bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perception and attitude of Hong Kong hotel guest‐contact employees towards tourists from Mainland China
Authors: Yeung Sylvester , Leung Cherry 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn recent years, the majority of arrivals to Hong Kong, which were once dominated by the Western and Japanese markets, were replaced by arrivals from Mainland China. The number of tourists from Mainland China has overtaken others to become the largest single market for the territory. With its increasing significance, providing quality service to these visitors becomes crucial to the success of the tourism industry and of the hotel industry in particular. Unfortunately, the satisfaction rating of the Mainland visitors on hotel services in Hong Kong is reported to be relatively low when compared to those given by other major markets. It is suspected that the perception and attitudes of the service staff may influence their behaviour in serving customers. As such, this study conducted a survey questionnaire with 228 guest‐contact employees of hotels in Hong Kong. Results indicate that most respondents have a fairly positive perception towards the Mainland tourists in relation to the economic and financial benefits that they bring to Hong Kong. However, a majority of the respondents express negative perception and attitudes towards these tourists in respect to their appearance, personalities and behaviour. Despite some respondents indicating that they exhibit different service behaviour towards visitors from Mainland China and other countries, no major significant differences in their perception and attitudes were found in this study. It is recommended that various types of cross‐cultural training, such as sensitivity training and role playing, would be helpful to guest‐contact employees in enhancing their ability to be more objective and more tolerant of other people's behaviour. This study concludes that hotel employees, especially those who work as front‐line staff, must remain aware of their subjective judgments when dealing with guests and be more accepting of others. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Customer satisfaction and loyalty to Alpine ski resorts: the moderating effect of lifestyle, spending and customers' skiing skills
Authors: Matzler Kurt , Füller Johann , Faullant Rita 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCustomer satisfaction and loyalty are key drivers of performance. However, there is increasing evidence that good attribute performance and high overall satisfaction do not always automatically lead to higher loyalty. In this paper, we put forward a study on customer satisfaction and loyalty to Alpine ski resorts. We analyse the moderating effects of three important factors in the attribute performance–overall satisfaction–loyalty relationship: lifestyle, consumer spending and customers' skiing skills in a sample of 6172 skiers. The results show that all studied variables have a moderating effect. The findings have implications on both theory and practice. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived constraints to travel across the US‐Mexico border among American university students
Authors: Canally Culum , Timothy Dallen J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the primary structural barriers or constraints to travel across the US‐Mexico border to visit Mexican border towns, in particular among students at a major university near the border. Factor analyses resulted in the identification of three primary types of perceived constraints erected by the international boundary, namely, personal safety, institutional and disinterest. Pearson correlation tests found that familiarity with the border and what lies on the other side does not have a significant bearing on the barriers perceived by student travellers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermo‐elasto‐hydrodynamic lubrication model for journal bearing including shear rate‐dependent viscosity
Authors: Bukovnik Saša , Offner Günter , Čaika Valdas , Priebsch Hans H. , Bartz Wilfried J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe simulation of the non‐stationary response of the journal bearings used in combustion engines plays a significant role in the bearing design process. Diverse simulation models contain various oil viscosity definitions taking pressure and temperature into consideration. However, viscosity dependence on the shear rate is often neglected. Within this paper, a bearing simulation model including the shear rate‐dependent viscosity is described. The modified Cross equation was used to describe shear rate influence on viscosity. Numerical modelling of the main crankshaft bearing of a modern four‐cylinder gasoline engine was performed. Selected calculation results were discussed and conclusions drawn. The modelling and calculation were carried out using the AVL software EXCITE (AVL LIST GmbH, Advanced Simulation Technology, Hans‐List‐Platz 1, Graz, Austria 8020). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition of a Surface‐Modifiable Copolymer for Covalent Attachment and Patterning of Nucleophilic Ligands
Authors: O'Shaughnessy W. Shannan , Marí‐Buyé Núria , Borrós Salvador , Gleason Karen K. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMany novel areas of biological investigation require the patterned immobilization of bioactive ligands. In this work, easily modified thin films of poly[(pentafluorophenyl methacrylate) (PFM)‐co‐(ethylene glycol diacrylate) (EGDA)]are synthesized by initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). PFM possesses a pentafluorophenyl ester side chain moiety, which is an excellent leaving group for the attachment of nucleophilic ligands by a single reaction step, while the EGDA functions as a crosslinking agent. Patterned surface modification through microcontact printing of fluorescently labeled amines that remain immobilized after repeated solvent rinses is demonstrated. Bulk modification of the copolymer with aminoethoxyethanol, which results in a ≈20° reduction in the observed contact angle with water, is also shown.magnified image
