bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intangible costs of human‐resource outsourcing
Authors: Sim Mandy
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Describes some of the dangers in outsourcing some human‐resource management tasks while keeping others in‐house.

Design/methodology/approach

Explains why some organizations have decided to outsource aspects of their HR. Shows that the measure, usually designed to cut financial costs, can entail intangible costs.

Findings

Argues that major organizational change can be more difficult to achieve if part of the HR function is outsourced; that the recruitment process could be compromised; that outsourcing transactional aspects of HR can make it more difficult for HR people to get training in these areas; and that HR outsourcing can make an organization less flexible.

Practical implications

Contends that a shared service center could be a better option, in some cases, as it can keep human‐resource functions in‐house while simultaneously contributing to cost saving by consolidating transaction‐based activities in one place within the organization.

Social implications

Advances the view that measures that can seem, on the surface, to cut costs, can end up being more expensive.

Originality/value

Concentrates on the non‐financial aspects of HR outsourcing.
In search of spiritual leadership
Authors: Altman Yochanan
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Lynne Sedgmore, CBE, Executive Director of 157 Group UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

Lynne Sedgmore, CBE, is executive director of the 157 Group UK and was formerly chief executive of the UK Centre for Excellence in Leadership. A corporate mystic, her leadership style in her role as principal of Guildford College of Further and Higher Education, UK, was subject of a PhD dissertation. The achievements of the Centre for Excellence in Leadership under her leadership (2003‐2008) have been documented in a series of reports and papers and are now a topic for a book (in writing). The Centre for Excellence in Leadership was awarded the International Spirit at Work Award for its achievements as a spiritual organization. Lynne Sedgmore was awarded the CBE for services to education in 2004.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

This interview provides definitions and conceptualizations of spiritual leasdership.
Interview with Jonathan Passmore
Authors: by Juliet Norton Interview
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Dr Jonathan Passmore, one of the UK's leading coaches. He is a chartered occupational psychologist, an accredited AC coach, a coaching supervisor and fellow of the CIPD.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

In this interview, Jonathan discusses the Association for Coaching's series of books on the topic of coaching, in particular, the most recent publication in the series: “Leadership Coaching”, which examines the models and techniques used to develop greater leadership in others through a coaching relationship.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value

Before training as a psychologist, Jonathan worked in several senior management roles in the private, public and voluntary sector at board level. In this interview, he draws on his experiences both as an occupational psychologist and leadership coach, providing some interesting insights into the dilemmas and challenges which leader managers' face.
Entrepreneurial risk taking: empirical evidence from UK family firms
Authors: Wang Yong , Poutziouris Panikkos
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The theme of this paper is entrepreneurial risk taking. Specifically, the paper has twofold objectives: to develop insights into individual and familial correlates of risk‐taking propensity in family firms; to explore impacts of risk taking on business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was conducted with the sampling frame outlined based on the FAME database. A total of 236 companies participated in this survey.

Findings

The results suggest that individual and familial variables will determine the risk‐taking propensity, specifically entrepreneur's industrial tenure, age, and the controlling generation in family businesses. Furthermore, risk‐taking intensity correlates with business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The cross‐sectional rather than longitudinal design of the study determines that it can only proffer a snapshot of the scenario. Further, the current study excludes non‐incorporated firms. Future explorative studies in a similar vein may be executed through channels of national and local development agencies to capture non‐incorporated firms.

Originality/value

Recent recognition of the intertwinement of family and business in family firms has led to the assumption that risk‐taking propensity in family firms is influenced by family ownership and family associated concerns. Nonetheless, rarely has the influence of family on risk‐taking propensity and the ensuing performance been addressed in the literature. The insights developed by this original exploration will broaden the knowledge landscape of family firms and entrepreneurial venturing allowing us to better understand how family firms can survive and prosper in the increasingly competitive market.
ICTs and knowledge management: an Italian case study of a construction company
Authors: Bigliardi Barbara , Ivo Dormio Alberto , Galati Francesco
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to investigate the process of knowledge creation and transfer in project‐based organizations, with particular reference to a construction firm, emphasizing first the importance of knowledge transfer, in tacit or explicit form, between the various actors of a project, and then the importance of the information and communication technology (ICT) in supporting project‐based organizations (PBOs).

Design/methodology/approach

Above all, a series of round‐table meetings were developed with six managers of as many construction companies, with a twofold purpose: to understand how companies are managing knowledge, and to understand how a company may reach the excellence through its knowledge activities. Then, one out of these six companies was chosen as example of excellence and described as case study to further develop and investigate the knowledge management (KM).

