bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The p97–UBXD8 complex destabilizes mRNA by promoting release of ubiquitinated HuR from mRNP
Authors: Zhou Hua-Lin , Geng Cuiyu , Luo Guangbin , Lou Hua
Published: April 2013

The assembly and disassembly of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are dynamic processes that control every step of RNA metabolism, including mRNA stability. However, our knowledge of how RNP remodeling is achieved is largely limited to RNA helicase functions. Here, we report a previously unknown mechanism that implicates the ATPase p97, a protein-remodeling machine, in the dynamic regulation of mRNP disassembly. We found that p97 and its cofactor, UBXD8, destabilize p21, MKP-1, and SIRT1, three established mRNA targets of the RNA-binding protein HuR, by promoting release of HuR from mRNA. Importantly, ubiquitination of HuR with a short K29 chain serves as the signal for release. When cells are subjected to stress conditions, the steady-state levels of HuR ubiquitination change, suggesting a new mechanism through which HuR mediates the stress response. Our studies reveal a new paradigm in RNA biology: nondegradative ubiquitin signaling-dependent disassembly of mRNP promoted by the p97–UBXD8 complex to control mRNA stability.
Leadership deficiencies in rapidly changing organizations: multisource feedback as a needs assessment tool – Part I
Authors: Longenecker Clinton O. , Yonker Robert D.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This article aims to report the results of a study concerning the key performance deficiencies found in leaders in rapidly changing organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 153 middle and front‐line managers from a cross‐section of US manufacturing and service organizations were asked to assemble a multisource feedback (MSF) team consisting of five people who responded to the following question: “What specific things should this individual be working on to become more effective as a leader in their rapidly changing work situation?” In turn, 765 raters rated 153 middle and front‐line managers on their leadership performance deficiencies.

Findings

Data analysis indicated the top ten leadership performance deficiencies were: ineffective communication practices, poor time and priority management skills, failing to clarify direction and performance expectations, ineffective interpersonal/teaming skills, inability in handling stress/pressure and staying poised, ineffective coaching/feedback and employee development practices, poor planning skills, ineffective problem‐solving and decision‐making activities, ego issues and disorganization.

Originality/value

Based on these data, a series of leadership lessons for individual business leaders, organizations they serve and those responsible for the training and development of leaders are provided.
The Zombie Library: books reanimated via QR codes
Authors: Lynne Semenza Jenny , Koury Regina , Gray Catherine
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This article aims to provide a comprehensive step by step plan on creating a Zombie Library, a physical collection of e‐books through the use of QR codes. Drawing on the collective authors' experience working with the QR codes creation, this article aims to help librarians interested in promoting e‐book collections and creating QR‐coded Zombie books in their libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was performed using library databases, as well as consulting various online library subject guides on the use of QR codes in libraries. Between November 2011 and October 2012 Idaho State University (ISU) library executed a plan for creating QR codes for a Gale Virtual Reference Library e‐book collection.

Findings

The study found an increased usage of the e‐book collection. The actual physical production of the items was more time‐consuming than originally expected. The Zombie Library project received a lot of support and enthusiasm from the campus community. Plans are being made to expand this project to other e‐book collections and other physical media (posters, bookmarks, etc.). This article combines promoting e‐book collections with physical representations of the e‐book via QR codes.

Originality/value

This article is an inclusive step by step plan for promoting e‐book collections using QR codes.
The library beyond the walls on the walls
Authors: Crane Rachel
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This article aims to describe the process of documenting outdoor murals of a metropolitan community in the Midwest and disseminating the information through a library hosted web publication.

Design/methodology/approach

The outdoor murals are surveyed and photographed by an academic fine arts librarian, the author. Access is created via a web publication, supported and developed through library resources.

Findings

The project not only increases access to works by local artists, but serves as a resource for historical images when, or if, a work becomes damaged or is removed.

Originality/value

This new pathway to public art serves as a bridge between the campus and the community.
Branding vs contract manufacturing: capability, strategy, and performance
Authors: Hsiao Yung‐Chang , Chen Chung‐Jen
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This study attempts to investigate the relationships among organizational capabilities, strategic choice, and firm performance and examine three questions: What are the relationships between organizational capabilities and the firm's strategic choice – contract manufacturing and branding? Do branding firms perform better than contract manufacturing firms after controlling for endogeneity bias? Do firms usually choose their strategy (contract manufacturing/branding) appropriately to achieve a better performance under the conditions they encounter?

