Pulsed i-PVD of dielectric nanodot arrays using a nanoporous template

The results of multi-scale numerical simulations of pulsed i-PVD template-assisted nanofabrication of ZnO nanodot arrays on a silicon substrate are presented. The ratios and spatial distributions of the ion fluxes deposited on the lateral and bottom surfaces of the nanopores are computed as a function of the external bias and plasma parameters. The results show that the pulsed bias plays a significant role in the ion current distribution inside the nanopores. The results of numerical experiments of this work suggest that by finely adjusting the pulse voltage, the pulse duration and the duty cycle of the external pulsed bias, the nanopore clogging can be successfully avoided during the deposition and the shapes of the deposited ZnO nanodots can be effectively controlled. A figure is presented.

Dispersion characteristics of a cylindrical antenna in magnetoactive plasma

Dispersion characteristics and topography of electromagnetic fields of axially symmetric surface waves (SW) and of azimuth surface waves (ASW) propagating in a structure composed of a cylindrical metal antenna and magnetoactive plasma are investigated. The antenna and plasma may be separated by a vacuum layer. The dispersion characteristics of SW and ASW are presented as functions of the antenna and the magnetoactive plasma parameters. Close agreement between theory and experimental results are shown. Surface impedances of the SW and ASW are calculated for various parameters of the problem.

Achieving superior SME performance : overarching role of marketing, innovation, and learning capabilities

While most studies examine the effect of marketing, innovation, and learning capabilities (often separately) on performance, this study develops a unified model to investigate the combined effect of these capabilities on performance. This study further examines the complementary effect of these capabilities on performance. This study draws on the resource-based view theory to examine 171 manufacturing SMEs. The findings suggest that marketing, innovation, and learning capabilities are positively related to SME performance. In addition, these capabilities interact with one another to create great synergy in achieving SME performance.

Plasma Enabled Fabrication of Silicon Carbide Nanostructures

Silicon carbide is one of the promising materials for the fabrication of various one- and two-dimensional nanostructures. In this chapter, we discuss experimental and theoretical studies of the plasma-enabled fabrication of silicon carbide quantum dots, nanowires, and nanorods. The discussed fabrication methods include plasma-assisted growth with and without anodic aluminium oxide membranes and with or without silane as a source of silicon. In the silane-free experiments, quartz was used as a source of silicon to synthesize the silicon carbide nanostructures in an environmentally friendly process. The mechanism of the formation of nanowires and nanorods is also discussed.

Pulmonary innate immunity in children with protracted bacterial bronchitis

Objective To determine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) levels of 3 innate immunity components (human alpha-defensin-2 [hBD2], mannose-binding lectin [MBL], and surfactant protein-A [SP-A], the relationship with airway neutrophilia and infection, and cytokine production of stimulated BAL cells in children with current protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), children with resolved PBB (PBB well), and controls. Study design BAL of 102 children (mean age 2.8 years) fulfilling predefined criteria of current PBB (n=61), PBB well (n=20), and controls (n=21) was cultured (quantitative bacteriology) and viruses examined by polymerase chain reaction. hBD2, MBL, and SP-A were measured, and cytokine production of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BAL cells were determined. Results Median hBD2 and MBL levels were significantly higher in the current PBB group (hBD2 = 164.4, IQR 0-435.5pg/mL; MBL = 1.7, 0.4-4ng/mL) than in the PBB well group (hBD2 = 0, IQR 0-85.2; MBL = 0.6, IQR 0.03-2.9) and controls (hBD2 = 3.6, IQR 0-126; MBL = 0.4, IQR 0.02-79). hBD2 was significantly higher in children with airway infection (n = 54; median 76.9, IQR 0-397.3) compared with those without (n = 48; 0, IQR 0-236.3), P=0.04. SP-A levels and cytokine production of stimulated BAL cells were similar between groups. Conclusion In children's airways, hBD2, but not MBL and SP-A, relates to inflammation and infection. In children with PBB, mechanisms involving airway hBD2 and MBL are augmented. These pulmonary innate immunity components and the ability of BAL cells to respond to stimuli are unlikely to be deficient.

