bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Wound‐Healing Activity of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Leaf Extract in Experimental Burns
Authors: Upadhyay Nitin K. , Kumar Ratan , Siddiqui M. S. , Gupta Asheesh
Published: November 2009

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the healing efficacy of lyophilized aqueous leaf extract of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., family Elaeagnaceae) (SBT) and to explore its possible mechanism of action on experimental burn wounds in rats. The SBT extract, at various concentrations, was applied topically, twice daily for 7 days. Treatment with silver sulfadiazine (SSD) ointment was used as reference control. The most effective concentration of the extract was found to be 5.0% (w/w) for burn wound healing and this was further used for detailed study. The SBT‐treated group showed faster reduction in wound area in comparison with control and SSD‐treated groups. The topical application of SBT increased collagen synthesis and stabilization at the wound site, as evidenced by increase in hydroxyproline, hexosamine levels and up‐regulated expression of collagen type‐III. The histological examinations and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐2 and ‐9) expression also confirmed the healing efficacy of SBT leaf extract. Furthermore, there was significant increase in levels of endogenous enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants and decrease in lipid peroxide levels in SBT‐treated burn wound granulation tissue. The SBT also promoted angiogenesis as evidenced by an in vitro chick chorioallantoic membrane model and in vivo up‐regulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. The SBT leaf extract had no cytotoxic effect on BHK‐21 cell line. In conclusion, SBT aqueous leaf extract possesses significant healing potential in burn wounds and has a positive influence on the different phases of wound repair.
Paenibacillus sputi sp. nov., isolated from the sputum of a patient with pulmonary disease
Authors: Kim Kwang Kyu , Lee Keun Chul , Yu Heekyung , Ryoo Sungweon , Park Youngkil , Lee Jung-Sook
Published: November 2009

Strain KIT 00200-70066-1Twas isolated from the sputum of a patient with pulmonary disease. Cells of the strain were Gram-variable, facultatively anaerobic, motile, spore-forming rods and formed colourless to white colonies on tryptic soy agar at 30 °C and pH 7. The pathogenicity of the strain is not known. The strain containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0and C16 : 0as the major fatty acids and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown lipids in the polar lipid profile. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belongs to the genusPaenibacillus, sharing the highest levels of sequence similarity withPaenibacillus nanensisMX2-3T,Paenibacillus agaridevoransDSM 1355TandPaenibacillus alkaliterraeKSL-134T(95.4, 95.2 and 94.8 %, respectively), and that it occupied a distinct position within this genus. Combined phylogenetic and phenotypic data supported the conclusion that strain KIT 00200-70066-1Trepresents a novel species of the genusPaenibacillus, for which the namePaenibacillus sputisp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is KIT 00200-70066-1T(=KCTC 13252T=DSM 22699T).
Mucilaginibacter gossypii sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter gossypiicola sp. nov., plant-growth-promoting bacteria isolated from cotton rhizosphere soils
Authors: Madhaiyan Munusamy , Poonguzhali Selvaraj , Lee Jung-Sook , Senthilkumar Murugaiyan , Lee Keun Chul , Sundaram Subbiah
Published: November 2009

Two isolates from rhizosphere soil of cotton, designated Gh-67Tand Gh-48T, which produced large amounts of extracellular polysaccharide and possessed plant-growth-promoting traits, were characterized phenotypically and genotypically. The strains were Gram-negative and cells were non-motile rods that grew optimally at 28 °C and grew between pH 4 and 7. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strains Gh-67Tand Gh-48Tplaced them in the genusMucilaginibacter, with pairwise sequence similarity between them and type strains from related genera ranging from 93.9 to 98.2 %. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 02-OH). The strains contained MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone. The DNA G+C contents of strains Gh-67Tand Gh-48Twere 46.7 and 44.2 mol%, respectively. The low DNA–DNA hybridization value (18 %) and a number of phenotypic differences between strains Gh-48Tand Gh-67Tindicated that they represent two separate species. Results of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analysis revealed that the strains were separated from the species ofMucilaginibacterdescribed to date. Therefore, strains Gh-67Tand Gh-48Trepresent novel species ofMucilaginibacter, for which we propose the namesMucilaginibacter gossypiisp. nov. (type strain Gh-67T=NCIMB 14470T=KCTC 22380T) andMucilaginibacter gossypiicolasp. nov. (type strain Gh-48T=NCIMB 14471T=KCTC 22379T).
Microlunatus parietis sp. nov., isolated from an indoor wall
Authors: Kämpfer P. , Schäfer J. , Lodders N. , Martin K.
Published: November 2009

