bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of cross‐cultural online collaborative learning with social software
Authors: Lai‐Chong Law Effie , Vu Nguyen‐Ngoc Anh
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The rising popularity of social software poses challenges to the design and evaluation of pedagogically sound cross‐cultural online collaborative learning environments (OCLEs). In the literature of computer‐mediated communications, there exist only a limited number of related empirical studies, indicating that it is still an emergent research area. The purpose of this paper is to describe an OCLE – iCamp Space – which addresses the challenges by integrating three pedagogical concepts – cross‐cultural collaboration, self‐directed learning (SDL) and social networking – with the aim to advance participants' competencies and by mixed‐method approaches to evaluating the complex situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A validation field study involving four European countries was conducted. Groups of students co‐created a questionnaire, which was assessed to provide an indicator of task performance. Multi‐source (surveys, blogs, emails, diaries, chats, videoconference and interviews) and multi‐perspective data (facilitators, students and researchers) were studied with social network analysis, content analysis and conversation analysis.

Findings

Motivation of learners as well as facilitators is the critical success factor for an OCLE; voluntary involvement is recommended. Participants should be provided with basic training on the use of selected social software tools. Other critical success factors include task selection that contributes to participants' sense of ownership and moderately structured setting that offers some guidance whilst leaving room for the development of SDL competence.

Originality/value

The paper enhances a limited, albeit increasing, number of empirical studies deploying social software for educational purposes. It thus contributes to a body of applied knowledge that enables a coherent understanding of this specific research topic to be drawn.
Efficient XML data and query integration in the wireless sensor network engineering process
Authors: Hoeller Nils , Reinke Christoph , Neumann Jana , Groppe Sven , Werner Christian , Linnemann Volker
Published: November 2010

Purpose

In the last decade, XML has become thede factostandard for data exchange in the world wide web (WWW). The positive benefits of data exchangeability to support system and software heterogeneity on application level and easy WWW integration make XML an ideal data format for many other application and network scenarios like wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Moreover, the usage of XML encourages using standardized techniques like SOAP to adapt the service‐oriented paradigm to sensor network engineering. Nevertheless, integrating XML usage in WSN data management is limited by the low hardware resources that require efficient XML data management strategies suitable to bridge the general resource gap. The purpose of this paper is to present two separate strategies on integrating XML data management in WSNs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents two separate strategies on integrating XML data management in WSNs that have been implemented and are running on today's sensor node platforms. The paper shows how XML data can be processed and how XPath queries can be evaluated dynamically. In an extended evaluation, the performance of both strategies concerning the memory and energy efficiency are compared and both solutions are shown to have application domains fully applicable on today's sensor node products.

Findings

This work shows that dynamic XML data management and query evaluation is possible on sensor nodes with strict limitations in terms of memory, processing power and energy supply.

Originality/value

The paper presents an optimized stream‐based XML compression technique and shows how XML queries can be evaluated on compressed XML bit streams using generic pushdown automata. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first complete approach on integrating dynamic XML data management into WSNs.
Exploring the use of entity‐relationship diagramming as a technique to support grounded theory inquiry
Authors: Brady Malcolm , Loonam John
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare fundamental concepts from the grounded theory approach to social science research and concepts from entity‐relationship diagramming, a technique used to model data from the field of systems analysis, and propose that entity‐relationship diagramming can be a useful tool for grounded theory researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares and contrasts concepts from the two different fields, demonstrating the construction of an entity‐relationship diagram from data from an existing grounded theory research project, and the correspondence between the data model constructs and the grounded theory constructs.

Findings

A strong correspondence was found between these two sets of concepts and suggests that the entity‐relationship diagramming technique may be a useful addition to the social scientist's toolkit when carrying out research using the grounded theory approach.

Originality/value

The paper bridges two distinct fields – information systems and grounded theory – and proposes a novel way for qualitative researchers to analyse and depict data.
The role of path dependency in a hospital merger
Authors: Solstad Elsa , Johanne Pettersen Inger
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how change processes are dependent on historical events, geographical conditions, strong stakeholders and social norms developed over long‐time periods. The paper poses the question: what is the role of path dependencies in mergers between hospitals when motives of the mergers are ambiguous and the context of the change initiatives is characterized by conflicting goals?

Design/methodology/approach

The primary objective of this study is to describe the experience of three hospitals that were merged into a hospital enterprise, with the focus on a change in activity from 2003 to 2006. This fieldwork allowed a longitudinal study. The empirical data were generated from observations, interviews, document studies and newspaper clippings.

