bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer patronage of ethnic portals
Authors: Dou Wenyu , Yoo Boonghee , Liangyu Ma
Published: November 2003

The emergence and diffusion of the Internet has prompted a surge in web portal sites that are designed to meet the specific needs of ethnic Internet users who are not native English speakers. These ethnic portal sites may be set up by global portal giants (e.g. Yahoo!) or by local entrepreneurs (e.g. netease.com in China). Often, because of the different origins of these sites, they tend to have different operating philosophies and varying appeals to ethnic Internet users. In this study, we first analyze the differences and similarities among different types of ethnic portals. We then propose a conceptual model concerning the factors that affect the patronage of ethnic portals by ethnic Internet users. An empirical study was designed to test the conceptual model with data collected from Mainland Chinese Internet users. Finally, implications of the study results for ethnic portals are presented.
Influence of culture on relationship development processes in overseas Chinese/Australian networks
Authors: Batonda Gerry , Perry Chad
Published: November 2003

This paper examines the impact of culture on inter‐firm network development in international marketing. Three research questions about the influence of culture on network development were developed from the literature to focus case data collection and analysis. The data were collected from in‐depth interviews with network managers/owners of firms networking with other overseas firms entering into Australian and Asian markets. Differences and similarities between how overseas Chinese and Australian cultures impact on network development and strategies for developing and maintaining quality and long‐term relationship in cross‐cultural networks were identified. Implications for practice emphasise the importance of cultural adaptation.
Face, favour and positioning – a Chinese power game
Authors: Leung T.K.P. , Yee‐kwong Chan Ricky
Published: November 2003

This study is an initial attempt to look at the relationships among “inducement factors”, “face work” and “favour” from a Hong Kong‐China intra‐cultural negotiation environment. The model in this paper was modified from Hwang's paper on the same subject that has not been followed up in the past 13 years. The findings suggest that “face work” has four dimensions, namely “reciprocity”, “response”, “respect”, and “reputation”. Hong Kong negotiators, because of their similar ethnical background, manipulate these four dimensions to align themselves with powerful Chinese parties so as to help them negotiate through the complex Chinese relational society. They have three positions in the Chinese market, i.e. the impresser, smoother and cruel. By positioning themselves as “impressers”, the Hong Kong negotiators have the least psychic distance and transaction cost with their Chinese counterparts. Foreign negotiators are advised to use “face work” as a cultural strategy to help them negotiate through the complex business network in China. Also, they remember to practice this strategy widely because a not‐so‐important person may become a very important person in the future and therefore foreign negotiators will benefit on a longer term basis. They should also position themselves as “impresser” to give a modest image in the eyes of their Chinese counterparts. Modesty is highly valued in the Chinese society.
Dyadic adaptation in business‐to‐business markets
Authors: Ross Brennan D. , Turnbull Peter W. , Wilson David T.
Published: November 2003

Competitive success in business‐to‐business markets often depends upon the ability of the firm to adapt specifically to the needs of a single customer organization. Research into buyer‐seller relationships in industrial markets has shown that both buying and selling firms implement specific adaptations for a single partner. Adaptation can take place at the level of the product or more broadly in terms of management processes, information exchange, and even organizational restructuring. The paper develops an improved taxonomy for dyadic adaptation in business‐to‐business markets, and explores the driving forces behind relationship‐specific adaptation. Adaptation by supplier firms is found to be more frequent than adaptation by buyers. Supplier adaptation is driven by relative power, buyer support, and by the managerial preferences of the two firms for a more or less relational form of exchange. Several managerial implications and avenues for further research are discussed.
Buying or browsing?
Authors: Brown Mark , Pope Nigel , Voges Kevin
Published: November 2003

Consumer selection of retail patronage mode has been widely researched by marketing scholars. Several researchers have segmented consumers by shopping orientation. However, few have applied such methods to the Internet shopper. Despite the widespread belief that Internet shoppers are primarily motivated by convenience, the authors show empirically that consumers' fundamental shopping orientations have no significant impact on their proclivity to purchase products online. Factors that are more likely to influence purchase intention include product type, prior purchase, and, to a lesser extent, gender.
Unilateral control and the moderating effects of fairness on the target's performance in asymmetric channel partnerships
Authors: Hernández‐Espallardo Miguel , Arcas‐Lario Narciso
Published: November 2003

With the use of unilateral control, the leader in a channel dyad (source) leads the activities of its partner (target) to achieve its own goals. Although there are numerous studies that have found a positive effect of a company's unilateral control on its own performance, the effects on the target's performance remain unexplored, even though this is essential to explain the long‐term survival of the relationship. In this research, the concept of attributed performance, defined as the fraction of its own performance that the target attributes to the relationship maintained with the source, is addressed postulating a number of hypotheses about the direct effects of unilateral control and the moderating role of the source's fair behaviour. In a sample of companies involved in channel partnerships, strong evidence is found about the positive effects of unilateral control on attributed performance, and the moderating role of the source's distributive and procedural fairness.
The employee‐customer satisfaction chain in the ECSI model
Authors: José Vilares Manuel , Simões Coelho Pedro
Published: November 2003

