bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technology management in services: knowledge‐based vs. knowledge‐embedded services
Authors: Kang Hyungu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTechnology has had a profound effect on how services are designed and delivered. There have been many changes emerging in services as a result of technology.This paper describes and provides illustrations of a framework which is useful for technology management in the service sector. The framework focuses on managing according to where the value is added in the service: in the service production system/process (knowledge‐embedded) or in the worker him/herself (knowledge‐based).This paper explores the strategic technology management issues on different types of service.Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of age and number of employees on managerial activities: an exploratory study of West Midlands small firms in the Central Technology Belt
Authors: Walker David S. , Tobias Andrew M. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are widely recognized and acknowledged as vital and significant contributors to economic development. In many countries, the SME sector is a major source of employment, revenue generation, innovation and technological advancement. Its importance to economic development cannot be overemphasized. The UK is no exception.
This exploratory study focuses on a sample of West Midlands‐based businesses that are located within the area known as the Central Technology Belt and examines the effect of the age and size of businesses (measured in number of employees) on their managerial capability. The work will contribute to a longitudinal study assessing the managerial capabilities of small businesses more widely.
The data discussed in this paper is part of comprehensive ongoing research into SMEs in the Central Technology Belt of the UK and has been subjected by the authors to a range of parametric and non‐parametric statistical analyses.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐Pot Synthesis of a Polyrotaxane via Selective Threading of a PEI‐b‐PEG‐b‐PEI Copolymer
Authors: Choi Hak Soo , Ooya Tooru , Yui Nobuhiko 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSummary: A functional polyrotaxane of a PEI‐b‐PEG‐b‐PEI copolymer is synthesized in aqueous solution in a one‐pot sequence. To obtain a polyrotaxane with PEG‐block‐selective inclusion complexes, the solution pH of the polypseudorotaxane is lowered to 4.4 in the presence of 9‐anthraldehyde (AN), which triggers the expulsion of the α‐cyclodextrins (α‐CDs) from the flank PEI chains.Synthetic strategy of a block‐selective polyrotaxane between a PEI‐b‐PEG‐b‐PEI copolymer and α‐cyclodextrins.magnified imageSynthetic strategy of a block‐selective polyrotaxane between a PEI‐b‐PEG‐b‐PEI copolymer and α‐cyclodextrins.
Macroporous Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels with Adjustable Size “Cut‐off” for the Efficient and Reversible Immobilization of Biomacromolecules
Authors: Fänger Christian , Wack Holger , Ulbricht Mathias 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSummary: Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) hydrogels with varied degree of crosslinking (DC) were synthesized by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an additive. A phase separated (“macroporous”) morphology was formed when using PEG contents of ≥20 wt.‐%. Temperature‐dependent degrees of swelling had been measured, and average mesh sizes of the swollen polymer network had been calculated. The loading of the hydrogels with labelled dextrans with various molar masses and bovine serum albumin (BSA)—via swelling of the shrunken gel in a cold solution—and their subsequent unloading—via immersion in hot water—were studied in detail. The loading efficiencies were close to zero for PNIPA prepared at PEG contents of ≤10 wt.‐%, and they increased sharply to about 100% for PNIPA prepared with PEG contents of ≥20 wt.‐%. A complete unloading was achieved as well. For macroporous PNIPA prepared at 40 wt.‐% PEG content, the loading efficiency was a function of the DC, and the “cut‐off” observed as a function of dextran or protein size correlated with the mesh size of the hydrogel. The function of these “smart” hydrogels can be explained by the temperature‐induced “pumping” of the solution into the gel bulk via the permanent pores, along with an uptake into the adjacent hydrogel network. Those materials could be used as matrices for the efficient and reversible immobilization of (bio)macromolecules.
