bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A conceptual model of brand‐building for B‐schools: an Indian perspective
Authors: Shahaida P. , Rajashekar H. , Nargundkar R. 
Published: March 2009

PurposeMBA education in India is facing the same challenges as business. Upheaval of technology, changing customer expectations, global competition, online courses and societal responsibility are the major concerns. Failure to adapt to these challenges will question the academic contribution to business practice. Business school (B‐school) branding is crucial to distinguish the services provided by one B‐school from another. Considering the importance and relevance of adapting to the changing market forces, the purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model of brand‐building for Indian B‐schools.Design/methodology/approachA range of published literature related to the topic is thoroughly searched. The paper examines the viewpoints of various scholars with regard to the role of a student in a B‐school. The services marketing perspective is analyzed and the gaps are identified through a robust literature survey. Based on the literature survey, an original conceptual model for brand‐building for B‐schools is proposed.FindingsSome B‐schools have adopted certain branding activities, but extant literature review reveals that B‐schools in India do not practice an organized holistic approach to branding activities.Originality/valueThe proposed conceptual model is stage one in the process of understanding what goes into building a B‐school brand. Stage two would empirically test the proposed conceptual model of brand‐building. The proposed model is holistic, considering the role of important stakeholders such as students, faculty and corporate. This conceptual model will help B‐school management to understand the role and importance of branding B‐schools. It will provide an insight into the various parameters on which a B‐school brand has to be built.
The telecommunications policy process in post‐conflict developing countries: the case of Liberia
Authors: Best Michael L. , Thakur Dhanaraj 
Published: March 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the telecommunications policy process in immediate post‐conflict countries and how that process differs from traditional settings.Design/methodology/approachThe authors consider the case of Liberia, a country that recently emerged from a protracted civil war. The authors focus on the Liberian Telecommunications Act of 2007 and the processes through which this act came about by applying a modified research framework. This framework identifies several factors in the literature that are posited to influence the policymaking process in developing countries. The authors also include other factors based on previous studies in post‐conflict countries. The aim is to test the usefulness of this framework using the 2007 act. The authors apply it through the use of interviews with key actors in the government, industry, and international agencies. This was supplemented by secondary data from published reports and other sources.FindingsFrom the framework the authors identify the main factors influencing the telecoms policy making process in Liberia such as a weak and nascent institutional environment, intra‐governmental competition, limited human and technical resources, the supportive (especially initially) role of the international actors such as the World Bank, and the dominance of elite groups in decision‐making. The authors then make suggestions on overcoming some of existing challenges to the sector.Originality/valueThis paper looks at the intersection of research in telecommunications policy, policy processes and post‐conflict countries, an area in which there is currently very little work. The results indicate that several dimensions of the framework are germane to the post‐conflict case and that some of these observations are also relevant to the future development of telecommunications in these countries.
Suppression of anti‐Candida activity of macrophages by a quorum‐sensing molecule, farnesol, through induction of oxidative stress
Authors: Abe Shigeru , Tsunashima Rumi , Iijima Ryosuke , Yamada Tsuyoshi , Maruyama Naho , Hisajima Tatsuya , Abe Yoshie , Oshima Haruyuki , Yamazaki Masatoshi 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTFarnesol is well known as a quorum‐sensing molecule of Candida albicans. To assess the pathological function of farnesol, its effects on macrophage viability and functions including growth inhibitory activities against C. albicans were examined in vitro. Murine macrophages, when cultured in the presence of 56–112 μM of farnesol for 1–2 hr, decreased their activity inhibiting the mycelial growth of C. albicans and lost their viability. This suppression of macrophage function by farnesol was neutralized by the coexistence of the anti‐oxidants probucol and trolox. Macrophages cultured in the presence of farnesol for 2 hr displayed morphological change of nuclei and DNA fragmentation, which suggested apoptosis of the cells. Intracellular production of ROS in the farnesol‐treated macrophages was shown by fluorescence of DCFH‐DA and increase of peroxidized materials. These effects of farnesol were blocked by probucol or trolox. These results indicate that farnesol lowered viability of the murine macrophages and suppressed their anti‐Candida activity, perhaps through induction of ROS.
