bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haematopoietic stem cells improve cardiac function after infarction without permanent cardiac engraftment
Authors: Limbourg Florian P. , Ringes‐Lichtenberg Stefanie , Schaefer Arnd , Jacoby Christoph , Mehraein Yasmin , Jäger Mark D. , Limbourg Anne , Fuchs Martin , Klein Gunnar , Ballmaier Matthias , Schlitt Hans‐J. , Schrader Juergen , Hilfiker‐Kleiner Denise , Drexler Helmut 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground:Transplantation of bone marrow derived adult stem cells (BMC) improves cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, the cell population mediating myocardial recovery and the fate of the transplanted cells are still controversial.Aims:We determined the effects of Sca‐1+ c‐kit+ lin‐ haematopoietic BMC on cardiac function after MI and the cell fate after transplantation.Methods:Sca‐1+ c‐kit+ lin‐ BMC of male donor C57BL/6 mice were transplanted by intravenous injection into syngenic females after permanent MI. LV dimensions and function were determined by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, transplanted BMC were identified by Y chromosome DNA in situ hybridization.Results:BMC treatment completely prevented LV dilation (LV enddiastolic volume BMC 70±16 μl vs. control 122±41 μl; p <0.05) and improved fractional shortening (BMC 22.9±8% vs. control 15.4±8.4%; p <0.05) and ejection fraction (BMC 68.2±6.6% vs. control 52±14.3%, p <0.05) as early as 3 days after transplantation, but did not decrease infarct size (BMC 27±6% vs. control 28±7%, p =n.s.). After 4 weeks, only sporadic cells of male origin were identified in infarcted hearts (<0.01% of periinfarct cells).Conclusion:Intravenous injection of sca‐1+ c‐kit+ lin− BMC after MI improves LV dimensions and function without evidence for long term engraftment.
An integrative model of mouse cardiac electrophysiology from cell to torso
Authors: Tranquillo Joseph V. , Hlavacek James , Henriquez Craig S. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract

Aims
Although the transgenic mouse has become an important new tool in the study of human diseases and the design of new therapies, a complete picture of cardiac electrophysiology in the mouse, from genome to body surface, is lacking. A computational model of the mouse heart is presented, which is used to study the impact of ion-channel and structural manipulations on the distributions of extracellular potentials on the heart and body surface.

Methods
A model of the mouse heart anatomy, fibre organization and torso geometry was constructed from DTMRI images. An anisotropic bidomain model, with a modified Pandit et al. model for the ionic currents, was used to represent the electrical properties of the tissue. Spatial heterogeneity in the ion currents was introduced by modulating the transient outward current. A sinus beat was simulated in hearts with different tissue and membrane properties and the extracellular potentials were computed at both the heart and body surface.

Results
The simulated transmembrane patterns in the heart, and the timing and morphology of the simulated ECG waveforms were consistent with experimental measurements. In addition, the patterns of activation and recovery and the waveforms of the corresponding ECG were found to be relatively insensitive to changes in cell type distribution and tissue anisotropy.

Conclusion
Because of the small size of the heart, an integrative model of mouse electrophysiology can be simulated from cell to torso, enabling a new tool to study how extracellular signals might be used to detect molecular changes underlying an arrhythmogenic substrate.
Environments and evolution: interactions between stress, resource inadequacy and energetic efficiency
Authors: Parsons Peter A. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTEvolutionary change is interpreted in terms of the near‐universal ecological scenario of stressful environments. Consequently, there is a premium on the energetically efficient exploitation of resources in a resource‐inadequate world. Under this environmental model, fitness can be approximated to energetic efficiency especially towards the limits of survival. Furthermore, fitness at one stage of the life‐cycle should correlate with fitness at other stages, especially for development time, survival and longevity;‘good genotypes’ under stress should therefore be at a premium. Conservation in the wild depends primarily on adaptation to abiotically changing habitats since towards the limits of survival, genomic variation is rarely restrictive. The balance between energetic costs under variable environments and energy from resources provides a model for interpreting evolutionary stasis, punctuational and gradual change, and specialist diversification. Ultimately, a species should be in an equilibrium between the physiology of an organism and its adaptation to the environment. The primary key to understanding evolutionary change should therefore be ecological, highlighting energy availability in a stressed world; this approach is predictive for various patterns of evolutionary change in the living and fossil biota.
Inhibition of 7,8-diaminopelargonic acid aminotransferase by amiclenomycin and analogues
Authors: Mann S. , Marquet A. , Ploux O. 
Published: August 2005

