bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of Japanese encephalitis virus-inducible genes in mouse brain and characterization of GARG39/IFIT2 as a microtubule-associated protein
Authors: Saha Sougata , Sugumar Parthsarathy , Bhandari Prakash , Rangarajan Pundi N. 
Published: October 2006

Several mouse central nervous system genes have been identified that are differentially regulated duringJapanese encephalitis virus(JEV) infection, including those which have not been reported to be induced by any other neurotropic virus. Interestingly, 80 % of JEV-inducible genes identified in this study are also induced bySindbis virus, indicating activation of common host signalling pathways by these two viruses, despite their diverse life cycles. One of these, the glucocorticoid attenuated response gene 39 (GARG39, also known as IFIT2, ISG54 and MuP54) was characterized further. It was demonstrated that GARG39 protein interacts with microtubulesin vitro, co-localizes withβ-tubulinin vivoand is enriched in the mitotic spindle of non-neuronal cells undergoing mitosis. While GARG39 was known for a long time as an inflammation-inducible glucocorticoid attenuated protein, its identification as a microtubule-associated protein in this study suggests a possible role for this protein in cell proliferation, virion assembly/transport and microtubule dynamics.
Innovation in acid pickling treatments of copper by characterizations of a new series of Schiff bases as corrosion inhibitors
Authors: Ehteshamzadeh Maryam , Shahrabi Taghi , Hosseini Mirghasem 
Published: October 2006

