bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“A ROSE, by any other name”…: relationship typology and performance measurement in supply chains
Authors: Chelariu Christian , Kwame Asare Anthony , Brashear-Alejandro Thomas 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The aim of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework of supply chain performance that includes relationship, operational, strategic and economic performance measures.Design/methodology/approach– The literature regarding inter-organizational performance including: supply chain management, logistics and marketing performance measures is reviewed. A synthesis of the review provides the foundation for developing a comprehensive model of supply chain management performance.Findings– The review and synthesis finds that supply chain performance focuses primarily on operational and economic performance measures while paying less attention to relational and strategic performance measures. The comprehensive framework identifies four major categories of supply chain performance measures: relational; operational; strategic; and economic – hence the name ROSE.Originality/value– This comprehensive framework identifies four types of supply chain measures that can be used as a guiding framework by both academics and practitioners. The paper also offers directions for future work in the form of propositions.
Consumer perceptions of cobrands: the role of brand positioning strategies
Authors: Singh Jaywant , P. Kalafatis Stavros , Ledden Lesley 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Cobranding is increasingly popular as a strategy for commercial success. Brand positioning strategies are central to marketing, yet the impact of perceptions of parent brands’ positioning on consumers’ perceptions of cobrand positioning has not been investigated. The aim of the present study is to fill this gap.

Design/methodology/approach
– Employing a quasi-experimental design, the authors create cobranding scenarios in three product categories (tablet computers, cosmetics, and smart phones). The data are collected via structured questionnaires resulting in 160 valid responses. The data are analyzed employing Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), and consumer evaluation of cobrands is tested in relationship to the prior positioning of the parent brands, product fit and brand fit, along with post-alliance positioning perceptions of the partner brands.

Findings
– The results confirm brand positioning as a robust indicator of consumer evaluation of cobrands. Positioning perceptions of partner brands are positively related to cobrand positioning perceptions. In addition, pre-alliance positioning significantly relate to post-alliance positioning, confirming cobranding as a viable strategy for partner brands.

Research limitations/implications
– The paper recommends research that could reveal the impact of differential brand equities of partner brands, such as, between a high-equity brand and a low/moderate-equity brand, mixed brand alliances – product/service; service/service, and at different levels of partner brand familiarity.

Practical implications
– Managers should design cobrand positioning based on existing positioning perceptions of the partner brands, rather than focussing on product fit and brand fit.

Originality/value
– The study demonstrates the focal role of positioning strategies of partner brands in consumer evaluation of cobrands.
Evaluating the performance of destination marketing systems (DMS): stakeholder perspective
Authors: Sigala Marianna 
Published: April 2014

Purpose
– Destination marketing systems (DMS) represent a vital inter-organisational information system (IOIS) for supporting the collaborative e-marketing strategies of tourism firms and the competitiveness of tourism destinations. However, many DMS have failed to deliver the expected outcomes, while the performance measurement of DMS has not been thoroughly investigated in the literature so far. The study synthesises research from the fields of DMS, IOIS and collaborative practices for investigating the perceptions of various tourism DMS stakeholders about the evaluation of DMS performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study conducted a nation-wide survey for measuring the perceptions of various tourism DMS stakeholders in Greece about the importance of the roles that DMS should serve as well as the items that should be used for measuring the performance of these DMS’ roles.

Findings
– The findings showed that the public and private stakeholders held different perceptions about the roles of DMS as well as about the metrics that need to be used for evaluating DMS performance. The findings also showed that the perceptions that stakeholders hold about the roles of the DMS influence their perceptions about the performance evaluation of DMS.

Research limitations/implications
– The findings are based on evaluating a specific type of IOIS and sector/context. Thus, caution is required in generalising the results to other types of IOIS and social/environmental contexts.

Practical implications
– The study highlighted that the performance and success of DMS, and of IOIS projects in general, require the nurturing of a collaborative culture and the co-ordination of the various stakeholders’ perceptions and interests.