Synergistic interactions between the synthetic retinoid tamibarotene and glucocorticoids in human myeloma cells
Authors: Fukui Tomoya , Kodera Yasuo , Nishio Kazuto , Masuda Noriyuki , Tamura Tomohide , Koizumi Fumiaki 
Published: March 2009

Tamibarotene (TM411) is a synthetic retinoic acid receptor‐α/‐β selective retinoid that is chemically more stable than all‐trans retinoic acid. This study was designed to evaluate the activity of TM411 in multiple myeloma (MM) and the effects of TM411 combined with a glucocorticoid (GC). In vitro, five human myeloma cells were treated with TM411 alone, GC alone, or TM411 + GC. Cell survival was analyzed by the tetrazolium dye assay and the Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide double‐staining method. The effect of TM411 + GC was assessed by the isobologram method. In vivo, the growth‐inhibitory effects of the drugs on RPMI‐8226 cell xenografts established in SCID mice were examined. The effects of the agents on IL‐6‐mediated signaling pathways were also analyzed by Western blotting. TM411 was 2‐ to 10‐fold more potent, in terms of its growth‐inhibitory effect, than all‐trans retinoic acid. The combination of TM411 and GC was found to show a markedly synergistic interaction. While increased expressions of the IL‐6 receptor, phosphorylated MAPK, and Akt were observed after exposure to GC, TM411 attenuated this increase in the expressions, suggesting that such modification of the effect of GC by TM411 might be the possible mechanism underlying the synergistic interaction. Furthermore, TM411 + GC showed a supra‐additive inhibitory effect in a xenograft model as compared with TM411 or GC alone. These results imply that the combination of TM411 + GC might be highly effective against MM, and suggest the need for clinical evaluation of TM411 + GC for the treatment of MM. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1137–1143)
The influence of introduced trout on the benthic communities of paired headwater streams in the Sierra Nevada of California
Authors: HERBST DAVID B. , SILLDORFF ERIK L. , COOPER SCOTT D. 
Published: March 2009

Summary1. Non‐native trout have been stocked in streams and lakes worldwide largely without knowledge of the consequences for native ecosystems. Although trout have been introduced widely throughout the Sierra Nevada of California, U.S.A., fishless streams and their communities of native invertebrates persist in some high elevation areas, providing an opportunity to study the effects of trout introductions on natural fishless stream communities.2. We compared algal biomass and cover, organic matter levels and invertebrate assemblages in 21 natural fishless headwater streams with 21 paired nearby streams containing stocked trout in Yosemite National Park.3. Although environmental conditions and particulate organic matter levels did not differ between the fishless and trout streams, algal biomass (as chlorophyllaconcentration) and macroalgal cover were, on average, approximately two times and five times higher, respectively, in streams containing trout.4. There were no differences in the overall densities of invertebrates in fishless versus paired trout streams; however, invertebrate richness (after rarefaction), evenness, and Simpson and Shannon diversities were 10–20% higher in fishless than in trout streams.5. The densities of invertebrates belonging to the scraper‐algivore and predator functional feeding guilds were higher, and those for the collector‐gatherer guild lower, in fishless than trout streams, but there was considerable variation in the effects of trout on specific taxa within functional feeding groups.6. We found that the densities of 10 of 50 common native invertebrate taxa (found in more than half of the stream pairs) were reduced in trout compared to fishless streams. A similar number of rarer taxa also were absent or less abundant in the presence of trout. Many of the taxa that declined with trout were conspicuous forms (by size and behaviour) whose native habitats are primarily high elevation montane streams above the original range of trout.7. Only a few taxa increased in the presence of trout, possibly benefiting from reductions in their competitors and predators by trout predation.8. These field studies provide catchment‐scale evidence showing the selective influence of introduced trout on stream invertebrate and algal communities. Removal of trout from targeted headwater streams may promote the recovery of native taxa, community structure and trophic organisation.
