bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employees' perspective of organizational service quality orientation
Authors: Ishaq Bhatti M. , Zafarullah M. , Awan Hayat M. , Bukhari Khuram S.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Internal organizational orientation of service quality and its impact on service delivery performance of the employees have received considerable attention from financial management literature. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue by conducting empirical research focusing on the Pakistani Islamic banking industry. It conceptualizes and measures key determinants of internal organizational orientation of service quality from the employees' perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from a sample of 150 employees of pure Islamic banks and conventional banks with IBBs (Islamic Banking Branches or windows) across the entire country. The paper uses principal component factor analysis and regression methods.

Findings

Statistical results demonstrate that the employee perceptions of organizational service quality orientation mainly depends upon four main predictors: employees' perception about training and development; development and positioning of Islamic banking products/service concept; customer service orientation; and employees' service quality performance. Principal component factor analysis results indicate four predictive internal organizational service quality orientation factors (ISQF) where 16 per cent of the variation is being explained by employee perception of organizational orientation towards employees' training and development (ISQF1), 13 per cent variation explained employee perception of organizational orientation towards development and positioning of Islamic banking products/service concept (ISQF2), 11 per cent variation explained by employee perception of organizational service quality orientation towards customer service orientation (ISQF3), and 10 per cent variation explained employee perception of organizational service quality orientation towards employees' service quality performance (ISQF4).

Originality/value

Management of Islamic Banks in Pakistan need to be mindful about the fact that ISQFs identified by this study have the potential to indirectly influence customer perceptions through effective employees' recruitment and selection criteria, complemented by training to improve service oriented skills and knowledge development about Sh´ria principles related with the products/services offered by Islamic banks in Pakistan.
Determinants of customer satisfaction in Islamic banking: evidence from Iran
Authors: Estiri Mehrdad , Hosseini Farshid , Yazdani Hamidreza , Javidan Nejad Hooman
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify and extend the conceptualization and measurement of customer satisfaction in the Islamic banking sector in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform a review of the set of attributes which are capable of being incorporated in the measure of customer satisfaction for Islamic banks. Later, the possibility is posed of grouping these attributes into dimensions of quality, proceeding to value various alternative structures by means of confirmatory factor analysis methodology and testing their reliability and validity.

Findings

The findings from this study reveal that service quality in Iranian banking adopting the commercial format of Islamic services has a two‐factor structure: Value proposition quality and Service delivery quality.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on Islamic Banking in a Middle Eastern economy.
Organizational climate and turnover in Islamic banking in the UAE
Authors: Suliman Abubakr M. , Al Obaidli Hanan
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature, strength and significance of the links between organizational climate and employee turnover.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a self‐administered questionnaire, 70 employees from an Islamic bank were surveyed in order to examine the five main hypotheses of the study.

Findings

The study results revealed that employees' perceptions of corporate climate plays a significant role in the rate of staff turnover. Organizational justice, as a component of corporate climate, found to be the most important factor in explaining the variance in employee turnover.

Practical implications

The theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed in the paper, together with some recommendations for managing corporate climate and turnover in today's diverse work teams and environments.

Originality/value

The paper examines the links between organizational climate and employee turnover for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, in the UAE and the Arabic context.
The assessment of e‐banking readiness in Jordan
Authors: Salhieh Loay , Abu‐Doleh Jamal , Hijazi Nada
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and validate a framework that can be used for assessing the level of banks' readiness for providing e‐banking services in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐based data‐gathering technique, descriptive, and analytical analyses are used.

Findings

This study has used three constructs to propose a framework that can assess e‐banking readiness: perceptions of bankers, perceptions of customers, and IT infrastructure in banks. However, there is evidence in this paper to support that e‐banking has achieved a degree of strategic and operational importance among bank managers. Also, customers are positive about embracing new banking channels. But it seems that technological aspects and IT employees' skills are paramount concerns.

Research limitations/implications

This paper proposes a comprehensive framework to gauge banks' readiness to offer e‐banking services. Also, it suggests that future work could entail investigating the readiness from financial aspects, and the effect of marketing campaigns on customer's acceptance of using e‐banking services.

Practical implications

The findings presented in this paper can be used by banks to evaluate their readiness to provide e‐banking services to their customers. Also, banks can create a readiness profile, in order to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses of their e‐banking services.

Originality/value

This paper adds to readiness studies by providing a framework to assess e‐banking services. It is of interest to researchers to add to this framework and of interest to banks to evaluate services provided to customers.
An empirical study on banks' clients' sensitivity towards the adoption of Arabic terminology amongst Islamic banks
Authors: Afif Muhamat Amirul , Nizam Jaafar Mohamad , binti Ali Azizan Norfaridah
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the sensitivity of the banks' customers towards the adoption of Arabic terminology in the Islamic banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 100 respondents who were mainly banks' clients was surveyed through personally administered questionnaire and only 60 questionnaires are usable for the study. The remaining 40 questionnaires were rejected due to incomplete answers and error. The survey executed based on convenience sampling method. The study was conducted at Shah Alam for nearly two and a half months and the city chosen due to the exclusivity of the city's demographic; significant availability of white collar employees as its residents which illustrate a high income population, high literacy and high academic qualification.