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study employs a questionnaire approach to collect data from the population of the top 5,000 Taiwanese firms listed in the yearbook published by the China Credit Information Service Incorporation for testing the validity of the model and research hypotheses. This study uses a Heckman two‐step estimation procedure and follows the procedure proposed by Shaver to examine the economic implications of strategic choice on firm performance.

Findings

Firms are more likely to adopt the branding strategy when they have better marketing and R&D capabilities while they are more likely to choose the contract manufacturing strategy when they possess superior manufacturing and process capabilities; in general branding firms perform better than contract manufacturing firms after controlling for endogeneity bias; and firms achieve a better performance if their strategic choice (contract manufacturing/branding) fits the conditions they encounter.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the marketing literature by exploring an important issue of strategic choice (contract manufacturing or branding) and contributes to the strategy literature by proposing the endogenous role of strategic choice in the relationship between organizational capabilities and firm performance.

Practical implications

Firms should take into account organizational capabilities when choosing a contract manufacturing strategy or branding strategy. Further, managers should not ignore matching their strategic choice (contract manufacturing/branding) with the conditions they encounter in order to optimize firm performance.

Originality/value

The strategic choice of branding or contract manufacturing is a prevalent phenomenon that has received little attention in the strategy and marketing literature. Based on the competence‐based perspective, this study examines the relationships among organizational capabilities, strategic choice, and firm performance.
Intention to use a free voluntary service
Authors: Watjatrakul Boonlert
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This empirical study aims to understand the interrelationship among the key technology adoption factors including social influence, individual existing knowledge, and individual perceptions of technology (i.e. usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment) and their effects on individual intention to use a free voluntary service.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method is employed to collect data from universities offering the free mobile messaging service. A structural equation modeling analysis technique is used to analyze data reliability and validity in the measurement model and examine causal relationships among the constructs in the structural model.

Findings

The results show that social influence affects individual knowledge and perceptions of the service (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment) and successively influences the individual intention to use the free voluntary service. This study indicates that the intrinsic value of perceived enjoyment has a greater impact than the extrinsic value of perceived usefulness in terms of its effect on individual intention to use a free voluntary service. In addition, the effect of perceived usefulness of alternative systems should be taken into account when using perceived usefulness from the technology acceptance model to predict individual's technology adoption decisions under the free voluntary setting.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the technology adoption literatures regarding the free voluntary service adoption based on social influence, individual knowledge, and individual perceptions of technology. It assists academics to understand the drivers of technology acceptance under the free voluntary setting and provides guidance for organizations to increase users' acceptability of their free voluntary services.
The effects of legal protections and control‐ownership divergences on investor perceptions of foreign earnings
Authors: Chin Chen‐Lung , Chen Yu‐Ju , Kleinman Gary , Lee Picheng
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate internationalization, governance structures, and legal protections on the foreign earnings response coefficient (FERC). The FERC is a measure of the value‐relevance of foreign earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected on 3,653 Taiwanese firms which had overseas investments. The authors examined the impact of the site of their overseas investments and the nature of the legal code of the investee country on the investor perceptions of firms' reported foreign and domestically‐generated earnings. Also examined was the impact of corporate governance arrangements (e.g. the difference between the owners' cash flow and voting rights) on the same components of the firms' earnings.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest that an aggressive internationalization strategy (foreign direct investment) has positive effects on the value relevance of foreign earnings, but that this strategy is impacted by the firm's own corporate governance arrangements and the target of its overseas investment efforts. While foreign investments bring about growth and profits, they expose the investors to the risk of expropriation by investee countries and corporate insiders.

Originality/value

The importance of the findings is that they should help regulatory agencies – and firms themselves – to better understand factors that can promote the global expansion of domestic enterprises.
Making diversity business critical
Authors: Lafever‐Ayer Leigh
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at how the creation of a tailor‐made Diversity Scorecard helped Enterprise Rent‐A‐Car to equip regional managers to build diversity into their businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Designed to empower each branch to serve local customers according to their needs, the Enterprise business model is highly decentralized. Autonomy is drilled down and this includes HR decisions which are made region by region. When diversity became identified as a business priority for Enterprise, a series of initiatives were implemented to raise understanding and awareness at the regional level including workshops and training. However, it was the introduction of the Diversity Scorecard that enabled regional teams to measure their success in this and plan for improvement where required.

Findings

As a result of its strategic focus on diversity, Enterprise recruited 40 percent females and 22 percent Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) this year, exceeding its targets. Of employees in management positions, 24 per cent are from minorities globally. The company has been recognized externally by organizations such as Business in the Community for its efforts. Enterprise has proved that diverse businesses are successful. In 17 years since it opened its first UK branch, the company has grown to more than 360 branches in the UK, with 25 opened in the last year alone.