A Gram-positive, coccoid, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (strain 12-Be-011T) was isolated from indoor wall material. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain 12-Be-011T was clearly shown to belong to the genus Microlunatus and was most closely related to Microlunatus panaciterrae Gsoil 954T (95.7 %), Microlunatus soli CC-12602T (94.9 %), Microlunatus ginsengisoli Gsoil 633T (94.8 %), Microlunatus aurantiacus YIM 45721T (95.5 %) and Microlunatus phosphovorus DSM 10555T (94.7 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Mycolic acids were absent. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two unknown phospholipids and one unknown glycolipid. The major fatty acids of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 supported the affiliation of strain 12-Be-011T to the genus Microlunatus. Physiological and biochemical test results allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 12-Be-011T from all other species of the genus Microlunatus. Hence, strain 12-Be-011T can be regarded as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Microlunatus parietis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 12-Be-011T (=DSM 22083T=CCM 7636T).
Accounting and culture
Authors: Hauriasi Abraham , Davey Howard
Published: November 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to review research on the compatibility between values underlying western accounting systems and traditional Solomon Islands cultural values. The research takes a sociological view of accounting to better understand how imported accounting values and practices fit into, and interact with, local traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive methodology uses in‐depth interviews and participant observation. Both inductive and a priori approaches identify and describe major themes.

Findings

The areas of conflict found between accounting themes and traditional Solomon Island group values relate to: the objectivity and neutrality of accounting; profit and wealth maximisation as the bottom‐line; the separateness of the economic entity; time‐based accounting controls; and the underlying basis of competition for efficiency and effectiveness in western accounting systems.

Research limitations/implications

The challenge is to identify how to adapt accounting and management practices so they fit into existing local cultural values and practices. Solomon Islanders must also determine how some of their cultural values can be adapted to suit contemporary economic circumstances.

Practical implications

The paper recommends that consideration be given to recasting elements of accounting and management practice so that they better reflect the nature of the society/activities being represented – namely, the discharge of accountability; valuing intangible business outcomes; owner‐entity separation; time management; and bounded competition.

Originality/value

The research is one of the few studies on the culture‐accounting relationship in a developing and economically poor part of the Asia‐Pacific region.
The segmentation potential of non‐standard employment
Authors: Leschke Janine
Published: November 2009

Purpose

While forms of non‐standard employment (which include part‐time work and temporary employment) have received active promotion in recent years, possible negative effects emerging from these forms of employment have not been high on the agenda. This paper, accordingly, aims to compare workers with non‐standard contracts and those with standard contracts in relation to transitions out of employment into unemployment, inactivity, household/care activities and education/training. Country differences in outcome are expected due to varying regulations of standard and non‐standard employment and different reasons for resorting to forms of non‐standard employment.

Design/methodology/approach

The comparison covers four countries, namely Denmark, Germany, the UK and Spain. The segmentation theory is tested by analysing mobility patterns on the basis of the European Community Household Panel data. Event history analysis methods are used. Maximum likelihood multinomial regression models are calculated on the event history data in order to assess competing exits (unemployment, inactivity, household/care and education) between non‐standard and standard workers.

Findings

The risk of temporary workers exiting employment is greatest by far in Spain, but also evident in the other countries: casual employment is even more volatile than fixed‐term employment. Concerning part‐time workers, downward transitions to inactivity and/or household/care are much more frequent than among full‐time workers, and this is true even in Spain and Denmark where part‐time employment is not traditionally used to combine work with family activities. The expectation that there would be no differences in exits to unemployment – insofar as employment protection legislation applies to both full‐time and regular part‐time workers – proves true only for Denmark and Germany.

Originality/value

In contrast to most papers on the segmentation potential of non‐standard employment this paper is comparative. Furthermore, it uses event history methods and places a special focus on potentially employability‐enhancing “sideways transitions” to education/training measures.
The role of skills as a major driver of corporate R&D
Authors: Piva Mariacristina , Vivarelli Marco
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of R&D investment at the level of the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

A balanced panel of 215 Italian manufacturing firms over the 1995‐2000 period has been used to test the technology‐push, the demand‐pull and the endogenous skill‐bias hypotheses. Econometrically, both the GMM‐SYS estimator and the Least Squares Dummy Variable Corrected (LSDVC) estimator (a recently‐proposed panel data technique particularly suitable for small samples) have been used.

Findings

Results support the well‐established technology‐push and demand‐pull hypotheses and, furthermore, supply evidence for the role of skill endowment in increasing a firm's R&D investments.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study concerns the measure of skills which is here, as in previous economic literature, simply the ratio between productive (blue‐collar) and non‐productive (white‐collar) workers. Another limitation of this contribution concerns its limited generalisability: data come from relatively large Italian manufacturing firms, i.e. the service sector and SMEs are not considered.

