bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge in Innovation Processes
Authors: Paukert Marco , Niederée Claudia , Hemmje Matthias
Published: August 2010

The success of industrial and scientific research has always been dependent on new discoveries and innovations, but tighter budgets and increasing global competition push the pace with which innovation must happen nowadays. Bringing new products to the market before competitors do constitutes a crucial competitive advantage for many companies and organizations. Accelerating discovery and innovation is increasingly dependent on the use of advanced information and knowledge technology for building environments that support the innovation process systematically and efficiently (cf. Specht, Beckmann, & Amelingmeyer, 2002; Amidon, 2002). Such environments depend on a number of advanced knowledge management technologies and have to adapt to the wide variety of innovative practices, innovation cultures, organizational context, and application areas where innovation takes place. It is essential that the functionalities of such are aligned with the needs of innovators and their context. Innovation starts with an adequate identification of goals including an appropriate problem description and ends with the successful exploitation of the problem solution. Therefore, innovation is understood as dealing with complex problem-solving processes in whose activities knowledge of different types is applied and created. Systematic support of innovation processes requires efficient management of knowledge with respect to activities like acquisition, creation, enrichment, retrieval, reuse, and combination of such knowledge.
Knowledge Synthesis Framework
Authors: Vat Kam Hou
Published: August 2010

The last decade of the 20th century saw explosive growth in discussions about knowledge—knowledge work, knowledge management, knowledge-based organizations, and the knowledge economy (Cortada & Woods, 2000). At the center of such discussions are the two notions of process and knowledge. The former represents not only the organization’s operations characterized by clearly defined inputs, outputs, and flows, but also management practices which give the organization its depth and means for handling change and turbulence. The latter is represented by a range of complexity and intellectual richness, from Plato’s “justified true belief” (Nonaka & Takeuchi, 1995) to a more mundane “the capacity to act” (Sveiby, 1997). How knowledge is characterized, used, and even created within an organization is a very complicated process. Nevertheless, we believe that each member of an organization has his or her own knowledge space, which is subject to some level of description, and thus may be architected, integrated, and designed into an organization (Davenport & Prusak, 1998; Levine, 2001). As the source of wealth shifts from capital to knowledge (Drucker, 1992), it is clear that organizations that actively seek to create their own communal knowledge space from that, which exists among its members, will have a decided advantage over those who do not. One working definition of knowledge is hereby interpreted in terms of its potential for action and its ability to change context and goals—the rules of relevance and adaptation. Yet, what is the means by which a communal knowledge space may be built? And how would an organization use it for advantage? To answer these questions, this article is divided into five sections: The Background of Knowledge Synthesis; Pursuing the Ideal of a Learning Organization; Scaffolding the Knowledge Framework; Future Trends of IS Design for Knowledge Sharing; and Conclusion.
Managing Legal and Negotiation Knowledge
Authors: Zeleznikow John
Published: August 2010

Legal practice is primarily concerned with the transfer of legal knowledge from practitioners or clients. Whilst lawyers may draft contracts and make representations on behalf of their clients, their primary task is to advise their clients on appropriate remedies and courses of action. (Rodriguez et al 2002) claim that a lawyer sells what he knows, often in the form of a document (a contract, an opinion, a report) and much more often in a trial before a court or in a negotiation with a counterpart. (Khandelwal and Gottschalk 2003) claim that lawyers can be defined as knowledge workers. They are professionals who have gained knowledge through formal education (explicit) and through learning on the job (tacit). To carry out their daily work lawyers also have to manage a great many sources of information. It is important for them to be aware of current changes in legislation and jurisprudence and to consult books and articles. But it is also necessary to manage the information that is generated from within the practice in the course of lawyers’ relationships with their clients. In a law firm’s day to day work, a mass of information and knowledge is generated which has to be managed efficiently, so that it is easily, quickly and intuitively accessible whenever it is needed by any of the firm’s offices. (Rusanow 2003) defines legal Knowledge Management as the leveraging of the firm’s collective wisdom by using systems and processes to support and facilitate the identification, capture, dissemination and use of the firm’s knowledge to meet its business objectives. We commence by emphasising the difficulty of developing generic legal knowledge management approaches given the multiplicity of different legal systems. We next focus upon maintaining legal knowledge using an argumentation-based approach and building legal knowledge based systems for World Wide Web. Since, the goal of the legal process is to avoid litigation, we conclude by discussing how knowledge can be managed to provide Online Dispute Resolution.
Object-Process Methodology
Authors: Dori Dov
Published: August 2010

Capturing the knowledge about existing systems and analysis and design of conceived systems requires an adequate methodology, which should be both formal and intuitive. Formality is required to maintain a coherent representation of the system under study, while the requirement that the methodology be intuitive stems from the fact that humans are the ultimate consumers of the knowledge. Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is a vehicle for knowledge representation and management that perfectly meets the formality and intuition requirements through a unique combination of graphics and natural language.
Operational Knowledge Management in the Military
Authors: Ariely Gil
Published: August 2010