Originality/value

Enterprise takes a deliberately incremental, evolutionary approach to diversity. Central is the recognition that diversity is more than a policy or a value. It needs to underpin the actions and decisions of each employee – and especially managers – on a day‐to‐day basis. Large businesses with a distributed workforce need to equip regional teams with the tools to ensure that diversity is a part of every decision.
CFTC approves final rule requiring recording of oral communications
Authors: Rosenzweig Kenneth M. , Foley Kevin M. , Brockway Blake J.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to address amendments to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recordkeeping rules that will require certain market participants to maintain records of all oral communications leading to the execution of a “commodity interest” transaction that are communicated by telephone, voicemail or mobile device. The paper also seeks to address the CFTC's revised rules expanding the current recordkeeping requirements to include written communications related to swap transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the revised rules, adopting release and industry commentary and explains how the requirements of CFTC Regulations 1.31 and 1.35 will be applied to futures commission merchants (FCMs), certain introducing brokers (IBs), certain members of a designated contract market (DCM) or swap execution facility (SEF), and retail forex dealers (RFEDs).

Findings

FCMs, certain IBs, certain members of a DCM or SEF, and RFEDs must comply with the oral communications recordkeeping requirements no later than December 21, 2013. FCMs, IBs, all members of a DCM or SEF, and RFEDs must comply with the CFTC's revised recordkeeping rules for written communications no later than February 19, 2013.

Practical implications

All FCMs, IBs, members of a DCM or SEF, and RFEDs impacted by the rule should prepare to maintain records of all covered written and oral communications. If it is technologically or economically impractical for a market participant to comply with the requirement to record all oral communications that lead to a commodity interest transaction by the compliance date, the participant should request an alternative compliance schedule.

Originality/value

This paper provides practical guidance from experienced financial services lawyers.
Chinese cross‐border mergers and acquisitions: strategic types, organizational factors and enterprise growth
Authors: Du Xiaojun , Liu He , Bao Lingjing , Huang Peng
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationships between the strategic type of cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and enterprise growth, and the moderating role of Chinese companies' organizational factors, including organizational structure, organizational experience, cultural distance and relative size.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors, as researchers, have mixed the strategic choice and post‐M&As integration into a comprehensive framework while building the theoretical model of “Strategic Type of Cross‐border M&As‐Organizational Factors‐Enterprise Growth” (ST‐OF‐EG). In this paper, they have empirically examined the model using hierarchical regression by analyzing 76 cross‐borders M&A events of overseas‐listed Chinese companies over the 2000‐2007 period.

Findings

The analysis shows that: related cross‐border M&As are better for enterprise growth than unrelated diversification cross‐border M&As; and among the organizational factors, studied organizational structure and organizational experience show a positive significance in terms of the relationship between the strategic type of cross‐border M&As and enterprise growth. The moderating role of cultural distance and relative size is non‐significant.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the moderating effect of cultural distance was found to be insignificant. However, further research is encouraged.

Practical implications

Chinese companies should pay attention to strategic choices before cross‐border M&As. They should expand abroad to markets step by step. They should merge the companies that have the higher relevance on a product, industry or market first. On the basis of specialization, Chinese companies should make themselves stronger and then develop from specialization to proper diversification, which is a robust path to achieve enterprise growth. Besides, Chinese companies should accumulate international experience as soon as possible and organizational structure should match the strategic choice.

Originality/value

This paper would be immensely helpful to Chinese companies to plan their cross‐border M&As strategy in a way that would enhance growth and core‐competence.
Ratio analysis comparability between Chinese and Japanese firms
Authors: Liu Chunhui (Maggie) , O'Farrell Grace , Wei Kwok‐Kee , Yao Lee J.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Firms in different countries operate in different business environments and prepare financial statements following, by necessity, their own countries' accounting standards. Benchmarks for assessing financial ratios of firms in different countries are likely to be different. In conducting financial ratio analyses, each country's unique cultural, business, financial, and regulatory characteristics have to be taken into consideration, for these external factors may exert significant effects on measurements of financial data. This study aims to investigate challenges in comparing financial ratios between Japanese firms and Chinese firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study compares ten major financial ratios of 75 Chinese firms with financial ratios of 75 matched sample Japanese firms to determine if a common benchmark for each of the financial ratios can be applied to firms in both countries.

