bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of Ag3SbO4
Authors: Klein Wilhelm , Jansen Martin 
Published: March 2010

AbstractFrom solid state reactions of Ag2O and Sb2O3 at high temperatures under elevated oxygen pressures a new silver antimonate, Ag3SbO4, has been obtained. The crystal structure of Ag3SbO4 was determined from powder data (P4122 (no. 91) with a = 7.0436(1), c = 8.8665(1) Å, V = 439.88(2) Å3, Z = 4, Rp = 8,75 %, Rwp = 11.92 %, Rexp = 13.60 % ). Ag3SbO4 is isostructural to Ag3RuO4. The crystal structure is an ordered variant of the NaCl structure and consists of silver atoms and helical chains of edge sharing SbO6 octahedra running along c. Ag3SbO4 is diamagnetic and semiconducting (ρ = 50 Ω·cm at ambient temperature, Ea = 0.098 eV), and starts to decompose at 620 °C.
Auswirkungen des demographischen Wandels auf Umwelt- und Naturschutz
Authors: Heiland Stefan , Regener Maren , Stutzriemer Sylke 
Published: March 2010

A detailed study of available literature within a scientific research project revealed that neither in science nor in practice a discussion evolved concerning the impact of demographic changes on environmental and nature conservation issues to date. This is exacerbated by the fact that demographic change is only one factor amongst others that affects environment and nature. Therefore, no direct causal connection between demographic changes and the environmental condition can be drawn.
Nevertheless, an impact of the demographic changes on environmental and nature conservation issues can yet be expected for the future. In order to evaluate the chances and risks for environment and nature and to respond appropriately to them it is important to integrate environmental and nature conservation issues into today's scientific, planning and political discussion on this topic.
Anorectal Functional Results After Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery in Benign and Early Malignant Tumors
Authors: Jin Zhiming , Yin Lu , Xue Lijun , Lin Moubin , Zheng Qi 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundTransanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has been suggested as a minimally invasive procedure of low morbidity for rectal villous adenomas and early anorectal adenocarcinomas. It has been used clinically in many areas outside of China for more than 20 years, but it began in mainland China only about 2 years ago. Some articles have reported excellent results with regard to morbidity and relapse rate with TEM, but there are no studies addressing its functional results in China until now. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of TEM on the manometric results.MethodsThirty‐seven patients (16 females, 21 males) underwent TEM and were followed for more than 6 months. Anorectal manometry and an incontinence questionnaire were administered 1 week preoperatively, 2 weeks postoperatively, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.ResultsOf the 37 patients, 24 had villous adenomas and 13 had adenocarcinomas (11 uT1 and 2 uT2). Anorectal manometric values showed the mean anal resting pressure (ARP) decrease from 45 ± 6 mmHg to 29 ± 4 mmHg (p < 0.05) and the maximum tolerable volume (MTV) decrease from 175 ± 21 ml to 90 ± 15 ml (p < 0.05) at the third month after TEM. Maximal squeeze pressure (MSP) decreased from 181 ± 20 mmHg to 92 ± 14 mmHg (p < 0.05) at second week after operation and returned to normal value by the third postoperative month. The ARP and MTV were 45 ± 5 mmHg and 177 ± 21 ml, respectively, at 6 months after TEM, near the normal value (p > 0.05). Rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was absent preoperatively in two patients; it was also absent in 10 patients 3 months postoperatively and in three patients 6 months postoperatively. Endosonography demonstrated internal anal sphincter (IAS) rupture in five patients, and full integrity of the external anal sphincter (EAS) in all patients. Of the five patients with IAS rupture, four had temporary incontinence to flatus normalized up to three postoperative months. Most patients had more times of stools per day and relative higher Wexner scores in a short period after TEM. All these patients were followed for 6–20 months with no incidence of relapse.ConclusionsAnorectal function was preserved well after TEM, although some anorectal manometric parameters changed over time. Thus TEM is safe, in terms of anorectal function, for the cure of benign and early malignant tumors of the rectum.
