bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arp2/3 complex is essential for actin network treadmilling as well as for targeting of capping protein and cofilin
Authors: Koestler Stefan A. , Steffen Anika , Nemethova Maria , Winterhoff Moritz , Luo Ningning , Holleboom J. Margit , Krupp Jessica , Jacob Sonja , Vinzenz Marlene , Schur Florian , Schlüter Kai , Gunning Peter W. , Winkler Christoph , Schmeiser Christian , Faix Jan , Stradal Theresia E. B. , Small J. Victor , Rottner Klemens
Published: July 2013

Lamellipodia are sheet-like protrusions formed during migration or phagocytosis and comprise a network of actin filaments. Filament formation in this network is initiated by nucleation/branching through the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex downstream of its activator, suppressor of cAMP receptor/WASP-family verprolin homologous (Scar/WAVE), but the relative relevance of Arp2/3-mediated branching versus actin filament elongation is unknown. Here we use instantaneous interference with Arp2/3 complex function in live fibroblasts with established lamellipodia. This allows direct examination of both the fate of elongating filaments upon instantaneous suppression of Arp2/3 complex activity and the consequences of this treatment on the dynamics of other lamellipodial regulators. We show that Arp2/3 complex is an essential organizer of treadmilling actin filament arrays but has little effect on the net rate of actin filament turnover at the cell periphery. In addition, Arp2/3 complex serves as key upstream factor for the recruitment of modulators of lamellipodia formation such as capping protein or cofilin. Arp2/3 complex is thus decisive for filament organization and geometry within the network not only by generating branches and novel filament ends, but also by directing capping or severing activities to the lamellipodium. Arp2/3 complex is also crucial to lamellipodia-based migration of keratocytes.
DrosophilaSOCS36E negatively regulates JAK/STAT pathway signaling via two separable mechanisms
Authors: Stec Wojciech , Vidal Oscar , Zeidler Martin P.
Published: July 2013

Conserved from humans to Drosophila, the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling cascade is essential for multiple developmental and homeostatic processes, with regulatory molecules controlling pathway activity also highly conserved. We characterize the Drosophila JAK/STAT pathway regulator SOCS36E and show that it functions via two independent mechanisms. First, we show that Drosophila Elongin B/C and Cullin-5 act via the SOCS-box of SOCS36E to reduce pathway activity specifically in response to ligand stimulation—a process that involves endocytic trafficking and lysosomal degradation of the Domeless (Dome) receptor. Second, SOCS36E also suppresses both stimulated and basal pathway activity via an Elongin/Cullin-independent mechanism that is mediated by the N-terminus of SOCS36E, which is required for the physical interaction of SOCS36E with Dome. Although some human SOCS proteins contain N-terminal kinase-inhibitory domains, we do not identify such a region in SOCS36E and propose a model wherein the N-terminal of SOCS36E blocks access to tyrosine residues in Dome. Our biochemical analysis of a SOCS-family regulator from a lower organism highlights the fundamental conserved roles played by regulatory mechanisms in signal transduction.
OncodriveCLUST: exploiting the positional clustering of somatic mutations to identify cancer genes
Authors: Tamborero David , Gonzalez-Perez Abel , Lopez-Bigas Nuria
Published: July 2013

Motivation: Gain-of-function mutations often cluster in specific protein regions, a signal that those mutations provide an adaptive advantage to cancer cells and consequently are positively selected during clonal evolution of tumours. We sought to determine the overall extent of this feature in cancer and the possibility to use this feature to identify drivers.

Results: We have developed OncodriveCLUST, a method to identify genes with a significant bias towards mutation clustering within the protein sequence. This method constructs the background model by assessing coding-silent mutations, which are assumed not to be under positive selection and thus may reflect the baseline tendency of somatic mutations to be clustered. OncodriveCLUST analysis of the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer retrieved a list of genes enriched by the Cancer Gene Census, prioritizing those with dominant phenotypes but also highlighting some recessive cancer genes, which showed wider but still delimited mutation clusters. Assessment of datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas demonstrated that OncodriveCLUST selected cancer genes that were nevertheless missed by methods based on frequency and functional impact criteria. This stressed the benefit of combining approaches based on complementary principles to identify driver mutations. We propose OncodriveCLUST as an effective tool for that purpose.