Findings

The results show significant differences in liquidity, solvency, and activity ratios between firms from these two countries. Further examination of differences in accounting standards, economic, and institutional environments between these two countries suggests that these external factors have significant effects on financial ratios and may have contributed to the observed differences.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the comparability of ratios between Japanese firms and Chinese firms to uncover potential challenges and warn investors of such challenges.
Management control in accounting outsourcing services
Authors: Sofiah  , Aman Aini , Maelah Ruhanita , Amiruddin Rozita , Hamzah Noradiva
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of accounting outsourcing practices in Malaysia and the management control strategies undertaken by these practising firms to mitigate inherent risks.

Design /methodology/approach

This study employs survey methodology using structured questionnaires and case studies using interviews. A total of 51 companies responded to the questionnaires and two companies participated in the interview.

Findings

The survey data revealed that the primary reason for engaging in accounting outsourcing was to gain quality accounting service from the experts. With regard to management control strategies, it was shown that respondents place high emphasis of behavior, output and social controls. Further investigation using case studies involving a vendor and client companies reveal that the control mechanisms involved were stated in the outsourcing contract, namely the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and penalties. Informal controls were also used in both cases to assist in solving conflicts and dissatisfaction among vendors and clients.

Research limitations/implications

The identification the control strategies in the accounting outsourcing process is useful for companies to manage the inherent risks in outsourcing relationships. The knowledge on the control practices by firms involved in accounting outsourcing provides additional assurance to potentials interested in seeking accounting services in this country.

Originality/value

This paper is driven by the lack of empirical evidence of accounting outsourcing practices in Malaysia and paucity of research into the role of management control in an outsourcing relationship. Despite the growth of the outsourcing industry in Malaysia, little has been done to understand the contribution of a professional service sector such as the accounting services to this industry.
Too early to execute the strategic scenario planning: hyperbolic discounting and psychological biases of Indonesian SMEs' managers
Authors: Brahmana Rayenda , Verawaty Siregar Widyana , Hsb Arnawan
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Using the hyperbolic discounting approach in qualitative manner, the purpose of this paper is to explore the linkage of the time preference bias towards the too early execution of strategic focused planning. The paper also investigates the role of psychological bias in explaining the early execution.

Design/methodology/approach

This research use qualitative methods to explore the role of hyperbolic discounting in driving the psychological bias towards too early strategic scenario planning, and its rationalization. The authors conducted a face‐to‐face survey going door‐to‐door of the small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The samples in this research are Indonesian SMEs from the northern part of Sumatra.

Findings

This research found most of the SMEs' managers are time preference biased due to hyperbolic discounting. This hyperbolic discounting awoke manager's psychological bias and resulted in too early decision making. This psychological bias might be due to prospect theory, or the representative effect, or framing bias, or the adaptive bias.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is only taken from Northern part of Indonesia. To have a robust generalization, the research should be conducted in the whole of Indonesia.

Practical implications

This paper can be used by practitioners to understand their behaviour towards strategic decision making. Further, practitioners will know if their time preference bias will not generate better result.
The effects of customer focus on new product performance
Authors: Sanuri Mohd Mokhtar Sany
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between customer focus and new product performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Senior management of Malaysian manufacturing firms was the target respondent of this study. Data were collected using mail questionnaire survey approach.

Findings

The results revealed that customer focus has a statistically significant association with new product performance; hence, the proposed hypothesis of the study is supported.

Practical implications

The outcome of this study provides vital information from Malaysian firms' perspective on the practical relationship of customer focus on new product performance.

Originality/value

This paper offers a better understanding for senior management of manufacturing firms to engage with customers in developing a new product.
Strategies used by a meatpacking company for market competition
Authors: Oscar Benitez Nara Elpídio , Mahlmann Kipper Liane , Brittes Benitez Lisianne , Forgiarini Giuliano , Mazzini Edu
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This article aims to identify strategies used by a midsize meatpacking plant company located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in order to remain competitive in the market. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to understand which strategies the company uses and how those have been designed according to the company managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Concerning the methodology, a descriptive research was developed as a case study. The data collection was accomplished through researches on official company documents which describe its history and are used for several tasks. This information source pointed out critical events during the history of the organization which allowed the researchers to identify the strategies developed and implemented through its leaders' insight during those historical periods when the company was in crisis.

Findings

Mintzberg and McHugh's model was applied to identify strategies, as well as discovering the effects they obtained by using them. It has been observed that in order to remain competitive in the market, the company used strategies classified as Deliberate‐Accomplished and Emergent.

