bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative study of micromarketing merchandising in the US apparel retail industry
Authors: Halepete Jaya , Hathcote Jan , Peters Cara
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To examine the variables that influence micromarketing merchandising in the apparel industry in order to help new retailer understand the importance of micromarketing merchandising.

Design/methodology/approach

A model was developed showing the different variables that influenced micromarketing merchandising. General merchandising managers of 20 US‐based apparel retail chains were interviewed using a questionnaire developed after analyzing the available literature. A qualitative method of data analysis was conducted and the model was revised based on the findings of the research.

Findings

A qualitative analysis of the transcribed interviews indicated that assortment, demographics, pricing and customer loyalty were the primary variables that effected micromarketing merchandising in the apparel retail industry. The sub‐variables in the study included lifestyle, ethnicity, store size and location, and customer service.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to US‐based apparel retailers. Future research could be directed towards in‐depth quantitative analysis of each variable influencing micromarketing merchandising.

Practical implications

The results of this study could be used by managers of retail chains to understand the various variables that need to be considered while micromarketing merchandising for their store. Based on the area the store is located in, the importance of each variable can be adjusted to best suit specific stores.

Originality/value

Understanding the importance of micromarketing merchandising can help new retailers study their consumers based on the important dimensions reported in this research and buy the right product for their target consumers.
Ethnicity and consumer choice
Authors: Rajagopalan Ramya , Heitmeyer Jeanne
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain the level of involvement of Asian‐Indian consumers residing in the US when purchasing Indian ethnic apparel and contemporary American clothing at different levels of acculturation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered by a questionnaire administered to 254 Asian‐Indian consumers from the southeastern United States.

Findings

Low levels of acculturation among Asian‐Indians did result in a higher level of involvement in Indian ethnic apparel. Consumers who were moderately acculturated to western culture were less involved in Indian ethnic apparel but became increasingly involved as they became more acculturated to the US culture. In conclusion, Asian‐Indians, who were new to the US, may try to identify with the new culture leading to a decline in involvement with Indian ethnic apparel. As these consumers became more comfortable in their new environment they may have felt a need to connect with their original culture, and this could have led to a renewed interest in Indian ethnic apparel.

Originality/value

This study fulfills a need for literature on how ethnic groups residing in a foreign land view products indigenous to their original culture across the stages of acculturation. Understanding consumer interests of targeted market segments and their impact on the overall population may benefit fashion marketers.
A consumer shopping channel extension model: attitude shift toward the online store
Authors: Kim Jihyun , Park Jihye
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the consumer shopping channel extension focusing on attitude shift from offline to online store with a theoretical approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Two hundred and sixty two students in a large US midwestern university participated and provided usable survey responses. Structural equation modeling was employed to test hypotheses and the modified theory of planned behavior in the online retailing environment.

Findings

The results showed that attitude toward the offline store was a significant predictor of attitude toward the online store. In addition, search intention for product information via the online store was the strongest predictor of consumer's purchase intention via the online store as well as a mediating variable between predictor variables and purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of this study was slightly biased by gender and age. Female college‐aged consumers were the majority. This demographic group is, however, meaningful to investigate for apparel multichannel retailers due to the strong consumer demand and buying power.

Originality/value

This paper offered a theoretical framework to understand and predict the consumer shopping behavior in the multichannel retailing setting. In addition, the present paper contributed to the academia by expanding the theory of planned behavior and online prepurchase intentions model.
The application of a layered system to the marketing of outdoor clothing
Authors: Ruckman J.E.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to find out if there is an optimum combination of the three layer clothing system and if so to indicate how this layered system may be applied to the development and marketing of outdoor clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven fabrics typically used in outdoor clothing systems were chosen for the experiments; two fabrics for base liner, two for the mid layer and three for the outer shell. A total of 12 different clothing systems, which are all possible combinations that a consumer may create as clothing systems, were then established using the selected fabrics. To evaluate the effectiveness of the clothing systems, the water vapour permeability of each of these varying combinations was measured under both isothermal conditions and non‐isothermal conditions.

Findings

When three layers of fabrics, each developed to be base liner, middle layer and outer shell, were assembled into a simulated clothing system, it was expected that they would function together as a whole, exerting some influence over each other. In this paper, it was found that the behaviour of water vapour permeability changes if a layered system is applied within a clothing system. Furthermore, it was also found that an optimum combination of the three layer clothing system does exist although the combination may differ according to the ways in which the clothing system is evaluated.

Originality/value

These findings may be used for the development and marketing of three layer outdoor clothing systems as consumers will benefit by being offered the clothing system that will provide them with maximum comfort.
Telecommunications trade liberalisation and the WTO
Authors: Bressie Kent , Kende Michael , Williams Howard
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To review the relationship between the nature of telecommunications sector reform and the commitments under the WTO, and determine the impact on sector performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A model is developed which links sector reforms and WTO commitments. Publicly available, data are then used to populate the model and explore the correlations between sector reform, WTO commitments and sector performance.

