bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rural small firm service quality: an exploratory study
Authors: Moyes David 
Published: April 2012

PurposeRural entrepreneurship research traditionally focuses on the farmer or rural communities. Little work has been done to examine the ways in which small rural firms operating in and around rural towns develop their service quality priorities. This study seeks to examine the approaches to service quality of 12 such businesses and compare their priorities for service quality with the evaluation criteria of rural service consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a multi‐method approach within the qualitative paradigm. A total of 12 business‐owners were interviewed and the critical incident technique (CIT) was employed with 60 rural consumers.FindingsThe service priorities of rural service firms and their customers do not match. The businesses privilege tangible aspects of their service delivery, but the primary cause of customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction is found to be the behaviour of service staff. The service quality propositions of the businesses are driven by the competencies and priorities of their owner‐managers and are not informed by market research.Research limitations/implicationsA defining feature of small rural firms is their limited resource base. The businesses prioritise quality features which are not highly valued by customers whilst neglecting those which are. Scarce resources could be employed more productively.Originality/valueFor the first time service priorities of rural small firms are contrasted with the evaluation criteria of rural customers.
Entrepreneurial action and the rules of the game
Authors: Campbell Noel D. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this editorial is to introduce the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy (JEPP).Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the primary objectives of JEPP.FindingsJEPP was created to encourage and disseminate quality research about the vital relationships among institutions, entrepreneurship and economic outcomes. JEPP 's aim is to improve the quality of scholarly and public discourse about entrepreneurship and development policies. In general, JEPP seeks high‐quality articles that say something interesting about public policy, entrepreneurship and economic development.Originality/valueThe editorial describes the thinking behind JEPP, and the journal's objectives. JEPP welcomes all scholars and individuals with professional or personal interests in acquiring and sharing knowledge about institutions, entrepreneurship, and economic outcomes.
Trade openness and cultural creative destruction
Authors: Coyne Christopher J. , Williamson Claudia R. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeThis paper seeks to analyze empirically the net effect of trade openness on “economic culture”, measured by indicators of trust, respect, level of self‐determination, and obedience. Openness to international trade means that societies are more likely to be exposed to alternative attitudes, beliefs, ideas, and values leading to a Schumpeterian process of creative destruction whereby culture is destroyed on some margins and enhanced on others.Design/methodology/approachUsing data on trade openness from Quinn and Sachs and Warner, the paper empirically evaluates the impact of trade openness on economic culture. The paper's measure of culture is taken from Tabellini and Williamson and Kerekes, where data from the World Values Survey is aggregated to create a culture variable. The paper isolates the impact of trade policies on economic culture through a variety of empirical strategies including both panel and cross sectional analysis.FindingsThe central finding of the study is that a society's openness to international trade generates, on net, positive effects on economic culture. The more open a country is to trade, the more likely it is to possess culture conducive to economic interaction and entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by studying the impact of trade openness on culture. While previous studies have asked “Does culture affect economic outcomes?”, this paper explores the answer to the related question, “How does openness to trade affect culture?”.
State‐funded angel investor tax credits
Authors: Hendon John R. , Bell Joseph R. , Blair Brittany , Martin Don K. 
Published: April 2012

PurposeOver the past decade more than 20 states have begun to offer tax credits to angel investors in an attempt to increase state economic growth. These credits are intended to increase new venture investment, create high‐paying and knowledge‐based jobs, and increase tax revenue collections, but there is some debate over costs and benefits associated with these credits. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approachThis paper will examine the implementation and perceived effectiveness of tax credit programs in Hawaii, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont. These states were chosen for this research sample based on their differing physical locations within the USA and the uniqueness of the characteristics of each state's chosen tax credit program.FindingsThe paper reveals that state investment tax credit programs vary widely in areas of eligibility, level of funding available per investment and per year, and whether or not the credits are refundable. All of these factors can cause significant variability in effectiveness of a state program.Practical implicationsRecommended criteria for achieving an outcome that may result in lawmaker support for tax credit incentives will be outlined based on the success, trial, and error of various state programs. These criteria will allow some commonality in analysis of potential or ongoing incentive programs.Originality/valueThis paper provides an analysis of the various existing state investment tax credit programs and identifies characteristics of such programs that may, if used during program formation, result in greater confidence by lawmakers in the program's overall effectiveness and provide a greater commitment to program success.
Three‐dimensional morphological analysis of C‐shaped canals in mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population
Authors: Fan B. , Ye W. , Xie E. , Wu H. , Gutmann J. L. 
Published: April 2012

