bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer perceptions of mobile phone marketing: a direct marketing innovation
Authors: Roach Gemma 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a recent study which explored consumer perceptions of mobile phone marketing. Through the application of constructs adapted from traditional innovation and product involvement research, the study examined how a consumer's perception of the relative advantages, compatibility and complexity associated with mobile phone marketing, and their involvement with their mobile phone, influenced their intention to accept marketing communication sent via this channel.Design/methodology/approachA deductive, quantitative research approach was adopted, where data was collected using a self‐completed questionnaire administered to a sample of 254 university students.FindingsStatistical analysis revealed that a consumer's perceptions of two of the three innovation attributes tested (relative advantage and compatibility) were significantly associated with their acceptance (or adoption) of marketing messages sent via their mobile phone. However, a slightly weaker relationship between a consumer's level of involvement with their mobile phone and their adoption of mobile phone marketing was found.Practical implicationsThis research provides companies with important insights into the factors that may encourage or deter consumer acceptance of this new form of direct marketing.Originality/valueThe value of this study derives from its novel use of an established innovation framework, combined with an assessment of product involvement, to examine consumer perceptions of mobile phone marketing.
Users' perceptions on privacy and their intention to transact online: a study on Greek internet users
Authors: Zorotheos A. , Kafeza E. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the internet users' privacy concerns (concerns for information privacy, CFIP) and perceived privacy control (PPC) affect their willingness to use internet web places in order to transact. A theoretical model is introduced that describes how users' CFIP and PPC may affect their willingness to transact through web places when personal information must be disclosed in order to accomplish the transaction.Design/methodology/approachThe research model is empirically tested using data collected with a survey that include items for each of the constructs of the model. The survey is administrated to 190 internet users and resulted in 142 usable responses through questionnaires. In order to test the hypotheses, multidimensional regression analysis is used.FindingsThe findings indicate that both users' CFIP and users' PPC (some dimensions of them) have direct impact not only to users' trust toward the web site as expected but also to the willingness to transact through the internet when personal information needs to be disclosed.Research limitations/implicationsIn this paper, an introductory analysis is conducted in order to preliminary test the validity and credibility of the research model. In this first approach, the multidimensional regression analysis is used. Currently, the paper deals with the use of structural equation modeling in order to better test the research model. The research could be conducted also online in order to investigate users' behavior under real circumstances.Practical implicationsThe more users know about their personal information the less willing they are to make purchases through internet. Moreover, if web places improve their mechanisms and procedures that correct better the inaccuracies and the errors in the users' stored personal data then users' willingness to retrieve information from web sites improves too.Originality/valueExisting studies constitute the basic theoretical framework but until now there is not a model that connects both users' CFIP and users' PPC with the willingness to transact through the internet and with users' trust upon the web sites.
Knowledge sharing among architects in a project design team
Authors: Zhikun Ding , Fungfai Ng 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of the theory of reasoned action as a general framework to predict knowledge‐sharing behavior and offer practical guidance to promote knowledge sharing in the Chinese construction sector.Design/methodology/approachBased on survey data, structural equation modeling was applied to test the theory of reasoned action in the architectural design project team context in China.FindingsThe results suggest that attitude toward knowledge sharing is more important than subjective norms in determining architects' willingness to share knowledge. But the two factors are positively correlated.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough theory of reasoned action provides us with a powerful prediction model, it cannot explain the underlying mental processes. More attention should be paid to the development of the explanatory model in future researches.Originality/valueThe results presented in this paper usefully imply that team managers should focus more on training architects to have a positive attitude toward knowledge sharing, so as to increase knowledge‐sharing behaviors. Moreover, the architectural design organizations should build up a knowledge‐sharing culture so that architects' attitudes toward knowledge sharing become more positive.
