bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-Service and Organizational Change
Authors: Ong Chorng-Shyong , Wang Shang-Wei
Published: January 2013

The pervasiveness of e-services offers organizations a new way to serve and engage their customers. Organizational change issues must be recognized and addressed to increase service quality and satisfaction of e-service. However, relevant research is limited. In this paper, the authors conduct a longitudinal in-depth case study of a successful e-service-induced governmental transformation and propose a three-stage change management model. First, the authors reveal the dynamic process of the e-service-induced organizational change. Second, the authors explicitly identify the role and influence of ICTs and customers in the change process, which is important in studying e-service-induced organizational change due to the boundary nature of e-service. Lastly, their three-stage change management model acknowledges the improvisational and technochange process of the e-service-induced change and can be used either as a theoretical framework or a practical management tool.
How Dependent Are Consumers on Others When Making Their Shopping Decisions?
Authors: Nakayama Makoto , Wan Yun , Sutcliffe Norma
Published: January 2013

Consumers now have a variety of shopping information sources online and offline in making purchase decisions. How has the Web changed the perceptions of consumers regarding the relative importance of different shopping information sources? Applying the attribution principle and the least effort principle, the authors hypothesize the relative importance of self-evaluation and three types of recommendations from others (word-of-mouth or WOM, expert opinion, and electronic WOM or eWOM). The data collected from 549 consumers show that the perceived importance of WOM remains equal to or even higher than that of self-evaluation for credence goods (product quality unknown even after purchase and use) and the so-called digital goods without Web access. However, the importance of self-evaluation increases when consumers have both Web access and non-Web sources of shopping information. The Web appears to make self-evaluation by consumers more important than inputs from others.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using Optimized Attribute Division in Modular Neural Networks
Authors: Kala Rahul , Shukla Anupam , Tiwari Ritu
Published: January 2013

The complexity of problems has led to a shift toward the use of modular neural networks in place of traditional neural networks. The number of inputs to neural networks must be kept within manageable limits to escape from the curse of dimensionality. Attribute division is a novel concept to reduce the problem dimensionality without losing information. In this paper, the authors use Genetic Algorithms to determine the optimal distribution of the parameters to the various modules of the modular neural network. The attribute set is divided into the various modules. Each module computes the output using its own list of attributes. The individual results are then integrated by an integrator. This framework is used for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Experimental results show that optimal distribution strategy exceeds the well-known methods for the diagnosis of the disease.
Self-Organizing Tree Using Artificial Ants
Authors: Azzag Hanene , Lebbah Mustapha
Published: January 2013

In this paper, the authors propose a new approach for topological hierarchical tree clustering inspired from the self-assembly behavior of artificial ants. The method, called SoTree (Self-organizing Tree), builds, autonomously and simultaneously, a topological and hierarchical partitioning of data. Each ’’cluster’’ associated to one cell of a 2D grid is modeled by a tree. The artificial ants similarly build a tree where each ant represents a node/data. The benefit of this approach is the intuitive representation of hierarchical relations in the data. This is especially appealing in explorative data mining applications, allowing the inherent structure of the data to unfold in a highly intuitive fashion.
Enhancing the Disaster Recovery Plan through Virtualization
Authors: Guster Dennis , Lee Olivia F.
Published: January 2013

Currently, organizations are increasingly aware of the need to protect their computer infrastructure to maintain continuity of operations. This process involves a number of different concerns including: managing natural disasters, equipment failure, and security breaches, poor data management, inadequate design, and complex/impractical design. The purpose of this article is to delineate how virtualization of hosts and cloud computing can be used to address the concerns resulting in improved computer infrastructure that can easily be restored following a natural disaster and which features fault tolerant hosts/components, isolates applications security attacks, is simpler in design, and is easier to manage. Further, because this technology has been out for a number of years and its capabilities have matured an attempt has been made to describe those capabilities as well as document successful applications.
The Role of Environmental Innovation Strategy in Reinforcing the Impact of Green Managerial Practices on Competitive Advantages of Fertilizer Companies in Egypt
Authors: Al-kerdawy Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed
Published: January 2013

Little literature and research exists on the impact of Green Managerial Practices (GMP’S) on competitive advantages (CA). This study fills this research gap and is conducted on a sample of 450 workers in 10 fertilizer companies in Egypt. The study identifies the moderating role of environmental innovation strategy (EIS) in reinforcing the impact of green managerial practices on competitive advantages. The empirical results show that three types of green managerial practices – green planning, green managerial concerns, and green entrepreneurship – have positive effects on competitive advantages, which increases in the presence of environmental innovation strategy. Companies that invest resources and efforts in green managerial practices can meet the strict environmental regulations in Egypt and popular environmental consciousness of consumers, as well as obtain corporate competitive advantages. Managerial implications and areas for further research are also discussed.
Handling Customer Complaints in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Dinnen Rosalynn , Hassanien Ahmed
Published: January 2013