Originality/value

Through this case study it has been possible to identify the strategies created and applied by the meatpacking company's managers in order to remain competitive in the market.
Real estate value and quality design in commercial office properties
Authors: Nase Ilir , Berry Jim , Adair Alastair
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of urban design quality on the real estate value of commercial office property. Empirical evidence based on quantitative research into the added value of quality design on real estate performance has seen little advancement during the past two decades. Office sector hedonic analysis has been predominantly characterised by a piecemeal approach focusing on specific attributes and lacking a holistic approach to the effects of design quality on real estate value. This paper brings forward new empirical evidence to assess the added value of quality design based on quantitative analysis of office sector performance in the historic urban core of a UK city.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a unique dataset of 279 Belfast City Centre office properties rented during the period 1995‐2009, this study employs regression analysis to estimate a hedonic pricing model based on a composite range of variables. The contribution of this study is the complementary utilisation of quantitative and qualitative methods to generate variables incorporating a holistic approach to design quality at three different levels of investigation: interior; exterior/architectural; and urban scale.

Findings

The key findings show that higher design quality specifications in the three levels (interior, exterior and urban scale) can generate rent premiums. Aspects of quality design that include connectivity and building facade distinctiveness enhance corporate image; and material quality appropriateness adds to real estate value whereas the lack of preference for tall buildings and high‐end interior quality specifications in historic cores reflect market reactions to economic trends.

Practical implications

This paper provides investors and developers with insights about those aspects of quality design that are highly valued by office tenants in historic urban cores. This is especially significant in the downturn of the property cycle with investment priorities playing a crucial role in a project's economic viability.

Originality/value

This study bridges a significant gap in the literature concerning hedonic investigation of the added value of quality design on real estate performance. This holistic approach using quantitative and qualitative methods and incorporating urban design variables constitutes a unique approach to quantifying quality impacts on real estate value.
An analysis of attributes that impact adoption of audit software
Authors: Razi Muhammad A. , Madani Haider H.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Audit software and IT‐based auditing are widely used in developed countries and is an emerging trend in other parts of the world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption of audit software by Saudi industries. This research extends current knowledge by focusing on technology adoptions issues and comparing the results with the results of past adoptions in Western industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Demographic and psychometric factors related to adoption decision were identified and incorporated in the research model. A web‐based survey instrument was used to collect data. The reliability score of each construct was measured with Cronbach's alpha. Results from descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression were used to examine the influence of demographic and psychometric factors on adoption decision.

Findings

Contrary to existing literature, this study shows that external pressure has no impact on the adoption decision. In addition, similar to earlier findings, the results showed that Company Readiness and Perceived Benefits are reasonably good predictors of Adoption Intention of audit software.

Research limitations/implications

Contrary to current evidence, this research points to the result that external pressure has no impact on the adoption decision. This leads to an interesting research avenue to explore the reasons why companies in Saudi Arabia do not see external pressure as a significant factor behind decision to adopt certain technology.

Originality/value

This article extends current technology adoption knowledge by providing a comparison of adoptions in the west and in Saudi Arabia. Results of this research can assist software adopters with adoption decisions and vendors in software implementation, sales, and service in Saudi Arabia.
Spotted fever group rickettsia closely related to Rickettsia monacensis isolated from ticks in South Jeolla province, Korea
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Min , Choi Yeon‐Joo , Shin Sun‐Hye , Choi Min‐Kyung , Song Hyeon‐Je , Kim Heung‐Chul , Klein Terry A. , Richards Allen L. , Park Kyung‐Hee , Jang Won‐Jong
Published: April 2013

Rickettsia monacensis, a spotted fever group rickettsia, was isolated from Ixodes nipponensis ticks collected from live‐captured small mammals in South Jeolla province, Korea in 2006. Homogenates of tick tissues were inoculated into L929 and Vero cell monolayers using shell vial assays. After several passages, Giemsa staining revealed rickettsia‐like organisms in the inoculated Vero cells, but not the L929 cells. Sequencing analysis revealed that the ompA‐small part (25–614 bp region), ompA‐large part (2849–4455 bp region), nearly full‐length ompB (58–4889 bp region) and gltA (196–1236 bp region) of the isolates had similarities of 100%, 99.8%, 99.3% and 99.5%, respectively, to those of R. monacensis. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate was grouped into the cluster in the same way as R. monacensis in the trees of all genes examined. These results strongly suggest that the isolate is closely related to R. monacensis. As far as is known, this is the first report of isolation of R. monacensis from ticks in Korea.
Scoring and analysis of methylation‐sensitive amplification polymorphisms for epigenetic population studies
Authors: Schulz Benjamin , Eckstein R. Lutz , Durka Walter
Published: April 2013

