bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Front End of Innovation
Authors: Koen Peter , Bertels Heidi
Published: December 2010

The front end of innovation or what has often been referred to as thefuzzy front endis the first part of the innovation process. Considerable research has been published in both academic and practitioner journals on the new‐product development process, which occurs after the front end. In contrast, much less research has focused on the front end. We discuss nascent empirical studies and put them in an exploitation and exploration framework. Exploitation refers to a more incremental development, while exploration refers to a more radical development. Exploitation practices follow a well‐practiced routine, which is typically thought of as consisting of three activities: discovery, scoping, and building a business case. In this article, we propose a more holistic model and include the companies' organizational resources (i.e., strategy, vision, and climate) as antecedent to the front‐end activities. Empirical studies concentrating on exploitative front activities mostly have converging findings, although the necessity of having a well‐conceived business plan is not per se confirmed in more recent studies. Practices in the front end for exploration projects are significantly different from those for exploitation projects due to the large amount of market and/or technology uncertainty. An understanding of how to manage the front end for exploration projects is just beginning to emerge. As such, we have provided a review of the relevant studies and have woven them into a model that uses a more iterative process than that used to explain exploitation projects.
Bass Model
Authors: Van den Bulte Christophe
Published: December 2010

The Bass model is a mathematical model of new‐product diffusion. It captures, in a mathematical equation, how the numbers of people, households, or firms that have adopted a new product or technology increase over time. The model represents diffusion as being driven by two forces: a tendency to adopt independently from others, and imitation of previous adopters, the latter force also being referred to as
word of mouth
,
social contagion
, or
endogenous feedback
. The model is used to predict future adoptions or first‐time purchases. It is also used to describe diffusion patterns and how they vary across products, industries, or countries. When extended with marketing decision variables such as price or advertising, the model is also used to provide advice on how the marketing mix should change over time to maximize profits.
Product Testing
Authors: Di Benedetto C. Anthony
Published: December 2010

The product test, or product‐use test, is conducted while the product is in the technical development stage. A prototype is made available for customer trial; it may be in near‐to‐market shape, or it may be in an earlier stage of development. At this stage, key information may be gained from the customers in terms of their initial reaction to the prototype, their level of satisfaction with it, and so forth. This information is used to further refine the prototype and also to support marketing decisions such as brand name and package design. Terminology originally developed in the software industry is sometimes used to describe product tests: in alpha testing, the customers are company employees and their families; beta testing refers to testing at real customer test sites. We begin with a discussion of different types of prototypes and then discuss the kinds of knowledge gained through product testing. This includes preuse sense reactions, early use experiences, major benefit results, and diagnostic information.
Product‐Line Strategies
Authors: Schmidt Jeffrey B.
Published: December 2010

Product lines
are defined as multiple products (or services) that are related since they fulfill the same or similar needs and wants. Product‐line breadth (i.e., narrow or broad) and depth (i.e., shallow or deep) are discussed and examples are offered. Branding strategies (such as corporate branding, house of brands, and mixed branding) are discussed as they are related to product lines.
Cross‐Functional Team
Authors: Di Benedetto C. Anthony
Published: December 2010

New‐product development is a team activity in most firms. Cross‐functional teams, made up of representatives from many different functional areas, are responsible for new‐product development since so many kinds of skills are required for new‐product success. Inevitably, issues come up at the interfaces among the various functional areas, and how the firm handles team conflict is related to the team's ultimate innovative success. Furthermore, the interface issues are compounded if the team is global; an increasing number of firms are currently dealing with the difficulties in managing global teams.
Virtual Teams
Authors: Blackburn Richard
Published: December 2010

Virtual teams bring together valued talent within and across organizational boundaries utilizing information and communication technologies as opposed to face‐to‐face communication. Virtual teams enable organizations to meld talent from within and without the organization in a flexible and cost‐effective manner. Developing successful virtual teams requires that attention be paid not only to the many factors that make for successful collocated teams but also to some factors that are unique to the virtual environment.
K
ano Model of Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Bayus Barry L.
Published: December 2010

The Kano model is an approach for identifying the types (priorities) of consumer needs that are related to preferences. The types of needs include basic needs, performance needs, and exciting needs. The Kano model highlights the idea that consumer needs are dynamic and evolve over time.
Value Proposition
Authors: Sarin Shikhar
Published: December 2010

Value proposition is the sum total of all the benefits a seller's offering delivers to a target customer in a purchase. Development of a compelling value proposition starts with the identification of the key value drivers for the customer, and/or the key value elements of a seller's offering. Three types of value elements are seen: (i) points of parity (i.e., elements that are the same as the next best alternative); (ii) points of differentiation (i.e., elements that are superior or inferior to the next best alternative); and (iii) points of contention (i.e., elements on which the buyer and seller disagree as to the value). Using these value elements, sellers can construct three types of value propositions: (i) all benefits (i.e., a listing of all the benefits sellers believe they deliver to the target customer); (ii) favorable points of differentiation (i.e., differentiating the seller's offering from the next best alternative); and (iii) resonating focus (i.e., making the seller's offering superior on the few key elements that matter the most to the target customer).
First‐Mover Advantage
Authors: Sarin Shikhar
Published: December 2010