Findings

The majority of the respondents agree that Arabic terminology gives competitive edge to the Islamic banks but at the same time they indicate that the catchy Arabic name will give them difficulty in gaining fast information about and comprehension of the product. The trend depicted by the non‐Muslims respondents when answering the questionnaire indicates that, in many cases, they are at the negative side on every statement given. Thus, it signifies a need from the Islamic banking side to manage this issue, since the non‐Muslims are majority clients of the industry in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

The response rate of 60 per cent for this study is considered good. However, the availability of more respondents would give higher rate of representation.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights for the interested parties to know the banks' clients' needs from the Islamic banking sector and will help to increase the number.

Originality/value

This paper measures the responses of banks' customers towards the adoption of Arabic terminology, in a multi‐racial society in which limited study has been done.
Factors affecting Chinese enterprises' hedging decision making
Authors: Zheng Shi , Xu Pei , Wang Zhigang
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find factors that explain why some enterprises hedge but others do not. The authors' analysis relies on Heckman model (a probit and Tobit model) with the data obtained from questionnaires collected from Chinese enterprises. Given the fact that only a small portion of Chinese agribusinesses hedge, this paper provides some initial academic evidence to help the agricultural sector devise useful programs to assist participations of hedging.

Design/methodology/approach

A Heckman selection model was developed to analyze questionnaire information obtained using face‐to‐face interviews with 218 Chinese agribusinesses. This paper presents summary statistics, Heckman estimation results, and interpretations of the results.

Findings

Survey results show that a majority of surveyed firms believe that futures market cannot reduce risks or increase income. According to the study, factors affecting enterprises hedging decisions include: to what degree that Chinese enterprises believe hedging leads to business stability; whether these enterprises had attended a hedge training or seminar; perceived price volatility in the market; and have alternative strategies to reduce price risks.

Practical implications

Agribusiness assistance programs can use this paper's findings to plan effective hedge training to help improve participation of futures hedging.

Originality/value

This study analyzes Chinese agribusiness firms' hedging behaviour, using a new set of questionnaire data collected from main agribusinesses. Chinese agribusiness firms' hedging behavior has not been fully examined. This study fills this gap.
A strategic risk management program for agriculture
Authors: Hoag Dana L.K.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how an organized framework for risk management called Risk Navigator SRM©can be practically applied to common risk management problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The program makes complex risk principles easier to understand and access by linking together disparate and difficult risk management concepts into a single strategic risk management (SRM) framework. The strategic framework is organized into ten steps in order to organize and develop a practical and applied risk management plan. This paper demonstrates the SRM process in a crop insurance example. A simple version of the program, called Risk Navigator Lite©, is also applied to crop insurance to demonstrate how robust the framework is for adaptation to field settings, where data may be limited or where decision makers might have limited capacity to understand complicated principles necessary for risk management.

Findings

This manuscript elaborates upon how the SRM process may be effectively implemented by agricultural producers. The information herein should also help students of risk management better comprehend how to apply what they learn.

Originality/value

The contribution of Risk Navigator is to make underused, sophisticated risk management concepts and tools more available to farm and ranch managers, and others, by putting them into a framework that is both easy to use and comprehensive.
Japanese total quality control, TQM, Deming's system of profound knowledge, BPR, Lean and Six Sigma
Authors: Chiarini Andrea
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and discuss the evolution of six important management systems: Japanese Total Quality Control (JTQC), Total Quality Management (TQM), Deming's system of profound knowledge, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Lean Thinking and Six Sigma. Indeed, the contribution of this paper lies in the concurrent analysis and classification, by the means of a literature review, of the results and critical implementation factors of the six systems. Deming's Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA) has been used to classify the findings from the literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology is based on a literature review. The literature review has been carried out for each single system, trying subsequently to compare and discuss the results.

Findings

Inside the six systems, nine common factors have been found and proposed. They are: results and benefits; management style; deployment of the system; employee management, deployment and participation; voice of the customer; tools, techniques and IT; optimisation of the system; day‐by‐day check and control of the results and review of the system.

Research limitations/implications

This paper presents some limits due to the fact that it is based on a literature review. This implies that more research about the findings should be carried out: TQM in Western companies, Six Sigma that could have substituted TQM, Six Sigma and TQM in Japan, Deming's system developments and the influence of the Japanese style on Lean Six Sigma.

