bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a science of land change: Challenges and methodological issues
Authors: Rindfuss Ronald R. , Walsh Stephen J. , Turner B. L. , Fox Jefferson , Mishra Vinod
Published: September 2004

Land-change science has emerged as a foundational element of global environment change and sustainability science. It seeks to understand the human and environment dynamics that give rise to changed land uses and covers, not only in terms of their type and magnitude but their location as well. This focus requires the integration of social, natural, and geographical information sciences. Each of these broad research communities has developed different ways to enter the land-change problem, each with different means of treating the locational specificity of the critical variables, such as linking the land manager to the parcel being managed. The resulting integration encounters various data, methodological, and analytical problems, especially those concerning aggregation and inference, land-use pixel links, data and measurement, and remote sensing analysis. Here, these integration problems, which hinder comprehensive understanding and theory development, are addressed. Their recognition and resolution are required for the sustained development of land-change science.
Terror attacks influence driving behavior in Israel
Authors: Stecklov Guy , Goldstein Joshua R.
Published: September 2004

Terror attacks in Israel produce a temporary lull in light accidents followed by a 35% spike in fatal accidents on Israeli roads 3 days after the attack. Our results are based on time-series analysis of Israeli traffic flows, accidents, and terror attacks from January 2001 through June 2002. Whereas prior studies have focused on subjective reports of posttraumatic stress, our study shows a population-level behavioral response to violent terror attacks.
Phospholamban structural dynamics in lipid bilayers probed by a spin label rigidly coupled to the peptide backbone
Authors: Karim Christine B. , Kirby Tara L. , Zhang Zhiwen , Nesmelov Yuri , Thomas David D.
Published: September 2004

We have used chemical synthesis and electron paramagnetic resonance to probe the structural dynamics of phospholamban (PLB) in lipid bilayers. Derivatives of monomeric PLB were synthesized, each of which contained a single spin-labeled 2,2,6,6,-Tetramethyl-piperidine-
N
-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid amino acid, with the nitroxide-containing ring covalently and rigidly attached to the α-carbon, providing direct insight into the conformational dynamics of the peptide backbone. 2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-piperidine-
N
-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid was attached at positions 0, 11, and 24 in the cytoplasmic domain or at position 46 in the transmembrane domain. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the transmembrane domain site (position 46) indicates a single spectral component corresponding to strong immobilization of the probe, consistent with the presence of a stable and highly ordered transmembrane helix. In contrast, each of the three cytoplasmic domain probes has two clearly resolved spectral components (conformational states), one of which indicates nearly isotropic nanosecond dynamic disorder. For the probe at position 11, an N-terminal lipid anchor shifts the equilibrium toward the restricted component, whereas Mg
2+
shifts it in the opposite direction. Relaxation enhancement, due to Ni
2+
ions chelated to lipid head-groups, provides further information about the membrane topology of PLB, allowing us to confirm and refine a structural model based on previous NMR data. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of PLB is in a dynamic equilibrium between an ordered conformation, which is in direct contact with the membrane surface, and a dynamically disordered form, which is detached from the membrane and poised to interact with its regulatory target.
Establishment of papillomavirus infection is enhanced by promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) expression
Authors: Day Patricia M. , Baker Carl C. , Lowy Douglas R. , Schiller John T.
Published: September 2004

Previous studies have suggested that most papillomaviruses enter the host cell via clathrin-dependent receptor-mediated endocytosis but have not addressed later steps in viral entry. To examine these events, we followed the localization of L2 and packaged DNA after entry of infectious virions or L1/L2 pseudovirions. Confocal microscopic analyses of HeLa cells showed a time-dependent uncoating of capsids in cytoplasmic vesicles and the accumulation of both L2 and viral DNA at distinct nuclear domains identified as nuclear domain 10 (ND10). Both L2 and the pseudogenome had a punctate distribution and localized to ND10 in promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML)-expressing cells, whereas L2 had a diffuse nuclear distribution in PML–/– cells. The number of pseudovirus-infected cells was an order of magnitude higher in the PML+ cells compared with the PML–/– cells, and viral genome transcription after infection with authentic bovine papillomavirus virions was similarly elevated in PML+ cells. The results identify a role for PML in the enhancement of viral infectivity in the early part of the life cycle. We propose a model in which L2 chaperones the viral genome to ND10 to efficiently initiate viral transcription.
Endogenous formation of morphine in human cells
Authors: Poeaknapo Chotima , Schmidt Jürgen , Brandsch Matthias , Dräger Birgit , Zenk Meinhart H.
Published: September 2004