Among the large number of currently available approaches for studying customer satisfaction, a very promising one is that adopted in the European customer satisfaction index (ECSI) model. Yet, in spite of its various contributions to customer satisfaction research, this approach exhibits certain limitations, of which we will emphasise one: contrary to compelling evidence, the model does not consider the service climate or, more specifically, the cause and effect relationship between employee behaviour and customer satisfaction. The main goal of the present paper is to contribute to counteracting such a limitation. A reformulation of the ECSI model is suggested, integrating it into key components of employee satisfaction models (employee satisfaction, loyalty and commitment) as they are perceived by customers. Both the ECSI model and the ECSI revised model are estimated with data from a survey carried out among supermarket customers. The results show that some variables such as perceived quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty are better explained by the ECSI revised model. Also, statistically significant interactions between the new variables (with the exception of employee loyalty) and some of the ECSI model variables (perceived product quality and perceived service quality) were discovered.
Customer repurchase intention
Authors: Hellier Phillip K. , Geursen Gus M. , Carr Rodney A. , Rickard John A.
Published: November 2003

This paper develops a general service sector model of repurchase intention from the consumer theory literature. A key contribution of the structural equation model is the incorporation of customer perceptions of equity and value and customer brand preference into an integrated repurchase intention analysis. The model describes the extent to which customer repurchase intention is influenced by seven important factors – service quality, equity and value, customer satisfaction, past loyalty, expected switching cost and brand preference. The general model is applied to customers of comprehensive car insurance and personal superannuation services. The analysis finds that although perceived quality does not directly affect customer satisfaction, it does so indirectly via customer equity and value perceptions. The study also finds that past purchase loyalty is not directly related to customer satisfaction or current brand preference and that brand preference is an intervening factor between customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. The main factor influencing brand preference was perceived value with customer satisfaction and expected switching cost having less influence.
Market orientation in Nordic banks: does nationality matter?
Authors: Flohr Nielsen Jørn , Høst Viggo , Jaensson Jan‐Erik , Kock Sören , Selnes Fred
Published: November 2003

Neither market orientation nor the possible link to performance is easily achieved and in various countries companies may organize differently to cope with the information‐processing and customer‐responding challenges. Nationwide surveys in banks in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden indicate that a path to performance involves innovations such as “supported empowerment” though there are differences in the antecedents of market orientation. Thus the most distinct Scandinavian ways to improvements may be found in Sweden. Especially Swedish banks and to a lesser extent Finnish banks are upfront in their use of “the technology of customer‐focusing”. Nevertheless, the overall analyses based on rigorous structural equation modeling lead to the estimation of a model reflecting causal relationships which seem to be independent of nationality.
Patient care teams and customer satisfaction: the role of team cohesion
Authors: Deeter‐Schmelz Dawn R. , Norman Kennedy Karen
Published: November 2003

Patient care teams are emerging as health care organizations continue to face resource constraints and greater demands for patient satisfaction. Although health care management researchers and managers tout the benefits of teams, findings from empirical research are mixed regarding the use of patient care teams. To gain a better understanding of patient care teams, we examined the antecedents and consequences of cohesion, one construct hypothesized to contribute to effective team performance. Previous research suggests adequacy of team training, pay equity, and acceptance of teamwork as antecedents positively associated with the team cohesion. Findings support the importance of training and a positive predisposition for teamwork to be significantly related to cohesion. Importantly, cohesion was linked to quality of patient care leading to greater levels of patient satisfaction. Implications for managers and researchers are discussed.
The effects of locational convenience on customer repurchase intentions across service types
Authors: Jones Michael A. , Mothersbaugh David L. , Beatty Sharon E.
Published: November 2003

Location has long been touted as an important competitive factor in retailing and services. However, since convenient, high‐traffic locations are costly, an examination of conditions under which locational convenience is more important and those in which it is less important is critical. Supplements the logic of prior research to examine the importance of location as a function of both customer satisfaction with the core service and service type. Finds that a convenient location is critical in more standardized, less personalized services when satisfaction falters, but is not important for less standardized, more personalized services regardless of satisfaction levels. Thus, a convenient location can act as a barrier to defection in more standardized, less personal services such as banks, making it an important strategic factor in minimizing defection when satisfaction with the core service drops. However, contrary to conventional wisdom, locational convenience appears less important to repurchase intentions for less standardized, more personal services such as hairstylists, thus negating its potential as a switching barrier for such services.
Marketing: is it still “just advertising”? The experiences of accounting firms as a guide for other professional service firms
Authors: Feldman Barr Terri , McNeilly Kevin M.
Published: November 2003

