bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of morbid events on survival following hospitalization for complicated myocardial infarction
Authors: Dickstein Kenneth , Gleim Gilbert W. , Snapinn Steven , James Margaret K. , Kjekshus John ,   for the OPTIMAAL Study Group
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:Little is known about the importance of morbid events with respect to longer term survival following MI hospital discharge.Aims:Establish the risk of death associated with morbid events following initial discharge from MI hospitalization.Methods:We examined the rates of morbid events (reinfarction, stroke/TIA, revascularization, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, cardiovascular hospitalization and all‐cause hospitalization) and the relationships of these events to subsequent death in patients who survived the initial hospitalization for MI (n=5301) in the OPTIMAAL trial. Events were classified as Early (≤30 days post discharge) and Late (>30 days post discharge) for an average of 2.7 years follow‐up.Results:Death rates were higher in the Early period (0.20 deaths/patient year) than in the Late period (0.05 deaths/patient year). Once a morbid event, excluding revascularization, occurred, the acute hazard ratios (HR, determined by Cox regression) for death on the day of event were higher than at time periods following the event and were highest for reinfarction and stroke/TIA. The acute HRs for death for all 6 morbid events were especially high for events occurring during the Late period. The highest chronic HR for death was associated with HF and all‐cause hospitalizations. By contrast, the chronic HR for death from revascularization in both the Early (HR=0.3) and Late (HR=0.4) period indicated reduced risk.Conclusions:The results document event rates following hospitalization for MI, provide quantification of the associated risk for death, and may be useful in designing clinical trials. The serious morbid events examined may serve as potential surrogate endpoints in long‐term studies and identify patients that should be targeted for aggressive management.
Alternating conduction in the ischaemic border zone as precursor of reentrant arrhythmias: A simulation study
Authors: Bernus Olivier , Zemlin Christian W. , Zaritsky Roman M. , Mironov Sergey F. , Pertsov Arkady M. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Aims
Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the onset of conduction-related arrhythmias in a three-dimensional (3D) computational model of acute regional ischaemia.

Methods
Ischaemia was introduced by realistic gradients of potassium, pH, oxygen and electrical coupling in a 3D slab of ventricular tissue using the LRd model. We focused on a specific stage (10–15 min after occlusion) at which an intramural non-conductive ischaemic core (IC) surrounded by a border zone (BZ) has formed.

Results
At pacing frequencies greater than 4.5 Hz, we observed narrow areas (0.5 mm wide) of 2:1 conduction blocks at the periphery of the IC. As the pacing frequency increased, the area of block widened to 9 mm and gave rise to reentry at the periphery of the BZ. Alternating conduction blocks produced discordant action potential duration (APD) alternans throughout the slab and T-wave alternans in pseudo-ECG. Slowing the recovery of the calcium current broadened the range of pacing frequencies at which blocks were observed. Hyperkalaemia alone was sufficient to induce the alternating blocks.

Conclusion
Computer modelling predicts that ischaemia-related arrhythmias are triggered by calcium-mediated alternating conduction blocks in the ischaemic border zone. Alternating conduction blocks lead to intramural reentry and APD alternans.
DNA mismatch repair status may influence anti-neoplastic effects of butyrate
Authors: Coxhead J.M. , Williams E.A. , Mathers J.C. 
Published: August 2005

HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by early-onset CRC (colorectal cancer). HNPCC is most often associated with mutations in the MMR (mismatch repair) genes hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 or hPMS2. The mutator phenotype of a defective MMR system is MSI (microsatellite instability), which also occurs in approx. 15–25% of sporadic CRC cases, where it is associated with the hypermethylation of the promoter region of hMLH1. Dietary factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, ingestion of red meat and low folate intake, may increase the risk of MSI high tumour development. In contrast, aspirin may suppress MSI in MMR-deficient CRC cell lines. Butyrate, a short-chain-fatty-acid end product of carbohydrate fermentation in the colon, shares a number of anti-neoplastic properties with aspirin, including inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of CRC cells. Recent in vitro studies suggest that physiological concentrations of butyrate (0.5–2 mM) may have more potent anti-neoplastic effects in CRC cell lines deficient in MMR, but mechanisms for such a differential response remain to be established.
Isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways as anti-infective drug targets
Authors: Rohdich F. , Bacher A. , Eisenreich W. 
Published: August 2005