Findings

The adoption of a phased approach to manage knowledge appears to be a promising means of enhancing the management and transfer of new knowledge derived from the different projects; moreover, the case study shows how ICTs may be effectively used in KM.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited due to the focused nature of the case study.

Practical implications

This case study shows that KM is a powerful tool for PBOs, and allows every company to generate and disseminate knowledge, and to transfer it into activities that produce value for the enterprise as the main source of their competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This paper is a real case study showing KM applications in the construction industry.
Measuring organizational performance and organizational excellence of SMEs – Part 2: an empirical study on SMEs in India
Authors: Antony Job P. , Bhattacharyya Sanghamitra
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically establish an indigenously developed model for measuring organizational performance and organizational excellence, and to examine the relationship between organizational performance and organizational excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a model based on seven variables, at the overall and work unit level, for measuring organizational performance and organizational excellence – tested by using a large sample. A structured questionnaire is developed for collecting data from 407 respondents from 230 organizations. Summated scale average method is used for calculation of organizational performance and a total correlation method is used for the calculation of organizational excellence.

Findings

It is established that organizational performance and organizational excellence could be measured by consolidating performance variables, using two different methods: performance can be measured by averaging the performance variable scores, and excellence can be measured by averaging the correlations of performance variable scores. Based on the study, a new general definition for organizational excellence is proposed, as “the outstanding measure of relationship of all performance variables influencing an organization's functioning”.

Practical implications

The model, developed and tested for measuring performance and excellence, can be used by small and medium enterprises to evaluate their performance and excellence separately and periodically. The study helps managers to recognize organizational excellence as a measure needing special attention instead of taking it as an outstanding value of organizational performance.

Originality/value

The definition and model developed and tested for measuring excellence can contribute significantly to existing literature on excellence measurement. This will help researchers to study organizational excellence as a separate organizational behavior, instead of limiting it as a terminal value of organizational performance.
A note on probabilistic confidence of the stock market ILS interval forecasts
Authors: Hu Chenyi
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to associate a probabilistic confidence with the stock market interval forecasts obtained with the interval least squares (ILS) algorithm. The term probabilistic confidence in this paper means the probability of a point observation that will fall in the interval forecast.

Design/methodology/approach

Using confidence interval as input, annual ILS forecasts of the stock market were made. Then the probability of point observation that fall in the annual forecasts was examined empirically.

Findings

When using confidence interval as ILS input, the stock market annual interval forecasts may have the same level of confidence as that of the input intervals.

Research limitations/implications

At the same confidence level, the ILS can produce much better quality forecasts than the traditional ordinary least squares method for the stock market. Although the algorithmic approach can be applied to analyze other datasets, one should examine implications of computational results as always.

Practical implications

Results of this specific paper may be interesting to executive officers, other financial decision makers and to investors.

Originality/value

Although the ILS algorithm has been recently developed in forecasting the variability of the stock market, this paper presents the first successful attempt in associating a probabilistic confidence with ILS interval forecasts.
Knowledge construction and risk induction/mitigation in dialogical workgroup processes
Authors: Holford W. David
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge is constructed and risk is induced within the workgroup environment of a large North American aerospace company.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an epistemological position on knowledge and risk, an initial conceptual framework is proposed. This is then evaluated and re‐constructed across a qualitative and ethnographic case study approach involving direct observations and interviews, whereby empirical results were interpreted and analysed across discourse analysis.

Findings

A dialogical model is proposed describing both verbal and non‐verbal interactions between group members leading towards knowledge complexification on the one hand and risk mitigation on the other hand. Factors leading towards dialogical breakdown and subsequent risk induction are also presented.

Research limitations/implications

This single case study prevents generalizing the findings across the entire firm in question, and by extension any manner of external validity outside of the firm's context. Additional workgroups/teams within the firm need to be evaluated, while similar studies in other institutions within the knowledge economy are to be envisaged.

Practical implications

Workgroup managers must nurture an environment conducive towards mutual trust and respect, where individuals are given the time and freedom to express themselves, all the while being open to differing viewpoints and experiences. Coercive dialogue between members should be discouraged. It is proposed that this can be achieved across a parental “safety net” approach.