Professional service organizations are finding themselves increasingly involved with marketing in order to develop and maintain relationships with their clients. Restricted by professional standards, and hindered by a lack of experience, firms are struggling to understand marketing and implement marketing programs. Nowhere is this struggle more evident that in the accounting profession, where firms are regulated by professional standards and guidelines. Based on a series of one‐on‐one interviews with accounting professionals, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants standards and guidelines, and information from both practitioner and academic literature, this research identifies the extent to which firms are following the prescriptive advice. Discussions of initiatives are provided as guidelines for further implementation of marketing strategies in the accounting profession and other professional service firms that are following in the accountants’ footsteps.
Critical mass and economies of scale in the supply of services by business support organizations
Authors: Bratton William J. , Bennett Robert J. , Robson Paul J.A.
Published: November 2003

Uses a large sample survey of businesses to demonstrate that a critical mass threshold exists for their use of business support organization services. This critical mass threshold is very marked for the two organizations examined: British case studies of chambers of commerce and government‐supported business training and advice bodies. Beyond this threshold, managers of chambers of commerce can achieve nonlinear returns to scale, while returns to scale for government‐supported bodies are almost exactly linear. Infers that this results from the very different motives of commercially based chambers and their members, compared to government‐supported bodies, which allow the benefits of service bundling for chambers while managers of government bodies have to deal with multiple discrete programmes offering few synergies. Also examines the effects of external economies of agglomeration and shows that these increase market penetration and hence reduce the catchment sizes necessary to reach critical mass only in the case of the most agglomerated urban and industrial centres.
Intangibles and the transparent enterprise: new strands of knowledge
Authors: Guthrie James , Johanson Ulf , Bukh P.N. , Sánchez P.
Published: November 2003

Examines the new challenges that have been posed by the information society and the new demands posed on management. The term “knowledge‐based economy” has become universal, the rules of business are being rewitten and the industrial era enterprise models are no longer adequate to meet the dynamic condition of a changing world market. Companies have become aware of the importance of managing the external communication since this issue is considered important for the company's ability to generate value. Various studies of investors and analysts' request for information indicate a substantial difference between the amount of information found in companies' annual reports and the type of information demanded by the market. The articles in this special edition of Journal of Intellectual Capital represent main current research activities into the area of intellectual capital (IC) in Europe and also Australia. The articles represent the wide scope of research that is being carried out in the expansive field of the measurement, analysis and management of IC.
Why do firms measure their intellectual capital?
Authors: Marr Bernard , Gray Dina , Neely Andy
Published: November 2003

It is now generally believed, within the current literature, that an academic and practitioner focus on intellectual capital (IC) is important and that the measurement of a company's intangibles provides real business benefits. However, it is essential for researchers in the field of IC to be able to justify these newly formed theoretical assumptions through rigorous empirical testing. This paper reports on the results of a systematic investigation into the theoretical underpinnings of why firms measure their IC and existing empirical evidence that helps to prove that the measurement of IC is really worthwhile. The paper then critically reviews the state of research evidence in the field. The major finding of this paper is that the majority of research within the IC measurement field is at the theory building stage, and that very little of the proposed measurement theory has yet been fully tested. This paper outlines possible avenues scholars might pursue in order to further the development of the IC measurement field.
Visualizing value creation through the management control of intangibles
Authors: Skoog Matti
Published: November 2003

Management control systems may differ markedly from organization to organization. However, the trend within many of today's organizations is to include new perspectives in their formal management control and accounting systems. This ongoing transformation of management control systems is partly driven by the notion that intangibles play an increasingly important role in an organization's value creation process and thereby has to be visualized to a greater extent than hitherto. Nowadays, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders are frequently incorporated into the value creation process of organizations. Together with the growing importance of other intangible resources, such as leadership, employee competence and internal business processes, this approach promotes a highly complex picture of the organizational value creation process. The aim of this paper is to analyze organizational value creation from a management control perspective and, based on a longitudinal case study of a Swedish bank, discuss possible key features of a management control system that enables organizations to understand and allocate attention to the value creation of the firm.
Research and knowledge interaction
Authors: Nikolaj Bukh Per , Johanson Ulf
Published: November 2003

This paper discusses the differences and complementarities of the two guidelines for managing, measuring and reporting intellectual capital (IC) that has been developed by the Meritum research group and the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, respectively. IC is closely related to knowledge management and the guidelines describe how to identify a company's knowledge management strategy including the identification of its objectives, initiatives and results in the formation, application and development of the company's knowledge resources. The guidelines also show how to measure IC and communicate the strategy to the stakeholders. The paper outlines the common background for the guidelines, the content of the guidelines and concludes after a comparison with a discussion of the need for research in the area and improvement of future guidelines.
A new perspective on the knowledge value chain
Authors: Eustace Clark
Published: November 2003