Findings

The investigations showed that the merger forced the hospitals to change, but the new organization – the different components of the merged hospital – followed different pathways to handle the externally imposed changes. Parallel processes evolved, and these processes were rooted in the historical and geographical conditions. Further, the paper illuminates the unique strengths of qualitative research methods that allowed a deeper understanding of these change processes.

Originality/value

The paper's findings add to our knowledge on the complex relations between externally imposed organizational change and the nature of internal organizational behaviour when intertwined with strong stakeholders. The paper particularly highlights the possible consequences when there is little interaction between the changes of systems and the practices of the professionals in hospitals when the processes are heavily influenced by path dependencies rooted in historical and geographical traditions.
Rhetorical criticism as a method for examining cultural pressures on organizational form
Authors: Lee Engstrom Craig
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a rationale and step‐by‐step description of how to use rhetorical criticism as a method for accounting for organizational isomorphism in organizational fields.

Design/methodology/approach

The idea that rhetoric is an important form of organizational discourse has gained interest among organizational scholars in recent years. Institutional theorists, especially, have been willing to embrace the “rhetorical turn” in organization studies. These scholars recognize that rhetoric plays an important role in creating, maintaining, and disrupting organizational and institutional orders. This paper adds to this research agenda by suggesting that organizational isomorphism can be partly understood as a rhetorical phenomenon. A method of rhetorical criticism – a qualitative approach for analyzing the rhetorical dimensions of texts and practice – and its efficacy for institutional research is explicated. Using a popular television program about crime scene investigations (which has arguably produced a “CSI effect” that influences the criminal justice system as an organizational field) as a sustained example, steps are provided for conducting rhetorical criticism of popular culture texts in order to account for isomorphic trends in an organizational field.

Findings

Rhetorical analysis of cultural and organizational artifacts, including institutional work, can expose myths and ceremonies that guide practices effectively and problematically.

Originality/value

The potential value of the paper is in its function as a guide for (neo)institutional and organization scholars looking for innovative approaches to studying organizations from a cultural perspective.
Conceptualising ethical capital in social enterprise
Authors: Bull Mike , Ridley‐Duff Rory , Foster Doug , Seanor Pam
Published: November 2010

Purpose

In popular culture, ethics and morality are topical, heightened by recent attention to the banking industry and pay awards, monopoly capitalism, global warming and sustainability. Yet, surprisingly, little attention is given to these in the narrative of the conceptualisation of social enterprise or social entrepreneurship – nor in the academic research on the sector. Current conceptualisations of social enterprise fail to fully satisfy the spirit of the movement which advances a narrative that social enterprises: are more like businesses than voluntary organisations; are more entrepreneurial than public service delivery; use business models but are not just in it for the money. A focus on the economic implies a business model where deep tensions lie. A focus on social capital offers a different frame of reference, yet both these conceptualisations fail to fully identify the phenomenon that is social enterprise. The objective of this paper is to fill that gap. Ethical capital is offered here as an alternative and unrecognised conceptualisation in the field of social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is exploratory in nature – a tentative piece of theorising that brings together the authors' perspectives on ethical capital to offer a new frame of reference on social enterprise. It sets out to investigate some of the issues in order to provoke further research.

Findings

It is argued in the paper that the current ideology of the neo‐classical economic paradigm pursues interests towards the self and towards the erosion of the moral basis of association. The outcome leaves society with a problem of low ethical virtue. The implications of this paper are that social enterprises maximise ethical virtue beyond any other form of organisation and as such hold great value beyond their missions and values.

Research limitations/implications

This paper starts the process of intellectual debate about the notion of ethical capital in social enterprises. The conclusions of this paper outline further research questions that need to be addressed in order to fully develop this concept.

Originality/value

This paper offers great value in the understanding of social enterprise through fresh insight into its conceptualisation. A critical perspective is adopted towards the current literature. This paper sheds new light on an understanding of the sector, providing practitioners, business support agencies and academics alike with a conceptualisation that has not been explored before.
Are there different profiles of wine tourists? An initial approach
Authors: Marzo‐Navarro Mercedes , Pedraja‐Iglesias Marta
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Wine tourism is emerging as a lucrative sector, with the capacity to generate growing and long‐lasting tourism. Despite Spain's tourism and wine potential, wine tourism is scarcely developed. In order to develop it strategically, it is necessary to know both the real and potential customers of this tourism. The purpose of this paper is to ask, who is the wine tourist and how is he or she different from other visitors to a destination?

Design/methodology/approach

The objective of this study is to determine the existence of a group of wine tourists who are clearly differentiated from those tourists who have never participated in wine tourism. If such a group exists, the study attempts to determine the type of wine tourists existing in our country.