Availability: OncodriveCLUST has been implemented as a Python script and is freely available from http://bg.upf.edu/oncodriveclust

Contact:  nuria.lopez@upf.edu or abel.gonzalez@upf.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The MSC experience: developing an operational certification standard and a market incentive to improve fishery sustainability
Authors: Agnew D. J. , Gutiérrez N. L. , Stern-Pirlot A. , Hoggarth D. D.
Published: July 2013

Agnew, D. J., Gutiérrez, N. L., Stern-Pirlot, A., and Hoggarth, D. D. 2014. The MSC experience: developing an operational certification standard and a market incentive to improve fishery sustainability. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 71: 216–225. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard for sustainable fisheries is represented by three high-level principles and a set of 31 indicators and scoring guidelines, known as the “default assessment tree”. Over the 14 years, since it was developed in 1999, the MSC has faced the challenge of maintaining its standard at the level of global best practice, keeping up with developments in the science and management of fisheries, and making sure that certified fisheries maintain their performance at that standard, or raise it where they fall below it. The MSC has had to regularly and widely engage with multiple stakeholders to ensure that its policy development is consistent with stakeholder expectations. Although many fisheries have made significant improvements to their performance, sometimes performance has declined, leading to further requirements for improvement. The MSC needed to design a program that balances credibility, accessibility, and improvement to move the world's fisheries towards sustainability.
Targeting prostate cancer cell lines with polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors as a single agent and in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors
Authors: Wissing Michel D. , Mendonca Janet , Kortenhorst Madeleine S. Q. , Kaelber Nadine S. , Gonzalez Matthew , Kim Eunice , Hammers Hans , van Diest Paul J. , Carducci Michael A. , Kachhap Sushant K.
Published: July 2013

Combinations of anticancer therapies with high efficacy and low toxicities are highly sought after. Therefore, we studied the effect of polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) inhibitors on prostate cancer cells as a single agent and in combination with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors valproic acid and vorinostat. IC50s of Plk1 inhibitors BI 2536 and BI 6727 were determined in prostate cancer cells by MTS assays. Morphological and molecular changes were assessed by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, real‐time RT‐PCR, and pulldown assays. Efficacy of combination therapy was assessed by MTS and clonogenic assays. IC50 values in DU145, LNCaP, and PC3 cells were 50, 75, and 175 nM, respectively, for BI 2536 and 2.5, 5, and 600 nM, respectively, for BI 6727. Human prostate fibroblasts and normal prostate epithelial cells were unaffected at these concentrations. While DU145 and LNCaP cells were solely arrested in mitosis on treatment, PC3 cells accumulated in G2 phase and mitosis, suggesting a weak spindle assembly checkpoint. Combining Plk1 inhibitors with HDAC inhibitors had synergistic antitumor effects in vitro. DMSO‐treated prostate cancer cells were used as controls to study the effect of Plk1 and HDAC inhibition. Plk1 inhibitors decreased proliferation and clonogenic potential of prostate cancer cells. Hence, Plk1 may serve as an important molecular target for inhibiting prostate cancer. Combining HDAC inhibitors with BI 2536 or BI 6727 may be an effective treatment strategy against prostate cancer.—Wissing, M. D., Mendonca, J., Kortenhorst, M. S. Q., Kaelber, N. S., Gonzalez, M., Kim E., Hammers, H., van Diest, P. J., Carducci, M. A., Kachhap, S. K., Targeting prostate cancer cell lines with polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors as a single agent and in combination with histone deacetylase inhibitors. FASEB J. 27, 4279–4293 (2013). www.fasebj.org
Restrictive Deferred Hydration Combined with Preemptive Norepinephrine Infusion during Radical Cystectomy Reduces Postoperative Complications and Hospitalization Time
Authors: Wuethrich Patrick Y. , Burkhard Fiona C. , Thalmann George N. , Stueber Frank , Studer Urs E.
Published: July 2013

Background:

Anesthetics and neuraxial anesthesia commonly result in vasodilation/hypotension. Norepinephrine counteracts this effect and thus allows for decreased intraoperative hydration. The authors investigated whether this approach could result in reduced postoperative complication rate.

Methods:

In this single-center, double-blind, randomized, superiority trial, 166 patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion were equally allocated to receive 1 ml·kg−1·h−1 of balanced Ringer’s solution until the end of cystectomy and then 3 ml·kg−1·h−1 until the end of surgery combined with preemptive norepinephrine infusion at an initial rate of 2 µg·kg−1·h−1 (low-volume group; n = 83) or 6 ml·kg−1·h−1 of balanced Ringer’s solution throughout surgery (control group; n = 83). Primary outcome was the in-hospital complication rate. Secondary outcomes were hospitalization time, and 90-day mortality.