IPP (isopentenyl diphosphate) and DMAPP (dimethylallyl diphosphate) serve as the universal precursors for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids. Besides the well-known mevalonate pathway, the existence of a second biosynthetic pathway conducive to IPP and DMAPP formation through 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate and 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate was discovered approx. 10 years ago in plants and certain eubacteria. It is now known that this pathway is widely distributed in the bacterial kingdom including major human pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori. The pathway is also essential in the malaria vector Plasmodium falciparum. During the last few years, the genes, enzymes, intermediates and mechanisms of the biosynthetic route have been elucidated by a combination of comparative genomics, enzymology, advanced NMR technology and crystallography. The results provide the basis for the development of novel anti-infective drugs.
Channelrhodopsins: directly light-gated cation channels
Authors: Nagel G. , Szellas T. , Kateriya S. , Adeishvili N. , Hegemann P. , Bamberg E. 
Published: August 2005

Phototaxis and photophobic responses of green algae are mediated by rhodopsins with microbial type chromophores, i.e. all-trans-retinal in the ground state. The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was recently completely sequenced and the EST (expressed sequence tag) database was made public. We and others detected overlapping partial cDNA sequences that encode two proteins which we termed channelopsins (Chops). The N-terminal half of chop1 (∼300 of 712 amino acids) comprises hypothetical seven-transmembrane segments with sequence similarity to the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin and the chloride pump halorhodopsin. Even though the overall sequence homology is low, several amino acids are conserved that define the retinal-binding site and the H+-transporting network in BR (bacteriorhodopsin). Expression of Chop1, or only the hydrophobic core, in Xenopus laevis oocytes, enriched with retinal, produced a light-gated conductance (maximum at approx. 500 nm), which shows characteristics of a channel [ChR1 (channelrhodopsin-1)] that is selectively permeable for protons. Also ChR2 (737 amino acids) is an ion channel that is switched directly by light and also here the hydrophobic N-terminal half of the protein is sufficient to enable light-sensitive channel activity. The action spectrum is blue-shifted (maximum at approx. 460 nm) with respect to ChR1. In addition to protons, ChR2 is permeable to univalent and bivalent cations. We suggest that ChRs are involved in phototaxis of green algae. We show that heterologous expression of ChR2 is useful to manipulate intracellular pCa or membrane potential of animal cells, simply by illumination.
The transformation of scholarly communication
Authors: Warner Simeon 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTRecent debate on the reform of scholarly communication has focused on access issues. Although important, access is only one dimension in which the scholarly process can be transformed. Scholars are embracing highly collaborative and data‐intensive standards of practice influenced by powerful computing and network technologies. This dramatic transformation of scholarship demands a natively digital, network‐based scholarly communication system that is able to capture the scholarly record, make it accessible, and preserve it over time. I will offer a technological perspective on how these demands might be met.
The evolution of internet business strategy
Authors: Rowley Jennifer 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the estate agency sector as a case study of an industry sector in which the internet business model has evolved from experimental dot.com towards the integrated use of the internet to enhance service delivery.Design/methodology/approachData are collected by visiting a range of property related sites, including property portals and the sites of individual estate agents. The focus is on UK property sites, but some comparisons are made with US sites. The services offered by property portals are discussed and used to illustrate the potential role of the internet in estate agency.FindingsPortals provide content in the form of information, advice and news, links to other businesses including individual estate agency chains, search facilities, and opportunities for registration which support personalisation of communication with customers. Individual estate agency chains generally have less developed, but adequate, web sites. The sector is described as having evolved through the three stages of experimentation, promotion, customer service, and, for the future, the final stage of optimal integration of the internet into business functions is on the horizon.Originality/valueBuilding on an earlier model of the strategic development of e‐business, a four‐stage model of the evolution of internet estate agency is proposed, which includes experimentation, promotion, customer service, and integration. Research and development agendas associated with this final stage, integration, are identified.
Applying the service profit chain to analyse retail performance
Authors: Pritchard Michael , Silvestro Rhian 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply Heskett, Sasser and Schlesinger's service profit chain to a single retail service with a view to developing a better understanding of the performance linkages between employee perceptions and performance, customer perceptions and behaviour, and financial performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research was based on the case study of a UK home improvement store chain. Measures of each of the variables in the service profit chain were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, with a dataset based on 75 stores.FindingsAlthough analysis of the performance relationships revealed many interesting correlations, the data lent little support for some of the expected linkages; in particular, the “satisfaction mirror” effect between employee and customer satisfaction and loyalty, and the link between customer loyalty and financial performance. The possible asymmetries and non‐linearity of certain performance relationships may also have added to the difficulty in applying the model to this organisation. Furthermore, the study revealed many performance linkages between variables which are not aligned in the service profit chain model.Originality/valueThe value of the paper lies in the conclusions directed at both practising managers and academics. It is contended that the service profit chain model cannot be applied generically to services but that managers should undertake the development of context‐specific models of their organisations. Unquestioning acceptance of Heskettet al.'s configuration of the service profit chain may indeed constrain managerial understanding of the complexities of business performance; whilst there is also a danger of applying a strait‐jacket to academic thinking on performance relationships and performance improvement.
