East meets West : toward a theoretical model linking guanxi and relationship marketing

This conceptual study critically examines the separate concepts of guanxi and relationship marketing, explores the differences between the two approaches, and proposes innovative linkages between them. Chinese guanxi develops relationships at the inter-personal level, whereas relationship marketing develops relationships at the inter-organizational level. Both concepts are well known, but a dearth of critical comparison remains in academic literature, even though evidence suggests that managers can use the linkages between the approaches to improve customer recruitment and retention. Through a critical review and synthesis of prior research on guanxi and relationship marketing, this study proposes a novel theoretical model that links guanxi and relationship marketing and develops theoretical and managerial implications of such linkages. As such, this study offers new and valuable insights and benefits for Asian firms, which employ only guanxi-type relationships

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE AND BAKER YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AGAINST HEPATIC TOXICITY INDUCED BY VALPROATE AS ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG IN RATS

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the protective role of L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) against the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver.Methods: Chronic administration of sodium valproate was studied by oral administration of VPA for six months. The protective effect was conducted by an administration of L-carnitine or/and baker yeast for one month before chronic administration of VPA. Some biochemical parameters, lipid profile, oxidative stress and histopathological studies were analyzed.Results: Chronic administration of VPA for six months caused a significant increase in serum amino transferases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total lipids, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as oxidative stress; malodialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide. While decreased total protein, albumin, and globulin in addition to glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The administration of L-carnitine and baker yeast cause significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, LDL level and MDA levels and return the levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, glutathione peroxidase and SOD to the normal levels. Histopathological results revealed improvement of the liver structure.Conclusion: L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) offer protection to the liver by preserving the structural integrity of hepatocellular membrane against sodium valproate induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress.Â

A morphological generator for the indexing of Arabic audio

This paper presents a novel Arabic morphological generator (AMG) for Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) which is designed and implemented using Prolog. The AMG is used to generate inflected forms of words used for the indexing of Arabic audio. These words are also the relevant terms in the Arab authority system (library information retrieval system) used in this study. The AMG generates inflected Arabic words from the root according to pre-specified morphological features that can be extended as needed. The Arabic word is represented as a feature structure which is handled through unification during the morphological generation process. The inflected forms can then be inserted automatically into a speech recognition grammar which is used to identify these words in an audio sequence or utterance

Dvanaestomjesečna klinička procjena: debeloslojni kompozit ojačan vlaknima u usporedbi sa slojevito apliciranim nanohibridnim kompozitom za restauraciju dubokih aproksimalnih lezija na trajnim kutnjacima – randomizirano kontrolirano istraživanje

Objective: The present clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of the biomimetic, bilayered structure utilizing a fiber reinforced bulk fill resin composite with a nanohybrid capping layer, compared to incremental packing of nanohybrid resin composite, in deep proximal cavities in permanent molars. Materials and methods: A total of 36 deep proximal cavities in vital molars were restored either with a bilayered structure of fiber reinforced composite resin as a dentine substitute and a capping layer of nanohybrid composite resin (n=18) or conventional, nanohybrid composite resin incrementation (n=18). The restorations were assessed over a period of 12 months using the modified USPHS criteria. The criteria evaluated were: fracture and retention, marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, anatomic form, proximal contact, surface texture, radiographic evaluation, postoperative sensitivity and secondary caries. Results: There was no statistically or clinically significant difference between fiber-reinforced resin composite and conventional incremental resin composite. There was no risk for failure regarding all the evaluated modified USPHS criteria for both materials after 12 months (RR= 1(95% CI 0.0209 to 47.8503; P =1.0000)). Conclusion: The biomimetic approach utilizing a fiber reinforced resin composite dentine substitute showed a comparable clinical performance to nanohybrid resin composite incrementation. Bulk fill fiber reinforced resin composite is an efficient alternative in restoration of deep proximal cavities in posterior teeth. Further long term studies are necessary to confirm these results.Svrha rada: Ovo kliničko istraživanje provedeno je da bi se procijenila klinička učinkovitost biomimetičke, dvoslojne strukture debeloslojnoga kompozita ojačanoga vlaknima s nanohibridnim pokrovnim slojem u usporedbi sa slojevito apliciranom nanohibridnim kompozitom u dubokim aproksimalnim kavitetima trajnih kutnjaka. Materijal i metode: Ukupno 36 dubokih aproksimalnih kaviteta na vitalnim kutnjacima restaurirano je ili dvoslojnom strukturom debeloslojnoga kompozita ojačanoga vlaknima kao zamjenom za dentin i pokrovnim slojem nanohibridnoga kompozita (n = 18), ili konvencionalnim nanohibridnim kompozitnim materijalom (n = 18) ). Korištenjem modificiranih kriterija USPHS-a, restauracije su se procjenjivale tijekom 12 mjeseci. Kriteriji koji su se procjenjivali bili su fraktura i retencija, rubni integritet, rubna diskoloracija, anatomski oblik, aproksimalni kontakt, tekstura površine, radiološka procjena, postoperativna osjetljivost i sekundarni karijes.Rezultati: Nije bilo statistički i klinički značajne razlike između debeloslojnoga kompozita ojačanoga vlaknima i konvencionalnoga kompozita za slojevitu tehniku. Nije bilo rizika od neuspjeha kod svih procijenjenih modificiranih kriterija USPHS-a za oba materijala nakon 12 mjeseci (RR = 1 (95 % CI 0,0209 do 47,8503; P =1,0000). Zaključak: Biomimetički pristup u kojemu se primjenjuje tehnika nadomještanja dentina debeloslojnim kompozitom ojačanim vlaknima pokazao je kliničku učinkovitost usporedivu sa slojevitom aplikacijom nanohibridne kompozitne smole. Debeloslojni kompoziti ojačani vlaknima učinkovita su alternativa u restauraciji dubokih aproksimalnih kaviteta stražnjih zuba, no za potvrdu tih rezultata potrebna su daljnja dugoročna istraživanja