Results:

In-hospital complications occurred in 43 of 83 patients (52%) in the low-volume group and in 61 of 83 (73%) in the control group (relative risk, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55–0.88; P = 0.006). The rates of gastrointestinal and cardiac complications were lower in the low-volume group than in the control group (5 [6%] vs. 31 [37%]; relative risk, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.07–0.39; P < 0.0001 and 17 [20%] vs. 39 [48%], relative risk, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26–0.60; P = 0.0003, respectively). The median hospitalization time was 15 days [range, 11, 27d] in the low-volume group and 17 days [11, 95d] in the control group (P = 0.02). The 90-day mortality was 0% in the low-volume group and 4.8% in the control group (P = 0.12).

Conclusion:

A restrictive-deferred hydration combined with preemptive norepinephrine infusion during radical cystectomy and urinary diversion significantly reduced the postoperative complication rate and hospitalization time.
African, Amerindian and European hepatitis B virus strains circulate on the Caribbean Island of Martinique
Authors: Brichler Ségolène , Lagathu Gisèle , Chekaraou Mariama Abdou , Le Gal Frédéric , Edouard André , Dény Paul , Césaire Raymond , Gordien Emmanuel
Published: July 2013

Ten Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, as well as numerous subgenotypes, have been described in well-characterized ethnogeographical populations. Martinique has been at a crossroads between Africa, Europe, India and the Americas because of the slave trade (17th–19th centuries), followed by an important immigration of Indian and West African workers. In this work, we aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of HBV infection in Martinique according to this unique settlement pattern. To that end, blood samples from 86 consecutive HBV-infected patients from the main hospitals of the island, were retrospectively analysed. Direct sequencing of the pre-S1 or pre-C-C region or complete genome sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analyses were performed. HBV genotypes were: HBV/A1 (68.6 %), HBV/A2 (10.5 %), HBV/D, mainly HBV/D3 and HBV/D4 (8.1 %), HBV/F (3.5 %), and also HBV/E (2.3 %), two strains isolated from two West-African patients. Moreover, 74 % of the HBeAg-negative strains harboured classical pre-C-C mutations, and most HBV/A1 strains also containing specific mutations. Finally, various patterns of deletion mutants in pre-S and pre-C-C regions were found. In conclusion, our findings point to historical and migration-related issues in HBV-genotype distribution suggesting that HBV/A1, but not HBV/E, was imported from Africa during the slave trade, and further supporting the hypothesis that HBV/E has emerged recently in West Africa (<150 years). Potential origins of ‘European’ HBV/A2 and HBV/D3, ‘Amerindian’ HBV/F, and HBV/D4 strains are also discussed. Such HBV genetic diversity, beyond its epidemiological interest, may have a clinical impact on the natural history of HBV infection in Martinique.
Chromatin-to-nucleoprotamine transition is controlled by the histone H2B variant TH2B
Authors: Montellier Emilie , Boussouar Fayçal , Rousseaux Sophie , Zhang Kai , Buchou Thierry , Fenaille François , Shiota Hitoshi , Debernardi Alexandra , Héry Patrick , Curtet Sandrine , Jamshidikia Mahya , Barral Sophie , Holota Hélène , Bergon Aurélie , Lopez Fabrice , Guardiola Philippe , Pernet Karin , Imbert Jean , Petosa Carlo , Tan Minjia , Zhao Yingming , Gérard Matthieu , Khochbin Saadi
Published: July 2013

The conversion of male germ cell chromatin to a nucleoprotamine structure is fundamental to the life cycle, yet the underlying molecular details remain obscure. Here we show that an essential step is the genome-wide incorporation of TH2B, a histone H2B variant of hitherto unknown function. Using mouse models in which TH2B is depleted or C-terminally modified, we show that TH2B directs the final transformation of dissociating nucleosomes into protamine-packed structures. Depletion of TH2B induces compensatory mechanisms that permit histone removal by up-regulating H2B and programming nucleosome instability through targeted histone modifications, including lysine crotonylation and arginine methylation. Furthermore, after fertilization, TH2B reassembles onto the male genome during protamine-to-histone exchange. Thus, TH2B is a unique histone variant that plays a key role in the histone-to-protamine packing of the male genome and guides genome-wide chromatin transitions that both precede and follow transmission of the male genome to the egg.
A novel three-dimensional AgIcoordination polymer based on mixed naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate and aminoacetate ligands
Authors: Wu Hua , Lü Xiao-Li , Lü Bo , Dong Chang-Xun , Wu Mei-Sheng
Published: July 2013