Findings

The empirical analysis suggests a strong and positive correlation between positive changes in sector performance and sector reform supported by WTO commitments.

Research limitations/implications

The sequencing of the reform agenda and the use of WTO commitments as part within the political economy of a particular country are important issues which future research may consider. The lack of consistent cross‐sectional data prevented the adoption of more formal econometric analysis.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the close integration of a number of policy measures if sector reform within a country is to be successful. The role of the WTO commitments may be significant not only in shaping the details of internal policy measures, but also as a credibility signal to investors.

Originality/value

In light of the Doha round of negotiations within the WTO, in particular the “Singapore Agenda”, this paper makes a significant contribution to understanding the relationship between WTO commitments and reform of the telecommunications sector.
The WTO and telecommunications services in China: three years on
Authors: Roseman Daniel
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To assess the impact of China's WTO commitments on foreign investment flows, domestic regulation and industry performance in the telecommunications services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Situates GATS disciplines in telecommunications in their historical context, then reviews China's specific commitments, and finally reviews available data on developments in China since accession.

Findings

China's commitments on market access and national treatment in telecommunications services are rather modest, and China is lagging in the implementation of regulatory disciplines. Nevertheless, China has gone a long distance toward a complete transformation of the telecommunications sector with little outside influence and no outside ownership or control. It is mainly because the prospect of joining the WTO and opening to the world galvanized government and industry into action. The overall thrust of those actions, however, has been to ensure that telecommunications plays its full role as a strategic economic sector and helps deliver economic benefits to the Chinese people in order to legitimize Communist Party leadership.

Research limitations/implications

Up‐to‐date and coherent data on industry performance (e.g. penetration rates, productivity increases, etc.) are lacking.

Practical implications

Very useful background and analysis relating to: relationship between, on the one hand, international trade commitments and, on the other hand, domestic reforms and industry performance; and on‐going issues in China's efforts to implement its WTO obligations and to create a statutory, regulatory and institutional framework supportive of continued growth of the telecommunications sector in China.

Originality/value

Responds to an identified information need with information and analysis of practical value.
Be here now
Authors: Miles Ian
Published: March 2005

Purpose

One of the reasons for confusion over the exact nature of the “Information Society” is that it is a moving target. The paper aims to elaborate a view of information society as involving the transformation of the social world through the use of new information technologies. This has evolved through a number of quite distinctive stages, over just a few decades. Understanding this is important for thinking about future prospects – whether we are interested in what technologies will be commercially successful, or in what the policy challenges of new systems are liable to be.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews major trends. It illustrates the analyses of evolving information society by use of some historical narrative and vignettes of future possibilities, alongside the more conventional analysis. It presents a context within which these emerging issues may be examined.

Findings

Three distinctive stages of information society evolution are identified, and future prospects discussed. Critical problem areas are identified.

Research limitations/implications

The approach demonstrates the limits of simple extrapolation from one stage to the next.

Practical implications

Elements of a future stage of information society, and some of the key problems of transition to this stage are outlined. The innovation, social action and political choices that are aimed at these problems will shape many key features of this society. To date, information technology has been fairly free of the controversies that have flared up around other technologies. But it remains to be seen how far privacy (and other) concerns will be outweighed by consumer and social benefits, and security applications, that can be realised through the new technology. Opportunities to counter terrorism and crime may be stacked up against the vulnerability of complicated systems.

Originality/value

Articulating a fresh perspective on information society, this paper is relevant to analysis of commercial, social and political dimensions of emerging information technologies.
Dramatically different price developments for mobile services in India and Switzerland and their underlying drivers
Authors: Buerkler Erich
Published: March 2005

Purpose

By comparing prices for mobile services in India and Switzerland, this article aims to highlight marginal differences in regulations – besides other significant factors – which can result in totally different price developments.

Design/methodology/approach

A holistic approach is used to explain the various drivers behind price developments. Besides costs (including licence fees), customer behaviours (summarized in demand elasticity), competitive behaviour (explained by the applied marketing mix) and termination fees (either as a price stabilizer – if not freezer – or as a relatively marginal cost component) represent the relevant drivers.

Findings

The comparative study underlines the crucial role termination costs play in dynamic mobile markets – besides the usually stressed general cost levels and numbers of competitors.

Originality/value

As a case study, this paper identifies country‐specific factors which would have to be reviewed again before drawing conclusions for other mobile markets and their regulatory success.
Developing Indian grain supply chain cost model: a system dynamics approach
Authors: Sachan Amit , Sahay B.S. , Sharma Dinesh
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The objective of the present study is to model the total supply chain cost (TSCC) of an Indian grain chain in order to understand and predict the future outcome of each supply chain model in different situations and to devise policies accordingly to reduce TSCC.