Cis and trans stereoisomers of amiclenomycin, a natural L-amino acid antibiotic, have been prepared using unequivocal routes. By using 1H NMR spectroscopy, the configuration of the six-membered ring of natural amiclenomycin was shown to be cis and not trans as originally proposed. Amiclenomycin and some synthetic analogues with the cis configuration irreversibly inactivate DAPA AT (7,8-diaminopelargonic acid aminotransferase), an enzyme involved in biotin biosynthesis, by forming an aromatic PLP (pyridoxal-5′-phosphate)–inhibitor adduct that is tightly bound to the active site. The following kinetic parameters for the inactivation of Escherichia coli DAPA AT by amiclenomycin were derived: KI=2 μM and kinact=0.4 min−1. The structure of the aromatic adduct formed upon inactivation was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray crystal structure determination and MS. Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis DAPA AT is a potential drug target, this enzyme was cloned, overexpressed and purified to homogeneity for biochemical characterization.
In their very own words: authors and scholarly journal publishing
Authors: Nicholas David , Jamali M. Hamid R. , Huntington Paul , Rowlands Ian 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the results of a major investigation by questionnaire of author attitudes towards scholarly publishing, which was funded by the Publisher's Association. Altogether, the views of nearly 4,000 authors were obtained and this paper concerns just those thousand or so authors who accepted the invitation to write freely about their own personal feelings and experiences. Using QSR N6 textual analysis software, their comments were processed and themes extracted. While the rest of the questionnaire, which was formed of closed‐question, tick‐box type questions, clearly must have had some impact on their thinking, the authors had considerable latitude in regard to what they could say. The paper provides a unique opportunity to hear their views directly. The pressing topics turned out to be (in rough order of concern): the peer‐review system, copyright, journal prices, alternative business models for journal publishing, big deals, Elsevier, electronic publishing and digital journals.
Experience of systems migration at the University of Botswana Library: a case study
Authors: Baathuli Nfila Reason , Nini Dintwe Motumi , Rao K.N. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo share experiences of the University of Botswana Library (UBL) in migrating from the TINLIB to Innopac library automation systems.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses various steps involved in system migration at UBL. Provides a historical background of UBL, the reasons for migration, selection of the system and implementation. Details training on the new system, with emphasis on cataloguing and acquisitions.FindingsEmphasises the need to prepare ahead and plan well before the implementation of the system. Indicates data conversion steps used for both TINLIB and CDS/ISIS data and various problems encountered in translating non‐MARC data into USMARC.Research limitations/implicationsThe emphasis is on Technical Services leaving out circulation and periodicals modules.Practical implicationsProvides a case study for libraries to consider during the library automated system migration and training.Originality/valueThe paper is a case study of the UBL system migration, intended to help other libraries in planning the change.
Disability, workplace characteristics and job satisfaction
Authors: Uppal Sharanjit 
Published: August 2005