Exercise and Zoledronic Acid on Lipid Profile and Bone Remodeling in Ovariectomized Rats: a Paradoxical Negative Association?
Authors: Lespessailles E. , Jaffré C. , Rochefort G. Y. , Dolléans E. , Benhamou C. L. , Courteix D. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractExercise (EXE) and amino‐bisphosphonates (BP) are both considered as useful strategies in the prevention of post‐menopausal bone loss. Exercise reduces lipid levels, and BP may induce increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). We hypothesized that combined effects of BP and exercise would produce a better improvement of lipid profile. We studied the specific and combined effects of zoledronic acid (Z) and EXE on lipid profile and bone remodeling in mature ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Six‐month old female rats were randomly assigned to either a sham‐ovx group (n = 12) or one of four OVX groups (n = 12): vehicle‐treated sedentary (OVX); OVX + EXE (OVX‐E, running on a treadmill for 12 weeks); OVX + Z (20 μg/kg, i.v.), (OVX‐Z); OVX + Z+EXE (OVX‐ZE). Total cholesterol (TC), HDL‐C and bone remodeling markers were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. We demonstrated that both Z and EXE prevented the increase in bone resorption resulting from OVX, and individually improved the atherosclerotic risk index. Therapy with Z resulted in significant increase (39.00 ± 0.03 vs. 53.6 ± 0.01 mg/dl; +37.4%, P < 0.05) in serum concentration of HDL‐C and a non significant decrease in TC (135.30 ± 0.03 vs. 144.80 ± 0.05 mg/dl; −5.8%) in the OVX‐Z group compared to the OVX group. Post‐menopausal women have elevated risk of CVD and bone resorption, hence, these data ultimately demonstrate (except for the elevated ratio in the combined group) that exercise and zoledronic acid are useful in minimizing the impact of these two processes in women and the combination of the two may be clinically relevant.
Pitavastatin Reduces Lectin‐Like Oxidized Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1 Ligands in Hypercholesterolemic Humans
Authors: Matsumoto Tetsuya , Fujita Masatoshi , Sawamura Tatsuya , Kakino Akemi , Sato Yuko , Fujita Yoshiko , Matsuda Haruo , Nakanishi Mamoru , Uchida Kagehiro , Nakae Izuru , Kanda Hiroshi , Yoshida Akira , Miwa Kunihisa , Hayashi Hideki , Mitsunami Kenichi , Horie Minoru 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of pitavastatin on low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and lectin‐like oxidized LDL receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Twenty‐five hypercholesterolemic patients (8 male, 17 female; age 66 ± 13, 21–80 years) who had not received anti‐dyslipidemic agents and had LDL‐C levels of more than 160 mg/dL were examined. Biochemical factors were measured at baseline and after treatment with pitavastatin (2 mg/day) for 6 months. Serum levels of LOX‐1 with apolipoprotein B‐100 particle ligand and a soluble form of LOX‐1 (sLOX‐1) were measured by ELISA. All subjects completed the study with no adverse side effects. Total‐C (268 ± 26 vs. 176 ± 17 mg/dL), LDL‐C (182 ± 21 vs. 96 ± 14 mg/dL), and LOX‐1 ligand (867 ± 452 vs. 435 ± 262 ng/mL) were reduced with pitavastatin treatment (P < 0.0001 for each). Significant decreases in triacylglycerols were noted (P < 0.0001), but there were no changes in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. After 6 months, there were no significant changes in high‐sensitivity CRP or soluble LOX‐1. At baseline, there were no significant correlations between LOX‐1 ligand and either LDL‐C or sLOX‐1. The decrease in LOX‐1 ligand was not correlated with the decrease in LDL‐C, but was correlated with the decrease in sLOX‐1 (r = 0.47, P < 0.05). In conclusion, pitavastatin therapy had beneficial effects on markers of oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Serum levels of LOX‐1 ligand may be a useful biomarker of the pleiotropic effects of statins.