Originality/value
– The study addresses the gap in DMS performance evaluation and it contributes to the literature about IOIS evaluation by adopting a stakeholders approach.
Product innovation and cause-related marketing success
Authors: Christofi Michael , Vrontis Demetris , Leonidou Erasmia 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the authors aim to identify all the product- and brand-related factors that promote cause-related marketing (CRM) success. The second part of this research aim is, to undertake a product innovation theory application into the context of CRM, examine the degree and nature of its theoretical and practical consonance, and develop an integrated conceptual framework for CRM success.Design/methodology/approach– The paper is conceptual and incorporates and interrelates the findings of existing CRM research as applied within the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically this paper accumulates the state of prior wisdom on CRM success through the identification of several product- and brand-related success factors, based on a systematic review of the literature. In doing so, it introduces the concept of product innovation as a CRM success factor and integrates those distinct fields into a conceptual framework.Findings– The authors develop an integrative framework and a propositional inventory that represents a consolidated foundation for the systematic development of a theory for successful CRM strategies, along with the integration of product innovation within the field of CRM.Research limitations/implications– Towards this direction, the objective of this study is theory construction rather than theory testing. Thus, much work remains to be done in terms of empirically testing our research propositions. In conclusion, this paper posits a set of research directions designed to enable scholars to further advance the integration of product innovation and CRM from both problem-driven theory development as well as theory-driven practice management perspectives.Originality/value– The value of this paper accumulates the state of prior wisdom on CRM success, a notion with increasing use by corporations in recent years. Furthermore, this paper appears to be the first of its kind to examine, from the theorist perspective, the dynamics implied by synthesizing these, so far, distinct concepts. Additionally, the research adds appreciable value to academic knowledge on the fundamental discussion of the bidirectional relationship between CSR and innovation, also contributing an analogous CRM success framework to the existing wisdom.
Environmental sustainability and competitive advantage in a wine tourism micro-cluster
Authors: Grimstad Sidsel , Burgess John 
Published: April 2014

Purpose– The paper aims to examine the competitive advantage of the environmental behaviour at a firm level and micro-cluster level, building the analysis on Harts model of natural resource-based view of the firm and by using Brownet al.'s framework for analysing contextual resources that would provide locational advantage based on environmental behaviour. The case study examines the drivers and the obstacles to environmental action and demonstrates how clustering has been important in progressing a sustainability agenda.Design/methodology/approach– A case study of a single wine tourism cluster in Australia is undertaken using mixed methods.Findings– The main drivers for environmental action are genuine concerns for the environment by the cluster participants, especially water conservation in the Australian context. Supporting this is the co-ordination of the Lovedale Chamber of Commerce which has promoted its “greening Lovedale” project as a source of regional identity and potential competitive advantage. The obstacles to action are those that are present when small firms dominate, a lack of resources and a lack of know how. Through clustering small businesses can share resources, access specialists and share knowledge.Research limitations/implications– A single cluster case study within the Australian and the wine tourism context confined to one point in time.Practical implications– The clustering of firms in agricultural regions offers the opportunity to achieve individual and collective benefits. Clustering participation can reduce costs, achieve scale economies and share knowledge. These advantages are relevant for environmental actions. In the context of weak or absent government actions and regulations over the environment, regional clusters can utilise the advantages of clustering to meet environmental goals. These in turn can contribute to regional identity and regional comparative advantage. These issues are addressed through the study of the Lovedale wine cluster in Australia.Originality/value– There are few studies of how clustered agricultural industries are addressing environmental challenges independently of central government directives or subsidies. Clustering enables small firms to participate in environmental programs despite being faced by resource and knowledge shortages.
Oral infection with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli triggers immune response and intestinal histological alterations in mice selected for their minimal acute inflammatory responses
Authors: Vulcano Amanda Bardella , Tino‐De‐Franco Milene , Amaral José Araujo , Ribeiro Orlando Garcia , Cabrera Wafa Hanna Koury , Bordenalli Marcela Aparecida , Carbonare Cristiane Barros , Álvares Eliana Parisi , Carbonare Solange Barros 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEnteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a leading cause of infant diarrhea, is an important public health problem in Brazil and other developing countries. In vitro assays of bacterial adhesion to cultured cells are important tools for studying bacterial pathogenicity but do not reproduce all the events that occur in natural infections. In this study, the effects of oral infection with EPEC on mice selected for their minimal acute inflammatory response (AIRmin) were evaluated. Mice were orally infected with EPEC and variations in body weight, bacterial shedding and antibody production observed. The infected animals developed seric and secretory anti‐EPEC antibodies; however, neither mortality nor diarrhea was observed. Light microscopy of their intestines demonstrated histological modifications that were not present in controls. However, electron microscopy did not show bacteria attached to the intestinal epithelia to form attaching and effacing lesions, characteristic of EPEC in humans. The bacteria were detected in Peyer's patches and intestinal contents up to 5 hr post‐infection. When human anti‐EPEC secretory immunoglobulin A or avian immunoglobulin Y antibodies were administered to infected animals, they developed minor histological alterations compared with non‐treated animals. In summary, it was found that EPEC triggers immune responses and intestinal histological alterations but does not produce evidence of diarrheal disease in mice infected by the oral route. This study of EPEC experimental infection provides a better understanding of the effects of antibodies on bacterial infections and may provide a suitable model for the design and testing of immunobiological products for active or passive immunization.
Understanding the biology of reactive oxygen species and their link to cancer: NADPH oxidases as novel pharmacological targets
Authors: Harrison Ian P , Selemidis Stavros 
Published: April 2014