Findings

This study endeavours to provide knowledge about the differences between those individuals who have never participated in wine tourism and those who have. Moreover, the profile of a wine tourist can be divided into two groups, thereby considering the variables of gender, age, wine consumption habits and involvement in activities related to wine.

Practical implications

The effect that wine tourism can have in the area where it is developed means that we must increase our knowledge of wine tourists. The determination of the types of wine tourists and their tastes, desires, preferences, etc. will help to develop suitable marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This paper constitutes one of the first approaches at segmenting wine tourists in Spain.
Skilled Egyptian diaspora contributions to Egypt
Authors: Mehrez Dina , Hamdy Hadia
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The study aims to learn of the contributions of the skilled Egyptian diaspora to the development of Egypt; to understand how these contributions differ according to their characteristics; and to discover obstacles and incentives to these contributions in the areas of investment, entrepreneurship, and return migration.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 384 skilled Egyptian diasporans were surveyed online using a snowball sampling technique. Data were analyzed through frequency analyses, crosstabulations, and chi‐square statistics.

Findings

The skilled Egyptian diaspora did make some contributions to Egypt; especially in technology transfer, entrepreneurship, return migration, remittances, and charity. However, their potential is not fully utilized. Contributions of the diaspora differed according to their age, industry, and prior work in Egypt. Government bureaucracy, unfair competition, and lack of innovation acted as obstacles to diaspora engagement, while the attractiveness of the Egyptian market, availability of labor, and the Egyptian culture acted as incentives.

Research limitations/implications

The use of a non‐probability sample poses challenges to the generalizability of the results. The use of questionnaires meant that more in‐depth analysis was not possible to obtain.

Practical implications

Government reform, market stimulation, and better outreach programs are needed for further diaspora mobilization.

Originality/value

Not enough research has been conducted to gauge the effect of the diaspora in Egypt even though they represent an important development opportunity for the country.
25 years of retailing; 25 years of change? Reflecting on the position of women managers
Authors: Broadbridge Adelina
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the gender composition of retail management and various issues in the careers of women managers during the last 25 years, a time period that has been transformational in many ways for UK retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on empirical research from the last 25 years.

Findings

Findings indicate that progress of women in retail management positions has been slow and they are still under‐represented at senior levels of UK companies. Barriers to women's ascension to senior management positions persist, and can be broadly related to the traditional division of labour, and organisational cultural norms and values which uphold deep‐rooted stereotypes and promote intransigent modes of working.

Practical implications

The gendered assumption of the male model and male leader as the ideal retail manager needs to be challenged further, and embedded cultural norms and outdated attitudes towards women in retail organisations require to be further challenged. Informal and implicit organisational practices and patterns of behaviour need to change so as to be inclusive of all workers not just men.

Originality/value

The paper highlights issues that continue to be problematic for women in the retail management hierarchy.
Exploring the relationship between socio‐cultural factors and tourist satisfaction
Authors: Yadav Shachi , Bandyopadhyay Rumki , Rasul Gulam , Rawal Anudeep
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the impact of socio‐cultural factors on pilgrimage tourism at Lotus Temple. This study also seeks to investigate the relationship of socio‐cultural factors with the satisfaction level of tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on questionnaire analysis from 196 respondents. The research approach is a mixed method comprising exploratory and descriptive research. The paper discusses the strengths of the Lotus Temple and challenges faced by the tourists.

Findings

It was found that travel motivations differ between foreign and domestic tourists. The study also demonstrates that socio‐cultural factors have a bearing on the overall satisfaction of tourists.

Practical implications

The results have implications for the development of a structured approach, to create a superior experience of the tourist at the Lotus Temple. The level of satisfaction and perception of socio‐cultural factors are critical issues, in making the pilgrimage an attractive tourist destination. This study illustrates that, the tourist's perception of socio‐cultural factors play a significant role on tourist satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to an understanding of the factors affecting tourism at the Lotus Temple. This paper also offers a contribution to the varied perspectives on tourism in relation to socio‐cultural factors and levels of satisfaction.
The marketing discipline comes of age, 1934‐1936
Authors: Witkowski Terrence H.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The marketing field established important institutions – college courses, teachable texts, professional associations, and regular conferences – during the first three decades of the twentieth century, but did not fully mature as a scholarly discipline until the first specialized journals were launched in the mid‐1930s. The aim of this paper is to better understand the marketing discipline during this crucial formative period, especially the structure, presentation, and content of marketing knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary sources are The American Marketing Journal and the National Marketing Review, the two predecessor journals that combined to form Journal of Marketing in 1936. They are examined for publishing data and content areas, article format and authorship, and the topics and methods constituting marketing knowledge.