Rapid Determination of Volatile Compounds in Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. by MAE–HS‐SPME Followed by GC–MS
Authors: Yang Zai‐bo , Mao Hai‐li , Kang Wen‐yi , Zou Hong‐tao , Sun Cheng‐bin , Guo Zhi‐you 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMicrowave‐assisted extraction (MAE) and headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was developed for the rapid determination of the volatile chemical compositions of Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. The experimental parameters of the MAE–HS‐SPME were optimized by orthogonal experimental design. The results indicated that the optimal experimental parameters for determination of the volatile constituents of Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. were: sample weight 2.0 g, microwave power of 400 W and irradiation time of 3.0 min. Employing these conditions, 106 volatile constituents in the dry stems and 103 volatile constituents in the dry leaves of Gymnotheca involucrata Pei. were separated and identified, amounting to 93.58 and 98.53% of the total peak areas, respectively. The major components found in the oil extracted from the stems and leaves were nerolidol (16.57, 17.50%), sabinene (3.35, 3.65%), cis, cis, cis‐1,1,4,8‐tetramethyl‐4,7,10‐cycloundecatriene (4.64, 5.03%), α‐copaene‐8‐ol (6.01, 6.33%) and phytol (2.92, 3.03%), respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values of <9.0% showed that the MAE–HS‐SPME method followed by GC–MS has good precision. The experimental results demonstrated that this solvent‐free method is simple, time‐efficient, and is a potentially suitable analytical tool for the determination of volatile compounds from vegetative and other materials.
Characterization of pseudorabies virus of wild boar origin from Europe
Authors: MÜLLER T. , KLUPP B. G. , FREULING C. , HOFFMANN B. , MOJCICZ M. , CAPUA I. , PALFI V. , TOMA B. , LUTZ W. , RUIZ-FON F. , GORTÁRZAR C. , HLINAK A. , SCHAARSCHMIDT U. , ZIMMER K. , CONRATHS F. J. , HAHN E. C. , METTENLEITER T. C. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYPseudorabies virus (PrV) infections appear to be more widely distributed in the European wild boar (Sus scrofa) population than assumed. In Europe, attempts to isolate and characterize the causative agents have been limited so far. We therefore collected and examined a total of 35 PrV isolates obtained from wild boar or hunting dogs in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Slovakia and Hungary between 1993 and 2008. Restriction enzyme analysis of genomic DNA usingBamHI showed that all isolates, except one, belonged to genogroup I but different subtypes were evident. For further investigations of the phylogenetic relationships, a 732-bp fragment of the glycoprotein C (gC) gene was amplified by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed about 40 variant positions within this fragment. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences supported the separation into a clade containing isolates from North-Rhine Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany), France and Spain (clade B) and an apparently more variable clade comprising isolates from Brandenburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), Slovakia, Hungary, Italy and France (clade A).
Household Food Expenditures, Parental Time Allocation, and Childhood Overweight: An Integrated Two‐Stage Collective Model with an Empirical Application and Test
Authors: You Wen , Davis George C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis article develops a two‐stage collective household production model for household food expenditures, parental time allocation, and childhood overweight. The model fills four gaps in the literature: (i) the “black box” treatment of intrahousehold decision making, (ii) exclusion of the child's decision input, (iii) exclusion of noneconomic variables, and (iv) absence of theory‐supported instrument identification. The traditional unitary household production model with children is a special case of the model developed. Using a unique data set, the unitary model is rejected. There are important differences in the policy implications to be drawn from both models based on the data set used.