PurposeAims to investigate the inhibitive effect of the new series of Schiff base molecules, namely, N, N′‐ethylen‐bis(salicylidenimine) [S1], N, N′‐isopropylen‐bis(salicylidenimine) [S2] and N, N′‐Ortho‐phenylen acetyl acetone imine, (2‐hydroxy Benzophenone imine) [S3] on corrosion of copper during acid pickling treatment in 1 M HCl solution. Effects of concentration and temperature on the inhibition efficiencies of the selected Schiff bases have been studied systematically.Design/methodology/approachAll inhibition experiments were conducted on copper sample in 1 M HCl solution. Weight loss measurements were carried out according to the ASTM standard procedure. Polarization curves and impedance spectra were carried out in a three‐electrode cell assembly connected to an EG&G potentiostat M273 and frequency response analyzer M1025.FindingsResults obtained revealed that the studied Schiff bases act predominantly as cathodic inhibitors. The variations in inhibition efficiencies mainly depend on the type and nature of the inhibitors. Polarization and ac impedance measurements carried out at different concentrations of studied Schiff bases revealed that these compounds are adsorbed on copper surface and the adsorption obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. From the adsorption isotherms, the values of equilibrium constant, Kads, and the free energies of adsorption, ΔGads, were calculated. The associated activation energy of corrosion and other thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpies and entropies have also been determined.Practical implicationsThe presence of high efficiency and low cost inhibitors is essential in acid pickling treatments for protection of copper and lowering of acid consumption. In comparison with conventional copper corrosion inhibitors such as benzotriazole, this result would be considered as a step forward in determination of new corrosion inhibitor.Originality/valueThis paper reveals that Schiff bases can be successfully used for protection of copper surface in acid pickling solutions.
Healthy eating and the UK's major food retailers: a case study in corporate social responsibility
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a preliminary case study exploration of the ways in which the UK's top ten food retailers are addressing healthy eating agendas as part of their CSR agendas and how these agendas are being promoted within their stores.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with a short discussion of the healthy eating of CSR and a brief outline of food retailing within the UK. The paper draws its empirical material from the CSR reports and information posted on the world wide web by the UK's top ten food retailers and from a simple inspection and information collection survey conducted in the largest store in Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK operated by each of these ten retailers.FindingsThe findings reveal that there are considerable variations in the extent to which healthy eating is addressed in the CSR information posted on the world wide web by the top ten food retailers and how healthy eating is promoted within stores. The paper concludes that the leading food retailers could do more to address healthy eating agendas within stores.Research limitations/implicationsThe current case is a preliminary exploration of the ways in which the leading UK food retailers are addressing healthy eating issues as part of their CSR agendas and while it raises a number of interesting issues, more work will be needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.Originality/valueThe paper provides an accessible review of the ways the UK's leading food retailers are addressing healthy eating issues as part of their CSR agendas and as such it will interest academics and practitioners working in and on both this sector of the retail marketplace and health promotion.
The implementation of operations management techniques in service organisations
Authors: Prajogo Daniel 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis paper seeks to present an empirical snapshot of the application of operations management (OM) activities in Australian service firms. The four key areas addressed in this study are the nature or characteristics of services, the level of importance of OM techniques, the level of importance of performance indicators, and the challenges encountered by the management of service firms.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data for this study were drawn from 190 managers of the Australian service organisations whose primary responsibilities were related to the daily operations of the firms. The targeted service organisations encompassed various sectors including transportation, communication, banking, insurance, health care, education, wholesale, retail, and professional services.FindingsThe results indicate that most services are characterised by high customer contact and a low degree of differentiation. In terms of OM activities, service delivery, customer service and quality control received the highest priority. This result was confirmed by customer retention, on time delivery, and quality which received the highest priority among performance measures. Innovation, on the other hand, surprisingly received the least attention among the surveyed firms. Finally, building service culture appears to be the most challenging issue encountered by managers in dealing with service operations as opposed to managing facilities which raised only little concern from management's point of view. In general, there is no significant difference between Schmenner's four service types with respect to the key issues addressed in this study.Practical implicationsFrom a managerial point of view, this study provides an insight into the importance of key OM practices and strategic performance indicators in the Australian service industry.Originality/valueThis study builds on previous studies focusing on the implementation of OM practices carried out in the USA. Therefore, it contributes to knowledge by providing comparison with the Australian context.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
Authors: Erdos Knapp Deborah , Faley Robert H. , Long Lori K. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeImportant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)‐related issues that derive from the case law are described and analyzed with the aim of providing guidance both for those responsible for establishing organizational policies, procedures, and practices.Design/methodology/approachA total of 50 influential court cases spanning the past ten years are reviewed and synthesized to better understand the current and future impact of the ADA.FindingsBetter understanding of ADA can help employers both avoid costly litigation and take advantage of a segment of the US labor market that has not yet been fully utilized.Originality/valueThis paper helps practitioner and researchers better understand the organizational implications of the ADA. Better understanding the current case law should lead to employer policies, procedures, and practices that facilitate the better utilization of the qualified disabled work force without compromising employer concerns related to productivity and other job‐related outcomes.
Effect of halide ions on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic medium using polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Umoren S.A. , Ogbobe O. , Ebenso E.E. , Ekpe U.J. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeTo investigate the effect of halide ions on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in H2SO4 at 30‐60°C and to study the mechanism of action.Design/methodology/approachThe corrosion rates were determined using the gravimetric (weight loss) and gasometric (hydrogen evolution) techniques. The results obtained in the absence and presence of PVA, halides, PVA – halides combination were used to calculate the inhibition efficiency (%I), degree of surface coverage and to propose the mechanism of inhibition and type of adsorption.FindingsResults obtained showed that inhibition efficiency (%I) increased with the increase in concentration of PVA, on the addition of halides and with the increase in temperature. Phenomenon of chemical adsorption was proposed and PVA was found to obey Langmuir, Flory‐Huggins and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The synergism parameter, S1, evaluated was found to be greater than unity and the values of Ea, ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° obtained revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous.Research limitations/implicationsElectrochemical studies such as polarization and AC impedance spectra will enlighten more on the mechanistic aspects of the corrosion inhibition and more polymers need to be evaluated as corrosion inhibitors.Practical implicationsPVA can be used as corrosion inhibitor and the addition of halides to PVA improves the inhibition efficiency considerably.Originality/valueThis paper provides new information on the effects of halides on the corrosion inhibition using PVA as an inhibitor for mild steel in acidic medium. Such a study had not been reported elsewhere.
Using appreciative inquiry to initiate a managed clinical network for children's liver disease in the UK
Authors: Baker Alastair , Wright Margaret 
Published: October 2006

PurposeWith the three existing specialised paediatric liver centres working beyond bed capacity, this article aims to address the special problems arising from the tension between need for centralisation of skills, and advantages of decentralisation of care.Design/methodology/approachThree sessions using the appreciative inquiry method were conducted by the authorsFindingsThis resulted in a new patient‐centred set of priorities in developing a MCN and gave impetus to two regional MCNs and a National MCN movement for Paediatric Gastroenterology.Originality/valueThe authors describe the changes and how the AI method offers a powerful tool for positive change within the NHS. This article will be of special interest to those working within the paediatric liver services.
Dimensions of guest house service
Authors: Radder Laetitia , Wang Yi 
Published: October 2006

PurposeThis study aims to determine similarities and differences in business travellers' expectations and managers' perceptions of the service provided by guest houses.Design/methodology/approachTwo questionnaires with seven‐point Likert scales were used to measure travellers' expectations of guest house service and managers' perceptions of these expectations. Data was analysed using Statistica Version 6.1 by employing factor analysis and ANOVA tests.FindingsBusiness travellers deemed secure parking and the professionalism of staff as the most important attributes, while guest house managers thought it would be friendliness of front desk staff and efficient handling of complaints. Both groups indicated that cleanliness of rooms and services performed by staff adequately the first time, were of particular importance. The importance rating of the different service dimensions was not significantly influenced by the business travellers' gender, managerial position, nights of stay or by the guest house grading. Managers mostly overestimated guests' expectations.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the study is the relatively small sample used (50 guest house managers and 300 business travellers within one city). Future research needs to examine a broader sample of guest house managers and could compare the expectations of different types of guests.Practical implicationsIt is worth noting that guest house managers had overestimated the expectations of business travellers regarding the service provided. Management should focus on service dimensions important to guests and not those based on own opinions.Originality/valueAn understanding of business travellers' expectations could lead to their needs being more closely addressed and satisfaction levels being raised.
Links between service climate, employee commitment and employees' service quality capability
Authors: Mikic Little Marie , Dean Alison M. 
Published: October 2006