'Not a Local Win': Rural Australian perceptions of the sustainable impacts of forest plantations

Australian forestry plantations have doubled in the past 15 years, with rural communities harbouring a diverse range of positive and negative of economic, environmental and social impacts – the so-called triple bottom line (TBL). Utilising two Australian rural communities in Eden/Gippsland and Tasmania as qualitative case studies, this research explores how 23 non-forestry affiliated rural residents perceived and experienced the TBL economic, environmental and social impacts of plantation forestry. Residents criticised the economic plantation forestry benefits because of lengthy periods of inactivity and limited local employment, explaining that their community was reliant on the industry yet the promised economic benefits had never fully materialised. There was a sense the industry ‘plant and walk away.’ Residents were concerned about the environment impact on water quality, water tables and fire hazards, although they praised plantation forestry for carbon sequestering, eradicating erosion and water run-off. Negative social impacts were described, specifically how the land-use change from farming to forestry had significantly reduced the local population, employment and need for services. Natural resource management and communication strategies are offered, derived from non-forestry affiliated rural resident perspectives on how best to ensure sustainable forest development in their community.

A statistical approach to quantify the impact on voltage quality caused by PV generators

A probabilistic method is proposed to evaluate voltage quality of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power systems. The random behavior of solar irradiation is described in statistical terms and the resulting voltage fluctuation probability distribution is then derived. Reactive power capabilities of the PV generators are then analyzed and their operation under constant power factor mode is examined. By utilizing the reactive power capability of the PV-generators to the full, it is shown that network voltage quality can be greatly enhanced.

Predictors of mental health in midlife and older women : results from the Australian Healthy Aging of Women Study

Purpose: To examine the extent to which socio-demographic characteristics, modifiable lifestyle factors and health status influence the mental health of midlife and older Australian women from the Australian Healthy Aging of Women (HOW) study. Methods: Data on health status, chronic disease and modifiable lifestyle factors were collected from a random sample of 340 women aged 40-65 years, residing in Queensland, Australia in 2011. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to measure the effect of a range of socio-demographic characteristics (marital status, age, income), modifiable lifestyle factors (caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, exercise, physical activity, sleep), and health markers (self-reported physical health, history of chronic illness) on the latent construct, mental health. Mental health was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF-12®) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The model was a good fit for the data (χ2 = 40.166, df =312, p 0.125, CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.030, 90% CI = 0.000-0.053); the model suggested mental health was negatively influenced by sleep disturbance (β = -0.628), sedentary lifestyle (β = -0.137), having been diagnosed with one or more chronic illnesses (β = -0.203), and poor self-reported physical health (β = - 0.161). While mental health was associated with sleep, it was not correlated with many other lifestyle factors (BMI (β = -0.050), alcohol consumption (β = 0.079), or cigarette smoking (β = 0.008)) or background socio-demographic characteristics (age (β = 0.078), or income (β = -0.039)). Conclusion: While research suggests that it is important to engage in a range health promoting behaviours to preserve good health, we found that only sleep disturbance, physical health, chronic illness and level of physical activity predicted current mental health. However, while socio-demographic characteristics and modifiable lifestyle factors seemed to have little direct impact on mental health, they probably had an indirect effect.

Unpacking the role of mindfulness on conscientiousness and spirituality

The present study examined relationships between conscientiousness and intrinsic spirituality, with the proposed trait ‘mindfulness’ as mediator. The results from 161 functioning adults within an Australian context revealed that mindfulness was significantly predicted by conscientiousness. This study examined the relationship among conscientiousness, trait mindfulness and intrinsic spirituality. It was hypothesised that trait mindfulness would mediate the relationship between conscientiousness and spirituality. We found this hypothesis partially supported. Practically, these results suggest that conscientious individuals do significantly connect with mindfulness, and it was only the more mindful of conscientious individuals that also displayed high levels of intrinsic spirituality. Additional analyses also suggest that conscientious individuals connect with mindfulness through attending to current actions or regulating impulses (act aware) and have an accepting attitude towards thoughts and feelings (non-judge). Possible explanations and implications of these results are discussed in relation to theory, practice and delivery mechanisms of mindfulness.

Prevalence and predictors of advance directives in Australia

Background Advance care planning is regarded as integral to better patient outcomes yet little is known about the prevalence of advance directives in Australia. Aims To determine the prevalence of advance directives (ADs) in the Australian population. Methods A national telephone survey about estate and advance planning. Sample was stratified by age (18-45 and >45 years) and quota sampling occurred based on population size in each State and Territory. Results Fourteen percent of the Australian population has an AD. There is State variation with people from South Australia and Queensland more likely to have an AD than people from other states. Will making and particularly completion of a financial enduring power of attorney are associated with higher rates of AD completion. Standard demographic variables were of limited use in predicting whether a person would have an AD. Conclusions Despite efforts to improve uptake of advance care planning (including ADs), barriers remain. One likely trigger for completing an AD and advance care planning is undertaking a wider future planning process (e.g. making a will or financial enduring power of attorney). This presents opportunities to increase advance care planning but steps are needed to ensure that planning which occurs outside the health system is sufficiently informed and supported by health information so that it is useful in the clinical setting. Variations by State could also suggest that redesign of regulatory frameworks (such as a user-friendly and well publicised form backed by statute) may help improve uptake of ADs.