Drawing on associated literature and empirical research, this paper examines the engagement and expertise of hotels in handling customer complaints. This is of considerable interest to practitioners and academics within the field of hospitality management. The study explores hotel management’s attitudes and practices toward handling customer complaints within the hospitality industry in Scotland. In this paper, the authors analyze case study interviews with four and five star hotel managers in Scotland. The findings reveal that encouraging customer complaints and feedback should be seen as a way in which to develop a better relationship with and retain customers. The results also confirm the importance of having employee training in the area of customer complaints, recommending that employees handle complaints themselves. Furthermore, the study suggests that hotels must be well equipped for logging, processing and analyzing complaints. Management implications and areas for further research are also discussed.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Relationship Proneness and Its Implications for Relationship Marketing
Authors: Wei Yujie , McIntyre Faye S. , Taplade Salil
Published: January 2013

This paper examines relationship proneness of consumers in a cross-cultural setting; specifically, the relationship proneness between Chinese and U.S. consumers of Generation Y (born from 1976 to 1995) and its effects on relational satisfaction and relationship commitment. Based on previous research (e.g., De Wulf, Odekerken- Schröder, & Iacobucci, 2001) and cultural theories (e.g., Hofstede, 1980, 2001), nine hypotheses were developed involving the effects of relationship building tactics (i.e., direct mail, preferential treatment, communication, and tangible rewards) on relationship proneness, relational satisfaction and store loyalty. This quantitative study used a survey among two samples of consumers in China and the U.S. The final sample size was comprised of 349 student consumers. The findings of the research provide managerial implications for international retailers. Relationship proneness is a meaningful personal characteristic that can be used to describe or predict consumer behavior across cultures. A relationship marketing strategy that works for one culture may also work well in another culture. It is possible and appropriate, at least with generation Y consumers, to employ standardized approaches in relationship marketing across cultures.
The Mediating Role of Job Embeddedness between Internal Marketing and Turnover Intention
Authors: Ibrahim Mona Mohamed Sayed
Published: January 2013

This study contributes to the stream of research on job embeddedness and internal marketing. Greater attention needs to be paid to understand the mechanisms and processes through which internal marketing influences work-related attitudes such as turnover intention in order to develop complete understanding of the effect of internal marketing on job embeddedness. This study fills this research gap using a sample of respondents employed by telecommunication companies in Egypt. The author examines whether job embeddedness mediated the effects of internal marketing on turnover intention. Results from Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) showed that job embeddedness fully mediates the relationship between internal marketing and turnover intention. Results also support that internal marketing has obviously positive influence on job embeddedness and a clearly negative influence on turnover intention; finally, internal marketing has direct and indirect influences on turnover intention through job embeddedness. Implications for research and practice of the findings are discussed.
The Effect of Information and Communication Technology on Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Al-Khaffaf Maha M. , Abdellatif Hadeel J.
Published: January 2013

The essence of the information technology revolution and in particular, Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the opportunity offered for companies to choose how they interact with their customers. This research paper investigates the influence of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) factors benefiting from information communication technology on (CRM) performance. The results suggest that the three elements have positive relationships with CRM performance. Questionnaires numbered at 330 have been distributed to 110 public shareholding companies (PSCs) in four economic sectors in Jordan; banking, service, industrial, and insurance. The findings further suggest that CRM performance mediates the effects of marketing orientation, IT investment and mass customization on customer network effect.
New Technologies and Democratic Participation on the International Level
Authors: Papandreou Marios
Published: January 2013

This chapter shows that the role of new technologies in global democracy is very important. First, the concept of democracy is analyzed with particular reference to participation and (access to) information. Second, it is explained that democracy should not be limited to the national level because of the major changes of globalization and because of the fact that these changes influence the everyday lives of billions of people. Examples of the United Nations and the European Union are examined, the former as an example of what could be done and how (with regard to individuals’ participation) and the latter as an example of what has already been achieved. Finally, it is explained how and under which conditions new technologies could help build more democratic and more participatory processes on the international level. The concept of access is the central link between information and communication technologies on the one side and international participatory democracy on the other.
Interpreting “You” and “Me”
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: January 2013

Over a billion people are said to use the WWW and Internet, with 1 in 6 humans on earth accessing these technological systems. Many of these users have created their own personal profiles online, and all also have “silent information” about them that may be accessed on a variety of connected databases (including many on the Deep, Hidden, or Invisible Web). People use the WWW and Internet with a semblance of anonymity, but in fact, most interactions online are trackable to Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which allows for the revealing of the individual behind the photo, the video, the information, or other elements. Internet profiles may be coalesced into actual identities, even with inaccuracies, and such information may be kept in perfect electronic memory into perpetuity. This current reality has implications for citizens’ peace-of-mind and degrees of freedom in decision-making. This chapter offers an approach that may serve as a “forcing function” to propose limitations to the sharing of private information in public spaces.
Facebook as a Tool for Enhancing Alternative/Counter-Public Spheres in Cyprus
Authors: Karayianni Christiana
Published: January 2013