Morphine is a plant (opium poppy)-derived alkaloid and one of the strongest known analgesic compounds. Studies from several laboratories have suggested that animal and human tissue or fluids contain trace amounts of morphine. Its origin in mammals has been believed to be of dietary origin. Here, we address the question of whether morphine is of endogenous origin or derived from exogenous sources. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids present in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and human pancreas carcinoma cells (DAN-G) were identified by GC/tandem MS (MS/MS) as norlaudanosoline (DAN-G), reticuline (DAN-G and SH-SY5Y), and morphine (10 nM, SH-SY5Y). The stereochemistry of reticuline was determined to be 1-(S). Growth of the SH-SY5Y cell line in the presence of18O2led to the [18O]-labeled morphine that had the molecular weight 4 mass units higher than if grown in16O2, indicating the presence of two atoms of18O per molecule of morphine. Growth of DAN-G cells in an18O2atmosphere yielded norlaudanosoline and (S)-reticuline, both labeled at only two of the four oxygen atoms. This result clearly demonstrates that all three alkaloids are of biosynthetic origin and suggests that norlaudanosoline and (S)-reticuline are endogenous precursors of morphine. Feeding of [ring-13C6]-tyramine, [1-13C,N-13CH3]-(S)-reticuline and [N-CD3]-thebaine to the neuroblastoma cells led each to the position-specific labeling of morphine, as established by GC/MS/MS. Without doubt, human cells can produce the alkaloid morphine. The studies presented here serve as a platform for the exploration of the function of “endogenous morphine” in the neurosciences and immunosciences.
Role for PP2A in ARF signaling to p53
Authors: Moule Madeleine G. , Collins Crista H. , McCormick Frank , Fried Mike
Published: September 2004

Activation of the ARF–p53 tumor suppressor pathway is one of the cell's major defense mechanisms against cancer induced by oncogenes. The ARF–p53 pathway is dysfunctional in a high proportion of human cancers. The regulation of the ARF–p53 signaling pathway has not yet been well characterized. In this study polyoma virus (Py) is used as a tool to better define the ARF–p53 signaling pathway. Py middle T-antigen (PyMT) induces ARF, which consequently up-regulates p53. We show that Py small T-antigen (PyST) blocks ARF-mediated activation of p53. This inhibition requires the small T-antigen PP2A-interacting domain. Our results reveal a previously unrecognized role of PP2A in the modulation of the ARF–p53 tumor suppressor pathway.
Relationship of Leffler (Brønsted) α values and protein folding Φ values to position of transition-state structures on reaction coordinates
Authors: Fersht Alan R.
Published: September 2004

The positions of transition states along reaction coordinates (
r
‡
) for simple chemical reactions are often estimated from Leffler α values, the slope of plots of Δ
G
‡
(activation energy) versus Δ
G
0
(equilibrium free energy) for a series of structural variants. Protein folding is more complex than simple chemical reactions and has a multitude of reaction coordinates. Φ-Value analysis measures degree of structure formation at individual residues in folding transition states from the ratio ΔΔ
G
‡
/ΔΔ
G
0
for mutations. α values are now being used to analyze protein folding by lumping series of Φ values into single plots. But, there are discrepancies in the values of α for folding with more classical measures of the extent of structure formation, which I rationalize here. I show for chemical reactions with just a single reaction coordinate that α =
r
‡
only for limiting cases, such as for reactants and products being in parabolic energy wells of identical curvature. Otherwise, α can differ radically from
r
‡
, with α being determined just by the angles of intersection of reactant and product energy surfaces. Φ is an index of the progress of a local, energy-based reaction coordinate at the global transition state: Φ <0.5 corresponds to <50% progress of the local coordinate at the global transition state and Φ >0.5 means >50%. Protein Leffler plots can force different local indexes to a single fit and give skewed underestimates of the extent of global structure formation in transition states that differ from other measures of structure formation.
p53-dependent inhibition of FKHRL1 in response to DNA damage through protein kinase SGK1
Authors: You Han , Jang YingJu , You-Ten Annick Itie , Okada Hitoshi , Liepa Jennifer , Wakeham Andrew , Zaugg Kathrin , Mak Tak W.
Published: September 2004

FKHRL1 (FOXO3a) and p53 are two potent stress-response regulators. Here we show that these two transcription factors exhibit “crosstalk”
in vivo
. In response to DNA damage, p53 activation led to FKHRL1 phosphorylation and subcellular localization change, which resulted in inhibition of FKHRL1 transcription activity. AKT was dispensable for p53-dependent suppression of FKHRL1. By contrast, serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) was significantly induced in a p53-dependent manner after DNA damage, and this induction was through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-mediated posttranslational regulation. Furthermore, inhibition of SGK1 expression by a small interfering RNA knockdown experiment significantly decreased FKHRL1 phosphorylation in response to DNA damage. Taken together, our observations reveal previously unrecognized crosstalk between p53 and FKHRL1. Moreover, our findings suggest a new pathway for understanding aging and the age dependency of human diseases governed by these two transcription factors.
Associative nitrogen fixation, C4photosynthesis, and the evolution of spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) as major pests of neotropical sugarcane and forage grasses
Authors: Thompson V.
Published: September 2004