Design/methodology/approach

The system dynamics (SD) approach is used to model the TSCC model of an Indian grain chain, which takes care of the dynamic interaction of the cost variables.

Findings

The major findings of the paper are the reduced cost ratios in the different scenarios. A total of nine scenarios are evaluated, which are the cooperative model, contract farming and a collaborative supply chain based on optimistic, pessimistic and most likely views.

Practical implications

The practical implications are the action plans suggested to reduce TSCC in each of the future scenarios of the supply chain model that are developed in the paper.

Originality/value

The TSCC model is beneficial not only for organizations entering into the food business, but also for economic policy makers.
Using job support tools to increase workgroup performance
Authors: Coulson‐Thomas Colin
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To assess and share the experiences of users of a new generation of practical and knowledge‐based job support tools.

Design/methodology/approach

To illustrate distinguishing features of job support tools and the use of multi‐media capabilities with examples of sales support tools.

Findings

The tools mentioned and other similar tools examined by the underpinning research programme have had a very significant and beneficial impact on performance.

Practical implications

Job support tools can make it easier for important work groups to undertake complex tasks. The essence of the greater success of superstar performers can be captured and shared by means of support tools that can be constructed to encourage adoption, build understanding with each use and change behaviours with benefits for both people and organisations.

Originality/value

Shares the experiences of early adopters and draws practical lessons from them.
Effective review meetings: the counter‐intuitive key to successful performance measurement
Authors: Meekings Alan
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To present clear pointers to best practice in the implementation and use of performance measurement, highlighting the significance of effective review meetings, connected across functions and between levels in organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A summary of practical experience in the implementation and use of performance measurement, supported by three complementary case studies, each illustrating ways in which it can be both a catalyst and impetus for results otherwise unachievable. In particular, this paper explains why the greatest benefits lie not in specific measures themselves, nor even in the process used to develop them, but in how performance measurement is actually implemented and used in practice. It argues that the key to getting the most out of performance measurement is to grab the review process and make it work properly.

Findings

Insights into how to maximise the value of performance measurement by making the review process work properly, such that strategic developments and continual improvement are effectively “pulled‐through” in a coherent and progressive fashion and the measures themselves become essentially “self‐correcting”.

Originality/value

This paper brings performance measurement to life, by concentrating on how it is best implemented and used in practice through focusing on what it takes to make the review process work properly from top to bottom and side to side across organisations. It also offers some interesting hypotheses for further academic work in this field.
Compensating increases in protein backbone flexibility occur when the Dead ringer AT‐rich interaction domain (ARID) binds DNA: A nitrogen‐15 relaxation study
Authors: Iwahara Junji , Peterson Robert D. , Clubb Robert T.
Published: April 2005

AT‐rich interaction domains (ARIDs) are found in a large number of eukaryotic transcription factors that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and development. Previously we elucidated how ARIDs recognize DNA by determining the solution structure of the Drosophila melanogaster Dead ringer protein in both its DNA‐free and ‐bound states. In order to quantitatively determine how ARIDs alter their mobility to recognize DNA, we have measured the relaxation parameters of the backbone nitrogen‐15 nuclei of Dead ringer in its free and bound forms, and interpreted these data using the model‐free approach. We show that Dead ringer undergoes significant changes in its mobility upon binding, with residues in the loop connecting helices H5 and H6 becoming immobilized in the major groove and contacts to the minor groove slowing down the motion of residues at the C terminus. A DNA‐induced rotation and displacement of the N‐terminal subdomain of the protein increases the mobility of helix H1 located distal to the DNA interface and may partially negate the entropic cost of immobilizing interfacial residues. Elevated motions on the micro‐ to millisecond timescale in the N‐terminal domain prior to DNA binding appear to foreshadow the DNA‐induced conformation change.
Multiple equilibria of the Escherichia coli chaperonin GroES revealed by mass spectrometry
Authors: Donald Lynda J. , Stokell David J. , Holliday Neil J. , Ens Werner , Standing Kenneth G. , Duckworth Harry W.
Published: April 2005

Nanospray time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry has been used to study the assembly of the heptamer of the Escherichia coli cochaperonin protein GroES, a system previously described as a monomer–heptamer equilibrium. In addition to the monomers and heptamers, we have found measurable amounts of dimers and hexamers, the presence of which suggests the following mechanism for heptamer assembly: 2 Monomers ↔ Dimer; 3 Dimers ↔ Hexamer; Hexamer + Monomer ↔ Heptamer. Equilibrium constants for each of these steps, and an overall constant for the Monomer ↔ Heptamer equilibrium, have been estimated from the data. These constants imply a standard free‐energy change, ΔG0, of about 9 kcal/mol for each contact surface formed between GroES subunits, except for the addition of the last subunit, where ΔG0 = 6 kcal/mol. This lower value probably reflects the loss of entropy when the heptamer ring is formed. These experiments illustrate the advantages of electrospray mass spectrometry as a method of measuring all components of a multiple equilibrium system.
Synthetic prions generated in vitro are similar to a newly identified subpopulation of PrPSc from sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob Disease
Authors: Bocharova Olga V. , Breydo Leonid , Salnikov Vadim V. , Gill Andrew C. , Baskakov Ilia V.
Published: April 2005