Originality/value

The paper presents the “how” and “why” of an effective dialogical knowledge constructing process occurring at the interpersonal level, attempts to propose how management can to help achieve this within their organisation, and attempts to bridge the areas of knowledge creation and risk induction at the interpersonal/workgroup level.
The effects of communicative interactions on meaning construction in group situations
Authors: Rose‐Anderssen C. , Baldwin J.S. , Ridgway K.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of communicative interaction on meaning construction in three focus group interviews.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the framework of cultural‐historical activity theory, Bakhtin's perspectives of communicative interaction was applied to three interview cases on commercial aerospace supply chains.

Findings

These interactions are found to self‐organise without the control of any single actor. However, interventions by interviewees or the researcher affect the outcome when they create disturbances that go beyond the resilience of the established perspectives of the focus group community. The researcher's intervention or guidance is helpful in opening up reality perspectives of the community.

Research limitations/implications

Focus group interviews may be difficult to control by the researcher. The potential for gathering rich data may, however, out‐weigh that.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates how focus group interviews enhance the richness of data collection compared to other interview methods.
The effect of prompting to students with different learning styles
Authors: Papadopoulos Pantelis M. , Demetriadis Stavros N. , Stamelos Ioannis G. , Tsoukalas Ioannis A.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of question prompts on student learning in relation to their learning styles. The context of the study is technology‐enhanced learning in an ill‐structured domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conditions were the same for all the students in the four learning style groups. Student learning style was the independent variable, while students' attitudes and task performance were the dependent variables of the study. Pre‐test treatment post‐test method was used. Students studied in a web‐based learning environment during treatment.

Findings

The integration of question prompts as student supporting tool in technology‐enhanced learning environments might not improve learning for all students alike independent of their learning styles.

Research limitations/implications

Small uneven groups because the researcher has no control over the student distribution across the different learning style profiles.

Practical implications

The suggestion for designers is to consider combining prompting with other scaffolding methods, in order to effectively support all students independent of their learning styles.

Originality/value

The paper combines learning in ill‐structured domains through cases and a scaffolding method based on question prompts focusing on contextual elements. The results of the study inform the designers of TELEs that although prompting can be generally helpful, parameters such as the students' learning style are able to limit the cognitive benefit emerging from the prompting intervention.
Everyday life as a creative experience in cities
Authors: Maitland Robert
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how overseas visitors experience off‐the‐beaten‐track areas and everyday life in London.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially scoped through quantitative research using visitor surveys involving some 400 respondents, the study was subsequently developed through qualitative research: 49 semi‐structured interviews with visitors from a wide range of countries.

Findings

These areas offer city visitors opportunities to create their own narratives and experiences of the city, and to build a cultural capital in a convivial relationship with other city users. At the same time, visitors contribute to the discovery of new areas for tourism ‐ and in some sense the creation of new places to visit.

Research limitations/implications

Further research in other areas of London and in other world tourism cities is needed to develop ideas discussed here.

Practical implications

Subtler forms of tourism marketing are required to develop the potential of areas like those discussed in the paper.

Social implications

Some tourists and residents enjoy a convivial and complementary relationship in area development.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on everyday life as an element in the attraction that cities exert for tourists, and on the visitors' contribution to recreating the city.
Access to housing finance by the urban poor
Authors: Kyessi Alphonce , Furaha Germain
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Any attempt to improve housing quality goes concurrently with improvement of income level and with economic development. The purpose of this paper is to assess the viability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in financing housing improvement for the urban poor.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to understand in great depth the viability of MFIs in housing finance for the urban poor in Tanzania, the case study strategy was applied, with five sub‐cases, which form the smallest unit of analysis.

Findings

Most housing financing initiatives carried out by governments and large financial institutions often end up benefiting the high/middle income segment. Administrative procedures, terms and conditions set up by the government and banking institutions exclude the poor due to their low affordability levels. As the poor cannot meet the set stringent conditions; the MFIs that are growing in numbers in Tanzania and other developing countries have been their alternative strategy for housing finance.

Research limitations/implications

Close linkage exists between the housing loans, housing improvement and poverty alleviation among the urban poor in informal housing settlement.

Practical implications

WAT‐SACCOS, a housing MFI, has devised a repayment schedule, which is viable, compatible and affordable for the poor. These types of institutions can be used as intermediaries between large financial institutions, including commercial banks and the poor, to make it easier for the latter to access housing loans. Public‐private and popular partnerships facilitate the availability of financial services for the urban poor.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the literature in that, whilst housing issues should continue to be at the top of development and political agenda, housing MFI assists in ensuring that the poor get access to housing, which is regarded as a poverty reduction asset.
The determinants of gender pay gap in Portuguese private firms
Authors: Manuel Coelho Duarte Carlos , Esperança José P. , Curto José D. , Santos Maria C. , Carapeto Maria
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the existence of gender segregation and to analyse the determinants of gender income disparity in Portuguese private firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The main research instrument is a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire with 3,906 individuals from 75 Portuguese private firms. This paper uses separate multivariate ordered tobit models for men and women.