SummaryReactive oxygen species (ROS), the cellular products of myriad physiological processes, have long been understood to lead to cellular damage if produced in excess and to be a causative factor in cancer through the oxidation and nitration of various macromolecules. Reactive oxygen species influence various hallmarks of cancer, such as cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, through the promotion of cell signalling pathways intrinsic to these processes and can also regulate the function of key immune cells, such as macrophages and regulatory T cells, which promote angiogenesis in the tumour environment. Herein we emphasize the family of NADPH oxidase enzymes as the most likely source of ROS, which promote angiogenesis and tumourigenesis through signalling pathways within endothelial, immune and tumour cells. In this review we focus on the pharmacological inhibitors of NADPH oxidases and suggest that, compared with traditional anti‐oxidants, they are likely to offer better alternatives for suppression of tumour angiogenesis. Despite the emerging enthusiasm towards the use of NADPH oxidase inhibitors for cancer therapy, this field is still in its infancy; in particular, there is a glaring lack of knowledge of the roles of NADPH oxidases in in vivo animal models and in human cancers. Certainly a clearer understanding of the relevant signalling pathways influenced by NADPH oxidases during angiogenesis in cancer is likely to yield novel therapeutic approaches.
Tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibition with lenalidomide alleviates tissue oxidative injury and apoptosis in ob/ob obese mice
Authors: Zhu Xiaoling , Jiang Shasha , Hu Nan , Luo Fuling , Dong Hailong , Kang Yu‐Ming , Jones Kyla R , Zou Yunzeng , Xiong Lize , Ren Jun 
Published: April 2014

SummaryLenalidomide (Revlimid; Selleck Chemicals, Houston, TX, USA), an analogue of thalidomide, possesses potent cytokine modulatory capacity through inhibition of cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, a cytokine pivotal for the onset and development of complications in obesity and diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of lenalidomide on oxidative stress, protein and DNA damage in multiple organs in an ob/ob murine model of obesity. To this end, C57BL/6 lean and ob/ob obese mice were administered lenalidomide (50 mg/kg per day, p.o.) for 5 days. Oxidative stress, protein and DNA damage were assessed using the conversion of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG), carbonyl formation and Comet assay, respectively. Apoptosis was evaluated using caspase 3 activity, and levels of Bax, Bcl‐2, Bip, caspase 8, caspase 9 and TNF‐α were assessed using western blot analysis. Lenalidomide treatment did not affect glucose clearance in lean or ob/ob mice. Obese mice exhibited a reduced GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver, gastrocnemius skeletal muscle and small intestine, as well as enhanced protein carbonyl formation, DNA damage and caspase 3 activity in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and intestine; these effects were alleviated by lenalidomide, with the exception of obesity‐associated DNA damage in the liver and kidney. Western blot analysis revealed elevated TNF‐α, Bax, Bcl‐2, Bip, caspase 8 and caspase 9 in ob/ob mice with various degrees of reversal by lenalidomide treatment. Together, these data indicate that lenalidomide protects against obesity‐induced tissue injury and protein damage, possibly in association with antagonism of cytokine production and cytokine‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress.
Toll‐like receptor‐4 signalling in the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high‐fat and high‐fructose diet in mice
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhuang Zhen‐jie , Bian Dong‐xue , Ma Xiao‐jie , Xun Yun‐hao , Yang Wen‐jun , Luo Yan , Liu Yin‐lan , Jia Ling , Wang Yan , Zhu Ming‐li , Ye De‐wei , Zhou Gang , Lou Guo‐qiang , Shi Jun‐ping 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to investigate Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) signalling at different stages of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high‐fat, high‐fructose (HFHFr) diet in mice. Both TLR4 wild‐type (WT) and mutant (TLR4mut) mice were fed either standard chow (SC) or the HFHFr diet for different periods of time from 4 to 16 weeks. Pathological characteristics and function of the liver were assessed. Simple steatosis, steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis occurred sequentially in Week 4, 8 and 16 in WT mice fed with the HFHFr. Expression of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 3 and IRF7 started to increase at Week 4, peaked at Week 8 and then declined to basal levels at Week 16. This pattern was consistent with changes in inflammation in the liver revealed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. However, lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in livers of TLR4mut mice fed the HFHFr diet were significantly alleviated. In addition, the expression of activin A in WT mice fed the HFHFr diet increased at Week 16. The data suggest that TLR4 signalling mediates non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis before fibrosis and that activin A is subsequently involved in NAFLD.
α‐Lipoic acid prolongs survival and attenuates acute kidney injury in a rat model of sepsis
Authors: Li Guofu , Gao Linlin , Jia Jia , Gong Xiaoying , Zang Bin , Chen Weimin 
Published: April 2014