In recent studies, the amyloid form of recombinant prion protein (PrP) encompassing residues 89–230 (rPrP 89‐230) produced in vitro induced transmissible prion disease in mice. These studies showed that unlike “classical” PrPSc produced in vivo, the amyloid fibrils generated in vitro were more proteinase‐K sensitive. Here we demonstrate that the amyloid form contains a proteinase K‐resistant core composed only of residues 152/153–230 and 162–230. The PK‐resistant fragments of the amyloid form are similar to those observed upon PK digestion of a minor subpopulation of PrPSc recently identified in patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). Remarkably, this core is sufficient for self‐propagating activity in vitro and preserves a β‐sheet‐rich fibrillar structure. Full‐length recombinant PrP 23‐230, however, generates two subpopulations of amyloid in vitro: One is similar to the minor subpopulation of PrPSc, and the other to classical PrPSc. Since no cellular factors or templates were used for generation of the amyloid fibrils in vitro, we speculate that formation of the subpopulation of PrPSc with a short PK‐resistant C‐terminal region reflects an intrinsic property of PrP rather than the influence of cellular environments and/or cofactors. Our work significantly increases our understanding of the biochemical nature of prion infectious agents and provides a fundamental insight into the mechanisms of prions biogenesis.
Improved side‐chain modeling for protein–protein docking
Authors: Wang Chu , Schueler‐Furman Ora , Baker David
Published: April 2005

Success in high‐resolution protein–protein docking requires accurate modeling of side‐chain conformations at the interface. Most current methods either leave side chains fixed in the conformations observed in the unbound protein structures or allow the side chains to sample a set of discrete rotamer conformations. Here we describe a rapid and efficient method for sampling off‐rotamer side‐chain conformations by torsion space minimization during protein–protein docking starting from discrete rotamer libraries supplemented with side‐chain conformations taken from the unbound structures, and show that the new method improves side‐chain modeling and increases the energetic discrimination between good and bad models. Analysis of the distribution of side‐chain interaction energies within and between the two protein partners shows that the new method leads to more native‐like distributions of interaction energies and that the neglect of side‐chain entropy produces a small but measurable increase in the number of residues whose interaction energy cannot compensate for the entropic cost of side‐chain freezing at the interface. The power of the method is highlighted by a number of predictions of unprecedented accuracy in the recent CAPRI (Critical Assessment of PRedicted Interactions) blind test of protein–protein docking methods.
Deletion of the proline‐rich region of TonB disrupts formation of a 2:1 complex with FhuA, an outer membrane receptor of Escherichia coli
Authors: Khursigara Cezar M. , De Crescenzo Gregory , Pawelek Peter D. , Coulton James W.
Published: April 2005

TonB protein of Escherichia coli couples the electrochemical potential of the cytoplasmic membrane (CM) to active transport of iron‐siderophores and vitamin B12 across the outer membrane (OM). TonB interacts with OM receptors and transduces conformationally stored energy. Energy for transport is provided by the proton motive force through ExbB and ExbD, which form a ternary complex with TonB in the CM. TonB contains three distinct domains: an N‐terminal signal/anchor sequence, a C‐terminal domain, and a proline‐rich region. The proline‐rich region was proposed to extend TonB's structure across the periplasm, allowing it to contact spatially distant OM receptors. Having previously identified a 2:1 stoichiometry for the complex of full‐length (FL) TonB and the OM receptor FhuA, we now demonstrate that deletion of the proline‐rich region of TonB (TonBΔ66‐100) prevents formation of the 2:1 complex. Sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation of TonBΔ66‐100 with FhuA revealed that a 1:1 TonB–FhuA complex is formed. Interactions between TonBΔ66‐100 and FhuA were assessed by surface plasmon resonance, and their affinities were determined to be similar to those of TonB (FL)–FhuA. Presence of the FhuA‐specific siderophore ferricrocin altered neither stoichiometry nor affinity of interaction, leading to our conclusion that the proline‐rich region in TonB is important in forming a 2:1 high‐affinity TonB–FhuA complex in vitro. Furthermore, TonBΔ66‐100–FhuAΔ21‐128 interactions demonstrated that the cork region of the OM receptor was also important in forming a complex. Together, these results demonstrate a novel function of the proline‐rich region of TonB in mediating TonB–TonB interactions within the TonB–FhuA complex.
Differences in growth performance between Arcto‐Norwegian and Norwegian coastal cod reared under identical conditions
Authors: Svåsand T. , Jørstad K. E. , Otterå H. , Kjesbu O. S.
Published: April 2005

