bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relation among Voice Value, Policy Outcomes, and Intensity of Support on Fairness Assessments of Tax Legislation
Authors: Hogan Brian , Maroney James J. , Rupert Timothy J.
Published: November 2012

We conduct a quasi-experiment to determine whether the value placed on a taxpayer's opinion by an elected representative (valued or not valued) has an impact on the taxpayer's procedural and outcome fairness perceptions. We also examine how the taxpayer's intensity of support for the tax legislation interacts with both the value the elected representative placed on the taxpayer's voiced opinion and whether the taxpayer's preferred policy outcome is ultimately passed in a representative democracy. We recruited 92 participants from graduate accounting classes and assigned them to four experimental groups based on whether the elected officials valued their opinion, and whether their desired legislation was passed. As predicted, perceptions of fairness are more positively associated with receiving a desired outcome as intensity of support for an issue increases. Further, we find that taxpayers who do not have a strong intensity of support for a particular legislative position react favorably to having their voice valued by legislators. However, for those taxpayers who feel most passionate about a legislative issue, having their voice valued may provide limited benefits, if any at all.

Data Availability: Data are available from the authors on request.
microRNAs: fine tuning of erythropoiesis
Authors: Listowski Marcin , Heger Elżbieta , Bogusławska Dżamila , Machnicka Beata , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz , Leluk Jacek , Sikorski Aleksander
Published: November 2012

Cell proliferation and differentiation is a complex process involving many cellular mechanisms. One of the best-studied phenomena in cell differentiation is erythrocyte development during hematopoiesis in vertebrates. In recent years, a new class of small, endogenous, non-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Thousands of miRNAs have been identified in various organisms, including protozoa, fungi, bacteria and viruses, proving that the regulatory miRNA pathway is conserved in evolution. There are many examples of miRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression in the processes of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and in cancer genesis. Many of the collected data clearly show the dependence of the proteome of a cell on the qualitative and quantitative composition of endogenous miRNAs. Numerous specific miRNAs are present in the hematopoietic erythroid line. This review attempts to summarize the state of knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the regulation of different stages of erythropoiesis. Original experimental data and results obtained with bioinformatics tools were combined to elucidate the currently known regulatory network of miRNAs that guide the process of differentiation of red blood cells.
Working in Depth
Authors: Langmaid Roy
Published: November 2012

This paper makes the case for working at relational depth (Mearns & Cooper 2007) in qualitative work. To establish this case, I trace the roots of psychological methods in qualitative work, and their foundations in the European and American schools of psychology. In particular I describe a split between holistic and elemental approaches, which I believe has done much to undermine the potential of qualitative work. I have also tried to set qualitative work in an appropriate psycho-social context because I feel it can play such a key role in sustaining democratically-based commercial growth and innovation in the UK and elsewhere in these days when consumer choice is as important in deciding our future as any other element of society.
Coverage Error in Internet Surveys: Can Fixed Phones Fix It?
Authors: Vicente Paula , Reis Elizabeth
Published: November 2012

The internet is increasingly being used for cross-sectional surveys and online panels. Although internet accessibility is growing across developed and developing countries, it seems unlikely that the internet alone will ever provide complete coverage of the general population. Given the incomplete coverage and imbalanced penetration rate of the internet across segments of the population, it is pertinent both for survey companies and academics to assess the potential of mixing the internet with other survey modes as part of a strategy to assure validity of inferential samples when surveying general populations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate to what extent coverage error in internet surveys can be reduced by surveying the offline population via telephone. We use data from Eurobarometer collected in the EU27 member states to simulate first an internetbased survey and then a mixed-mode survey combining the internet with the telephone. Comparisons are made to identify differences in the socio-demographic characteristics of internet households and those of non-internet households with telephone. Coverage error is also estimated in each survey design. Findings reveal significant socio-demographic differences and although the coverage error is reduced in the mixed-mode survey design, it cannot be completely eliminated. Moreover, the outcomes are not homogeneous across countries.
Measuring Brand Choice in the Older Customer Segment in Japan
Authors: Singh Jaywant , Riley Francesca Dall'Olmo , Hand Chris , Maeda Mari
Published: November 2012

As populations around the world age, brand choice behaviour by older customers becomes an increasingly important issue for marketers. This is especially the case in Japan, which has the largest older customer segment as a proportion of the population of any country. Our study measures brand choice behaviour of the older customer segment in Japan in fast-moving consumer goods categories. We employ an 11-point purchase probability scale, the Juster, to calculate brand performance measures such as penetrations, buying frequency and sole buying for three age-based customer segments. The Juster output is used as input into a mathematical model, the Dirichlet, for benchmarking the brand performance measures. The findings here reveal new insights into the brand purchase behaviour of older customers. There are more similarities than differences between the brand purchase of younger and older customers in most categories analysed here. The results have practical implications for understanding and creating appropriate marketing strategies for the older customer segment. Our study also demonstrates a novel method for analysis of brand choice data collected via a survey instrument, as compared to the traditional consumer panel data. The research framework in our study is recommended for further empirical research in other regions where demographic changes are presenting challenges to marketers, and where panel data are often not easy to obtain.
Predicting Elections: A ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ Approach
Authors: Boon Martin
Published: November 2012