Findings

It is found that job segregation is one of the major sources of gender inequality in the labour market but does not contribute for a considerable gender pay gap. In fact only scant and nuanced evidence of a negative gap of 2.2 percent against women is found. However, no support for the contention that women are systematically underpaid if they work in occupations where females are predominant is found. When it comes to variable pay, differences between men and women are less significant than with base pay.

Practical implications

The paper reveals that the under‐representation of women in high‐paying jobs and their over‐representation in low‐paying clerical and service occupations are key in explaining the existence of a glass ceiling. Despite that it appears wage disparity does exist, and that it will probably continue to exist, the results point towards a window of opportunity for women.

Originality/value

The paper shows that with a higher contribution of men in household and childcare activities, women will have more time and opportunity for lobbying activities, which will increase their opportunities for higher career.
Conflict management style in Uganda: a gender perspective
Authors: Manyak Terrell G. , Wasswa Katono Isaac
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate whether differences exist in the conflict management styles exhibited by male and female managers at different organizational levels in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

Using samples from organizations within Uganda, the paper utilizes the Rahim Organization Conflict Inventory to collect data.

Findings

Independent samplet‐tests of the hypotheses reveal that basically no statistically significant differences exist in the way men and women in Uganda handle conflict when dealing with subordinates, peers, or supervisors.

Research limitations/implications

Research is restricted to a convenience sample of educated working men and women in the greater Kampala urban area. The findings serve to dispel the widely held myth that women in Uganda use significantly different management styles than men because of the patrilineal nature of the male dominated society.

Practical implications

The paper shows that Ugandan women exhibit little difference from their male counterparts in how they deal with conflict. They also have much in common with their female counterparts in the developed world in confronting gender based discrimination in the workplace.

Social implications

The findings of this paper neutralize some of the negative connotations about women in Uganda and may help lead to a protracted campaign to change the attitudes toward women in this patriarchal society.

Originality/value

Little is known in Africa about the conflict management styles of women because they are only now becoming a significant element in the economies of developing countries. This paper fills some of gaps.
Cummins India: brand leadership through service excellence
Authors: Varghese Thomas
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the fact that brand image creation is an elaborate and long‐term activity through consistent strategic initiatives and the importance of understanding customer expectations and delivering them consistently.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based mainly on the information gathered by conducting interviews with executives of the case study company (Cummins India Ltd), field sales and service team members of the company and some important customers.

Findings

Cummins in India has been the market leader in manufacturing diesel, gas, and dual fuel engines for various industrial purposes such as generating sets, industrial, mining, and marine applications. The case mainly focuses on the generating set market where customers look for a brand which can assure not only a quality product, but also quality service. It covers a series of activities initiated by Cummins India Ltd, that span about two decades to make available spare parts and service support to customers. The case is a description of the history of Cummins India creating an organizational structure with service focus, a culture of service orientation and the systems to ensure service delivery. This corporate brand image has contributed immensely to the success of the company.

Originality/value

The paper is based mostly on primary information gathered through interviews and provides an insight into various initiatives of a successful organization to develop a customer‐focused service strategy.
On the Swarming of Vorticella.
Authors: Fox H. Munro , Newth H. G.
Published: August 2010

Vorticella campanula and F. chlorostigma periodically form swarms of free‐swimming individuals. All the members of a sessile group leave their stalks at the same time. The resulting swarm is held together by mucus which the free‐swimming animals secrete. After a time the swarmers settle again in groups, and grow new stalks. Swarming is apparently not connected with asexual reproduction or with conjugation. Its cause is unknown.
15. The Breeding Characters of Salmon in Relation to their Size.
Authors: Tchernavin Dr. V.
Published: August 2010

The breeding changes in salmon have attracted much attention from scientists and a considerable number of papers have been published on this subject (see Appendix), but the factors upon which the degree of development of these changes depends have not been studied.

One of these factors is the size of the breeding fish. The influence of this factor is great, and no clear understanding of the breeding characters is possible without such a study. Apparently all the various changes in the breeding salmon, growth of bones, cartilages, and teeth, changes in scales, thickening of the skin, changes in muscles and in colouring, etc., depend upon the size of the breeding fish.

