bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A combined discrete variable structure control algorithm and its application to brushless DC servomotors
Authors: Lai Yanhui , Zhang Xiaofeng , Song Lizhong
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to overcome the shortcoming that discrete variable structure control (VSC) system trajectory oscillates in a neighborhood of the origin.

Design/methodology/approach

Among all the proposed reaching laws, W. Gao's theory is most perfect. It makes great progress in revealing the motion mechanism of discrete‐time VSC systems. However, it has an obvious defect, i.e. the system trajectory oscillates in a neighborhood of the origin rather than converges to the origin. So, a new reaching law named variable rate reaching law to which the stability at the origin can be expected is proposed. The special feature of this new reaching law is that it is directly proportional to the norm of the state vector and can result in a sector‐shaped switching region. On the basis of analyzing the characteristic of the variable rate and the conventional reaching laws, a new combined control algorithm that discards the shortcomings of the two reaching laws and carries on their merits is formed, so satisfactory control performance can be achieved.

Findings

A new combined reaching law control algorithm, which uses the exponential rate reaching law in the reaching mode and in the front phase of the sliding mode, and uses the variable rate reaching law in the back phase of the sliding mode and in the steady‐state mode, is formed.

Practical implications

The paper is a very useful reference for control system designers.

Originality/value

The new control strategy is applied to the controller design for a brushless DC servomotor and good control performance is obtained.
Measurement and tracking control of the Z‐tilts error compensating stage of the nano‐measuring machine
Authors: Liu Van‐Tsai , Liu Chien‐Hung , Li Hau‐Wei , Chen Chieh‐Li , Lin Chun‐Liang , Lin Yu‐Chen
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the multi‐degree‐of‐freedom measurement system to test, verify, and control the nano‐measuring machine.

Design/methodology/approach

A generic differential model approach is constructed to numerically describe the hysteresis effects of piezoelectric actuators. Based on the generic differential model, a feedforward compensator with a proportional integral (PI) type controller is designed to compensate for the hysteresis nonlinearity of a piezoelectric actuated three degree‐of‐freedom coplanar nanostage which can provide high‐precision applications.

Findings

The Z‐tilts (z, pitch, and roll motion) error compensation stage of the nano‐measuring machine is accomplished. Moreover, a high‐resolution laser interferometer is used to measure position accurately.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to develop a tracking control design method for the piezoelectric motion platform which combines a closed‐loop feedforward compensator with a PI type controller.
Uncertainty, information sources
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to partially summarize and discuss a lengthy exchange of e‐mails during the summer of 2009 on the issue of uncertainty and associated Chinese complexity studies; with reference also to other fundamental issues including creativity. Some important sources of online information are mentioned, including means of downloading classic texts.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.

Findings

The main finding is that the significance of grey system theory is still controversial, though rated highly in certain quarters. Further study is clearly needed.

Practical implications

Eventual resolution of the controversy about approaches to uncertainty will clearly influence further investigation.

Originality/value

It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
The interactive effect of Gestalt situations and arousal seeking tendency on customers' emotional responses: matching color and music to specific servicescapes
Authors: Lin Ingrid Y.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the interactive effect of Gestalt versus non‐Gestalt situations, and arousal seeking tendency (AST) on customers' pleasure and arousal with matching color and music to hotel bars and hotel guest rooms; thereby providing guidance for service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an experimental design study with four treatments. Fictitious hotel bar and guest room video clips were created with the appropriate manipulation of color schemes and music as independent variables. After the video clip was shown, subjects were asked to complete a survey instrument. The hypothesized model was then tested.

Findings

The results showed that the interactive effect of Gestalt versus non‐Gestalt, and AST on an individual's pleasure and arousal are both positive and statistically significant. As an individual's AST increases, both the arousal score and pleasure score increased in Gestalt situations (dynamic bar and tranquil guest room) and decreased in non‐Gestalt situations (tranquil bar and dynamic guest room).

Research limitations/implications

Only jazz music and a specific type of hotel bar and hotel guest room settings with a limited target market were utilized. Similarly, the color schemes that were included were the two extremes (dynamic and tranquil). Results can be generalized to other similar settings only with caution.

Practical implications

Hospitality firms should design spaces taking into account the holistic or Gestalt effect of objective elements of a servicescape. Managers should understand that individual uses of a servicescape and reactions to objective servicescape elements will be different depending on a specific type of servicescape.

Originality/value

No research has been done investigating the effects of the color and music combined in two distinct service settings. The value of assessing effects of different settings is demonstrated.
The immigrant entrepreneur in the international change
Authors: Rueda Armengot Carlos , Solé Parellada Frances , Rieta Carbonell Joaquín
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the ethnic profile of the entrepreneur in relation to business activity, the reasons for creating the firm and the creation process. The aim is to analyze whether or not belonging to a particular ethnic group has an influence on the said processes, regardless of place of birth or nationality.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 326 questionnaires were analyzed in order to carry out an exploratory study on different ethnic communities in the region of Valencia (Spain) by identifying the most influential factors for each of the dimensions studied.