Assessment of psychiatric complications in Parkinson's disease: The SCOPA‐PC
Authors: Visser Martine , Verbaan Dagmar , van Rooden Stephanie M. , Stiggelbout Anne M. , Marinus Johan , van Hilten Jacobus J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe objective of this study was to develop a clinimetric sound scale that addresses both psychotic and compulsive complications in Parkinson's disease (PD). The SCales for Outcomes in PArkinson's disease‐Psychiatric Complications (SCOPA‐PC) was developed by modifying the items of the Parkinson Psychosis Rating Scale (PPRS) and including an item on compulsive behavior in PD. To evaluate the validity of the SCOPA‐PC, 106 PD patients were assessed. A subsample of 43 patients was assessed for interrater and test–retest reliability. Construct validity was evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the South Oaks Gambling Scale (SOGS). Interrater and test–retest reliability for the total score was 0.95 and 0.91 (intraclass correlation coefficient), respectively. For the items, the interrater reliability ranged from 0.62 to 0.96 (weighted kappa) and the test–retest reliability ranged from 0.54 to 0.88 (weighted kappa). Cronbach's alpha was 0.68. The correlation between the SCOPA‐PC total score and the NPI was 0.41. The correlation between SCOPA‐PC items and NPI items that addressed similar constructs ranged from 0.34 to 0.68, whereas the correlation between the item on compulsive behavior and the SOGS was 0.49. In conclusion, the SCOPA‐PC is a reliable, valid, and easily‐administered semistructured questionnaire for both psychotic and compulsive complications in PD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Carbonate extraction process for the metabolic, isozymic and proteomic profiling of rose‐scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.), a hyper‐acidic plant
Authors: Sangwan Rajender Singh , Sangwan Neelam Singh , Sharma Pankaj Kumar , Chaurasiya Narayan Das , Mishra Siddhartha Kumar , Tyagi Bali Ram , Srivastava Avdhesh Kumar 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRose‐scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a valuable monoterpene‐yielding plant. It has been well characterised phytochemically through the isolation of >270 secondary metabolites, however, there is hardly any biochemical or metabolic information concerning this plant. Initial attempts to investigate its metabolism failed to produce any enzyme activity in the tissue extracts prepared in routine extraction buffers owing to the intrinsic properties of the tissue matrix. It was recognised that cellular hyper‐acidity (cell sap pH ∼3.0) gave rise to very low protein levels in the extracts, thus prohibiting detection of activities of even primary metabolic enzymes that are usually abundantly present in plants. Tissue extraction in Tris solution without pH adjustment (as used for studies involving citrus and banana) led to little or no improvement. Therefore, a novel approach using sodium carbonate solution as an efficient extraction system for enzymes and proteins from the plant was studied. Functionality of the carbonate extraction has been demonstrated through its effectiveness, a several‐fold superior performance, in yielding protein, monitoring primary metabolism and secondary metabolic enzymes, and isozymic and polypeptide profiling. The process may also be helpful in the reliable analysis of other acidic plant tissues. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal ultrasonographic findings may be useful in predicting the prognosis of trisomy 18
Authors: Tanigawa Terumi , Nakayama Daisuke , Miura Kiyonori , Miura Shoko , Shimada Takako , Masuzaki Hideaki 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectiveThis study was conducted to determine whether specific ultrasonographic findings in the prenatal period were associated with survival of children affected with trisomy 18.MethodBetween October 1987 and July 2004, we collected 24 cases with trisomy 18. We investigated the relationship of prenatal ultrasonographic findings, gestational age at delivery, the Apgar score, the mode of delivery, and the neonatal treatment strategies, with survival time.Results17 of the 24 neonates died within 1 month after birth (Group 1), 5 died within 12 months (Group 2), and 2 survived for more than 1 year (Group 3). Severe polyhydramnios was more frequent in group 1. In groups 2 and 3, the fluid in fetal stomach was visible in all cases. Severe cardiac anomalies were more frequent in group 1. In groups 2 and 3, all neonates were girl.ConclusionPrenatal ultrasonographic findings associated with survival less than 1 month included severe polyhydramnios, absence of the fluid in the stomach, severe cardiac anomaly and male sex. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solidification of syndiotactic polystyrene by a continuous cooling transformation approach