The three-dimensional coordination polymer poly[[bis(μ3-2-aminoacetato)di-μ-aqua-μ3-(naphthalene-1,5-disulfonato)-hexasilver(I)] dihydrate], {[Ag6(C10H6O6S2)(C2H4NO2)4(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, based on mixed naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate (L1) and 2-aminoacetate (L2) ligands, contains two AgIcentres (Ag1 and Ag4) in general positions, and another two (Ag2 and Ag3) on inversion centres. Ag1 is five-coordinated by three O atoms from oneL1 anion, oneL2 anion and one water molecule, one N atom from oneL2 anion and one AgIcation in a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. Ag2 is surrounded by four O atoms from twoL2 anions and two water molecules, and two AgIcations in a slightly octahedral coordination geometry. Ag3 is four-coordinated by two O atoms from twoL2 anions and two AgIcations in a slightly distorted square geometry, while Ag4 is also four-coordinated by two O atoms from oneL1 and oneL2 ligand, one N atom from anotherL2 anion, and one AgIcation, exhibiting a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. In the crystal structure, there are two one-dimensional chains nearly perpendicular to one another (interchain angle = 87.0°). The chains are connected by water molecules to give a two-dimensional layer, and the layers are further bridged byL1 anions to generate a novel three-dimensional framework. Moreover, hydrogen-bonding interactions consolidate the network.
Livestock mortality insurance: development and challenges
Authors: Boyd Milton , Pai Jeffrey , Porth Lysa
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is examine the development of livestock mortality insurance, and associated challenges, in order to provide an improved understanding regarding the operation of livestock mortality insurance.

Design/methodology/approach

In a many countries, livestock mortality insurance has been either unavailable or underdeveloped. A descriptive analysis is provided regarding the background and development of livestock mortality insurance, along with an example.

Findings

Livestock mortality insurance is considerably more complex than crop insurance, and some of the complexities of livestock mortality insurance include multi‐stage production, consequential losses, occasional large event losses, animal health management, moral hazard, and adverse selection.

Originality/value

This study provides background and development information regarding livestock mortality insurance, and also highlights a number of important differences between livestock mortality insurance and crop insurance.
Can flexible microfinance loans improve credit access for farmers?
Authors: Weber Ron , Musshoff Oliver
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Using a unique dataset of a commercial microfinance institution (MFI) in Madagascar, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how credit access probabilities and loan volume rationing magnitudes for farmers change if the MFI switches to offer flexible microfinance loans, which can account for agricultural production specifics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate probit models for the probability of receiving a loan and Heckman models to investigate the magnitude of volume rationing for all micro loan applications and disbursements of the MFI, differentiating between farmers with standard microfinance loans and farmers with flexible microfinance loans.

Findings

The results reveal that agricultural firms with flexible microfinance loans have significantly higher credit access probabilities than non‐agricultural firms and agricultural firms with standard microfinance loans. Furthermore, it was found that agricultural firms with flexible microfinance loans are stronger volume rationed than non‐agricultural firms and agricultural firms with standard microfinance loans.

Research limitations/implications

Even if the authors can show that access to credit for agricultural firms in Madagascar can be enhanced by the provisioning of flexible microfinance loans, the investigated MFI only introduced flexible microfinance loans in 2011 and currently only offers them through five branch offices. Thus, the product is new to the MFI, and results might change with increasing outreach to other geographic regions in Madagascar. Furthermore, the conditions for agricultural production in Madagascar are unique, and the results might change in different country contexts.

Practical implications

The paper's findings suggest that flexible microfinance loans can contribute to the financial inclusion of farmers with seasonal production types. They also suggest that standard microfinance loans seem to be adequate for farmers with less seasonal production types, e.g. animal husbandry.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to investigate the effects of flexible microfinance loan provision for credit access of small agricultural firms in developing countries in general, and in Madagascar in particular.
Hedging effectiveness of weather derivatives in arable farming – is there a need for mixed indices?
Authors: Pelka Niels , Musshoff Oliver
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The use of weather derivatives is impaired with a basis risk which diminishes the hedging effectiveness and hinders the distribution of these risk management instruments in the agricultural sector. A frequently suggested approach to reduce the basis risk is the use of mixed indices composed of several weather variables. The purpose of this paper is to compare the hedging effectiveness of a simple temperature‐based and a simple precipitation‐based weather derivative with that of a derivative based on a mixed index of two weather variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The basis of this comparison are empirical yield time series of the winter wheat production of 32 farms located in central Germany, as well as daily temperature and precipitation data collected by selected weather stations over several years. Insurance is structured as an option on an accumulated weather index and priced by index‐value simulation. In addition, the bootstrapping method is used to improve statistical reliability. The hedging effectiveness is measured non‐parametrically regarding the relative reduction of the standard deviation of winter wheat revenues caused by using weather derivatives.