Myxobolus erythrophthalmi sp. n. and Myxobolus shaharomae sp. n. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) from the internal organs of rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus (L.), and bleak, Alburnus alburnus (L.)
Authors: Molnár K , Eszterbauer E , Marton Sz , Cech G , Székely Cs 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDuring a survey of myxosporean parasites of cyprinid fish in Hungary, infections caused by unknown Myxobolus spp. were found in the internal organs of rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, and bleak, Alburnus alburnus. Small plasmodia developed in blood vessels of the kidney, liver, testes and intestinal wall. The parasites were studied on the basis of spore morphology and by histological and molecular methods. In most cases, plasmodia were surrounded by host tissue without a host reaction; however, in advanced cases, a connective tissue capsule was seen around plasmodia. Spores collected from the two fish species differed from each other and from the known Myxobolus spp. both in their morphology and 18S rDNA sequences. The two species, described as M. erythrophthalmi sp. n. from rudd and M. shaharomae sp. n. from bleak, are characterized by a specific histotropism to blood vessels, while the organ specificity involves the kidney and for the latter species, most internal organs.
Historical divergence of mechanical isolation agents in the ground beetle Carabus arrowianus as revealed by phylogeographical analyses
Authors: NAGATA NOBUAKI , KUBOTA KOHEI , TAKAMI YASUOKI , SOTA TEIJI 
Published: March 2009

AbstractIn the carabid genus Carabus subgenus Ohomopterus, diverged body size and genital morphology serve as mechanical reproductive barriers. To elucidate the diverging process of body and genital sizes in Carabus arrowianus, which exhibits marked morphological diversity among geographical populations and may represent an early stage of speciation, we analysed a mitochondrial gene sequence for 1051 individuals from 63 populations and male morphology for 359 individuals from 47 populations. Two discrete morphological groups segregated by geographical barriers were distinguished, one of which possessed smaller bodies and shorter genitalia (S group) than the other (L group), which exhibited larger bodies and exaggerated genitalia. Genetic divergence between the two groups was significant but not large. Phylogeographical and population genetic analyses indicated that the L group was derived from the S group, and a coalescent simulation revealed that the two groups diverged during the latest middle Pleistocene (0.13 million years ago), with a much larger effective population size in the L group than the S group. Because the body size divergence could not be explained by adaptation to climatic conditions and genital morphology is considered to be subject to sexual selection, we postulated that a population division and colonization in favourable habitats caused by the Pleistocene climatic and geographical change might facilitate natural and sexual selection for enlarged body and genital sizes in the L group.
The early IL‐6 and IL‐10 response in trauma is correlated with injury severity and mortality
Authors: STENSBALLE J. , CHRISTIANSEN M. , TØNNESEN E. , ESPERSEN K. , LIPPERT F. K. , RASMUSSEN L. S. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Trauma has previously been shown to influence interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10 levels, but the association of injury severity and mortality with IL‐6 and IL‐10 responses in the early phase of accidental trauma remains to be investigated. We wished to describe serum levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10 in the first 24 h after trauma and to assess the relationship with severity of injury and mortality.Methods: Prospective, descriptive cohort study in a Level 1 trauma centre, Copenhagen, Denmark. We included 265 consecutive adult trauma patients admitted directly from the accident scene during an 18‐month period. Serum levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10 were measured upon arrival and at 6, 12, and 24 h after admittance using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between Injury Severity Score (ISS) and levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10. Analysis of variance was used to describe the IL‐6 and IL‐10 concentrations in relation to 30‐day mortality in a mixed‐effect model repeated measures analysis.Results: Mortality was 10.9% (29/265) at 30 days. A significant increase of both IL‐6 and IL‐10 concentrations was found over time, and a significant correlation was found between ISS and the levels of both IL‐6 and IL‐10 at all sampling points. Serum concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐10 were significantly higher in patients not surviving 30 days (P<0.0001).Conclusion: The early systemic inflammatory response measured as IL‐6 and IL‐10 in serum is correlated with injury severity and 30‐day mortality following trauma.