Originality/value

For the first time a paper tries to compare and discuss the six most important systems dedicated to quality and operations improvement.
Syndromic classification of seizure disorders and its relevance to intellectual disability epilepsy
Authors: Winterhalder Robert
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the application of a syndromic approach to seizure disorders in intellectual disabilities, in the light of recent advances in research and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Report on classification in 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

The ILAE Report is reviewed with an emphasis on neurodevelopmental seizure disorders, which may present to clinicians working in the field of adult intellectual disability. The advantages of applying a syndromic approach and the difficulties often encountered are also discussed.

Findings

Adopting a syndromic approach to seizure disorders in adults with intellectual disability should lead to rational prescribing, appropriate packages of care, and an improvement in the quality of research in this field.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of identifying epilepsy syndromes in adults with intellectual disability, in the light of recent international reports on classification. It is of value to clinicians (particularly psychiatrists and learning disability nurses) practising in the field of epilepsy and intellectual disability.
Using Learning Study to improve the teaching and learning of accounting in a school in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Anak Andrew Vincent
Published: November 2011

Purpose

This paper reports on how a group of secondary school teachers collaborated in a school‐based professional development called Learning Study to improve accounting students' performance on the drawing up of cash budgets.

Design/methodology/approach

In drawing up cash budgets – the object of learning – a power point presentation incorporating systematic variation was designed to reduce the overwhelming mass of (often irrelevant) data normally presented to students in textbooks and examiners' reports as part of the solutions to cash budget problems. In total, three lessons were designed focusing on how the object of learning could be handled. In each lesson the critical aspects corresponding to the object of learning were identified and a systematic pattern of variation was applied.

Findings

It was found that student learning improved progressively over the three lessons.

Originality/value

There is evidence to suggest that this Learning Study has made an impact, not only on student learning but also on teacher learning, and has contributed in some way to creating a learning culture in this school.
Developing curriculum and pedagogical resources for teacher learning
Authors: Fang Yanping , Lee Christine K.E. , Yang Yudong
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Teacher education and professional development have long been criticized for failing to induct and engage teachers in discourses of classroom deliberation. Lesson studies have contributed to an emerging discourse in which teachers come together to study classroom teaching to improve student learning. The purpose of this paper is to share knowledge about developing video resources to support this emerging discourse.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors showcase a digital hypermedia video case developed from research lessons on a third‐grade topic on division with remainder, conducted by teachers and researchers in a lesson study cycle in Singapore. Drawing on anchored instruction and knowledge points of the mathematics education discourse in China, the authors used embedded contexts, case‐based reasoning, critical incidents and facilitation as major design features.

Findings

A video documentary traces the research problem and how teachers learned to use the concrete‐pictorial‐abstract (CPA) model to improve teaching for student learning. Critical incidences are created to engage teachers in analyzing the research lessons by describing, interpreting and probing into the object of learning, student difficulties in learning, and how the teacher mediated the subject matter of teaching. A full range of lesson study data and related reading and web resources are provided in the video case to support training and self study.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the promise to capitalize on the curricular and pedagogical values of the rich video archives of lesson studies to support continued inquiry of teachers. It has important implications for addressing the issues of depth of implementation and sustainability arising from rapid spread of lesson studies in countries like Singapore.
Notch1 receptor as a marker of lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Park Hyung Seok , Jung Chan‐Kwon , Lee Sung Hak , Chae Byung Joo , Lim Dong Jun , Park Woo Chan , Song Byung Joo , Kim Jeong Soo , Jung Sang Seol , Bae Ja‐Seong
Published: November 2011

Notch functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor according to the type of malignancy, and the BRAFV600E mutation is commonly observed in thyroid cancer. However, the role of Notch and BRAFV600E in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is unclear. This study sought to elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics in patients with PTC regarding the expression of Notch1/Notch3 receptors and BRAFV600E mutation. Clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated according to the Notch1/Notch3 receptors and BRAFV600E mutation in 187 patients with PTC who underwent definitive surgery. Expression of the Notch1 receptor was significantly associated with poor prognostic markers including large tumor size, nodal metastasis, capsular invasion, and extrathyroidal extension. However, there was no significant association between the clinicopathological characteristics and Notch3 receptor expression/BRAFV600E mutation. In multivariate analysis, Notch1 receptor expression showed a significant relationship with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04). Notch1 receptor may be a predictor of lymph node metastasis and may be related to poor prognostic markers in patients with PTC. Further investigation of Notch1 receptor may further the understanding of the pathogenesis of nodal metastasis in PTC. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 305–309)
Gastrointestinal hormones: the regulation of appetite and the anorexia of ageing
Authors: Moss C. , Dhillo W. S. , Frost G. , Hickson M.
Published: November 2011