Transplantation of Skeletal Muscle-Derived Sca-1⁺/PW1⁺/Pax7⁻ Interstitial Cells (PICs) Improves Cardiac Function and Attenuates Remodeling in Mice Subjected to Myocardial Infarction

We have previously shown that skeletal muscle-derived Sca-1⁺/PW1⁺/Pax7⁻ interstitial cells (PICs) are multi-potent and enhance endogenous repair and regeneration. Here, we investigated the regenerative potential of PICs following intramyocardial transplantation in mice subjected to an acute myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced through the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 8-week old male C57BL/6 mice. 5 × 10⁵ eGFP-labelled PICs (MI + PICs; n = 7) or PBS (MI-PBS; n = 7) were injected intramyocardially into the border zone. Sham mice (n = 8) were not subjected to MI, or the transplantation of PICs or PBS. BrdU was administered via osmotic mini-pump for 14 days. Echocardiography was performed prior to surgery (baseline), and 1-, 3- and 6-weeks post-MI and PICs transplantation. Mice were sacrificed at 6 weeks post-MI + PICs transplantation, and heart sections were analysed for fibrosis, hypertrophy, engraftment, proliferation, and differentiation of PICs. A significant (\u1d631 < 0.05) improvement in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening was observed in the MI-PICs group, compared to MI + PBS group at 6-weeks post MI + PICs transplantation. Infarct size/fibrosis of the left ventricle significantly (\u1d631 < 0.05) decreased in the MI-PICs group (14.0 ± 2.5%), compared to the MI-PBS group (32.8 ± 2.2%). Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the border zone significantly (\u1d631 < 0.05) decreased in the MI-PICs group compared to the MI-PBS group (330.0 ± 28.5 µM2 vs. 543.5 ± 26.6 µm2), as did cardiomyocyte apoptosis (0.6 ± 0.9% MI-PICs vs. 2.8 ± 0.8% MI-PBS). The number of BrdU+ cardiomyocytes was significantly (\u1d631 < 0.05) increased in the infarct/border zone of the MI-PICs group (7.0 ± 3.3%), compared to the MI-PBS group (1.7 ± 0.5%). The proliferation index (total BrdU+ cells) was significantly increased in the MI-PICs group compared to the MI-PBS group (27.0 ± 3.4% vs. 7.6 ± 1.0%). PICs expressed and secreted pro-survival and reparative growth factors, supporting a paracrine effect of PICs during recovery/remodeling. Skeletal muscle-derived PICs show significant reparative potential, attenuating cardiac remodelling following transplantation into the infarcted myocardium. PICs can be easily sourced from skeletal muscle and therefore show promise as a potential cell candidate for supporting the reparative and regenerative effects of cell therapie

NQO1-dependent, tumor-selective radiosensitization of non-small cell lung cancers