This article intends to cover operational-knowledge management (KM) as implemented in the military. In particular, it is based on experience and published examples from the U.S. Army and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). It concentrates on the characteristics of operational knowledge as the core type of interest for the military due to the nature of the mission. The proxy of human lives and mission success are used vs. the more common currencies in the business industry.
Organizational Structure
Authors: Hendriks Paul H.J.
Published: August 2010

For many decades, organization scientists have paid considerable attention to the link between knowledge and organization structure. An early contributor to these discussions was Max Weber (1922), who elaborated his concepts of professional bureaucracy. History shows a multitude of other descriptions and propositions which depict knowledge-friendly organization structures such as the ‘organic form’ for knowledge-intensive innovation promoted by Burns and Stalker (1961), professional bureaucracies and adhocracies described by Mintzberg (1983), and the brain metaphor for organization structure (Morgan, 1986). Discussions on such knowledge­friendly organization structures led to many neologisms including the flexible, intelligent, smart, hypertext, N-form, inverted, network, cellular, or modular organization.
Virtue-Nets
Authors: Croasdell David , Wang Y. Ken
Published: August 2010

David Skyrme (1999) has observed that knowledge workers exploit knowledge generated from business activities and turn it into business opportunities. Technical infrastructures enable knowledge workers and improve knowledge processes (Von Krogh, Ichijo, & Nonaka, 2000). Improving knowledge awareness requires creating a dynamic and generative environment for organizational workers (Senge, 1990). Organizations are faced with developing communication strategies that maintain centralized and fully accessible knowledge bases while at the same time trying to compete in a highly decentralized marketplace. Technological solutions for enabling and enhancing communication among knowledge workers are used for activities such as scheduling, negotiating, checking e-mail, revising documents, making reservations, connecting laptops remotely to the Net, problem solving, and decision making. There are numerous electronic devices for communicating between knowledge workers. These networked devices serve the purpose of connecting human-knowledge capital. For many companies, human-knowledge capital is a significant source of competitive advantage, and the dispersion of this capital without effective communication networks can greatly hinder the decision makers and the overall corporate decision-making process. One place to start examining the practices of knowledge workers is to study the networks in which they work.
Interdisciplinary Interaction for the Early Stages of Product and Service Development
Authors: Kälviäinen Mirja
Published: August 2010

Saturated markets require user value through services and mass customised differentiation instead of mere products. This increases the significance of integrated innovation in the early stages of complex value offerings. Front end development combines the multidisciplinary professional perspectives and user insight in a cost effective way. Truly interdisciplinary interaction is reached through intrinsic motivation, shared goals and understanding. Experience for structuring the multidisciplinary front end innovation comes from the INNOstudio® concept created by the D’ART Design Resource Centre in the North Karelia University of Applied Sciences. This concept is about service and methods facilitating innovation sessions. Process support for communication, exploration, problem space definition and further development is provided by moving from abstract thinking into external observables – scenarios, sketches, or models. Innovative value concepts require both divergent, generative thinking and convergent, analytical thinking. Diverse methods support generative ideation, exploring future opportunities and user relevance or analysing the problem space.
Tool and Information Centric Design Process Modeling
Authors: Miller William Stuart , Summers Joshua D.
Published: August 2010

A new design process modeling approach focused on the information flow through design tools is discussed in this chapter. This approach is applied to three long term mechanical engineering design projects spanning 24 months, 12 months, and 4 months. These projects are used to explore the development of the new modeling approach. This is a first step in a broader effort in 1) modeling of design processes, 2) establishing case study research as a formal approach to design research, and 3) developing new design process tools. The ability of engineers to understand the dynamic nature of information throughout the design processes is critical to their ability to complete these tasks. Such understanding promotes learning and further exploration of the design process allowing the improvement of process models, the establishment of new research approaches, and the development of new tools. Thus, enhancing this understanding is the goal of this research effort.
The “Madame Butterfly” Robot
Authors: Fontana Luisa , Fornari Davide
Published: August 2010

“Madam Butterfly” is an industrial robot produced by Euroimpianti Spa. It is the result of the unusual cooperation between a cutting-edge robot factory and Fontanatelier, an unconventional architecture studio. Although it had all started as a common machinery project, and it was almost at the end of its development phase, the need for an iconic design led the designer to involve the architect Luisa Fontana in the project. The contrasting opinions between the engineers and the architect forced everybody to change points of view, in such a complicated and challenging field as robot production. The final design conveys a strong image of the product, very uncommon for the automation industry, maintaining the functionality of a standard robot, with improvements for some specific usage.
Transformal Role of Product Design in Singapore’s Transition to a Service Economy
Authors: Sathikh Peer M.
Published: August 2010