Practical implications

Consistently with the related managerial and economic literature, the basic result is that current skill endowment may significantly and positively influence a firm's current R&D decision; therefore, adequate education and training policies may indirectly induce an increase in corporate R&D investment. In terms of managerial implications, this means that HRM may be seen as an indirect strategy for improving a firm's R&D effort and ultimately for improving its performance through innovation.

Originality/value

While there is a well‐established literature investigating the so‐called Skill Biased Technological Change, few microeconomic empirical studies have been devoted to test the reverse relationship. The paper aims to fill this gap, testing whether higher skills may induce higher R&D expenditures.
Expatriate CEO assignment
Authors: Tseng Cher‐Hung , Liao Yao‐Sheng
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing whether a multinational corporation (MNC) appoints an expatriate or a local national as the CEO of its subsidiary.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a framework comprising ownership‐specific, location‐specific and internalization‐specific factors to examine determinants of expatriate CEO assignment. MNCs' subsidiaries in Taiwan were selected for the study.

Findings

For the effect on the assignment of an expatriated CEO to a subsidiary, the factors of a subsidiary's capability and size, MNC's global strategy and internalization motivation are positive; in contrast, the factor of the host country's locational advantages is negative. In addition, in circumstances of large cultural distances, the effect of high internalization motivation is positive and that of low internalization motivation is negative.

Research limitations/implications

The research does not differentiate between two different types of expatriates and focuses on advanced countries' MNCs' subsidiaries in Taiwan. The theoretical implication of the study lies in the application of the perspectives of resource‐based view and transaction cost theory on an MNC's decision concerning the assignment of an expatriated CEO for subsidiaries.

Practical implications

MNCs could make a subsidiary's staffing decision by taking into account ownership‐, location‐, and internalization‐specific factors. Failure to do so will lead to poor operation of the subsidiary.

Originality/value

The research contributes to knowledge about the determinants of expatriate CEO assignment, and illuminates the importance of ownership, location and internalization factors for MNCs.
Supply chain information flow strategies: an empirical taxonomy
Authors: Vanpoucke Evelyne , Boyer Kenneth K. , Vereecke Ann
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify different information flow strategies to enhance integration in strategic alliances and studies these strategies with respect to contextual factors and the impact on performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines empirical data gathered from 56 manufacturing companies, describing 112 supply chain relationships. An empirical taxonomy is created based on cluster analysis.

Findings

Based on a parsimonious description of inter‐firm information flows in the literature and this paper's empirical findings, three types of alliances are identified: Silent; Communicative; and IT intensive. While Silent alliances have the poorest overall performance, substantial similarities are found between Communicative and IT intensive alliances. In particular, the analysis suggests that IT intensive alliances, albeit performing better on operational capabilities, are not performing better on relationship satisfaction compared to Communicative alliances. Additional analyses indicate that partners of an IT intensive alliance are substantially more interdependent and larger in size.

Research limitations/implications

This research presents a taxonomy of information flow strategies in a supply chain context. This research is not describing causality, since the data are not longitudinal in nature.

Practical implications

Managers need to selectively invest in IT according to an overall supply chain integration strategy, which also takes softer, less technological forms of integration into consideration.

Originality/value

This research provides insight into inter‐firm information flows from a contingency perspective, recognizing heterogeneity of firms and supply chain practices.
Resin coated copper capacitive (RC3) nanocomposites for multilayer embedded capacitors: towards system in a package (SiP)
Authors: Das Rabindra N. , Rosser Steven G. , Papathomas Konstantinos I. , Antesberger Tim , Markovich Voya R.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

Embedded passives account for a very large part of today's electronic assemblies. This is particularly true for products such as cellular phones, camcorders, computers, and several critical defence devices. Market pressures for new products with more features, smaller size and lower cost demand smaller, compacter, simpler substrates. An obvious strategy is to reduce the number of surface mounted passives by embedding them in the substrate. In addition, current interconnect technology to accommodate surface mounted passives imposes certain limits on board design which constrain the overall system speed. Embedding passives is one way to minimize the functional footprint while at the same time improving performance. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a thin film technology based on ferroelectric‐epoxy polymer‐based flake‐free resin coated copper capacitive (RC3) nanocomposites to manufacture multilayer embedded capacitors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses thin film technology based on RC3 nanocomposites. In particular, recent developments in high capacitance, large area, thin film passives, and their integration in system in a package (SiP) are highlighted.