Exploring service needs in the Chinese manufacturing industry
Authors: Gebauer Heiko , Fischer Thomas 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to attempt to explore service needs in the Chinese manufacturing industry and address the research question: what clusters of service needs exist in the Chinese manufacturing industry?Design/methodology/approachThe data on service needs were collected between 2006 and 2007. The data collection was done through personal interviews with senior manufacturing executives. The data are analysed through factor and cluster analysis.FindingsThis paper explores five different clusters on service needs: highly price‐sensitive on basic service needs; highly sensitive on logistic performance of basic service needs; preventing product breakdowns for very reasonable prices; knowledge seeking; and seeking for cost‐efficient outsourcing partners.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on 172 companies, but the external validity (generalizability) of the findings could not be assessed accurately.Practical implicationsThe findings have important management implications in terms of aligning the service organisation with the Chinese service needs.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the existing research in two different ways. First, the study demonstrates the value of factor and cluster analysis as a segmentation approach in industrial markets even in the particular context of Chinese business culture. Second, the exploration of service needs describes idiosyncrasies of Chinese manufacturing industry from a complementary, service management perspective.
Gestational diabetes: fasting capillary glucose as a screening test in a multi‐ethnic, high‐risk population
Authors: Agarwal M. M. , Dhatt G. S. , Othman Y. , Gupta R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAims  In populations at high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), screening every pregnant woman by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is very demanding. The aim of this study was to determine the value of the fasting capillary glucose (FCG) as a screening test for GDM.Methods  FCG was measured by a plasma‐correlated glucometer in 1465 pregnant women who underwent a one‐step diagnostic 75‐g OGTT for universal screening of GDM.Results  One hundred and ninety‐six (13.4%) women had GDM as defined by the criteria of the American Diabetes Association. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the FCG was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.80–0.86). A FCG threshold of 4.7 mmol/l (at an acceptable sensitivity of 86.0%) independently could rule‐out GDM in 731 (49.9%) women, while the FCG could rule‐in GDM (100% specificity) in 16 (1.1%) additional women; therefore, approximately half of the women would not need to continue with the cumbersome OGTT.Conclusions  Screening using a FCG significantly reduces the number of OGTTs needed for the diagnosis of GDM. Wider assessment, particularly in low‐risk populations, would confirm the potential value of the FCG as a screening test for GDM.
Evidence of an accelerating increase in prevalence of diagnosed Type 2 diabetes in British men, 1978–2005
Authors: Thomas M. C. , Hardoon S. L. , Papacosta A. O. , Morris R. W. , Wannamethee S. G. , Sloggett A. , Whincup P. H. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide; predictions suggest that the disease will reach epidemic proportions this century. This study aims to estimate the extent of the increase in prevalence of diagnosed Type 2 diabetes in British men between 1978 and 2005.Methods  A representative cohort of 7722 British men aged 40–59 years at entry in 1978–1980 were selected from general practices in 24 British towns. Seven sequential questionnaire surveys were carried out between 1978 and 2005, recording recall of a doctor diagnosis of diabetes at each time point. Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were fitted to provide age‐adjusted estimates of the calendar year increases in odds of Type 2 diabetes, both overall and for consecutive periods, each of approximately 5 years.Results  The crude prevalence of Type 2 diabetes increased from 1.2% in 1978–1980 to 12.1% in 2005. The age‐adjusted average annual increase in Type 2 diabetes prevalence for the 27‐year study period was 7.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4%, 8.6%]. However, the age‐adjusted annual rate of increase increased over time, from 4.3% (95% CI 0.4%, 8.2%) between 1979 and 1984 to 11.8% (95% CI 8.4%, 15.4%) between 2003 and 2005; P (trend) = 0.01. The highest annual increases occurred in subjects with higher mean body mass index levels and in towns in Scotland.Conclusions  The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes has risen substantially in Britain during the last three decades; the recent rate of increase has been almost three times greater than that in the early 1980s.