Singapore, a city state of 4.8 million people, located at the tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, was founded in 1819, when Sir Stamford Raffles of the East India Company established a trading settlement in Singapore. The meeting point for Chinese, Malays, Indians, Arabs, Europeans and others on their journey through the southern seas, Singapore achieved its initial economic success through international trade as a free port and free market. Given the status of an independent country in 1965, Singapore suddenly found itself in a struggle to survive. It’s small population and scarce resources meant that regional and world markets were larger than the domestic market, presenting the government and its policymakers with distinctive economic challenges and opportunities. This chapter tries to recount the policies and subsequent actions put in place in Singapore from the 1960s till the present, promoting the creative industry, including product design, in order to transform a market dependent economy into a service centered economy. This chapter also discusses if and how such a ‘planned intervention’ played an important role in building up the resources and infrastructure within Singapore and in attracting multi-national companies to locate their R&D and design facilities in Singapore, pointing to where it has succeeded and where it has not.
The Global Knot
Authors: Hall Jon G.
Published: August 2010

This invited chapter offers a new view on the tangling of problems, and suggests a new problem solving approach to how they might be untangled, based on a complete taxonomy of their interelatedness, illustrated with examples of how economic value is or might be delivered by those involved in problem solving.
Higher Educational Institutions and Institutional Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy
Authors: Yusuf Mudasiru Olalere
Published: August 2010

Institutional information and communication technology plan is essential in the successful integration of ICT in higher institutions. This chapter deals with the processes and procedures for the development of institutional ICT plan. It covers the prerequisites for higher institutions’ ICT plan development like institutional leadership commitment, identification of personnel and members (internal and/or external) to develop institutional ICT plan and constitution of institutional ICT plan committee, research and information on ICT planning, and cconsideration of ICT committee action plan. It also addresses the adoption of ABCDE development model which encompasses assessment, baseline, components, down to specifics, and evaluation. In addition, institutional ICT plan conclusion, and the development of appendices for institutional ICT strategic plan are discussed. It must be stressed that implementing ICT plan to achieve HEIs goals of enhancing students’ learning, promoting teaching and research, and administrative efficiency must preceded by proper development of institutional ICT plan. Therefore, administrators and lecturers in institutions must know how to develop institutional ICT plan.
Security Policy Issues in Internet Banking in Malaysia
Authors: Kassim Normalini Md , Ramayah T.
Published: August 2010

As a continually growing financial services of electronic commerce, Internet banking requires the development and implementation of a sound security procedure. The existing literature highlights security as the primary factor which determines the adoption of Internet banking technology. The secondary information on Internet banking development in Malaysia shows a very slow growth rate. Hence, this study aims to investigate risk and security requirements factors which influence the adoption of Internet banking application through the information collected from an interviews with managers from Bank M, Bank C and Bank P. The results reveal that the customers have great concerns for security and privacy issues in adoption of Internet banking. Hence, several methods of ensuring a more secure Internet banking was suggested like a two factor authentication and three factor authentication. For future research directions biometric techniques, such as fingerprint verification, iris or face recognition, retina analysis and hand-written signature verification are increasingly becoming basic elements of authentication and identification systems in order to be privacy-friendly, minimize the social risks and prevent misuse of biometric data.
The Nigerian National Information Technology (IT) Policy
Authors: Enakrire Tega Rexwhite
Published: August 2010

This chapter reviews the Nigerian Information Technology Policy which was approved in 2001. It x-rays the objectives of the policy, the sectoral applications, and the implementation strategies o the policy. A performance review of the policy was also done. The chapter concludes by requesting the government to ensure strict implementation of its national ICT policy in order to achieve the set objectives.
An Approach toward an Integrated Management of the Mara River Basin in Tanzania
Authors: Majule A.E.
Published: August 2010

Lack of Integrated River Management practices is the major problems that affect effective management of natural resources. This chapter presents findings on different factors affecting the sustainability of the Mara River Basin (MRB). The study was limited to the MRB part of Tanzania and multiple approaches were used in data collection. MRB is experiencing a number of management problems including deforestation, land degradation and pollution of the river water associated with human activities. Institutional framework for natural resource management (NRM) is rather sectoral thus lacking integration and sometimes results into conflicting efforts to conserve natural resources. It is evident that some cultural attitudes have positive impact on natural resources management such as the customary land tenure system. For sustainability of the MRB resources, integration of projects, programs and stakeholders’ participation are key factors without neglecting cultural aspects. Furthermore, different policies need to be considered by linking them together to achieve sustainability.
Application of Remote Sensing Technologies and Geographical Information Systems in Monitoring Environmental Degradation in the Lake Victoria Watershed, East Africa
Authors: Twesigye Charles K.
Published: August 2010