Offspring from seven family groups of Arcto‐Norwegian cod (AN) and a genetically marked Norwegian coastal cod (NC) broodstock, were mixed at metamorphosis and raised in the same rearing unit. The fish were transferred subsequently to a net‐pen and held under standard farming conditions. In December 1992, 466 cod juveniles were measured, weighed, and tagged individually. Length and weight changes were monitored until the fish matured (January 1994). Genotyping of each individual was performed using enzyme electrophoresis to identify the fish to strain. Prespawning females were examined for organ weights and stage of maturity. There were population specific Differences in growth performance. NC displayed significantly higher specific growth rate (SGR) and daily length increment (DLI) during spring/summer season. The AN had significantly lower hepatosomatic and gonadosomatic indices, and were thinner than the NC, indicating Differences in body form and energy allocation pattern between the two strains. All NC (both sexes) became sexually mature at the age of 2 years while 2% of fish in the AN group were still immature at the end of the experiment.
Effect of temporary reductions in feeding on protein synthesis and energy storage of juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Arndt S. K. A. , Benfey T. J. , Cunjak R. A.
Published: April 2005

Biochemical and tissue‐composition indices were used to determine the impacts of temporary feeding reductions on juvenile Atlantic salmon (4.2g initial weight). Three levels of food reduction (fasting, 20% of control, 50% of control) lasting for 2, 4 or 8 days were compared to a control group (constant feeding at 2.75% of body weight day−1). Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and RNA concentrations were used to measure changes in protein synthesis; condition factor (K), liver‐somatic index (LSI), visceral‐somatic index (VSI), and gut index (GI)were used to provide information on stored energy levels. Results showed that physiological adjustments to decreases or increases in feeding occur very quickly. The most rapid responses were changes in ODC activity (within 2 days) and LSI (2–4 days). Changes in RNA concentrations and K required 4–8 days. There was no apparent effect of the treatments on VSI or GI. Temporary reductions of feeding lasting 2 days or less would not be detected by any index except ODC activity. Changes in the indices are discussed with respect to short‐term changes in rates of protein synthesis and energy storage.
Effects of five years of intensive trawling on a previously unexploited smelt stock
Authors: Horppila J. , Nyberg K. , Peltonen H. , Turunen T.
Published: April 2005

In the years 1989–1993, over 1000 metric tons of fish (392 kg ha−1) was removed by trawls from the Enonselkä basin in Lake Vesijärvi in order to enhance the water quality. Roach (52%) and smelt (28%) were the most abundant species in the catches. In this study, the effects of the mass removal on the previously unexploited smelt stock was assessed. The total smelt catch was c. 282 metric tons. Due to the mass removal, the density of the stock collapsed from c. 46 000 fish ha−1 in 1989 to c. 14 000 fish ha−1 in 1993 (M=1.0). The biomass of the stock decreased from 75 kg ha−1 in 1989 to 12 kg ha−1 in 1993. The age group composition of the stock changed clearly towards the dominance of younger age groups. The male/female relationship in the samples changed from clear dominance of females to the dominance of males and the infection rate by the sporozoan parasite Glugea hertwigi declined. The growth rate of the smelt did not change considerably during the years of mass removal. The results suggest that in biomanipulated lakes several mechanisms may prevent the exploited stock from responding to the increased mortality.
Differences in susceptibility of anadromous and resident stocks of Arctic charr to infections of Gyrodactylus salaris, under experimental conditions
Authors: Bakke T. A. , Jansen P. A. , Harris P. D.
Published: April 2005

The ability of Gyrodactylus salaris, an important pathogen of the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, in Norway, to infect anadromous and resident stocks of the Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, has been examined in the laboratory. Resident charr (Korssjoen stock) exposed to heavily infected salmon, were considered innately resistant as they lost their infections within 21 days when individually isolated. Isolated anadromous harr (Hammerfest stock) remained infected for up to 150 days, although most infections disappeared within 30–50 days. In many cases the parasite population grew initially, but growth was limited after 20–30 days and infections subsequently disappeared. At the same time, shoals of 50 anadromous charr, swimming in the tanks containing the individually isolated fish in floating cages, remained infected for up to 280 days. Charr isolated from these shoals after 115 days and subsequently monitored individually lost their infections within 30 days, although the parasite persisted within the shoals for a further 75–135 days. This suggests that G. salaris, persisted on shoaling charr despite an immune response which led to the elimination of parasites from isolated hosts. The Hammerfest stock of anadromous charr supports G. salaris, in the laboratory, and the extended period of survival on this host suggests that charr may be important in the epidemiology of G. salaris, in northern Norway.
Minisatellite DNA variation and stock identification of coho salmon
Authors: Beacham T. D. , Miller K. M. , Withler R. E.
Published: April 2005