Neotropical grass-feeding spittlebugs of several genera are important pests of pasture grasses from the southeastern USA to northern Argentina, and of sugarcane from southern Mexico to southern Brazil, causing estimated reductions of up to 70% in yield and estimated monetary losses of US $840–2100 million annually. With few exceptions, the species badly damaged by these spittlebugs are introduced C4grasses that exhibit associative nitrogen fixation. This study synthesizes evidence that the pest status of many tropical and subtropical grass-feeding spittlebugs is linked to associative N-fixation in their C4hosts. Recognition that associative N-fixation is a major factor in spittlebug host preferences should deepen understanding of spittlebug agricultural ecology and facilitate efforts to combat spittlebug pests. In particular, spittlebugs should be susceptible to manipulation of xylem transport solutes. However, reduction of nitrate fertilizer rates, increase in ammonium fertilizer rates, or enhancement of associative N-fixation as a consequence of genetic engineering could make hosts more susceptible to spittlebug attack. Because of their predilection for C4grasses, spittlebugs present a clear counterexample to the hypothesis that herbivores prefer C3plants to C4plants. Finally, it appears that declines in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels during recent geological history promoted the proliferation of C4grasses. This, compounded by human agricultural activities, has driven an ecological and evolutionary radiation of grass-feeding spittlebugs that presents continuing opportunities for the evolution of spittlebug pests.
On the relevance of abundance and spatial pattern for interpretations of host–parasite association data
Authors: Cumming G.S.
Published: September 2004

The quantification of host–parasite associations from field data is a fundamental step towards understanding host–parasite and host-parasite–pathogen dynamics. For parasites that are not rigid host specialists, exemplified in this paper by ticks, the interpretation of host–parasite association data is difficult. Interpretations of tick collection records have largely assumed that off-host collection records offer a valid basis from which to make claims about the host specificity or generality of tick species. A simple simulation analysis of rudimentary tick–host interactions in a hypothetical 50 × 50-cell habitat demonstrates that perceptions of tick–host relationships can be strongly biased by spatial patterns. Regardless of their true level of host specificity or generality, it seems that: (i) more abundant ticks will be perceived as generalists, while rarer species will be considered specialists; and (ii) tick species that have patchy, strongly aggregated distributions will be more likely to be perceived as host specialists than species that have more dispersed or uniform distributions. Since all available evidence suggests that abundances and spatial patterns vary between tick species, there is no way of assessing the true validity of claims about host specificity without first undertaking detailed research on the relative abundances and spatial and temporal patterns of both tick and host distributions.
Sugarcane moth borers (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae and Pyraloidea): phylogenetics constructed using COII and 16S mitochondrial partial gene sequences
Authors: Lange C.L. , Scott K.D. , Graham G.C. , Sallam M.N. , Allsopp P.G.
Published: September 2004

Sugarcane moth borers are a diverse group of species occurring in several genera, but predominately within the Noctuidae and Pyraloidea. They cause economic loss in sugarcane and other crops through damage to stems and stalks by larval boring. Partial sequence data from two mitochondrial genes, COII and 16S, were used to construct a molecular phylogeny based on 26 species from ten genera and six tribes. The Noctuidae were found to be monophyletic, providing molecular support for the taxonomy within this subfamily. However, the Pyraloidea are paraphyletic, with the noctuids splitting Galleriinae and Schoenobiinae from the Crambinae. This supports the separation of the Pyralidae and Crambinae, but does not support the concept of the incorporation of the Schoenobiinae in the Crambidae. Of the three crambine genera examined, Diatraea was monophyletic, Chilo paraphyletic, and Eoreuma was basal to the other two genera. Within the Noctuidae, Sesamia and Bathytricha were monophyletic, with Busseola basal to Bathytricha. Many species in this study (both noctuids and pyraloids) had different biotypes within collection localities and across their distribution; however the individual biotypes were not phylogenetically informative. These data highlight the need for taxonomic revisions at all taxon levels and provide a basis for the development of DNA-based diagnostics for rapidly identifying many species at any developmental stage. This ability is vital, as the species are an incursion threat to Australia and have the potential to cause significant losses to the sugar industry.
Estimates of gene flow from rare alleles in natural populations of medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Kourti A.
Published: September 2004

Gene flow based on the spatial distribution of rare alleles at 25 gene loci was estimated in 15 populations of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) from different parts of the world. Estimates of Nm, the number of migrants exchanged per generation among populations in different regions of the world, appeared to be quite similar, ranging from 3.36 in tropical Africa to 2.94 in the New World and 2.72 in Mediterranean basin populations. This suggests that gene flow among neighbouring populations of medfly is quite extensive. The genetic differentiation in American, Mediterranean and African populations was related to major climatic differences between North and South. These differences arise mainly from five loci that showed gene frequency patterns suggestive of latitudinal clines in allele frequencies. The clinal variation was such that tropical-subtropical populations were more heterozygous than temperate populations. It was concluded that gene flow, counteracting the forces of natural selection and genetic drift, determines the extent to which geographical populations of C. capitata are differentiated.
Differential Contribution of Skeletal and Cardiac II-III Loop Sequences to the Assembly of Dihydropyridine-Receptor Arrays in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Takekura Hiroaki , Paolini Cecilia , Franzini-Armstrong Clara , Kugler Gerlinde , Grabner Manfred , Flucher Bernhard E.
Published: September 2004