Accurate information on the state of water resources in the Lake Victoria watershed is crucial for planning and sustainable development in the East African region. This region largely depends on its natural resource-base for economic development, and therefore comprehensive information on its resources dynamics is key in implementing poverty alleviation strategies, improving human condition and preserving the biological systems upon which the region‘s population depends. This chapter focuses on key issues, which have emerged as a result of population growth and development in the region. The research on which this chapter is based aims to address the concerns on land use and settlement trends in the study sites, vulnerability of the communities to water stress and sustainability of the livelihood systems in the watersheds of Nzoia River Basin (Kenya), Nakivubo Wetland (Uganda) and Simiyu River Basin (Tanzania). These communities engage in unique land use practices that have intensified environmental degradation in recent times. The research adopts a multi-disciplinary approach in bringing to the fore the various processes affecting watershed resources use and management in the selected wetlands of the Lake Victoria Drainage Basin (LVDB). The data presented covers trends in vegetation cover loss, pesticide pollution and general water quality parameters. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques were employed to unveil land use patterns that have resulted in the degradation of the watershed. Wetland degradation levels have been characterized using secondary data generated by analytical techniques. New emerging challenges of environmental degradation caused by industrial, domestic and agricultural activities are presented and discussed. The potential of the new science of hydroinformatics in integrated watershed management through mathematical modeling, geographic information systems analysis and water supply management is highlighted.
Will it be Disclosure or Fabrication of Personal Information?
Authors: Li Xun , Santhanam Radhika
Published: August 2010

Individuals are increasingly reluctant to disclose personal data and sometimes even intentionally fabricate information to avoid the risk of having it compromised. In this context, organizations face an acute dilemma: they must obtain accurate job applicant information in order to make good hiring decisions, but potential employees may be reluctant to provide accurate information because they fear it could be used for other purposes. Building on theoretical foundations from social cognition and persuasion theory, we propose that, depending on levels of privacy concerns, organizations could use appropriate strategies to persuade job applicants to provide accurate information. We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine the effects of two different persuasion strategies on prospective employees’ willingness to disclose information, measured as their intentions to disclose or falsify information. Our results show support for our suggestion As part of this study, we propose the term information sensitivity to identify the types of personal information that potential employees are most reluctant to disclose.
Open Source Software
Authors: Parry David , Parry Emma , Dorji Phurb , Stone Peter
Published: August 2010

The global burden of disease falls most heavily on people in developing countries. Few resources for healthcare, geographical and infrastructure issues, lack of trained staff, language and cultural diversity and political instability all affect the ability of health providers to support effective and efficient healthcare. Health information systems are a key aspect of improving healthcare, but existing systems are often expensive and unsuitable. Open source software appears to be a promising avenue for quickly and cheaply introducing health information systems that are appropriate for developing nations. This paper describes some aspects of open-source e-health software that are particularly relevant to developing nations, issues and problems that may arise and suggests some future areas for research and action. Suggestions for critical success factors are included. Much of the discussion will be related to a case study of a training and E-health project, currently running in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Mobile Learning
Authors: Zelic Marija
Published: August 2010

Mobile learning, as the “portable and personal” fashion of e-learning, is intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of learning in the context of handheld terminals. Most present-day learning systems run on desktop computers and are not designed for use on mobile devices such as mobile phones, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants, etc. Mobile learning systems aim to improve the quality of learning by providing mobile learners with an easy, contextualized and ubiquitous access to knowledge. This chapter gives an overview of the current state of knowledge and research in the m-learning domain, describes issues and problems pertinent to mobile learning and offers our approach to solving these problems in the form of a mobile intelligent tutoring model we are currently developing. Given the present absence of relevant literature and referent material we think that this chapter provides developers with some new ideas.
Grid Technology
Authors: Aas I. H. Monrad
Published: August 2010

The present chapter is about telemedicine, but not about software and hardware. It is about humanware. Telemedicine’s greatest problem is not to make the technology work. It is organizations and humans in organizations who will decide the future of telemedicine. Telemedicine is not just a simple success story and the diffusion of telemedicine has been slower than many expected. For the future of telemedicine, a shift in the way we think may be necessary. Few authors have focused on learning in telemedicine (with what is here considered as associated aspects: team organization; learning organizations; network organization). The learning potential connected to telemedicine is significant. Learning may constitute an important argument for telemedicine. In the present chapter, focus is on the role learning and collaboration may have for the future of telemedicine. To take the full advantage of the learning potential a higher volume of telemedicine is necessary, but this requires more organizational collaboration. Improved collaboration is obtainable by implementing collaboration measures. The chapter shows that focus on learning and collaboration may well be important for the future of telemedicine. It is recommended that managers lead change processes in their organizations, where the different aspects of importance for realization of learning benefits of telemedicine are treated. For telemedicine, it is important that future research includes: investigations on how to obtain learning benefits and which collaboration measures are relevant for the different telemedicine applications. Objectives of the present chapter are to propose: 1) more international research on learning in telemedicine (with mentioned associated aspects) and telemedicine collaboration problems and 2) to show the background for this proposal.
Adopting Mobile Devices in Classroom
Authors: Annamalai Chockalingam , Yososutikno Wahyudi , Thoe Ng Khar
Published: August 2010