Opinion polls are the currency of politics. They are used by media organisations to evaluate the performance of governments, and by governments and political parties to test the policies that shape manifestos and reform agendas. But opinion polls all rely on one thing - asking people how they themselves intend to vote - and, too often, classical opinion research techniques fail to confront the issues that underpin inaccuracy. In the UK and in many other countries around the world, their performance over the past 20 years has ranged from excellent to disastrous.1 The ‘Wisdom of Crowds’ concept turns conventional predictions on their head. It assumes that any crowd that conforms to a core set of principles is capable of delivering a more accurate prediction than the smartest people within it. This paper tests this proposition within the context of actual elections in the UK, showing that the Wisdom of Crowds approach used by ICM Research at the 2010 general election would have produced the most accurate final pre-election prediction. It also shows that a Wisdom approach to regular vote intention tracking produces an interesting complement to classically conducted vote intention polls. Or, if one were to be bold, a competitor to them.
Consumer Reality: How Brands are Constructed
Authors: Barnham Chris
Published: November 2012

It is an implicit tenet of qualitative market research that it is possible to find out what the consumer ‘really thinks’. Our research language reflects this - we talk about ‘depth’, ‘probing’ and ‘getting under the surface’ of otherwise superficial consumer responses. This underlying assumption has a questionable intellectual pedigree, however. As qualitative researchers, we should, in contrast, be more concerned with understanding the processes and structures that determine how consumers think. If we understand these processes and structures we will be more able to identify how brands are constructed by consumers and how the meanings of brands are created.
Webethnography: Towards a Typology for Quality in Research Design
Authors: Prior Daniel D. , Miller Lucy M.
Published: November 2012

Traditional ethnography focuses on identifiable cultural groupings of individuals and, through a process of observation and participant interviews (among other techniques), the researcher explores the effects of the social dynamic with regard to a topic of interest. Webethnography (also known as netnography, webnography, online ethnography and virtual ethnography) involves the application of ethnographic research methods to specific online communities through the observation and analysis of online dialogue and other online artefacts. This paper contends that webethnography is appropriate only where almost all interactions between group members occur online through the community site - that is, the community is a virtual community in the truest sense. Where communities conduct some or most of their interaction offline, webethnography is less appropriate as a stand-alone research method. Using a case study of project manager online communities on the social networking site www.LinkedIn.com , we argue that a triangulation with offline data sources helps to ensure data validity and generalisation to the group of interest. This paper presents a typology that proposes three general approaches to research design, to account for the differing scope of online cultural groups. The implications of this typology include the addition of additional precautions in the design of ethnographic studies.
Evidence-Based Marketing: A Perspective on the ‘Practice - Theory Divide’
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: November 2012

This article seeks to explore some dimensions of the relationship between marketing research and theory, including the relationship between researchers and practitioners, using the lens on the debate around evidence-based management, with a view to stimulating debate within the marketing community. The article commences by introducing the concepts of evidence-based practice and management, and reviewing some of the challenges associated with integrating management and marketing research and practice. The following section visits the notion of ‘evidence’, including its link to mode 1 and mode 2 knowledge production. Finally, ten proposals for advancing evidence-based marketing and blurring the ‘practice–theory divide’ are proposed. These include peoplebased strategies, knowledge and inquiry-based strategies, and dissemination, communication and publication-based strategies.
Understanding the Rural Consumer's Behaviour in the Context of his Ecosystem: A Telecommunication Perspective
Authors: Mohanta Saroj Kumar , Mishra Abhishek , Dash Satya
Published: November 2012

Rural markets have always been a challenge for market researchers. Conventional tools applicable in urban areas are not directly adaptable in the rural setting. With the emergence of rural markets in terms of brand awareness, and the shift from nominal decision-making process to a more extensive decision-making process, more innovative research tools are required to capture data about rural consumers in a more effective way. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is one tool that does precisely that. The tool itself, however, has evolved over time and has recently caught the attention of rural market researchers for commercial projects. The tool has so far been limited to application by NGOs for the implementation of either government projects or donor NGO-funded initiatives. This paper strives to highlight the evolution of PRA as well as its interpretation by MART (India's leading rural market research firm) in terms of one commercial project undertaken for a telecom player.
In Search of Excellence: The Influence of Peter Cooper on Qualitative Research
Authors: Branthwaite Alan , Patterson Simon
Published: November 2012

Peter Cooper founded Cooper Research & Marketing (CRAM). During his career he wrote many papers and gave frequent conference presentations worldwide, which have influenced the growth and diversification of qualitative research as practised now. He promoted a breadth of vision and eclecticism that enhanced the methods used today. Peter's influence was based on his breadth of knowledge, inventiveness, disrespect for the status quo, as well as his boldness, imagination and creativity. In this review of his contributions to qualitative research and marketing science, we focus on four key aspects - innovation, vision, professionalism and the achievements of qualitative research to bring about marketing successes.
Choosing the Right Baskets for Your Eggs: Deriving Actionable Customer Segments Using Supervised Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Davis Sam
Published: November 2012