Findings

The results reveal that mixed index‐based weather derivatives have a significantly higher potential to reduce the risk of winter wheat revenues than simple index‐based weather derivatives. However, using mixed index‐based weather derivatives does not lead to a significantly higher hedging effectiveness than the simultaneous use of several simple index‐based weather derivatives. Moreover, simple index‐based weather derivatives may more easily raise the interest of other industries which could serve as potential trading partners for the agricultural sector.

Research limitations/implications

The authors analyzed the hedging effectiveness of weather derivatives based on simple and mixed indices with regard to the production of winter wheat in Central Germany. To confirm that the present results are generalizable, further research is required for other types of production apart from winter wheat cultivation and with respect to other regions besides Germany.

Practical implications

The focus and results of the present study are very relevant for farmers as well as for potential providers of weather derivatives. The results reconfirm that weather derivative providers should better offer different weather derivatives based on a simple index than complex derivatives that are based on a mixed index.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first that provides a comparative impact analysis of simple and mixed index‐based weather derivatives conducted for real individual farms with regard to their hedging effectiveness.
Risk‐efficient portfolio crop choice with amended water and irrigation policies in northern Germany
Authors: Buchholz Matthias , Musshoff Oliver
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Increasing environmental concerns have placed the need for an enhanced water resources management on the policy agenda. In this context, a restrictive regulation of water withdrawals for irrigation has gained in importance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a reduction in water quotas and increased water prices affect risk‐efficient crop choices and the related economic implications for northern German farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply a whole‐farm risk programming approach to a typical arable farm in northern Germany. By using irrigation field trials, production activities with varying irrigation intensities and inherently incorporated crop yield uncertainty are defined.

Findings

In contrast to increased water prices, a reduction in water quotas leads to higher water savings and lower economic disadvantages for farmers. Due to an adjusted portfolio crop choice, as well as irrigation intensity, the reduction in the expected total gross margin is partially offset.

Research limitations/implications

This example ensures volumetric water monitoring at the farm level which, however, remains a major pitfall in many other countries. From a methodological perspective, the crop yield distribution choice might affect the findings. Likewise, the consideration of downside risk in an irrigation context appears to be interesting for future research.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to compare the implications of differentiated water quotas and water pricing schemes suggested by the European Water Framework Directive, while taking risk‐efficient crop portfolio considerations into account. This approach facilitates water reallocation not only between crops, but also in terms of the crop‐specific irrigation intensity. Crop yields are based on a unique panel of micro data rather than expert opinions or simulations.
Biscuits and perseverance: reflections on supporting a community intellectual disability team to reflect
Authors: Wilcox Esther
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to share information and reflections on the process of setting up case formulation meetings in a community intellectual disability team supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The case formulation meeting was set up and pioneered by a clinical psychologist working in the team. This paper offers a description of the process of setting up the meetings and experiences of initial meetings.

Findings

Evaluations of the meetings were consistently positive, but attendance from the team members was dependent on ongoing marketing of the meetings by the team's psychologist. Feedback suggested that there may be direct benefits to the clinical work of the team and that the conversations allowed for improved management of risk. This suggests that time spent on facilitating such meetings can help to improve the quality of a service.

Originality/value

Other papers have helpfully shared experiences of setting up formulation meetings in other settings. To the author's knowledge, this is the first paper which shares the experience of setting up and running a case formulation meeting in an adult community intellectual disability team setting. The paper's focus on meetings which floundered, and focus on lessons learnt for the continuation of the meetings is also of practical value.
Quality of life and living arrangements for people with intellectual disability
Authors: Bertelli Marco , Salvador‐Carulla Luis , Lassi Stefano , Zappella Michele , Ceccotto Raymond , Palterer David , de Groef Johan , Benni Laura , Rossi Prodi Paolo
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Recent international experiences of community inclusion have produced a major change in residential care for people with intellectual disability (ID). Assignment and outcome assessment through new person‐centred measures are raising increasing interest; however, the information on quality of life and accommodation is still limited. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application of quality of life models and the size of the provision of different living arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic mapping of the literature of the last decade was followed by an expert guided review of the available evidence.

Findings

QoL outcomes measures of living arrangements in people with ID show conceptual and methodological challenges. The following key topics were identified: individual level: issues related to health status, behavioural problems and other personal factors (ageing, choice and empowerment); family and peers; local level: accommodation, architecture and urbanization, and economic aspects (deprivation and costs); macro level: social participation (community inclusion). The residential solutions that are currently considered of highest efficiency are small apartments in the community and “cluster centers”.