Worldwide, Mobile phone technology is increasing at a remarkable rate. Mobile technologies (m-technologies) allow students to gather access and learn beyond the classroom. They are an integral part of human’s lives today, including children in some societies. This chapter addresses issues related to the mobile phone evolution in Indonesia, pedagogical effectiveness of using it in educational context with empirical study on Indonesian teachers’ perception of the aforementioned in the classroom for science and mathematics learning. The useful research evidence of the value of ICT in education thereby serves as empirical basis for the formulation of ICT policy in educational institutions, particularly ICT integration in instruction.
Framework for Effective Development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy in University Libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Ani Okon E. , Edem Margaret
Published: August 2010

ICT is transforming library practices and procedures the world over. The aim of this chapter is to address the access gap to ICT by highlighting the framework for effective development of relevant ICT policy in university libraries in Nigeria. The chapter explores variety of ICT infrastructure/services that are available in university libraries, sources of ICT funding, ICT policy priority areas, key ICT policy issues and strategies for formulating ICT policy. Questionnaire survey was used for the study. The findings of the study indicate that, there is a widespread use of Internet in the 14 surveyed university libraries; and only 5 of these libraries have computerized library services. NUC/ETF, library development fund (LDF) and university management are major ICT funding sources. ICT funding/budgeting, ICT infrastructure procurement/maintenance, ICT literacy/capacity building and ICT use are the highest ranked ICT policy priority areas in the surveyed libraries. And annual budgetary allocation to ICT in university libraries, training/capacity building for librarians, as well as, organization of ICT literacy programme for patrons are the highest ranked key ICT policy issues in university libraries. The chapter recommends that, each university should formulate relevant ICT policy for its library, besides the national ICT policy.
Regulation of Internet Content
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E.
Published: August 2010

This chapter focuses on regulation of Internet content. It presents the arguments for and against Internet content regulation, approaches to content regulation on the Net, how Internet content is regulated in different parts of the world, issues inherent in content regulation, choice of content regulation mechanism as well as future trends.
Internet-Based Citizen Participation
Authors: Aikins Stephen K.
Published: August 2010

This chapter determines whether the deliberative features of local government websites reflect city officials’ beliefs and funding for Internet-based citizen participation. Although the Internet is argued to have interactive potential to bring citizens closer to their governments, empirical evidence suggests many governments have not taken advantage of this potential. A survey was sent to Chief administrative officers of municipalities with websites, and respondents’ government website contents were analyzed and audited against the survey responses. Findings from the audit reveal that in general, the deliberative features of local government websites reflect the beliefs and funding stated in the survey. The technique applied in this research could be a useful tool to investigate the degree of alignment between a government’s Internet website contents and its e-government strategic goals, policy requirements and priorities, etc.
Ral Isoforms Are Implicated in FcγR-Mediated Phagocytosis: Activation of Phospholipase D by RalA
Authors: Corrotte Matthias , Tran Nyguyen An Phu , Harlay Marie Line , Vitale Nicolas , Bader Marie-France , Grant Nancy J.
Published: August 2010

Phagocytosis is an essential element of the immune response permitting the elimination of pathogens, cellular debris, apoptotic cells, and tumor cells. Recently, both phospholipase D (PLD) isoforms, PLD1 and PLD2, were shown to be necessary for efficient FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. In this study, we investigated the role of a potential PLD regulator, the Ral GTPases RalA and RalB, in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. Both Ral isoforms are expressed in macrophages and are transiently activated following FcγR stimulation. When Ral expression levels were varied using Ral mutants or interference RNA, phagocytosis assays revealed that Ral isoforms have antagonistic effects; RalA is a positive modulator, whereas RalB plays a negative role. We then focused on RalA and its possible relationship with PLD. The increase in PLD activity that occurs when phagocytosis is stimulated was inhibited in cells with reduced RalA protein, but it was unaffected by reduced levels of RalB. Furthermore, in macrophages transfected with dsRed-RalA and GFP-PLD1 or GFP-PLD2, RalA colocalized with PLD1 and PLD2 at the phagocytic cup during phagosome formation. Additional results obtained from immunoprecipitation of PLD from macrophages transfected with myc-RalA and hemagglutinin-tagged PLD1 or PLD2 indicated an enhanced interaction of RalA with both PLD isoforms during phagocytic stimulation. The increase in RalA and PLD1 interaction was transient and correlated with the time course of RalA activation. These findings reveal a novel pathway involving RalA and PLD in the regulation of FcγR-mediated phagocytosis.
A Proinflammatory Role for Proteolytically Cleaved Annexin A1 in Neutrophil Transendothelial Migration
Authors: Williams Samantha L. , Milne Ian R. , Bagley Christopher J. , Gamble Jennifer R. , Vadas Mathew A. , Pitson Stuart M. , Khew-Goodall Yeesim
Published: August 2010

