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Objective: To determine the risk factors for premature myocardial infarction among young South Asians. Design and setting: Case-control study in a hospital admitting unselected patients with non-fatal acute myocardial infarction. [...]

This study aims to analyze the mediating effect of personality traits in the relationship between entrepreneurial start-up motivations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth. A gap has been identified in the literature, particularly in the indirect association of critical factors that may be beneficial to the growth of SMEs. In this study, a cross-sectional survey design was used because data were collected once in a time. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data obtained from 367 SMEs’ owners. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial start-up motivations such as a desire for achievement, financial rewards, social recognition and a desire for independence are positively and significantly related to SMEs’ growth. Also, entrepreneurial start-up motivations positively and significantly influence personality traits among entrepreneurs. It was found that there is a significant link between personality traits and the SMEs’ growth. Additionally, the findings indicate that personality traits mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial start-up motivations and SMEs’ growth. The study’s findings have implications for the practices and theories in the entrepreneurship context.

This paper examines the relationship between financial development and private sector investment in the post-financial sector liberalization episode in Tanzania. The proxies for financial development were the financial market depth index and financial institutions depth index. Applying Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique, the results show the nexus between financial development and private sector investment in Tanzania. We find that the financial market depth index has a positive and significant impact on private sector investment in the long run but not in the short run. This is linked to the underdevelopment of capital markets in Tanzania at present. Similarly, we find that the financial institution depth index positively and significantly impacts private sector investment in both the long and short run. The degree of openness of the economy recorded a positive and significant impact on private investment in both periods suggesting that it has played a critical role in the financial development and growth of the private sector in Tanzania. In contrast, we observe that the real exchange rate has recorded a negative and significant impact on private investment in the long and short run. This suggests that appreciation of the real exchange rate had a negative impact on private investment. We recommend increasing financial openness and reinforcing the financial regulatory reforms to widen and deepen the financial system that can effectively support the mobilization of short, medium, and long-term finance for private sector investment.

This study’s primary objective is to investigate how customer loyalty can mediate the relationship between service recovery strategies and customer switching intentions. The logic behind it is that, in today’s uncertain business environments, measuring organizational success by emphasizing customer satisfaction alone is insufficient for creating customer resilience to switching intentions. This is because satisfied customers can switch to other brands, while dissatisfied customers can repurchase. This calls for other studies to look into other factors that can be considered for successfully managing customers. Given that service failure is inevitable, it is important to look at how service recovery strategies can be used to influence resilience to switching intentions through developing customer loyalty. The study adopted a cross-sectional design in which 502 customers from commercial banks were involved, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the data. The SEM results show that all dimensions of service recovery, including procedural justice, distributive justice and interactional justice, are significant determinants of customer loyalty. As well, customer loyalty was a significant predictor of switching intentions. Furthermore, customer loyalty is a significant mediator of the relationship between service recovery strategy and the resilience to switching intention among customers. Finally, this study has managerial and theoretical implications for the body of literature.

Alternative splicing (AS) defects that adversely affect gene expression and function have been identified in diabetic hearts; however, the mechanisms responsible are largely unknown. Here, we show that the RNA-binding protein RBFOX2 contributes to transcriptome changes under diabetic conditions. RBFOX2 controls AS of genes with important roles in heart function relevant to diabetic cardiomyopathy. RBFOX2 protein levels are elevated in diabetic hearts despite low RBFOX2 AS activity. A dominant-negative (DN) isoform of RBFOX2that blocks RBFOX2-mediated AS is generated in diabetic hearts. DN RBFOX2interacts with wild-type (WT) RBFOX2, and ectopic expression of DN RBFOX2 inhibits AS of RBFOX2 targets. Notably, DN RBFOX2expression is specific to diabetes and occurs at early stages before cardiomyopathy symptoms appear. Importantly, DN RBFOX2 expression impairs intracellular calcium release in cardiomyocytes. Our results demonstrate that RBFOX2 dysregulation by DN RBFOX2 is an early pathogenic event in diabetic hearts.