SummaryAcute kidney injury is a frequent and serious complication in patients with severe sepsis. α‐Lipoic acid (ALA), a naturally occurring dithiol compound, has been shown to possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative properties. In the present study we investigated whether ALA could attenuate acute kidney injury and improve survival in a rat model of sepsis. Rats were subjected to caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. α‐Lipoic acid (200 mg/kg) was administered by oral gavage either immediately (early treatment) or 12 h after the surgical procedure (delayed treatment). Both early and delayed ALA treatment effectively prolonged survival, improved pathological damage in kidney tissues and reduced serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in CLP‐induced septic rats. Furthermore, early treatment with ALA markedly inhibited the release of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β into the serum and reduced mRNA and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and high mobility group box 1 in kidney tissues from CLP‐induced rats. Finally, CLP‐induced nuclear factor‐κB activation in kidney tissues was significantly suppressed by early ALA treatment. Together, the results indicate that ALA is able to reduce mortality and attenuate acute kidney injury associated with sepsis, possibly by anti‐inflammatory actions. α‐Lipoic acid may be a promising novel agent for the treatment of conditions associated with septic shock.
Jane Jacobs' ‘Cities First’ Model and Archaeological Reality
Authors: Smith Michael E. , Ur Jason , Feinman Gary M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractInThe Economy of Cities, Jane Jacobs conjectured that the world's first cities preceded the origins of agriculture, a proposition that was most recently revived by Peter Taylor in the pages of this journal. Jacobs' idea was out of line with extant archaeological findings when first advanced decades ago, and it remains firmly contradicted by a much fuller corpus of data today. After a review of how and why Jacobs formulated her ‘cities first’ model, we review current archaeological knowledge from the Near East, China and Mesoamerica to document the temporal precedence of agriculture before urbanism in each of these regions. Contrary to the opinions of Jacobs and Taylor, archaeological data are in fact sufficiently robust to reconstruct patterns of diet, settlement and social organization in the past, and to assign dates to the relevant sites. Our response illustrates how generations of archaeological discoveries have yielded solid empirical foundations for the evaluation of wider social scientific debates.
Cold Plasma Rapid Decontamination of Food Contact Surfaces Contaminated with Salmonella Biofilms
Authors: Niemira Brendan A. , Boyd Glenn , Sites Joseph 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCross‐contamination of foods from persistent pathogen reservoirs is a known risk factor in processing environments. Industry requires a rapid, waterless, zero‐contact, chemical‐free method for removing pathogens from food contact surfaces. Cold plasma was tested for its ability to inactivate Salmonella biofilms. A 3‐strain Salmonella culture was grown to form adherent biofilms for 24, 48, or 72 h on a test surface (glass slides). These were placed on a conveyor belt and passed at various line speeds to provide exposure times of 5, 10, or 15 s. The test plate was either 5 or 7.5 cm under a plasma jet emitter operating at 1 atm using filtered air as the feed gas. The frequency of high‐voltage electricity was varied from 23 to 48 kHz. At the closer spacing (5 cm), cold plasma reduced Salmonella biofilms by up to 1.57 log CFU/mL (5 s), 1.82 log CFU/mL (10 s), and 2.13 log CFU/mL (15 s). Increasing the distance to 7.5 cm generally reduced the efficacy of the 15 s treatment, but had variable effects on the 5 and 10 s treatments. Variation of the high‐voltage electricity had a greater effect on 10 and 15 s treatments, particularly at the 7.5 cm spacing. For each combination of time, distance, and frequency, Salmonella biofilms of 24, 48, and 72 h growth responded consistently with each other. The results show that short treatments with cold plasma yielded up to a 2.13 log reduction of a durable form of Salmonella contamination on a model food contact surface. This technology shows promise as a possible tool for rapid disinfection of materials associated with food processing.Practical ApplicationPathogens such as Salmonella can form chemical‐resistant biofilms, making them difficult to remove from food contact surfaces. A 15 s treatment with cold plasma reduced mature Salmonella biofilms by up to 2.13 log CFU/mL (99.3%). This contact‐free, waterless method uses no chemical sanitizers. Cold plasma may therefore have a practical application for conveyor belts, equipment, and other food contact surfaces where a rapid, dry antimicrobial process is required.