Originality/value

The level of quality of life is very relevant in the assessment of living arrangements in people with ID although its assessment still shows significant limitations. Some accommodation typologies seem more effective than others. New conceptual models of inclusive residential care support the convenience of a wide range of accommodation alternatives that may fit the individual needs of a highly heterogeneous population group. A unique residential alternative, albeit optimal from a community care perspective, may not be adequate for all persons with ID.
Mark Twain andThe Innocents Abroad:illuminating the tourist gaze on death
Authors: Johnston Tony
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In 1867, the author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, undertook a great pleasure excursion across Europe. Visiting a range of sites, from those associated with the Christian Cult of Death to the notable cultural heritage attractions of the time, Twain published his experiences in what would later become one of the world's best‐selling travelogues;The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrim's Progress. This essay offers a rereading of Twain's encounters, proposing examination of Twain's encounters as timely and useful in addressing what Seaton identifies as a gap in data on thanatourism consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The essay draws on contemporary thanatourism theoretical frameworks, including Seaton's “Continuum of intensity” and “Thanatourism developmental sketch”; Sharpley's “Matrix of dark tourism supply and demand” and Stone and Sharpley's “Dark tourism consumption framework”, among others, to explore Twain's encounters.

Findings

Supplemented by a review of recent theoretical thanatourism research, the essay proposes three findings. Finding one illustrates that Twain's encounters, although not always pre‐motivated or purposefully supplied, were emotionally charged and deeply affective experiences, which had the potential to provoke ontological insecurity. Finding two highlights the potential of the geography of death to stimulate emotional reactions and configure individual and societal interactions with death. Finding three argues a need for new methodological approaches to understanding the thanatourism experience; approaches that are empathetically sensitive to the potentially powerful impact of the thanatourism experience.

Originality/value

The essay draws on a classic travelogue to help address the imbalance in knowledge of the thanatourism experience. The essay argues that thanatourism is a layered and complex phenomenon, highly personal and often a potentially powerful and emotionally affective experience.
Dark tourism scholarship: a critical review
Authors: Stone Philip
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Commonly referred to as dark tourism or thanatourism, the act of touristic travel to sites of or sites associated with death and disaster has gained significant attention with media imaginations and academic scholarship. However, despite a growing body of literature on the representation and tourist experience of deathscapes within the visitor economy, dark tourism as a field of study is still very much in its infancy. Moreover, questions remain of the academic origins of the dark tourism concept, as well as its contribution to the broader social scientific study of tourism and death education. Thus, the purpose of this invited review for this Special Issue on dark tourism, is to offer some critical insights into thanatourism scholarship.

Design/methodology/approach

This review paper critiques the emergence and current direction of dark tourism scholarship.

Findings

The author suggests that dark tourism as an academic field of study is where death education and tourism studies collide and, as such, can offer potentially fruitful research avenues within the broad realms of thanatology. Secondly, the author outlines how dark tourism as a conceptual typology has been subject to a sustained marketization process within academia over the past decade or so. Consequently, dark tourism is now a research brand in which scholars can locate a diverse range of death‐related and tourist experience studies. Finally, the author argues that the study of dark tourism is not simply a fascination with death or the macabre, but a multi‐disciplinary academic lens through which to scrutinise fundamental interrelationships of the contemporary commodification of death with the cultural condition of society.

Originality/value

This review paper scrutinises dark tourism scholarship and, subsequently, offers original insights into the potential role dark tourism may play in the public representation of death, as well as highlighting broader interrelationships dark tourism has with research into the social reality of death and the significant Other dead.
A study of workplace aggression as related to pedagogical reform in Hong Kong secondary schools
Authors: Wai‐ming Tam Frank
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Previous research on pedagogical reforms has seldom looked at how reform may contribute to aggression in school organizations. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that teachers’ disengagement from school mediates the tendency for teachers to manifest aggression when they are implementing pedagogical reform in school. Behind this hypothesis is the assumption that people are bound to encounter obstacles when implementing changes, and the resultant frustration can easily grow into feelings of disengagement and aggression which block the changes.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 845 teachers in 30 secondary schools in Hong Kong were surveyed and path analysis employed to look at how constraint in an organization and feeling of disengagement within the school hampers the successful implementation of reform towards constructivist pedagogy.

Findings

Results of the study suggest that feelings of disengagement amplify the negative impact of instructional change and cause aggressive impulses within the school to intensify, but support from school can significantly reduce the feelings of disengagement and constraint experienced by teachers. Findings of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of change and its impacts on school organizations.

Originality/value

Although some studies have looked at workplace aggression in a school setting, there is no work being done to look at how mandated school reform contributes to workplace aggression.
Shopping in downtown
Authors: De Nisco Alessandro , Warnaby Gary
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the influence of three selected physical components of the urban environment – physical design, space layout and functionality, and store external appearance – on consumers' perceptions of service quality and behavioural intentions (desire to stay and repatronage intentions).