The plasmalemmal dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) is the voltage sensor in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling. It activates calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via protein–protein interactions with the ryanodine receptor (RyR). To enable this interaction, DHPRs are arranged in arrays of tetrads opposite RyRs. In the DHPR α1S subunit, the cytoplasmic loop connecting repeats II and III is a major determinant of skeletal-type e-c coupling. Whether the essential II-III loop sequence (L720-L764) also determines the skeletal-specific arrangement of DHPRs was examined in dysgenic (α1S-null) myotubes reconstituted with distinct α1 subunit isoforms and II-III loop chimeras. Parallel immunofluorescence and freeze-fracture analysis showed that α1S and chimeras containing L720-L764, all of which restored skeletal-type e-c coupling, displayed the skeletal arrangement of DHPRs in arrays of tetrads. Conversely, α1C and those chimeras with a cardiac II-III loop and cardiac e-c coupling properties were targeted into junctional membranes but failed to form tetrads. However, an α1S-based chimera with the heterologous Musca II-III loop produced tetrads but did not reconstitute skeletal muscle e-c coupling. These findings suggest an inhibitory role in tetrad formation of the cardiac II-III loop and that the organization of DHPRs in tetrads vis-à-vis the RyR is necessary but not sufficient for skeletal-type e-c coupling.
Inter‐organizational network participation
Authors: Fenwick Marilyn , De Cieri Helen
Published: September 2004

A qualitative study of a research and development network of major global mining companies is reported in this paper. In this international inter‐organizational network, emergent global human resource development and, particularly, career development challenges for participating individuals and organizations are analyzed. These challenges arise from two important dimensions of present and future network effectiveness, the boundary activities of network centrality, and building and maintaining optimal trust. Implications for future research and practice are identified.
Career anchors of managers with global careers
Authors: Suutari Vesa , Taka Milla
Published: September 2004

The importance of understanding the careers of global leaders, who typically have careers including various international positions and assignments, has increased due to the globalization of business. One relevant approach to such careers is the internal career approach. Here the career anchor is seen as a person's self‐concept, consisting of self‐perceived talents, values, and the evolved sense of motives as they pertain to the career. The present study provides new evidence regarding such career anchors of global leaders through a qualitative research setting. The results of the study indicate that most managers saw that their decisions are based on two or even three career anchors instead of one dominating anchor. The most typical career anchors of the original career anchor classification were managerial competence and pure challenge. The key conclusion is the importance of the new internationalism anchor among the global leaders: the clear majority of them ranked the internationalism anchor as their major anchor or among the few major anchors.
Top managers' national diversity and boundary spanning
Authors: Caligiuri Paula , Lazarova Mila , Zehetbauer Stephan
Published: September 2004

Using a sample of 76 US‐based multinational firms, this study tests two hypotheses: whether top management teams' national diversity, and the number of countries of operation worldwide are related to other established indicators of internationalization. Results suggest that both hypothesized indicators are aspects of the nomological network for a firm's internationalization.
Global careers in French and German multinational corporations
Authors: Stahl Günter K. , Cerdin Jean‐Luc
Published: September 2004

This paper sheds light on an apparent paradox: managers continue to accept offers of international assignments even though they tend to view them as a risky career move. Based on a review of the literature and a survey of expatriate managers of 20 French and 30 German companies on assignment in 59 countries, the paper examines the nature of the expatriate career concept, the career development implications of international assignments, and the effectiveness of corporate expatriate career management and repatriation systems. Most of the research on the career implications of international assignments has been conducted using the US samples of expatriates. By exploring expatriate career issues in a cross‐national sample of French and German expatriates, this study seeks to yield new and significant insights into whether the emerging concept of boundaryless careers is beginning to take hold in countries other than the US, and whether there are cross‐national differences in the nature of the expatriate career concept. The findings show that many expatriates are frustrated with how their companies manage their international assignments, especially the long‐range planning of their repatriation. However, there are clear differences between the French and German expatriates in terms of repatriation concerns. Despite widespread dissatisfaction in both groups, the German expatriates seem relatively nonchalant regarding their repatriation. This finding can be explained by the fact that the German expatriates are more willing to leave their companies upon return than their French counterparts, thus showing strong evidence of a “boundaryless career” orientation. An important finding is that companies that fail to take an integrated approach to international assignments and do not have effective international career development and repatriation systems, tend to end up with highly dissatisfied managers who, depending on their nationalities, may be quite willing to leave their companies upon repatriation.
Radio‐frequency‐identification for security and media circulation in libraries
Authors: Kern Christian
Published: September 2004