NADPH oxidase plays a central role in cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Usui Shinichi , Oveson Brian C. , Lee Sun Young , Jo Young‐Joon , Yoshida Tsunehiko , Miki Akiko , Miki Katsuaki , Iwase Takeshi , Lu Lili , Campochiaro Peter A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a collection of diseases in which rod photoreceptors die from a variety of mutations. After rods die, the level of tissue oxygen in the outer retina becomes elevated and there is progressive oxidative damage to cones that ultimately triggers apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that NADPH oxidase (Nox) and/or xanthine oxidase serve as critical intermediaries between increased tissue oxygen and the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage to cones. Apocynin, a blocker of Nox, but not allopurinol, a blocker of xanthine oxidase, markedly reduced the superoxide radicals visualized by hydroethidine in the outer retina in the retinal degeneration‐1 (rd1+/+) model of RP. Compared to rd1+/+ mice treated with vehicle, those treated with apocynin, but not those treated with allopurinol, had significantly less oxidative damage in the retina measured by ELISA for carbonyl adducts. Apocynin‐treated, but not allopurinol‐treated, rd1+/+ mice had preservation of cone cell density, increased mRNA levels for m‐ and s‐cone opsin, and increased mean photopic b‐wave amplitude. In Q344ter mice, a model of dominant RP in which mutant rhodopsin is expressed, apocynin treatment preserved photopic electroretinogram b‐wave amplitude compared to vehicle‐treated controls. These data indicate that Nox, but not xanthine oxidase, plays a critical role in generation of the oxidative stress that leads to cone cell death in RP and inhibition of Nox provides a new treatment strategy.
Evolutionary Relationships among theFusarium oxysporumf. sp.cubenseVegetative Compatibility Groups
Authors: Fourie Gerda , Steenkamp E. T. , Gordon T. R. , Viljoen A. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTFusarium oxysporumf. sp.cubense, the causal agent of fusarium wilt of banana (Musaspp.), is one of the most destructive strains of the vascular wilt fungusF. oxysporum. Genetic relatedness among and within vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) ofF. oxysporumf. sp.cubensewas studied by sequencing two nuclear and two mitochondrial DNA regions in a collection of 70F. oxysporumisolates that include representatives of 20 VCGs ofF. oxysporumf. sp.cubense, other formae speciales, and nonpathogens. To determine the ability ofF. oxysporumf. sp.cubenseto sexually recombine, crosses were made between isolates of opposite mating types. Phylogenetic analysis separated theF. oxysporumisolates into two clades and eight lineages. Phylogenetic relationships betweenF. oxysporumf. sp.cubenseand other formae speciales ofF. oxysporumand the relationships among VCGs and races ofF. oxysporumf. sp.cubenseclearly showed thatF. oxysporumf. sp.cubense's ability to cause disease on banana has emerged multiple times, independently, and that the ability to cause disease to a specific banana cultivar is also a polyphyletic trait. These analyses further suggest that both coevolution with the host and horizontal gene transfer may have played important roles in the evolutionary history of the pathogen. All examined isolates harbored one of the two mating-type idiomorphs, but never both, which suggests a heterothallic mating system should sexual reproduction occur. Although, no sexual structures were observed, some lineages ofF. oxysporumf. sp.cubenseharboredMAT-1andMAT-2isolates, suggesting a potential that these lineages have a sexual origin that might be more recent than initially anticipated.