Customer confidence: the development of a “pre‐experience” concept
Authors: Flanagan Paul , Johnston Robert , Talbot Derek 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to better understand the concept of “confidence”, to assess its relationship with customer contact and to identify the dimensions and triggers of “confidence” in an important organisation with which many people may have only limited contact.Design/methodology/approachThe research was commissioned by the Northamptonshire Police in the UK and was based on data collected through focus groups held in the area. The groups were split into individuals who had limited contact with the police and individuals who had traumatic dealings with the police (e.g. had been the victim of a serious crime).FindingsThe findings supported earlier research which suggested that there was a fall in confidence after contact with the police. The analysis of the discussions revealed four key dimensions of confidence (i.e. what made people feel confident). Several types of confidence triggers were also identified, over some of which the police have control, pre‐contact, during contact and post‐contact.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focused on one public sector organisation using a small number of focus group interviews.Originality/valueOrganisations can influence, at least to some extent, consumer confidence before use. The research also questions whether some organisations should assess confidence rather than, or in addition to, satisfaction.
East German women in management
Authors: Loderstedt Katja 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo address the research gap on East German women managers and to examine some of the experiences of post‐socialist East German women who entered management positions during 1990s. The discussion focuses on the nature of women's commitment to career and organisation.Design/methodology/approachThe study presented adopts a methodology based on a qualitative approach, the grounded theory approach as developed by Glaser. One‐to‐one, semi‐structured interviews were carried out in 2000 with 24 East German women managers and five human resource managers in eight companies located in Eastern Germany, headquartered in Western Germany.FindingsThe case of post‐socialist East German women managers shows that gender can in fact become secondary criterion in employing women managers. It was revealed that opportunities for advancement were greater for East German female managers than West German managers due to the existence of childcare and women's programmes. The support structures, however, are currently being dismantled and women's growth and development in management levels is uncertain. The data show that women managers have coped with transition very effectively and are highly committed to their organisation and their career. However, their high commitment needs to be understood in relative terms as it is strongly context‐related.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the qualitative nature of this study research results should not be generalised, rather they serve as a base for future research.Practical implicationsParticularly, the identification of personnel strategies employed towards post‐socialist women managers and an insight into East German women's commitment could benefit HR practitioners.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the limited literature on women in management Hungary as well as literature on women in post‐socialism.
What can be learnt from subject review?
Authors: Ottewill Roger 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo consider the shortcomings and strengths of the subject review process with a view to identifying criteria that might be used to assess the value of externally administered quality assurance processes in higher education.Design/methodology/approachUse is made of material from a variety of secondary sources blended with personal reflections on the experience gained from undertaking a project for LTSN BEST (Business Education Support Team), the aim of which was to establish what could be learned from the content of the 164 subject review reports for business and management issued during 2000/2001.FindingsMuch of the evidence indicates that subject review generated strong negative feelings on the part of many in higher education. However, while critics tended to make the running, there was an alternative point of view that was expressed a little more circumspectly.Practical implicationsIn shaping the quality assurance processes of the future, due account should be taken not only of the concerns of those who criticised subject review but also of the stance of its defenders.Originality/valueWith the issue of quality remaining high on the higher education agenda, appraisals of past practice have an important part to play in guiding the way forward.
The second‐hand clothing distribution channel
Authors: Mhango Mary W. , Niehm Linda S. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis preliminary study describes the Malawi second‐hand clothing market and recommends strategies for improved distribution by entrepreneurs. We explore the potential for formal retailing of second‐hand clothing in Malawi and present avenues for further research on the topic.Design/methodology/approachA critical content analysis was conducted using data from secondary sources. Data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification allowed for organization and compression of information, and assisted in identification of research gaps.FindingsPreliminary findings suggest organizational structure and effective distribution channel relationships may lead small‐scale entrepreneurial ventures to grow in the Malawi formal market. It is apparent that second‐hand clothing retail entrepreneurs have significant location and resource advantages to leverage in the Malawi domestic market.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis was based on limited literature given the undocumented nature of Malawi retailing and the second‐hand apparel market. Potential research phases that could build from this study includes ethnographic study of current second‐hand clothing distribution and consumption practices in the Malawi context, stakeholders' perspectives on formalizing the second‐hand clothing trade, and a feasibility study on entrepreneurial training and start‐up program for small formal retailers of second‐hand apparel.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the second‐hand clothing trade as an under researched area with much fruitful potential for future study. Also the proposed framework for understanding retail development and distribution of second‐hand clothing from an embedded market perspective may be transferable to other developing nations who rely heavily on second‐hand clothing to meet consumer apparel needs.
Knowledge‐processing capabilities and innovative performance: an empirical study
Authors: Jantunen Ari 
Published: August 2005