Geographic variation in minisatellite DNA variation was examined in 18 stocks of coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from British Columbia and three stocks from Kamchatka or Western Alaska. Genomic DNA was restricted with Mbo I or Hae III and hybridized with two minisatellite probes (pSsa‐A34, Ots PBS‐1). Allele frequencies and DNA band counts derived from the two probes were combined with band counts from the probe Ssa to show a regional stock structure. In British Columbia, stocks from the Fraser River were distinct from those on Vancouver Island, and all were differentiated from those on the mainland of British Columbia. Average heterozygosity at the Ssa‐A34 locus was 71%. Compared with a previous study of British Columbia coho salmon population structure in which variation at 26 allozyme loci was examined, greater population differentiation and higher heterozygosity were observed at minisatellite loci. Estimated stock compositions of simulated mixtures of fishery samples from British Columbia stocks were accurate and precise, with the potential of identifying stocks within the drainage basin of a major river, the Fraser River. Minisatellite DNA variation may provide accurate and precise estimates of stock composition in actual fishery applications, and has the potential of identifying individual fish to region or stock of origin.
Predicting biomass of Atlantic salmon from morphometric lateral measurements
Authors: Beddow T. A. , Ross L. G.
Published: April 2005

Previously biomass predictions have been derived from simple weight—length relationships. This study measured a variety of truss and conventional dimensions covering the lateral body profile of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and, using regression analysis, developed a series of multifactor weight—lateral dimension relationships. Single‐factor regression equations proved inadequate for predicting weight with percentage errors between real and estimated values ranging from −1.2±6.8% to 72.5 ± 225.6%. Fifty‐two multifactor regression equations were generated that predicted accurately the weight of individual fish to within ±2% using combinations of conventional and truss measurements. Regression coefficients were found to be significantly different (P<0.05) between Scottish and Norwegian strains, indicating morphological differences between the genetic groups. Norwegian fish were generally heavier for a given length compared to Scottish strains. This suggests that morphologically different strains of S. salar would require individual weight: lateral dimension relationships to be developed in order to predict biomass accurately to within commercially acceptable levels.
Isolation and the development of shoaling in two populations of the guppy
Authors: Paxton C. G. M.
Published: April 2005

Socially reared guppies Poecilia reticulata derived from two wild populations (Upper and Lower Aripo River, Trinidad) showed a significant relationship between body size and shoaling tendency, measured as the proportion of time spent in proximity to a bottle containing conspecifics. Larger females shoaled significantly more than smaller females. Fish from the high‐shoaling population (Lower Aripo) showed significantly less shoaling behaviour when reared in isolation. In contrast, low‐shoaling fish (Upper Aripo) demonstrated no significant change in their shoaling behaviour in response to social isolation.
Goldfish use the visual angle of a familiar landmark to locate a food source
Authors: Douglas R. H.
Published: April 2005

Three goldfish were trained to search for food buried 20 cm from a perspex tower. In the absence of food, all fish still searched in the correct location, revealing that fish can use a landmark to locate food. Halving either the width or height of the landmark resulted in searches significantly closer to the tower, suggesting that fish determined their position relative to the landmark using its horizontal and vertical visual angles.
Mucous cell types in the branchial epithelium of the euryhaline fish Poecilia vivipara
Authors: Saboaia‐Moraes S. M. T. , Hernandez‐Blazquez F. J. , Mota D. L. , Bittencourt A. M.
Published: April 2005

Four types of mucous cells of the branchial epithelium of Poecilia are described. Type I in the apical region of the branchial filament; type II in the apical and interlamellar region; type III cells only in the interlamellar region; and type IV cells in the branchial arch.
Genetic differentiation of white sea bream within the Lion's Gulf and the Ligurian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Lenfant P. , Planes S.
Published: April 2005

An allozymic study was conducted on 190 individuals of white sea bream, Diplodus sargus sampled on five locations throughout the Lion's Gulf and the Ligurian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), in order to identify genetic structure. Electrophoretic surveys carried out on muscle and liver tissues identified 25 loci of which 12 were polymorphic (P0.95). G‐test analysis shows significant differences on allelic frequencies between the five stations at six loci. Examination of the spatial structure was performed using Nei's distances and F statistics, and indicated significant genetic differences between three groups. A group which clustered Blanes (Spain), Marseille (France) and Livorno (Italy) where the absence of genetic difference can be explained by migration of larvae and adults along a coastal ‘continuum’. The Elba sample (Italy) shows genetic divergence from other samples and this difference may result from isolation due to limited migration of larvae and adults. Banyuls (France), differs from all other stations. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain genetic patterns including local current systems, larval dispersal, geographic isolation and historical effects, and variation in the size classes of sampled individuals between sites.
The relationship between body weight and natural mortality in juvenile and adult fish: a comparison of natural ecosystems and aquaculture
Authors: Lorenzen K.
Published: April 2005