A preliminary study could not detect any difference between a ripe salmon parr (male 87 mm. long) and other parr salmon (with juvenile genitals) of the same age, locality, and size. In a male grilse 532 mm. long the breeding characters are obvious; in a male 1003 mm. long these characters are developed to an extreme degree.

The present study is very limited. Only the skulls of salmon were studied from a small series of breeding specimens, eleven males from 532 mm. to 1003 mm. long and six females from 602 mm. to 910 mm. long. (Details of the material are given above.)

The results of this study can be thus summarized.
On Cladonema myersi, a new species of hydroid from the Californian Coast
Authors: REES W. J.
Published: August 2010

Summary.

The description of a new species of Cladonema from California, differing from the European species, mainly in the absence of filiform tentacles in the hydroid, and in the number of radial canals and details of tentacles in the medusa.
GROWTH, SIZE AND REPRODUCTION IN DAPHNIA (CRUSTACEA: CLADOCERA)*
Authors: GREEN J.
Published: August 2010

Factors influencing the growth of Daphnia are summarized; it is shown that lack of oxygen inhibits the growth of Daphnia magna.

Synchronization of egg laying by females in samples from natural populations has been found on several occasions.

The pre‐adult growth of Daphnia has been studied by rearing 207 specimens belonging to eight species in standard conditions. The greatest growth increment does not always occur at the end of the adolescent instar; it may occur at the end of the pre‐adolescent instar or more rarely even earlier.

Initial size influences the instar in which maturity is reached; as the initial size increases the animals tend to become mature in earlier instars.

In single samples from natural populations a direct correlation has been found between the size of the females and the number of eggs carried in their brood pouches. This applies to several species of Daphnia and certainother Cladocera (excluding the subfamily Chydorinae).

Synchronous fluctuations in the size of parthenogenetic females and the number of eggs in their brood pouches have been found in a population of D. magna.

Factors influencing the size of eggs and young are analysed. Within a species the following factors are operative: egg number in relation to the size of the mother, the age of the mother, inherited racial or clonal characteristics, available food and temperature.

The size of the ephippial eggs of D. magna varies with the size of the female producing them. The ephippial eggs may be bigger or smaller than the parthenogenetic eggs.

The eggs of thirty‐three species of Cladocera have been measured. The larger species produce eggs which are slightly larger in relation to maternal size than those of the smaller species.

A mature female of D. magna can assimilate enough material during each instar to produce eggs with a dry weight at least equal to that of her body after the eggs have been laid.

The dry weight of the parthenogenetic egg of D. magna diminishes by 16 to 25 per cent during embryonic development.
A NOTE ON THE PYGMY RIGHT WHALE,CAPEREA MARGINATAGRAY
Authors: DAVIES J. L. , GUILER E. R.
Published: August 2010

Three Tasmanian strandings of the Pygmy Right Whale are recorded for 1956 and some details of the external appearance of one of these are given. Existing descriptions of the species need some modification and amplification. A table showing the known occurrences of the species, together with locality, date, sex, body length, skull length, authority and present whereabouts is presented and from this information certain suggestions as to the status and habits of the animal are made. The species probably represents an archaic stock which has survived in the Southern Hemisphere with a relic distribution by developing peculiar bottom dwelling habits.
FURTHER EXPERIMENTS ON COLORATION AND RELATIVE ACCEPTABILITY OF INSECTS TO BIRDS
Authors: JONES FRANK MORTON
Published: August 2010

By Frank Morton Jones, Sc.D.
Macronutrient balance mediates trade‐offs between immune function and life history traits
Authors: Cotter Sheena C. , Simpson Stephen J. , Raubenheimer David , Wilson Kenneth
Published: August 2010

1. Diet and health are intimately linked and recent studies have found that caloric restriction can affect immune function. However, when given a choice between diets that differ in their macronutrient composition, pathogen–infected individuals can select a diet that improves their survival, suggesting that the nutritional composition of the diet, as well as its calorie content, can play a role in defence against disease. Moreover, as individuals change their diet when infected, it suggests that a diet that is optimal for growth is not optimal for immunity, leading to trade‐offs.

2. Currently, our knowledge of the effects of diet on immunity is limited because previous experiments have manipulated either single nutrients or the calorie content of the diet without considering their interactive effects. By simultaneously manipulating both the diet composition (quality) and its caloric density (quantity), in both naive and immune‐challenged insects, we asked how do diet quality and quantity influence an individual’s ability to mount an immune response? And to what extent are allocation trade‐offs driven by quantity‐ versus quality‐based constraints?