Neutrophil extravasation, a critical component of innate immunity must be tightly regulated to prevent inadvertent or prolonged inflammation and subsequent tissue damage. We have shown previously that endothelial ERK1/2 signaling essential for neutrophil transendothelial migration is induced by a soluble factor produced by activated neutrophils. In this study, we demonstrate that the soluble neutrophil factor is a truncated form of annexin A1 (AnxA1) that can be generated by calpain 1 cleavage of the N terminus, thus identifying a novel proinflammatory function to AnxA1. In contrast, neither the full-length protein nor the N-terminal 26 aa peptide, previously shown to be antiinflammatory, were able to activate Erk. Our data suggest that two different fragments of AnxA1 have opposing functions in inflammation. We also provide evidence that C-terminal AnxA1 functions by increasing ICAM1 clustering around adherent neutrophils to anchor them to the endothelium and promote transmigration through the transcellular route.
Cutting Edge: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Sustains the Stability and Function of Natural Regulatory T Cells in an Inflammatory Milieu
Authors: Zhou Xiaohui , Kong Ning , Wang Julie , Fan Huiming , Zou Hejian , Horwitz David , Brand David , Liu Zhongmin , Zheng Song Guo
Published: August 2010

Recent studies have demonstrated that plasticity of naturally occurring CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (nTregs) may account for their inability to control chronic inflammation in established autoimmune diseases. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA), the active derivative of vitamin A, has been demonstrated to promote Foxp3+ Treg differentiation and suppress Th17 development. In this study, we report a vital role of atRA in sustaining the stability and functionality of nTregs in the presence of IL-6. We found that nTregs treated with atRA were resistant to Th17 and other Th cell conversion and maintained Foxp3 expression and suppressive activity in the presence of IL-6 in vitro. atRA decreased IL-6R expression and signaling by nTregs. Of interest, adoptive transfer of nTregs even from arthritic mice treated with atRA suppressed progression of established collagen-induced arthritis. We suggest that nTregs treated with atRA may represent a novel treatment strategy to control established chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Neutrophils Influence the Level of Antigen Presentation during the Immune Response to Protein Antigens in Adjuvants
Authors: Yang Chiao-Wen , Strong Beverly S. I. , Miller Mark J. , Unanue Emil R.
Published: August 2010

Neutrophils modulated Ag presentation following immunization with Ags in CFA or IFA or alum. The neutrophils had an important negative role in the CD4 T cell and B cell responses to three protein Ags: hen egg white lysozyme, OVA, and listeriolysin O. In their absence (by depleting with Abs for only the first 24 h, or using genetically neutropenic mice), the cellular responses increased several-fold. The CD8 response was not affected or slightly decreased. Competition for Ag between the presenting cells and the neutrophils, as well as an effect on the response to Ag-bearing dendritic cells (DCs), was documented. Neutrophils entered the draining lymph nodes rapidly and for a brief period of several hours, localizing mainly to the marginal sinus and superficial cortex. There they established brief contact with DCs and macrophages. Moreover, neutrophils imprinted on the quality of the subsequent DC–T cell interactions, despite no physical contact with them; by intravital microscopy, the clustering of Ag-specific T cells and DCs was improved in neutropenic mice. Thus, neutrophils are obligate cells that briefly enter sites of immunization and set the level of Ag presentation. A brief depletion may have a considerably positive impact on vaccination.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Mortality in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Recipients
Authors: Cheema Aamir , Singh Tejwant , Kanwar Manreet , Chilukuri Karuna , Maria Viqar , Saleem Fareena , Johnson Katrina , Frank John , Pires Luis , Hassan Sohail
Published: August 2010

Incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains high. Limited data is available about whether implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can prevent arrhythmic death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the impact of CKD on all-cause and sudden cardiac death in ICD recipients. We evaluated 441 consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation at our center between 1994 and 2002. We found that mortality rate was higher in patients with eGFR<60 mL/min and those with ESRD on hemodialysis (43%,n=69/162and 54%,n=12/22, resp.) than in patients with eGFR≥60 mL/min (23%,n=58/257;P<.0005). The SCD rate was also higher in the patients with ESRD (50%) than in CKD patients not on dialysis (10.2%;P<.0005). Mortality rate for single-chamber ICDs was 56.8% in comparison with dual-chamber ICDs (38.1%) and for biventricular ICDs (5.0%) (P<.0005).
Afrikaner Christianity and the concept of empire
Authors: Oliver Erna
Published: August 2010