In the context of key driver analysis in applied customer satisfaction research, the assumption of sample homogeneity (that single models perform adequately over the entirety of a survey sample) can be shown to restrict the value of the insights derived. While latent class regression has been used as a method of circumventing some of these issues, it is proposed that there are major barriers to both uptake and successful practical usage of the technique. Several of these issues are common to any multivariate technique, while others are specific to latent class regression. Following an examination of these issues, we introduce an alternative technique for deriving discrete latent classes, using a combination of genetic algorithms and (bivariate) correlations. This paper concludes that the proposed approach outperforms latent class regression in its ability to deliver action-orientated insights, and is better placed to assist marketers facing real-world research questions and datasets.
Distribution of Metals along Simiyu Wetland of Lake Victoria Basin and its Impact on Agriculture
Authors: Henry Leonia , Mamboya Florence Alex
Published: November 2012

More than 70% of communities living along Simiyu wetland area are agriculturalists and pastoralists. Physical land degradation and poor nutrient mobility within the soil-plant system have shown a notable impact on agricultural production. Cycling of selected and their impact on agriculture were investigated along Simiyu wetland. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of the soil was studied with respect to soluble cations and selected trace metals. To study the longitudinal and spatial distribution of the selected metals along Simiyu wetland, samples (water, sediments and soil) were taken in three stations along the river namely Bariadi Bridge, Simiyu Bridge and the Simiyu River mouth. Sampling of soil was done at different distances from the river so as to study the flow pattern of the metals and hence to explain the direction of cycling. Sampling was done both inn wet and dry seasons to study the seasonal variation of the metals. Geographical Position System was used to locate the sampling points for soil and water/sediment. Metals Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Coper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Manganese (Mn) analyses were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). High levels of Manganese and Zinc were detected in most samples with different distribution behavior between water and sediments that may reflect difference in solubility of metals in water or possible complex formation of the metals resulting to potentially less solubility of metals, hence retarding their bioavailability to plants low cation exchange capacity. Retarded nutrient mobility in clay soils was observed facilitated by the formation of hard pans resulting to less availability of the nutrients to plants. The study suggests some ways in which farmers can improve soil cation exchange capacity and hence improve agricultural productivity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v6i0.5967 J Wet Eco 2012 (6): 31-43
Validation of the surgical Apgar score in a neurosurgical patient population
Authors: Ziewacz John E. , Davis Matthew C. , Lau Darryl , El-Sayed Abdulrahman M. , Regenbogen Scott E. , Sullivan Stephen E. , Mashour George A.
Published: November 2012

Object

The surgical Apgar score (SAS) reliably predicts postoperative death and complications and has been validated in a large cohort of general and vascular surgery patients. However, there has been limited study of the utility of the score in the neurosurgical population. The authors tested the hypothesis that the SAS would predict postoperative complications and length of stay after neurosurgical procedures.

Methods

A cohort of 918 intracranial and spine surgery patients treated over a 3-year period were retrospectively evaluated. The 10-point SAS was calculated and postoperative 30-day mortality and complications rates, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay were assessed by 2 independent raters. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed.

Results

There were 145 patients (15.8%) with at least 1 complication and 24 patients (2.6%) who died within 30 days of surgery. Surgical Apgar scores were significantly associated with the likelihood of postoperative complications (p < 0.001) and death (p = 0.002); scores varied inversely with postoperative complication and mortality risk in a multivariate analysis. Low SASs also predicted prolonged ICU and hospital stay. Patients with scores of 0–2 stayed a mean of 18.9 days (p < 0.001) and patients with scores of 3–4 stayed an average of 14.3 days (p < 0.001) compared with 4.1 days in patients with scores of 9–10.

Conclusions

The application of the surgical Apgar score to a neurosurgical cohort predicted 30-day postoperative mortality and complication rates as well as extended ICU and hospital stay. This readily calculated score may help neurosurgical teams efficiently direct postoperative care to those at highest risk of death and complications.
Failed awake craniotomy: a retrospective analysis in 424 patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor
Authors: Nossek Erez , Matot Idit , Shahar Tal , Barzilai Ori , Rapoport Yoni , Gonen Tal , Sela Gal , Korn Akiva , Hayat Daniel , Ram Zvi
Published: November 2012

Object

Awake craniotomy for removal of intraaxial tumors within or adjacent to eloquent brain regions is a well-established procedure. However, awake craniotomy failures have not been well characterized. In the present study, the authors aimed to analyze and assess the incidence and causes for failed awake craniotomy.

Methods

The database of awake craniotomies performed at Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2003 and 2010 was reviewed. Awake craniotomy was considered a failure if conversion to general anesthesia was required, or if adequate mapping or monitoring could not have been achieved.

