly.
Tissue factor trafficking in fibroblasts: involvement of protease-activated receptor–mediated cell signaling
Authors: Mandal Samir K. , Pendurthi Usha R. , Rao L. Vijaya Mohan
Published: March 2007

Tissue factor (TF) is the cellular receptor for clotting factor VIIa (FVIIa), and the formation of TF-FVIIa complexes on cell surfaces triggers the activation of the coagulation cascade and the cell signaling. Our recent studies have shown that a majority of TF resides in various intracellular compartments, predominantly in the Golgi, and that FVIIa binding to cell surface TF induces TF endocytosis and mobilizes the Golgi TF pool to translocate it to the cell surface. This present study is aimed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in TF endocytosis and its mobilization from the Golgi. Activation of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR2 by specific peptide agonists and proteases, independent of FVIIa, mobilized TF from the Golgi store and increased the cell surface expression of TF. Blocking PAR2 activation, but not PAR1, with neutralizing antibodies fully attenuated the FVIIa-induced TF mobilization. Consistent with these data, silencing the PAR2 receptor, and not PAR1, abrogated the FVIIa-mediated TF mobilization. In contrast to their effect on TF mobilization, PAR1 and PAR2 activation, in the absence of FVIIa, had no effect on TF endocytosis. However, PAR2 activation is found to be critical for the FVIIa-induced TF endocytosis. Overall the data herein provide novel insights into the role of PARs in regulating cell surface TF expression.
JS-K, a GST-activated nitric oxide generator, induces DNA double-strand breaks, activates DNA damage response pathways, and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo in human multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Kiziltepe Tanyel , Hideshima Teru , Ishitsuka Kenji , Ocio Enrique M. , Raje Noopur , Catley Laurence , Li Chun-Qi , Trudel Laura J. , Yasui Hiroshi , Vallet Sonia , Kutok Jeffery L. , Chauhan Dharminder , Mitsiades Constantine S. , Saavedra Joseph E. , Wogan Gerald N. , Keefer Larry K. , Shami Paul J. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: March 2007

Here we investigated the cytotoxicity of JS-K, a prodrug designed to release nitric oxide (NO•) following reaction with glutathione S-transferases, in multiple myeloma (MM). JS-K showed significant cytotoxicity in both conventional therapy-sensitive and -resistant MM cell lines, as well as patient-derived MM cells. JS-K induced apoptosis in MM cells, which was associated with PARP, caspase-8, and caspase-9 cleavage; increased Fas/CD95 expression; Mcl-1 cleavage; and Bcl-2 phosphorylation, as well as cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), and endonuclease G (EndoG) release. Moreover, JS-K overcame the survival advantages conferred by interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), or by adherence of MM cells to bone marrow stromal cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that JS-K–induced cytotoxicity was mediated via NO• in MM cells. Furthermore, JS-K induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and activated DNA damage responses, as evidenced by neutral comet assay, as well as H2AX, Chk2 and p53 phosphorylation. JS-K also activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in MM cells; conversely, inhibition of JNK markedly decreased JS-K–induced cytotoxicity. Importantly, bortezomib significantly enhanced JS-K–induced cytotoxicity. Finally, JS-K is well tolerated, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival in a human MM xenograft mouse model. Taken together, these data provide the preclinical rationale for the clinical evaluation of JS-K to improve patient outcome in MM.
A general diagnostic model applied to language testing data
Authors: von Davier Matthias
Published: March 2007

Probabilistic models with one or more latent variables are designed to report on a corresponding number of skills or cognitive attributes. Multidimensional skill profiles offer additional information beyond what a single test score can provide, if the reported skills can be identified and distinguished reliably. Many recent approaches to skill profile models are limited to dichotomous data and have made use of computationally intensive estimation methods such as Markov chain Monte Carlo, since standard maximum likelihood (ML) estimation techniques were deemed infeasible. This paper presents a general diagnostic model (GDM) that can be estimated with standard ML techniques and applies to polytomous response variables as well as to skills with two or more proficiency levels. The paper uses one member of a larger class of diagnostic models, a compensatory diagnostic model for dichotomous and partial credit data. Many well‐known models, such as univariate and multivariate versions of the Rasch model and the two‐parameter logistic item response theory model, the generalized partial credit model, as well as a variety of skill profile models, are special cases of this GDM. In addition to an introduction to this model, the paper presents a parameter recovery study using simulated data and an application to real data from the field test for TOEFL® Internet‐based testing.
Cyclin D1 as a Target for the Proliferative Effects of PTH and PTHrP in Early Osteoblastic Cells
Authors: Datta Nabanita S , Pettway Glenda J , Chen Chen , Koh Amy J , McCauley Laurie K
Published: March 2007

PTHrP induced a proliferative cyclin D1 activation in low-density osteoblastic cells. The process was PKA and MAPK dependent and involved both AP-1 and CRE sites. In ectopic ossicles generated from implanted bone marrow stromal cells, PTH upregulated cyclin D1 after acute or intermittent anabolic treatment. These data suggest a positive role of PTH and PTHrP in the cell cycle of early osteoblasts.

Introduction: The mechanisms underlying the actions of PTH and its related protein (PTHrP) in osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and bone remodeling remain unclear. The action of PTH or PTHrP on the cell cycle during osteoblast proliferation was studied.