First‐mover advantage, or pioneering advantage, refers to the notion that being the first firm to pursue an opportunity is associated with long‐term competitive advantage. This discussion explores the concept of first‐mover advantage from economic, behavioral, and empirical perspectives. Arguments and counterarguments offered by each perspective are examined. The review suggests that despite being accepted as conventional wisdom, evidence in support of first‐mover advantage is inconclusive. However, a nuanced approach examining contingency effects on the pioneering–performance relationship might be able to resolve some of the past inconsistencies, and add clarity to the issue of first‐mover advantage in the future.
Concept Selection Matrix
Authors: Schmidt Jeffrey B.
Published: December 2010

The concept selection matrix (also known as the
Pugh concept selection matrix
) is a variation of the performance measures to features solutions (or the second) matrix of quality function deployment. Product concepts (design solutions) are evaluated against some benchmark, industry standard, or product. The goal is to arrive at a better, or even ideal, product concept/design solution. The process of concept screening is depicted. Finally, the concept scoring process, which is more involved than concept screening, is discussed.
“Country of Origin” as Brand Element
Authors: Diamantopoulos Adamantios , Zeugner‐Roth Katharina Petra
Published: December 2010

During the past 40 years, the country‐of‐origin (CoO) effect, or the impact that cognitive, affective, and normative associations with a particular country have on product evaluations and purchase intentions, has been one of the most heavily researched areas in international marketing. At the same time, CoO research has been strongly criticized with some researchers questioning whether a CoO effect even exists. This article first provides a conceptual background to CoO effects, followed by a summary of key findings focusing in particular on CoO as brand element. Finally, recent criticism on the relevance of CoO research is discussed and its implications for future study on this topic are evaluated.
International Retailing
Authors: Sternquist Brenda
Published: December 2010

Retailer's internationalization is unique because their movement into another country requires that they establish a physical presence. Most research in international retailing has lumped all retailers together. In this article four types of retailers are discussed along with different expectations about when, where, and how they will internationalize.
Designing a Global Supply Chain: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Closs David J.
Published: December 2010

To remain competitive, most firms must develop global supply chains for sourcing, marketing, or both. This article discusses the rationale for developing global supply chains. Following the review, the article describes the challenges in global supply chain development and the stages that firms evolve through. The final section of the article describes the major differences between domestic and global supply chains and the management changes that need to be made.
International Product Innovation and Development
Authors: Calantone Roger J. , Townsend Janell D.
Published: December 2010

This article reviews some of the salient issues faced by managers of product innovation and development in a global marketplace. The growing complexity and pace of industrial technological change in today's business environment are forcing firms to understand the role and importance of global product innovation, how it fits with the firm's strategic orientation towards globalization, and the interaction of these forces with the international marketing concept of the company. Managing global product innovation and development presents quandaries for international companies with respect to balancing the need for within‐country representation with between‐country comparability. Firms that are able to harness the power of global product development by matching these competing requirements to capabilities have means to establishing effective product differentiation and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
Managing the Global Product Portfolio
Authors: Keegan Warren J. , Brill Elyse Arnow
Published: December 2010

Over the past five decades there has been a steady evolution of marketing theory and practice from a product‐focused, domestic, ethnocentric marketing orientation to an integrated, global strategic orientation. Managing the product portfolio across global markets raises issues that were initially addressed from two opposing approaches: standardization versus adaptation. Today, global marketing theory and practice have moved beyond the standardization versus adaptation paradigm toward a multidimensional approach that recognizes that everything matters and that the goal of creating customer value and competitive advantage in global markets can best be achieved by optimizing the mix of standardization, adaptation, and innovation in the global product portfolio.
Global Branding: Three Keys for Global Brand Success
Authors: Keller Kevin Lane
Published: December 2010

Recognizing that brands represent one of their most important intangible assets, firms are increasingly looking to leverage their brands across geographical boundaries and regions. The lure of global branding, however, is matched by its challenges and obstacles, as even top marketing firms have found it difficult to successfully launch their existing brands into new markets. We outline three keys for global brand success: (i) understand the global consumer context; (ii) build a solid global marketing foundation; and (iii) strike a balance in global brand management. We raise a number of different issues and offer a number of different examples in each case.
Base of the Pyramid Markets: Culture Insights and Marketing Implications
Authors: Nakata Cheryl
Published: December 2010