3. We restricted individuals to 20 diets varying in their protein and carbohydrate content and used 3D response surfaces to visualize dietary effects on larval growth and immune traits. Our results show that both constitutive and induced immune responses are not limited by the total quantity of nutrients consumed, but rather different traits respond differently to variation in the ratios of macronutrients (diet quality), and peak in different regions of macronutrient space. The preferred dietary composition therefore represents a compromise between the nutritional requirements of growth and immune responses. We also show that a non‐pathogenic immune challenge does not affect diet choice, rather immune‐challenged insects modify their allocation of nutrients to improve their immune response.

4. Our results indicate that immune traits are affected by the macronutrient content of the diet and that no diet can simultaneously optimize all components of the immune system. To date the emphasis has been on the effects of micronutrients in improving immunity, our findings indicate that this must be widened to include the neglected impact of macronutrients on defence against disease.
Characterization of inflammatory cell infiltrate in human dental pulpitis
Authors: Bruno K. F. , Silva J. A. , Silva T. A. , Batista A. C. , Alencar A. H. G. , Estrela C.
Published: August 2010

Bruno KF, Silva JA, Silva TA, Batista AC, Alencar AHG, Estrela C. Characterization of inflammatory cell infiltrate in human dental pulpitis. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 1013–1021, 2010.

Introduction  To evaluate the microscopic characteristics and densities (per mm2) of tryptase+ mast cells, CD4+ T helper lymphocytes, CD45RO+ memory T lymphocytes, foxp3+ T regulatory lymphocytes, CD20+ B lymphocytes, CD68+ macrophages, and CD31+ blood vessels in human dental pulpitis (n = 38) and healthy pulpal tissue (n = 6).

Methodology  The pulps of 38 human teeth with a clinical diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis were removed by pulpectomy. The pulp tissue was immersed in 10% buffered formalin for evaluation using light microscopy. Tryptase, CD4, CD45RO, foxp3, CD20, CD68, and CD31 expressions were analysed using immunohistochemistry; other microscopic features, such as intensity of inflammatory infiltrate and collagen deposition, were evaluated using haematoxylin and eosin stain. Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at α = 5%.

Results  Two microscopic patterns of pulpitis were found: group 1 (G1) (n = 15) had an intense inflammatory infiltrate and mild collagen deposition; conversely, group 2 (G2) (n = 23) had a scarce inflammatory infiltrate and intense collagen deposition. The numbers of CD68+ macrophages (P = 0.004) and CD20+ B (P = 0.068) lymphocytes and the density of blood vessels (P = 0.002) were higher in G1 than in G2. However, a similar number of CD4+ and CD45RO+ T lymphocytes was found in both groups (P > 0.05). When present, tryptase+ mast cells were equally distributed in G1 and G2, whereas foxp3+ T regulatory lymphocytes were detected in 59% and 14% of the samples of G1 and G2. Controls exhibited lower numbers of foxp3, tryptase, CD4, CD45RO, CD68 and CD20 positive cells than G1 and G2.

Conclusions  Irreversible pulpitis had distinct microscopic features with important quantitative and qualitative differences in inflammatory cell infiltration.
The value of testing semen for Chlamydia trachomatis in men of infertile couples
Authors: Eley A. , Pacey A. A.
Published: August 2010

Chlamydia trachomatis is an important bacterial cause of infertility. In men, the recommended specimen for diagnosing chlamydial infection is urine, with little or no emphasis placed on testing semen. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to search for studies in which men undergoing investigations for infertility produced both samples of urine and semen that were tested concurrently for C. trachomatis. An analysis of these studies was then performed. From 322 papers identified from the US National Library of Medicine PubMed database, 14 were selected for a detailed review and 11 were analysed further. Overall, the size of the study groups was only modest and differences between the studies included variation in geography and test methodology, especially whether commercial testing systems had been used. There was also a lack of consistency with regard to including men with azoospermia. Patients were typically 30–35 years old and the median duration of infertility was about 4 years. Of those patients positive for C. trachomatis in the 11 studies, 56% could be detected in both semen and urine, 20% only in urine and 23% only in semen. Deficiencies in existing studies would not allow for a meta‐analysis, emphasizing the need for further research in this area for which a number of recommendations are made.
Widespread deficits in adult neurogenesis precede plaque and tangle formation in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hamilton Laura K. , Aumont Anne , Julien Carl , Vadnais Alexandra , Calon Frédéric , Fernandes Karl J. L.
Published: August 2010