DNA methylation is an important, heritable epigenetic modification in most eukaryotic organisms that is connected with numerous biological processes. To study the impact of natural epigenetic variation in an ecological or evolutionary context, epigenetic studies are increasingly using methylation‐sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) for surveys at the population or species level. However, no consensus exists on how to interpret and score the multistate information obtained from the MSAP banding patterns. Here, we review the previously used scoring approaches for population epigenetic studies and develop new alternatives. To assess effects of the different approaches on parameters of epigenetic diversity and differentiation, we applied eight scoring schemes to a case study of three populations of the plant species Viola elatior. For a total number of 168 detected polymorphic MSAP fragments, the number of ultimately scored polymorphic epiloci ranged between 78 and 286 depending on the particular scoring scheme. Both, estimates of epigenetic diversity and differentiation varied strongly between scoring approaches. However, linear regression and PCoA revealed qualitatively similar patterns, suggesting that the scoring approaches are largely consistent. For single‐locus analyses of MSAP data, for example the search for loci under selection, we advocate a new scoring approach that separately takes into account different methylation types and thus seems appropriate for drawing more detailed conclusions in ecological or evolutionary contexts. An R script (MSAP_score.r) for scoring and basic data analysis is provided.
Long‐term storage effects in steroid metabolite extracts from baboon (Papio sp.) faeces – a comparison of three commonly applied storage methods
Authors: Kalbitzer Urs , Heistermann Michael
Published: April 2013

The measurement of steroid hormone metabolites from faeces in wild animal populations is a powerful, noninvasive tool in behavioural endocrinology of all major vertebrate taxa. However, because such research is often done in remote areas with limited infrastructure, storage of samples for hormone analysis over long periods at high temperature is a critical issue in field endocrinology. Previous studies have indicated that storage of alcoholic faecal extracts is more reliable than storage of unprocessed faeces if no freezer is available, but a standard method has not been established yet.

We tested the validity of three commonly applied storage conditions – liquid extracts, dried extracts and extracts placed on solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridges – to preserve concentrations of glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites from faecal extracts of olive baboons (Papio anubis) at high temperature over 1 year.

Temporal variation in concentrations was detected for all metabolites and all storage conditions, including values measured from the control condition, that is, extracts stored at −20°C. This suggested that most variation was due to interassay variability, corroborated by comparisons of variation in ‘quality controls’ and samples.

Compared to frozen control samples, liquid extracts were stable for up to 24 weeks, extracts on SPE cartridges were stable for up to 50 weeks, while steroid metabolite concentrations in dried extracts decreased slightly over time.

If steroid samples have to be stored at ambient temperature, we suggest storage of liquid extracts for up to 24 weeks in a dark and cool place. For longer periods, SPE cartridges should be applied as evaporation, a potential confound arising with long‐term storage of liquid extracts at higher temperatures, is not a problem in this storage condition. Storage of dried extracts is more cost‐effective, but may result in small time‐dependent changes in steroid concentrations.
Neuropsychological testing of cognitive impairment in euthymic bipolar disorder: an individual patient data meta‐analysis
Authors: Bourne C. , Aydemir Ö. , Balanzá‐Martínez V. , Bora E. , Brissos S. , Cavanagh J. T. O. , Clark L. , Cubukcuoglu Z. , Dias V. V. , Dittmann S. , Ferrier I. N. , Fleck D. E. , Frangou S. , Gallagher P. , Jones L. , Kieseppä T. , Martínez‐Aran A. , Melle I. , Moore P. B. , Mur M. , Pfennig A. , Raust A. , Senturk V. , Simonsen C. , Smith D. J. , Bio D. S. , Soeiro‐de‐Souza M. G. , Stoddart S. D. R. , Sundet K. , Szöke A. , Thompson J. M. , Torrent C. , Zalla T. , Craddock N. , Andreassen O. A. , Leboyer M. , Vieta E. , Bauer M. , Worhunsky P. D. , Tzagarakis C. , Rogers R. D. , Geddes J. R. , Goodwin G. M.
Published: April 2013

Objective

An association between bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment has repeatedly been described, even for euthymic patients. Findings are inconsistent both across primary studies and previous meta‐analyses. This study reanalysed 31 primary data sets as a single large sample (N = 2876) to provide a more definitive view.

Method

Individual patient and control data were obtained from original authors for 11 measures from four common neuropsychological tests: California or Rey Verbal Learning Task (VLT), Trail Making Test (TMT), Digit Span and/or Wisconsin Card Sorting Task.

Results

Impairments were found for all 11 test‐measures in the bipolar group after controlling for age, IQ and gender (Ps ≤ 0.001, E.S. = 0.26–0.63). Residual mood symptoms confound this result but cannot account for the effect sizes found. Impairments also seem unrelated to drug treatment. Some test‐measures were weakly correlated with illness severity measures suggesting that some impairments may track illness progression.