Results

Of 488 patients undergoing awake craniotomy, 424 were identified as having complete medical, operative, and anesthesiology records. The awake craniotomies performed in 27 (6.4%) of these 424 patients were considered failures. The main causes of failure were lack of intraoperative communication with the patient (n = 18 [4.2%]) and/or intraoperative seizures (n = 9 [2.1%]). Preoperative mixed dysphasia (p < 0.001) and treatment with phenytoin (p = 0.0019) were related to failure due to lack of communication. History of seizures (p = 0.03) and treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs (p = 0.0012) were found to be related to failure due to intraoperative seizures. Compared with the successful awake craniotomy group, a significantly lower rate of gross-total resection was achieved (83% vs 54%, p = 0.008), there was a higher incidence of short-term speech deterioration postoperatively (6.1% vs 23.5%, p = 0.0017) as well as at 3 months postoperatively (2.3% vs 15.4%, p = 0.0002), and the hospitalization period was longer (4.9 ± 6.2 days vs 8.0 ± 10.1 days, p < 0.001). Significantly more major complications occurred in the failure group (4 [14.8%] of 27) than in the successful group (16 [4%] of 397) (p = 0.037).

Conclusions

Failures of awake craniotomy were associated with a lower incidence of gross-total resection and increased postoperative morbidity. The majority of awake craniotomy failures were preventable by adequate patient selection and avoiding side effects of drugs administered during surgery.
The assessment of bulging fontanel and splitting of sutures in premature infants: an interrater reliability study by the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network
Authors: Wellons John C. , Holubkov Richard , Browd Samuel R. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Whitehead William , Kestle John , Kulkarni Abhaya V. , _ _
Published: November 2012

Object

Previous studies from the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) have shown a great degree of variation in surgical decision making for infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, such as when to temporize, when to shunt, or when to convert. Since much of this clinical decision making is dictated by clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure (including bulging fontanel and splitting of sutures), the authors investigated whether there was variability in how these signs were being assessed by neurosurgeons. They wanted to answer the following question: is there acceptable interrater reliability in the neurosurgical assessment of bulging fontanel and split sutures?

Methods

Explicit written definitions of “bulging fontanel” and “split sutures” were agreed upon with consensus across the HCRN. At 5 HCRN centers, pairs of neurosurgeons independently assessed premature infants in the first 3 months of life for the presence of a split suture and/or bulging fontanel, according to the a priori definitions. Interrater reliability was then calculated between pairs of observers using the Cohen simple kappa coefficient. Institutional board review approval was obtained at each center and at the University of Utah Data Coordinating Center.

Results

A total of 38 infants were assessed by 13 different raters (10 faculty, 2 fellows, and 1 resident). The kappa for bulging fontanel was 0.65 (95% CI 0.41–0.90), and the kappa for split sutures was 0.84 (95% CI 0.66–1.0). No complications from the study were encountered.

Conclusions

The authors have found a high degree of interrater reliability among neurosurgeons in their assessment of bulging fontanel and split sutures. While decision making may vary, the clinical assessment of this cohort appears to be consistent among these physicians, which is crucial for prospective studies moving forward.
Registration of ‘Cara’ Soft White Winter Club Wheat
Authors: Garland-Campbell Kim , Allan Robert E. , Anderson James , Burke Adrienne , Blake Nathan , Hoagland Chris , Walker Carl , Chatelain Jeron , Little Lynn M. , Pritchett John , Chen Xianming , Morris Craig , See Deven , Guy Stephen , Murray Timothy , Engle Doug , Wetzel Henry , Wood Dave
Published: November 2012

Club wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. compactum) is an important component of the export grain market for the Pacific Northwest. Our objective was to develop a club wheat cultivar with resistance to stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Westend.) and strawbreaker foot rot [caused by Oculimacula yallundae Crous & W. Gams (Wallwork & Spooner) and O. acuformis (Boerema, R. Pieters & Hamers) Crous. & W. Gams] and with the end‐use qualities that make club wheat a specialty product. The bulk pedigree breeding method was used to select ‘Cara’ (Reg. No. CV‐1078, PI 643435) from the cross WA7752//WA6581/WA7217 made in 1992. Cara is a semidwarf wheat with the Rht‐D1b dwarfing allele. Cara has winter hardiness equal to that of other club wheat cultivars—Bruehl, Chukar, and Coda—but less than the soft white wheat cultivars Eltan (PI 536994) or Masami (PI 634715). Cara was evaluated in multi‐environment replicated plot trials in the Washington since 2003. Grain yields were equal to or better than other club and soft white cultivars in the 30‐ to 40‐cm and the 40‐ to 50‐cm annual precipitation zones. The milling and baking quality of Cara was equal to those of the best club wheat check cultivars. Cara is resistant to all races of stripe rust prevalent since 2001, possessing Yr17 and unknown genes for stripe rust resistance. It is also resistant to strawbreaker foot rot, possessing Pch1. Cara provides growers with an agronomically competitive cultivar with resistance to stripe rust and strawbreaker foot rot plus excellent club wheat end‐use quality.
White Mold–Resistant, Interspecific Common Bean Breeding Line VRW 32 Derived from Phaseolus costaricensis
Authors: Singh Shree P. , Terán Henry , Schwartz Howard F. , Otto Kristen , Debouck Daniel G. , Roca William , Lema Margarita
Published: November 2012