This article presents an interpretation of some major changes affecting the competitive behaviour of firms today. The underlying postulate is a shift from tangible to intangible factors of competitive advantage – from natural resources, machinery and financial capital, now regarded as commodities, to “non‐price” factors of competition. The accelerating pace of value‐chain erosion is driving a relentless search for new factors of differentiation and market leverage, with the result that firms are trying to create, maintain or invade monopolies founded on intangibles. This has led to some subtle, but highly significant, shifts in the economy, which have gone largely undetected. Accordingly, the paper argues the case for transparency, and calls for much richer disclosure of the real asset base of firms and public enterprises. In developing these ideas, the paper presents a new perspective on the knowledge value chain, and concludes by examining some of the challenges for the European policy community, based on the preliminary results of the PRISM research initiative.
Opening up Public Services to Competition by Putting Them Out to Tender: An Evaluation
Authors: Bance P.
Published: November 2003

This article examines the effects of systematizing tendering procedures when awarding public service concessions. The opening up of the water supply industry to competition is used by way of illustration. Results show that arguments in favour of systematization are not robust when focusing solely on the expected benefits of the liberalization process. The peculiarities of the contract relationship in the delegation of public services, the mobilization of specific assets, and the long duration and incompleteness of the contracts invalidate this type of argument and expose public authorities to the opportunism of operators.

The efficiency of awarding public services concessions relies on cost–benefit analysis, taking into account sectoral aspects as well as specificities of the contracting organizations and structures.

The public service culture of these organizations is in this respect a key factor in the choice of efficient organizations since it conditions their ability to internalize the mission of fulfilling the public interest.
Public Procurement at the Local Level in Austria: The Economic Consequences of Compulsory Competitive Tendering for Public Services
Authors: Obermann G. , Kostal T.
Published: November 2003

This paper looks at possible problems concerning the economic effects of the introduction of an compulsory competitive tendering for general economic interest services at the local level. It examines the framework in Austria and some fundamental problems of competitive tendering. An obligation binding local authorities to put general economic interest services up for competitive tender, as currently intended by the European Commission (i.e. service concessions), would have considerable medium‐ and long‐term effects on both the process of municipal service provision and the economic position of municipal (public) enterprises. The paper concludes that, from an economic point of view, procurement through competitive tendering does not appear to be effective or tenable for all general economic interest services in (all) different areas. The introduction of compulsory competitive tendering for service concessions in all areas of public services is therefore something best forgotten.
The First Jurassic turtle from India
Authors: Datta P.M. , Manna P. , Ghosh S.C. , Das D. P.
Published: November 2003

A primitive cryptodiran turtle, Indochelys spatulata gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Early Jurassic Kota Formation, a member of the Upper Gondwana Group in the Pranhita‐Godavari Valley, Deccan, India. The shell morphology of Indochelys differs substantially from that of the Triassic Proganochelys of Germany but is significantly similar to the oldest known Early Jurassic cryptodire, Kayentachelys, from the Kayenta Formation of Arizona. Indochelys also shares many shell characters with the Late Jurassic North American turtles, in particular Dinochelys. The new family Indochelyidae is proposed, which probably has the same phyletic status as that of Kayentachelyidae, with both evolving simultaneously in different regions.
Provenance Of Atlantic Lingulid Brachiopods
Authors: Williams Alwyn , Cohen Bernard L. , Cusack Maggie , Long Sarah L.
Published: November 2003

Living lingulid brachiopods are ubiquitous in low‐latitude, marine infaunas. Lingula occurs throughout the Pacific and Indian oceans with the only Atlantic species, L. parva, confined to West Africa. Glottidia is restricted to offshore America from Virginia to California and Peru, and is assumed to have descended from a Pacific Lingula during the early Tertiary. Lingulid organophosphatic shells differ structurally. That of Glottidia is characterizedby trellised rods (baculate); that of Indo‐Pacific species of Lingula by spheroidal and rod‐like microstructures (virgose); and that of L. parva by apatitic rods arranged as spherulites. A spherulitic fabric is unknown in fossil lingulids, but the distinction between GlottidiaLingula can be traced back to the Carboniferous, which accords with the deep molecular divergence between the two genera. The common occurrence of lingulids with baculate shells in European post‐Palaeozoic sediments suggests that ancestral Glottidia entered the Atlantic by the Tethyan Current during the Late Cretaceous/early Cenozoic, and migrated into the Pacific before the formation of the Panama Isthmus. Penecontemporaneously, antecedents of L. parva possibly migrated from east Tethys along the trans‐Saharan seaway.
Early Cretaceous Ferns From Lacustrine Limestones At Las Hoyas, Cuenca Province, Spain
Authors: Diéguez Carmen , Meléndez Nieves
Published: November 2003