The relationship between body weight and natural mortality in juvenile and adult fish was analysed for different aquatic ecosystems: lakes, rivers, the ocean, and pond, cage and tank aquaculture systems. Mortality was modelled as a power function of weight, and the parameters b (exponent) and Mu (mortality at the unit weight of 1 g) estimated for fish in the six ecosystems, as well as within selected populations, species and families. At the ecosystem level, no significant differences in parameters were found between lakes, rivers and the ocean and a joint mortality‐weight relationship for all natural ecosystems was estimated with parameters b=−0.288 (90% CL[−0.315, −0.261]) and Mu=3.00 (90% CL[2.70, 3.30]) year−1. Among the culture systems, mortality‐weight relationships in ponds and cages were not significantly different and a joint relationship was estimated. The weight exponents of mortality in ponds/cages and tanks were very similar at about b=−0.43, and significantly more negative than in natural ecosystems. Mortalities at unit weight were significantly lower in tanks (0.91 year−1) than in ponds/cages (2.24 year−1), and both were significantly lower than in natural ecosystems. No systematic differences were found between the mortality‐weight relationships determined for individual populations, species or families, and fish in the respective ecosystems. It is hypothesized that aquaculture mortality‐weight relationships indicate the allometric scaling of non‐predation mortality, which is therefore more strongly size dependent than predation mortality. If non predation mortality in natural ecosystems shows a similar scaling with body weight, then the allometric exponent of predation mortality must be less negative than that observed for total natural mortality. Implications of the established mortality‐weight relationships for aquaculture and culture‐based fisheries are discussed.
Effects of temperature, prey type and prey size on gastric evacuation in small cod and whiting
Authors: Singh‐Renton S. , Bromley P. J.
Published: April 2005

Gastric lavage was used to investigate the effects of temperature, prey type and prey size on gastric evacuation in small cod Gadus morhua and whiting Merlangius merlangus. The fish were fed to satiation and subsequently the stomach contents were sampled to determine the rate at which food was evacuated. Satiation meal size was positively related to temperature and differed between prey types. The gastric evacuation rate (GER) also tended to increase with temperature and varied with prey type. GER at temperatures of 11.3–12.7° C averaged 1.5–1.7 times higher than at 6–9.5° C. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the evacuation of lugworm Arenicola marina, sandeel Ammodytes spp., and herring Clupea harengus, but the GER of brown shrimp Crangon vulgaris was much slower (P<0.05). No significant changes in GER were observed when fish were fed on three different size groups of either herring or brown shrimp. In whiting, there was no significant difference in the GER of individual herring or brown shrimp when they were fed as single species meals or incorporated in meals containing a mixture of prey species.
Comparisons of faecal collection methods for digestibility determinations in gilthead sea bream
Authors: Fernández F. , Miquel A. G. , Cumplido L. R. , Guinea J. , Ros E.
Published: April 2005

The absorption of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and dry matter along the intestine of Sparus aurata has been measured and the reliability of different methods to estimate apparent digestibility coefficients has been evaluated.
Effect of temperature and photoperiod on the growth of the embryonic dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula
Authors: Thomason J. C. , Conn W. , Le Comte E. , Davenport J.
Published: April 2005

Photoperiod has no effect on the growth of embryonic dogfish. Conversely, developmental rates are highly susceptible to temperature variation. Embryos maintained at 16°C grew faster and ecloded earlier than those maintained at 10°C. Increased temperature had no effect on size at eclosion.
Metabolic responses to acute handling by fingerling inland and anadromous striped bass
Authors: Reubush K. J. , Heath A. G.
Published: April 2005

Fed and 3‐day fasted inland (average mass: 6.97 g) and anadromous (average mass: 6.54 g) striped bass Morone saxatilis fingerlings were held in dipnets above water for 5 min in groups of six. Severity of the response to this handling was measured by whole‐body glucose, glycogen, and lactic acid in non‐handled bass (considered control level), and then at 30 min, 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h recovery. At resting levels, both fed and fasted inland bass showed significantly higher concentrations of the whole body variables than anadromous bass. All four groups of bass showed an increase in lactic acid and glucose immediately after handling, with a concomitant decrease in glycogen. Peak levels of glucose and lactic acid were similar in the four groups. Fasting did not have an effect on the glucose and lactic acid responses, but did affect the glycogen response. The two fasted groups did not return to control glycogen concentrations during the 48‐h recovery period. By 48 h, both glucose and lactic acid had returned to control levels. It is concluded that inland and anadromous strains of fingerling striped bass do not differ in their sensitivity to an acute handling stress. Recovery of glycogen energy stores following handling is much better if fish are not fasted before handling.
Factors influencing Sr/Ca ratios in otoliths of Girella elevata: an experimental investigation
Authors: Gallahar N. K. , Kingsford M. J.
Published: April 2005