Loss of appetite is frequently observed during ageing, termed the ‘anorexia of ageing’. Ageing is associated with the inability to appropriately increase food intake after under‐eating in the short‐ and long‐term. Older people also report lower feelings of hunger and increased feelings of satiety and fullness. Gastrointestinal peptide hormones are a major part of the appetite regulatory system and are released in response to nutritional stimuli. They can be classified as: anorexigenic (satiety) [e.g. peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), glucagon‐like peptide‐1, pancreatic polypeptide, oxyntomodulin and cholecystokinin (CCK)] or orexigenic (hunger) (e.g. ghrelin). Although the control of appetite is not fully understood, it is clear that these hormones play an important role, and may influence the development and treatment of obesity and under‐nutrition. The literature shows a consistent finding that there is a loss of appetite in those aged over 65 years, although how this loss is mediated is not yet clear. Some evidence suggests that with advancing age there is an increase in satiety hormones, such as CCK and PYY, and a decrease in the hunger hormone, ghrelin. However, not all studies agree, emphasising the need for more in‐depth research to clarify age‐related changes. This knowledge will enable us to develop therapies to help prevent under‐nutrition during ageing. This review explores how age influences gastrointestinal appetite hormones in humans, as well as how this may contribute to the development of age‐related malnutrition.
The Human C‐Type Lectin‐Like Receptor CLEC‐1 is Upregulated by TGF‐β and Primarily Localized in the Endoplasmic Membrane Compartment
Authors: Sattler S. , Reiche D. , Sturtzel C. , Karas I. , Richter S. , Kalb M. L. , Gregor W. , Hofer E.
Published: November 2011

The orphan receptor CLEC‐1 is part of a subfamily of C‐type lectin‐like receptors, which is encoded in the human natural killer gene complex and comprises several pattern recognition receptors important for innate immune functions. As information on human CLEC‐1 is still very limited, we aimed to further characterize this receptor. Similar to another subfamily member, LOX‐1, expression of CLEC‐1 mRNA was detected in myeloid cells as well as in endothelial cells. CLEC‐1 protein displayed N‐linked glycosylation and formed dimers. However, in contrast to other members of the subfamily, expression levels were upregulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, but not significantly affected by proinflammatory stimuli. It is intriguing that human CLEC‐1 could only be detected intracellularly with a staining pattern resembling endoplasmic reticulum proteins. Neither TGF‐β nor inflammatory stimuli could promote significant translocation to the cell surface. These findings are in accordance with a primarily intracellular localization and function of human CLEC‐1.
Genetic behaviour of physiological traits conferring cytosolic K+/ Na+ homeostasis in wheat
Authors: Cuin T. A. , Zhou M. , Parsons D. , Shabala S.
Published: November 2011

A plant’s ability to maintain an optimal cytosolic K+/Na+ ratio has long been cited as a key feature of salinity tolerance. As traditional whole‐leaf nutrient analysis does not account for tissue and organelle‐specific ion sequestration, the predictive value of this index at the whole‐plant level is not always satisfactory. Consequently, suitable in situ methods for functionally assessing the activity of the key membrane transporters contributing to this trait at the cellular level need to be developed. The aim of this work was to investigate the extent to which plasma membrane transporter‐mediated Na+ exclusion and KOR‐mediated K+ retention traits, measured with the microelectrode ion flux measuring (MIFE) technique, are inheritable in wheat, and whether the MIFE technique has the potential to be used in combination with molecular markers to determine QTLs for these transporter proteins. Experiments involved two bread (Triticum aestivum) and two durum (Triticum turgidum) wheat lines contrasting in their salinity tolerance. Net Na+, K+ and H+ fluxes were measured from 6‐day‐old roots of parental lines and their F1 hybrids upon addition and removal of NaCl. These results were complemented by assessment of whole‐plant physiological and agronomic characteristics. We show evidence for a strong heritability of plasma membrane transporter‐mediated Na+ exclusion and K+ retention traits in wheat at the cellular level. This opens the prospect of using the MIFE technique to map the position of these transporters on particular loci of wheat chromosomes. The next obvious step would be to pyramid these traits in one ideotype with superior salinity tolerance.
Psychopathic traits moderate peer influence on adolescent delinquency
Authors: Kerr Margaret , Van Zalk Maarten , Stattin Håkan
Published: November 2011

Background:  Peer influence on adolescent delinquency is well established, but little is known about moderators of peer influence. In this study, we examined adolescents’ (targets) and their peers’ psychopathic personality traits as moderators of peer influence on delinquency in peer networks. We used three separate dimensions of the psychopathic personality: grandiose‐manipulative traits, callous‐unemotional traits, and impulsive‐irresponsible traits.