A brief outline is presented of the geological conditions prevailing in the hard‐water lake that produced the Las Hoyas fossiliferous site in the Serranía de Cuenca (north‐east central Spain). The corresponding Barremian laminated limestones contain varied fossil remains including plants. The fern component of the assemblage is described in the present paper. Ten taxa are referable to the families Matoniaceae, Dicksoniaceae and Schizaeaceae, whilst eight are unclassified. A new species of Dicksoniaceae is described: Coniopteris laciniata. Three species, Pelletixia valdensis, Cladophlebis albertsii, and Sphenopteris fontainei, are recorded here for the first time outside the English Wealden; one species, Acrostichopteris foliosa, is new to the Barremian of Europe. The fern assemblage from the Las Hoyas site is most similar to that of the English Wealden. The xeromorph character of some species is noted.  Although the specimens from Las Hoyas are generally small, even tiny, most are still identifiable leaf fragments preserved as imprints on platy limestone. Epidermal detail has been obtained from a few impressions. Some rather delicate remains, such as indusia, a crozier with pinnules, and fragments of Pelletixia valdensis occur, thus suggesting limited residence time in water.
A New Jawless Vertebrate from the Middle Devonian of Scotland
Authors: Newman M. J. , Trewin Nigel H.
Published: November 2003

A new jawless vertebrate, Cornovichthys blaauweni gen. et sp. nov., is described from a single complete specimen from the Achanarras fish bed at Achanarras Quarry in Caithness, northern Scotland. The Achanarras fish bed consists of lacustrine laminites and was deposited in a major deep‐water phase of the Orcadian lake during the deposition of the cyclic Caithness Flagstone Group. The Achanarras fish bed is of Middle Devonian (Eifelian) age. The new animal compares closely with Euphanerops, one ofthe Frasnian ‘anaspids’ (Hyperoartii) of the Escuminac Formation at Miguasha, Quebec, Canada.
New Euthycarcinoids and an Enigmatic Arthropod from the British Coal Measures
Authors: Wilson Heather M. , Almond John E.
Published: November 2003

Two new species of euthycarcinoids (Arthropoda), Kottixerxes anglicus sp. nov. and Smithixerxes pustulosus sp. nov., are described from the Coal Measures of Westhoughton, Lancashire and Coseley, West Midlands (Westphalian A and B respectively). Both genera are previously known from Mazon Creek, USA (Westphalian D). An additional, enigmatic arthropod with possible euthycarcinoid affinities, Arthrogyrinus platyurus gen. et sp. nov., is described from Coseley. Hypotheses concerning the phylogenetic position of euthycarcinoids are critically reviewed.
New Genus and Species from the Cretaceous of Lebanon Links the Thylacocephala To the Crustacea
Authors: Lange Sven , Schram Frederick R. , Steeman Fedor A. , Hof Cees H. J.
Published: November 2003

A continuing study of a collection of marine arthropods from the Upper Cretaceous of Sahel Alma in Lebanon has uncovered a new genus and species of the problematic arthropod group Thylacocephala. The apparent presence of two pairs of antennae constitutes the first available morphological evidence for a close relationship between this species and, by association, all thylacocephalans, and the Crustacea.
A New Fulmarine Petrel (Aves: Procellariiformes) from the Upper Miocene of the Western Mediterranean
Authors: Seguí Bartomeu , Quintana Josep , Fornós Joan J. , Alcover Josep Antoni
Published: November 2003

A new sea bird, Pterodromoides minoricensis gen. et sp. nov., similar in size and proportions to species of the modern genus Pterodroma, is described from Late Miocene breccias situated on the north‐west coast of Menorca. The cranial osteology is similar to that of fulmarine petrels, but the large orbitonasal opening and characters of the postcranial skeleton justify its classification as a separate genus. At least one other species of procellariid occurs in the accompanying fossil asemblage, suggesting that Late Tertiary ecological conditions favoured sea bird populations in this area of the Mediterranean.
Advances in the Taxonomy of Spiders in Miocene Amber from the Dominican Republic (Arthropoda: Araneae)
Authors: Penney David
Published: November 2003

Trachelas poinari sp. nov. (Corinnidae), Miagrammopes sp. indet. (Uloboridae) and the first indisputable fossil Lycosidae (gen. et sp. indet.) are newly identified and described in Miocene amber from the Dominican Republic. The following are junior synonyms: Nops segmentatus Wunderlich, 1988 of N. lobatus Wunderlich, 1988 (Caponiidae); Azilia muellenmeisteri Wunderlich, 1988 of A. hispaniolensis Wunderlich, 1988 (Tetragnathidae); and Lyssomanes galianoae Reiskind, 1989 of L. pristinus Wunderlich, 1986 (Salticidae). The specimens described as Nops sp. (Caponiidae), Selenops beynai Schawaller, 1984, S. sp. 1, and S. sp. 2 (Selenopidae) by Wunderlich (1988) are unrecognizable as distinct species. The following new combinations are presented: gen. indet. clypeatus (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Anelosimus clypeatus) (Theridiidae); Meioneta bigibber (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Agyneta bigibber), M.fastigata (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Agyneta fastigata), M. separata (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Agyneta separata) (Linyphiidae); Enacrosoma verrucosa (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Cyclosa verrucosa) (Araneidae); Pseudosparianthis pfeiferi (Wunderlich, 1988) (=Tentabunda pfeiferi) (Sparassidae). Theridion wunderlichi nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for T. ovale Wunderlich, 1988 (nom. preocc.). The previously unknown male of Styposis pholcoides Wunderlich, 1988 (Theridiidae) is described. Additional features of Argyrodes crassipatellaris Wunderlich, 1988 (Theridiidae) are described; this species is transferred from the trigonum to the cancellatus species group. Nine specimens belonging to six previously described species, and six juvenile Selenops sp. (including one exuvium) are newly identified. These are the first fossil records of Trachelas, Enacrosoma and Pseudosparianthis, giving them stratigraphic ranges of 15–20 my; the genera Anelosimus, Cyclosa and Agyneta are unknown in the fossil record.
Fossil Woods From Williams Point Beds, Livingston Island, Antarctica: A Late Cretaceous Southern High Latitude Flora
Authors: Poole Imogen , Cantrill David
Published: November 2003