The interspecific breeding line VRW 32 (Reg. No. GP‐287, PI 665037) of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), which is resistant to white mold [caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary], was jointly developed at the University of Idaho Kimberly Research and Extension Center, Kimberly, ID; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; and CIAT, Cali, Colombia. The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station released VRW 32 on 7 Dec. 2011. VRW 32 is the first white mold–resistant interspecific breeding line derived from P. costaricensis Freytag & Debouck, a member of the secondary gene pool of common bean. VRW 32 was derived from recurrent backcrossing between the small‐seeded (100‐seed weight < 25 g) tropical black common bean cultivar ICA Pijao and the small‐seeded wild P. costaricensis germplasm accession G 40604 (100‐seed weight < 19 g). ICA Pijao has an indeterminate upright growth habit Type II, purple flowers, and resistance to Bean common mosaic virus and tolerance to Bean golden mosaic virus. G 40604 has an indeterminate climbing growth habit Type IV and deep reddish‐purple magenta flowers. VRW 32 has growth habit Type II, white flowers, grayish‐brown seed, and white mold resistance with a score of 2.7 in the field and 4.3 in the greenhouse in Idaho and 5.5 in the greenhouse in Colorado compared with 5.7, 5.8, and 6.6, respectively, for the recurrent parent, ICA Pijao. VRW 32 matures in approximately 100 d in southern Idaho. VRW 32 may be used to study the interaction between the pathogen and different sources of white mold resistance and for pyramiding resistance from across Phaseolus spp. and introgressing higher levels of resistance into common bean cultivars.
Registration of ‘St. Bernard’, ‘Las Palomas’, and ‘Lafourche’ Smooth Cordgrass Cultivars
Authors: Knott Carrie A. , Materne Michael D. , Utomo Herry , Subudhi Prasanta K. , Baisakh Niranjan , Harrison Stephen A.
Published: November 2012

Numerous wetland management and restoration projects utilize smooth cordgrass (Spartina alternifloraLoisel.). Unfortunately, only one released smooth cordgrass cultivar, ‘Vermilion’, is currently available for use in these projects in Louisiana. Three improved smooth cordgrass cultivars, ‘St. Bernard’ (LA12‐101) (Reg. No. CV‐268, PI 665014), ‘Las Palomas’ (LA12‐102) (Reg. No. CV‐269, PI 665015), and ‘Lafourche’ (LA12‐103) (Reg. No. CV‐270, PI 665016), were developed from seeds collected from natural populations in Louisiana and Texas. They are improved, genetically different smooth cordgrass clonal cultivars that were evaluated and compared with Vermilion in replicated field trials for 9 yr in 11 environments. St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche recovered more quickly after transplant and produced more viable seeds than Vermilion. The average plant vigor, plant spread, and number of stems per plot for these cultivars were equal to those of Vermilion. DNA fingerprinting data, based on 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers, indicated that St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche are genetically different from Vermilion. St. Bernard, Las Palomas, and Lafourche are vigorous, genetically distinct smooth cordgrass cultivars with superior seed set, seed germination, and transplant recovery and therefore are recommended for saline marsh restoration projects in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Screening, isolation and purification of antibacterial agents from marine actinomycetes
Authors: Attimarad Sunil Laxman , Ediga Gaviraj N , Karigar Asif Abdulrahiman , Karadi Ravindra , Chandrashekhar Nagesh , Shivanna Chandrashekara
Published: November 2012

As marine environmental conditions are extremely different from terrestrial ones, it is surmised that marine actinomycetes might produce novel bioactive compounds. Hence marine sediments, collected from the coastal areas of Gokharna and Muradeshwara of Karnataka state, were screened Seventeen isolates were obtained on starch-casein agar media by soil dilution technique. However, only six isolates namely ACT-A2, ACT-A3, ACT-A4, ACT-A5, ACT-A7 and ACT-A15 showed significant antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Morphological, cultural and biochemical characterization indicated that the isolates belong to Streptomyces genus of Actinomycetes. Further studies were carried out with the most active ACT-A2. Optimization of media, temperature and pH by shake flask fermentation indicated starch-casein, 28°C and 7 to be suitable for ACT-A2. The production of antibiotics began after 24 h, reached maximum at 72 h and maintained at the same level up to 120 h. Ethyl acetate was used to extract antibacterial compounds from the culture filtrate. TLC was done on silica gel using ethyl acetate: methanol (6:4) and direct bioautography has shown the presence of two active substance, one with Rf 0.8 has more activity than the other with Rf 0.4. Further purification is done by column chromatography using a mixture of dicholoromethane and ethyl acetate. The findings from this investigation reveal that the strain ACT-A2 in order exhibited superior antimicrobial activities to other sediment isolates of actinomycetes.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i12.12448 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 394-402
RP-HPLC analysis for the simultaneous estimation of rabeprazole sodium and aceclofenac in a combined dosage form
Authors: Khokra Sukhbir Lal , Choudhary Balram , Mehta Heena
Published: November 2012