Most of the world's population is poor and lives on less than $1–2 a day in developing countries. Known as the “
base of the pyramid
” (
BOP
), this population represents a largely untapped market for global businesses. Till recently, global businesses were content to pursue the middle and the top of the pyramid segments, which are open to and have the means to buy a wide assortment of goods and services. However, as growth of these markets has slowed down, businesses are now seeking new customers and sales. The BOP is perhaps the largest remaining global market frontier. Though the BOP market presents enormous opportunities, it also poses unrivaled challenges given its immense scale and deep deprivations. A chief need is knowledge of the market's culture, so that firms can develop effective and beneficial marketing approaches. This article explores the complex and dynamic BOP culture, elaborating how it is characterized by shared values and limited opportunities, a paradox of scarcity and abundance, embeddedness in layers of cultural influences, and heterogeneous meanings in its response to other cultures. On the basis of these insights, marketing insights are arrived at for firms to meet successfully the needs of the BOP consumers, who have historically been excluded from the global marketplace.
Marketing's Corporate Responsibility
Authors: Dahan Nicolas M. , Doh Jonathan P. , Guay Terrence R.
Published: December 2010

In this article, we examine the pressures on corporations to pursue more socially responsible actions, especially in their marketing activities. We review conceptual perspectives on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how these perspectives apply in the marketing context, to corporate commitment to CSR, and to the relationship between CSR and firm performance. We then describe challenges and opportunities presented by CSR in practice, including recent cases in which companies have been pressured to improve their CSR performance, and initiatives pursued by companies – individually or collectively – to leverage their CSR commitment to advantage. We conclude with some observations about the future of CSR and marketing, arguing that CSR is likely to remain a critical elements of corporoate strategy and marketing.
Export Performance
Authors: Lages Luis Filipe , Sousa Carlos M. P.
Published: December 2010

The increasing number of studies on the subject of export performance bears testimony to the importance of this topic in the international marketing literature over the past decades. However, despite considerable research in this area, there is very little consensus on the key antecedents and outcomes of export performance as well as on how to conceptualize and operationalize export performance. Regarding the mode of assessment, it is acknowledged that export performance is a multifaceted concept and that the use of multiple indicators is necessary for a reliable assessment of the construct. The implementation of longitudinal research allows for dynamic model building and would contribute to theory development in the area. Moreover, short‐ and long‐term assessment should be considered when measuring the export performance of a firm. Future studies are also encouraged to include control and moderating variables in their models to rule out alternative explanations. The present study indicates that while the discussion about the unit of analysis is far from over, researchers should be aware when mixing variables measured at different levels of analysis in their studies. Finally, it is critical that the future development of comprehensive and psychometrically sound measures of export performance is aligned with the managerial world.
Stages of Market Development
Authors: Magnusson Peter , Westjohn Stanford A.
Published: December 2010

The article discusses classifications of market development by various international organizations, such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the Economist Intelligence Unit. There are several methods for measuring market development but there is no universal standard. Traditionally, market development is based on economic development (i.e., GDPcapita), but more recent measures attempt to incorporate additional dimensions (i.e., social and political development). Notably, the popular “emerging markets” label is largely absent from official categorizations, with the exception of IMF, which labels one category as “emerging and developing” markets. Furthermore, while economic growth indicates expanding commercial opportunities, the Economist Intelligence Unit found that economic growth is not related to a population's level‐of‐life satisfaction. Given the inconsistent labeling of stages of development, researchers must carefully assess what is being measured when comparing more than one report or study. In making stand‐alone evaluations of market development, researchers should select a classification scheme that best suits the question being asked.
Gray Markets
Authors: Antia Kersi D.
Published: December 2010

Gray markets – the unauthorized distribution of genuinely branded product – are long standing phenomena that have existed simultaneously with (and frequently instead of) manufacturer‐designated distribution channels. Gray marketed goods run the whole gamut, from generic cotton balls to branded pharmaceutical products and cosmetics, to heavy earth moving equipment, and have invited scorn and praise alike from different quarters. With increasing global trade and greater international market access, the incidence of gray marketing is likely to only increase. Building on prior research that documents the extent of gray marketing, investigates its causes and consequences, and outlines its appropriate management, this article emphasizes the fact that gray markets are not a single, monolithic entity. Rather, the term “gray market” subsumes an array of subtle variations on the broad theme of unauthorized distribution, with significantly different drivers, characteristics, and consequences for consumers and manufacturers alike. This article provides a brief overview of two archetypal variants of gray markets with illustrative examples. In distinguishing these two variants of gray marketing, this article provides interested readers with a greater appreciation of its nuances.
Pricing and Currency Fluctuations in International Marketing
Authors: Clark Terry , Rajaratnam Daniel , Campbell David
Published: December 2010

Price is a component of value, a communicator of quality, and a psychological cue, and it affects brand equity. However, in international marketing, the existence of more than one currency complicates pricing. The purpose of this brief article is to examine some effects of exchange rates on competitive export pricing.
Embargoes and Sanctions
Authors: Czinkota Michael R.
Published: December 2010