Methods:  We used a peer network approach with five waves of longitudinal data from 847 adolescents in one community. Peer nominations were not limited to the school context, thus allowing us to capture all potentially important peers. In addition, peers reported on their own delinquency, thus allowing us to avoid problems of false consensus or projection that arise when individuals report on their peers’ delinquency. We used simulation investigation for empirical network analyses (SIENA), which is the only program currently available that can be used to study peer influence effects in peer networks of multiple relationships while controlling for selection effects.

Results:  Targets’ and peers’ callous‐unemotional and grandiose‐manipulative traits uniquely moderated peer influence on delinquency. Relative to those with low levels, targets who were high on these traits were less influenced by peers’ delinquency, and peers who were high on these traits were more influential on targets’ delinquency. Selection effects were found for impulsive‐irresponsible traits, but these traits did not moderate peer influence on delinquency.

Conclusions:  As the first study to look at moderating effects of psychopathic traits on peer influence, this study advances knowledge about peer influence on delinquency and about psychopathic traits in adolescents. In addition, the study contributes to the literature by looking at unique effects of the three dimensions of psychopathy and taking a peer network approach, in which network effects, self‐selection, and other selection effects are controlled when examining influence and moderators of influence.
Making the connection: randomized controlled trial of social skills at school for children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Kasari Connie , Rotheram‐Fuller Erin , Locke Jill , Gulsrud Amanda
Published: November 2011

Background:  This study compared two interventions for improving the social skills of high functioning children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms. One intervention involved a peer‐mediated approach (PEER) and the other involved a child‐assisted approach (CHILD).

Method:  The two interventions were crossed in a 2 × 2 factorial design yielding control, PEER, CHILD, and both PEER and CHILD conditions. Sixty children participated from 56 classrooms in 30 schools. Interventions involved 12 sessions over 6 weeks, with a 3‐month follow‐up. Outcome measures included self, peer and teacher reports of social skills and independent weekly observations of children on their school playground over the course of the intervention.

Results:  Significant improvements were found in social network salience, number of friendship nominations, teacher report of social skills in the classroom, and decreased isolation on the playground for children who received PEER interventions. Changes obtained at the end of the treatment persisted to the 3‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that significant improvements can be made in peer social connections for children with autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms with a brief intervention, and that these gains persist over time.
Ectodomain shedding of nectin‐1 regulates the maintenance of dendritic spine density
Authors: Lim Seung T. , Chang Allison , Giuliano Rita E. , Federoff Howard J.
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 741–751.

Synaptic remodeling has been postulated as a mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity and cell adhesion molecules are thought to contribute to this process. We examined the role of nectin‐1 ectodomain shedding on synaptogenesis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Nectins are Ca2+‐independent immunoglobulin‐like adhesion molecules, involved in cell‐cell adherens junctions. Herein, we show that the processing of nectin‐1 occurs by multiple endoproteolytic steps both in vivo and in vitro. We identified regions containing two distinct cleavage sites within the ectodomain of nectin‐1. By alanine scanning mutagenesis, two point mutations that disrupt nectin‐1 ectodomain cleavage events were identified. Expression of these mutants significantly alters the density of dendritic spines. These findings suggest that ectodomain shedding of nectin‐1 regulates dendritic spine density and related synaptic functions.
Cholesterol enhances neuron susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli via cAMP/PKA/CREB‐dependent up‐regulation of Kv2.1
Authors: Zhou Meng‐Hua , Yang Guang , Jiao Song , Hu Chang‐Long , Mei Yan‐Ai
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 502–514.

Cholesterol is a major component of membrane lipid rafts. It is more abundant in the brain than in other tissues and plays a critical role in maintaining brain function. We report here that a significant enhancement in apoptosis in rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) was observed upon incubation with 5 mM K+/serum free (LK‐S) medium. Cholesterol enrichment further potentiated CGN apoptosis incubated under LK‐S medium. On the contrary, cholesterol depletion using methyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin protected the CGNs from apoptosis induced by LK‐S treatment. Cholesterol enrichment, however, did not induce apoptosis in CGNs that have been incubated with 25 mM K+/serum medium. Mechanistically, increased IK currents and DNA fragmentation were found in CGNs incubated in LK‐S, which was further potentiated in the presence of cholesterol. Cholesterol‐treated CGNs also exhibited increased cAMP levels and up‐regulation of Kv2.1 expression. Increased levels of activated form of PKA and phospho‐CREB further supported activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway upon treatment of CGNs with cholesterol‐containing LK‐S medium. Conversely, inhibition of PKA or small G protein Gs abolished the increase in IK current and the potentiation of Kv2.1 expression, leading to reduced susceptibility of CGNs to LK‐S and cholesterol‐induced apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that the elevation of membrane cholesterol enhances CGN susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli via cAMP/PKA/CREB‐dependent up‐regulation of Kv2.1. Our data provide new evidence for the role of cholesterol in eliciting neuronal cell death.
Dietary n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid deprivation increases docosahexaenoic acid metabolism in rat brain
Authors: Igarashi Miki , Kim Hyung‐Wook , Chang Lisa , Ma Kaizong , Rapoport Stanley I.
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 985–997.