A rapid, simple and highly sensitive reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed for the quantitative determination of Rabeprazole sodium and Aceclofenac in a combined dosage form. Rabeprazole sodium and Aceclofenac were chromatographed using C-18 column as stationary phase and methanol: acetonitrile: water (60 : 10 : 30 v/v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min at ambient temperature and detected at 280 nm. The retention time (RT) of Rabeprazole sodium and Aceclofenac were found to be 5.611 min and 2.102 minute, respectively. The linearities of Rabeprazole sodium and Aceclofenac were in the range of 1-10 µg/ml and 3-15 µg/ml, respectively. The limit of detection was found to be 0.091 µg/ml for Rabeprazole sodium and 0.043 µg/ml for Aceclofenac. The proposed method was applied for the determination of Rabeprazole sodium and Aceclofenac in a combined dosage form and result was found satisfactory.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i12.12450 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 410-413
Study of acid-base indicator property of flowers of Ipomoea biloba
Authors: Abbas Sajin Kattuvilakam
Published: November 2012

Indicators help to determine the equivalence point in acid  base titrations (neutralization titrations). They show sharp color change with respect to change in pH. Commonly used indicators for neutralization titrations are synthetic in nature. They are found to posses hazardous effects in human body. The highly colored pigments obtained from plants are found to exhibit color changes with variation of pH. A study has been done to investigate the indicator activity of aqueous extract of flower pigments and compared with that of already existing synthetic indicators. Pigments were extracted using hot water and a definite volume was added which gave accurate and reliable results for all the four different types of neutralization titrations - strong acid against strong base, strong acid against a weak base, weak acid against strong base and weak acid against weak base. The work proved to be acceptable in introducing flower pigments as a substitute to the synthetic acid-base indicators.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i12.12452 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 420-422
Enhancing dissolution profile of diazepam using hydrophilic polymers by solid dispersion technique
Authors: Howlader Md. Sariful Islam , Chakrabarty Jayanta Kishor , Faisal Khandokar Sadique , Kumar Uttom , Sarkar Md. Raihan , Khan Mohammad Firuz
Published: November 2012

The aim of the present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug by a solid dispersion technique, in order to investigate the effect of these polymers on release mechanism from solid dispersions. Diazepam was used as a model drug to evaluate its release characteristics from different matrices. Solid dispersions were prepared by using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000), HPMC, HPC and Poloxamer in different drug-to-carrier ratios (1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, 1:10). The solid dispersions were prepared by solvent method. The pure drug and solid dispersions were characterized by in vitro dissolution study. Distilled water was used as dissolution media, 1000 ml of distilled water was used as dissolution medium in each dissolution basket at a temperature of 37°C and a paddle speed of 100 rpm. The very slow dissolution rate was observed for pure Diazepam and the dispersion of the drug in the polymers considerably enhanced the dissolution rate. This can be attributed to improved wettability and dispersibility, as well as decrease of the crystalline and increase of the amorphous fraction of the drug. SEM (Scanning Electron microscope) studies shows that the solid dispersion having a uniform dispersion. Solid dispersions prepared with PEG-6000, Poloxamer showed the highest improvement in wettability and dissolution rate of Diazepam. Solid dispersion containing polymer prepared with solvent method showed significant improvement in the release profile as compared to pure drug, Diazepam.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i12.12453 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 423-430
Rutin- potent natural thrombolytic agent
Authors: Dar Mohammad Arif , Tabassum Nahida
Published: November 2012

Thrombosis, the formation of blood clots, is a cause not only of heart attacks and strokes, but of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism as well. The number one killer of Americans is a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart or to the brain and approximately half of all morbidity and mortality in the United States can be attributed to heart attack or stroke. All the blood clot related conditions are life-threatening, and so there is a need for safe, effective and preventive treatment. A natural substance rutin, also called rutoside, is a citrus flavonoid glycoside found in Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat), the leaves and petioles of Rheum species, and Asparagus. This flavonoid compound has shown effective thrombolytic activity (prevents the formation of blood clots) by blocking the enzyme protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) found in all cells involved in blood clotting. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established that rutin is safe and, thus provides a safe and inexpensive drug that could reduce recurrent clots and help save thousands of lives.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i12.12454 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(12): 431-435
The Development of Novel Therapies for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Authors: Assouline Sarit , Cocolakis Eftihia , Borden Katherine
Published: November 2012