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems have been in use in libraries for five years for book identification, for self‐checkout, for anti‐theft control, for inventory control, and for sorting and conveying of library books and AV materials. These applications can lead to significant savings in labour costs, enhance customer service, and lower book theft and can provide a constant record update of media collections. In this paper the components and technical features of a modern RFID library system are described to provide a guideline for the evaluation of different systems. A short report of three installations in Europe (one university library and two public libraries) is also provided. It is noted that an important point is that non‐proprietary systems can be used for libraries today since the new generation of RFID‐chips with the ISO standard 15693 are available. With this technology libraries are not dependent on one company for their lifeline.
The performance indicators of university e‐library in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Ling‐Feng , Chin Jiung‐Bin , Wu Mu‐Chen
Published: September 2004

This paper establishes an appropriate model of university electronic library performance indicators to evaluate the electronic libraries in Taiwan. Resources referred to in the process of establishing an initial model of performance indicators include the performance indicators for electronic libraries found in the EQUINOX system; the balanced scorecard concept, designed and implemented in Germany to evaluate the performance of the three largest university and research libraries; and the approach outlined in the ALA's standard for college libraries. Moreover, the Delphi method, the persistent mailing of questionnaires and interviewing of specialists, was applied to obtain the various opinions of library specialists, head librarians at university libraries, and other staff members working in university electronic libraries in Taiwan. Through this process a practical model of electronic library performance indicators, was established appropriate to the needs of Taiwan which will be acceptable to the majority of Taiwan's university libraries.
Use of information and communication technology in libraries and information centres: an Indian scenario
Authors: Gulati Anjali
Published: September 2004

This paper discusses the status of information and communication technologies usage in Indian libraries with special reference to special libraries and the efforts made by various institutions to propagate e‐information products and services. This paper highlights the consortia efforts in India like JCCC Consortium, INDEST Consortium, CSIR E‐journal Consortia, and UGC Infonet. It further discusses digitisation efforts in India at NISCAIR, New Delhi, IIITM, Kerala, C‐DAC Pune, and the Digital Library of India. In addition it incorporates details on major information systems in India (such as NISSAT)and major library networks in India (such as INFLIBNET, DELNET, CALIBNET etc.). The paper concludes with challenges for library and information science professionals and an overview of initiatives taken by Government of India.
A method of Java‐based electronic document publishing system
Authors: Shaofeng Wang
Published: September 2004

This paper mainly discusses the author's prototype implementation of Java‐based electronic publishing system (JEPS) that facilitates the creation and delivery of electronic documents with Java technology. JEPS packages the document and viewer in a Java applet. The documents can be viewed on any computer platform with the identical content and style. This paper describes the framework of JEPS and compares JEPS with other Web publishing technologies such as PDF and XML. This paper concludes by considering the potential opportunities and prospects that JEPS provides in the area of electronic publishing over the Internet.
Management processes in marketing planning
Authors: Greenley Gordon , Hooley Graham , Saunders John
Published: September 2004

There has been concern in the literature about the adequacy of the traditional model of marketing planning, which focuses on what decisions should be made and not on how to make them. The aim of this article is a new conceptualisation that proposes key management processes about how marketing planning decisions are made in a dynamic context. The motives for this conceptualisation are to contribute to understanding by advancing the traditional model of marketing planning, to stimulate academic and practitioner debate about how marketing planning decisions are made, and to initiate new directions in marketing planning research. Two new competing models of marketing planning are developed, which address key management processes about how marketing planning decisions are made in a dynamic context, and research directions are proposed.
Polychronic tendency analysis: a new approach to understanding women's shopping behaviors
Authors: Lindquist Jay D. , Kaufman‐Scarborough Carol F.
Published: September 2004

Consumer researchers have long known that some shoppers prefer to combine errands on their shopping trips, while others tend to focus on one errand at a time. However, there was no published evidence that similar behaviors occur within a specific shopping situation. Proposes that polychronic tendency analysis (PTA) can provide insights that explain such behaviors. Self‐reports were used to examine adult women's general polychronic tendency and to contrast this with reported polychronic tendencies when shopping for groceries and shopping for clothing to be worn at work. Three strong‐fitting, theoretically sound constructs consisting of multiple simultaneous activity and activity‐changing items were constructed using a structural equation modeling approach. The general, grocery shopping, and clothing shopping models differed from one another. This showed that women have different time use tendencies in different shopping situations. Also demonstrates how situation‐specific survey instruments and the resultant models and measurement scales can be developed using the PTA approach. Offers retail implications.
Multi‐channel marketing in the retail environment
Authors: Duffy Dennis L.
Published: September 2004