Continuous lumbar epidural infusion of levobupivacaine: effects of small‐or large‐volume regimen of infusion
Authors: DANELLI G. , VENUTI F. S. , ZASA M. , SINARDI D. , FANELLI A. , GHISI D. , FANELLI G. 
Published: March 2009

Background: The question of whether the dose, concentration or volume of a local anesthetic solution is the relevant determinant of the spread and quality of post‐operative epidural analgesia is still open. In this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study, we compared the effects of a large volume–low concentration with a small‐volume–high‐concentration lumbar epidural infusion of levobupivacaine.Methods: Seventy patients scheduled for total hip replacement were enrolled. After surgery, patients were randomly allocated to receive a continuous epidural infusion of levobupivacaine (10.5 mg/h) using either 0.125% levobupivacaine infused at 8.4 ml/h (low concentration group, n=35) or 0.75% levobupivacaine infused at 1.4 ml/h (high concentration group, n=35). We blindly recorded the degree of pain relief at rest and during movement every 8 h for the first two post‐operative days, as well as hip flexion, motor block, rescue analgesic consumption and adverse events.Results: No difference in pain relief was observed between groups as estimated with the areas under the curve of the verbal Numerical Rating Scale for pain over time, both at rest and during movement. Similarly, there was no difference between groups in hip flexion degree, motor blockade and hemodynamic stability.Conclusions: Continuous lumbar epidural infusion of 0.75% levobupivacaine was as effective as continuous lumbar epidural infusion of 0.125% levobupivacaine, when administered at the same hourly dose of 10.5 mg, in achieving adequate analgesia both at rest and during movement, without differences in the incidence of hypotension and motor blockade.
Hypertrophied hearts: what of sevoflurane cardioprotection?
Authors: LARSEN J. R. , SMERUP M. , HASENKAM J. M. , CHRISTENSEN S. D. , SIVESGAARD K. , TORP P. , SLOTH E. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that inhalation anaesthetics, like sevoflurane, confer cardioprotection both experimentally and clinically. However, coexisting cardiac disease might diminish anaesthetic cardioprotection and could partly explain why the clinical results of cardioprotection with anaesthetics remain controversial – in contrast to solid experimental evidence. Concomitant left ventricular hypertrophy is found in some cardiac surgery patients and could change cardioprotection efficacy. Hypertrophy could potentially render the heart less susceptible to sevoflurane cardioprotection and more susceptible to ischaemic injury. We investigated whether hypertrophy blocks sevoflurane cardioprotection, and whether tolerance to ischaemia is altered by left ventricular hypertrophy, in an established experimental animal model of ischaemia–reperfusion.Methods: Anaesthetized juvenile pigs (n=7–12/group) were subjected to 45 min distal coronary artery balloon occlusion, followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Controls were given pentobarbital, while sevoflurane cardioprotection was achieved by 3.2% inhalation throughout the experiment. Chronic banding of the ascending aorta resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy development in two further groups and these animals underwent identical ischaemia–reperfusion protocols, with or without sevoflurane cardioprotection. Myocardial infarct sizes were compared post‐mortem.Results: The mean myocardial infarct size (% of area‐at‐risk) was reduced from mean 55.0 (13.6%) (±SD) in controls to 17.5 (13.2%) by sevoflurane (P=0.001). Sevoflurane reduced the infarct size in hypertrophied hearts to 14.6 (10.4%) (P=0.001); however, in hypertrophic controls, infarcts were reduced to 34.2 (10.2%) (P=0.001).Conclusion: Sevoflurane abrogated ischaemic injury to similar levels in both normal and left ventricular hypertrophied hearts.
Dose‐dependent effect of S(+) ketamine on post‐ischemic endogenous neurogenesis in rats
Authors: WINKELHEIDE U. , LASARZIK I. , KAEPPEL B. , WINKLER J. , WERNER C. , KOCHS E. , ENGELHARD K. 