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects cognitive modalities that are known to be regulated by adult neurogenesis, such as hippocampal‐ and olfactory‐dependent learning and memory. However, the relationship between AD‐associated pathologies and alterations in adult neurogenesis has remained contentious. In the present study, we performed a detailed investigation of adult neurogenesis in the triple transgenic (3xTg) mouse model of AD, a unique model that generates both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the hallmark pathologies of AD. In both neurogenic niches of the brain, the hippocampal dentate gyrus and forebrain subventricular zone, we found that 3xTg mice had decreased numbers of (i) proliferating cells, (ii) early lineage neural progenitors, and (iii) neuroblasts at middle age (11 months old) and old age (18 months old). These decreases correlated with major reductions in the addition of new neurons to the respective target areas, the dentate granule cell layer and olfactory bulb. Within the subventricular zone niche, cytological alterations were observed that included a selective loss of subependymal cells and the development of large lipid droplets within the ependyma of 3xTg mice, indicative of metabolic changes. Temporally, there was a marked acceleration of age‐related decreases in 3xTg mice, which affected multiple stages of neurogenesis and was clearly apparent prior to the development of amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles. Our findings indicate that AD‐associated mutations suppress neurogenesis early during disease development. This suggests that deficits in adult neurogenesis may mediate premature cognitive decline in AD.
NUMERICAL DATA, MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES AND LOCOMOTION OF THE WILD CHACMA BABOON, PAPIO URSINUS
Authors: HALL K. R. L.
Published: August 2010

Few systematic field observations of the behaviour and ecology of the Chacma baboon, Papio ursinus, have been reported since Zuckerman (1932). The present study has set out to obtain reliable evidence on all aspects of the behaviour of natural‐living groups of these animals in two regions of their extensive distribution in Southern Africa—the arid thornveld of South‐west Africa and the temperate area of the Cape Peninsula. Field work was carried out in two parts: (1) regular observations of groups of baboons in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve for a period of one year; (2) intensive observation (200 hours) of a single group in the Reserve, as well as extensive surveying of groups in the mountainous regions of South‐west Africa. The present paper gives numerical data on thirty‐one groups, analysis of group constitution, day‐ranging distances and sizes of occupied areas, times of leaving and returning to sleeping‐cliffs, and other data on routine activities. Particular attention has been paid to schedules of food and the description of feeding‐techniques, and field observation has been supplemented by some simple experimental tests on the eating of scorpions and other creatures. Close range observations were made of baboons eating shell‐fish, and some evidence is presented on the acquisition of feeding habits through observational‐learning (imitation).
THE STRUCTURE OF THE WEBERIAN APPARATUS IN THE CYPRINI
Authors: Alexander R. McN.
Published: August 2010

The Weberian apparatus of a wide variety of fish of the division Cyprini has been examined. Particular attention has been paid to the soft parts. In all cases, the structure of the apparatus can easily be derived from that found in the primitive Characinoidei: the significance of the observed differencasi is discussed. Chranilov's theory of the mechanism of the apparatus in the Cyprinidae appears to be applicable to all Cyprini, including the highly modified Nemachilus
A STUDY OF THE ECOLOGY AND BREEDING OF SMALL MAMMALS IN UGANDA
Authors: DELANY M. J.
Published: August 2010

During the latter half of 1961, six hundred and thirty‐one small mammals (mainly insectivores and rodents), representing approximately fifty species, were trapped in various types of vegetation in Uganda. These included grassland, scrub, palm forest, moist evergreen forest, moist montane forest, bamboo forest and sedge swamp in west and central Uganda as well as dry, tree savanna in the north‐east. Most habitats contained a large number of species wdh appreciable diversity occurring between habitats. Several of the species caught in comparatively large numbers, e.g. Praornys, Hylomyscus, Lemniscomys striatus, Mastoniys and Arvicanthis, showed little reproductive activity. Other species were more active. The reasons for these differences have been discussed. A small amount of information is given on the activity of animals at different times of the day.
Pioglitazone attenuates prostatic enlargement in diet‐induced insulin‐resistant rats by altering lipid distribution and hyperinsulinaemia
Authors: Vikram Ajit , Jena Gopabandhu , Ramarao Poduri
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Increased incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia among insulin‐resistant individuals suggests a role for hyperinsulinaemia in prostatic enlargement. We have already reported increased cell proliferation and enlargement of prostate gland in insulin‐resistant rats. The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the reversal of prostatic enlargement in insulin‐resistant rats by the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ agonist pioglitazone.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a normal pellet or a high‐fat diet for 12 weeks with or without pioglitazone (20 mg·kg−1). Subgroups of animals fed different diets were castrated. Effects of dietary manipulation and pioglitazone were measured on insulin sensitivity, lipid distribution, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