Blends of poly(3‐hydroxy butyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were prepared by casting from chloroform solutions. Crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of blends have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy. Experimental results reveal that the constituents are miscible in the amorphous state. They form separated crystal structures in the solid state. Crystallization behavior of the blends was studied under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. Owing to the large difference in melting temperatures, the constituents crystallize consecutively in blends; however, the process is affected by the respective second component. PHBV crystallizes from the amorphous mixture of the constituents, at temperatures where the PEO remains in the molten state. PEO, on the other hand, is surrounded during its crystallization process by crystalline PHBV regions. The degree of crystallinity in the blends stays constant for PHBV and decreases slightly for PEO, with ascending PHBV content. The rate of crystallization of PHBV decreases in blends as compared to the neat polymer. The opposite behavior is observed for PEO. Nonisothermal crystallization is discussed in terms of a quasi‐isothermal approach. Qualitatively, the results show the same tendencies as under isothermal conditions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2776–2783, 2006

New poly(azomethine urethane)s were synthesized in the conventional literature manner by reacting a new bisphenol‐containing azomethine group, N,N′‐bis(4‐hydroxyl‐3‐methoxy benzylidine)‐2,6‐diaminopyridine (I) with various diisocyanates, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) (a), methylene‐4,4′‐diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) (b), and toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate (TDI) (c). The resulting polymers I(a–c) were confirmed by 1H‐NMR, FTIR, UV, and CHN analyses. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the polymers have high thermal stability. A semicrystalline behavior was noticed for polymers by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1198–1204, 2006

ABSTRACTThe etiological agent most commonly associated with bacillary dysentery is Shigella. As part of its mandate, the Bacteriology and Enteric Disease Program of Health Canada identifies and serotypes unusual isolates of Shigellareceived from provincial laboratories of public health. In this report, six unusual isolates from three provinces were analyzed biochemically and serologically using slide and tube agglutinations and molecularly using standard pulsed-filed gel electrophoresis (PFGE), PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. All six isolates were identical. PFGE analysis grouped these strains; biochemically, they were mannitol negative and consistent with the profile of Shigella. Serologically, these strains produced weak reactions in Shigella dysenteriaeserovars 4 and 16 and Escherichia coliO159 and O173 antisera. Molecular serotyping by PCR-RFLP of the rfbgene produced an S. dysenteriaeserovar 2/E. coliO112ac pattern. They were positive by PCR for ipaHand ialenteroinvasive genes but negative for all other genes tested. Antiserum was prepared from one of the isolates and tested against Shigellaand E. colireference strains as well as the other isolates. The antiserum reacted with the five remaining isolates and showed cross-reactivity with S. dysenteriaeserovars 1, 4, and 16; Shigella flexneritype 3; and E. coliO118, O159, O168, O172, and O173 antigens. Absorbing the sera with E. coliO159 and S. dysenteriaeserovar 4 antigen removed all cross-reactions and only slightly reduced the homologous titer. Based on biochemical, molecular, and complete serological analysis, we propose that these six isolates represent a new provisional serovar of S. dysenteriae, type strain BEDP 02-5104.

The etiological agent most commonly associated with bacillary dysentery is SHIGELLA: As part of its mandate, the Bacteriology and Enteric Disease Program of Health Canada identifies and serotypes unusual isolates of Shigella received from provincial laboratories of public health. In this report, six unusual isolates from three provinces were analyzed biochemically and serologically using slide and tube agglutinations and molecularly using standard pulsed-filed gel electrophoresis (PFGE), PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. All six isolates were identical. PFGE analysis grouped these strains; biochemically, they were mannitol negative and consistent with the profile of SHIGELLA: Serologically, these strains produced weak reactions in Shigella dysenteriae serovars 4 and 16 and Escherichia coli O159 and O173 antisera. Molecular serotyping by PCR-RFLP of the rfb gene produced an S. dysenteriae serovar 2/E. coli O112ac pattern. They were positive by PCR for ipaH and ial enteroinvasive genes but negative for all other genes tested. Antiserum was prepared from one of the isolates and tested against Shigella and E. coli reference strains as well as the other isolates. The antiserum reacted with the five remaining isolates and showed cross-reactivity with S. dysenteriae serovars 1, 4, and 16; Shigella flexneri type 3; and E. coli O118, O159, O168, O172, and O173 antigens. Absorbing the sera with E. coli O159 and S. dysenteriae serovar 4 antigen removed all cross-reactions and only slightly reduced the homologous titer. Based on biochemical, molecular, and complete serological analysis, we propose that these six isolates represent a new provisional serovar of S. dysenteriae, type strain BEDP 02-5104.