The chapter is based on a study focusing on the uses and impact of different forms/media of communication on bicommunal relations in Cyprus. It presents a case study of bicommunal communication through Facebook Groups that took place in Cyprus between 2007-2010. The discussion identifies the ways in which certain Facebook Groups facilitate bicommunal communication in Cyprus and explains why they can be considered part of a counter-public sphere. The analysis suggests that groups whose voices or discourses are excluded from the public domain/sphere can find through the use of tools like Facebook Groups alternative forms of organising and debate, which places them—at least as far as this medium is concerned—on an equal footing with discourses sanctioned by power and hegemonic institutions, such as the press and broadcast media.
The Monitoring of Employees’ Conduct through the Use of a Global Positioning System (GPS)
Authors: Panagopoulou-Koutnatzi Fereniki
Published: January 2013

The crucial question that this chapter examines is whether an employer may track employees during work hours using the Global Positioning System (GPS) without violating employees’ right to privacy. This chapter argues that GPS installation in employer-owned mobile phones and computers can coexist harmoniously with employees’ right to privacy when the GPS tracking does not seek to keep track of employee whereabouts but, instead, to optimize a travel route and enhance employee safety by providing the possibility of immediate intervention if necessary, such as when a specified location is needed. If a GPS has been installed in order to assist employees in reaching a destination most efficiently, then this system must be placed solely and exclusively for this purpose, and the employee must retain the right to deactivate it at will.
The Role of Information Security and Cryptography in Digital Democracy
Authors: Tsiakis Theodosios
Published: January 2013

The preponderant dilemma organisations confront currently is which way to homologate and superintend access for a broad mass of services and products and in parallel to preserve security and privacy. Information technology is rapidly changing, is inherently complex, and complexity kills security. There is an ongoing technical race to maintain security that does not take into account the human factors. The new technological infrastructure affects the degree of anonymity and confidentiality in mass-market computer-based systems and basically determines the evolution of democratic-political culture. Thus, in examining the issue of security, cryptography, privacy in the use of computers and Internet, forms the primary interest form the moral side of view, about what is the right and wrong thing to do, rather than in a legal frame, about what is legal and illegal. Security and privacy are not ethical or moral issues. They are fundamental human rights. In this societal change, the challenges of the information society are many but foremost is the protection of human rights. Addressing the critical question of how technological trends are both helping and hindering the advancement of human rights is essential in the specific digital environment. The democratic key concept is the efficient use of digital resources. We do not only need a culture of security (information), we further need to ensure the security of cultures, meaning that everyone should be able to freely exercise their constitutional rights. The role of this chapter is to bring to the surface the rights (human) implications of ICT and the information society. It enlightens the technical community, which designs, implements, and secures information and communication systems, with an understanding of human rights principles and foundational underpinnings. It highlights the role of government implications, identifies the role and relationship between the stakeholders, and indicates the balance between information security and freedom in order to understand that security, freedom, and rights (human), are not opposite concepts but coexist and progress in parallel.
Right to Governance and Right to Collective Bargaining
Authors: Fridrich Branislav , Mokrá Lucia
Published: January 2013

The chapter is devoted to constitutional and general legal enactment of the right to strike in the Slovak Republic. The main point comprises the existing international regulation of a right to collective governance and collective bargaining as well as the essential related freedom of association. The chapter provides a close analysis to the real accessibility of a particular right—the right to strike. The introduction provides a legal definition of the right to strike while it comes out from a normative regulation realised by the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and Law No. 2/1991 of the Coll. on Collective Bargaining. After that, the authors, in compliance with the Constitution of the Slovak Republic, exactly define limitations on the right to strike. Within the final sections, the chapter deals with constitutional guarantees of the right to strike within the regime of Art. 51 para. 1 of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic and positive obligation of the State in relation to right to strike under international conventions.
Corporate Linguistic Rights through the Prism of Company Linguistic Identity Capital
Authors: Bielenia-Grajewska Magdalena
Published: January 2013

The aim of this chapter is to draw the attention of the readers to the linguistic side of modern organizations. Taking into account modern companies that consist of workers and stakeholders representing different cultures and speaking various languages, the notion of linguistic liberties within a corporate setting requires deeper consideration. To study corporate linguistic rights and their implications, the concept of company linguistic identity capital has been created and discussed.
Modeling the Relationship between a Human and a Malicious Artificial Intelligence, Natural-Language ’Bot in an Immersive Virtual World
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: January 2013