PurposePrevious research has shown that individuals with disabilities are likely to be less satisfied with their jobs as compared to the able‐bodied. None of them explain the reasons for this difference. The purpose of this paper is to contend that this might be due to certain factors such as discrimination, harassment, or other conditions at the workplace. It might also be due to lower relative incomes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses nationally representative Canadian data and attempts to account for the low levels of job satisfaction among Canadians with disabilities.FindingsThe results show that when certain workplace characteristics are introduced into the model, individuals with a mobility disability are no longer likely to be less satisfied as compared to individuals without disabilities. However, the negative effect for certain other types of disabilities remains, though the magnitude decreases. It is concluded that absence of assistive technology or employer accommodations might be the reason for the remaining satisfaction difference between those with disabilities and the able‐bodied.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the existing literature on job satisfaction by studying the relationship between disability, workplace characteristics and job satisfaction.
Closing the gap? Building surveyors in Oceania
Authors: Wilkinson Sara J. , Russell Gillian 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has implemented a policy to expand its influence around the world. Quantity or construction surveyors had an established presence and history of working overseas, offering their services particularly in the Middle‐ and Far‐East. Property surveyors found the transition to working in European Union (EU) countries relatively straightforward and numerous UK property consultancies have European, Asian, North American and Oceanic offices. Furthermore UK‐based firms establishing partnerships with overseas real estate firms expanded significantly over the past decade. Building surveying (BS) is a different case. Small numbers work in commonwealth countries but it is limited and in many countries professional and academic qualifications are not recognised. This paper aims to consider the extent of the barriers and opportunities facing RICS chartered building surveyors (CBS) in Oceania (taken as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji) and whether the gap is closing.Design/methodology/approachA desktop study reviewed the political, economic and sociological issues that affect the employment opportunities and professional services CBS offer throughout the world. Six opportunities and ten barriers were put to the RICS Oceania Building Surveying Faculty to ascertain their perceptions of these barriers and opportunities. No previous study had identified barriers and opportunities in Oceania for the BS and this research adopted a census survey of RICS practitioners currently employed in the region and the results form the most comprehensive picture of the current position.FindingsMany respondents felt that stronger links and/or mergers with the different Oceania professional property and surveying bodies would open a large field of opportunities to the CBS. Some provided comments on future business opportunities, for example “leaky buildings”, “dilapidations/‘make good’ work”, and seemed to be in general agreement that, as businesses came to know the benefits of protecting themselves from rogue tenants (and landlords) by using the services of a CBS, then opportunities would continue to rise. The principal barrier is communicating those skills and the value they add.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations that affected this research were time constraints and communicating with surveyors in Oceania, to whom the authors were not permitted direct access. The research methodology methods were, with hindsight, not ideal for the type and range of data that the researchers sought.Originality/valueThe research will be of use to building surveyors and providers of building‐surveying education in Oceania.
The international strategies of Europe's incumbent telecommunications operators: towards a strategic typology
Authors: Turner Colin 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe paper seeks to examine the evolving international strategies of Europe's incumbent telecommunications operators. The aim is to develop a typology of how these different operators have sought to position themselves within an internationalising marketplace.Design/methodology/approachThe objectives of the paper were addressed through a multiple case study analysis of 15 incumbent telecommunication operators within Western Europe. The approach was essentially strategic, seeking to develop an awareness of how each of these operators' corporate strategy has adapted to the challenges of internationalisation. The nature of this response will be defined by a broad typology.FindingsFour types of strategy were found to exist, most of which were defined by the scale of the business. The research found that most operators were developing international strategies based on developing an effective competitive presence in the European region. There was only limited evidence of operators developing a global strategy. Some operators have attempted such a strategy but have since retreated from such offensive strategies.Originality/valueThe work highlights how businesses that have a dominant core domestic market are affected by internationalisation in both a proactive and a reactive manner.
The Czech women in the labour market: a European comparison
Authors: Valentova Marie 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to analyse the position of the Czech women in the labour market in a comparison to the EU‐15 countries. The paper critically reviews three domains of female labour market participation: general characteristics of the female employment, work‐life balance indicators, and disadvantages of the female labour force related to motherhood.Design/methodology/approachThe data draw on harmonized data from international/supranational institutions (EUROSTAT, OECD, ILO) in order to compile comparative statistics on gender and labour market characteristics. A cluster analysis is performed in order to group countries with similar gender and labour market characteristics together.FindingsThe results identify three clusters with respect to the position of women in the labour market: southern model, Scandinavian model, and mixed model. The southern model includes Spain, Italy and Greece. These countries are characterised by women's low participation in the labour market, shorter working careers and a low incidence of part‐time working. The Scandinavian model (Denmark, Sweden, Finland) represents countries, which have high levels of female labour market participation, and a work culture that fosters high numbers of part‐time and flexible work systems. The mixed model (UK, France, Germany) falls in between these two extremes and includes the Czechoslovakia. The mixed model has relatively high female employment rates both full‐ and part‐time but tends to have less support structures for combining work‐life balance.Originality/valueThe data provide an insight into the gendered labour market systems in the Czech Republic and highlight how state and private employer organisations can develop gender sensitive policies to assist women's career and professional development. It is suggested that the Czech Republic needs to develop policies that will foster part‐time and flexible working arrangements.
Combining ontologies and peer‐to‐peer technologies for inter‐organizational knowledge management
Authors: Stuckenschmidt Heiner , Siberski Wolf , Nejdl Wolfgang 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to review the characteristics of systems that combine P2P technology with explicit ontologies and assess the benefits of these technologies for inter‐organizational knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachWe characterize existing technologies with respect to a number of aspects that are relevant to knowledge management on a technical level. We further provide an example of an existing system and categorize it according to the aspects.FindingsWe conclude that ontology‐based P2P systems are in general beneficial for distributed knowledge management systems and that the design of such systems can be guided using the aspects we distinguish.Originality/valueThe paper presents the first attempt to rigorously identify and discuss the design space of ontology‐based P2P systems.
Estimating the cost of capital: considerations for small business
Authors: Palliam Ralph 
Published: August 2005