Comparative Genomics of the IncA/C Multidrug Resistance Plasmid Family
Authors: Fricke W. Florian , Welch Timothy J. , McDermott Patrick F. , Mammel Mark K. , LeClerc J. Eugene , White David G. , Cebula Thomas A. , Ravel Jacques 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids belonging to the IncA/C plasmid family are widely distributed among
Salmonella
and other enterobacterial isolates from agricultural sources and have, at least once, also been identified in a drug-resistant
Yersinia pestis
isolate (IP275) from Madagascar. Here, we present the complete plasmid sequences of the IncA/C reference plasmid pRA1 (143,963 bp), isolated in 1971 from the fish pathogen
Aeromonas hydrophila
, and of the cryptic IncA/C plasmid pRAx (49,763 bp), isolated from
Escherichia coli
transconjugant D7-3, which was obtained through pRA1 transfer in 1980. Using comparative sequence analysis of pRA1 and pRAx with recent members of the IncA/C plasmid family, we show that both plasmids provide novel insights into the evolution of the IncA/C MDR plasmid family and the minimal machinery necessary for stable IncA/C plasmid maintenance. Our results indicate that recent members of the IncA/C plasmid family evolved from a common ancestor, similar in composition to pRA1, through stepwise integration of horizontally acquired resistance gene arrays into a conserved plasmid backbone. Phylogenetic comparisons predict type IV secretion-like conjugative transfer operons encoded on the shared plasmid backbones to be closely related to a group of integrating conjugative elements, which use conjugative transfer for horizontal propagation but stably integrate into the host chromosome during vegetative growth. A
hipAB
toxin-antitoxin gene cluster found on pRA1, which in
Escherichia coli
is involved in the formation of persister cell subpopulations, suggests persistence as an early broad-spectrum antimicrobial resistance mechanism in the evolution of IncA/C resistance plasmids.
Thioredoxin Is Involved in U(VI) and Cr(VI) Reduction inDesulfovibrio desulfuricansG20
Authors: Li Xiangkai , Krumholz Lee R. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTA transposon insertion mutant has been identified in aDesulfovibrio desulfuricansG20 mutant library that does not grow in the presence of 2 mM U(VI) in lactate-sulfate medium. This mutant has also been shown to be deficient in the ability to grow with 100 μM Cr(VI) and 20 mM As(V). Experiments with washed cells showed that this mutant had lost the ability to reduce U(VI) or Cr(VI), providing an explanation for the lower tolerance. A gene encoding a cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) was identified as the site of the transposon insertion. The remainder of themreoperon (metalreduction) contains genes encoding a thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and an additional oxidoreductase whose substrate has not been predicted. Expression studies showed that in the mutant, the entire operon is downregulated, suggesting that the CRP may be involved in regulating expression of the whole operon. Exposure of the cells to U(VI) resulted in upregulation of the entire operon. CdCl2, a specific inhibitor of thioredoxin activity, inhibits U(VI) reduction by washed cells and inhibits growth of cells in culture when U(VI) is present, confirming a role for thioredoxin in U(VI) reduction. The entiremreoperon was cloned intoEscherichia coliJM109 and the transformant developed increased U(VI) resistance and the ability to reduce U(VI) to U(IV). The oxidoreductase protein (MreG) from this operon was expressed and purified fromE. coli.In the presence of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH, this protein was shown to reduce both U(VI) and Cr(VI), providing a mechanism for the cytoplasmic reduction of these metals.
Identification of a Novel Self-Sufficient Styrene Monooxygenase from
Rhodococcus opacus
1CP
Authors: Tischler Dirk , Eulberg Dirk , Lakner Silvia , Kaschabek Stefan R. , van Berkel Willem J. H. , Schlömann Michael 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Sequence analysis of a 9-kb genomic fragment of the actinobacterium
Rhodococcus opacus
1CP led to identification of an open reading frame encoding a novel fusion protein, StyA2B, with a putative function in styrene metabolism via styrene oxide and phenylacetic acid. Gene cluster analysis indicated that the highly related fusion proteins of
Nocardia farcinica
IFM10152 and
Arthrobacter aurescens
TC1 are involved in a similar physiological process. Whereas 413 amino acids of the N terminus of StyA2B are highly similar to those of the oxygenases of two-component styrene monooxygenases (SMOs) from pseudomonads, the residual 160 amino acids of the C terminus show significant homology to the flavin reductases of these systems. Cloning and functional expression of His
10
-StyA2B revealed for the first time that the fusion protein does in fact catalyze two separate reactions. Strictly NADH-dependent reduction of flavins and highly enantioselective oxygenation of styrene to (
S
)-styrene oxide were shown. Inhibition studies and photometric analysis of recombinant StyA2B indicated the absence of tightly bound heme and flavin cofactors in this self-sufficient monooxygenase. StyA2B oxygenates a spectrum of aromatic compounds similar to those of two-component SMOs. However, the specific activities of the flavin-reducing and styrene-oxidizing functions of StyA2B are one to two orders of magnitude lower than those of StyA/StyB from
Pseudomonas
sp. strain VLB120.