Embargoes and sanctions are steps taken by governments to restrict trade in order to punish actions of other nations. As an alternative to war, such actions are valuable. As actual economic measures, they are beset by drawbacks, particularly since their successful enforcement requires multilateralism bordering on unanimity. Owing to differences in politics, history, and business relationships, such jointness of purpose is difficult to achieve in international fora – particularly in the United Nations. The cost of such actions, both to an economy and to specific firms, is also a frequent key issue which restrains the imposition of sanctions and embargoes.
Global Sales Management
Authors: Honeycutt Earl D.
Published: December 2010

The sales‐related operational decisions and personnel actions that firm managers engage in when selling in overseas markets that differ in cultural, legal, social, and economic practices. Sales executives and managers must master the challenges of working across national and cultural borders found in today's global economy. Global sales management can be divided into sales strategies and human resource practices. For example, the firm must determine whether they should partner with companies that can sell their product or introduce a mix of expatriate, local, and third‐countries sales staff. Owing to different cultural and managerial practices in overseas locations, managing disparate salespersons is a complex and frustrating experience.
Consumer Animosity
Authors: Klein Jill Gabrielle
Published: December 2010

The animosity model of foreign product purchase demonstrates that animosity, defined as the remnants of antipathy toward another country due to past military, political, or economic conflicts, affects the buying of foreign goods. Numerous studies have been conducted on consumer animosity since the introduction of the model to the literature in 1998. The context of the first study was Nanjing, China, a city that was the site of the horrific slaughter of approximately 300,000 civilians by the Japanese in December 1937 and January 1938. Survey research demonstrated that Nanjing consumers who were still angry with Japan because of the massacre were less willing to buy Japanese goods, and actually owned fewer Japanese electronic and durable products. Interestingly, angry consumers did not denigrate the
quality
of Japanese products. They acknowledged the good workmanship, reliability, and technological advancement of Japanese products, but they still refused to buy them. Subsequent demonstrations of the effects of consumer animosity have shown wide generality of the model across the globe.
Global Marketing Ethics
Authors: Schlegelmilch Bodo B.
Published: December 2010

This article offers a definition of global marketing ethics and traces the development of the relatively young and fragmented field. Although
business
ethics has long been a central issue for many famous economists,
marketing
ethics has only played a minor role in marketing journals until the 1960s. It was only in the 1980s that
global marketing ethics
attracted wider scholarly attention. Today, the growing interconnectedness of international markets calls for sound ethical leadership. Consequently, more research on the vexing challenges of global marketing ethics is needed.
Born Global
Authors: Knight Gary
Published: December 2010

Born globals are companies that conduct international business at or near the founding of the firm. Despite the limited resources that usually characterize new businesses, born globals achieve substantial international sales from an early stage in their development, and are emerging in substantial numbers worldwide. The period from the firm's founding in its home country to initial foreign market entry is often three or fewer years. Until recently, international business was mainly the domain of large, well‐resourced multinational enterprises (MNEs). The appearance of large numbers of born globals is revolutionizing the traditional character of international business. Given their youth, they tend to be relatively small firms and, thus, usually have far fewer financial, human, and tangible resources than large MNEs. Also known as
international new ventures
, born globals have been observed in virtually all major trading countries, across various sectors, and in both high‐ and low‐tech industries. Events in recent decades – primarily globalization and the emergence of key technologies – have facilitated the rise of born globals. These firms are associated with the emergence of a new scholarly field – international entrepreneurship.
Understanding Comparative Marketing Systems Through Channel Mapping
Authors: Myers Matthew B. , Grass Joachim (Joe)
Published: December 2010

International marketing and distribution remain important topics, especially in transitional and developing economies. In this article, the importance of efficient distribution of resources and products is discussed, and channel mapping is presented as a method to address both the analysis and design of physical goods distribution in transitional and developing economies.
Marketing Strategy Implementation
Authors: Morgan Robert E.
Published: December 2010

Marketing strategy implementation is traditionally considered as the “'doing” stage in the planning process and follows the “dreaming” stage, commonly referred to as strategy formulation. Marketing strategy implementation capability perfectly mediates the relationship between marketing strategy development style and firm performance. Consequently, marketing strategy implementation has become an important theoretical focus for researchers, a key performance indicator for marketing personnel, and a vital precursor to organizational effectiveness. There is overwhelming evidence to indicate that, provided marketing strategy is cogent, effective marketing strategy implementation can deliver performance gains for firms. Effective marketing strategy implementation derives from, among other factors, the appropriate organizational structures and administrative systems; control mechanisms; leadership style; employee incentives; communication efforts; integration and coordination arrangements; and, levels of strategy commitment and consensus. However, despite implementing a marketing strategy at one point in time, awareness needs to be given to the strategy dynamics at work which can significantly affect how optimum the strategy remains over time. A concept that is currently receiving considerably more attention by managers and researchers alike is strategic improvisation, which describes the simultaneous formulation and implementation of a strategy implying a responsiveness and flexibility in planning which is unparalleled.
Ultrathin Electronic Composite Sheets of Metallic/Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes Embedded in Conjugated Block Copolymers
Authors: Sung Jinwoo , Huh June , Choi Ji‐Hyuk , Kang Seok Ju , Choi Yeon Sik , Lee Geun Tak , Cho Junhan , Myoung Jae‐Min , Park Cheolmin
Published: December 2010