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A Novel Phosphorus‐Containing Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Nanocomposite with Both Flame Retardancy and Anti‐Dripping Effects
Authors: Wang De‐Yi , Ge Xin‐Guo , Wang Yu‐Zhong , Wang Chuan , Qu Ming‐Hai , Zhou Qian 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSummary: It is a big challenge to improve simultaneously both the flame retardancy and the melt‐dripping resistance of polymeric materials such as PET. In this paper, a novel intumescent flame retardant, DPSPB, was synthesized and blended with copolyester PET‐co‐DDP/O‐MMT nanocomposites, which were synthesized by polycondensation of TPA, EG, DDP, and O‐MMT. The resulting PET‐co‐DDP/O‐MMT/DPSPB nanocomposites exhibit very good flame retardance and dripping resistance, e.g., LOI = 29, UL‐94 V‐0. SEM, XRD, and XPS were used to investigate the relationships between the structures and properties of the composites. It is proved that DPSPB offers excellent protection for the structure of nanocomposites, which is responsible for the good anti‐dripping properties of the nanocomposites.Residues of copolyesters after combustion: common nanocomposite residue of PDMN (left) and the novel nanocomposite residue of PDMN/DPSPB (right).magnified imageResidues of copolyesters after combustion: common nanocomposite residue of PDMN (left) and the novel nanocomposite residue of PDMN/DPSPB (right).
Preparation and Properties of PVC Ternary Nanocomposites Containing Elastomeric Nanoscale Particles and Exfoliated Sodium‐Montmorillonite
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Zhang Xiaohong , Jin Yan , Gui Hua , Dong Weifu , Lai Jinmei , Liu Yiqun , Gao Jianming , Huang Fan , Song Zhihai , Qiao Jinliang 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSummary: A novel rigid PVC ternary nanocomposite containing NBR‐ENP and untreated Na‐MMT has been fabricated. X‐ray diffraction XRD, TEM and SEM observations revealed that the untreated Na‐MMT was exfoliated and most NBR‐ENPs (about 90 nm) were separately dispersed in the PVC matrix. DMTA and TGA demonstrated that the PVC ternary nanocomposites had a higher glass transition temperature and a higher decomposition temperature than neat PVC, while the toughness increased simultaneously. Combustion tests showed that the exfoliated clay in the PVC/NBR‐ENP/MMT ternary nanocomposites did not improve the flame retardancy after ignition under strong heat flux.Schematic diagram of the fabrication procedure of PVC/NBR‐ENP/Na‐MMT ternary nanocomposites.magnified imageSchematic diagram of the fabrication procedure of PVC/NBR‐ENP/Na‐MMT ternary nanocomposites.
On spectral theory for Schrödinger operators with strongly singular potentials
Authors: Gesztesy Fritz , Zinchenko Maxim 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe examine two kinds of spectral theoretic situations: First, we recall the case of self‐adjoint half‐line Schrödinger operators on [a , ∞), a ∈ ℝ, with a regular finite end point a and the case of Schrödinger operators on the real line with locally integrable potentials, which naturally lead to Herglotz functions and 2 × 2 matrix‐valued Herglotz functions representing the associated Weyl–Titchmarsh coefficients. Second, we contrast this with the case of self‐adjoint half‐line Schrödinger operators on (a , ∞) with a potential strongly singular at the end point a . We focus on situations where the potential is so singular that the associated maximally defined Schrödinger operator is self‐adjoint (equivalently, the associated minimally defined Schrödinger operator is essentially selfadjoint) and hence no boundary condition is required at the finite end point a . For this case we show that the Weyl–Titchmarsh coefficient in this strongly singular context still determines the associated spectral function, but ceases to posses the Herglotz property. However, as will be shown, Herglotz function techniques continue to play a decisive role in the spectral theory for strongly singular Schrödinger operators. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
DFT modeling of biological systems
Authors: Raugei Simone , Gervasio Francesco Luigi , Carloni Paolo 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBiological systems are particularly challenging to model with first‐principles quantum mechanical methods. This difficulty arises both from the size of the bio‐molecules and from the complexity of the phenomena in which they are involved. Yet many problems of great biological interest can be treated only by first‐principle methods. Here we outline the state‐of‐the art of ab initio (Density Functional Theory, DFT) biological modeling by presenting a brief survey of new trends in the development of algorithms as well as few representative applications. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Films Prepared with Oxidized Banana Starch: Mechanical and Barrier Properties
Authors: Zamudio‐Flores Paul B. , Vargas‐Torres Apolonio , Pérez‐González José , Bosquez‐Molina Elsa , Bello‐Pérez Luis A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractFilms were prepared using oxidized banana starch and glycerol. Oxidized banana starch was synthesized at three oxidation levels (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of active chlorine). Thermal gelatinization and casting were used for film preparation. Tensile strength, elongation, X‐ray diffraction pattern and water vapor permeability were tested. The tensile strength of the films was higher when the oxidation level of the banana starch was higher. When films were stored for 30 and 60 days, there were no statistical differences in tensile strength. However, differences occurred when those films were compared with the films stored for 90 days. The film with added sunflower oil presented the lowest value of elongation