Findings

The scholarship published in the first marketing journals was written by single authors who only infrequently cited other works. A wide range of topics were explored with much attention given to issues of marketing and society. Marketing writers considered their field a science and showed confidence in it despite dire environmental conditions.

Originality/value

The primary sources examined have been all but forgotten and deserve to be revisited. The research investigates not only the texts themselves, but the people who wrote them, their professional biographies and associational activities, and the larger academic and social environments of their time.
Doctoral seminars in marketing theory
Authors: Hunt Shelby D.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for including historical perspectives in doctoral seminars in marketing theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes how marketing history is currently incorporated into the author's doctoral seminar in marketing theory.

Findings

The author's doctoral seminar in marketing theory incorporates history in three ways: the assignment of specific historical articles, the use of historically oriented, supplementary readings, and the use of history to examine specific controversies.

Originality/value

Rather than marketing history and marketing theory being competitors, they complement each other well in doctoral seminars.
Future urban‐rural relationship in China: comparison in a global context
Authors: Li Yuheng , Westlund Hans , Cars Göran
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make a general comparison between urban‐rural relationship in China and that in the developed countries, aiming to draw some experiences based on which future tendencies of urban‐rural relationship in China could be predicted.

Design/methodology/approach

The core analysis of this paper examines how the urban‐rural relationship develops especially when urbanization rate reaches a very high level. Through literature review, this paper explores the evolution of urban‐rural relationship in developed nations by referring to some international cities in different industrial stages. In parallel, it goes through this relationship in China from 1949 until now.

Findings

This paper shows that future urbanization development in China will be generated largely by rural‐urban migration especially the eastern‐inclined migration while rural industrialization‐lead urbanization would develop at the provincial level. It also points that education and training to the labor force is the crucial issue to future urbanization development in China.

Originality/value

The obvious value of this paper is to predict, through a historical review and comparison, urban‐rural relationship in China when it is approaching to high urbanization level. Literature review finds some experiences in developed countries that will somehow take place in China. It also analyzes the eastern‐oriented rural‐urban migration, rural industrialization and their influence on urban‐rural relationship in China.
Estimating and analysing cost efficiency of sawmill industries in Nigeria
Authors: Ogundari Kolawole
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine cost efficiency and its determinants in Nigerian sawmill industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A stochastic frontier model is employed on a total of 160 mills randomly selected across five states in south‐western Nigeria in 2006.

Findings

The results show an estimated average cost efficiency of 1.262. This suggests that an average mill incurs about 26 per cent costs above the frontier cost when processing planks from logs. Further analysis indicates that a significant level of cost ineffisciency is present in Nigeria's sawmilling industry. Analysis of determinants of cost efficiency reveals that more years of education, experience, age, and level of capital investment reduce cost inefficiencies between 7 and 16 per cent. Sawmill operation is found to be associated with economies of scale in the study area.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to existing studies on the efficiency of sawmill industries in Nigeria by taking a holistic assessment of the industry from a cost perspective.
Biofuels, food security and compensatory subsidies
Authors: Sant'ana de Camargo Barros Geraldo , Rogerio Aparecido Alves Lucilio , Osaki Mauro
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between food security and cleaner energy and evaluate the financial viability of both ethanol and biodiesel productions in Southern Brazil, the current battleground region among food, ethanol and biodiesel. Southeastern Brazil was chosen to carry the analyses because that is the current battleground region for food, ethanol and biodiesel.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses to be carried out encompass the following steps: evaluate the investment needs for the ethanol and biodiesel programs in Southeast Brazil; gather information on financial costs, converting them to economic costs to evaluate the economic desirability of the programs; evaluate the possible subsidy needed to fulfill the programs' goals; and evaluate the biofuel‐food tradeoff under some different scenarios.

Findings

The conclusion is that Brazil, despite being the most efficient producer of ethanol, may very well be forced to use compensatory subsidies for ethanol production if the USA persists in imposing importing tariffs on that Brazilian commodity. On food security matters, the production of ethanol has to compete with beef production, whose prices present a rising trend because of strong demand in emerging countries. For the same reason biodiesel becomes less viable the stronger the demand for vegetable oil.

Originality/value

The competition among these three alternative uses of natural resources will become tougher in the coming decades as, on the one hand, consumption of food and energy increases at high rates. Developed countries, on the other hand, continue to be heavy polluters and at the same time create all sorts of obstacles to the expansion of food and clean energy production elsewhere.
Clean energy policies for China: the case of ethanol
Authors: Fava Neves Marcos
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the need of sustainability in its three major pillars for the future: profit, planet and people. Actions for companies and governments are listed, and a more in‐depth discussion is performed towards one of the most viable clean and renewable fuels used by society until nowadays, ethanol. The basics of this industry, the experience of Brazil in 40 years of usage of this fuel to the car fleet and recent developments are raised.