Findings

A variety of RC3 nanocomposite thin films ranging from 8 to 50 microns thick were processed on copper substrates by liquid coating. Multilayer embedded capacitors resulted in high capacitances of 16‐28 nF. The fabricated test vehicle also included two embedded resistor layers with resistances in the range of 15 Ω to 100 kΩ. To enable high performance devices, an embedded resistor must meet certain tolerances. The embedded resistors can be laser trimmed to a tolerance of <5 percent, which is usually acceptable for most applications. An extended embedded passives solution has been demonstrated, both through its high wireability designs and package performance, to be perfectly suited for SiP applications.

Research limitations/implications

This case study designed and fabricated an eight layer high density internal passive core and subsequently applied fine geometry three buildup layers to form a 3‐8‐3 structure. The passive core technology is capable of providing up to six layers of embedded capacitance and could be extended further.

Originality/value

A thin film technology based on ferroelectric‐epoxy polymer‐based flake‐free RC3 nanocomposites was developed to manufacture multilayer embedded capacitors. The overall approach lends itself to package miniaturization because capacitance can be increased through multiple layers and reduced thickness to give the desired values in a smaller area.
Proposing semantic‐oriented agent and knowledge base product data management
Authors: Ahmed Zeeshan
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to briefly discuss the concept of product data management (PDM) describing the contributions, objectives and some currently existing challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

By targeting the described challenges, it proposes a new semantic‐oriented agent and knowledge base approach and presents its conceptual and implementation designs. The available prototype version of the proposed approach is also briefly discussed.

Findings

The PDM community is facing some challenges especially in intelligent PDM development, i.e. unfriendly graphical machine interface, unintelligent search and unstandardized‐based platform independent PDM system deployment and deployment framework.

Originality/value

An intelligent semantic‐oriented agent‐based search is an original and new solution.
Management control systems: a model for R&D units
Authors: Silaen Parulian , Williams Robert
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a proposal for a new conceptual framework for management control systems (MCS) in R&D units.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a descriptive study that reviews the control literature and proposes an MCS framework in the light of four key elements: desired ends, actors, control implementation, and control tools.

Findings

The study found two sub‐elements of desired ends (directional and yardstick) to be complementary in a low level of uncertainty, while directional should be emphasized more in a high level of uncertainty. Five sub‐elements of actors are used differently along the levels of uncertainty. The timing and use of formal and informal control types are found to be different regarding the level of uncertainty. Finally, the dimension and the value of control tools are used differently in those two distinctive situations.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to a descriptive study that may have further implication for research by using the framework to investigate the MCS applied by R&D units.

Practical implications

The four key elements of MCS may be used in practice by developing a detail measure of each element to suit the condition of the unit.

Originality/value

The paper is a new way of looking at MCS, broadening the comprehension, and introducing new MCS key elements.
An integrative empirical approach to the predictors of self‐directed career management
Authors: Park Yongho
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of subjective career success, organizational learning climate, and the calling work orientation on the protean career.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study employees of a Korean financial service company are encouraged to answer a web survey. To examine the hypotheses, structural equation modeling is used.

Findings

The results provide evidence of potential predictors of the protean career based on the empirical approach. Also, this study shows an integrative model for predictors of the protean career with the structural equation modeling method. All independent variables – subjective career success, the calling work orientation, and organizational learning climate – have a significant relationship with the protean career. Among the independent variables, the calling orientation has the strongest effect on the protean career.

Research limitation/implication

The generalization of the results may be limited to the research population. Also, as results are based entirely on cross‐sectional self‐report data, the causality of the findings cannot be confirmed.

Originality/value

The importance of the protean career concept has increased in the modern career context, underscoring the individual's self‐direction of career management. This study uses empirical evidence to examine the psychological and environmental predictors of the protean career.
Fresh and healthy?
Authors: Akkermans Jos , Brenninkmeijer Veerle , Blonk Roland W.B. , Koppes Lando L.J.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain more insight into the well‐being, health and performance of young intermediate educated employees. First, employees with low education (9 years or less), intermediate education (10‐14 years of education), and high education (15 years or more) are compared on a number of factors related to well‐being, health, and performance at work. Second, determinants of well‐being, health and performance are examined for the intermediate educated group, based on the Job Demands‐Resources model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from The Netherlands Working Conditions Survey 2007 are used: the largest working conditions survey in The Netherlands. ANOVAs with post hoc Bonferroni corrections and linear regression analyses are used for the analyses.

Findings

Young intermediate educated employees differ from high educated employees with regard to job demands, job resources and health. They report less demands, but these demands still have an effect on well‐being and performance. They also report less resources, while these resources are important predictors of their health and performance: both directly and indirectly via job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion.

Limitations/implications

Cross‐sectional data are used and the theoretical model is tested using regression analyses. In a follow‐up study, longitudinal data and structural equation modelling will be used.