at 30 and 60 days of storage. When elongation values were assessed at 90 days of storage no statistical differences (α=0.05) were found among the films prepared from native starch with added sunflower oil, oxidized banana starch with 1.0% and oxidized banana starch with 1.5% oxidation level. All films had a B‐type X‐ray pattern. When the oxidation level in the starch increased, the peaks of crystallinity of the films increased as well. An additive effect was shown due to the higher interactions among polymer chains and among polymer and glycerol molecules as determined by the mechanical properties of the films analyzed. The corrected water vapor permeability (WVPc) of the films stored for 30 and 60 days did not show statistical differences (α=0.05). The films prepared with oxidized banana starch had the highest WVPc and those values increased when the oxidation level in the starch was higher. Oxidized banana starch can be used for preparation of films with adequate physicochemical characteristics.
Clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Simoes J.A. , Discacciati M.G. , Brolazo E.M. , Portugal P.M. , Dini D.V. , Dantas M.C.M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the accuracy of Amsel's criteria individually or in combinations of two for the clinical diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Methods: This cross‐sectional study enrolled 135 women at UNICAMP, and evaluated Amsel's four clinical criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each criterion individually, in combinations of two, and for the classic test with at least three criteria present. The Nugent method was used as gold standard. Results: The most sensitive individual criteria were pH and vaginal discharge (97%), the latter having lowest specificity (26%). The criterion with highest specificity was the presence of clue cells (86%). The combination of two criteria showed sensitivity of 83% to 93%, and specificity of 82% to 94%. Conclusion: The accuracy of Amsel's clinical criteria individually or in combinations of two was as accurate as the presence of at least three criteria for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.
The lack of sustained effect of bright light in non-seasonal major depression
Authors: MARTINY KLAUS , LUNDE MARIANNE , UNDÉN MOGENS , DAM HENRIK , BECH PER 
Published: June 2006

Background. Recently accumulated evidence has demonstrated that bright-light therapy in combination with antidepressants is effective in patients with non-seasonal major depression. Whether bright light has a sustained effect after discontinuation is, however, poorly investigated.Method. In this double-blind randomized study we report the results from a 4-week follow-up period in patients with major non-seasonal depression who had been treated for 5 weeks with sertraline combined with bright-light therapy or sertraline combined with dim-light therapy. At the beginning of the follow-up period the light therapy was stopped while sertraline treatment continued for 4 weeks.Results. Depression scores decreased substantially in both groups, resulting in high response and remission rates in both groups after 9 weeks of treatment. The difference in depression scores at week 5, favouring the bright-light-treated group, disappeared gradually in the 4-week follow-up period, resulting in similar end-point scores.Conclusions. Bright light did not have a sustained effect after discontinuation. The offset of effect was complete after 4 weeks.
The functions of societies and the evolution of group living: spider societies as a test case
Authors: Whitehouse Mary E. A. , Lubin Yael 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTMany models have been advanced to suggest how different expressions of sociality have evolved and are maintained. However these models ignore the function of groups for the particular species in question. Here we present a new perspective on sociality where the function of the group takes a central role. We argue that sociality may have primarily a reproductive, protective, or foraging function, depending on whether it enhances the reproductive, protective or foraging aspect of the animal's life (sociality may serve a mixture of these functions). Different functions can potentially cause the development of the same social behaviour. By identifying which function influences a particular social behaviour we can determine how that social behaviour will change with changing conditions, and which models are most pertinent. To test our approach we examined spider sociality, which has often been seen as the poor cousin to insect sociality. By using our approach we found that the group characteristics of eusocial insects is largely governed by the reproductive function of their groups, while the group characteristics of social spiders is largely governed by the foraging function of the group. This means that models relevant to insects may not be relevant to spiders. It also explains why eusocial insects have developed a strict caste system while spider societies are more egalitarian. We also used our approach to explain the differences between different types of spider groups. For example, differences in the characteristics of colonial and kleptoparasitic groups can be explained by differences in foraging methods, while differences between colonial and cooperative spiders can be explained by the role of the reproductive function in the formation of cooperative spider groups. Although the interactions within cooperative spider colonies are largely those of a foraging society, demographic traits and colony dynamics are strongly influenced by the reproductive function. We argue that functional explanations help to understand the social structure of spider groups and therefore the evolutionary potential for speciation in social spiders.