Multi‐channel marketing in the retail environment involves the integration of marketing activities in retail stores, with catalogs and with online marketing. The online component of this is critical to the success of the overall effort and it is becoming more powerful, sophisticated and measurable. This case study chronicles the use of multi‐channel marketing by REI, a 66‐year‐old purveyor of specialty outdoor gear and apparel. The case study shares the essential components of multi‐channel marketing used by REI and how the various components work together.
Links between organisational and customer variables in service delivery
Authors: Dean Alison M.
Published: September 2004

Studies in services management from the different perspectives of marketing, operations, human resources and psychology support the existence of a variety of links between organisations and their customers. The basic premise asserts that organisational characteristics and practices are linked to employee attitudes that are reflected in service quality outcomes, customer satisfaction and loyalty and, consequently, profit. Empirical studies support many of these associations and streams of research link them into linear sequences. However, the evidence is not unequivocal and this review challenges it by highlighting the complexity and non‐linearity of many of the proposed links, and the existence of reciprocity between certain variables. In synthesising the evidence in relation to the proposed links, the paper also identifies conceptual and methodological issues, unanswered questions and potential future research.
The effect of customer card programs
Authors: Noordhoff Corine , Pauwels Pieter , Odekerken‐Schröder Gaby
Published: September 2004

In the service industry, loyalty cards represent an established phenomenon (e.g. hotel and airline industry). Developing this knowledge, the present study focuses on the role of loyalty‐card programs in establishing loyalty towards a retail store. The impact of store satisfaction and these loyalty‐card programs on store loyalty is tested empirically. Therefore, a survey was performed among 333 grocery store customers in Singapore and The Netherlands. The comparative findings demonstrate that these programs do indeed impact on attitudinal as well as behavioural store loyalty, as long as the number of alternative programs is limited and customers over time have not become accustomed to loyalty cards.
PRACTICE PAPER: Commercial property investment in Tokyo
Authors: Maekawa Shunichi
Published: September 2004

In the past, the profit from property investments was always higher than that from other assets, because of the expectation of high rates of increase in land prices. However, as Japan′s economic growth has been slowing down, these circumstances for property investments have changed. The income yield rate of commercial property investments in Tokyo decreased sharply from 1982 to 1987 because of the sharp increase in land prices. Though commercial land prices in Tokyo have decreased since 1992, the income yield rate is too low because of decrease of office rents. If the income yield rate does not increase, demand for commercial property investments will not recover because a high rate of increase in land prices cannot be expected in the future.
PRACTICE PAPER: Price and worth Developments in valuation methodology
Authors: Peto Robert , French Nick , Bowman Gillian
Published: September 2004

Looks at the philosophy of valuation, explaining the distinction between “worth” and “price”. Attempts to explain traditional techniques of assessing price. Looks at the development of discounted cash flow and its applications in valuations and calculations of worth. Concludes that there must be more openness with clients about valuation risks and issues so that they can make informed judgements.
Determinants of Residential Land‐Use Conversion and Sprawl at the Rural‐Urban Fringe
Authors: Carrión‐Flores Carmen , Irwin Elena G.
Published: September 2004

We estimate a probit model of residential land conversion using parcel‐level data from a rural‐urban county in Ohio. Spatial landscape pattern metrics are used to quantify land‐use patterns and to link patterns of residential sprawl with factors estimated to influence parcel‐level land conversion. Findings indicate that the location of new residential development is influenced by preferences for lower density areas that nonetheless are close to existing urban development. Combined, these forces have generated a moderated pattern of residential sprawl. Spatial error autocorrelation is controlled using a spatial sampling technique that enables consistent estimation of the probit model.
Targeting Conservation Investments in Heterogeneous Landscapes: A Distance‐Function Approach and Application to Watershed Management
Authors: Ferraro Paul J.
Published: September 2004

To achieve an environmental objective at least cost, decision makers must integrate information about spatially variable biophysical and economic conditions. Although the biophysical attributes that contribute to an environmental outcome are often known, the way in which these attributes interact to produce the outcome is often unknown. We introduce a nonparametric conservation targeting approach that relies on distance functions to cost‐efficiently allocate conservation funds. We apply the approach empirically to the case of conservation contracting for water‐quality objectives. The contract portfolios derived from the application have many desirable properties, including intuitive appeal and robust performance across plausible parametric scoring measures.
Marginal Property Tax Effects of Conservation Easements: A Vermont Case Study
Authors: King Jonathan R. , Anderson Christopher M.
Published: September 2004

Conservation easements allow landowners to transfer their land's development rights to another entity, usually a nontaxable conservation organization. Conservation reduces the town's tax base, necessitating a tax rate increase to maintain service levels. However, conserving land also decreases the supply of developable land and provides open space amenities that may be capitalized into the value of nearby properties. These effects may offset the decrease in the tax base caused by the easement. Using a sample of twenty‐nine Vermont towns, we show that private conservation easements increase property tax rates in the short run, but are tax‐neutral or tax‐suppressing in the long run.
Playing with Fire: Endogenous Risk in Resource Management
Authors: Yoder Jonathan
Published: September 2004