People go to virtual immersive spaces online to socialize through their human-embodied avatars. Through the “passing stranger” phenomenon, many make fast relationships and share intimate information with the idea that they will not deal with the individual again. Others, though, pursue longer-term relationships from the virtual into Real Life (RL). Many do not realize that they are interacting with artificial intelligence ’bots with natural language capabilities. This chapter models some implications of malicious AI natural language ’bots in immersive virtual worlds (as socio-technical spaces). For simplicity, this is referred to as a one-on-one, but that is not to assume that various combinations of malicious ’bots or those that are occasionally human-embodied may not be deployed for the same deceptive purposes.
Citizen and Citizenship in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Akrivopoulou Christina M.
Published: January 2013

The present chapter offers a short account of citizenship, its history, its constitution, and its main theoretical approaches. It is divided in four principal sections. The first examines the two main theories of citizenship in their historical and normative context, thus the republican and liberal approach of citizenship as they were formed in the ancient Greek and Roman tradition, as well as in their current feminist critic. The second part focuses on the analyses of what seems up until now to be the most influential work on citizenship, the essay of the British sociologist, Thomas Humphrey Marshall “Citizenship and Social Class,” which was published in 1950 and since then is considered to be the stepping-stone of the international literature on citizenship. The third part presents the “constitution” of citizenship, the elements of which the notion of citizen is crafted, thus membership in a certain political community, rights, and the ability of democratic participation. Finally, the last part examines the modern apprehension of citizenship, its supranational dynamic, its ability to act as a means of integration and coercion in the modern liberal democracies, while theories of pluralism, cosmopolitanism, and post-nationalism are taken into account. Instead of conclusions, the chapter closes with a short post-script concerning the fallacies and prospects of a European citizenship.
Critical Role for All-transRetinoic Acid for Optimal Effector and Effector Memory CD8 T Cell Differentiation
Authors: Allie S. Rameeza , Zhang Weijun , Tsai Ching-Yi , Noelle Randolph J. , Usherwood Edward J.
Published: January 2013

A plethora of work implicates important effects of the vitamin A derivative retinoic acid (RA) in myeloid differentiation, whereas fewer studies explore the role of RA in lymphoid cells. Most work on lymphoid cells has focused on the influence of RA on CD4 T cells. Little information about the role of RA in CD8 T cell differentiation is available, and even less on cell-intrinsic effects in the CD8 T cell. This study explores the role of RA in effector and memory differentiation in a cell-intrinsic manner in the context of vaccinia virus infection. We observed the loss of the short-lived effector cell phenotype (reduced KLRG1+, T-bethi, granzyme Bhi), accompanied by an enhanced memory precursor phenotype at the effector (increased CD127hi, IL-2+) and contraction phases (increased CD127hi, IL-2+, eomesoderminhi) of the CD8 response in the absence of RA signaling. The lack of RA also increased the proportion of central memory CD8s. Collectively, these results introduce a new role for RA in CD8 T cell activation and differentiation. This new role may have significant implications for optimal vaccine design in which vitamin A supplementation is used to augment effector responses, but it may be to the detriment of the long-term central memory response.
Temporal Dynamics of the Primary Human T Cell Response to Yellow Fever Virus 17D As It Matures from an Effector- to a Memory-Type Response
Authors: Blom Kim , Braun Monika , Ivarsson Martin A. , Gonzalez Veronica D. , Falconer Karolin , Moll Markus , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Michaëlsson Jakob , Sandberg Johan K.
Published: January 2013

The live attenuated yellow fever virus (YFV) 17D vaccine provides a good model to study immune responses to an acute viral infection in humans. We studied the temporal dynamics, composition, and character of the primary human T cell response to YFV. The acute YFV-specific effector CD8 T cell response was broad and complex; it was composed of dominant responses that persisted into the memory population, as well as of transient subdominant responses that were not detected at the memory stage. Furthermore, HLA-A2– and HLA-B7–restricted YFV epitope–specific effector cells predominantly displayed a CD45RA−CCR7−PD-1+CD27high phenotype, which transitioned into a CD45RA+CCR7−PD-1−CD27low memory population phenotype. The functional profile of the YFV-specific CD8 T cell response changed in composition as it matured from an effector- to a memory-type response, and it tended to become less polyfunctional during the course of this transition. Interestingly, activation of CD4 T cells, as well as FOXP3+ T regulatory cells, in response to YFV vaccination preceded the kinetics of the CD8 T cell response. The present results contribute to our understanding of how immunodominance patterns develop, as well as the phenotypic and functional characteristics of the primary human T cell response to a viral infection as it evolves and matures into memory.
Live AttenuatedLeishmania donovanip27 Gene Knockout Parasites Are Nonpathogenic and Elicit Long-Term Protective Immunity in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Dey Ranadhir , Dagur Pradeep K. , Selvapandiyan Angamuthu , McCoy J. Philip , Salotra Poonam , Duncan Robert , Nakhasi Hira L.
Published: January 2013