Authors: La Carrubba V. , Piccarolo S. , Brucato V. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSyndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) was solidified from the melt under drastic conditions according to a continuous cooling transformation methodology developed by the authors, which covered a cooling rate range spanning from approximately 0.03 to 3000 °C/s. The samples produced, structurally homogeneous across both their thickness and surface, were analyzed by macroscopic methods, such as density, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and microhardness (MH) measurements. The density was strictly related to the phase content, as confirmed by WAXD deconvolution. The peculiar behavior encountered (the density first decreasing and then increasing with the cooling rate) was attributed to the singularity of the phases formed in sPS; that is, one of the crystalline phases (α) was less dense than the amorphous phase, and the latter, in turn, was less dense than the other crystalline phase (β). With an increasing cooling rate, the thermodynamically stable phase (β) disappeared first, and it was followed by the α phase. On the other hand, the MH values remarkably depended on the amount of the β phase, the α‐phase content influencing the mechanical properties only to a minor extent. The behavior of the crystallization kinetics was described through a modified multiphase Kolmogoroff–Avrami–Evans model for nonisothermal crystallization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2688–2699, 2007
Dosimetric properties of thick single CVD crystal diamonds
Authors: Schirru F. , Marczewska B. , Tallaire A. , Achard J. , Nowak T. , Olko P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThree thick single crystals grown at LIMHP were investigated in regard to their thermoluminescent and electric properties like glow curve, repeatability, linearity and the current under irradiation. The crystals A, B and C showed only a very short range of the linearity after irradiation with Cs‐137 and Co‐60 gamma rays. Next, the samples were investigated regarding to their electrical properties. The samples irradiated with a Co‐60 source presented a high sensitivity to the radiation but a long saturation time. The crystal A was irradiated using a special holder at the temperature of 250 °C. The current recorded was three times higher than that at room temperature and quickly saturated. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tip voltage controlled local modification of hydrogenated diamond surface with an atomic force microscope
Authors: Toma C. , Volodin A. , Bogdan G. , Deferme W. , Haenen K. , Neslàdek M. , Van Haesendonck C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe influence of the voltage applied to the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) on the local modification of the surface of CVD‐grown diamond films is studied. By applying a negative voltage to the conductive (highly doped) silicon AFM tip, two kinds of patterns can be created. In the voltage range –6 V to –10 V structures that are elevated with respect to the surface (creation of bumps) are obtained, while at higher voltages (–12 V to –15 V) the patterns are scribed into the diamond surface (creation of pits). The origin of the observed modifications is discussed in terms of an electrochemical process that is enhanced by local heating occurring due to severe current crowding. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrostatic force microscopy study of electrical conductivity of hydrogen‐terminated CVD diamond films
Authors: Volodin A. , Toma C. , Bogdan G. , Deferme W. , Haenen K. , Neslàdek M. , Van Haesendonck C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractElectrostatic force microscopy (EFM) has been used to probe the conducting properties of the hydrogen‐terminated (H‐terminated) surface of CVD diamond films. Two parallel electrodes, separated by a distance of 100 µm, are fabricated on the sample surface. EFM images the voltage distribution over a current‐carrying H‐terminated diamond film. The almost linear voltage drop in highly conductive H‐terminated diamond surface layers indicates that the layers behave as diffusive conductors with a well‐defined value of the sheet resistance. On the other hand, conductive as well as insulating regions are observed to coexist for H‐terminated diamond surfaces with poor electric conductivity. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chinese intellectual property rights? Know before you go
Authors: Chapa Olga , LeMaster Jane 
Published: August 2007

AbstractChina's membership in the World Trade Organization further encourages foreign direct investment. Organizations establishing a multinational enterprise in China, and intending to utilize their intellectual property rights as a method of conducting their business enterprise, must be familiar with the current laws and developments regarding their protection and enforcement. This article focuses on Chinese intellectual property laws with examples of both infringements and enforcements. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pulmonary artery/aorta ratio in simple screening for fetal outflow tract abnormalities during the second trimester
Authors: Wong S. F. , Ward C. , Lee‐Tannock A. , Le S. , Chan F. Y. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectivesCongenital heart disease is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates, being the most life‐threatening defect in the first month of postnatal life and accounting for approximately half of all childhood mortality from birth defects. Despite this, the prenatal detection rate for congenital outflow tract anomalies by ultrasound imaging is relatively low. The aim of this study was to establish a nomogram for the pulmonary artery/aorta (PA/AO) ratio measured in the three‐vessel view plane. This ratio was investigated as a simple screening tool for congenital cardiac outflow tract abnormalities.MethodsThe study was a prospective evaluation of 966 singleton fetuses at 16–24 weeks of gestation and 46 fetuses with congenital cardiac outflow tract abnormalities. The diameters of the pulmonary artery and aorta were measured in the three‐vessel view. The PA/AO ratio was calculated and a nomogram was constructed. The mean and 95% CI for the ratio were defined and the PA/AO ratios of cases with outflow tract abnormalities were plotted against the values for normal fetuses.ResultsThe gestational age of the normal group ranged from 16 to 24 weeks, with a median of 19 weeks. The pulmonary artery diameter measured between 2.1 and 4.93 mm (mean, 3.3 mm) and the aorta measured between 2.1 and 5.2 mm (mean, 2.93 mm). The mean (SD) PA/AO ratio was 1.16 (0.18) (95% CI, 0.87–1.58; range 0.61–1.86; median, 1.14). For fetuses with outflow tract abnormalities, the median gestation was 19 weeks and 37/43 (86%) had a PA/AO ratio outside the 95% CI.ConclusionsThe PA/AO ratio derived from measurements in the three‐vessel view plane can be used as an initial screening tool for outflow tract anomalies and may have a sensitivity of up to 86%, with a 5% false‐positive rate. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systolic and diastolic ventricular function in the normal and extra‐embryonic venous clipped chicken embryo of stage 24: a pressure–volume loop assessment
Authors: Stekelenburg‐de Vos S. , Steendijk P. , Ursem N. T. C. , Wladimiroff J. W. , Poelmann R. E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectivesFluid mechanical forces affect cardiac development. In the chicken embryo, permanent obstruction of the right lateral vitelline vein by clipping reduces the mechanical load on the embryonic myocardium, which has been shown to induce a spectrum of outflow tract anomalies. Insight into the effects of this intervention on the mechanical function of the developing myocardium could contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between hemodynamics and cardiac morphogenesis. We aimed to explore the effects of clipping on intrinsic systolic and diastolic ventricular function at stage 24 in the chicken embryoMethodsCardiac pressure–volume relationships enable load‐independent quantification of intrinsic ventricular systolic and diastolic properties. We determined ventricular function by pressure–volume loop analysis of in‐ovo stage‐24 chicken embryos (n = 15) 2 days after venous obstruction at 2.5 days of incubation (stage 17, venous clipped embryos). Control embryos (n = 15) were used for comparison.ResultsEnd‐systolic volume was significantly higher in clipped embryos (0.36 ± 0.02 µL vs. 0.29 ± 0.02 µL, P = 0.002). End‐systolic and end‐diastolic pressure were also increased compared with control animals (2.93 ± 0.07 mmHg vs. 2.70 ± 0.08 mmHg, P = 0.036 and 1.15 ± 0.06 mmHg vs. 0.82 ± 0.05 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). No significant differences were demonstrated for other baseline hemodynamic parameters. Analysis of pressure–volume relationships showed a significantly lower end‐systolic elastance in the clipped embryos (slope of end‐systolic pressure–volume relationship: 2.91 ± 0.24 mmHg/µL vs. 7.53 ± 0.66 mmHg/µL, P < 0.005) indicating reduced contractility. Diastolic stiffness was significantly increased in the clipped embryos (slope of end‐diastolic pressure–volume relationship: 1.54 ± 0.21 vs. 0.60 ± 0.08, P < 0.005), indicating reduced compliance.ConclusionVenous obstruction apparently interferes with normal myocardial development, resulting in impaired intrinsic systolic and diastolic ventricular function. These changes in ventricular function may precede morphological derangements observed in later developmental stages. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polarization filtering for narrowband interference suppression in ultra‐wideband communications
Authors: Mao Xing‐Peng , Mark Jon W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTo suppress narrowband interference (NBI) in an ultra‐wideband (UWB) communications environment, a null phase‐shift polarization (NPSP) filter is proposed. The proposed NPSP filter is a combination of a linear polarization‐vector transformer (PVT), a conventional single notch polarization (SNP) filter, and an amplitude and phase compensator (APC). The NBI, which has polarized states different from those of the UWB, can be suppressed completely and the UWB signal can be recovered without distortion if the polarized states can be estimated exactly. Analytical and simulation results indicate that the signal‐to‐interference ratio (SIR) can be improved effectively after NPSP filtering. The proposed NPSP filter can be implemented in a time‐hopping spread spectrum (TH‐SS) or a direct‐sequence spread spectrum (DS‐SS) UWB system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of Outcome After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture: Edinburgh Ruptured Aneurysm Score
Authors: Tambyraja Andrew , Murie John , Chalmers Roderick 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundMany surgeons adopt a selective policy of intervention for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study aimed to develop an objective method of identifying patients suitable for attempted repair.MethodsConsecutive patients selected for attempted repair of ruptured AAA over a 31‐month period (January 2000 to July 2002) were entered into an observational study. Altogether, 53 preoperative physiological and biochemical variables were recorded and related to operative outcome.ResultsA total of 105 patients underwent attempted repair of a ruptured AAA. There were 39 (37%) deaths in hospital or within 30 days of operation. On univariate analysis, hemoglobin <9 g/dl (p= 0.038), blood pressure <90 mmHg (p= 0.036), and Glasgow Coma Scale <15 (p= 0.016) were found to be risk factors that predicted death. Of 70 patients with no or one risk factor, 20 (29%) died. Of 30 patients with two factors, 15 (50%) died, and of the five patients with all three factors, four (80%) died. There was a significant association between mortality and cumulative risk factors (p= 0.003).ConclusionThese three risk factors are easily assessed in the emergency setting and might form the basis of a scoring system to inform the outcome of ruptured AAA.