KEY RESULTS A high‐fat diet led to the accumulation of fat in non‐adipose tissues, insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinaemia and prostatic enlargement in rats. Pioglitazone treatment altered fat distribution, improved insulin sensitivity and normalized lipid and insulin level in rats on the high‐fat diet. The improved metabolic parameters led to decreased cellular proliferation and increased apoptosis in the prostate gland. High‐fat diet feeding and pioglitazone treatment did not change plasma testosterone levels. However, significant prostatic atrophy was observed in castrated rats irrespective of dietary intervention.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results show a previously unexplored therapeutic potential of pioglitazone for prostatic enlargement under insulin‐resistant condition and further suggest that targeting distribution of lipid from non‐adipose tissue to adipose tissue and insulin signalling could be new strategies for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Caffeine inhibits the viability and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Zhou Y , Guan XX , Zhu ZL , Guo J , Huang YC , Hou WW , Yu HY
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Caffeine is consumed extensively in Europe and North America. As a risk factor for osteoporosis, epidemiological studies have observed that caffeine can decrease bone mineral density, adversely affect calcium absorption and increase the risk of bone fracture. However, the exact mechanisms have not been fully investigated. Here, we examined the effects of caffeine on the viability and osteogenesis of rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (rBMSCs).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Cell viability, apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry. Sequential gene expressions in osteogenic process were measured by real‐time PCR. cAMP, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were assessed by immunoassay, spectrophotometry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Mineralization was determined by calcium deposition.

KEY RESULTS After treating BMSCs with high caffeine concentrations (0.1–1 mM), their viability decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner. This cell death was primarily due to necrosis and, to a small extent, apoptosis. Genes and protein sequentially expressed in osteogenesis, including Cbfa1/Runx2, collagen I, alkaline phosphatase and its protein, were significantly downregulated except for osteocalcin and its protein. Moreover, caffeine inhibited calcium deposition in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner, but increased intracellular cAMP in a concentration‐dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS By suppressing the commitment of BMSCs to the osteogenic lineage and selectively inhibiting gene expression, caffeine downregulated some important events in osteogenesis and ultimately affected bone mass.
Ibuprofen is a non‐competitive inhibitor of the peptide transporter hPEPT1 (SLC15A1): possible interactions between hPEPT1 substrates and ibuprofen
Authors: Omkvist Diana Højmark , Brodin Birger , Nielsen Carsten Uhd
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSERecently, we identified etodolac as a possible ligand for the human intestinal proton‐couple peptide transporter (hPEPT1). This raised the possibility that other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and especially ibuprofen, could also interact with hPEPT1. Here, we have assessed the interactions of ibuprofen with hPEPT1.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe uptake of [14C]Gly‐Sar, [3H]Ibuprofen and other radio‐labelled compounds were investigated in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK)/hPEPT1, MDCK/Mock, LLC‐PK1or Caco‐2 cells. The transepithelial transport of ibuprofen and hPEPT1 substrates was investigated in Caco‐2 cell monolayers.

KEY RESULTSIbuprofen concentration dependently inhibited hPEPT1‐mediated uptake of Gly‐Sar in MDCK/hPEPT1 cells (Kiapp= 0.4 mM) but uptake of ibuprofen in Caco‐2 cells and MDCK/hPEPT1 cells was not inhibited by hPEPT1 substrates. The maximum uptake rate for Gly‐Sar uptake was reduced from 522 pmol·min−1·cm−2to 181 pmol·min−1·cm−2and 78 pmol·min−1·cm−2in the presence of 0.5 mM and 1 mM ibuprofen, respectively. The interaction between ibuprofen and hPEPT1 was thus non‐competitive. In LLC‐PK1 cells, ibuprofen (1 mM) did not influence the transporter‐mediated uptake of glycine or α‐methyl‐D‐glycopyranoside. In Caco‐2 cell monolayers the absorptive transport of δ‐aminolevulinic acid was reduced by 23% and 48% by ibuprofen (1 and 10 mM), respectively. Likewise the transport of Gly‐Sar was reduced by 23% in the presence of ibuprofen (1 mM).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSIbuprofen is a non‐competitive inhibitor of hPEPT1. As ibuprofen reduced the transepithelial transport of δ‐aminolevulinic acid, drug–drug interactions between ibuprofen and hPEPT1 drug substrates at their site of absorption are possible if administered together.