Fan B, Ye W, Xie E, Wu H, Gutmann JL. Three‐dimensional morphological analysis of C‐shaped canals in mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 1035–1041, 2012.AbstractAim  To investigate and compare the unique anatomical features and positioning of C‐shaped canals in mandibular first premolars with and without radicular grooves in a Chinese population.Methodology  A total of 327 extracted mandibular first premolars including 146 with radicular grooves and 181 without radicular grooves from a Chinese population were scanned by μCT‐50 or μCT‐80. After reconstruction, canal systems were classified according to a modified Vertucci method and the anatomical features evaluated. The data were analysed by one‐way anova test, Chi‐square test and Fisher’s exact test (P < 0.05).Results  Of 146 mandibular first premolars with a radicular groove, 97 had C‐shaped canals, the predominant anatomical canal type being Vb (P < 0.001), which was characterized by an oval canal in the coronal part and a semicolon or continuous C‐shape beneath the groove. Of the 181 mandibular first premolars without a radicular groove, no C‐shaped canal system was observed, and the percentage of Ia (97.8%) was significantly higher than those of other types (P < 0.001).Conclusion  In teeth from a Chinese population, mandibular first premolars with radicular grooves had a high incidence of C‐shaped canal systems with anatomical variations along the root.
Nucleotide Excision Repair Is Reduced in Oral Epithelial Tissues Compared with Skin‡
Authors: Mitchell David , Paniker Lakshmi , Godar Dianne 
Published: April 2012

AbstractUltraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure to internal tissues for diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic procedures has increased dramatically over the past decade. The greatest increase in UVR exposure of internal tissues occurs in the cosmetic industry where it is combined with oxidizing agents for teeth whitening, often in conjunction with indoor tanning. To address potential carcinogenic risks of these procedures, we analyzed the formation and repair of the DNA photoproducts associated with the signature mutations of UVR. Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify the induction and repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine(6‐4)pyrimidone photoproducts in DNA purified from three reconstructed tissues, EpiDermTM, EpiGingivalTM and EpiOralTM. We observed comparable levels of DNA damage in all tissues immediately after UVR exposure. In contrast, repair was significantly reduced in both oral tissues compared with EpiDermTM. Our data suggest that UVR exposure of oral tissues can result in accumulation of DNA damage and increase the risk for carcinoma and melanoma of the mouth. Because NER is a broad‐spectrum defense against DNA damage caused by a variety of agents in addition to UVR, our data suggest that the relatively low NER efficiency observed in oral tissues may have wide‐ranging consequences in this highly exposed environment.
Sensitivity and Specificity of a Blood and Urine Galactomannan Antigen Assay for Diagnosis of Systemic Aspergillosis in Dogs
Authors: Garcia R.S. , Wheat L.J. , Cook A.K. , Kirsch E.J. , Sykes J.E. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundDiagnosis of canine systemic aspergillosis requires fungal culture from a sterile site, or confirmatory histopathology from a nonsterile site. Invasive specimen collection techniques may be necessary.ObjectiveTo evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a serum and urine Aspergillus galactomannan antigen (GMA) ELISA assay for diagnosis of systemic aspergillosis in dogs.DesignMulticenter study.AnimalsThirteen dogs with systemic aspergillosis and 89 dogs with other diseases. Thirty‐seven of the 89 dogs had signs that resembled those of systemic aspergillosis and 52 dogs were not suspected to have aspergillosis.ProcedureThe GMA ELISA was performed on serum specimens from all dogs and urine specimens from 67 dogs. Galactomannan indices (GMI) ≥ 0.5 were considered positive. Results for dogs in each group were compared.Results and ConclusionsThe sensitivity and specificity of the assay for serum were 92 and 86%, respectively, and for urine were 88 and 92%, respectively. False negatives were seen only in dogs with localized pulmonary aspergillosis. Use of a cutoff GMI of 1.5 increased specificity to 93% for both serum and urine without loss of sensitivity for diagnosis of disseminated infection. High‐level false positives (> 1.5) occurred in dogs with other systemic mycoses and those treated with Plasmalyte.Clinical RelevanceSerum and urine Aspergillus GMA ELISA is a noninvasive, sensitive, and specific test for the diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis in dogs when a cutoff GMI of ≥ 1.5 is used.
Temporal Orchestration of Glycogen Synthase (GlgA) Gene Expression and Glycogen Accumulation in the Oceanic Picoplanktonic Cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. Strain WH8103
Authors: Wyman Michael , Thom Claire 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Glycogen is accumulated during the latter half of the diel cycle in
Synechococcus
sp. strain WH8103 following a midday maximum in
glgA
(encoding glycogen synthase) mRNA abundance. This temporal pattern is quite distinct from that of
Prochlorococcus
and may highlight divergent regulatory control of carbon/nitrogen metabolism in these closely related picocyanobacteria.
Computational Analysis of Cysteine and Methionine Metabolism and Its Regulation in Dairy Starter and Related Bacteria
Authors: Liu Mengjin , Prakash Celine , Nauta Arjen , Siezen Roland J. , Francke Christof 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Sulfuric volatile compounds derived from cysteine and methionine provide many dairy products with a characteristic odor and taste. To better understand and control the environmental dependencies of sulfuric volatile compound formation by the dairy starter bacteria, we have used the available genome sequence and experimental information to systematically evaluate the presence of the key enzymes and to reconstruct the general modes of transcription regulation for the corresponding genes. The genomic organization of the key genes is suggestive of a subdivision of the reaction network into five modules, where we observed distinct differences in the modular composition between the families
Lactobacillaceae
,
Enterococcaceae
, and
Leuconostocaceae
, on the one hand, and the family
Streptococcaceae
, on the other. These differences are mirrored by the way in which transcription regulation of the genes is structured in these families. In the
Lactobacillaceae
,
Enterococcaceae
, and
Leuconostocaceae
, the main shared mode of transcription regulation is methionine (Met) T-box-mediated regulation. In addition, the gene
metK
, encoding
S
-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase, is controlled via the S
MK
box (SAM). The S
MK
box is also found upstream of
metK
in species of the family
Streptococcaceae
. However, the transcription control of the other modules is mediated via three different LysR-family regulators, MetR/MtaR (methionine), CmbR (
O
-acetyl[homo]serine), and HomR (
O
-acetylhomoserine). Redefinition of the associated DNA-binding motifs helped to identify/disentangle the related regulons, which appeared to perfectly match the proposed subdivision of the reaction network.
The effects of eccentric training on lower limb flexibility: a systematic review
Authors: O'Sullivan Kieran , McAuliffe Sean , DeBurca Neasa 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundReduced flexibility has been documented in athletes with lower limb injury, however, stretching has limited evidence of effectiveness in preventing injury or reducing the risk of recurrence. In contrast, it has been proposed that eccentric training can improve strength and reduce the risk of injury, and facilitate increased muscle flexibility via sarcomerogenesis.ObjectivesThis systematic review was undertaken to examine the evidence that eccentric training has demonstrated effectiveness as a means of improving lower limb flexibility.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsSix electronic databases were systematically searched by two independent reviewers to identify randomised clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of eccentric training to either a different intervention, or a no-intervention control group. Studies evaluating flexibility using both joint range of motion (ROM) and muscle fascicle length (FL) were included. Six studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, and were appraised using the PEDro scale. Differences in the muscles studied, and the outcome measures used, did not allow for pooled analysis.ResultsThere was consistent, strong evidence from all six trials in three different muscle groups that eccentric training can improve lower limb flexibility, as assessed using either joint ROM or muscle FL.ConclusionThe results support the hypothesis that eccentric training is an effective method of increasing lower limb flexibility. Further research is required to compare the increased flexibility obtained after eccentric training to that obtained with static stretching and other exercise interventions.
Inhibition of Eg5 Acts Synergistically with Checkpoint Abrogation in Promoting Mitotic Catastrophe
Authors: Chen Yue , Chow Jeremy P.H. , Poon Randy Y.C. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The G2 DNA damage checkpoint is activated by genotoxic agents and is particularly important for cancer therapies. Overriding the checkpoint can trigger precocious entry into mitosis, causing cells to undergo mitotic catastrophe. But some checkpoint-abrogated cells can remain viable and progress into G1 phase, which may contribute to further genome instability. Our previous studies reveal that the effectiveness of the spindle assembly checkpoint and the duration of mitosis are pivotal determinants of mitotic catastrophe after checkpoint abrogation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis whether mitotic catastrophe could be enhanced by combining genotoxic stress, checkpoint abrogation, and the inhibition of the mitotic kinesin protein Eg5. We found that mitotic catastrophe induced by ionizing radiation and a CHK1 inhibitor (UCN-01) was exacerbated after Eg5 was inhibited with either siRNAs or monastrol. The combination of DNA damage, UCN-01, and monastrol sensitized cancer cells that were normally resistant to checkpoint abrogation. Importantly, a relatively low concentration of monastrol, alone not sufficient in causing mitotic arrest, was already effective in promoting mitotic catastrophe. These experiments suggest that it is possible to use sublethal concentrations of Eg5 inhibitors in combination with G2 DNA damage checkpoint abrogation as an effective therapeutic approach. Mol Cancer Res; 10(5); 626–35. ©2012 AACR.
Cell Therapy in Chagas Cardiomyopathy (Chagas Arm of the Multicenter Randomized Trial of Cell Therapy in Cardiopathies Study)
Authors: Ribeiro dos Santos Ricardo , Rassi Salvador , Feitosa Gilson , Grecco Oswaldo T. , Rassi Anis , da Cunha Ademir B. , de Carvalho Valéria B. , Guarita-Souza Luiz César , de Oliveira Wilson , Tura Bernardo R. , Soares Milena B.P. , Campos de Carvalho Antonio C. 
Published: April 2012