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework is based on the atmospherics, servicescape and service quality literatures. The proposed model is tested with a survey conducted in an inner‐city shopping street in Benevento (Italy).

Findings

Results show that physical space functionality and store appearance provide cues upon which customers base their perception of service quality provided in the shopping street and that service quality inferences, in turn, are able to affect desire to stay and repatronage intentions.

Practical implications

Findings are able to provide policy makers and retailers with suggestions in developing appropriate strategies for managing the urban setting with particular reference to individual shopping streets with the objective of improving customers' perception of service quality and subsequent behavioural outcomes.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to both retail and place marketing literature in that it is one of the few empirical studies aiming to investigate the influence of atmospheric stimuli on consumers' perception in an urban setting.
Meet Mohammed: using simulation and technology to support learning
Authors: Lambert Nichola , Watkins Lucy
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Clinical placements within healthcare are fundamental to student development and higher education institutions need to ensure that students’ learning within practice is supported. There is an increasing evidence base to suggest that simulation may help to bridge this gap. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a cohort of 85 first‐year mental health students undertook a simulation project, in which they followed the admission of a virtual patient (in the form of an avatar) called Mohammed, to an acute inpatient ward. This simulation project was a two‐week experience for student nurses, whereby they engaged with a virtual service user and worked in teams and as individuals to support his recovery. This project allowed students to practice their clinical skills and communication skills within a safe and supportive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an evaluation of a two‐week experience for student nurses where they were supported to engage with a virtual service user. It was designed to provide students with exposure to decision making, critical thinking and the application of clinical reasoning in a simulated working environment. Students were able to practice their clinical and communication skills within a safe and supportive environment. Student understanding was measured before the project began, on completion to measure any changes and again when the student had had returned to practice to see if they had maintained their skills.

Findings

Several emergent themes were identified: first, students acknowledged a greater level of learning during activities which they considered most challenging and in some cases the least enjoyable. This raises questions about the management of emotions in unfamiliar learning situations and of student expectations around the “Gamification” of learning. Students wanted increased interaction with the avatar and there is potential to continue to develop this project in terms of measuring application of knowledge and student performance by using innovative assessment and engagement strategies.

Practical implications

This project provides a platform for the active contribution of service users, carers and specialist teams. It allows educational input to closely align to practice needs, for lecturers to support and feedback on practice experiences and it opens up flexible and remote working for students. With an understanding of the principles and practice behind it, this project could be adapted for other practice and managerial learning events. Some examples include: multi‐disciplinary team‐building activities, to form part of an assessment or interview process, or integrated within a provider's own polices and opportunities for practice learning, such as preceptorship.

Originality/value

This paper explores opportunities for creative engagement in learning with service users, practice teams and students and it highlights the need for an evidence base around simulation for mental health nurse education.
Taguchi approach followed by fuzzy linguistic reasoning for quality‐productivity optimization in machining operation
Authors: Abhishek Kumar , Datta Saurav , Sankar Mahapatra Siba , Mandal Goutam , Majumdar Gautam
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The study has been aimed to search an appropriate process environment for simultaneous optimization of quality‐productivity favorably. Various surface roughness parameters (of the machined product) have been considered as product quality characteristics whereas material removal rate (MRR) has been treated as productivity measure for the said machining process.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, three controllable process parameters, cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut, have been considered for optimizing material removal rate (MRR) of the process and multiple surface roughness features for the machined product, based on L9 orthogonal array experimental design. To avoid assumptions, limitation, uncertainty and imprecision in application of existing multi‐response optimization techniques documented in literature, a fuzzy inference system (FIS) has been proposed to convert such a multi‐objective optimization problem into an equivalent single objective optimization situation by adapting FIS. A multi‐performance characteristic index (MPCI) has been defined based on the FIS output. MPCI has been optimized finally using Taguchi method.

Findings

The study demonstrates application feasibility of the proposed approach with satisfactory result of confirmatory test. The proposed procedure is simple, and effective in developing a robust, versatile and flexible mass production process.

Originality/value

In the proposed model it is not required to assign individual response weights; no need to check for response correlation. FIS can efficiently take care of these aspects into its internal hierarchy thereby overcoming various limitations/assumptions of existing optimization approaches.
A service science approach for improving healthy food experiences
Authors: Mahr Dominik , Kalogeras Nikos , Odekerken‐Schröder Gaby
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Insufficient attention to the specific nature of healthy food experiences might limit the success of related innovations. The purpose of this article is to adopt a value‐in‐use perspective to conceptualize healthy food consumption as experiential and emotional, rather than the mere intake of nutrition, and to examine the development of healthy food communication with a service science approach.