Sexual selection research on spiders: progress and biases
Authors: Huber Bernhard A. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTThe renaissance of interest in sexual selection during the last decades has fuelled an extraordinary increase of scientific papers on the subject in spiders. Research has focused both on the process of sexual selection itself, for example on the signals and various modalities involved, and on the patterns, that is the outcome of mate choice and competition depending on certain parameters. Sexual selection has most clearly been demonstrated in cases involving visual and acoustical signals but most spiders are myopic and mute, relying rather on vibrations, chemical and tactile stimuli. This review argues that research has been biased towards modalities that are relatively easily accessible to the human observer. Circumstantial and comparative evidence indicates that sexual selection working via substrate‐borne vibrations and tactile as well as chemical stimuli may be common and widespread in spiders. Pattern‐oriented research has focused on several phenomena for which spiders offer excellent model objects, like sexual size dimorphism, nuptial feeding, sexual cannibalism, and sperm competition. The accumulating evidence argues for a highly complex set of explanations for seemingly uniform patterns like size dimorphism and sexual cannibalism. Sexual selection appears involved as well as natural selection and mechanisms that are adaptive in other contexts only. Sperm competition has resulted in a plethora of morphological and behavioural adaptations, and simplistic models like those linking reproductive morphology with behaviour and sperm priority patterns in a straightforward way are being replaced by complex models involving an array of parameters. Male mating costs are increasingly being documented in spiders, and sexual selection by male mate choice is discussed as a potential result. Research on sexual selection in spiders has come a long way since Darwin, whose spider examples are reanalysed in the context of contemporary knowledge, but the same biases and methodological constraints have persisted almost unchanged through the current boom of research.
Gabapentin inhibits high‐threshold calcium channel currents in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurones
Authors: Sutton K G , Martin D J , Pinnock R D , Lee K , Scott R H 
Published: June 2006

This study examined the action of gabapentin (gabapentin,1‐(aminomethyl) cyclohexane acetic acid (Neurontin®)) on voltage‐gated calcium (Ca2+) channel influx recorded in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones.
Voltage‐gated Ca2+ influx was monitored using both fura‐2 based fluorescence Ca2+ imaging and the whole‐cell patch clamp technique.
Imaging of intracellular Ca2+ transients revealed that gabapentin inhibited KCl (30 mM)‐evoked voltage‐dependent Ca2+ influx. Both the duration for 50% of the maximum response (W50) and total Ca2+ influx were significantly reduced by ∼25‐30% in the presence of gabapentin (25 μM).
Gabapentin potently inhibited the peak whole‐cell Ca2+ channel current (IBa) in a dose‐dependent manner with an estimated IC50 value of 167 nM. Block was incomplete and saturated at a maximal concentration of 25 μM.
Inhibition was significantly decreased in the presence of the neutral amino acid L‐isoleucine (25 μM) but unaffected by application of the GABAB antagonist, saclofen (200 μM), suggesting a direct action on the α2δ subunit of the Ca2+ channel.
Gabapentin inhibition was voltage‐dependent, producing an ∼7 mV hyperpolarizing shift in current voltage properties and reducing a non‐inactivating component of whole‐cell current activated at relatively depolarized potentials.
The use of specific Ca2+ channel antagonists revealed a mixed pharmacology of the gabapentin‐sensitive current (N‐, L‐ and P/Q‐type), which is dominated by N‐type current.