Findings

The empirical results obtained show the relevance of ethnic origin. The variables that correspond to business activity, motives for new firm creation and the process involved undergo extremely significant alterations, depending on the origin of the entrepreneur.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on a particular geographical area and thus the limitations of the sample, as well as the influence of environmental factors may affect some of the results.

Originality/value

The paper contributes towards understanding business activity among an increasingly important collective in a globalized economy and provides valuable knowledge for creating public policy aimed at the integration and development of different ethnic groups.
The effect of perceived service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction, trust, and loyalty in e‐commerce settings
Authors: Kassim Norizan , Asiah Abdullah Nor
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to empirically investigate the relationship between perceived service quality, satisfaction, trust, and loyalty in e‐commerce settings in two cultures – Malaysian and Qatari – at the level of construct dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method approach was used in this study. To test the dimensionality of the perceived service quality, all 20 items were analyzed using oblique rotation and varimax rotation. The hypotheses were tested using the structural equations modeling and general linear model of univariate analysis of variance.

Findings

Perceived service quality was found to have a significant impact on customer satisfaction. In turn customer satisfaction was found to have a significant effect on trust. Both customer satisfaction and trust have significant effects on loyalty through word of mouth (WOM) while WOM is an antecedent of repeat visits or repurchase intentions. Interestingly, trust does not directly influence the latter. With the exception of the effect of satisfaction on trust, we found no significant difference between the effects of perceived service quality on satisfaction, satisfaction on loyalty, and trust on loyalty among the Qatari and Malaysian customers indicating that the relationships in the model did not hold across the two cultural groups because the respondents have similar cultural background.

Research limitations/implications

This study suffers from a limitation in that it uses a convenience sampling technique without a fully matched profile of the respondents. However, the satisfactory fit of the estimated model allows for the study to be a basis of a reliable comparison for future research.

Practical implications

In an e‐commerce setting companies can increase customer loyalty directly by improving the ease of use, the attractiveness, and the security of their website. Thus, marketers should tailor their marketing strategies to fit each marketing environment because overseas success of their business is very much a function of cultural adaptability.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this study is that it is the first attempt to investigate the impact of word of mouth on trust and intention.
Assessing post occupancy evaluation in higher education facilities
Authors: Riley Mike , Kokkarinen Noora , Pitt Michael
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the main post occupancy evaluation (POE) techniques currently available and illustrate which method would be the most appropriate as a performance enhancement tool within higher education (HE) facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The history of, and barriers to using POE as a performance enhancement tool are analysed through an extensive literature review.

Findings

Despite a historic resistance to POE by construction professionals, interest has emerged in recent years, particularly with government clients and public funded projects, with a focus on the outputs of a project as opposed to the inputs. While plenty of methods exist, only a few are specifically suited to evaluate the building performance of educational facilities to maximise student success and productivity.

Research limitations/implications

Practitioners and academics who are interested in the various POE methods will find this review relevant in order to choose which method is most appropriate for the assessment needs of HE facilities.

Originality/value

Research on POE has been emerging in the field of facilities management for commercial and domestic buildings, but little attention has been drawn to HE buildings; although they are a great contributor to individual success and society. This paper provides an historic overview of POE while also assessing its scope, identifying drivers and barriers to it, and outlining the various methods by which it can be conducted.
Technological innovation progress in Central China: a survey to 42 firms
Authors: Ren Liqin , Zeng Deming , Krabbendam Koos
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a recent technological innovation investigation to the Chinese enterprises with different ownerships. The goal of this research is to discuss whether there are innovation mechanisms in place, and to test the influence of the innovation mechanisms and the government policies to the Chinese enterprises' innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation and analyses are based on a survey to the firms (n=42) from different sectors in central China, for which a research framework and analytical model of firm‐level innovation in China was developed.

Findings

The paper finds that the innovation mechanisms in the Chinese firms are to a certain extent in place, and the market factor has become the driving force for the enterprises' innovation. By using the pooled‐variancet‐test for comparing means, the authors further tested that innovation mechanisms and the government innovation policies have positive influences on the innovation performance of the Chinese enterprises.