Design/methodology/approach

With a service science approach, this study proposes a virtual healthy food platform for children. The key data come from internal project documents, workshops with children and other stakeholders (e.g. parents, teachers), and interviews with project team members.

Findings

The simultaneity of functional and hedonic benefits, implications for multiple stakeholders, social norms, and need for expertise characterize healthy food experiences. The proposed framework accounts for enablers, principles, outcomes, and challenges affecting the development of communication integral to healthy food experiences, using project data and tools as illustrations.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to growing literature on service science by introducing key principles and contingency factors that influence the success of experience‐centric service innovations. Quantitative research should validate the established framework and investigate the elements' relative usefulness for developing healthy food communication.

Practical implications

The service science approach involves multiple stakeholders, empathic data collection, and visual tools to develop an entertaining platform to help children learn about healthy food.

Originality/value

This research conceptualizes and validates healthy food experiences as value‐in‐use offerings. The proposed service science approach accounts for the interactions among stakeholders, the holistic nature, and specificities of a real‐life decision context for improving healthy food experiences.
Solvency capital requirement for insurance products via dynamic cash flow matching under lattice models
Authors: Ka Chun Ma Alfred , Yuen Ki Cheung Justina
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework based on cash flow matching for computing the Solvency Capital Requirement under Solvency II.

Design/methodology/approach

The time horizon of the insurance liabilities is typically longer than the maturities of bonds available in the market. With the assumption that a collection of bonds will be available for purchase in the future, the authors study the cash flow matching program under interest rate lattice models.

Findings

The solution can be interpreted as the worst‐case cost and the economic capital can be found accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the methodology of computing the Solvency Capital Requirement using a dynamic cash flow matching framework under lattice models. The proposed method is particularly useful for insurance products with a typical long time horizon when most duration matching techniques are not easily applicable.
The significance of regulatory orientation, political stability and culture on consumption and price adequacy in insurance markets
Authors: Jean Kwon W.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine insurance regulation theories, regulatory agency structures and measures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates significance of regulatory agency structure, key regulatory measures, political stability and cultural dimension in insurance markets of 56 developed and developing countries for 2005‐2009.

Findings

It was found that insurance consumption is lower in countries with an authority exclusively for insurance regulation but life insurance consumption is higher when the agency is part of government or when another agency is jointly responsible for insurance regulation. Market entry regulation leads to lower consumption whereas market exit regulation has the opposite effect. Solvency regulation and required use of standard forms for insurer financials lead to greater consumption of insurance. A positive impact on the nonlife market is observed for accounting regulation and regulator's intervention power.

Practical implications

Price control regulation may lower consumption of insurance whereas tariff rating brings about a rise in the consumption. Regulation of insurance intermediaries or corporate governance may lower insurance consumption whereas the requirement that insurers employ an actuary or actuaries gives rise to the consumption.

Originality/value

The author found no difference between OECD and non‐OECD countries. However, corruption‐freeness and inflation impact insurance consumption. Using OECD country data only, a negative impact was found of the single agency structure and tariff regulation in the life insurance market and a positive impact of regulation by two or more agencies in the life insurance market and of price control regulation in the nonlife insurance market. Corruption‐freeness positively affects the loss ratio in the life insurance market and the combined ratio in the nonlife insurance market.
Building blocks, exploitation and exploration of sectoral systems of innovation in catch‐up of China's car industry
Authors: Wang Yi
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine evolutionary processes of sectoral systems of innovation in China's catch‐up situation.

Design/methodology/approach

History event analysis method is used. The data that inform this paper come primarily from interviews carried out as a part of case studies of the innovations of China's car industry as well as public sources.

Findings

Market catch‐up of China's self‐owned brand cars expanded from low to high end market segment. Changes of the five building blocks of innovation system of China's car industry have driven the market catch‐up since the 1980s. The five building blocks are: market demand, industrial technology and knowledge base, institutional setting, industrial structure, firms' competences and strategy. China's car industry evolved through exploitation and exploration, which were affected by the five building blocks. The exploitation and exploration shaped the catch‐up way of China's car industry: from production localization to design localization and self‐owned brands. Exploration of the self‐owned brand group built on exploitation of the joint‐venture group.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single industry. Studies on more industries are needed to generalize the research results.

Practical implications

Increased understanding of how sectoral systems of innovation evolve will give managers and policy makers in the developing countries like China improved opportunities to formulate policies and management practices that can cultivate innovation capabilities in catch‐up.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the research stream on sectoral systems of innovation by understanding building blocks and evolutionary processes at the base of change and growth in the catch‐up situation.