The wood flora from Williams Point, Livingston Island, contains 12 wood types of gymnosperm and angiosperm origin. Recent collections of material have increased the biodiversity of a postulated species‐rich vegetation. The gymnosperm wood can be readily assigned to four form‐genera: Araucarioxylon Kraus, Araucariopitys Jeffrey, Podocarpoxylon Gothan and Sahnioxylon Bose and Sah. This indicates a diversity of coniferous araucarian and podocarp trees alongside woods of uncertain affinity (Sahnioxylon; Bennettitales). Two angiosperm morphotypes are assigned to the organ genera Hedycaryoxylon Su¨ss (Monimiaceae) and Weinmannioxylon Petriella (Cunoniaceae). The remaining four taxa of angiosperm wood cannot be confidently placed in extant families as they exhibit features that suggest relationships with the Magnoliidae, Hamamelidae and Rosidae. This paper presents the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of the wood flora from Livingston Island and discusses the palaeoecology that prevailed at a latitude of about 60 degrees south during the Late Cretaceous. Newly described taxa are Araucarioxylon chapmanae sp. nov., Araucariopitys antarcticus sp. nov., Podocarpoxylon chapmanae sp. nov., P. verticalis sp. nov., P. communis sp. nov., Weinmannioxylon ackamoides sp. nov., Antarctoxylon livingstonensis gen. et sp. nov., A. multiseriatum gen. et sp. nov., A. heteroporosum gen. et sp. nov. and A. uniperforatum gen et sp. nov.
A Chimaerid (Holocephali, Chimaeriformes) Vomerine Toothplate From The Upper Cretaceous Of Belgium
Authors: Duffin Christopher J.
Published: November 2003

The vomerine toothplate of a chimaerid holocephalan (Chondrichthyes) is described from the Emael Chalk (Maastricht Formation, Maastrichtian, Upper Cretaceous) of Eben‐Emael, Belgium. A survey and discussion of the vomerine toothplates of Mesozoic chimaeroids confirms the suggestion that the presence of transverse ridges on the post‐oral surface of the toothplate is characteristic of chimaerids.
A Wuchiapingian (Late Permian) brachiopod fauna from an exotic block in the Indus–Tsangpo suture zone, southern Tibet, and its palaeobiogeographical and tectonic implications
Authors: Shen Shu–Zhong , Shi G. R. , Archbold N. W.
Published: November 2003

A brachiopod fauna including 19 species of 17 genera from an exotic block in the Indus–Tsangpo suture zone in southern Tibet is described and illustrated. The brachiopod fauna is dominated by Martinia elegans and two new taxa: Jinomarginifera lhazeensis gen. et sp. nov. and Zhejiangospirifer giganteus sp. nov. The fauna is closely comparable with those from the middle and upper parts of the Wargal Formation and the Chhidru Formation in the Salt Range of Pakistan, the Chitichun Limestone in southern Tibet, and the Basleo area of West Timor, and these correlations suggest a Wuchiapingian age. The fauna exhibits substantial links with both peri–Gondwanan and Cathaysian faunas, which may imply that it is a seamount biota originally located in the southern margin of the Neotethys during the Late Permian, and was later (in the early Cenozoic) displaced and became sandwiched into younger marine deposits in the collision process between India and Eurasia.
Patriotism for Citizens of the Penultimate Superpower
Authors: Brueggemann Walter
Published: November 2003