Originality/value

The study adds to the limited knowledge on young employees with intermediate education and gives insight into the processes that are important for their well‐being, health, and performance. The study shows that this group deserves the attention of both researchers and professionals.
“The Coke side of life” – an exploration of pre‐schoolers' constructions of product and selves through talk‐in‐interaction around Coca‐Cola
Authors: Freeman Olivia
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the activity‐based focus group as a useful method with which to generate talk‐in‐interaction among pre‐schoolers. Analytically, it aims to illustrate how transcribed talk‐in‐interaction can be subjected to a discourse analytic lens, to produce insights into how pre‐schoolers use “Coca‐Cola” as a conversational resource with which to build product‐related meanings and social selves.

Design/methodology/approach

Fourteen activity‐based discussion groups with pre‐schoolers aged between two and five years have been conducted in a number of settings including privately run Montessori schools and community based preschools in Dublin. The talk generated through these groups has been transcribed using the conventions of conversation analysis (CA). Passages of talk characterized by the topic of Coca‐Cola were isolated and a sub‐sample of these are analysed here using a CA‐informed discourse analytic approach.

Findings

A number of linguistic repertoires are drawn on, including health, permission and age. Coca‐Cola is constructed as something which is “bad” and has the potential to make one “mad”. It is an occasion‐based product permitted by parents for example as a treat, at the cinema or at McDonalds. It can be utilised to build “age‐based” social selves. “Big” boys or girls can drink Coca‐Cola but it is not suitable for “babies”.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into the use of the activity‐based focus group as a data generation tool for use with pre‐schoolers. A discourse analytic approach to the interpretation of children's talk‐in‐interaction suggests that the preschool consumer is competent in accessing and employing a consumer artefact such as Coca‐Cola as a malleable resource with which to negotiate product meanings and social selves.
Diffusion of videos on US hospital web sites
Authors: Huang Edgar
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the adoption of videos on US hospital web sites in an attempt to find out how this new medium had been used by hospitals for marketing purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a systematic probability sample of the 6,456 US hospital web sites, a content analysis is conducted to measure the effects that hospital service quality, hospital size, hospital affiliation, and geographic population had on the diffusion of online videos.

Findings

The paper has found that, although the critical mass for using videos on hospital web sites has been reached, for the overwhelming majority of the hospitals, including those that are already using videos, there is still a long way to go in learning how to harness the power of video for marketing and to make videos an integral and routine part of their marketing strategy.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies need to be conducted to uncover hospitals' attitudes and users' attitudes toward new media adoption on hospital web sites for presenting healthcare information.

Practical implications

The paper gives readers an overview of the current state of hospitals' efforts in adopting new media for marketing and can greatly help hospitals better position their marketing strategies to serve their patients, communities, and hospital staff, and invest in the right technology and new recruits.

Originality/value

The literature search indicates that this is the first study of its kind that has attempted to find out how hospitals have taken advantage of video, a salient Web 2.0 phenomenon, to present healthcare information on their web sites as a marketing strategy.
Valuing entrepreneurship in the informal economy in Senegal
Authors: Minard C. Sara L.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to provide a theoretical reflection on existing and emerging literature on social entrepreneurship as it applies to the developing country experience, and specifically to the informal economy in Senegal, West Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an exploratory, multi‐disciplinary approach grounded in economic and social theory, including open‐ended interviews and focus groups. The data are complemented by field observations and analysis.

Findings

Socio‐religious networks in West Africa like Mouridism, with its strong emphasis on work and giving of one's personal financial gains back to the Muslim brotherhood, has actually created a non‐capitalist spirit of commerce, and to some degree entrepreneurialism, among Senegalese Mourids who are majority Wolof.

Research limitations/implications

As an initial exploration into this topic, the paper lacks sufficient empirical data and therefore the research results may lack generalizability.

Practical implications

The paper helps draw comparisons between what we know and what we do not know about social entrepreneurship in the informal economy, moving beyond the conventional neo‐liberal notions of competitive markets to explore entrepreneurial activities at the “Bottom of the pyramid” that establish economic exchange value which is socially embedded.

Originality/value

The paper seeks to address a perceived gap in the theoretical and empirical literature on the emerging phenomenon of social entrepreneurship. By analytically framing the debate on the role of markets in the social sector through a developing country lens, we are looking at social entrepreneurship as the intersection of embedded social and economic realities of the majority of workers who operate in the informal economy in Senegal.
A legal analysis of the Islamic bonds (sukuk) in Iran
Authors: Kordvani Amir
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a legal analysis of ijara sukuk in Iran which are expected to be issued in 2009. It reviews the proposed structure and the transactions entered into in respect of the sukuks and the legal engineering of those transactions to make them compliant with Shari'a. In so doing, this paper explores the rights and obligations that arise from the contracts on which the transactions in ijara sukuk are based.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis offered by this paper has both theoretical and doctrinal orientations. At a theoretical level, this paper concentrates on the traditional contract of lease, as well as the lease‐to‐purchase vehicle. At a doctrinal level, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the complications embedded in the ijara sukuk and the need to rationalize and harmonize various aspects of Islamic banking and project financing.