Leishmaniasis causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and no vaccines against this disease are available. Previously, we had shown that the amastigote-specific protein p27 (Ldp27) is a component of an active cytochrome c oxidase complex in Leishmania donovani and that upon deletion of its gene the parasite had reduced virulence in vivo. In this study, we have shown that Ldp27−/− parasites do not survive beyond 20 wk in BALB/c mice and hence are safe as an immunogen. Upon virulent challenge, mice 12 wk postimmunization showed significantly lower parasite burden in the liver and spleen. When mice were challenged 20 wk postimmunization, a significant reduction in parasite burden was still noted, suggesting long-term protection by Ldp27−/− immunization. Immunization with Ldp27−/− induced both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses and activated splenocytes for enhanced leishmanicidal activity in association with NO production. Protection in both short- and long-term immunized mice after challenge with the wild-type parasite correlated with the stimulation of multifunctional Th1-type CD4 and CD8 T cells. Adoptive transfer of T cells from long-term immunized mice conferred protection against virulent challenge in naive recipient mice, suggesting involvement of memory T cell response in protection against Leishmania infection. Immunization of mice with Ldp27−/−also demonstrated cross-protection against Leishmania major and Leishmania braziliensis infection. Our data show that genetically modified live attenuated Ldp27−/− parasites are safe, induce protective immunity even in the absence of parasites, and can provide protection against homologous and heterologous Leishmania species.
Guinea-pig ileum as ex vivo model useful to characterize ligands displaying Imidazoline I2 and Adrenergic alpha2 mixed activity: a preliminary study
Authors: Contino Marialessandra , Carrieri Antonio , Berardi Francesco , Leopoldo Marcello , Perrone Roberto , Thomas Russell , Colabufo Nicola Antonio
Published: January 2013

The lack of an effective analgesic treatment makes pain a clinical challenge and the need of a novel approach to identify new agents is urgent. In this scenario I2-ligands can be considered an alternative strategy in pain therapy. The development of an ex vivo model useful for the evaluation of functional activities at both a2 and I2-IBs (imidazoline binding sites) is an important task in pharmacological sciences since several I2 ligands display activity also towards a receptors. The present study aims to develop an ex vivo model for estimating the activity of I2-IBs ligands in a biological sample where a1 and a2 adrenergic receptors are present. For this purpose the imidalzoline endogenous ligand, harmane, reference compounds, 2BFI and BU224, and imidazoline derivatives 1-3 have been selected taking into account their in vitro activity towards IBs and adrenergic receptors. All compounds have been tested ex vivo in guinea pig-ileum where a2A-ARs are prejunctionally and I2-IBS postjunctionally localized. Adrenergic component has been identified by the studying the interference of compounds on the electrically-evoked contraction while I2-IBs activity by testing the ability of compounds to inhibit the carbachol-evoked contractions in the presence of prazosin to mask the a1 adrenoceptors. Compounds 1 and 2 were found I2-IBs antago nists (pIC50=4.2 and 4.0, respectively) whereas compound 3 was I2-IBs agonist (EC50=0.38 mM); All ligands were a2 adrenergic agonists. This paper suggests guinea-pig ileum as the first ex vivo approach for establishing both the intrinsic activity of I2-IBs ligands and the physiological correlation between IBs and adrenergic system.
Lymph Node Co-Infection of Mycobacterium Avium Complex and Cytomegalovirus in an Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Patient
Authors: Hedjazi Arya , Hosseini Marzieh , Hoseinzadeh Amin
Published: January 2013

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients are known to have an increased tendency for developing opportunistic infections. However, there are no reports of simultaneous lymph node involvement of cytomegalovirus and Mycobacterium avium complex in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient. We report a 31-year-old man who presented with acute abdominal pain and tenderness and weight loss. He died a few hours after admission. Autopsy studies showed coinfection of cytomegalovirus, Mycobacterium avium complex and human immunodeficiency virus. Our case emphasizes the need to be careful in evaluating opportunistic infections in severely immunodepressed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. This case report is the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in this patient.
Staphylococcus intermedius Infections: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Nancy , Neilan Anne M. , Klompas Michael
Published: January 2013

Staphylococcus intermedius is part of the normal skin and oral flora of dogs. Case reports of human infections are rare, but the true incidence is unknown because the pathogen is frequently misidentified as Staphylococcus aureus. Reported cases range from soft tissue infections to brain abscess. Most reported cases in humans have been related to dog exposure. We report a case of a 73 year old female with S. intermedius surgical wound infection one month following a left elbow total arthroplasty. This is the first reported human case of S. intermedius infection of a mechanical prosthesis. The presumed source of infection was the patient’s dog. The patient was treated with vancomycin, then switched to cefazolin and rifampin once susceptibilities were known. Case reports suggest that patients generally respond well to tailored antibiotics with complete or near-complete recovery. S. intermedius should be included in the differential diagnosis of invasive infection amongst patients with close contact with dogs.
Indicator mineral signatures of the Izok Lake Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Nunavut: Part 1 bedrock samples
Authors: Hicken A K , McClenaghan M B , Layton-Matthews D , Paulen R C , Averill S
A , Crabtree D
Published: January 2013