Background—
Previous studies suggested that transplantation of autologous bone marrow–derived mononuclear cells (BMNCs) improves heart function in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. We report the results of the first randomized trial of BMNC therapy in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results—

Patients 18 to 75 years of age with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy, New York Heart Association class II to IV heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35, and optimized therapy were randomized to intracoronary injection of autologous BMNCs or placebo. The primary end point was the difference in LVEF from baseline to 6 and 12 months after treatment between groups. Analysis was by intention to treat and powered to detect an absolute between-group difference of 5. Between July 2005 and October 2009, 234 patients were enrolled. Two patients abandoned the study and 49 were excluded because of protocol violation. The remaining 183 patients, 93 in the placebo group and 90 in the BMNC group, had a trimmed mean age of 52.4 years (range, 50.8–54.0 years) and LVEF of 26.1 (range, 25.1–27.1) at baseline. Median number of injected BMNCs was 2.20×10
8
(range, 1.40–3.50×10
8
). Change in LVEF did not differ significantly between treatment groups: trimmed mean change in LVEF at 6 months, 3.0 (1.3–4.8) for BMNCs and 2.5 (0.6–4.5) for placebo (
P
=0.519); change in LVEF at 12 months, 3.5 (1.5–5.5) for BMNCs and 3.7 (1.5–6.0) for placebo (
P
=0.850). Left ventricular systolic and diastolic volumes, New York Heart Association functional class, Minnesota quality-of-life questionnaire, brain natriuretic peptide concentrations, and 6-minute walking test did also not differ between groups.

Conclusion—
Intracoronary injection of autologous BMNCs does not improve left ventricular function or quality of life in patients with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00349271.
A populist Zeitgeist? Programmatic contagion by populist parties in Western Europe
Authors: Rooduijn Matthijs , de Lange Sarah L , van der Brug Wouter 
Published: April 2012

In this article, we examine the programmatic reactions to the rise of populist parties. It has been argued that populism is not necessarily the prerogative of populist parties; it has been adopted by mainstream parties as well. The article investigates whether populism is contagious. On the basis of the results of a content analysis of election manifestos of parties in five Western European countries (France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom), we conclude that the programmes of mainstream parties have not become more populist in recent years. We find no evidence that mainstream parties change their programmes when confronted with electoral losses or successful populist challengers. Yet, we do find that populist parties change their own programmes when they have been successful: Their initial success makes them tone down their populism.
Clinical Consequences of Mutations in Sodium Phosphate Cotransporters
Authors: Lederer Eleanor , Miyamoto Ken-ichi 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThree families of sodium phosphate cotransporters have been described. Their specific roles in human health and disease have not been defined. Review of the literature reveals that the type II sodium phosphate cotransporters play a significant role in transepithelial transport in a number of tissues including kidney, intestine, salivary gland, mammary gland, and lung. The type I transporters seem to play a major role in renal urate handling and mutations in these proteins have been implicated in susceptibility to gout. The ubiquitously expressed type III transporters play a lesser role in phosphate homeostasis but contribute to cellular phosphate uptake, mineralization, and inflammation. The recognition of species differences in the expression, regulation, and function of these transport proteins suggests an urgent need to find ways to study them in humans.
The Transmission Problem for the Helmholtz Equation in R³
Authors: Kleefeld Andreas 
Published: April 2012

Abstract The problem under consideration is the three-dimensional transmission problem for time
harmonic acoustic waves for two homogeneous media. A simply-connected and bounded region
with sufficiently smooth boundary is immersed in an infinite {medium. Each medium is c
haracterized by the space independent wave number κ and the density μ.}
The system of boundary integral equations is reviewed as well as an existence and
uniqueness result. The system is approximated by the boundary element collocation method
and consistency, stability, and convergence is proved. In addition, superconvergence is
proved and numerical results illustrate the agreement with these theoretical results.
No numerical results seem to be reported for this method yet.
Aperture Coupled Microstrip Short Backfire Antenna
Authors: Kirov Georgi , Chervenkov Georgi , Kalchev Chavdar 
Published: April 2012

Aperture Coupled Microstrip Short Backfire Antenna
A broadband aperture coupled microstrip short backfire antenna is described herein. It consists of a feed part (a microstrip feed line and a coupling slot in a metal ground) and a radiating part with two radiators: a patch antenna and a backfire antenna. The bandwidth widening of the antenna is achieved by use of two resonances: a patch resonance and a backfire resonance. The antenna is designed to operate within the Ku-band. It has a frequency bandwidth of about 15% and a maximum gain of 11.5 dBi. Within the antenna bandwidth the gain and the radiation efficiency have values more than 9 dBi and 82.1%, respectively. The designed antenna has a simple and compact construction and high mechanical and electrical characteristics. It can be used as a single antenna or as an element of microstrip antenna arrays with various applications in the contemporary communication systems.