Originality/value

The first‐hand technological innovation situation of the Chinese firms are evaluated by the relevant firm leaders (insiders) and analyzed by a Western research team (outsiders), which is of great significance to the Western academic and practitioners.
Education and human resources management in high‐tech organisations in China
Authors: Rovai Serena
Published: July 2010

Purpose

At present, in the increasingly global markets, one of the main challenges to international business is how to effectively manage human resources across cultural boundaries. In particular, high‐tech MNCs demand a specific pool of talented individuals with specific technical expertise and personal skills to be adapted to operate in an international arena. That is especially true in the case of China, which has attracted a significant variety of foreign investments from diverse countries and whose people management policies and managerial staff technical and personal skills are reported in some cases to be at a primary stage. The purpose of this paper is to explore the educational context development in China and its related influence on the recruitment and selection process in Western high‐tech MNCs in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a research paper based on multiple case studies and direct face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings

China needs highly trained and highly educated individuals who can work in a dynamic domestic and global marketplace. Under the centrally planned system, the curricula in different universities are not associated to diversification in response to China changing economic needs and scenario. In most of the Chinese universities, many of the disciplines are very narrowly defined because these institutions are responsible for the job assignment of graduates. Despite the unprecedented growth of Chinese higher education thanks to the recent government reforms, the educational system in China still needs to be further restructured in its curricula to provide a sufficient number of qualified managers but however it will take time.

Originality/value

Nowadays, China needs highly trained and highly educated talents who can work in a domestic highly globalised marketplace. The underlying study will provide insight into those education related factors and their impact on the labour market in China with a specific focus on the search for appropriate technomanagement talents. The paper also provides insights into those educational factors, which produce satisfactory and less‐satisfactory results in recruitment of local talents in foreign technology companies. It also suggests the need for further research in the talent management area and education in PRC in relation to the current lack of data. Recommendations for the possible integration of appropriate educational projects aiming at developing highly talented individuals into those foreign corporations are provided.
Synthesis and Electrical Properties of Dense Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 Ceramics
Authors: Huang Keqin , Feng Man , Goodenough John B.
Published: July 2010

Uniform spherical powders of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 with an average diameter of 250 nm were obtained at 700°C from a sol‐gel process of mixing nitrates and ethylene glycol. Broadening of the X‐ray peaks of the fluorite structure reveals a small crystallite size within the powders. Sintering in air of pressed pellets of the powders at 1585°C gives ceramics of 99% theoretical density with grain sizes 1‐10 µm and a cubic unit cell a= 5.422 ± 0.034 Å. The electrical conductivity σ=σo+σe has two components. In air or argon, the electronic component σe is negligible and the oxide‐ion conductivity σo is not described by a classical Arrhenius equation; a pronounced curvature at T similar/congruent T* has been observed in the Arrhenius plot of the bulk conductivity. The system could be modeled by a condensation of mobile oxygen vacancies into ordered clusters below a temperature T* similar/congruent 583 ± 45°C and a motional enthalpy ΔHm= 0.63 ± 0.01 eV for the vacancies. A measured trapping energy ΔHt(1 ‐ T/T*) has ΔHt= 0.19 ± 0.01 eV = 2.57 kT*. In a reducing atmosphere, σe exhibits a small‐polaron motional enthalpy ΔHp= 0.40 ± 0.08 eV for transfer of a 4 f electron from a Ce3+ to a Ce4+ ion and a ΔHp+ΔHpt= 0.51 ± 0.04 eV at T < T*.
Clinical trial: 2‐L polyethylene glycol‐based lavage solutions for colonoscopy preparation – a randomized, single‐blind study of two formulations
Authors: Cohen L. B. , Sanyal S. M. , Von Althann C. , Bodian C. , Whitson M. , Bamji N. , Miller K. M. , Mavronicolas W. , Burd S. , Freedman J. , Aisenberg J.
Published: July 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 637–644

Background  The 2‐L polyethylene glycol (PEG) lavage solutions provide efficacy similar to that of standard 4‐L PEG formulations in spite of the reduced volume. The comparative efficacy and tolerability of two formulations of 2‐L PEG solution remain unknown.

Aims  To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of PEG + Bis compared with PEG + Asc, and to study the effect of bowel cleansing quality on adenoma detection rates.

Methods  Patients were randomized to receive either 2‐L PEG with ascorbic acid (PEG + Asc) or 2‐L PEG plus bisacodyl 10 mg (PEG + Bis). The primary endpoint was overall colon cleansing score, assessed by blinded investigators using a validated four‐point scale. Secondary endpoints included adenoma detection rate, patient tolerability and compliance and adverse events.

Results  Fifty‐two patients received PEG + Asc and 55 patients received PEG + Bis. Overall colon cleansing scores (±s.d.) were 1.40 ± 0.69 and 1.75 ± 0.70 (P < 0.003) in the PEG + Asc and PEG + Bis groups, respectively. Excellent and good ratings were recorded in 69% and 23% receiving PEG + Asc compared to 38% and 51% (P = 0.01) of patients receiving PEG + Bis. More adenomas were detected in colonoscopies performed with PEG + Asc (39%) than in those performed with PEG + Bis (20%) (P = 0.04). Patient tolerability and safety were similar with both preparations.