Metamorphosed volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits contain indicator minerals; however, little research has been carried out to determine which of these minerals may be useful for exploration in glaciated terrain. Few case studies have been published that
document indicator minerals signatures in till around VMS deposits. To address this need, the indicator minerals that characterize the Izok Lake Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag VMS deposit, Nunavut, have been documented in bedrock and till down-ice. This report describes results for bedrock samples.
A suite of bedrock samples from mineralization and host rocks around the deposit were prepared and examined as polished thin sections and <2.0 mm heavy mineral concentrates. Selected indicator mineral compositions were examined using electron microprobe analysis. Indicator minerals that
characterize the Izok Lake deposit, and will be useful for till surveys, include the ore minerals chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and pyrrhotite, as well as Zn-spinel gahnite, and the hydrothermal alteration mineral axinite.
Inclusion of vulnerable groups in health policies: Regional policies on health priorities in Africa
Authors: Schneider Margie , Eide Arne Henning , Amin Mutamad , MacLachlan Malcom , Mannan Hasheem
Published: January 2013

Background: If access to equitable health care is to be achieved for all, policy documents must mention and address in some detail different needs of groups vulnerable to not accessing such health care. If these needs are not addressed in the policy documents, there is little chance that they will be addressed at the stage of implementation.Objectives: This paper reports on an analysis of 11 African Union (AU) policy documents to ascertain the frequency and the extent of mention of 13 core concepts in relation to 12 vulnerable groups, with a specific focus on people with disabilities.Method: The paper applied the EquiFrame analytical framework to the 11 AU policy documents. The 11 documents were analysed in terms of how many times a core concept was mentioned and the extent of information on how the core concept should be addressed at the implementation level. Each core concept mention was further analysed in terms of the vulnerable group in referred to.Results: The analysis of regional AU policies highlighted the broad nature of the reference made to vulnerable groups, with a lack of detailed specifications of different needs of different groups. This is confirmed in the highest vulnerable group mention being for ‘universal’. The reading of the documents suggests that vulnerable groups are homogeneous in their needs, which is not the case. There is a lack of recognition of different needs of different vulnerable groups in accessing health care.Conclusion: The need for more information and knowledge on the needs of all vulnerable groups is evident. The current lack of mention and of any detail on how to address needs of vulnerable groups will significantly impair the access to equitable health care for all.
Effects of Pharmacologic Therapy on Health-Related Quality of Life in Elderly patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A systematic Review of Randomized and Nonrandomized Trials
Authors: Pepine Carl J.
Published: January 2013

This systematic review assessed the impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) and pharmacotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in elderly patients. Highly prevalent in the elderly, AF is associated with morbidity and symptoms affecting HRQOL. A PubMed and EMBASE search (1999-2010) was conducted using the terms atrial fibrillation, elderly, quality of life, Medicare, and Medicaid. In all, 504 articles were identified and 15 were selected (studies examining pharmacotherapy [rate or rhythm control] and HRQOL in AF patients with a mean age > 65 years). Information, including study design, cohort size, and HRQOL instruments utilized, was extracted. Five observational studies, 5 randomized trials comparing rate and rhythm control, 3 randomized trials investigating pharmacologic agents, and 2 trials examining HRQOL, depression, and anxiety were identified. Elderly AF patients had reduced HRQOL versus patients in normal sinus rhythm, particularly in domains related to physical functioning. HRQOL may be particularly affected in older AF patients. Although data do not indicate whether a pharmacologic intervention or single treatment strategy—namely rate versus rhythm control—is better at improving HRQOL, either of these strategies and many pharmacologic interventions may improve HRQOL in elderly AF patients. Based on reviewed data, an algorithm is suggested to optimize HRQOL among elderly patients.
TIRfinder: A Web Tool for Mining Class II Transposons Carrying Terminal Inverted Repeats
Authors: Gambin Tomasz , Startek Michał , Walczak Krzysztof , Paszek Jarosław , Grzebelus Dariusz , Gambin Anna
Published: January 2013