Design/methodology/approach

Traditional case study methodology is used to focus the analysis on the sugarcane industry in Brazil. This case study of this industry, together with previous projects done in 15 years of experience in this industry, is used to reach the objective of showing how this integrated chain works and addressing the importance of ethanol as an energy alternative for China.

Findings

China can start adopting an E10 policy (10 percent of anhydrous ethanol blended to gasoline) to contribute to reduce transport pollution in major cities. In order to have ethanol, China may invest more in the country to produce ethanol from cane and from cellulosic sources. Instead of importing oil, substitute part of its imports and consumption towards ethanol, bringing a clean fuel to the country to be blended with gasoline. China can also develop second generation ethanol to be used and generate jobs and invest in producing ethanol in some African countries and even invest in ethanol production in Brazil and import to China.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a suggestion of policies, based on the experience of Brazil. Further debate should be done to deepen the analysis of all possible points listed. It is based on a case study of one industry.

Practical implications

There is a preliminary suggestion of policies and strategies for the Chinese Government, together with possible partnership models and benefits to society.

Social implications

China can reduce dependencies on oil and on some unstable environments; generate jobs and employment; increase relationship with Brazil and African nations, which will be future suppliers of food also to China; reduce pollution in large cities, improving the quality of the air; possibilities of international investments for Chinese people and companies, making profits outside China and repatriating this resources and contribution to mitigate climate change over the world.

Originality/value

The paper brings to Chinese community information about one of the most competitive bioenergy programs on the world and suggests possible ways of partnering towards sustainable development.
Financial globalization: a macroeconomic angle
Authors: Das Dilip K.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to provide a macroeconomic assessment of the impact of global financial integration over the economies that are undergoing financial integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on several issues. It begins with examining the evidence whether financial globalization elevates growth performance of the integrating economy and supports it macroeconomic stability. It takes a nuanced view and divides the impact of financial integration into direct and indirect benefits. Second, it scrutinizes whether there are some threshold conditions, that is, in their presence and with their support, financial globalization underpins growth and stability of the capital importing economy and in their absence it cannot. Third, it delves into the oft‐cited allegation of financial globalization being a source of macroeconomic volatility and eventually financial crises. Fourth, as the evidence that emerged regarding ability of financial globalization to underpin growth was unambiguous. Policy mandarins' options are examined.

Findings

The paper finds that from a theoretical perspective, it is easy to state that integration of financial markets an potentially faster growth. Whether it happens in reality is a different matter.

Originality/value

The paper explores a new theme. While there are many relevant themes in financial globalization, the author has not seen any article on this theme and this paper may well be the first.
Comparative service quality system analysis using the Six Sigma benchmark
Authors: Etienne Eisenhower C.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to show that the extent to which convergence/divergence of a company's quality policies and practices towards/away from those of Six Sigma benchmark policies and practices mirror and anticipate the divergence of its sigma metric (SMs) from quantitative Six Sigma benchmarks. Further, the paper proposes to evaluate the robustness of the quality processes of these three companies and to compare them to that of the Six Sigma benchmark by subjecting these processes to the twin performance shocks of the benchmark Six Sigma 1.5σ allowance for process drift and a 25 percent tightening of customer requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a novel methodology more appropriate to the critical quality characteristics of typical service industry companies, the paper computes a set of SMs for each company that is richer and broader than the metrics found in standard Six Sigma tables. This new methodology is based on the empirically observed defect rates that are currently being generated by a service process. Further, based on the available empirical data, the paper compared these metrics to the Six Sigma benchmarks.

Findings

First, the paper shows that it is possible to compute a broad array of Six Sigma metrics for service businesses based on defect rate data. Second, the results confirm the central proposition of the research to the effect that the divergence/convergence of the qualitative characteristics of a company's quality system from benchmark Six Sigma policies and practices mirror and anticipate the convergence/divergence of the company's quality metrics from the Six Sigma benchmark. Third, the research produced the unanticipated result that the quantitative quality performance of high‐performing service businesses on the Six Sigma metrics are much lower than anticipated and below what is normally achieved by their manufacturing counterparts. The results were also used to do an evaluation of the Taguchi robustness of service processes.