Conclusion  The use of PEG + Asc resulted in better colon cleansing and higher adenoma detection rates compared with PEG + Bis.
Tanespimycin with bortezomib: activity in relapsed/refractory patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Richardson Paul G. , Badros Ashraf Z. , Jagannath Sundar , Tarantolo Stefano , Wolf Jeffrey L. , Albitar Maher , Berman David , Messina Marianne , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: July 2010

Tanespimycin (17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin, 17‐AAG) disrupts heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a key molecular chaperone for signal transduction proteins critical to myeloma growth, survival and drug resistance. In previous studies, tanespimycin monotherapy was well tolerated and active in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Preclinical data have shown antitumour synergy between tanespimycin and bortezomib, with more pronounced intracellular accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins than either drug alone, an effect attributed to the synergistic suppression of chymotryptic activity in the 20S proteasome. HSP70 induction has been observed in all Phase 1 tanespimycin studies in which it has been measured, with several separate reports of HSP70 overexpression protecting against peripheral nerve injury. In this Phase 2, open‐label multicentre study, we compared 1·3 mg/m2 bortezomib + three doses of tanespimycin: 50, 175 and 340 mg/m2 in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed and refractory MM and measured HSP70 expression and proteasome activity levels in plasma of treated patients. The study was closed prematurely for resource‐based reasons, precluding dose comparison. Nonetheless, antitumour activity was observed, with promising response rates and promising severity of peripheral neuropathy.
Quantifying phenological plasticity to temperature in two temperate tree species
Authors: Vitasse Yann , Bresson Caroline C. , Kremer Antoine , Michalet Richard , Delzon Sylvain
Published: July 2010

1. Phenotypic plasticity allows large shifts in the timing of phenology within one single generation and drives phenotypic variability under environmental changes, thus it will enhance the inherent adaptive capacities of plants against future changes of climate.

2. Using five common gardens set along an altitudinal gradient (100–1600 m asl.), we experimentally examined the phenotypic plasticity of leaf phenology in response to temperature increase for two temperate tree species (Fagus sylvatica and Quercus petraea). We used seedlings from three populations of each species inhabiting different altitudes (400, 800 and 1200 m asl.). Leaf unfolding in spring and leaf senescence in autumn were monitored on seedlings for 2 years.

3. Overall, a high phenological plasticity was found for both species. The reaction norms of leaf unfolding date to temperature linearly accelerated for both species with an average shift of −5·7 days per degree increase. Timing of leaf senescence exhibited hyperbolic trends for beech due to earlier senescence at the lowest elevation garden and no or slight trends for oak. There was no difference in the magnitude of phenological plasticity among populations from different elevations. For both species, the growing season length increased to reach maximum values at about 10–13 °C of annual temperature according to the population.

4. Since the magnitude of phenological plasticity is high for all the tested populations, they are likely to respond immediately to temperature variations in terms of leaf phenology. Consequently the mid‐ to high‐elevation populations are likely to experience a longer growing season with climate warming. The results suggest that climate warming could lengthen the growing season of all populations over the altitudinal gradient, although the low‐elevation populations, especially of beech, may experience accelerated senescence and shorter growing season due to drought and other climate changes associated with warming.
Sentence imitation by adolescents and young adults with Down's syndrome and other intellectual disabilities
Authors: Marcell M. M. , Ridgeway M. M. , Sewell D. H. , Whelan M. L.
Published: July 2010

Sentence imitation performance was evaluated longitudinally in 26 adolescents and young adults with Down's syndrome (DS), and 26 age‐ and IQ‐matched non‐DS individuals with other causes of intellectual disability (ID). In each of three annual assessments, the DS group began sentence repetitions more slowly and imitated sentences less accurately than the ID group. DS sentence repetition accuracy was equivalent to the ID group only for two‐word sentences and was poorer for every other sentence length. Comparisons of sentence imitation and auditory digit span scores suggested that only ID subjects benefitted from the additional meaning and structure provided by sentences. Correlational analyses performed between each year's sentence imitation score and a set of language, memory and hearing measures revealed that sentence imitation was related to grammatical comprehension, auditory short‐term memory and IQ in both groups, and to expressive language ability, speed of spoken word processing, speech discrimination and acoustic reflexes in the DS group only. A significant relationship between sentence imitation and middle‐ear functioning was further supported by a categorical analysis in which DS subjects with bilateral abnormal tympanograms tended to perform more poorly on sentence imitation tasks than DS subjects with at least one normal tympanogram. It was concluded that sentence imitation is a task that is sensitive to the auditory‐perceptual, cognitive and expressive difficulties evidenced by individuals with DS.
Personality profiles of youngsters with Prader‐Willi syndrome and youngsters attending regular schools
Authors: Curfs L. M. G. , Hoondert V. , van Lieshout C. F. M. , Fryns J.‐P.
Published: July 2010