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is nearly always a fatal malignancy. For the past 40 years, the standard of care remains a combination of cytarabine and an anthracycline known as 7 + 3. This treatment regimen is troubled by both low survival rates (10% at 5 years) and deaths due to toxicity. Substantial new laboratory findings over the past decade have identified many cellular pathways that contribute to leukemogenesis. These studies have led to the development of novel agents designed to target these pathways. Here we discuss the molecular underpinnings and clinical benefits of these novel treatment strategies. Most importantly these studies demonstrate that clinical response is best achieved by stratifying each patient based on a detailed understanding of their molecular abnormalities.
Dark Energy Problem, Physics of Early Universe and Some New Approaches in Gravity
Authors: Shalyt-Margolin Alexander
Published: November 2012

The dark energy problem is studied based on the approach associated with the cosmological term in General Relativity that is considered as a dynamic quantity. It is shown that a quantum field theory of the Early Universe (Planck scales) and its limiting transition at low energy play a significant role. Connection of this problem with Verlinde’s new (entropic) approach to gravity is revealed within the frame of such statement as well as the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) and Extended Uncertainty Principle (EUP). The implications from the obtained results are presented, and a more rigorous statement of the Concordance Problem in cosmology is treated.
Multivariate Multiscale Entropy Applied to Center of Pressure Signals Analysis: An Effect of Vibration Stimulation of Shoes
Authors: Wei Qin , Liu Dong-Hai , Wang Kai-Hong , Liu Quan , Abbod Maysam F. , Jiang Bernard C. , Chen Ku-Ping , Wu Chuan , Shieh Jiann-Shing
Published: November 2012

Falls are unpredictable accidents and resulting injuries can be serious to the elderly. A preventative solution can be the use of vibration stimulus of white noise to improve the sense of balance. In this work, a pair of vibration shoes were developed and controlled by a touch-type switch which can generate mechanical vibration noise to stimulate the patient’s feet while wearing the shoes. In order to evaluate the balance stability and treatment effect of vibrating insoles in these shoes, multivariate multiscale entropy (MMSE) algorithm is applied to calculate the relative complexity index of reconstructed center of pressure (COP) signals in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions by the multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD). The results show that the balance stability of 61.5% elderly subjects is improved after wearing the developed shoes, which is more than 30.8% using multiscale entropy. In conclusion, MEMD-enhanced MMSE is able to distinguish the smaller differences between before and after the use of vibration shoes in both two directions, which is more powerful than the empirical mode decomposition (EMD)-enhanced MSE in each individual direction.
Using Multiple Phenotype Assays and Epistasis Testing to Enhance the Reliability of RNAi Screening and Identify Regulators of Muscle Protein Degradation
Authors: Lehmann Susann , Shephard Freya , Jacobson Lewis A. , Szewczyk Nathaniel J.
Published: November 2012

RNAi is a convenient, widely used tool for screening for genes of interest. We have recently used this technology to screen roughly 750 candidate genes, in C. elegans, for potential roles in regulating muscle protein degradation in vivo. To maximize confidence and assess reproducibility, we have only used previously validated RNAi constructs and have included time courses and replicates. To maximize mechanistic understanding, we have examined multiple sub-cellular phenotypes in multiple compartments in muscle. We have also tested knockdowns of putative regulators of degradation in the context of mutations or drugs that were previously shown to inhibit protein degradation by diverse mechanisms. Here we discuss how assaying multiple phenotypes, multiplexing RNAi screens with use of mutations and drugs, and use of bioinformatics can provide more data on rates of potential false positives and negatives as well as more mechanistic insight than simple RNAi screening.
House Price Forecasts, Forecaster Herding, and the Recent Crisis
Authors: Pierdzioch Christian , Rülke Jan Christoph , Stadtmann Georg
Published: November 2012

We used the Wall Street Journal survey data for the period 2006–2012 to analyze whether forecasts of house prices and housing starts provide evidence of (anti-)herding of forecasters. Forecasts are consistent with herding (anti-herding) of forecasters if forecasts are biased towards (away from) the consensus forecast. We found that anti-herding is prevalent among forecasters of house prices. We also report that, following the recent crisis, the prevalence of forecaster anti-herding seems to have changed over time.
A Visual Analytics Approach for Extracting Spatio-Temporal Urban Mobility Information from Mobile Network Traffic
Authors: Sagl Günther , Loidl Martin , Beinat Euro
Published: November 2012

In this paper we present a visual analytics approach for deriving spatio-temporal patterns of collective human mobility from a vast mobile network traffic data set. More than 88 million movements between pairs of radio cells—so-called handovers—served as a proxy for more than two months of mobility within four urban test areas in Northern Italy. In contrast to previous work, our approach relies entirely on visualization and mapping techniques, implemented in several software applications. We purposefully avoid statistical or probabilistic modeling and, nonetheless, reveal characteristic and exceptional mobility patterns. The results show, for example, surprising similarities and symmetries amongst the total mobility and people flows between the test areas. Moreover, the exceptional patterns detected can be associated to real-world events such as soccer matches. We conclude that the visual analytics approach presented can shed new light on large-scale collective urban mobility behavior and thus helps to better understand the “pulse” of dynamic urban systems.
When Information Conveys Meaning
Authors: Reading Anthony
Published: November 2012