Findings

It is argued that, while the new sukuk structure complies with the requirements of Shari'a requirements against riba and gharar, it goes against a well‐established expectation of increasing the level of efficiency of the banking and financial sector.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original insight into understanding ijara sukuk in Iran. It also contributes to the literature on Islamic finance according to Shi'i jurisprudence.
Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor SU9516 enhances sensitivity to methotrexate in human T‐cell leukemia Jurkat cells
Authors: Uchiyama Hitoji , Sowa Yoshihiro , Wakada Miki , Yogosawa Mayumi , Nakanishi Ryoko , Horinaka Mano , Shimazaki Chihiro , Taniwaki Masafumi , Sakai Toshiyuki
Published: November 2009

(Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 728–734)

Methotrexate (MTX) has been used to treat various hematological malignancies. Since MTX prevents tumor cells from proliferating by inhibiting dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), DHFR expression is a key determinant of resistance to MTX in malignant hematological tumor cells. The antiproliferative effect of MTX was significantly enhanced by the knockdown of DHFR expression by siRNA in Jurkat cells. Therefore, a novel strategy down‐regulating DHFR expression seems promising for enhancing sensitivity to MTX. We found that SU9516, a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, reduced the expression of both DHFR mRNA and protein. Moreover, we found that DHFR promoter activity was attenuated by SU9516 dependent on the E2F site. Finally, pretreatment with SU9516 significantly enhanced sensitivity to MTX in a colony formation assay. We conclude that a combination of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors and MTX may be useful for overcoming resistance to MTX.
Identification and pest status of two exotic flea beetle species newly introduced in Portugal:Epitrix similarisGentner andEpitrix cucumeris(Harris)
Authors: Boavida C. , Germain J.‐F.
Published: November 2009

Around 2004, a new type of injury was noticed in potato tubers harvested in the north of Portugal. Two North American flea beetles,Epitrix cucumerisandEpitrix similariswere later identified. The second species seems to be responsible for the characteristic type of tuber injury observed. The main morphological characters enabling the two species to be distinguished are presented.
Anti‐infliximab IgE and non‐IgE antibodies and induction of infusion‐related severe anaphylactic reactions
Authors: Vultaggio A. , Matucci A. , Nencini F. , Pratesi S. , Parronchi P. , Rossi O. , Romagnani S. , Maggi E.
Published: November 2009

To cite this article: Vultaggio A, Matucci A, Nencini F, Pratesi S, Parronchi P, Rossi O, Romagnani S, Maggi E. Anti‐infliximab IgE and non‐IgE antibodies and induction of infusion‐related severe anaphylactic reactions. Allergy 2010; 65: 657–661.

Background:  Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF‐α useful in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Severe anaphylaxis has been reported during therapy, although the exact mechanism has not been fully defined. The reactions have been related to the infliximab immunogenicity and development of specific antibodies.

Aims of the study:  Evaluation of the development of IgE and non‐IgE antibodies to infliximab and their relationship with infusion reaction.

Methods:  Seventy‐one patients (11 reactives, 11 therapeutically nonresponders, and 49 unreactive therapeutically responders) and 20 non–infliximab‐exposed control subjects (ten rheumatoid arthritis, five spondyloarthropathies, five vasculitis) were evaluated for the presence of IgE (ImmunoCAP assay), IgM, and non–isotype‐specific (ELISA assays) anti‐infliximab antibodies. Sera were obtained at baseline and during the course of treatment, before each infliximab infusion.

Results:  Eleven out of 71 patients had a hypersensitivity reaction to infliximab. Non–isotype‐specific anti‐infliximab antibodies were detected in eight reactive and two nonresponder patients. Three patients with severe reactions displayed anti‐infliximab IgE antibodies and positive skin testing. Detectable levels of anti‐infliximab IgM antibodies were shown in three additional IgE‐ and skin testing‐negative patients. IgE and IgM antibodies to infliximab were not detectable in the two nonresponder patients. Antibodies developed before the 2nd and the 3rd infusion, and their appearance was strictly related to the timing of the reaction.