Ultrathin composite films consisting of mixtures of metallic (m‐) and semiconducting (s‐) single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a conjugated block copolymer are developed from a solution‐based process. The electronic properties of the films are precisely controlled from metallic to semiconducting to insulating. The tunability of the electronic composite sheets is mainly attributed to (1) the efficient dispersion of SWNTs with a conjugated block copolymer in solution, (2) the control of the number of nanotubes by centrifugation, and (3) the individually networked deposition of SWNTs embedded in the conjugated block copolymer on the target substrate by spin‐coating. A highly reliable field‐effect transistor with a networked composite film is realized with a specific range of tube density and a high on/off current ratio of approximately 106 which resulted from the Schottky barriers evolved between the individual m‐ and s‐SWNTs in the network. There is also great freedom when choosing both the gate dielectrics and source‐drain electrodes for transistors containing the composite films. Furthermore, the fabricated electronic composites are highly transparent, flexible, and chemically robust and thus, they can be conveniently micropatterned by photolithography, as well as by unconventional transfer printing techniques.
Magnetic Materials and Devices for the 21st Century: Stronger, Lighter, and More Energy Efficient
Authors: Gutfleisch Oliver , Willard Matthew A. , Brück Ekkes , Chen Christina H. , Sankar S. G. , Liu J. Ping
Published: December 2010

A new energy paradigm, consisting of greater reliance on renewable energy sources and increased concern for energy efficiency in the total energy lifecycle, has accelerated research into energy‐related technologies. Due to their ubiquity, magnetic materials play an important role in improving the efficiency and performance of devices in electric power generation, conditioning, conversion, transportation, and other energy‐use sectors of the economy. This review focuses on the state‐of‐the‐art hard and soft magnets and magnetocaloric materials, with an emphasis on their optimization for energy applications. Specifically, the impact of hard magnets on electric motor and transportation technologies, of soft magnetic materials on electricity generation and conversion technologies, and of magnetocaloric materials for refrigeration technologies, are discussed. The synthesis, characterization, and property evaluation of the materials, with an emphasis on structure–property relationships, are discussed in the context of their respective markets, as well as their potential impact on energy efficiency. Finally, considering future bottlenecks in raw materials, options for the recycling of rare‐earth intermetallics for hard magnets will be discussed.
Combinatorial Screening of Polymer:Fullerene Blends for Organic Solar Cells by Inkjet Printing
Authors: Teichler Anke , Eckardt Rebecca , Hoeppener Stephanie , Friebe Christian , Perelaer Jolke , Senes Alessia , Morana Mauro , Brabec Christoph J. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: December 2010

Polymer:fullerene blends were screened in a combinatorial approach using inkjet printing thin film libraries for photovoltaic devices. The application of inkjet printing enabled a fast and simple experimental workflow from film preparation to the study of structure‐property‐relationships with a very high material efficiency. Inkjet printing requires less material for the preparation of thin film libraries in comparison to other dispensing techniques, like spin‐coating. Two polymers (PCPDTBT, PSBTBT) and two fullerene derivatives (mono‐PCBM, bis‐PCBM) were investigated in various blend ratios, concentrations, solvent ratios, and film thicknesses. Morphological and optical properties of the inkjet printed films were investigated and compared with spin‐coated films. This study shows the principle of an experimental setup from solution preparation to film characterization for the combinatorial investigation of large polymer:fullerene libraries.
Synthesis of Nano/Microstructures at Fluid Interfaces
Authors: Niu Zhongwei , He Jinbo , Russell Thomas P. , Wang Qian
Published: December 2010

The generation of novel multifunctional materials with hierarchical ordering is a major focus of current materials science and engineering. For such endeavors, fluid interfaces, such as air–liquid and liquid–liquid interfaces, offer ideal platforms where nanoparticles or colloidal particles can accumulate and self‐assemble. Different assembly processes and reactions have been performed at fluid interfaces to generate hierarchical structures, including two‐dimensional crystalline films, colloidosomes, raspberry‐like core–shell structures, and Janus particles, which lead to broad applications in drug delivery and controlled release, nanoelectronics, sensors, food supplements, and cosmetics.
TSG‐6 inhibits osteoclast activity via an autocrine mechanism and is functionally synergistic with osteoprotegerin
Authors: Mahoney David J. , Swales Catherine , Athanasou Nicholas A. , Bombardieri Michele , Pitzalis Costantino , Kliskey Karolina , Sharif Mohammed , Day Anthony J. , Milner Caroline M. , Sabokbar Afsie
Published: December 2010