For the study of the personality profile of youngsters with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS), a PWS group was compared with a matched group of youngsters attending regular school. The PWS group consisted of 28 youngsters (12 males and i6 females; mean age 11 years, 11 months). These youngsters were matched on gender and age level with 28 youngsters out of a group of 333 youngsters in regular school. Behaviour and personality characteristics of each youngster in both groups were described by both parents, using a Dutch version of the California Child Q‐set (CCQ; Block & Block 1980). The present authors compared the scores of both groups on eight personality dimensions, derived from the aggregated CCQ‐descriptions for fathers and mothers. The personality dimensions were Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Openness, Motor Activity, Irritability and Dependency. The authors investigated further individual differences of PWS youngsters on the same eight CCQ personality dimensions, considering gender and age level as well as IQ level and the presence or absence of a I5qii‐qi3 deletion. The personality profile of PWS youngsters was markedly different from youngsters in regular school. Some personality characteristics were related to gender and IQ. The lower level of physical activity in PWS girls without 15911–913 deletion needs further study.
Norfloxacin‐induced DNA gyrase cleavage complexes block Escherichia coli replication forks, causing double‐stranded breaks in vivo
Authors: Pohlhaus Jennifer Reineke , Kreuzer Kenneth N.
Published: July 2010

Antibacterial quinolones inhibit type II DNA topoisomerases by stabilizing covalent topoisomerase‐DNA cleavage complexes, which are apparently transformed into double‐stranded breaks by cellular processes such as replication. We used plasmid pBR322 and two‐dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis to examine the collision of replication forks with quinolone‐induced gyrase‐DNA cleavage complexes in Escherichia coli. Restriction endonuclease‐digested DNA exhibited a bubble arc with discrete spots, indicating that replication forks had been stalled. The most prominent spot depended upon the strong gyrase binding site of pBR322, providing direct evidence that quinolone‐induced cleavage complexes block bacterial replication forks in vivo. We differentiated between stalled forks that do or do not contain bound cleavage complex by extracting DNA under different conditions. Resealing conditions allow gyrase to efficiently reseal the transient breaks within cleavage complexes, while cleavage conditions cause the latent breaks to be revealed. These experiments showed that some stalled forks did not contain a cleavage complex, implying that gyrase had dissociated in vivo and yet the fork had not restarted at the time of DNA isolation. Additionally, some branched plasmid DNA isolated under resealing conditions nonetheless contained broken DNA ends. We discuss a model for the creation of double‐stranded breaks by an indirect mechanism after quinolone treatment.
Impact of the bacterial type I cytochrome c maturation system on different biological processes
Authors: Cianciotto Nicholas P. , Cornelis Pierre , Baysse Christine
Published: July 2010

In the α‐, β‐ and γ‐Proteobacteria, the so‐called cytochrome c maturation (Ccm) system is known to promote the covalent attachment of the haem to periplasmic apocytochrome c. However, in species of Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Paracoccus and Legionella, mutations in ccm genes result in phenotypes that cannot be readily explained by the simple loss of a c‐type cytochrome. These phenotypes include loss of siderophore production and utilization, reduced abilities to grow in low‐iron conditions and in mammalian and protozoan host cells, and alterations in copper sensitivity and manganese oxidation. These various data suggest that Ccm proteins may perform one or more functions in addition to Ccm, which are critical for bacterial physiology and growth. Novel hypotheses that should be explored include the utilization of Ccm‐associated haem for processes besides attachment to apocytochrome c, the export of a non‐haem compound through the Ccm system, and the negative effects of protoporphyrin IX accumulation.
Recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis Expressing an ESAT6‐CFP10 Fusion Protein Induces Anti‐Mycobacterial Immune Responses and Protects Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Challenge in Mice
Authors: Zhang H. , Peng P. , Miao S. , Zhao Y. , Mao F. , Wang L. , Bai Y. , Xu Z. , Wei S. , Shi C.
Published: July 2010

The currently used vaccine against tuberculosis, Bacille Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), has variable efficacy, so new vaccine development is crucial. In this study, we evaluated a recombinant vaccine prepared from non‐pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis (rMS) that expresses a fusion of early secreted antigenic target 6‐kDa antigen (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10). C57BL/6 mice were immunized with the rMS expressing the ESAT6‐CFP10 fusion protein (rM.S‐e6c10) or with BCG. The mice in the rM.S‐e6c10 group had a significantly higher titre of anti‐ESAT6‐CFP10 antibodies than did animals in the BCG or saline groups. Spleen cells from rM.S‐e6c10‐immunized mice exhibited a cytotoxic response to ESAT6 and CFP10‐expressed target cells, but spleen cells from animals in the other groups did not. Levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐2 production by purified T cells from spleens were significantly higher in rM.S‐e6c10 group than in BCG group. Finally, after M. tuberculosis (MTB)‐challenged mice, dramatic reduction in the numbers of MTB colony‐forming units (CFUs) in the lungs was observed for the mice immunized with the rMS. The protective efficacy of rM.S‐e6c10 and BCG vaccination was similar based on measures of MTB burden and lung pathology. Our data indicate that the recombinant M. smegmatis vaccine expressing the ESAT6‐CFP10 fusion protein has potential in clinic application.
Variance‐Sensitive Green Woodhoopoes: A New Explanation for Sex Differences in Foraging?
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Radford Andrew N.
Published: July 2010