Not many Protestant countries in the world have been as influenced by faith as South Africa. Although South Africa was never officially a Christian country, politics, economic development, social life and the culture of the �rainbow nation� was either moulded on, or influenced by, the Calvinistic Christianity that came to the country along with the European merchants. The privileged position of Christianity ended in 1994 when South Africa became a neutral state with guaranteed religious freedom for all. Although more than 80 per cent of the population claim that they are Christians, it seems as if the word is not meant any more as a religion with a value system and moral obligations, but only as a convenient label. The reason behind the contrast between theory and practice must be investigated. One possible reason could be found in the traditional Afrikaans-speaking churches� participation of, and contribution to, the �empire� concept. The responsibility of the individual to practise his or her faith was taken over by the power of the state and church.Bokriste bja Maafrikanere le kgopolo ya mmu�o wo maatlaGa se dinaga t�e nt�i t�a Protestante mo lefaseng t�e di huedit�wego ke tumelo go swana le ka fao naga ya Afrika-Borwa e huedit�wego ke tumelo ka gona. Le ge Afrika-Borwa e sa ka ya ba naga ya Sekriste semmu�o, dipolitiki, tlhabollo ya t�a ekonomi, bophelo bja leago le set�o sa �set�haba sa molalatladi�, se ka ba se bopegile godimo ga, goba se huedit�we ke Bokriste bja Secalvine bjo bo tlilego le bagwebi ba Yuropa. Maemo a go phagama ao a bego a filwe tumelo ya Sekriste a fedile ka ngwaga wa 1994 ge Afrika-Borwa e eba naga ya kemelathoko ya go fa bohle tokologo ya bodumedi. Le ge diphesente t�a go feta 80 t�a set�haba di ipit�a Bakriste, go bonala nke lent�u leo ga le sa �omi�wa go hlalo�a tumelo ye e nago le meetlo le maitshwaro a it�eng a setho, eup�a le no �omi�wa e le seka sa go re mponeng ke Mokriste. Lebaka la thulano magareng ga teori le mediro ya ka mehla le swanet�e go nyaki�i�wa. Le lengwe la mabaka ao e ka ba ge dikereke t�a set�o t�a Maafrikanere di na le seabe le go hlohlelet�a kgopolo ya �mmu�o wo maatla� goba �bogo�i�. Maikarabelo a motho yo mongwe le yo mongwe go phela go ya ka tumelo ya gagwe a ile a fedi�wa ke maatla a magolo a mmu�o le a kereke.
Biological behavior of preneoplastic conditions of the endometrium: A retrospective 16-year study in south India
Authors: Rao Shalinee , Sundaram Sandhya , Narasimhan Raghavan
Published: August 2010

Background:The biological behavior of endometrial carcinoma differs in epidemiology, presentation, and prognosis, suggesting that there are two fundamentally different pathogenic types of disease: type I (estrogen related, endometrioid type) and type II (non-estrogen related, non-endometrioid type). Untreated hyperplasia can develop into an endometrioid type of adenocarcinoma, hence, it is important to recognize the former type. In contrast to cervical cancers, there are limited studies with respect to the biology of hyperplastic lesions documented from India. This was a 16-year retrospective study, carried out to determine the nature and outcome of proliferative lesions of the endometrium in a referral center from south India.Materials and Methods:A histopathological diagnosis of the endometrial hyperplasia, polyp, and carcinoma, on endometrial biopsy and hysterectomy specimens, over a 16 year period (1983 to 1999), were recorded in a computer and the case slides were reviewed. Using the computer software Foxpro, the patients who had come more than once for a subsequent or previous biopsy were identified. An attempt was made to look for progression, regression or a static nature of the lesion in the follow-up cases.Results:A total of 1778 cases were studied, and only 74 patients with endometrial hyperplasia and five cases of benign endometrial polyp had follow-up endometrial histopathology. Hyperplasia cases included 59 cases of simple hyperplasia, 10 cases of complex hyperplasia without atypia, and five cases with atypia. The predominant age for patients with all types of hyperplasias was 41 - 50 years. Progression to a higher grade was seen in 8.10%, regression to a lower grade was seen in 9.45%, lesions reverted to a normal pattern in 10.81% cases, and lesions persisted in 70.27% of the cases. A mixed pattern was seen in 54 cases, with predominant coexistent lesion being simple and complex hyperplasia without atypia.Conclusion:The fate of the hyperplastic lesion of the endometrium showed a varied pattern. Follow-up cases predominantly showed persistence of the lesion, possibly resulting from a fluctuating but higher level of estrogenic stimulus. Hence, it was not only the high levels of estrogen that influenced the biology, but its sustenance for a prolonged period.
Intestinal mantle cell lymphoma recurring at laparotomy scar region
Authors: Ray Amitabh , Basu Ayan , Goswami Jyotirup , Bhattacharya Kalyan
Published: August 2010

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a moderately aggressive variety of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Extranodal presentation of MCL is well known, the intestine being a common site. The incidence of colorectal involvement is relatively rare. Moreover, the recurrence of the disease at laparotomy scar site is even more rare. We report an unusual case of incision line recurrence in a case of colonic MCL occuring three years after initial treatment.
Non-splitting in Kirchberg's Ideal-relatedKK-Theory
Authors: Eilers Søren , Restorff Gunnar , Ruiz Efren
Published: August 2010