Objective

TSG‐6 (the product of tumor necrosis factor [TNF]–stimulated gene 6) has a potent inhibitory effect on RANKL‐mediated bone erosion. The aim of this study was to compare the activity of TSG‐6 with that of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and to investigate its role as an autocrine modulator of cytokine‐mediated osteoclast formation/activation. We also determined TSG‐6 expression in inflammatory joint disease.

Methods

The effects of TSG‐6, OPG, and the inflammation mediators TNFα, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), and IL‐6 on the formation of osteoclasts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovial fluid (SF) macrophages were determined by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining. Lacunar resorption and filamentous actin ring formation were measured as indicators of osteoclast activity. The amount of TSG‐6 in culture media or SF was quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and expression of TSG‐6 in synovial tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

TSG‐6 acted in synergy with OPG to inhibit RANKL‐mediated bone resorption and was produced by osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts in response to TNFα, IL‐1, and IL‐6. Expression of TSG‐6 correlated with inhibition of lacunar resorption; this effect was ameliorated by an anti–TSG‐6 antibody. The level of TSG‐6 protein was determined in SF from patients with various arthritides; it was highest in patients with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, in which it correlated with the amount of TSG‐6 immunostaining in the synovium. TSG‐6 inhibited the activation but not the formation of osteoclasts from SF macrophages.

Conclusion

In the presence of inflammatory cytokines, osteoclasts produced TSG‐6 at concentrations that are sufficient to inhibit lacunar resorption. This may represent an autocrine mechanism to limit the degree of bone erosion during joint inflammation.
Quantized tracking control for a multi‐agent system with high‐order leader dynamics
Authors: Hu Jiangping , Feng Gang
Published: December 2010

This paper presents a study of a tracking control problem for a multi‐agent system with an active leader and quantized communication constraints. We first design a discrete‐time distributed estimator‐based tracking control for each follower‐agent and analyze the tracking convergence with the help of the Riccati equation and common Lyapunov function when the communication channel is perfect and the interconnection topology is time‐varying. Then a stochastic quantization strategy is applied to model the information communication in the agent coordination and the corresponding solution to the tracking control problem is also given. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the tracking control algorithm.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Exponential H∞ filtering for switched stochastic genetic regulatory networks with random sensor delays
Authors: Zhang Dan , Yu Li , Wang Qing‐Guo
Published: December 2010

The exponential H∞ filtering problem is investigated in this paper for a class of switching‐type stochastic genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) with random sensor delays. The objective is to estimate the true concentrations of the mRNA and protein in the presence of random sensor delays. By using the average dwell time approach, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the filtering error dynamics are mean‐square exponentially stable with a prescribed H∞ disturbance attenuation level. The filter gains are given in terms of the solution to a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Controllable spectrum artificial sunlight source system using LEDs with 32 different peak wavelengths of 385–910 nm
Authors: Fujiwara Kazuhiro , Yano Akira
Published: December 2010

This study developed a lighting system that produces an approximate spectral irradiance (SI) of ground level sunlight in the wavelength range of 385–910 nm (GLS385–910) using 547 light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with 32 different peak wavelengths. The produced SI can be modified over an arbitrary wavelength band. The SI at the light outlet reached up to 1/2 of the GLS385–910 of a sunny April day, although the produced SI deviated from the GLS385–910 at some wavelengths. For subsequent experiments, the reference SI was defined as 1/4 GLS385–910 of a sunny April day. The SI produced from the lighting system was adjusted to approximate the reference SI. The ratios of the produced SI and the reference SI were within 0.72–1.28. As an application of the lighting system for biological studies, the transmitted SI of a green leaf of perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) was investigated. The curve shape of the transmitted SI, which had characteristically low transmission percentages of blue and red light, reflected the characteristics of the absorption spectra of chlorophylls. The lighting system is therefore potentially beneficial for use in diagnosing physiological conditions of plant leaves, although its application is not limited to plant physiological studies. Bioelectromagnetics 32:243–252, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental study of radioimmunotherapy versus chemotherapy for colorectal cancer
Authors: de Jong G M , Bleichrodt R P , Eek A , Oyen W J G , Boerman O C , Hendriks T
Published: December 2010

Background

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has been shown to reduce the incidence of local recurrence of colorectal cancer in an experimental model. The aim of the present study was to investigate the survival benefit of RIT compared with chemotherapy.