PurposeStudies have demonstrated that the service climate in an organisation, as perceived by employees, is positively related to service quality, as perceived by customers. However, no studies appear to have tested the link to service quality from an employee perspective. Hence, the major aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between service climate, employee commitment and employees' service quality capability (SQC).Design/methodology/approachData were collected by a cross‐sectional field study of frontline employees in a telecommunications call centre (n=167; 58 percent). A call centre was chosen because of the perceived poor service climate and the high levels of employee turnover.FindingsGlobal service climate (GSC) in the call centre was found to be positively related to employees' SQC, with partial mediation by employee commitment. Regression analysis showed that three factors: managerial practices, customer feedback and human resource management contributed to GSC but, unexpectedly, customer orientation did not.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings indicate that the service climate in a call centre affects employees, both in terms of their commitment, and their self‐reported feelings about the delivery of service quality to customers. Unexpected findings suggest that further work on service climate in call centres is warranted.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates the important effects of service climate in general, and HRM in particular, on frontline employees in call centres. Managers should benefit from noting the links and the likely service quality outcome for customers.Originality/valueThis paper applies and extends theory developed in other contexts to call centres.
Investigating the feasibility of a passive tracking index for monitoring wildlife in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Authors: Engeman Richard M. , Evangilista Paul 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn many places in Africa, constraints in human, financial and physical resources are common problems that limit the effectiveness of wildlife researchers and managers. In an attempt to identify a useful tool for monitoring African wildlife populations, we tested a passive tracking index (PTI) methodology on a unique wildlife resource area in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia. The methodology had previously proved valuable for monitoring a wide variety of wildlife species, including ungulates and carnivores in North America and Australia. Two ungulates (lesser kudu and dikdik), a carnivore (hyaena), a primate (baboon), and a ground foraging bird (guineafowl) were simultaneously indexed. In addition, single observations were recorded for genet, serval and caracal. The species indexed also represent the broad needs for monitoring wildlife. The mammal species are of economic importance to the region through sport hunting. Two of the species, hyaenas and baboons, potentially conflict with human agricultural interests through depredations on livestock and crop production. Anthrax periodically decimates the wildlife in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, but losses of many species are difficult to observe or quantitatively document. The PTI is a simple‐to‐apply, easy‐to‐calculate means to quantify simultaneously population trends for multiple species, and particularly applicable to sustainable harvest by sport hunting, human–wildlife conflicts, and impacts and recovery from wildlife disease.
Lactobacillus reuteri therapy to reduce side‐effects during anti‐Helicobacter pylori treatment in children: a randomized placebo controlled trial
Authors: LIONETTI E. , MINIELLO V. L. , CASTELLANETA S. P. , MAGISTÁ A. M. , DE CANIO A. , MAUROGIOVANNI G. , IERARDI E. , CAVALLO L. , FRANCAVILLA R. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground Helicobacter pylori eradication fails in about 25–30% of children, particularly because of the occurrence of resistance to antibiotics and side‐effects.AimTo determine whether adding the Lactobacillus reuteri to an anti‐H. pylori regimen could help to prevent or minimize the gastrointestinal side‐effects burden in children.MethodsForty H. pylori‐positive children (21 males; median age: 12.3 years) were consecutively treated with 10‐day sequential therapy [omeprazole + amoxycillin for 5 days, and omeprazole + clarithromycin + tinidazole for other 5 days] and blindly randomized to receive either L. reuteri ATCC 55730 (108 CFU) or placebo. All children completed the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) at entry, during and after treatment. H. pylori status was assessed after 8 weeks by 13C‐urea breath test.ResultsOverall, in all probiotic supplemented children when compared with those receiving placebo there was a significant reduction of GSRS score during eradication therapy (4.1 ± 2 vs. 6.2 ± 3; P < 0.01) and at the end of follow‐up (3.2 ± 2 vs. 5.8 ± 3.4; P < 0.009). Overall, children receiving L. reuteri report less symptoms than those receiving placebo.Conclusion L. reuteri is capable of reducing frequency and intensity of antibiotic‐associated side‐effects during eradication therapy for H. pylori.
Herpetic salpingitis and fallopian tube prolapse
Authors: Lefrancq T , Orain I , Michalak S , Hourseau M , Fetissof F 
Published: October 2006