Enhancement of corrosion protection of micro‐arc oxidation by applying nanostructured TiO2 thin film via the “sol‐gel” method
Authors: Aliofkhazraei M. , Sabour Rouhaghdam A. , Laleh M. , Shanaghi A. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeUniform nanostructured TiO2 thin film has been applied as an over coat on micro‐arc oxidized substrate, using the sol‐gel method. The anticorrosion performance of the coating have been evaluated using electrochemical techniques. Owing to increasing application of light alloys in industry, the purpose of this paper is to report effort to increase the corrosion and wear resistance properties of these alloys by applying a TiO2 nanostructured coating using the sol‐gel method on the micro‐arc oxidation (MAO) surface. This approach will decrease the time for the MAO process, especially for achieving good mechanical properties, and will minimize energy consumption as well as achieving better results from the obtained coatings.Design/methodology/approachSol‐gel coatings were deposited (on titanium substrates) by spin coating techniques. The morphologies and nanostructures of thin films were analyzed using scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The anticorrosion performance of the coating has been evaluated by using electrochemical techniques. Tafel polarization measurements provide an explanation for the increased resistance of nanostructured TiO2 coated specimen against corrosion. Effective sol‐gel coating parameters were optimized with respect to this enhancement. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed the role of barrier layer on corrosion resistance of MAO and nanostructured TiO2 coating.FindingsThe results showed that icorr is decreased from 0.258 to 0.169 (μA/cm2). An optimized TiO2 nanostructured coating with thickness of 74 nm will shift the open circuit potential (OCP) about 165 mV and will improve the corrosion prevention properties of coated samples. Corrosion resistance by these duplex coatings can be improved by a factor of more than three times, compared to that of the uncoated substrate. Increasing the coating thickness to more than 74 nm will decrease the physical and corrosion properties of coated samples. It can be concluded that samples with the optimized coating showed higher values of charge transfer resistance, due to the presence of a newly formed layer that accounted for the greater corrosion protection.Practical implicationsThe results obtained in this research into nanostructured coating can be used wherever good corrosion and wear resistances are required.Originality/valueThe speed of treatment by this technique makes this method very suitable for industrial surface treatment of different components.
Exploring young children's web searching and technoliteracy
Authors: Spink Amanda , Danby Susan , Mallan Kerry , Butler Carly 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to report findings from an exploratory study investigating the web interactions and technoliteracy of children in the early childhood years. Previous research has studied aspects of older children's technoliteracy and web searching; however, few studies have analyzed web search data from children younger than six years of age.Design/methodology/approachThe study explored the Google web searching and technoliteracy of young children who are enrolled in a “preparatory classroom” or kindergarten (the year before young children begin compulsory schooling in Queensland, Australia). Young children were video‐ and audio‐taped while conducting Google web searches in the classroom. The data were qualitatively analysed to understand the young children's web search behaviour.FindingsThe findings show that young children engage in complex web searches, including keyword searching and browsing, query formulation and reformulation, relevance judgments, successive searches, information multitasking and collaborative behaviours. The study results provide significant initial insights into young children's web searching and technoliteracy.Practical implicationsThe use of web search engines by young children is an important research area with implications for educators and web technologies developers.Originality/valueThis is the first study of young children's interaction with a web search engine.
A preservation framework for Chinese ancient books
Authors: Li Mingjie , Niu Jinfang 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a theoretical guide for preserving ancient books in China.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the history of the damage and preservation of ancient books in China, and analyzes the value attributes of ancient books: archaeological value, historical value and artistic value.FindingsThe paper proposes a preservation framework for Chinese ancient books. This framework is composed of three layers. The foundation layer is to preserve the physical entity of ancient books so that the archaeological values are preserved. The middle layer is to preserve the intellectual content of ancient books so that the values for historical research are preserved. The top layer is mainly about preserving the productions process of the artistic format of ancient books, so that not only the static artistic formats are preserved, the techniques and procedures to produce the artistic format are preserved as well.Originality/valueThe paper presents a framework that connects the value attributes of ancient books and the strategies to preserve those values, systematizes them and presents them as a whole. The framework can be used to justify government policies and help identify pitfalls in the preservation strategies for ancient books.