While some information is clearly meaningful and some clearly is not, no one has been able to identify exactly what the difference is. The major obstacle has been the way information and meaning are conceptualized: the one in the physical realm of tangible, objective entities and the other in the mental world of intangible, subjective ones. This paper introduces an approach that incorporates both of them within a unified framework by defining them in terms of what they do, rather than what they are. Meaningful information is thus conceptualized here as patterns of matter and energy that have a tangible effect on the entities that detect them, either by changing their function, structure or behavior, while patterns of matter and energy that have no such effects are considered meaningless. The way that meaningful information can act as a causal agent in bio-behavioral systems enables us to move beyond dualistic concepts of ourselves as comprised of a material body that obeys the laws of physics and a non-material essence that is too elusive to study [1].
Leucettamols, Bifunctionalized Marine Sphingoids, Act as Modulators of TRPA1 and TRPM8 Channels
Authors: Chianese Giuseppina , Fattorusso Ernesto , Putra Masteria Yunovilsa , Calcinai Barbara , Bavestrello Giorgio , Moriello Aniello Schiano , Petrocellis Luciano De , Marzo Vincenzo Di , Taglialatela-Scafati Orazio
Published: November 2012

Leucettamols, bifunctionalized sphingoid-like compounds obtained from a marine sponge Leucetta sp., act as non-electrophilic activators of the TRPA1 channel and potent inhibitors of the icilin-mediated activation of the TRPM8 channel, while they are inactive on CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 receptors. Leucettamols represent the first compounds of marine origin to target TRPA1 and the first class of natural products to inhibit TRPM8 channels. The preparation of a small series of semi-synthetic derivatives revealed interesting details on the structure-activity relationships within this new chemotype of simple acyclic TRP modulators.
A Facile Synthesis of 5'-Fluoro-5'-deoxyacadesine (5'-F-AICAR): A Novel Non-phosphorylable AICAR Analogue
Authors: D'Errico Stefano , Oliviero Giorgia , Borbone Nicola , Amato Jussara , D'Alonzo Daniele , Piccialli Vincenzo , Mayol Luciano , Piccialli Gennaro
Published: November 2012

The substitution of a hydroxyl group by a fluorine atom in a potential drug is an efficient reaction that can, in principle, improve its pharmacological properties. Herein, the synthesis of the novel compound 5′-fluoro-5′-deoxyacadesine (5′-F-AICAR), a strict analogue of AICAR that cannot be 5′-phosphorylated to ZMP by cellular kinases, is reported.
Sol-gel Entrapped Candida antarctica lipase B — A Biocatalyst with Excellent Stability for Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Ursoiu Anca , Paul Cristina , Kurtán Tibor , Péter Francisc
Published: November 2012

Sol-gel entrapment is an efficient immobilization technique that allows preparation of robust and highly stable biocatalysts. Lipase from Candida antarctica B was immobilized by sol-gel entrapment and by sol-gel entrapment combined with adsorption on Celite 545, using a ternary silane precursor system. After optimization of the immobilization protocol, the best enzyme loading was 17.4 mg/g support for sol-gel entrapped lipase and 10.7 mg/g support for samples obtained by entrapment and adsorption. Sol-gel immobilized enzymes showed excellent values of enantiomeric ratio E and activity when ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate was used as additive. Immobilization increased the stability of the obtained biocatalysts in several organic solvents. Excellent operational stability was obtained for the immobilized lipase, maintaining unaltered catalytic activity and enantioselectivity during 15 reuse cycles. The biocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy. The improved catalytic efficiency of entrapped lipases recommends their application for large-scale kinetic resolution of optically active secondary alcohols.
Phosphane-Based Cyclodextrins as Mass Transfer Agents and Ligands for Aqueous Organometallic Catalysis
Authors: Tilloy Sébastien , Binkowski-Machut Cécile , Menuel Stéphane , Bricout Hervé , Monflier Eric
Published: November 2012

The replacement of hazardous solvents and the utilization of catalytic processes are two key points of the green chemistry movement, so aqueous organometallic catalytic processes are of great interest in this context. Nevertheless, these processes require not only the use of water-soluble ligands such as phosphanes to solubilise the transition metals in water, but also the use of mass transfer agents to increase the solubility of organic substrates in water. In this context, phosphanes based on a cyclodextrin skeleton are an interesting alternative since these compounds can simultaneously act as mass transfer agents and as coordinating species towards transition metals. For twenty years, various cyclodextrin-functionalized phosphanes have been described in the literature. Nevertheless, while their coordinating properties towards transition metals and their catalytic properties were fully detailed, their mass transfer agent properties were much less discussed. As these mass transfer agent properties are directly linked to the availability of the cyclodextrin cavity, the aim of this review is to demonstrate that the nature of the reaction solvent and the nature of the linker between cyclodextrin and phosphorous moieties can deeply influence the recognition properties. In addition, the impact on the catalytic activity will be also discussed.