Transposable elements (TEs) can be found in virtually all known genomes; plant genomes are exceptionally rich in this kind of dispersed repetitive sequences. Current knowledge on TE proliferation dynamics places them among the main forces of molecular evolution. Therefore efficient tools to analyze TE distribution in genomes are needed that would allow for comparative genomics studies and for studying TE dynamics in a genome. This was our main motivation underpinning TIRfinder construction–-an efficient tool for mining class II TEs carrying terminal inverted repeats. TIRfinder takes as an input a genomic sequence and information on structural properties of a TE family, and identifies all TEs in the genome showing the desired structural characteristics. The efficiency and small memory requirements of our approach stem from the use of suffix trees to identify all DNA segments surrounded by user-specified terminal inverse repeats (TIR) and target site duplications (TSD) which together constitute a mask. On the other hand, the flexibility of the notion of the TIR/TSD mask makes it possible to use the tool for de novo detection. The main advantages of TIRfinder are its speed, accuracy and convenience of use for biologists. A web-based interface is freely available at http:/bioputer.mimuw.edu.pl/tirfindertool/ .
Effect of the Botanical Compound LCS101 on Chemotherapy-Induced Symptoms in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Case Series Report
Authors: Samuels Noah , Maimon Yair , Zisk-Rony Rachel Y.
Published: January 2013

The treatment of breast cancer invariably results in severe and often debilitating symptoms that can cause significant distress and severely impair daily function and quality-of-life (QOL). We treated a series of 20 female breast cancer patients with the botanical compound LCS101 as adjuvant to conventional chemotherapy. At the end of the treatment regimen, patients rated their symptoms. 70% reported that they had either no or mildly severe levels of fatigue; 60% none to mildly severe weakness; 85% none to mildly severe pain; 70% none to mildly severe nausea; and 80% none to mildly severe vomiting. Only 20% reported severe impairment of overall function, and only 40% severely impaired QOL. No toxic effects were attributed by patients to the LCS101 treatment, and 85% reported that they believed the botanical compound had helped reduce symptoms. The effects of LCS101 on clinical outcomes in breast cancer should be tested further using randomized controlled trials.
Determination of Viremia and Concentration of Circulating Nonstructural Protein 1 in Patients Infected with Dengue Virus in Mexico
Authors: de la Cruz-Hernández Sergio I. , Flores-Aguilar Hilario , González-Mateos Silvia , López-Martinez Irma , Alpuche-Aranda Celia , Ludert Juan E. , del Angel Rosa M.
Published: January 2013

Higher levels of viremia and circulating nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) have been associated with dengue disease severity. In this study, viremia and circulating NS1 levels were determined in 225 serum samples collected from patients in Mexico infected with dengue virus serotypes 1 and 2 (DENV-1 and DENV-2). Patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) who were infected with DENV-1 showed higher levels of circulating NS1 than patients with dengue fever (DF) (P = 0.0175). Moreover, NS1 levels were higher in patients with primary infections with DENV-1 than in patient infected with DENV-2 (P < 0.0001) and in patients with primary infections with DENV-2 than in patients with secondary infections with DENV-2 (P = 0.0051). Unexpectedly, viremia levels were higher in patients with DF than in those with DHF infected with either DENV-1 or DENV-2 (P = 0.0019 and P = 0.001, respectively) and in patients with primary infections than those with secondary DENV-2 infections (P < 0.0001). Results indicate that levels of circulating NS1 vary according to the infecting serotype, immunologic status (primary or secondary infection), and dengue disease severity.
Hepatitis B, C, and D and HIV Infections among Immigrants from Equatorial Guinea Living in Spain
Authors: Rivas Pablo , Herrero María D. , Poveda Eva , Madejón Antonio , Treviño Ana , Gutiérrez Maite , Ladrón de Guevara Concepción , Lago Mar , de Mendoza Carmen , Soriano Vincent , Puente Sabino
Published: January 2013

A total of 1,220 subjects from Equatorial Guinea living in Spain (median age = 41 years; 453 male and 767 female) was examined for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and D (HDV) viruses. Extracted RNA and DNA from the positive samples were used to quantify viral load. The prevalence of HIV antibodies, HCV RNA, and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was 10.8% (N = 132), 11.6% (N = 141), and 7.9% (N = 96), respectively. The most prevalent HIV variant was CRF02_AG (38.5%; N = 40). HCV genotype 4 (60%; N = 36) and HBV genotype A3 (32%; N = 8) were the hepatitis variants most frequently found. Superinfection with HDV was seen in 20.9% (N = 24) of HBsAg carriers. A control group of 276 immigrants from other sub-Saharan countries showed similar rates of HIV and HBsAg, although no HCV cases were found. Immigrants constitute a major source of HIV and hepatitis viruses in Spain; therefore, it is important that control measures are intensified.
MRI Findings in a Cohort of Brain Injured Survivors of Pediatric Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Kampondeni Sam D. , Potchen Michael J. , Beare Nicholas A. V. , Seydel Karl B. , Glover Simon J. , Taylor Terrie E. , Birbeck Gretchen L.
Published: January 2013