Studies of cooperatively breeding birds rarely benefit from the extensive research on adaptive foraging behaviour, despite the potential for concepts such as state‐dependent foraging to explain many aspects of behaviour in social groups. For example, sex differences in preferred foraging techniques used by green woodhoopoes, Phoeniculus purpureus, have previously been explained by sexual dimorphism in bill length and the benefits afforded by foraging specialization and niche differentiation within cooperative groups. Contrary to this argument, there were no sex differences in mean foraging success and/or prey size captured when males and females used the same foraging techniques. Subordinates of both sexes did experience lower and more varied foraging success compared with dominants, but probably only as a consequence of competition or inexperience. However, dominant males experienced greater variance in individual foraging success compared with dominant females, and dominant males also experienced greater variances in prey size when using their preferred foraging techniques. Dominant males therefore appeared to specialize in foraging techniques that provided more variable rewards, whilst dominant females consistently chose to minimize variation in reward. Dominant females also experienced less variance in foraging returns when using the same techniques as males, suggesting a possible link with sexual dimorphism in bill length. Partitioning of foraging niches in dominant green woodhoopoes therefore appears to be better explained by sex differences in variance (risk) sensitivity to foraging rewards. We suggest that this kind of detailed analysis of state‐dependent foraging has the potential to explain many of the crucial age and sex differences in behaviour within cooperative groups.
Expression of chick Coactosin in cells in morphogenetic movement
Authors: Hou Xubin , Katahira Tatsuya , Kimura Jun , Nakamura Harukazu
Published: July 2010

Coactosin is a 17 kDa actin binding protein that belongs to the actin depolymerizing factor/cofilin homology family. Coactosin inhibits barbed‐end capping of actin filament, and is involved in actin polymerization. Coactosin is expressed in cephalic and trunk neural crest cells, cranial ganglia and dorsal root ganglia. Coactosin is also expressed in the cells that are forming mesonephric duct, and endodermal cells. Immunocytochemistry with anti‐Coactosin antibody shows that Coactosin is localized in the cytoplasm, and associated with actin stress fibers in cultured neural crest cells. Coactosin is also expressed in the axon of oculomotor nerve and trigeminal nerve. In the growth cone of the oculomotor nerve axons, both Coactosin mRNA and protein were localized, which is indicative of the role of Coactosin in pathfinding of the growth cone. Coactosin is expressed in those that require dynamic and highly coordinated regulation of actin cytoskeleton, that is, neural crest cells, cells in the tip of the mesonephros, endodermal cells and axons.
PERSONALITY BIASES OF ACCOUNTING STUDENTS: SOME IMPLICATIONS FOR LEARNING STYLE PREFERENCES
Authors: Booth Peter , Winzar Hume
Published: July 2010

This paper reviews the evidence of a Myers‐Briggs personality type bias for accounting students, A survey of a sample of accounting majors in three Australian universities supports the overseas evidence that there appears to be a strong tendency for accounting students to have common preferences on three of the four Myers‐Briggs dimensions. The findings of this research suggest that while significant diversity is still evident, there is a bias in the Myers‐Briggs personality profiles of accounting students towards preferences for sensation over intuition, thinking over feeling, and judgment over perception. Research in psychology and education has shown that different Myers‐Briggs personality preferences are associated with significant differences in how people prefer to learn, and the types of learning experiences under which they perform best, that is personality types are associated with distinct learning styles. These outcomes suggest that accounting educators should cater to the variety of personality types among their students by adopting a diversified teaching approach. Such an approach should provide a balance of learning experiences and teaching strategies by attempting to challenge the weaknesses of the personality bias of accounting students in the intuition, feeling and perception areas, and building upon their strengths in the sensation, thinking and judgment areas.
INSTITUTIONS AND PERFORMANCE IN EUROPEAN LABOUR MARKETS: TAKING A FRESH LOOK AT EVIDENCE
Authors: Arpaia Alfonso , Mourre Gilles
Published: July 2010

Abstract This paper presents a selective survey of the recent literature on labour market institutions and offers new empirical EU‐based evidence on the impact of labour market reforms on employment and labour market adjustment. Although the literature traditionally treats labour market institutions as exogenous, attention shifted recently towards understanding the underlying causes of specific institutional arrangements. As a consequence, the literature highlights the great importance of an efficient policy design exploiting these interactions wisely and identifies general principles for achieving an efficient policy design at both macro and micro levels. Although empirical evidence does not show a major change in terms of intensity of labour market reform after the setting of the Economic and Monetary Union and the creation of the euro, the reforms aiming at strengthening the labour market attachment of vulnerable groups tend to have been successful both in raising their employment and increasing labour market adjustment.
Energy availability from livestock and agricultural productivity in Europe, 1815–1913: a new comparison
Authors: KANDER ASTRID , WARDE PAUL
Published: July 2010