Genetic Determinants ofSilicibactersp. TM1040 Motility
Authors: Belas Robert , Horikawa Eiko , Aizawa Shin-Ichi , Suvanasuthi Rooge 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTSilicibactersp. TM1040 is a member of the marineRoseobacterclade ofAlphaproteobacteriathat forms symbioses with unicellular eukaryotic phytoplankton, such as dinoflagellates. The symbiosis is complex and involves a series of steps that physiologically change highly motile bacteria into cells that readily form biofilms on the surface of the host. The initial phases of symbiosis require bacterial motility and chemotaxis that drive the swimming bacteria toward their planktonic host. Cells lacking wild-type motility fail to establish biofilms on host cells and do not produce effective symbioses, emphasizing the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling flagellar biosynthesis and the biphasic “swim-or-stick” switch. In the present study, we used a combination of bioinformatic and genetic approaches to identify the genes critical for swimming ofSilicibactersp. TM1040. More than 40 open reading frames with homology to known flagellar structural and regulatory genes were identified, most of which are organized into approximately eight operons comprising a 35.4-kb locus, with surprising similarity to the fla2 locus ofRhodobacter sphaeroides. The genome has homologs of CckA, CtrA, FlbT, and FlaF, proteins that inCaulobacter crescentusregulate flagellum biosynthesis. In addition, we uncovered three novel genes,flaB,flaC, andflaD, which encode flagellar regulatory proteins whose functions are likely to involve regulation of motor function (FlaD) and modulation of the swim-or-stick switch (FlaC). The data support the conclusion thatSilicibactersp. TM1040 uses components found in otherAlphaproteobacteria, as well as novel molecular mechanisms, to regulate the expression of the genes required for motility and biofilm formation. These unique molecular mechanisms may enhance the symbiosis and survival ofRoseobacterclade bacteria in the marine environment.
Intraspecies Signaling Involving the Diffusible Signal Factor BDSF (cis-2-Dodecenoic Acid) Influences Virulence inBurkholderia cenocepacia
Authors: Ryan Robert P. , McCarthy Yvonne , Watt Steven A. , Niehaus Karsten , Dow J. Maxwell 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTBurkholderia cenocepaciaproduces a diffusible fatty acid signal molecule,cis-2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF), that has been implicated in interspecies and interkingdom communication. Here, we show that BDSF also acts as an intraspecies signal inB. cenocepaciato control factors contributing to virulence of this major opportunistic pathogen.
Mutations atpipXSuppress Lethality of PII-Deficient Mutants ofSynechococcus elongatusPCC 7942
Authors: Espinosa Javier , Castells Miguel Angel , Laichoubi Karim Boumediene , Contreras Asunción 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe PIIproteins are found in all three domains of life as key integrators of signals reflecting the balance of nitrogen and carbon. Genetic inactivation of PIIproteins is typically associated with severe growth defects or death. However, the molecular basis of these defects depends on the specific functions of the proteins with which PIIproteins interact to regulate nitrogen metabolism in different organisms. InSynechococcus elongatusPCC 7942, where PIIforms complexes with the NtcA coactivator PipX, attempts to engineer PII-deficient strains failed in a wild-type background but were successful inpipXnull mutants. Consistent with the idea that PIIis essential to counteract the activity of PipX, four different spontaneous mutations in thepipXgene were found in cultures in whichglnBhad been genetically inactivated.