A prospective cohort study of retinopathy-confirmed cerebral malaria (CM) survivors identified 42 of 132 with neurologic sequelae. The 38 survivors with sequelae who were alive when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology became available underwent brain MRIs. Common MRI abnormalities included periventricular T2 signal changes (53%), atrophy (47%), subcortical T2 signal changes (18%), and focal cortical defects (16%). The χ2 tests assessed the relationship between chronic MRI findings, acute clinical and demographic data, and outcomes. Children who were older at the time of CM infection (P = 0.01) and those with isolated behavioral problems (P = 0.02) were more likely to have a normal MRI. Acute focal seizures were associated with atrophy (P = 0.05). Acute papilledema was associated with subcortical T2 signal changes (P = 0.02). Peripheral retinal whitening (P = 0.007) and a higher admission white blood cell count (P = 0.02) were associated with periventricular T2 signal changes. Chronic MRI findings suggest seizures, increased intracranial pressure, and microvascular ischemia contribute to clinically relevant structural brain injury in CM.
Clinical Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Rates Are Associated with Household Lutzomyia gomezi, Lu. Panamensis, and Lu. trapidoi Abundance in Trinidad de Las Minas, Western Panama
Authors: Saldaña Azael , Chaves Luis F. , Rigg Chystrie A. , Wald Coridalia , Smucker Joanne E. , Calzada Jose E.
Published: January 2013

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) transmission patterns have been increasingly associated with domestic and peridomestic environments. Here, we present results from an epidemiological survey of 94 people from 24 households in Trinidad de Las Minas, western Panama. We studied the role of sand fly abundance, housing quality, peridomicile landscape matrix, and vegetation structure on shaping household clinical ACL rate patterns at Trinidad de Las Minas. We found that sand fly abundance was significantly associated with household clinical ACL rates, with a 6% rate increase for each additional Lutzomyia gomezi sand fly found inside a domicile.
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-positive Primary Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma of the Larynx: A Rare Clinical Entity
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Naik Sudhir , Halkud Rajshekar , Nanjundappa A , Premlatha CS , Ramarao C , Appaji L
Published: January 2013

Background

Primary lymphomas amount to less than 1% of the primary laryngeal tumors. It is the second most common primary hematologic tumor of the larynx after plasmacytoma. Although squamous cell carcinoma amounts to 90% of the laryngeal tumors, diagnosis of laryngeal lymphoma is very important as nonsurgical management is indicated in all stages of this disease.

Case report

A case of 10-year-old boy with hoarseness of voice with direct laryngoscopic biopsy reported as diffuse B-cell lymphoma. The sections were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), LCA, CD138, CD4 and Mum1 and ALK. He was managed under MCP 842 protocol. He had complete response after the treatment and was symptom free after 13 months of therapy.

Conclusion

Primary laryngeal lymphoma is a rare entity and should be managed with current chemotherapeutic protocol. Differentiating it between squamous cell carcinoma is important as management protocol in lymphoma is nonsurgical. Aid of immunohistochemistry helps in early diagnosis and management of these cases.

How to cite this article

Naik SM, Nanjundappa A, Halkud R, Premlatha CS, Ramarao C, Appaji L, Gupta S. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-positive Primary Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma of the Larynx: A Rare Clinical Entity. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2):57-61.
Pediatric Laryngeal Malignancies: Current Management Protocols and Review of Literature
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Halkud Rajshekar , Nanjundappa A , Chavan Purshottam , Naik Sudhir M , Srihariprasad H
Published: January 2013

Background

Malignant lesions of the larynx are very rare in pediatric population as it accounts for less than 0.1% of all head and neck malignancies in childhood. Apart from human papilloma virus infection, adult risk factors like laryngeal papilloma, gastroesophageal reflux, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, immunosuppressive therapy, smoking, alcohol abuse, poor oral hygiene and a family history of cancer also play a role in pediatric laryngeal cancers.

Case report

A 14-year-old boy presented to us with hoarseness of voice since 8 months. He was treated for laryngitis and subacute bacterial laryngitis and later referred to us. He complained of mild dysphagia and the hoarseness of voice. An ulceroproliferative lesion in the left arytenoids and aryepiglottic fold was seen with retroarytenoid extension in the left arytenoids and the left hemilarynx was fixed. The left level II node was enlarged 2 × 2 cm and a staged as carcinoma supraglottis T3/ 4N1Mx. The node aspiration biopsy revealed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.

Intervention

The case was posted for wide field laryngectomy, under ASA grade II. The direct laryngoscopic examination revealed the extent of the tumor, and the frozen sections of biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The surgery was done with the classical Gluck Sorenson incision and the patient was given postoperative radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Pediatric laryngeal cancers are very rare and studies about the etiology, biology of the tumor, diagnostic and management protocols are not standardized. Formulating a protocol for childhood laryngeal cancers management which includes early diagnosis and accurate treatment is essential.

How to cite this article

Naik SM, Nanjundappa A, Srihariprasad H, Halkud R, Chavan P, Gupta S. Pediatric Laryngeal Malignancies: Current Management Protocols and Review of Literature. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2012;2(2):62-65.