Originality/value

First, the paper demonstrates that traditional Six Sigma computational methodology for generating Six Sigma metrics that is prevalent in manufacturing applies equally to service businesses. Second, the parallel convergence of the qualitative characteristics of a company's quality system towards Six Sigma practices and its quantitative metrics towards the Six Sigma benchmark means that primacy must be given to quality practices as the drivers of quality improvement. Third, the fact that high‐performing service businesses achieve Six Sigma measures that are so low compared to their manufacturing counterparts seems to point either to some key measurement challenges in deploying Six Sigma in service industries or to the need to further change Six Sigma methodology to make it more applicable to these businesses.
Accrediting informal learning: drivers, challenges and HE responses
Authors: Skinner Heather , Blackey Haydn , Green Peter J.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Higher education institutions (HEIs) can face barriers implementing the accreditation of informal learning, despite many institutions having developed policies and strategies to embed employability and skills. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of the institutional response of one HEI when dealing with the various drivers and challenges faced when accrediting informal learning at higher levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach was adopted as this method allowed for in‐depth qualitative enquiry into a contemporary phenomenon in a real‐life context.

Findings

The paper finds that by designing a shell framework incorporating module outlines and a toolkit of support materials for various stakeholder groups, HEIs may overcome many of the implementation problems often associated with HE accreditation of informal higher level learning.

Practical implications

This framework and toolkit approach could help other HEIs better enable the wider accreditation and embedding of work‐based learning within HE, which is deemed so important in facilitating the achievement of UK Government targets for 40 per cent of UK adults to gain a qualification at Level 4 or above in the next ten years. This is also a particular issue for Wales, dealing with its own skills agenda in response to specific skills gaps needed to ensure the sustainable future of the Welsh economy.

Originality/value

While a limited number of HEIs have adopted a framework approach to the accreditation of work‐based learning, this paper addresses the issues in a regional context, as the framework and toolkit presented is the first of its kind to be articulated for the Welsh skills agenda by a Welsh HEI.
Metronomic irinotecan chemotherapy combined with ultrasound irradiation for a human uterine sarcoma xenograft
Authors: Choijamts Batsuren , Naganuma Yasuko , Nakajima Kyoko , Kawarabayashi Tatsuhiko , Miyamoto Shingo , Tachibana Katsuro , Emoto Makoto
Published: November 2010

Metronomic chemotherapy is the frequent administration of low doses of chemotherapeutic agents targeting tumor‐associated endothelial cells. We examined the efficacy of metronomic irinotecan combined with low‐intensity ultrasound (US) in human uterine sarcoma and evaluated its antiangiogenesis mechanism by measuring the circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEP), a surrogate marker of angiogenesis. A human uterine sarcoma cell line, FU‐MMT‐3, was used in the present study because this tumor is one of the most malignant neoplasms of human solid tumors and it also has a high angiogenesis property. The combination of low‐dose irinotecan and US irradiation significantly inhibited the tube formation of HUVEC and vascular endothelial growth factor expression of tumor cells in vitro. The FU‐MMT‐3 xenografts in nude mice were treated using US at a low intensity (2.0 w/cm2, 1 MHz) for 4 min three times per week each after the intraperitoneal administration of irinotecan; this treatment was continued for 5 weeks. The tumor vascularity was assessed by contrast‐enhanced color Doppler US in real time. The combination treatment significantly inhibited the mobilization of CEP and intratumoral vascularity compared with the control. This combination therapy showed a significant reduction in tumor volume, resulting in a significant prolongation of survival, in comparison with each treatment alone. These results suggest that the effect of metronomic chemotherapy for human uterine sarcoma was accelerated by US irradiation in vivo and this combination might therefore be potentially effective for new cancer therapy. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 452–459)
Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 suppresses metastatic pulmonary colonization of pancreatic carcinoma cells
Authors: Fukushima Tsuyoshi , Kawaguchi Makiko , Yamasaki Masatoshi , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Yorita Kenji , Kataoka Hiroaki
Published: November 2010