This article explores the proposition that a reason for high agricultural productivity in the early nineteenth century was relatively high energy availability from draught animals. The article is based on the collection of extensive new data indicating different trends in draught power availability and the efficiency of its use in different countries of Europe. This article shows that the proposition does not hold, and demonstrates that, although towards the end of the nineteenth century England had relatively high numbers of draught animals per agricultural worker, it also had low number of workers and animals per hectare, indicating the high efficiency of muscle power, rather than an abundance of such power. The higher efficiency was related to a specialization on less labour‐intensive farming and a preference for horses over oxen.
Gender comparison of psychological reaction after miscarriage—a 1‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Kong GWS , Chung TKH , Lai BPY , Lok IH
Published: July 2010

Please cite this paper as: Kong G, Chung T, Lai B, Lok I. Gender comparison of psychological reaction after miscarriage—a 1‐year longitudinal study. BJOG 2010;117:1211–1219.

Objective  To explore men’s psychological reaction and its evolutionary course over 1 year after miscarriage, to compare this reaction with that of their female partners and to investigate the possible correlation of psychological states between partners.

Design  Prospective 1‐year longitudinal observational study.

Setting  A university‐affiliated tertiary referral hospital in Hong Kong.

Sample  Eighty‐three miscarrying couples.

Methods  The psychological reactions of miscarrying women and their male partners were assessed immediately and at 3, 6 and 12 months after miscarriage.

Main outcome measures  Psychological outcomes were assessed using the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results  A substantial proportion of men (43.4%) scored high in GHQ‐12 and 16.9% scored high in BDI immediately after miscarriage. In men, both psychometric scores decreased sharply within the first 3 months and reached a plateau. When compared with women, men scored significantly lower in GHQ‐12 and BDI during the 1‐year course after miscarriage. A planned pregnancy was a significant risk factor (P = 0.008) associated with an initial high BDI score in men. There was a significant positive correlation between couples in both GHQ‐12 and BDI scores throughout the longitudinal course.

Conclusions  Although the psychological impact of miscarriage on men was less enduring when compared with that on women, a significant proportion of men demonstrated psychological distress after miscarriage. The significant positive correlation in a couple’s psychological reaction indicated that psychological morbidity was not confined only to a woman’s own experience, but also affected her relationship with her male partner.
BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH: Nestedness for different reasons: the distributions of birds, lizards and small mammals on islands of an inundated lake
Authors: Wang Yanping , Bao Yixin , Yu Mingjian , Xu Gaofu , Ding Ping
Published: July 2010

Aim We examined whether the community compositions of birds, lizards and small mammals were nested in a fragmented landscape in the Thousand Island Lake, China. We also assessed whether the mechanisms influencing nestedness differed among these taxonomic groups.

Location Thousand Island Lake, China.

Methods Presence/absence matrices were compiled for birds (42 islands) and lizards (42 islands) using line‐transect methods, and for small mammals (14 islands) using live‐trapping methods from 2006 to 2009. Nestedness was analysed using BINMATNEST, and statistical significance was assessed using the conservative null model 3. We used Spearman rank correlations and partial Spearman rank correlations to examine associations of nestedness and habitat variables (area, isolation, habitat diversity and plant richness) as well as life‐history traits (body size, habitat specificity, geographical range size and area requirement) related to species extinction and immigration tendencies.

Results The community compositions of birds, lizards and small mammals were all significantly nested, but the causal factors underlying nestedness differed among taxonomic groups. For birds, island area, habitat specificity and area requirement were significantly correlated with nestedness after controlling for other independent variables. For lizards, habitat heterogeneity was the single best correlate of nestedness. For small mammals, island area, habitat heterogeneity and habitat specificity were significantly correlated with nestedness. The nested patterns of birds, lizards and small mammals were not attributable to passive sampling or selective colonization.

Main conclusions The processes influencing nested patterns differed among taxonomic groups. Nestedness of bird assemblages was driven by selective extinction, and lizard assemblage was caused by habitat nestedness, while nestedness of small mammals resulted from both selective extinction and habitat nestedness. Therefore, we should take taxonomic differences into account when analysing nestedness to develop conservation guidelines and refrain from using single taxa as surrogates for others.
Biotransformation of diazepam in a clinically relevant flat membrane bioreactor model using primary porcine hepatocytes
Authors: Maringka Michael , Giri Shibashish , Nieber Karen , Acikgöz Ali , Bader Augustinus
Published: July 2010