A. Bonkat obtained a universal coefficient theorem in the setting of Kirchberg's ideal-relatedKK-theory in the fundamental case of aC*-algebra with one specified ideal. The universal coefficient sequence was shown to split, unnaturally, under certain conditions. Employing certainK-theoretical information derivable from the given operator algebras using a method introduced here, we shall demonstrate that Bonkat's UCT does not split in general. Related methods lead to information on the complexity of theK-theory which must be used to classify ∗-isomorphisms for purely infiniteC*-algebras with one non-trivial ideal.
Molecular Evidence of Bartonella Infection in Domestic Dogs from Algeria, North Africa, by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Authors: Kernif Tahar , Aissi Meriem , Doumandji Salah-Eddine , Chomel Bruno B. , Raoult Didier , Bitam Idir
Published: August 2010

Bartonella species are being recognized as important bacterial human and canine pathogens, and are associated with multiple arthropod vectors. Bartonella DNA extracted from blood samples was obtained from domestic dogs in Algiers, Algeria. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analyses of the ftsZ gene and the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ITS) were performed. Three Bartonella species: Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Bartonells elizabethae were detected infecting Algerian dogs. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of detection by PCR amplification of Bartonella in dogs in North Africa.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Malaria Vector-Control Interventions Through a Mathematical Model
Authors: Chitnis Nakul , Schapira Allan , Smith Thomas , Steketee Richard
Published: August 2010

Although some malaria-control programs are beginning to combine insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), little is known about the effectiveness of such combinations. We use a mathematical model to compare the effectiveness of ITNs and IRS with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or bendiocarb, applied singly and in combination, in an epidemiological setting based in Namawala, Tanzania, with Anopheles gambiae as the primary vector. Our model indicates that although both IRS (with DDT) and ITNs provide personal protection, humans with only ITNs are better protected than those with only IRS, and suggests that high coverage of IRS with bendiocarb may interrupt transmission, as can simultaneous high coverage of ITNs and IRS with DDT. When adding a second vector-control intervention, it is more effective to cover the unprotected population first. Although our model includes some assumptions and approximations that remain to be addressed, these findings should be useful for prioritizing and designing future field research.
Does Water Hyacinth on East African Lakes Promote Cholera Outbreaks?
Authors: Feikin Daniel R. , Tabu Collins W. , Gichuki John
Published: August 2010

Cholera outbreaks continue to occur regularly in Africa. Cholera has been associated with proximity to lakes in East Africa, and Vibrio cholerae has been found experimentally to concentrate on the floating aquatic plant, water hyacinth, which is periodically widespread in East African lakes since the late 1980s. From 1994 to 2008, Nyanza Province, which is the Kenyan province bordering Lake Victoria, accounted for a larger proportion of cholera cases than expected by its population size (38.7% of cholera cases versus 15.3% of national population). Yearly water-hyacinth coverage on the Kenyan section of Lake Victoria was positively associated with the number of cholera cases reported in Nyanza Province (r = 0.83; P = 0.0010). Water hyacinth on freshwater lakes might play a role in initiating cholera outbreaks and causing sporadic disease in East Africa.
An Outbreak of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in U.S. Marines Deployed to Liberia
Authors: Whitman Timothy J. , Coyne Philip E. , Magill Alan J. , Blazes David L. , Green Michael D. , Milhous Wilbur K. , Burgess Timothy H. , Freilich Daniel , Tasker Sybil A. , Azar Ramzy G. , Endy Timothy P. , Clagett Christopher D. , Deye Gregory A. , Shanks G. Dennis , Martin Gregory J.
Published: August 2010

In 2003, 44 U.S. Marines were evacuated from Liberia with either confirmed or presumed Plasmodium falciparum malaria. An outbreak investigation showed that only 19 (45%) used insect repellent, 5 (12%) used permethrin-treated clothing, and none used bed netting. Adherence with weekly mefloquine (MQ) was reported by 23 (55%). However, only 4 (10%) had serum MQ levels high enough to correlate with protection (> 794 ng/mL), and 9 (22%) had evidence of steady-state kinetics (MQ carboxy metabolite/MQ > 3.79). Tablets collected from Marines met USP identity and dissolution specifications for MQ. Testing failed to identify P. falciparum isolates with MQ resistance. This outbreak resulted from under use of personal protective measures and inadequate adherence with chemophrophylaxis. It is essential that all international travelers make malaria prevention measures a priority, especially when embarking to regions of the world with high transmission intensity such as west Africa.

“Good doctors are of no use without good discipline. More than half the battle against disease is not fought by doctors, but by regimental officers. It is they who see that the daily dose of mepacrine (anti-malarial chemoprophylactic drug used in WW II) is taken…if mepacrine was not taken, I sacked the commander. I only had to sack three; by then the rest had got my meaning.”

—Lieutenant General William Slim (1891–1970), Burma Campaign, 1943