Prescribed fire as a wildfire risk mitigation tool is receiving increasing attention in the United States after a century of emphasis on suppression. A dynamic economic model of prescribed fire use, precaution, and timing is developed and applied to three important policy issues: vegetation management on the wildland‐urban interface; the effect of liability on vegetation management decisions; and the problem of heavy initial fuel loads after years of suppression and fuel accumulation. Numerical simulation results are presented as illustrations of the analytical model.
Parametric Decomposition of Output Growth Using A Stochastic Input Distance Function
Authors: Karagiannis Giannis , Midmore Peter , Tzouvelekas Vangelis
Published: September 2004

This article proposes a tractable approach for analyzing the sources of TFP changes (i.e., technical change, changes in technical and allocative inefficiency, and the scale effect) in a multi‐output setting, while retaining the single‐equation nature of the econometric procedure used to estimate the parameters of the underlying technology. The proposed approach relies on Bauer's cost function‐based decomposition of TFP changes and the duality between input distance and cost functions. The empirical results are based on a sample of 121 UK livestock farms observed over the period 1983–92 and a translog input distance function.
Price Dynamics in a Vertical Sector: The Case of Butter
Authors: Chavas Jean‐Paul , Mehta Aashish
Published: September 2004

We develop a reduced‐form model of price transmission in a vertical sector, allowing for refined asymmetric, contemporaneous and lagged, own and cross‐price effects under time‐varying volatility. The model is used to investigate the wholesale‐retail price dynamics in the U.S. butter market. The analysis documents the nature of nonlinear price dynamics in a vertical sector. It finds strong evidence of asymmetric retail price responses, both in the short term and the longer term, but only weak evidence of asymmetric wholesale price responses. Asymmetric retail responses play a major role in generating a skewed distribution of butter prices. The empirical results indicate the presence of imperfect competition at the retail level.
Food Demand in Mexico: An Application of the Amemiya‐Tobin Approach to the Estimation of a Censored Food System
Authors: Dong Diansheng , Gould Brian W. , Kaiser Harry M.
Published: September 2004

The modeling of micro‐level food demand patterns requires not only allowing for household heterogeneity, but also addressing the problem of censoring. In this article, we present a variation of the Amemiya‐Tobin framework for estimating a censored demand system that allows for household heterogeneity. The unique aspect of our approach is the use of a procedure that ensures the adding up of both latent and observed expenditure shares and also imposes expenditure share nonnegativity. This system is applied to an analysis of food demand based on a random sample of urban Mexican households.
Using Elasticities from an Almost Ideal Demand System? Watch Out for Group Expenditure!
Authors: Thompson Wyatt
Published: September 2004

Group expenditure has often been treated as exogenous when estimating demand parameters for a group of commodities with an almost ideal demand system. Researchers draw demand elasticities from past literature to use in their own analysis, but elasticities contingent on exogenous group expenditure may be inappropriate. Here, the approach is considered in the case of Japanese meat demand with a simple equation added to estimate group expenditures. The results show that elasticities should be revised and that a group expenditure equation is not a panacea as it may result in the violation of theoretical restrictions, such as symmetry.
Contested Discourses on National Identity: Representing Nicaraguan Immigration to Costa Rica
Authors: Sandoval García Carlos
Published: September 2004

This article explores the ways in which the immigration of Nicaraguans to Costa Rica is represented by Costa Rican institutions and individuals through public discourses and everyday life. Three discourses are considered. First, intellectual claims that immigration poses a threat to Costa Rican national identity, whereby intellectuals portray ‘Costa Rica in crisis’ due to immigration. Second, fictional works seek to represent issues regarding the Nicaraguan community in innovative ways, being open‐ended and including diverse voices. Third, stories written by Nicaraguan children are discussed in view of exploring how hostility towards immigration interpellates them, who face the challenge of negotiating their identities with their peers in everyday life. The article ends by asking for a politics able to defend public institutions and public investment, able to forge networks of solidarity with immigrant communities.
Calmodulin‐myosin light chain kinase inhibition changes fibroblast‐populated collagen lattice contraction, cell migration, focal adhesion formation, and wound contraction
Authors: Levinson Howard , Moyer Kurtis E. , Saggers Gregory C. , Paul Ehrlich H.
Published: September 2004