Purpose: Development of tumor-specific therapies for the treatment of recalcitrant non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are urgently needed. Here, we investigated the ability of ß-lapachone (ß-lap, ARQ761 in clinical form) to selectively potentiate the effects of ionizing radiation (IR, 1–3 Gy) in NSCLCs that over-express NAD(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Experimental Design: The mechanism of lethality of low dose IR in combination with sublethal doses of ß-lap were evaluated in NSCLC lines in vitro and validated in subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograph models in vivo. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) studies comparing single versus co-treatments were performed to validate therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action. Results: ß-Lap administration after IR treatment hyperactivated PARP, greatly lowered NAD+/ATP levels, and increased DSB lesions over time in vitro. Radiosensitization of orthotopic, as well as subcutaneous, NSCLCs occurred with high apparent cures (>70%), even though 1/8 ß-lap doses reach subcutaneous versus orthotopic tumors. No methemoglobinemia or long-term toxicities were noted in any normal tissues, including mouse liver that expresses the highest level of NQO1 (~12 Units) of any normal tissue. PK/PD responses confirm that IR + ß-lap treatments hyperactivate PARP activity, greatly lower NAD+/ATP levels and dramatically inhibit DSB repair in exposed NQO1+ cancer tissue, while low NQO1 levels and high levels of Catalase in associated normal tissue were protective. Conclusion: Our data suggest that combination of sublethal doses of ß-lap and IR is a viable approach to selectively treat NQO1-overexpressing NSCLC and warrant a clinical trial using low-dose IR + ß-lapachone against patients with NQO1+ NSCLCs

Sentence Repetition in Deaf Children with Specific Language Impairment in British Sign Language

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) perform poorly on sentence repetition tasks across different spoken languages, but until now, this methodology has not been investigated in children who have SLI in a signed language. Users of a natural sign language encode different sentence meanings through their choice of signs and by altering the sequence and inflections of these signs. Grammatical information is expressed through movement and configurational changes of the hands and face. The visual modality thus influences how grammatical morphology and syntax are instantiated. How would language impairment impact on the acquisition of these types of linguistic devices in child signers? We investigated sentence repetition skills in a group of 11 deaf children who display SLI in British Sign Language (BSL) and 11 deaf controls with no language impairment who were matched for age and years of BSL exposure. The SLI group was significantly less accurate on an overall accuracy score, and they repeated lexical items, overall sentence meaning, sign order, facial expressions, and verb morphological structures significantly less accurately than controls. This pattern of language deficits is consistent with the characterization of SLI in spoken languages even though expression is in a different modality. We conclude that explanations of SLI, and of poor sentence repetition by children with this disorder, must be able to account for both the spoken and signed modalities

The changing pattern of human brucellosis: clinical manifestations, epidemiology, and treatment outcomes over three decades in Georgia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brucellosis is an endemic infection in Georgia. We conducted a review of patient records with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of brucellosis over three decades at the central referral hospital for brucellosis cases, the Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (IPTM) in Tbilisi. The purpose was to describe the demographic profile and clinical characteristics as well as diagnostic and treatment strategies in patients with brucellosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were abstracted from randomly selected patient records at the IPTM. In total, 300 records were reviewed from three time periods: 1970-73, 1988-89, and 2004-2008.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The age distribution of patients shifted from a median age of 40 years in the first time period to 20 years in the third time period. Azeri ethnicity was an increasing proportion of the total number of cases. The frequency of relapsed infection was 14.7% (44 cases). A total of 50 patients received vaccine therapy, and although the vaccine produced immune responses, demonstrated by an increase in agglutination titers, it was not associated with improved outcome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The demographics of brucellosis in Georgia fit a profile of persons that tend sheep. Osteoarticular complications were commonly detected, especially in children. The changing pattern of brucellosis in Georgia suggests clinicians should be updated about different trends in brucellosis in their country.</p

Declining resilience of ecosystem functions under biodiversity loss

The composition of species communities is changing rapidly through drivers such as habitat loss and climate change, with potentially serious consequences for the resilience of ecosystem functions on which humans depend. To assess such changes in resilience, we analyse trends in the frequency of species in Great Britain that provide key ecosystem functions-specifically decomposition, carbon sequestration, pollination, pest control and cultural values. For 4,424 species over four decades, there have been significant net declines among animal species that provide pollination, pest control and cultural values. Groups providing decomposition and carbon sequestration remain relatively stable, as fewer species are in decline and these are offset by large numbers of new arrivals into Great Britain. While there is general concern about degradation of a wide range of ecosystem functions, our results suggest actions should focus on particular functions for which there is evidence of substantial erosion of their resilience