The present study is the first to demonstrate that gabapentin directly mediates inhibition of voltage‐gated Ca2+ influx in DRG neurones, providing a potential means for gabapentin to effectively mediate spinal anti‐nociception.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 257–265; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704439
The pharmacology of the acute hyperthermic response that follows administration of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) to rats
Authors: Mechan Annis O , Esteban Blanca , O'Shea Esther , Elliott J Martin , Colado M Isabel , Green A Richard 
Published: June 2006

The pharmacology of the acute hyperthermia that follows 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) administration to rats has been investigated.
MDMA (12.5 mg kg−1 i.p.) produced acute hyperthermia (measured rectally). The tail skin temperature did not increase, suggesting that MDMA may impair heat dissipation.
Pretreatment with the 5‐HT1/2 antagonist methysergide (10 mg kg−1), the 5‐HT2A antagonist MDL 100,907 (0.1 mg kg−1) or the 5‐HT2C antagonist SB 242084 (3 mg kg−1) failed to alter the hyperthermia. The 5‐HT2 antagonist ritanserin (1 mg kg−1) was without effect, but MDL 11,939 (5 mg kg−1) blocked the hyperthermia, possibly because of activity at non‐serotonergic receptors.
The 5‐HT uptake inhibitor zimeldine (10 mg kg−1) had no effect on MDMA‐induced hyperthermia. The uptake inhibitor fluoxetine (10 mg kg−1) markedly attenuated the MDMA‐induced increase in hippocampal extracellular 5‐HT, also without altering hyperthermia.
The dopamine D2 antagonist remoxipride (10 mg kg−1) did not alter MDMA‐induced hyperthermia, but the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.3 – 2.0 mg kg−1) dose‐dependently antagonized it.
The dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (10 mg kg−1) did not alter the hyperthermic response and microdialysis demonstrated that it did not inhibit MDMA‐induced striatal dopamine release.
These results demonstrate that in vivo MDMA‐induced 5‐HT release is inhibited by 5‐HT uptake inhibitors, but MDMA‐induced dopamine release may not be altered by a dopamine uptake inhibitor.
It is suggested that MDMA‐induced hyperthermia results not from MDMA‐induced 5‐HT release, but rather from the increased release of dopamine that acts at D1 receptors. This has implications for the clinical treatment of MDMA‐induced hyperthermia.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 170–180; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704442
Pharmacological profile of the novel mammalian tachykinin, hemokinin 1
Authors: Bellucci Francesca , Carini Francesca , Catalani Claudio , Cucchi Paola , Lecci Alessandro , Meini Stefania , Patacchini Riccardo , Quartara Laura , Ricci Renzo , Tramontana Manuela , Giuliani Sandro , Maggi Carlo Alberto 
Published: June 2006

The effects of the novel mammalian tachykinin, hemokinin 1 (HEK‐1), have been investigated by radioligand binding and functional in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Similar to SP (Ki=0.13 nM), HEK‐1 inhibited in a concentration‐dependent manner and with high affinity [3H]‐substance P (SP) binding to human NK1 receptor (Ki=0.175 nM) while its affinity for [125I]‐neurokinin A (NKA) binding at human NK2 receptor was markedly lower (Ki=560 nM).
In isolated bioassays HEK‐1 was a full agonist at tachykinin NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors. In the rat urinary bladder (RUB) HEK‐1 was about 3 fold less potent than SP. In the rabbit pulmonary artery (RPA) HEK‐1 and in the guinea‐pig ileum (GPI), HEK‐1 was about 500 fold less potent than NKA and NKB, respectively.
The responses to HEK‐1 were antagonized by GR 82334 in RUB (pKB=5.6±0.07), by nepadutant in RPA (pKB=8.6±0.04) and by SR 142801 in GPI (pKB=9.0±0.2) with apparent affinities comparable to that measured against tachykinin NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptor‐selective agonists, respectively.
Intravenous HEK‐1 produced dose‐related decrease of blood pressure in anaesthetized guinea‐pigs (ED50=0.1 nmol kg−1) and salivary secretion in anaesthetized rats (ED50=6 nmol kg−1) with potencies similar to that of SP. All these effects were blocked by the selective tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, SR 140333.
We conclude that HEK‐1 is a full agonist at tachykinin NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors, possesses a remarkable selectivity for NK1 as compared to NK2 or NK3 receptors and acts in vivo experiments with potency similar to that of SP.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 266–274; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704443