Conclusion

This reanalysis supports VLT, Digit Span and TMT as robust measures of cognitive impairments in bipolar disorder patients. The heterogeneity of some test results explains previous differences in meta‐analyses. Better controlling for confounds suggests deficits may be smaller than previously reported but should be tracked longitudinally across illness progression and treatment.
Best vitelliform macular dystrophy in a Swedish family: genetic analysis and a seven‐year follow‐up of photodynamic treatment of a young boy with choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Frennesson Christina I. , Wadelius Claes , Nilsson Sven Erik G.
Published: April 2013

Purpose:  To determine the mutation in a Swedish family with Best disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy; VMD) and to investigate the short‐ and long‐term effects of photodynamic treatment (PDT) on subretinal neovascularization in a young boy.

Methods:  The five members of three generations of a family with VMD underwent a thorough ophthalmological examination, including best‐corrected visual acuity (VA), visual field, colour vision, biomicroscopy of the posterior segment (dilated), fundus photography and electro‐oculography (EOG). For the proband, an eleven‐year‐old boy, his father and grandfather, dark adaptation test, angiography and electroretinography (ERG) were also performed. After PCR amplification, the genotype was determined by cleavage with restriction enzyme, specific for the W93C allele.

Results:  Four family members had an abnormal EOG response. All showed the W93C mutation in the VMD2 gene. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/250. The fundus manifestations varied from minor pigmentary changes over egg yolk‐like lesions to chorioretinal atrophy, and fluorescein angiography showed corresponding pathology. In the proband, VA decreased during follow‐up from 0.5 (20/40) to 0.08 (20/250) due to a subfoveal neovascularization with haemorrhage, and PDT with visudyne was begun. The haemorrhage resolved within 2 months, and after three treatments, VA had increased to 0.25 (20/80). One year later, acuity had improved to 0.5 (20/40), and this result was stable throughout the 7 years of the follow‐up.

Conclusion:  The mutation was determined to be W93C, the most common mutation in VMD in Sweden. In an eleven‐year‐old boy with subretinal neovascularization, PDT seemed to be beneficial also in a long‐term follow‐up.
Should Obese Women Gain Less Weight in Pregnancy Than Recommended?
Authors: Oza‐Frank Reena , Keim Sarah A.
Published: April 2013

Background

Previous research on inadequate gestational weight gain among obese women and adverse outcomes has been mixed. The objective of this study was to examine associations between inadequate gain among obese women and antepartum, intrapartum, and infant outcomes.

Methods

Obese women from the U.S. Collaborative Perinatal Project were divided into obesity classes I (30.0–34.9 kg/m2) and II/III (> 35.0 kg/m2) and three weight gain categories (inadequate: < 5 kg, adequate: 5–9 kg, excessive: > 9 kg) as defined by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Associations between 1‐kg increments of inadequate gain (< 5 kg) and outcomes were examined. Women with inadequate gain were also compared with women gaining normal (5–9 kg) and excessive (> 9 kg) weight.

Results

Each fewer 1‐kg of weight gain increased small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) risk and reduced large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) risk by similar magnitude. Compared with excessive gain, inadequate gain reduced the odds of preeclampsia (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.37, 0.84), gestational hypertension (OR: 0.66, CI: 0.47, 0.92), and LGA (OR: 0.48, CI: 0.38, 060) and increased the odds of SGA (OR: 2.26, CI: 1.52, 3.35). Inadequate gain offered fewer advantages over adequate weight gain: lower odds of LGA (OR: 0.75, CI: 0.57, 0.99); increased odds of SGA (OR: 1.86, CI: 1.18, 2.91). Most associations applied to obesity class I but not class II/III women.

Conclusions

Inadequate weight gain poses benefits and risks to mothers and infants, but is preferable to excessive gain. The risks and benefits apply differently to class I versus class II/III obese women, indicating the need for weight gain recommendations by obesity class.
Fixed‐Term Contracts: Short‐Term Blessings or Long‐Term Scars? Empirical Findings from theNetherlands 1980–2000
Authors: Mooi‐Reci Irma , Dekker Ronald
Published: April 2013