Conclusions:  This report indicates that in some patients with infliximab‐related severe reactions, IgE or IgM antibodies against infliximab were detectable. The majority of reactions could be predicted by the appearance of anti‐infliximab antibodies.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN RETRACTED: What caused the mid‐Holocene forest decline on the eastern Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau?
Authors: Herzschuh Ulrike , Birks H. John B. , Liu Xingqi , Kubatzki Claudia , Lohmann Gerrit
Published: November 2009

Aim  Atmospheric CO2 concentrations depend, in part, on the amount of biomass locked up in terrestrial vegetation. Information on the causes of a broad‐scale vegetation transition and associated loss of biomass is thus of critical interest for understanding global palaeoclimatic changes. Pollen records from the north‐eastern Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau reveal a dramatic and extensive forest decline beginning c. 6000 cal. yr bp. The aim of this study is to elucidate the causes of this regional‐scale change from high‐biomass forest to low‐biomass steppe on the Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau during the second half of the Holocene.

Location  Our study focuses on the north‐eastern Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau. Stratigraphical data used are from Qinghai Lake (3200 m a.s.l., 36°32′–37°15′ N, 99°36′–100°47′ E).

Methods  We apply a modern pollen‐precipitation transfer function from the eastern and north‐eastern Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau to fossil pollen spectra from Qinghai Lake to reconstruct annual precipitation changes during the Holocene. The reconstructions are compared to a stable oxygen‐isotope record from the same sediment core and to results from two transient climate model simulations.

Results  The pollen‐based precipitation reconstruction covering the Holocene parallels moisture changes inferred from the stable oxygen‐isotope record. Furthermore, these results are in close agreement with simulated model‐based past annual precipitation changes.

Main conclusions  In the light of these data and the model results, we conclude that it is not necessary to attribute the broad‐scale forest decline to human activity. Climate change as a result of changes in the intensity of the East Asian Summer Monsoon in the mid‐Holocene is the most parsimonious explanation for the widespread forest decline on the Tibet‐Qinghai Plateau. Moreover, climate feedback from a reduced forest cover accentuates increasingly drier conditions in the area, indicating complex vegetation–climate interactions during this major ecological change.
Large‐scale pattern of biomass partitioning across China's grasslands
Authors: Yang Yuanhe , Fang Jingyun , Ma Wenhong , Guo Dali , Mohammat Anwar
Published: November 2009

Aim  To investigate large‐scale patterns of above‐ground and below‐ground biomass partitioning in grassland ecosystems and to test the isometric theory at the community level.

Location  Northern China, in diverse grassland types spanning temperate grasslands in arid and semi‐arid regions to alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau.

Methods  We investigated above‐ground and below‐ground biomass in China's grasslands by conducting five consecutive sampling campaigns across the northern part of the country during 2001–05. We then documented the root : shoot ratio (R/S) and its relationship with climatic factors for China's grasslands. We further explored relationships between above‐ground and below‐ground biomass across different grassland types.

Results  Our results indicated that the overall R/S of China's grasslands was larger than the global average (6.3 vs. 3.7). The R/S for China's grasslands did not show any significant trend with either mean annual temperature or mean annual precipitation. Above‐ground biomass was nearly proportional to below‐ground biomass with a scaling exponent (the slope of log–log linear relationship between above‐ground and below‐ground biomass) of 1.02 across various grassland types. The slope did not differ significantly between temperate and alpine grasslands or between steppe and meadow.

Main conclusions  Our findings support the isometric theory of above‐ground and below‐ground biomass partitioning, and suggest that above‐ground biomass scales isometrically with below‐ground biomass at the community level.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Trade: An Empirical Investigation from Cross‐country Comparison
Authors: Ozturk Ilhan , Kalyoncu Huseyin
Published: November 2009

Abstract: This paper investigates empirically the impact of exchange rate volatility on the trade flows of six countries over the quarterly period of 1980–2005. The impact of a volatility term on trade is examined by using an Engle‐Granger residual‐based cointegrating technique. The major results show that increases in the volatility of the real exchange rate, approximating exchange‐rate uncertainty, exert a significant negative effect on trade for South Korea, Pakistan, Poland and South Africa and a positive effect for Turkey and Hungary in the long run.
Developmental anatomy of lampreys
Authors: Richardson Michael K. , Admiraal Jeroen , Wright Glenda M.
Published: November 2009