Published: March 2009

Background: Ketamine is a non‐competitive antagonist at N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors and reduces neuronal injury after cerebral ischemia by blocking the excitotoxic effects of glutamate. However, cerebral regeneration by means of endogenous neurogenesis may be impaired with blockade of NMDA receptors. The effects of S(+) ketamine on post‐ischemic neurogenesis are unknown and investigated in this study.Methods: Thirty‐two male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups with intravenous S(+) ketamine anesthesia: S(+) ketamine 0.75 mg/kg/min with or without cerebral ischemia and S(+) ketamine 1.0 mg/kg/min with or without cerebral ischemia. Eight non‐anesthetized, non‐ischemic animals were investigated as naïve controls. Forebrain ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in combination with hemorrhagic hypotension. 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected intraperitoneally for seven consecutive post‐operative days. BrdU‐positive neurons in the dentate gyrus and histopathological damage of the hippocampus were analyzed after 28 days.Results: The number of new neurons was not affected by S(+) ketamine in the absence of cerebral ischemia. The ischemia‐induced increase in neurogenesis was reduced by high‐dose S(+) ketamine. Cell death of ischemic animals did not vary between low‐ and high‐dose S(+) ketamine.Conclusion: While low concentrations of S(+) ketamine allow an ischemia‐induced increase in the number of new neurons, high S(+) ketamine concentrations block the post‐ischemic increase in newly generated neurons. This effect is irrespective of the extent of other histopathological damage and in line with studies showing that NMDA receptor antagonists like MK‐801 inhibit neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia.
Investigation of the phenotypic and genetic properties of Brenneria nigrifluens strains, the causal agent of walnut bark canker in Kurdistan province, Iran
Authors: Roshangar R. , Harighi B. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryPhenotypic and genetic properties of Brenneria nigrifluens, the causal agent of walnut bark canker disease were studied using a combination of key biochemical tests, analysis of whole‐cell protein extracts and genetic fingerprints based on DNA primers corresponding to conserved motifs in bacterial repetitive (repetitive extragenic palindromic, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus and BOX) elements and to the 16s rRNA gene. Phenotypic properties indicated that 11 strains showed a high degree of similarity and <5% of isolates showed different properties such as utilization of dulcitol and inositol. A majority of isolates produced rep‐PCR profiles similar (>80%) to a B. nigrifluens reference strain. This study showed that the majority of strains had 0–3 plasmids with estimated sizes ranging 9–32 Kb. Strains were clustered into two and three groups by whole‐cell protein analysis and rep‐PCR, respectively.
Inhibitions of urinary oxidative stress and renal calcium level by an extract of Quercus salicina Blume/Quercus stenophylla Makino in a rat calcium oxalate urolithiasis model
Authors: Moriyama Manabu T , Suga Koudai , Miyazawa Katsuhito , Tanaka Tatsuro , Higashioka Masaya , Noda Kumiko , Oka Michiko , Tanaka Mitsushi , Suzuki Koji 
Published: March 2009

Objectives:  To clarify the mechanism of Urocalun, an extract of Quercus salicina Blume/Quercus stenophylla Makino (QS), in the treatment of urolithiasis.Methods:  Rat calcium oxalate urolithiasis was induced by oral administration of ethylene glycol and the vitamin D3 analog alfa‐calcidol for 14 days. QS extract was repeatedly given to rats. After the last administration, biochemistries in urine and plasma, renal calcium, and urinary malondialdehyde (an oxidative stress marker) were measured.Results:  Ethylene glycol and alfa‐calcidol treatment increased urinary malondialdehyde and renal calcium levels. This increase was significantly suppressed by the administration of QS extract, suggesting that the inhibition of renal calcium accumulation by QS extract is due to its antioxidative activity.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that the antioxidative activity of QS extract plays a role in the prevention of stone formation and recurrence in urolithiasis.