Materials and Methods: Mouse calvarial MC3T3-E1 clone 4 cells were synchronized by serum starvation and induced with 100 nM PTHrP for 2–24 h under defined low serum conditions. Western blot, real-time PCR, EMSAs, and promoter/luciferase assays were performed to evaluate cyclin D1 expression. Pharmacological inhibitors were used to determine the relevant signaling pathways. Ectopic ossicles generated from implanted bone marrow stromal cells were treated with acute (a single 8- or 12-h injection) or intermittent anabolic PTH treatment for 7 days, and RNA and histologic analysis were performed.

Results: PTHrP upregulated cyclin D1 and CDK1 and decreased p27 expression. Cyclin D1 promoter/luciferase assays showed that the PTHrP regulation involved both activator protein-1 (AP-1) and cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CRE) sites. AP-1 and CRE double mutants completely abolished the PTHrP effect of cyclin D1 transcription. Upregulation of cyclin D1 was found to be protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) dependent in proliferating MC3T3-E1 cells. In vivo expression of cyclin D1 in ectopic ossicles was upregulated after a single 12-h PTH injection or intermittent anabolic PTH treatment for 7 days in early developing ossicles.

Conclusions: These data indicate that PTH and PTHrP induce cyclin D1 expression in early osteoblastic cells and their action is developmental stage specific.
ApoE Gene Deficiency Enhances the Reduction of Bone Formation Induced by a High-Fat Diet Through the Stimulation of p53-Mediated Apoptosis in Osteoblastic Cells
Authors: Hirasawa Hideyuki , Tanaka Shinya , Sakai Akinori , Tsutsui Masato , Shimokawa Hiroaki , Miyata Hironori , Moriwaki Sawako , Niida Shumpei , Ito Masako , Nakamura Toshitaka
Published: March 2007

Osteoblast apoptosis increased in the tibias of apoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet, decreasing bone formation. The expression of p53 mRNA in marrow adherent cells increased. LDL or oxidized LDL increased apoptosis in the calvarial cells of apoE−/− mice. The increase in p53-mediated apoptosis is apparently related to a high-fat diet–induced osteopenia in apoE−/− mice.

Introduction: The effects of high-fat loading and the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene on bones have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that apoE gene deficiency (apoE−/−) modulates the effects of high-fat loading on bones.

Materials and Methods: We assessed this hypothesis using wildtype (WT) and apoE−/− mice fed a standard (WTS and ApoES groups) or a high-fat diet (WTHf and ApoEHf groups). The concentration of serum lipid levels and bone chemical markers were measured. Histomorphometry of the femurs was performed using μCT and a microscope. Bone marrow adherent cells from the femurs were used for colony-forming unit (CFU)-fibroblastic (CFU-f) assay and mRNA expressions analysis. The apoptotic cells in the tibias were counted. TUNEL fluorescein assay and Western analysis were performed in cultures of calvarial cells by the addition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or oxidized LDL.

Results: In the ApoEHf group, the values of cortical bone volume and trabecular and endocortical bone formation of the femurs decreased, and urinary deoxypyridinoline increased. Subsequent analysis revealed that the number of apoptotic cells in the tibias of the ApoES group increased, and more so in the ApoEHf group. The ratio of alkaline phosphatase–positive CFU-f to total CFU-f was decreased in the ApoEHf group. p53 mRNA expression in adherent cells of the apoE−/− mice increased and had a significantly strong positive correlation with serum LDL. TUNEL fluorescein assay of osteoblastic cells revealed an increase of apoptotic cells in the apoE−/− mice. The number of apoptotic cells in the apoE−/− mice increased with the addition of 100 μg/ml LDL or oxidized LDL. The p53 protein expression in apoE−/− cells exposed to 100 μg/ml LDL or oxidized LDL increased.

Conclusions: We concluded that apoE gene deficiency enhances the reduction of bone formation induced by a high-fat diet through the stimulation of p53-mediated apoptosis in osteoblastic cells.
Variability in the Relationship between Mean Plasma Glucose and HbA1c: Implications for the Assessment of Glycemic Control
Authors: Kilpatrick Eric S , Rigby Alan S , Atkin Stephen L
Published: March 2007

Background: Previous studies have shown a single linear relationship between mean plasma glucose (MPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). We examined the relationship in different treatment groups of patients with type 1 diabetes participating in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT).

Methods: Seven-point glucose profiles (premeal, postmeal, and bedtime) and HbA1c were measured quarterly during the DCCT. We studied measurements from (a) intensively treated patients at study commencement, (b) intensively treated patients after stabilization of their glycemia (from 6 months onward), and (c) conventionally treated patients from 6 months onward. Only complete glucose profile and HbA1c pairings were considered (n = 589, 11 483, and 11 855, respectively).

Results: From 6 months into the trial, conventionally treated patients had consistently higher MPG concentrations than intensively treated patients at any given HbA1c value (mean difference, 1.6 mmol/L at 7% HbA1c, increasing to 2.8 mmol/L at 11% HbA1c). Similarly, at the same HbA1c, the MPG of intensively treated patients at baseline was higher than in the same individuals after 6 months of intensive treatment (1.2 mmol/L difference at 7% HbA1c, increasing to 4.6 mmol/L at 11% HbA1c).

Conclusions: The relationship between MPG and HbA1c is not constant but differs depending on the glycemic control of the population being studied. Having lower mean glucose at the same HbA1c may help explain why intensive DCCT treatment appeared intrinsically linked to both increased hypoglycemia and decreased microvascular complications compared with conventional treatment. These findings may also have implications for expressing HbA1c as mean blood glucose equivalent.