Methods

An anastomosis was constructed in male Wag/Rij rats after intraluminal injection of CC531 tumour cells. The therapeutic efficacy of 177Lu-labelled MG1 (single intravenous dose of 300 MBq/kg, n = 20) was compared with that of 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy (6 weekly cycles administered intraperitoneally, n = 20) and no treatment (n = 20). The primary endpoint was survival. Toxicity was monitored by bodyweight measurement.

Results

Both chemotherapy and RIT affected bodyweight, but the weight of animals in the RIT group remained significantly higher than in the chemotherapy group (median slope of bodyweight plot 0·48 versus 0·30 g/day; P < 0·001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that overall survival in the RIT and chemotherapy groups was significantly better than that in the control group (50 and 46 per cent versus 25 per cent respectively after 170 days; P = 0·024 and P = 0·029). Survival after treatment with RIT did not differ from that after chemotherapy (P = 0·911).

Conclusion

RIT is as effective as chemotherapy in experimental colorectal cancer.
Bioactive Metabolites from the Sponge Suberea sp.
Authors: Shaker Kamel H. , Zinecker Heidi , Ghani Mohamed A. , Imhoff Johannes F. , Schneider Bernd
Published: December 2010

Two new brominated compounds, subereaphenol K (2) and 2‐(3,5‐dibromo‐1‐ethoxy‐4‐oxocyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐yl)acetamide (3), together with subereaphenol B (methyl 2‐(2,4‐dibromo‐3,6‐dihydroxyphenyl)acetate; 1) with a revised structure, and five dibromotyrosine‐derived metabolites, 4–8, were isolated from the sponge Suberea sp. and characterized by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopic and HR‐MS spectrometric data. Compounds 1, 2, 6, and 8 exhibited various weak or moderate bioactivities, including antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 inhibited human recombinant phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) with IC50 values of 2 μM, whereas compounds 6 and 8 were less active.
6,7‐seco‐ent‐Kaurane Diterpenoids from Isodon sculponeatus with Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Li Xian , Pu Jian‐Xin , Weng Zhi‐Ying , Zhao Yu , Zhao Yong , Xiao Wei‐Lie , Sun Han‐Dong
Published: December 2010

Six new 6,7‐seco‐ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, sculponeatins N–S (1–6, resp.), together with eleven known analogues, 7–17, were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon sculponeatus. The structures of compounds 1–6 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, as well as HR‐ESI‐MS analysis. All diterpenoids obtained were assayed for their cytotoxic activity against K562 and HepG2 human tumor cell lines. Among them, compound 1 showed the most significant cytotoxicity with the IC50 values of 0.21 and 0.29 μM, respectively. The structure–activity relationships are discussed.
Characterization of the Multiple Absorbed Constituents in Rats after Oral Administration of Chai‐Huang Decoction by Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Electrospray‐Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ye Guan , Tang Yi‐Hong , Wang Gui‐Yun , Li Zhi‐Xiong , Zhu Hai‐Yan , Ma Chun‐Hui , Sun Zhao‐Ling , Huang Cheng‐Gang
Published: December 2010

A rapid, sensitive, and specific method by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to diode‐array detection (DAD) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS) techniques was developed for the identification of absorbed constituents and their metabolites in rats after the oral administration of a Chai‐Huang decoction (CHD), which consists of Bupleurum chinense and Scutellaria baicalensis in the proportion 1 : 1 (w/w). By comparing their retention times and MS data with those of authentic compounds and published data, a total of 14 compounds were identified in the CHD samples. In addition, eleven and seven compounds were characterized in the urine and serum samples of the rats, respectively. The results indicated that the main absorbed constituents were chrysin‐6‐C‐arabinosyl‐8‐C‐glucoside, chrysin‐6‐C‐glucosyl‐8‐C‐arabinoside, baicalin, wogonin‐5‐O‐glucoside, oroxylin A‐7‐O‐glucuronide, wogonoside, saikosaponin A, saikosaponin C, saikosaponin D, baicalein, and wogonin. These compounds might be responsible for the curative effects of the CHD. The findings demonstrated that the proposed method could be used to rapidly and simultaneously analyze and screen the multiple absorbed bioactive constituents in a formula of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). This is very important not only for the pharmaceutical discovery process and the quality control of crude drugs but also to explain the mechanisms of action of TCM.
Plant Volatiles Providing Additional Evidences to the Occurence of a Wild‐Growing Population of Calamintha vardarensis (Greuter et Burdet) Šilić Outside of Its Natural Habitat
Authors: Radulović Niko S. , Blagojević Polina D.
Published: December 2010