AimWe describe the unusual association of fallopian tubal prolapse and herpetic infection, an occurrence not previously reported to our knowledge.Methods and resultsA 37‐year‐old woman presented with a small polypoid mass of the vaginal vault, 3 months after abdominal hysterectomy and abdominoplasty. The vaginal mass proved to be the fimbriated end of a fallopian tube, herniated into the vagina. Reintervention 3 months later with resection of a small vaginal ‘polyp’ revealed a residual portion of fallopian tube, with superimposed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and marked cytological atypia of surface epithelial cells. HSV‐2 immunostaining of viral nuclear inclusions and of atypical cells confirmed the herpetic nature of the infection.ConclusionInvolvement of the genito‐urinary tract by HSV may occur via an ascending infection from the cervix, but the fallopian tube, deeply located in the pelvis, is generally spared from herpetic infection. In the setting of fallopian tubal prolapse, direct exposure of the herniated fallopian tube to various pathogens in the vagina provides an unique clinical model for salpingitis. In herpetic tubal infections, special attention must be paid to cytological atypia of probable viral cytopathogenic origin, to avoid a misdiagnosis of malignancy.
Recombinant integrin CD11b A‐domain blocks polymorphonuclear cells recruitment and protects against skeletal muscle inflammatory injury in the rat
Authors: Zerria K. , Jerbi E. , Hammami S. , Maaroufi A. , Boubaker S. , Xiong J. P. , Arnaout M. A. , Fathallah D. M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe β2 integrin CD11b/CD18 (CR3) is a major adhesion receptor of neutrophils, normally utilized to fend off infections. This receptor contributes, however, to multiple forms of non‐infectious inflammatory injury when dysregulated as shown in gene knock‐outs and through the use of blocking monoclonal antibodies. The major ligand recognition site of CR3 has been mapped to the A‐domain in the CD11b subunit (CD11bA). The recombinant form of this domain exhibits a ligand binding profile similar to that of the holoreceptor. To assess the potential anti‐inflammatory activity of CD11bA as a competitive antagonist of CR3 in vivo, we assessed its effects on a developed animal model of traumatic skeletal muscle injury in the rat. Recombinant soluble rat CD11bA‐domain fused to glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) was administered intravenously in a single dose at 1 mg/kg to nine groups of Wistar rats, five in each group, 30 min before inducing traumatic skeletal muscle injury. Control animals received either a function‐blocking anti‐CD11b/CD18 monoclonal antibody (1 mg/kg), non‐functional mutant forms of the CD11bA (D140GS/AGA, T209/A, D242/A), recombinant GST or buffer alone. In control animals, the wounded muscle showed oedema, erythrocyte extravasation and myonecrosis both within and outside the immediate wounded area (5–10 mm zone) and influx of neutrophils was detected 30 min post‐wound, followed by a second wave 3 hr later. Wild‐type CD11bA‐ or anti‐CD11b monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐treated rats showed a comparable and significant decrease in the number of infiltrating PMN (78 + 4%, n = 70 and 86 ± 2%, n = 50, respectively) and preservation of the muscular fibres outside the immediate zone of necrosis (75 + 4%, n = 70, 84 ± 1%, n = 50, respectively), compared to controls. These data demonstrate that CD11bA can be an effective tissue‐preserving agent in acute inflammatory muscular injury.
The interaction of disturbances and small mammal community dynamics in a lowland forest in Belize
Authors: KLINGER R. 
Published: October 2006

Summary

Three floods (July 2000, August 2002, September 2003) and a hurricane (October 2001) that occurred in a lowland forest in the southern Maya Mountains of Belize presented an opportunity to evaluate the influence of these disturbances on the structure of a small mammal assemblage.
Four terrestrial and four primarily scansorial/arboreal species were trapped July 2000–March 2005 in six grids over 14 irregularly spaced trapping periods.
Community dynamics were characterized more by changes in species composition than changes in diversity. The dynamics were driven by species‐specific variation in abundance, with changes in composition generally, but not exclusively, due to the occurrence or disappearance of species at low abundance. Despite the disturbances, species richness remained relatively constant. Evenness within the assemblage was consistently low, primarily as a result of dominance by one species, Heteromys desmarestianus.
Effects of flooding on community structure were direct but relatively brief (< 1 year), and varied with the duration and intensity of flooding. Effects from the hurricane were indirect but long‐lasting and strongly related to severely reduced food resources.
This study suggests that long‐term dynamics in the structure of many animal communities in the tropics often results from interactions between direct and indirect effects of disturbance. It also suggests that community resistance will depend on variation in disturbance type and regime, but resilience will be determined by the life‐history characteristics of each species.