Melt reaction in blends comprising immiscible biopolymer, poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), and epoxidized natural rubber with 50 mol percent level of epoxidation (ENR‐50), prepared by solvent‐casting, has been studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was used to measure the heat of reaction under isothermal annealing. The heat of reaction increases with respect to PHB and ENR‐50 content as long as they constitute the dispersed phases and exhibits a maximum at about 50% PHB. A reaction mechanism comprising degradation of PHB chains to shorter chains bearing carboxyl end groups that subsequently react with epoxide group of the ENR‐50 is proposed, providing the basis for kinetic analysis and determination of parameters that characterize the melt reaction. Two‐phase morphologies, formed in the blends upon melting of PHB, transform within minutes to homogeneous phase as observed under optical polarizing microscope. The two glass transition temperatures observed at –18.4 and 1.2°C for blends are associated, respectively, with immiscible ENR‐50 and PHB phases. After annealing at 190°C an inward shift was observed, gradually closing in with increasing annealing time, and eventually merging into a single transition. This is an indication of progressive change in miscibility of the blends, as an effect of the melt reaction. FTIR spectra provide further evidence that supports the ring opening reaction of the epoxide group by the carboxyl group. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 113–129, 2005

ABSTRACTA panel of 24 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusstrains was distributed to 15 laboratories in Canada to evaluate their in-house pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocols and interpretation criteria. Attempts to compare fingerprint images using computer-aided analysis were not successful due to variability in individual laboratory PFGE protocols. In addition, individual site interpretation of the fingerprint patterns was inadequate, as 7 of 13 sites (54%) made at least one error in interpreting the fingerprints from the panel. A 2-day standardized PFGE protocol (culture to gel image) was developed and distributed to all of the sites. Each site was requested to use the standardized protocol on five strains from the original panel. Thirteen sites submitted gel images for comparisons. The protocol demonstrated excellent reproducibility and allowed interlaboratory comparisons with Molecular Analyst DST software (Bio-Rad) and 1.5% band tolerance.

The thermal characteristics of a styrene-ϵ-caprolactone diblock copolymer, P(S-b-CL), in blends with poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) were studied by DSC. The glass transition temperatures show that PVME is only dissolved in the PCL block. It segregates from the PCL block at low temperatures. The addition of PVME leads to increasing crystallinity of the PCL block in a certain range of composition. However, degrees of crystallinity do not change significantly with crystallization temperature. Optical inspection revealed that the PCL block does not form spherulites. The crystallization kinetics of the PCL block has been systematically studied. The rate constants of crystallization for different blends decrease exponentially with crystallization temperature, whereas the rates of crystallization are scarcely affected by PVME content. The Avrami exponents were found close to two.

The reaction of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) with propargyl alcohol in aqueous acidic medium is hydroxybromination. It is first order with respect to NBS, propargyl alcohol and H+, and inverse first order with respect to succinimide. The kinetic results point to solvated bromonium ion as the reactive species.

Studies on the digestion of rice husk by HNO3 at 65 °C over 2–12 h have been carried out. Changes in the physical characteristics and morphology of rice husk due to the degradative effect of nitric acid were studied by using thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the residue obtained after 12 h digestion is a mixture of loose cellulose fibres and fragments of a cellulose–silica composite consisting mainly of cellulose (ca. 24%) and silica (ca. 76%), respectively.

Electrochemical precipitation of cobalt(II) hydroxide from nitrate solutions containing organic molecules, such as glucose, fructose, lactose, glycerol, and citric acid, yields a new modification of cobalt(II) hydroxide (a= 3.09 ± 0.03 Å, c= 23.34 ± 0.36 Å) that is isostructural with α-nickel hydroxide; precipitation in the absence of organic additives gives the stable, brucite-like, βCo(OH)2.

The application of hybrid composite materials has increased due to their strength and light weight ratio. Edge trimming of these materials was extremely difficult due to the anisotropic and non-homogeneous structures of CFRP and ductile nature of aluminium. This research was focused on edge trimming process via down milling operation. Three cutting parameters were examined namely spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut. The extension of two level full factorial design, Centre Composite Design (CCD) was used to plan systematic experimental methodology. The analysis of the influence and the interaction factors associated to surface quality was studied. The objective was to obtain machined surface quality of CFRP/Al2024 between 0.4 um to 0.6 um. The depth of cut was the most significant factor for Al2014 and meanwhile the spindle speed and feed rate were significant factors of CFRP. The validation experiment was conducted at optimum level of recommendation control factors setting to compare the deviation of predicted value from actual/measured value. Surface roughness of CFRP was found to be at 0.594 micron at the setting of spindle speed, 11750 rpm, feed rate, 750 mm/min and depth of cut, 0.255 mm. For Al2024, the surface roughness was found to be at 0.32 micron.

Porous GaAs (π-GaAs)has been fabricated using pulsed current electrochemical etching. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the time off (Toff), time on (Ton), and cycle time (T)can promote thicker and more uniform π-GaAslayers compared to those of direct current etching. Choosing suitable pulse parameters produces π-GaAslayers with a thickness of 90μmand crystallite size of 2.4nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows a high degree of crystallinity of the samples. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed two or three PL bands besides the PL band of the single-crystalline GaAs (c-GaAs). Peak PL wavelengths were located approximately at 362, 426, and 540nm.