The essential‐oil profile of a Calamintha species, wild‐growing in the urban settings of the city of Niš (South Serbia) and botanically tentatively identified as C. vardarensis (endemic species native to FYR Macedonia and East Serbia), has been statistically (multivariate statistical analyses) compared with those of other Calamintha species, including two previously investigated C. vardarensis populations, as a means of corroboration of the surprising occurence of this Calamintha population outside of its natural distributional range. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering reveals a close link of C. vardarensis from Niš (with neo‐menthol (40.0%), menthone (21.8%), and pulegone (27.2%) as its major oil contributors) and C. vardarensis from FYR Macedonia.
Nitrogen‐Rich Salts Based on Energetic Nitroaminodiazido[1,3,5]triazine and Guanazine
Authors: Huang Yangen , Zhang Yanqiang , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: December 2010

Highly dense nitrogen‐rich ionic compounds are potential high‐performance energetic materials for use in military and industrial venues. Guanazinium salts with promising energetic anions and a family of energetic salts based on nitrogen‐rich cations and the 6‐nitroamino‐2,4‐diazido[1,3,5]triazine anion (NADAT) were prepared and fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystal structures of neutral NADAT (2) and its biguanidinium salt 5 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (2: orthorhombic, Pnma; 5: monoclinic, P21). Additionally, the isomerization behavior of 2 in solution was investigated by proton‐decoupled 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopy. All the new salts exhibit desirable physical properties, such as relatively high densities (1.63–1.78 g cm−3) and moderate thermal stabilities (Td = 130–196 °C for 3–10 and 209–257 °C for 11–15). Theoretical performance calculations (Gaussian 03 and Cheetah 5.0) gave detonation pressures and velocities for the ionic compounds 3–15 in the range of 21.0–30.3  GPa and 7675–9048 m s−1, respectively, which makes them competitive energetic materials.
Steric, Electronic, and Secondary Effects on the Coordination Chemistry of Ionic Phosphine Ligands and the Catalytic Behavior of Their Metal Complexes
Authors: Snelders Dennis J. M. , van Koten Gerard , Klein Gebbink Robertus J. M.
Published: December 2010

The effects of introducing ionic functionalities in phosphine ligands on the coordination chemistry of these ligands and the catalytic behavior of the corresponding metal complexes are reviewed. The steric and electronic consequences of such functionalizations are discussed. Apart from these steric and electronic effects, the presence of charged groups often leads to additional, supramolecular interactions that occur in the second coordination sphere of the metal complex, such as intramolecular, interligand hydrogen bonding and Coulombic repulsion. These interactions can significantly alter the behavior of the phosphine ligand in question. Such effects have been observed in phosphine–metal association/dissociation equilibria, ligand substitution reactions, and stereoisomerism in phosphine–metal complexes. By drawing general conclusions, this review offers an insight into the coordination and catalytic behavior of phosphine ligands containing ionic functionalities and their corresponding metal complexes.
Spontaneous Formation of Biocompatible Vesicles in Aqueous Mixtures of Amino Acid‐Based Cationic Surfactants and SDS/SDBS
Authors: Shome Anshupriya , Kar Tanmoy , Das Prasanta K.
Published: December 2010

The spontaneous formation of vesicles by six amino acid‐based cationic surfactants and two anionic surfactants (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) is reported. The head‐group structure of the cationic surfactants is minutely altered to understand their effect on vesicle formation. To establish the regulatory role of the aromatic group in self‐aggregation, both aliphatic and aromatic side‐chain‐substituted amino acid‐based cationic surfactants are used. The presence of aromaticity in any one of the constituents favors the formation of vesicles by cationic/anionic surfactant mixtures. The formation of vesicles is primarily dependent on the balance between the hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of both cationic and anionic surfactants. Vesicle formation is characterized by surface tension, fluorescence anisotropy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and phase diagrams. These vesicles are thermally stable up to 65 °C, determined by temperature‐dependent fluorescence anisotropy. According to the MTT assay, these catanionic vesicles are nontoxic to NIH3T3 cells, thus indicating their wider applicability as delivery vehicles to cells. Among the six cationic surfactants examined, tryptophan‐ and tyrosine‐based surfactants have the ability to reduce HAuCl4 to gold nanoparticles (GNPs), which is utilized to obtain in‐situ‐synthesized GNPs entrapped in vesicles without the need for any external reducing agent.
Integrative approaches to morphogenesis: Lessons from dorsal closure
Authors: Gorfinkiel Nicole , Schamberg Sabine , Blanchard Guy B.
Published: December 2010

Although developmental biology has been dominated by the genetic analysis of embryonic development, in recent years genetic tools have been combined with new approaches such as imaging of live processes, automated and quantitative image analysis, mechanical perturbation and mathematical modeling, to study the principles underlying the formation of organisms. Here we focus on recent work carried out on Dorsal Closure, a morphogenetic process during Drosophila embryogenesis, to illustrate how this multidisciplinary approach is yielding new and unexpected insights into how cells organize themselves through the activity of their molecular components to give rise to the stereotyped and macroscopic movements observed during development. genesis 49:522–533, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.