The utility of Sr/Ca ratios in otoliths as indicators of thermal history in fish was investigated for juvenile Girella elevata. There was no direct relationship between ratios of Sr/Ca and temperature of the water, as has been assumed in many previous studies. Sr/Ca ratios did not decrease when water temperature was elevated from 19 to 28° C. Elevation of ambient Sr levels in the sea water caused a significant increase in Sr/Ca ratios in otoliths, and there was a detectable increase in Sr/Ca ratios in otoliths of some individuals fed an Sr‐enriched diet. Multiple factors may influence natural Sr/Ca ratios in otoliths of juvenile G. elevata and their interactions make it difficult to interpret the chronology of conditions experienced by an individual fish during early life in the pelagic or benthic environment.
A comparative histological and histochemical study of the post‐gastric alimentary canal from three species of pleuronectid, the Atlantic halibut, the yellowtail flounder and the winter flounder
Authors: Murray H. M. , Wright G. M. , Goff G. P.
Published: April 2005

The histology and mucus histochemistry of the pleuronectid post‐gastric alimentary canal was examined using light and electron microscopy. Distinct differences in goblet cell mucus histochemistry were observed between species, with the two closest taxonomic species, the winter flounder and the yellowtail flounder showing the most diversity and the halibut showing regional variation. Numbers of goblet cells within post‐gastric regions did not differ significantly between species, but were significantly different between regions within species increasing toward the rectum. The post‐gastric region was divisible into two areas based upon the ultrastructural features of lipid digestion and absorption in the intestine and pyloric caeca, and of exogenous protein in the rectum. The combination of species‐specific histochemical differences in mucus and general histological and ultrastructural differences within the post‐gastric regions between these species suggest a correlation between lumenal environmental conditions/histology and natural prey preference.
The ability of Baltic cod eggs to maintain neutral buoyancy and the opportunity for survival in fluctuating conditions in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Nissling A. , Vallin L.
Published: April 2005

In the brackish water of the Baltic Sea successful spawning of Baltic cod Gadus morhua is restricted to the Bornholm, Gdansk and Gotland basins below the halocline, occurring at 50–80 m depth. Due to irregular mixing of the deep water, stagnant conditions occur regularly accompanied with unfavourable oxygen conditions. In avoiding stressful oxygen conditions maintenance of egg buoyancy is considered a major limiting factor for successful spawning of Baltic cod. Batches of eggs were incubated experimentally in a density gradient column. Egg specific gravity changed during development, decreasing from the time of gastrulation, then increasing prior to hatching. The changes in specific gravity varied among egg batches from different females and were related to egg quality, egg size and ambient salinity. Eggs achieve different specific gravity depending on incubation salinity. Initial egg specific gravity together with the ability of eggs to gain and maintain buoyancy up to hatching, determine larval specific gravity and the depth where hatching will occur, and thus opportunities for larval survival, avoiding stressful oxygen conditions and developing at favourable feeding conditions.
Bioelectronic monitoring of parasite‐induced stress in brown trout and roach
Authors: Laitinen M. , Siddall R. , Valtonen E. T.
Published: April 2005

A non‐contact bioelectronic monitoring system was used to record changes in heart rate, ventilation rate and swimming activity in brown trout Salmo trutta and roach Rutilus rutilus, following exposure to two species of cercariae of digenean trematodes: Diplostomum pseudospathaceum which is a common parasite in the lens of fishes and xiphidiocercariae of Plagiorchis elegans, a parasite of anatid birds, both of which have the snail Lymnaea stagnalis as their first intermediate host. Swimming activity increased significantly in roach exposed to Diplostomum cercariae at densities as low as 3.8l−1 and remained elevated for 24–36 h post exposure. Brown trout showed no response when exposed to low densities of Diplostomum (2.9 and 5.7 cercariae 1−1) but there was a significant response at higher cercarial exposure densities (>501−1). Total activity of brown trout increased immediately, peaking after 2 h and returning to pre‐exposure levels within 5–6 h. There was a simultaneous increase in heart and ventilation rates which both declined following the reduction in activity of the fish. Heart rate then increased for a second time to a maximum level at 14–16 h and thereafter declined to reach a steady state at 3 days post‐exposure. During this period there was no significant change in total activity. The qualitative nature of the heart response was identical in five infected brown trout although the magnitude of the response varied widely among fish. Exposure to cercariae of P. elegans elicited no response in either fish species. (c) 1996 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
A study of temporal genetic variation in a natural population of Atlantic salmon in the River Bush, Northern Ireland
Authors: Moffett I. J. J. , Crozifr W. W.
Published: April 2005

Temporal genetic variation in River Bush Atlantic salmon was low and much less than among geographically discrete samples reported from elsewhere.