Dietary n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deprivation in rodents reduces brain arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) concentration and 20:4n‐6‐preferring cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2‐IVA) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 expression, while increasing brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) concentration and DHA‐selective calcium‐independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2)‐VIA expression. We hypothesized that these changes are accompanied by up‐regulated brain DHA metabolic rates. Using a fatty acid model, brain DHA concentrations and kinetics were measured in unanesthetized male rats fed, for 15 weeks post‐weaning, an n‐6 PUFA ‘adequate’ (31.4 wt% linoleic acid) or ‘deficient’ (2.7 wt% linoleic acid) diet, each lacking 20:4n‐6 and DHA. [1‐14C]DHA was infused intravenously, arterial blood was sampled, and the brain was microwaved at 5 min and analyzed. Rats fed the n‐6 PUFA deficient compared with adequate diet had significantly reduced n‐6 PUFA concentrations in brain phospholipids but increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3), docosapentaenoic acid n‐3 (DPAn‐3, 22:5n‐3), and DHA (by 9.4%) concentrations, particularly in ethanolamine glycerophospholipid (EtnGpl). Incorporation rates of unesterified DHA from plasma, which represent DHA metabolic loss from brain, were increased 45% in brain phospholipids, as was DHA turnover. Increased DHA metabolism following dietary n‐6 PUFA deprivation may increase brain concentrations of antiinflammatory DHA metabolites, which with a reduced brain n‐6 PUFA content, likely promotes neuroprotection and alters neurotransmission.
Comparison of Cbln1 and Cbln2 functions using transgenic and knockout mice
Authors: Rong Yongqi , Wei Peng , Parris Jennifer , Guo Hong , Pattarini Roberto , Correia Kristen , Li Leyi , Kusnoor Sheila V. , Deutch Ariel Y. , Morgan James I.
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 528–540.

Cerebellin precursor protein 1 (Cbln1) is the prototype of a family of secreted neuronal glycoproteins (Cbln1–4) and its genetic elimination results in synaptic alterations in cerebellum (CB) and striatum. In CB, Cbln1 acts as a bi‐functional ligand bridging pre‐synaptic β‐neurexins on granule cells to post‐synaptic Grid2 on Purkinje neurons. Although much is known concerning the action of Cbln1, little is known of the function of its other family members. Here, we show that Cbln1 and Cbln2 have similar binding activities to β‐neurexins and Grid2 and the targeted ectopic expression of Cbln2 to Purkinje cells in transgenic mice rescues the cerebellar deficits in Cbln1‐null animals: suggesting that the two proteins have redundant function mediated by their common receptor binding properties. Cbln1 and Cbln2 are also co‐expressed in the endolysosomal compartment of the thalamic neurons responsible for the synaptic alterations in striatum of Cbln1‐null mice. Therefore, to determine whether the two family members have similar functions, we generated Cbln2‐null mice. Cbln2‐null mice do not show the synaptic alterations evident in striatum of Cbln1‐null mice. Thus, Cbln2 can exhibit functional redundancy with Cbln1 in CB but it does not have the same properties as Cbln1 in thalamic neurons, implying one or both utilize different receptors/mechanisms in this brain region.
Multicolony tracking reveals the winter distribution of a pelagic seabird on an ocean basin scale
Authors: Frederiksen Morten , Moe Børge , Daunt Francis , Phillips Richard A. , Barrett Robert T. , Bogdanova Maria I. , Boulinier Thierry , Chardine John W. , Chastel Olivier , Chivers Lorraine S. , Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , Clément‐Chastel Céline , Colhoun Kendrew , Freeman Robin , Gaston Anthony J. , González‐Solís Jacob , Goutte Aurélie , Grémillet David , Guilford Tim , Jensen Gitte H. , Krasnov Yuri , Lorentsen Svein‐Håkon , Mallory Mark L. , Newell Mark , Olsen Bergur , Shaw Deryk , Steen Harald , Strøm Hallvard , Systad Geir H. , Thórarinsson Thorkell L. , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho
Published: November 2011

Aim  An understanding of the non‐breeding distribution and ecology of migratory species is necessary for successful conservation. Many seabirds spend the non‐breeding season far from land, and information on their distribution during this time is very limited. The black‐legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, is a widespread and numerous seabird in the North Atlantic and Pacific, but breeding populations throughout the Atlantic range have declined recently. To help understand the reasons for the declines, we tracked adults from colonies throughout the Atlantic range over the non‐breeding season using light‐based geolocation.

Location  North Atlantic.