Wound healing requires fibroblast migration, synthesis of new extracellular matrix, and organization of that matrix, all of which depend upon myosin ATPase activation and subsequent cytoplasmic actin‐myosin contraction. Myosin ATPase activity is optimized by phosphorylation of myosin light chain at serine 19. Several different signaling pathways can perform that phosphorylation, the focus here is calcium saturated calmodulin dependent ‐myosin light chain kinase (CaM‐MLCK). It is proposed that CaM‐MLCK phosphorylation of myosin light chain and subsequent myosin ATPase activation affects granulation tissue fibroblast behavior and contributes to wound contraction. Myosin ATPase activity generates actin‐myosin contraction within fibroblasts. Myosin ATPase activity is involved in ATP‐induced cell contraction, the generation of focal adhesions, fibroblast migration, fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) contraction, and wound contraction. The MLCK inhibitors ML‐9 and ML‐7 inhibited ATP‐induced cell contraction, fibroblast migration, FA formation, and FPCL contraction. The calmodulin inhibitors W7 and fluphenazine blocked rat open wound contraction. In addition, fluphenazine delayed re‐epithelialization. These findings support the idea that fibroblast CaM‐MLCK activity is essential for tissue repair. We speculate that inhibition of CaM‐MLCK may reduce or prevent detrimental fibrotic contracture.
Expression of transforming growth factor‐β and extracellular matrix by human peritoneal mesothelial cells and by fibroblasts from normal peritoneum and adhesions: Effect of Tisseel
Authors: Saed Ghassan M. , Kruger Michael , Diamond Michael P.
Published: September 2004

We have previously shown that fibroblasts obtained from adhesions produce greater amounts of transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules than normal fibroblasts isolated from normal peritoneum. The purpose of the current studies was to examine the effect of Tisseel (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Glendale, CA), a fibrin sealant containing fibrinogen, aprotinin (a protease inhibitor), thrombin, and CaC12, on TGF‐β1 and ECM production by human peritoneal mesothelial cells, normal peritoneal fibroblasts, and adhesion fibroblasts. Multiplex reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction using β‐actin as a housekeeping gene was used to determine mRNA levels of TGF‐β1 and ECM in these cells at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours under normoxic conditions in the following treatment groups :  fibrin sealant (Tisseel) alone; fibrin sealant with the two components diluted 1 : 2; fibrin sealant with the sealer protein component reconstituted without aprotinin (a protease inhibitor); fibrin sealant with the sealer protein component reconstituted without aprotinin (and both components diluted 1 : 2); fibrin sealant components diluted to physiologic concentrations; and control (culture media). The test compositions had little effect on TGF‐β1 mRNA expression in mesothelial cells and normal peritoneal fibroblasts, but resulted in a marked reduction of TGF‐β1 from adhesion fibroblasts. Expression of type I collagen by human peritoneal mesothelial cells was not detected; the compositions reduced type I collagen mRNA expression by both types of fibroblasts. Type III collagen was detected at six hours, and increased approximately 50 percent by culturing for 48 hours. Tisseel at full strength and with both components diluted 1 : 2 initially increased type III collagen mRNA levels; in contrast, type III collagen mRNA levels were reduced in mesothelial cells by the fibrin sealant without aprotinin at both concentrations and at physiologic concentrations. In both types of fibroblasts, the Tisseel compositions reduced type III collagen mRNA expression. Fibronectin mRNA were transiently reduced at six hours by approximately 50 percent in the presence of the Tisseel components, but then returned to control levels. Fibronectin mRNA levels were not altered in normal peritoneal fibroblasts, but were reduced by all but the physiologic concentration in adhesion fibroblasts. Tisseel may modulate human peritoneal mesothelial cell, normal peritoneal fibroblast, and adhesion fibroblast function. These results suggest that fibrin sealant prepared from the Tisseel kit without aprotinin has the ability to reduce ECM and TGF‐β1 mRNA levels, especially from adhesion fibroblasts, which may indicate a role in reduction of postoperative adhesion development.
K+ channel inhibition accelerates intestinal epithelial cell wound healing
Authors: Lotz Margaret M. , Wang Helen , Song Jaekyung Cecilia , Pories Susan E. , Matthews Jeffrey B.
Published: September 2004

Restitution is the process by which superficial interruptions in the gastrointestinal mucosa are repaired by the flattening and spreading of epithelial cells surrounding the damage. During this process, mucosal epithelial cells undergo extensive reshaping and cytoskeletal remodeling. K+ channels, located primarily on the basolateral surface of gut epithelial cells, are central to both actin polymerization, via their control of membrane potential, and cell volume regulation. We questioned whether K+ channels are involved in restitution using an in vitro model of intestinal epithelium, monolayers of the human colon carcinoma cell line T84. We report that pharmacologic K+ channel inhibition accelerates wound healing in T84 cell monolayers. Both Ca++‐dependent and constitutively active channels are involved, as indicated by the sensitivity to clotrimazole, charybdotoxin, and barium. The ability of clotrimazole to accelerate wound resealing was also observed in Caco‐2 cell sheets. Pharmacologic stimulation of K+ channel activity had no effect on the repair rate. Analysis of the resealing process by time lapse and confocal microscopy revealed that K+ channel inhibitors abolished the initial wound retraction, briefly accelerated the repair rate, and altered the shape of the cell sheet abutting the injury during the early phase of resealing. We hypothesize that K+ channel inactivation interrupts the coregulation of f‐actin polymerization and volume control that is initiated by the healing process.