PurposeFor publicly traded firms, calculating the cost of capital is predicated typically on information from the financial markets. Small businesses do not have the necessary market‐based information. As an alternative to traditional proxy approaches, this paper argues for a multi‐criteria model to determine an appropriate equity risk premium, and thereby, a cost of capital.Design/methodology/approachThe study proposes a multi‐criteria model – an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) – to determine the cost of capital for small businesses.FindingsSince the three proxy methods are shown to have numerous shortcomings, the use of the AHP model is clearly a method to determine the equity risk premium and the cost of capital for small businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThe model requires small business managers to identify all information sources for the required input data.Originality/valueThe article offers practical help to lenders and small businesses wishing to invest in new capital projects.
Microeconomic analysis of the balanced scorecard: a case of Nokia Corporation
Authors: Laitinen Erkki K. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to analyse the theoretical foundations of the balanced scorecard (BSC) with the aid of a microeconomic model and to illustrate the results in an empirical case.Design/methodology/approachThe model includes demand, production, and objective functions. Demand is presented as a function of price and customer relationship management (CRM) costs. Production depends on labour, capital, and development and learning (D&L) costs. The strategy is depicted by objective function based on profit and net sales. The output variables are classified as four perspectives of BSC. Shadow prices and performance measures are analysed. The theoretical model is applied to the annual financial statement data from Nokia Corporation. Simulation is used to find appropriate estimates for the parameters of the model.FindingsIt is shown that a shift in the objective function (strategy) towards revenue maximization may alter the importance order of the BSC perspectives. Non‐financial and financial performance ratios may change into opposite directions, when the strategy is shifted. The figures extracted from the data of Nokia Corporation give support to these interpretations.Research limitations/implicationsThe theoretical model is based on the traditional assumptions of microeconomic analysis. Empirical analysis is only based on a naive estimation methods. The sensitivity of the results with respect to the assumptions should be analysed in further studies. The parameters should be estimated with more advanced statistical methods.Practical implicationsThe focus of the BSC should be elastic and react to changes in the strategy. When evaluating the causal relationships between non‐financial and financial performance measures, attention should be paid to potential shifts in the strategy. The present model for example in a worksheet version would be useful in analysing the optimal behaviour of a firm and the causal relationships within the firm. It would be useful also in teaching the BSC and in general the behaviour of the firm to university students and managers. The model offers a platform for teaching and learning how the market (demand) and production (technology) environments affect the performance measures in the BSC.Originality/valueThere is a lack of theoretical modelling and analysis of the BSC. The present mathematical model is discussed earlier in Managerial Finance. However, this paper throws light to modelling the approach in a real‐life case of the Nokia Corporation and shows the value of the approach in interpreting the BSC in practice.
Marketing research performance and strategy
Authors: Bednall David H.B. , Valos Michael J. 
Published: August 2005

PurposeTo investigate whether strategic orientation affects the evaluation of specific market research projects in for‐profit firms.Design/methodology/approachA small‐scale follow‐up survey was conducted, building on qualitative and quantitative research among a sample of the top‐1,000 marketing managers in Australia. The study used an existing market research evaluation tool, the USER scale and items generated from the qualitative research, to investigate the firm's most recent market research project.FindingsFour market research performance factors were identified – market research as a knowledge enhancing (KE) function, the internal political use of market research, the misuse of market research and the generation of market understanding. The Miles and Snow strategy types were related to these factors, with Prospector types more likely to use market research rationally and less likely to use it for internal political purposes. Tactical projects were more likely to be misused than were those with a strategic orientation. Prospectors were far less likely and Analyzers far more likely to misuse tactical research projects. Prospectors were more often satisfied with the performance of their most recent market research. The Porter typology was less successful in predicting market research performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was based on a small sample of market research projects in Australian for‐profit firms. Future studies need to study these phenomena more intensively using ethnographic methods and more extensively using larger multi‐country samples.Practical implicationsMarket research suppliers should learn the nature of their client's strategic intent to improve their effectiveness. Defender firms should carefully monitor the use of market research, especially that of a tactical nature, which may be wasted or misused.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to an understanding of how strategic orientation relates to the ways market research information is used within the firm.