PurposeKnowledge‐based assets and organizational learning capabilities are recognized to be critical for firm's innovation activities. The process of creating new knowledge requires acquiring useful data and information, and utilizing it effectively in its internal innovation activities. To manage external knowledge, firms need absorptive capacity. The purpose of this study is to present the concept of the firm's absorptive capacity as a multidimensional, dynamic construct consisting of capabilities for organizational knowledge processing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on results from a large‐scale survey. The empirical data used in the study comprises of 217 Finnish firms from seven different industry sectors. The hypotheses were tested by means of hierarchical linear regression analysis.FindingsThe results of the empirical tests give some support to the view that it is not only the firm's knowledge stock but also its knowledge flows that are crucial for sustaining innovative performance. The regression estimation shows that knowledge‐utilization capabilities were reflected in the firm's innovative performance.Research limitations/implicationsAs the data used in the study was cross‐sectional, the causal relationships and the sustainability of innovative performance cannot be captured. Avenues for further research include the interaction between the firm's knowledge base, knowledge processes and innovativeness.Practical implicationsThis study emphasizes the importance of the firm's ability to utilize and renew its knowledge base effectively. In order to utilize externally generated knowledge, firms need an ability to internalize it and then combine the information and new insights with the existing knowledge base.Originality/valueAs only little empirical research has been conducted on the impact of knowledge‐processing capabilities on the firm's innovative performance, the empirical evidence reported here makes a valuable contribution in this highly important area.
Examining risk reporting in UK public companies
Authors: Linsley Philip M. , Shrives Philip J. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThis paper examines risk information disclosed by UK public companies within their annual reports. The types of risk information disclosed are analyzed and the authors examine whether a relationship exists between company size or level of risk and risk disclosure totals.Design/methodology/approachNo prior empirical studies of the risk information content of annual reports have been undertaken. To analyze the risk disclosures, a sentence‐based approach was used.FindingsOverall the results indicate that the companies sampled are not providing a complete picture of the risks they face. There is minimal disclosure of quantified risk information and a significant proportion of risk disclosures consist of generalized statements of risk policy. More usefully directors are releasing forward‐looking risk information. The principal driver affecting levels of risk disclosure is company size and not company risk level.Research limitations/implicationsFurther risk disclosure research is possible in many different areas. Cross‐country studies could be undertaken as could risk disclosure studies within specific industry sectors. A limitation of the sentence‐based methodology is that it does not measure the quality of the risk disclosures and therefore different methods may be adopted in future studies.Practical implicationsProfessional bodies attempting to improve risk reporting have not convinced directors of the benefits associated with greater voluntary risk disclosure. In the UK this has led to a mandatory requirement to provide better risk information being forced upon companies through legislation enacted by the UK government.Originality/valueThe area this paper researches is of particular importance given recent accounting scandals that have occurred. No previous risk disclosure studies have been published, therefore this exploration is also valuable in linking risk management and transparency.