Lampreys are a group of aquatic chordates whose relationships to hagfishes and jawed vertebrates are still debated. Lamprey embryology is of interest to evolutionary biologists because it may shed light on vertebrate origins. For this and other reasons, lamprey embryology has been extensively researched by biologists from a range of disciplines. However, many of the key studies of lamprey comparative embryology are relatively inaccessible to the modern scientist. Therefore, in view of the current resurgence of interest in lamprey evolution and development, we present here a review of lamprey developmental anatomy. We identify several features of early organogenesis, including the origin of the nephric duct, that need to be re‐examined with modern techniques. The homologies of several structures are also unclear, including the intriguing subendothelial pads in the heart. We hope that this review will form the basis for future studies into the phylogenetic embryology of this interesting group of animals.
Tau oligomers and aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Meraz‐Ríos Marco A. , Lira‐De León Karla I. , Campos‐Peña Victoria , De Anda‐Hernández Martha A. , Mena‐López Raúl
Published: November 2009

J. Neurochem.(2010)112, 1353–1367.

We are analyzing the physiological function of Tau protein and its abnormal pathological behavior when this protein is self‐assemble into pathological filaments. These aggregates of Tau protein are the main components in many diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies suggest that Tau acquires complex oligomeric conformations which may be toxic. In this review, we emphasized the possible phenomena implicated in the formation of these oligomers. Studies with chemical inductors indicates that the microtubule‐binding domain is the most important region involved in Tau aggregation and showed the requirement of a pre‐arrange Tau in abnormal conformation to promote self‐assembly. Transgenic animal models and AD neuropathology studies showed that post‐translational modifications are also implicated in Tau aggregation and neural cell death during AD development. Therefore, we analyzed some events that could be present during Tau aggregation. Finally, we included a brief discussion of the possible relation between glucose metabolism dysfunction in AD, and data of Tau aggregation by using aggregation inhibitors. In conclusion, the process Tau aggregation deserves further investigations to design possible therapeutic targets to inhibit the toxicity of these aggregates and it is possible that could be extended to other diseases with similar etiology.
GABA synthesis in Schwann cells is induced by the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone
Authors: Magnaghi Valerio , Parducz Arpad , Frasca Angelisa , Ballabio Marinella , Procacci Patrizia , Racagni Giorgio , Bonanno Giambattista , Fumagalli Fabio
Published: November 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 112, 980–990.

Recent evidence showed that neurotransmitters are synthesised in glial cells, such as the Schwann cells, which form myelin sheaths in the PNS. While the presence of GABA type A (GABA‐A) receptors has been previously demonstrated in these cells, the evidence of GABA synthesis remained still elusive. In an attempt to demonstrate the presence of GABA in rat Schwann cells, we adopted a strategy, using several integrated neurochemical, molecular as well as immunocytochemical approaches. We first demonstrated the presence of glutamic acid decarboxylase of 67 kDa (GAD67) in Schwann cells, a crucial enzyme of the GABA synthesis mechanism. Second, we demonstrated that GABA is synthesized and localized in Schwann cells. As the third step we showed that allopregnanolone (10 nM), a potent allosteric modulator of GABA‐A receptors, stimulates GABA synthesis through increased levels of GAD67 in Schwann cells. Analysis of intracellular signalling mechanisms revealed that the protein kinase A pathway, through enhanced cAMP levels and cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation, modulates the allosteric action of allopregnanolone at the GABA‐A receptor in Schwann cells. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that this GABA mechanism is active in Schwann cells thus establishing new potential therapeutic targets to control Schwann cell biology, which may prove useful in the treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders.
Procalcitonin in sepsis and systemic inflammation: a harmful biomarker and a therapeutic target
Authors: Becker Kenneth L. , Snider Richard , Nylen Eric S.
Published: November 2009

The worldwide yearly mortality from sepsis is substantial, greater than that of cancer of the lung and breast combined. Moreover, its incidence is increasing, and its response to therapy has not appreciably improved. In this condition, the secretion of procalcitonin (ProCT), the prohormone of calcitonin, is augmented greatly, attaining levels up to thousands of fold of normal. This hypersecretion emanates from multiple tissues throughout the body that are not traditionally viewed as being endocrine. The serum values of ProCT correlate with the severity of sepsis; they recede with its improvement and worsen with exacerbation. Accordingly, as highlighted in this review, serum ProCT has become useful as a biomarker to assist in the diagnosis of sepsis, as well as related infectious or inflammatory conditions. It is also a useful monitor of the clinical course and prognosis, and sensitive and specific assays have been developed for its measurement. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the administration of ProCT to septic animals greatly increases mortality, and several toxic effects of ProCT have been elucidated by in vitro experimental studies. Antibodies have been developed that neutralize the harmful effects of ProCT, and their use markedly decreases the symptomatology and mortality of animals that harbour a highly virulent sepsis analogous to that occurring in humans. This therapy is facilitated by the long duration of serum ProCT elevation, which allows for a broad window of therapeutic opportunity. An experimental groundwork has been established that suggests a potential applicability of such therapy in septic humans.