Design for form postponement: do not overlook organization design
Authors: Trentin Alessio , Forza Cipriano 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a theory of the organizational changes related to the production‐planning process that facilitate application of form postponement (FP), an increasingly popular operations‐design principle meant to alleviate the negative impact of product variety and customization on operational performance.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the theory‐building objective, a multiple‐case study involving four cases in the machinery industry was designed. In the inductive theory‐building process, the authors borrowed from the information‐processing theory to further corroborate the internal validity and generalizability of the findings.FindingsThe theory proposed by the author indicates that greater utilization of lateral relations in the production‐planning process, higher production‐planning frequency, greater degree of self‐containment of the production‐planning task, and simplification of the production planning‐related environment favor application of FP.Research limitations/implicationsThe level of analysis of the theory is the production‐planning process of a product family within a company. Future research could extend inquiry of the organizational antecedents of FP at both higher and lower levels of analysis, such as the organization as a whole or the individuals participating in the production‐planning process.Practical implicationsThe theory supports managerial decision making by suggesting how to redesign the organization part involved in the production‐planning process of a product family in order to apply FP. The difficulty and cost of this organizational redesign effort should be taken into account when companies consider FP implementation.Originality/valuePast research has focused on changes to product design and to the manufacturing and supply chain process that enable FP. This paper augments the understanding of FP enablers by developing the first model of organizational antecedents of FP. It also responds to calls for more research integrating insights from organization theory and operations/supply chain management.
Stuck in the middle with you
Authors: Soltani Ebrahim , Wilkinson Adrian 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the Pelz Effect to explain the effects of incongruence between senior managers' orientations and underlying assumptions of total quality management (TQM) on middle managers' own orientations and on TQM itself.Design/methodology/approachUsing a multi‐case study approach of three organisations from different sectors, the authors conducted 68 semi‐structured interviews with managers at both senior and middle levels.FindingsThe findings largely support the Pelz Effect in that senior management exerts a major influence in establishing the tone and atmosphere of the TQM organisation by their orientations and attitudes towards the underlying principles of it. It has been found that senior managers' reliance on detection, reactive strategies and hard aspects of TQM – as opposed to prevention, proactive strategies and soft people‐based issues – resulted in: first, middle managers' compliance with short‐term tactical orientations rather than long‐term commitment; second, middle managers' increased control over the workforce rather than the work‐related processes; third, middle managers' tendency to agree about TQM objectives in a way to prioritise and fulfil their own self‐interests rather than TQM intended objectives and organisational interests; and finally the inability of middle managers to run TQM effectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that the nature of middle management's orientation towards TQM and the degree of their supportive behaviour towards first line managers is affected by the senior management's orientation towards TQM and their supportive behaviour towards middle managers.Originality/valueThe results reveal that the current practice of TQM can be characterised by inspection and quality control approach, a top‐down process based upon a culture of procedure‐dominated with a heavy bureaucratic base, and the dominance of senior management's unilateral control. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
How Palestinian managers cope with stress
Authors: Khoury Grace , Analoui Farhad 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to identify the primary and crucial stressors that Palestinian employees encounter, and in turn design appropriate stress management and prevention strategies that will promote healthy organizations.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire was utilized for collecting data from 400 originations (response rate 77 percent). SPSS (version 12) was used mainly for paired samples t‐test after transforming and recoding the personality type scale to the same format of the work environment conditions. The Cronbach's alpha test was used for questions 13, 14 to ensure the reliability.FindingsThe differences in employees' personality types, and their stress coping styles, are the primary stressors. Palestinian personality type A, a major factor, largely influenced by living conditions. Employees in the private sector experience more stress than those in public or NGO sectors. Prevention strategies are needed to improve coping skills against the demanding conditions.Practical implicationsPrevention strategies are needed to focus on the employees and improve their coping skills against the demanding conditions through initiatives such as employee assistance programs (EAPs). At a national level, collaboration among industry, labor, universities and ministries is needed to form an occupational health and safety institute to conduct research and monitor the stress in private and public organizations.Originality/valueThis is one of the first empirical studies of organizational stress and prevention strategies in Palestinian organizations. It is valuable to researchers, senior managers, and policy developers for managerial and organizational development in developing countries and conflict regions.