Methods  Geolocation data loggers were deployed on breeding kittiwakes from 19 colonies in 2008 and 2009 and retrieved in 2009 and 2010. Data from 236 loggers were processed and plotted using GIS. Size and composition of wintering populations were estimated using information on breeding population size.

Results  Most tracked birds spent the winter in the West Atlantic, between Newfoundland and the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, including in offshore, deep‐water areas. Some birds (mainly local breeders) wintered in the North Sea and west of the British Isles. There was a large overlap in winter distributions of birds from different colonies, and colonies closer to each other showed larger overlap. We estimated that 80% of the 4.5 million adult kittiwakes in the Atlantic wintered west of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, with only birds from Ireland and western Britain staying mainly on the European side.

Main conclusions  The high degree of mixing in winter of kittiwakes breeding in various parts of the Atlantic range implies that the overall population could be sensitive to potentially deteriorating environmental conditions in the West Atlantic, e.g. owing to lack of food or pollution. Our approach to estimating the size and composition of wintering populations should contribute to improved management of birds faced with such challenges.
Phylogeography of the Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii): historical vicariance but little present genetic structure in a regionally endangered Palearctic wader
Authors: Rönkä Nelli , Kvist Laura , Pakanen Veli‐Matti , Rönkä Antti , Degtyaryev Victor , Tomkovich Pavel , Tracy Diane , Koivula Kari
Published: November 2011

Aim We study the population differentiation and phylogeography of the Temminck’s Stint (Calidris temminckii). Specifically, we seek signs of past and present population size changes and dispersal events and evaluate management and conservation unit status of the populations. We also study the possibility of introgression as the origin of two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages found and estimate the divergence time of the lineages.

Location Northern Eurasia.

Methods We analysed 583 bp of mtDNA control region domains I and II and 11 microsatellite loci from 13 localities throughout the breeding range. In addition, we used mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI), a barcoding gene, to search for signs of introgression.

Results More population differentiation was found from microsatellites than from mtDNA, although differentiation was weak in both markers. Signs of past population growth were observed, in addition to more recent decline in some areas. Both control region andCOIsequences revealed two maternal lineages coexisting in Fennoscandia and in north‐west Siberia. No signs of introgression were detected. Lineage divergence time was estimated to have occurred during the glacial periods of Pleistocene.

Main conclusions Slight differences in mtDNA and microsatellite differentiation and diversity may reflect different features – such as the mutation rate and effective population size – of the markers used, or female‐biased dispersal pattern and high male site‐fidelity of the species. The coexistence of the two mitochondrial lineages is most likely a consequence of post‐glacial mixing of two refugial Pleistocene populations. Based on genetic information alone, global conservation concerns are not imminent. However, fast decline of a marginal Bothnian Bay population and the smallness and remoteness of a Central Yakutian population warrant conservation actions.
Predicting the distribution potential of an invasive frog using remotely sensed data in Hawaii
Authors: Bisrat Simon A. , White Michael A. , Beard Karen H. , Richard Cutler D.
Published: November 2011

Aim  Eleutherodactylus coqui (commonly known as the coqui) is a frog species native to Puerto Rico and non‐native in Hawaii. Despite its ecological and economic impacts, its potential range in Hawaii is unknown, making control and management efforts difficult. Here, we predicted the distribution potential of the coqui on the island of Hawaii.

Location  Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Methods  We predicted its potential distribution in Hawaii using five biophysical variables derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) as predictors, presence/absence data collected from Puerto Rico and Hawaii and three classification methods – Classification Trees (CT), Random Forests (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM).

Results  Models developed separately using data from the native range and the invaded range predicted potential coqui habitats in Hawaii with high performance. Across the three classification methods, mean area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.75 for models trained using the native range data and 0.88 for models trained using the invaded range data. We achieved the highest AUC value of 0.90 using RF for models trained with invaded range data.