Abstract: The United States of America confesses its penultimate status as “One nation under God.” Yet this relationship—of the ultimacy of God and the penultimacy of nations—is frequently forgotten when foreign policy is crafted. The arrogant autonomy of such superpowers operates on the mistaken conviction that they will not be called into account. But the preacher says otherwise. The Old Testament witness teaches us that there is a grave danger to nations making such unrestricted claims of temporal ultimacy. Any state that imagines that it can use its power in unrestrained ways against any other state or vulnerable population—no matter how weak—misunderstands its place in a world under divine rule. It is thus essential that the preacher, along with the congregation, must dare to recover the rhetoric of prophetic imagination concerning God's governance in the public sphere. Empowered and humbled by the mandate of scripture, the preacher must counter the rhetoric of popular patriotism and witness to God's sovereignty over nations. We may then move beyond analysis to alternative, and finally set our hearts and minds on the evangelical task of empowering the faithful to alternative forms of citizenship.
Preaching a Risen Christ of Resistance among “Captive” Americans
Authors: Bloomquist Karen L. , Strehlow William R.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: In the midst of the current captivity of Americans to governmental policies which most of the rest of the world finds objectionable, what are the challenges facing those who preach? How can these be addressed biblically and theologically, grounded in what it means to be part of a global communion, and empowered by faith in the Resurrected Christ? How can preaching form faith communities through conversion, confession and conversation so that they might confront and change what is occurring, for the sake of the whole world?
What Lutherans Have to Offer Mission in Preaching
Authors: Schmit Clayton J.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: What characterizes Lutheran preaching and how can this aid preachers in bringing the gospel to north American culture in a post‐Christian and post September 11th era? Lutheran preaching is distinct in its juxtaposition of Word and sacrament, mandate and promise, and oration and art. Preaching should address the futility of the human condition and proclaim the promise of the gospel that gives hope and brings salvation to a fearful and fragmented world. In our preaching moralism needs to be superceded by grace and proclamation of the Word needs to be honest about life events and always have Christ as the center.
Dose‐dependent Induction of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and Activation of Pregnane X Receptor by Topiramate
Authors: Nallani Srikanth C. , Glauser Tracy A. , Hariparsad Niresh , Setchell Kenneth , Buckley Donna J. , Buckley Arthur R. , Desai Pankaj B.
Published: November 2003

Summary:  Purpose: In clinical studies, topiramate (TPM) was shown to cause a dose‐dependent increase in the clearance of ethinyl estradiol. We hypothesized that this interaction results from induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 by TPM. Accordingly, we investigated whether TPM induces CYP3A4 in primary human hepatocytes and activates the human pregnane X receptor (hPXR), a nuclear receptor that serves as a regulator of CYP3A4 transcription.

Methods: Human hepatocytes were treated for 72 h with TPM (10, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μM) and known inducers, phenobarbital (PB; 2 mM), and rifampicin (10 μM). The rate of testosterone 6β‐hydroxylation by hepatocytes served as a marker for CYP3A4 activity. The CYP3A4‐specific protein and mRNA levels were determined by using Western and Northern blot analyses, respectively. The hPXR activation was assessed with cell‐based reporter gene assay.

Results: Compared with controls, TPM (50–500 μM)–treated hepatocytes exhibited a considerable increase in the CYP3A4 activity (1. 6‐ to 8.2‐fold), protein levels (4.6‐ to 17.3‐fold), and mRNA levels (1.9‐ to 13.3‐fold). Comparatively, rifampicin (10 μM) effected 14.5‐, 25.3‐, and a 20.3‐fold increase in CYP3A4 activity, immunoreactive protein levels, and mRNA levels, respectively. TPM (50–500 μM) caused 1.3‐ to 3‐fold activation of the hPXR, whereas rifampicin (10 μM) caused a 6‐fold activation.

Conclusions: The observed induction of CYP3A4 by TPM, especially at the higher concentrations, provides a potential mechanistic explanation of the reported increase in the ethinyl estradiol clearance by TPM. It also is suggestive of other potential interactions when high‐dose TPM therapy is used.
Gender‐specific Differences of Hypometabolism in mTLE: Implication for Cognitive Impairments
Authors: Nickel Janpeter , Jokeit Hennric , Wunderlich Gilbert , Ebner Alois , Witte Otto W. , Seitz Rüdiger J.
Published: November 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To determine gender differences of hypometabolism and their implications for cognitive impairment in patients with medically refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE).

Methods: Regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMRGlu) was studied in 42 patients (21 male, 21 female) with either left‐ or right‐sided mTLE (22 left, 20 right) and in 12 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy controls during resting wakefulness and in 12 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls. Clinical characteristics were balanced across the patient subgroups. All patients were subjected to neuropsychological assessment: 41 patients had histologic changes of definite or probable hippocampal sclerosis.

Results: Data analysis based on pixel‐by‐pixel comparisons and on a laterality index of regions of interest (ROIs) showed significant depressions of the mean rCMRGlu extending beyond the mesiotemporal region and temporolateral cortex to extratemporal regions including the frontoorbital and insular cortex in mTLE patients. Extramesiotemporal hypometabolism prevailed in the male patients. Metabolic asymmetry in temporal and frontal regions was related to performance in the Trail‐Making Test and WAIS‐R subitems.