Nephrotoxicity and nephrocarcinogenicity of dinitrotoluene : new aspects to be considered

Technical dinitrotoluene (DNT) is a mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-DNT. In humans, industrial or environmental exposure can occur orally, by inhalation, or by skin contact. The classification of DNT as an 'animal carcinogen' is based on the formation of malignant tumors in kidneys, liver, and mammary glands of rats and mice. Clear signs of toxic nephropathy were found in rats dosed with DNT, and the concept was derived of an interrelation between renal toxicity and carcinogenicity. Recent data point to the carcinogenicity of DNT on the urinary tract of exposed humans. Between 1984 and 1997, 6 cases of urothelial cancer and 14 cases of renal cell cancer were diagnosed in a group of 500 underground mining workers in the copper mining industry of the former GDR and having high exposures to explosives containing technical DNT. The incidences of both urothelial and renal cell tumors in this group were 4.5 and 14.3 times higher, respectively, than anticipated on the basis of the cancer registers of the GDR. The genotyping of all identified tumor patients for the polymorphic enzymes NAT2, GSTM1, and GSTT1 identified the urothelial tumor cases as exclusively 'slow acetylates'. A group of 161 miners highly exposed to DNT was investigated for signs of subclinical renal damage. The exposures were categorized semi-quantitatively into 'low', 'medium', 'high', and 'very high'. A straight dose-dependence of the excretion of urinary biomarker proteins with the ranking of exposure was seen. Biomarker excretion (alpha1-microglobulin, glutathione S-transferases alpha and pi) indicated that DNT-induced damage was directed toward the tubular system. New data on DNT-exposed humans appear consistent with the concept of cancer initiation by DNT isomers and the subsequent promotion of renal carcinogenesis by selective damage to the proximal tubule. The differential pathways of metabolic activation of DNT appear to apply to the proximal tubule of the kidney and to the urothelium of the renal pelvis and lower urinary tract as target tissues of carcinogenicity.

Pathological excretion patterns of urinary proteins in miners highly exposed to dinitrotoluene

A cohort of 161 underground miners who had been highly exposed to dinitrotoluene (DNT) in the copper-mining industry of the former German Democratic Republic was reinvestigated for signs of subclinical renal damage. The study included a screening of urinary proteins excreted by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and quantitations of the specific urinary proteins α 1-microglobulin and glutathione-S-transferase α (GST α) as biomarkers for damage of the proximal tubule and glutathione-S-transferase π (GST π) for damage of the distal tubule. The exposures were categorized semiquantitatively (low, medium, high, and very high), according to the type and duration of professional contact with DNT. A straight dose-dependence of pathological protein excretion patterns with the semiquantitative ranking of DNT exposure was seen. Most of the previously reported cancer cases of the urinary tract, especially those in the higher exposed groups, were confined to pathological urinary protein excretion patterns. The damage from DNT was directed toward the tubular system. In many cases, the appearance of Tamm-Horsfall protein, a 105-kD protein marker, was noted. Data on the biomarkers α 1-microglobulin, GST α, and GST π consistently demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in tubular damage, which confirmed the results of screening by SDS-PAGE and clearly indicated a nephrotoxic effect of DNT under the given conditions of exposure. Within the cluster of cancer patients observed among the DNT-exposed workers, only in exceptional cases were normal biomarker excretions found.

Author response to : Brough et al. in response to the recently published article : Lottering,N., MacGregor,D.M.,Barry,M.D.,Reynolds,M.S., Gregory,L.S., 2014. Introducing standardized protocols for anthropological measurement of virtual sub-adult crania using computed tomography 2(1),34–38

Firstly, we would like to thank Ms. Alison Brough and her colleagues for their positive commentary on our published work [1] and their appraisal of our utility of the “off-set plane” protocol for anthropometric analysis. The standardized protocols described in our manuscript have wide applications, ranging from forensic anthropology and paleodemographic research to clinical settings such as paediatric practice and orthopaedic surgical design. We affirm that the use of geometrically based reference tools commonly found in computer aided design (CAD) programs such as Geomagic Design X® are imperative for more automated and precise measurement protocols for quantitative skeletal analysis. Therefore we stand by our recommendation of the use of software such as Amira and Geomagic Design X® in the contexts described in our manuscript...