Using a comprehensive longitudinal dataset of prime‐ageDutch workers over the period 1980–2000, we examine how a previously held job with a fixed‐term contract influences both the likelihood and the duration of a future spell of unemployment. Analyses show thatDutch workers with fixed‐term contracts experience higher risks of future unemployment and have no shorter spells of unemployment compared to workers with regular contracts. Results also reveal that swifter employment re‐entries among men with fixed‐term contracts can be explained by their job search effortsbeforeunemployment. Our study (partly) invalidates theoretical positions that claim that fixed‐term contracts foster employment security by shortening unemployment durations; suggesting that fixed‐term contracts are a short‐term blessing that could end, for some workers, in a recurrent unemployment trap.
Workplace Flexibilities, Job Satisfaction and Union Membership in the US Workforce
Authors: Cotti Chad D. , Haley M. Ryan , Miller Laurie A.
Published: April 2013

Using individual‐level data from the 2008 National Study of the Changing Workforce, we quantify how workers' job satisfaction levels correlate with five schedule‐based workplace flexibilities. The data permit us to control for numerous variables that might otherwise explain variation in the probability of job satisfaction, including, but not limited to, income, benefits, stress, depression, job control and individual preferences over flexibilities. Conditional on this control set, we find that workplace flexibilities correlate with an 8.1 per cent increase in job satisfaction. The relationship between job satisfaction and workplace flexibilities prevails through several sensitivity analyses, bias assessments and a propensity score matching analysis. We also explore how job satisfaction, union membership and workplace flexibilities intermix; we find that workplace flexibilities may function as a partial substitute for union membership.
First Nations assimilation through neoliberal educational reform
Authors: Godlewska Anne M. C. , Schaefli Laura M. , Chaput Paul J. A.
Published: April 2013

The authors undertake a geographically sensitive analysis of the influential 2010 Free to Learn report. Free to Learn proposes a reform of the funding system for First Nations students to remove funds earmarked for First Nations education from First Nations government control, convert universities into managers of First Nations student funding, and convert First Nations community members into entrepreneurs. Free to Learn employs two strategies: scalar obfuscation and the cultivation of historical geographic ignorance to obscure the links between their proposal for neoliberal educational reform and the long‐standing assimilative strategies of the Canadian and pre‐Canadian state. The authors explore the economics and demography in the report and expose its deep links to colonial and assimilative policies of the recent and distant past. They link this report to the larger theatre of education in Canada where cultures are frequently reduced to mutable symbols in an ahistorical context. They close with a reflection on the challenges and dangers of taking a political stance with limited understanding of the forces at work in the environment of neoliberal reform prevailing in Canada.
Student help seeking from pastoral care in UK high schools: a qualitative study
Authors: Kendal Sarah , Keeley Philip , Callery Peter
Published: April 2013

Background

Little is known about high school students' perceptions of school‐based pastoral support. This study aimed to explore this in the context of a high school–based emotional support project.

Methods

Qualitative interviews explored perspectives on help seeking of students (N = 23) and staff (N = 27) in three UK high schools where a pastoral project was introduced. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Student peer groups perceived help seeking as a sign of weakness. However, students valued learning skills in managing emotions and friendships. Staff expressed concerns about students' ability to help seek proactively, and highlighted organisational influences on pastoral support.

Conclusions

Increasing student control over the process, and involving trusted staff, could encourage help seeking in high school. It is possible to access the views of students who do not help seek, to improve understanding of help‐seeking behaviour.
Hepatic B cells are readily activated by Toll-like receptor-4 ligation and secrete less interleukin-10 than lymphoid tissue B cells
Authors: Zhang H , Stolz D B , Chalasani G , Thomson A W
Published: April 2013

B cells perform various immunological functions that include production of antibody, presentation of antigens, secretion of multiple cytokines and regulation of immune responses mainly via their secretion of interleukin (IL)-10. While the liver is regarded both as an important immune organ and a tolerogenic environment, little is known about the functional biology of hepatic B cells. In this study we demonstrate that, following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in vivo, normal mouse hepatic B cells rapidly increase their surface expression of CD39, CD40, CD80 and CD86, and produce significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α compared with splenic B cells. Moreover, LPS-activated hepatic B cells produce very low levels of IL-10 compared with activated splenic B cells that produce comparatively high levels of this immunosuppressive cytokine. Splenic, but not hepatic, B cells inhibited the activation of liver conventional myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). Furthermore, compared with the spleen, the liver exhibited significantly smaller proportions of B1a and marginal zone-like B cells, which have been shown to produce IL-10 upon LPS stimulation. These data suggest that, unlike in the spleen, IL-10-producing regulatory B cells in the liver are not a prominent cell type. Consistent with this, when compared with liver conventional mDCs from B cell-deficient mice, those from B cell-competent wild-type mice displayed enhanced expression of the cell surface co-stimulatory molecule CD86, greater production of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12p40) and reduced secretion of IL-10. These findings suggest that hepatic B cells have the potential to initiate rather than regulate inflammatory responses.