Conclusions: Our data showed a gender‐specific predominance of extramesiotemporal hypometabolism in male patients with mTLE related to abnormalities of temporal and frontal lobe functions.
Brain Access and Anticonvulsant Efficacy of Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, and Felbamate in ABCC2/MRP2‐Deficient TR− Rats
Authors: Potschka Heidrun , Fedrowitz Maren , Löscher Wolfgang
Published: November 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Different adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐driven multidrug transporters have been described to be expressed in the luminal membrane of blood–brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. At this site, multidrug transporters have been suggested to restrict penetration of drugs into the brain. Increasing evidence suggests that overexpression of different multidrug transporters occurs in the region of the epileptic focus of pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients. Based on the assumption that antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are substrates of these transporters, this overexpression may limit access of AEDs to epileptic neurons and may contribute to drug‐refractoriness. In a recent study, overexpression of multidrug resistance protein 2 (ABCC2; MRP2) was reported in BBB endothelial cells of epileptic focal tissue from pharmacoresistant patients. With brain microdialysis, we recently demonstrated that the AED phenytoin is subject to transport by ABCC2 at the BBB, whereas phenobarbital does not seem to be a substrate of ABCC2.

Methods: We investigated whether ABCC2 is functionally involved in transport of the AEDs carbamazepine (CBZ), lamotrigine (LTG), and felbamate (FBM) across the BBB. The distribution of these AEDs into the brain of ABCC2‐deficient TR− rats was determined.

Results: AED concentrations in plasma and brain extracellular space of these mutant rats did not differ significantly from those of rats of the corresponding background strain. In the amygdala‐kindling model of epilepsy, the anticonvulsant efficacy of LTG and FBM was comparable in both groups of rats. In contrast, CBZ exhibited a higher anticonvulsant activity in kindled ABCC2‐deficient rats as compared with nonmutant rats.

Conclusions: In this present study, the microdialysis results gave no evidence that ABCC2 function modulates entry of CBZ, LTG, and FBM into the CNS of naïve rats. However, ABCC2 deficiency was associated with an increased anticonvulsant response of CBZ in the kindling model. Future investigations are planned to identify the underlying mechanism for this difference, clarifying whether a pharmacokinetic difference is detectable only when brain access of CBZ is compared in kindled ABCC2‐deficient rats and kindled nonmutant rats, which may have an increased expression of ABCC2 in response to seizures. The data substantiate that ABCC2‐deficient TR− rats are a useful tool for defining the role of ABCC2 for transport of AEDs, and give evidence that the use of kindled TR− rats may provide important supplementary information.
Involvement of Gap Junctions in the Manifestation and Control of the Duration of Seizures in Rats In Vivo
Authors: Gajda Zita , Gyengési Erika , Hermesz Edit , Ali K. Said , Szente Magdolna
Published: November 2003

Summary:  Purpose: The possible role of gap junctions in the manifestation and control of the duration of seizures was tested on the 4‐aminopyridine–induced epilepsy model in rats in vivo, by using electrophysiologic, pharmacologic, and molecular biologic techniques.

Methods: In electrophysiologic experiments, the functional states of the gap junctions were manipulated with a specific blocker (carbenoxolone) or opener (trimethylamine) at the already active focus of adult, anesthetized rats, 60 min after the induction of the first seizure, which was repeated spontaneously thereafter. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) amplification was used to measure the levels of connexin (Cx) 32, 43, and 36 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) prepared from the areas of the already active primary and mirror foci.

Results: After repeated seizures, the expression levels of Cx32, Cx43, and Cx36 mRNAs at the epileptic foci were increased significantly. Blockade of the gap junctions with carbenoxolone shortened the duration of seizures and decreased the amplitude of the seizure discharges, whereas their opening with trimethylamine lengthened the duration and increased the amplitude. Secondary epileptogenesis was facilitated when the gap junctions were opened.

Conclusions: Our findings support the idea that, in epileptic foci, the gap junctions are involved in the expression of rhythmic ictal discharges and in the control of the duration and propagation of the individual seizures in vivo.
Infantile Spasms in Remission May Reemerge as Intractable Epileptic Spasms
Authors: Camfield Peter , Camfield Carol , Lortie Anne , Darwish Husam
Published: November 2003

Summary: Background:West syndrome consists of infantile spasms with hypsarrhythmia and is perceived as a disorder of infants.

Methods:We describe 10 patients with West syndrome with spasms that remitted, started again, and persisted (followed up for 8–25 years).

Results:In all, West syndrome developed at younger than 17 months (five cryptogenic, six symptomatic). With initial treatment, spasms completely stopped for 4.5 months to 6 years, when epileptic spasms returned. Recurrent spasms were typical with brief arm extension, eye elevation, and head drop without falling. Spasms lasted 2–6 s in rhythmic strings over 20‐ to 60‐min periods and occurred daily throughout follow‐up. Persistent spasms were particularly troublesome, because of incontinence in one and postictal confusion in several. During the string of spasms, most refused to interact, and several would wander off. Up to 15 antiepileptic drugs did not render any patient spasm free. Only two had persistent spasms as the only seizure type; six also had intractable complex partial seizures, and three had occasional grand mal convulsions. Interictal EEGs showed multifocal spikes. Ictal recordings in six showed electrodecremental events.

Conclusions:Recurrent spasms after remission of West syndrome represent an extremely resistant, distressing form of epilepsy. The onset of West syndrome is age related, but it does not reliably vanish.