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor type 1 (HAI‐1) is a transmembrane protease inhibitor that regulates the activities of membrane‐bound and extracellular serine proteases. HAI‐1 has two Kunitz‐type inhibitor domains with the N‐terminal Kunitz domain (KD1) responsible for inhibiting known target proteases. Previously, we reported that knockdown of HAI‐1 in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line SUIT‐2 resulted in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. To evaluate the role of HAI‐1 in metastasis, we examined the metastatic capability of SUIT‐2 cells that did or did not stably express HAI‐1 short‐hairpin RNA in an experimental pulmonary metastasis assay using nude mice. The extent of pulmonary metastasis was verified by histological examination and direct measurement of human cytokeratin 19 mRNA levels. One week after injecting SUIT‐2 cells into mouse tail veins, apparent metastatic colonization was observed in 36% (4/11) of mice injected with HAI‐1‐knockdown SUIT‐2, whereas none (0/11) of the control mice were positive for metastasis. After 2 weeks the metastasis positive ratios were 80% (4/5) and 40% (2/5), and after 4 weeks the ratios were 82% (9/11) and 45% (5/11) for HAI‐1‐knockdown and control SUIT‐2 cells, respectively. Thus, loss of HAI‐1 promoted pulmonary metastasis. Co‐injection of recombinant KD1 abolished metastasis produced by HAI‐1‐knockdown SUIT‐2 cells after 1 week. Moreover, recombinant KD1 restored E‐cadherin levels in HAI‐1 knockdown SUIT‐2 cells and reduced their invasiveness in vitro. These data indicate that HAI‐1 regulates pulmonary metastasis of SUIT‐2, and KD1 may have therapeutic application for inhibiting metastatic cancer cell spreading. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 407–413)
Distinct characteristics of seasonal (Bet v 1) vs. perennial (Der p 1/Der p 2) allergen‐specific CD4+ T cell responses
Authors: Wambre E. , Bonvalet M. , Bodo V. B. , Maillère B. , Leclert G. , Moussu H. , Von Hofe E. , Louise A. , Balazuc A.‐M. , Ebo D. , Hoarau C. , Garcia G. , Van Overtvelt L. , Moingeon P.
Published: November 2010

Cite this as: E. Wambre, M. Bonvalet,V. B. Bodo, B. Maille`re, G. Leclert,H. Moussu, E. Von Hofe, A. Louise,A.‐M. Balazuc, D. Ebo, C. Hoarau,G. Garcia, L. Van Overtvelt and P. Moingeon, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 192–203.

Background
A better understanding of allergen‐specific CD4+ T cell responses is needed to help improving immunological therapies.

Objective
To compare CD4+ T cell responses against seasonal (Bet v 1) and perennial (Der p 1, Der p 2) allergens.

Methods
Major histocompatibility complex class II peptide tetramers were engineered to monitor allergen‐specific T cell responses. After in vitro expansion, tetramer+ cells were tested for surface markers using cytofluorometry. Cytokine gene expression and production were assessed using quantitative PCR and cytokine surface capture assays, respectively.

Results
Tetramer+ cells were detected in 19 patients allergic to house dust mites (HDM), seven allergic to birch pollen, 13 allergic to both and nine non‐allergics with either an HLA‐DRB1*0101, *0301, *1501 or an HLA‐DPB1*0401 background. High‐avidity T cells are elicited against the immunodominant Bet v 1141−155 epitope, whereas broader low‐avidity T cell responses are induced against Der p 116−30,110−124,171−185 and Der p 226−40,107−121 epitopes. Responses against Bet v 1 involve effector (CDL62 low, CCR7 low) or central (CD62L+, CCR7+) memory cells in allergic and non‐allergic individuals, respectively, whereas central memory cells are mostly detected against mite allergens. In non‐allergics, both mite and Bet v 1‐specific T cells produce IFN‐γ and IL‐10. In contrast to Bet v 1‐driven Th2 responses, mite allergens induce highly polymorphic responses in allergics, including Th1, Th2/Th17 or mixed Th1/Th2 profiles. Mite‐specific T cell frequencies in the blood remain in the range of 1–6 × 10−4 CD4+ T cells throughout the year.

Conclusion
Different memory CD4+ T cell responses are elicited in the context of chronic vs. seasonal stimulation with the allergen(s). The heterogeneity in the patterns of CD4+ T cell responses observed in patients allergic to HDMs should be taken into account for specific immunotherapy.
Nitrogen mineralization: a review and meta‐analysis of the predictive value of soil tests
Authors: Ros G. H. , Temminghoff E. J. M. , Hoffland E.
Published: November 2010

Accurate estimation of mineralizable nitrogen (N) from soil organic matter is essential to improve fertilizer management in agricultural systems. Mineralizable N refers to the amount of N in soil that is released during a certain period (ranging from 1 week to the length of a growing season). It has been estimated from increases in inorganic N during incubation or from N uptake by plants grown in a greenhouse or field. Many chemical soil tests measuring extractable organic N (EON) fractions have been proposed to predict mineralizable N. We evaluated the predictive value of these soil tests, using 2068 observations from 218 papers. Meta‐analysis was used to find the best soil test, to analyse differences between field and laboratory experiments, and to determine whether their predictive value is affected by extraction intensity (% of total soil N that is extracted). The concentration of EON was positively related to mineralizable N, explaining on average 47% of the variation. It did not, however, explain more of the variation than total N. Best predictions (57% < R2< 74%) were obtained when EON was extracted with hot CaCl2, acid KMnO4, acid K2Cr2O7, hot water or hot KCl. Extraction intensity was not related to the strength of the above‐mentioned relationship. Predictions of mineralizable N were significantly worse when mineralization was measured in the field compared with measurements under controlled conditions. We found no evidence of a causal and direct relationship between EON and mineralizable N. Accuracy of soil testing may improve when the current ‘single soil test approach’ changes to a more complex approach, which includes different soil tests, soil properties and environmental conditions.
Ladies last: diel rhythmicity of adult emergence in a parasitoid with complementary sex determination
Authors: MAZZI DOMINIQUE , HATT FABIENNE , HEIN SILKE , DORN SILVIA
Published: November 2010