In vitro biotransformation of drug using commercial culture medium with serum may not be the ideal culture medium for clinical application in extracorporeal bioartificial liver support (BAL) systems. In these systems, patient’s blood or plasma is plumbed to primary hepatocytes within a seeded bioreactor, creating interaction between plasma and seeded hepatocytes. To address this situation, we investigated the biotransformation potential of diazepam in primary porcine hepatocytes with a flat membrane bioreactor (FMB); we used human plasma exposure and serum‐free media in organotypical double gel culture model for long‐term culture. We investigated diazepam clearance and all major metabolites of diazepam, such as oxazepam, temazepam, and desmethyldiazepam, in conventional single gel and organotypical sandwich models and compared them to the FMB model. Diazepam elimination was higher in double gel cultures with exposure to both SF 3 medium conditions and plasma, when compared to the single gel model in a Petri dish. It was observed that in the FMB, diazepam elimination was stable at about 3 pg/h/cell in plasma and SF 3 exposure. Oxazepam synthesis in the bioreactor was approximately one quarter less than in the Petri dish, but there were no differences between N‐desmethyldiazepam and temazepam synthesis in double gel culture. In the flat membrane bioreactor, there was no decrease in the biotransformation of diazepam in plasma exposure compared with the control group. Our results suggest that this plasma exposure bioreactor may offer a useful approach in clinical use of extracorporeal BAL, as well as for drug metabolite investigation into toxicological research.
Hormonal and pharmacological modification of plasma potassium homeostasis
Authors: Clausen Torben
Published: July 2010

Human skeletal muscles contain the largest single pool of K+in the body (2600 mmol, 46 times the total K+content of the extracellular space). Intense exercise may double arterial plasma K+in one min. This is because of excitation‐induced release of K+from the working muscle cells via K+channels. This hyperkalemia is rapidly corrected by reaccumulation of K+into the muscle cells via Na+,K+pumps, often leading to hypokalemia. Hyperkalemia may also arise from muscle cell damage, excessive oral or intravenous administration of K+, acidosis, renal failure, depolarization of muscle cells with succinyl choline, activation of K+channels by fluoride poisoning, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, malignant hyperthermia, inhibition of the Na+,K+pumps by digitalis glycosides or treatment with nonselective beta blockers. Hyperkalemia may cause arrhythmia and can be treated with beta2agonists, insulin or hemodialysis. Hypokalemia may be induced by the stimulation of the Na+,K+pumps in skeletal muscles seen postexercise, or by catecholamines, beta2agonists, pheochromocytoma, theophylline, caffeine or insulin, by sepsis, myocardial infarction, trauma, burns and heart failure. Rare causes are hypokalemic periodic paralysis, inhibition of K+channels by barium, chloroquine or barbiturates. Hypokalemia often reflects dietary K+deficiency, alkalosis, renal or gastrointestinal loss of K+. Hypokalemia is more likely to cause arrhythmia than hyperkalemia and can be treated by oral or intravenous administration of K+under frequent control of electrocardiogram and plasma K+. Because of their size and high contents of K+, Na+,K+pumps and K+channels, the skeletal muscles play a central role in the acute, from min‐to‐min ongoing regulation of plasma K+. This is decisive for the maintenance of muscle contractility and heart function.
The migration of mitochondrial DNA fragments to the nucleus affects the chronological aging process of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cheng Xin , Ivessa Andreas S.
Published: July 2010

Migration of fragmented mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to the nucleus has been shown to occur in multiple species including yeast, plants, and mammals. Several human diseases, including Pallister–Hall syndrome and mucolipidosis, can be initiated by mtDNA insertion mutagenesis of nuclear DNA. In yeast, we demonstrated that the rate of mtDNA fragments translocating to the nucleus increases during chronological aging. The yeast chronological lifespan (CLS) is determined by the survival of nondividing cell populations. Whereas yeast strains with elevated migration rates of mtDNA fragments to the nucleus showed accelerated chronological aging, strains with decreased mtDNA transfer rates to the nucleus exhibited an extended CLS. Although one of the most popular theories of aging is the free radical theory, migration of mtDNA fragments to the nucleus may also contribute to the chronological aging process by possibly increasing nuclear genomic instability in cells with advanced age.
Assessment of in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the liver: a review
Authors: Fischbach Frank , Bruhn Harald
Published: July 2010

With increased availability of magnetic resonance (MR) systems at ultra‐high field strength for clinical studies, other organs besides the brain have received renewed consideration for MR spectroscopy (MRS). Because signal‐to‐noise ratio and chemical shift increase proportional to the static magnetic field, a concomitant increase in signal intensity and spectral resolution of metabolite resonances can be exploited. Improved resolution of adjacent metabolite peaks would not only provide for more accuracy of metabolite identification but also metabolite quantification. While the superiority of high‐field imaging and spectroscopy has already been demonstrated clearly in the brain, this article reviewed issues around 1H MRS of the liver. These include optimization strategies such as coil technology, minimizing of motion artefacts using breath‐holding and postprocessing of the spectra. Moreover, we reviewed the pertinent experience hitherto reported in the literature on potential clinical issues where liver MRS may be useful. These included determination and characterization of liver fat content, liver tumours and focal lesions. While these applications have been used experimentally, liver MRS does not yet have a clearly defined role in the clinical management of any disease state. Accordingly, it remains primarily a research modality to date.