Main conclusions  Our results showed that the potential distribution of coquis on the island of Hawaii is much larger than its current distribution, with RF predicting up to 49% of the island as suitable coqui habitat. Predictions also show that most areas with an elevation between 0 and 2000 m are suitable coqui habitats, whereas the cool and dry high elevation areas beyond 2000 m elevation are unsuitable. Results show that MODIS‐derived biophysical variables are capable of characterizing coqui habitats in Hawaii.
Braincase, palatoquadrate and ear region of the plagiosaurid Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the Middle Triassic of Germany
Authors: WITZMANN FLORIAN , SCHOCH RAINER R. , HILGER ANDRÉ , KARDJILOV NIKOLAY
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The complete neurocranium plus palatoquadrate of the plagiosaurid temnospondyl Gerrothorax pulcherrimus from the Middle Triassic of Germany is described for the first time, based on outer morphological observations and micro‐CT scanning. The exoccipitals are strong elements with paroccipital processes and well‐separated occipital condyles. Anterolaterally, the exoccipitals contact the otics, which are mediolaterally elongated and have massive lateral walls. The otics contact the basisphenoid, which shows well‐developed sellar processes. Anteriorly, the basisphenoid is continuous with the sphenethmoid region. In its posterior portion, the sphenethmoid gives rise to robust, laterally directed laterosphenoid walls, a unique morphology among basal tetrapods. The palatoquadrate is extensively ossified. The quadrate portion overlaps the descending lamina of squamosal and ascending lamina of pterygoid anteriorly, almost contacting the epipterygoid laterally. The epipterygoid is a complex element and may be co‐ossified with otics and laterosphenoid walls. It has a broad, sheet‐like footplate and a horizontally aligned ascending process that contacts the laterosphenoid walls. The degree of ossification of the epipterygoid, however, is subject to individual variation obviously independent from ontogenetic changes. The stapes of Gerrothorax is a large, blade‐like element that differs conspicuously from the plesiomorphic temnospondyl condition. It has a prominent anterolateral projection which has not been observed in other basal tetrapods. Morphology of neurocranium and palatoquadratum of Gerrothorax most closely resembles that of the Russian plagiosaurid Plagiosternum danilovi, although the elements are less ossified in the latter. The extensive endocranial ossification of Gerrothorax is consistent with the general high degree of ossification in the exo‐ and endoskeleton of this temnospondyl and supports the view that a strong endocranial ossification cannot be evaluated as a plesiomorphic character in basal tetrapods.
Reuse of the water and salt of reactive dyeing effluent after electrochemical decolorisation
Authors: López‐Grimau Víctor , Gutiérrez‐Bouzán María del Carmen , Valldeperas José , Crespi Martí
Published: November 2011

In the dyeing of cellulose with reactive dyes, the addition of a high amount of electrolyte is required [50–80 g/l of sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium sulphate (Na2SO4)]. The main goal of this work is the reuse of salt and water from exhausted dyebaths and washing effluents, which have been previously decolorised by means of an electrochemical treatment. Dyeings with three bifunctional reactive dyes (Navy Blue, Crimson and Yellow Procion H‐EXL) were carried out individually and in a trichromatic mixture. The reuse of the discoloured exhausted dyebath provided excellent red and yellow dyeings. Colour differences close to the quality control limit (ΔECMC(2:1) ≤ 1) were obtained in the blue and trichromatic dyeings. An average recovery of 70% of water and 60% of salt was achieved with the reuse process. High‐quality dyeings were also obtained with the discoloured first‐washing bath. In this case, 15% of salt and almost 100% of water were recycled.
Progress towards a greener textile industry
Authors: Dawson Tim
Published: November 2011

Many of the principles of the relatively new science of Green Chemistry, which aims to use resources efficiently and minimise waste, are applicable in the field of textiles. Improving product quantity and reducing environmental impact in the production and subsequent coloration of textile fibres is a realistic goal. Public interest in organically produced natural fibres has followed on from that in organically grown food, although the market for organic fibres is still relatively small. In recent years, fibre manufacturers have played their part in introducing a number of more ecologically regenerated cellulosic fibres, as well as new totally synthetic polymer fibres based on renewable raw materials. The methods that can be adopted aimed at reducing the environmental impact of fibre, dye manufacture and subsequent coloration processes, are described with particular reference to these newer fibres.
Phylogeography and reproductive variation of the poecilogonous polychaeteBoccardiaproboscidea(Annelida:Spionidae) along theWestCoast ofNorthAmerica
Authors: Oyarzun Fernanda X. , Mahon Andrew R. , Swalla Billie J. , Halanych Kenneth M.
Published: November 2011

The ability to produce more than one kind of offspring, or poecilogony, is a striking example of reproductive variability. Traditionally, larval nutrition has been classified as a dichotomy: if offspring obtain nutrition from their mothers (lecithotrophy), there is lower fecundity and greater chance of offspring survival than when they get their nutrition from plankton (planktotrophy). The polychaeteBoccardiaproboscidea(Spionidae) produces both types of embryos using three different reproductive strategies. In this study, we examined the roles of genetic history and phenotypic plasticity on explaining natural variation inB. proboscideaalong thePacific coast of theUnitedStates using two genetic mitochondrial markers,16SrDNAandCyt b, and common garden experiments. These data show a singleNorthAmericanWestCoast network that is structured, geographically, by the well‐documented biogeographic break nearPointConception,California. The southern group within this network covers a smaller range, but has larger haplotype diversity, than the northern group. Some individuals differing in reproductive type had the same haplotype, indicating independence of these features; however, differences between laboratory and field data suggest additional geographic variation within one of the reproductive types. Females from higher latitudes provide offspring with larger supplies of extra embryonic nutrition than females from southern latitudes. Results herein suggest that both genetic history and developmental plasticity are playing a role in the maintenance of this reproductive polymorphism.