Protandry, the earlier adult emergence of males, is explained as either an adaptive strategy maximizing male mating opportunities at the same time as minimizing female pre‐reproductive mortality, or as an incidental by‐product of sexual dimorphism fuelled by selection for other life‐history traits. Adult emergence sequences are monitored of broods of the gregarious larval endoparasitoid Cotesia glomerata L. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) undergoing pupal development under different temperature regimes. As a haplodiploid species with single‐locus complementary sex determination, gender in C. glomerata is determined by the genotype at one sex locus. Haploids are always male, whereas diploids are female when heterozygous but male when homozygous at the sex locus. Sibling mating promotes homozygosity and thus the production of diploid males. Diploid males are produced at the expense of females, and impose a genetic burden on individuals and populations, despite their exceptional fertility in C. glomerata. Emergence of broods is typically completed within 2 days. Irrespective of temperature, males emerge earlier and within a shorter time interval than females, and a majority of the males in a cluster emerge before the first female. The implications of an incomplete temporal segregation of the sexes on the incidence of inbreeding in C. glomerata are discussed in the light of its sex determination mechanism and its patterns of mating, host exploitation and natal dispersal.
Relevance of visual and olfactory cues for host location in the mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae
Authors: KÜHNLE ANNE , MÜLLER CAROLINE
Published: November 2010

The relevance of visual and olfactory cues for host‐plant location is investigated in males and females of the oligophagous mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Different objects are offered in a walking arena and the behaviour of beetles is observed. Beetles orient toward vertically or horizontally striped black and white pattern independent of stripe orientation. The results suggest that contrast facilitates orientation in the field, whereas the pattern itself may be less important for host location in dense vegetation. The response to green and yellow objects is tested to investigate discrimination abilities between young (green) and mature (yellow) leaves. Beetles prefer green over yellow independent of material (cardboard or leaves of Nasturtium officinale R. Br., Brassicaceae). Preference behaviour tested in a dual‐choice contact assay coincides with visual preferences, where adults prefer young, more nutritious leaves for feeding and oviposition. Furthermore, females discriminate between visual cues of green leaves and green cardboard, whereas males do not, indicating that females are more sensitive in colour discrimination. Differences in colour wavelength influence the choice of beetle behaviour more strongly than differences in intensity. Both sexes of P. cochleariae prefer volatiles of the host plant N. officinale, whereas only females respond to the main volatile compound 2‐phenylethyl isothiocyanate. Given a choice between visual and olfactory cues, males orientate towards the colour cues, whereas females do not show any preferences. In males, visual cues may thus override olfactory cues, whereas, in females, both are equally important, which may reflect different ecological requirements and/or physiological abilities.
Changes in Peripheral Blood Level of Regulatory T cells in Patients with Malignant Melanoma During Treatment with Dendritic Cell Vaccination and Low‐dose IL‐2
Authors: Bjoern J. , Brimnes M. K. , Andersen M. H. , thor Straten P. , Svane I. M.
Published: November 2010

In this study, changes in peripheral blood regulatory T cell (Treg) levels were evaluated in 46 progressive patients with melanoma treated with a dendritic cell‐based vaccine and concomitant low‐dose IFN‐α and IL‐2. The regulatory subset of CD4 T cells, characterized by CD25high, was prospectively analysed in fresh blood, and treatment‐associated quantitative and qualitative changes were analysed. By the 4th vaccine, patients showed a marked increase in CD4+CD25high T cell subset from 6% to 22% (P < 0.001). At the 6th vaccine, a general decline was observed and a significantly (P = 0.01) lower level of CD4+CD25high Treg cells was reached in the group of patients who attained disease stabilization (9.5%) compared to patients with continued progressive disease (14.5%). However, when FoxP3 was employed for retrospective analysis of Tregs on frozen blood, this difference did not reach significance (P = 0.09). The vast majority of the Treg produced IL‐10 and, to a varying extent, TGF‐β. In addition, sorted CD4+CD25highCD127− Tregs were able to suppress proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a dose‐dependent manner, thus suggesting a regulatory functionality. These findings emphasize the need for strategies to effectively eliminate Treg cells to optimize the clinical effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.