bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
β-Arrestins bind and decrease cell-surface abundance of the Na
+
/H
+
exchanger NHE5 isoform
Authors: Szabó Elöd Z. , Numata Masayuki , Lukashova Viktoria , Iannuzzi Pietro , Orlowski John
Published: February 2005

The neuronal Na
+
/H
+
exchanger NHE5 isoform not only resides in the plasma membrane but also accumulates in recycling vesicles by means of clathrin-mediated endocytosis. To further investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, a human brain cDNA library was screened for proteins that interact with the cytoplasmic C-terminal region of NHE5 by using yeast two-hybrid methodology. One candidate cDNA identified by this procedure encoded β-arrestin2, a specialized adaptor/scaffolding protein required for internalization and signaling of members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Direct interaction between the two proteins was demonstrated
in vitro
by GST fusion protein pull-down assays. Sequences within the N
-
terminal receptor activation-recognition domain and the C-terminal secondary receptor-binding domain of β-arrestin2 conferred strong binding to the C terminus of NHE5. Full-length NHE5 and β-arrestin2 also associated in intact cells, as revealed by their coimmunoprecipitation from extracts of transfected CHO cells. Moreover, ectopic expression of both proteins caused a redistribution of β-arrestin2 from the cytoplasm to vesicles containing NHE5, and significantly decreased the abundance of the transporter at the cell surface. Comparable results were also obtained for the β-arrestin1 isoform. These data reveal a broader role for arrestins in the trafficking of integral plasma membrane proteins than previously recognized.
Kinetics are probe-dependent during downhill folding of an engineered λ6–85protein
Authors: Ma Hairong , Gruebele Martin
Published: February 2005

The Y22W/Q33Y/G46,48A mutant of the protein λ6–85folds in a few microseconds at room temperature. We find that its folding kinetics are probe-dependent under a strong bias toward the native state, a new signature for downhill folding. The IR- and fluorescence-detected relaxation time scales converge when the native bias is removed by raising the temperature, recovering activated two-state folding. Langevin dynamics simulations on one- and 2D free energy surfaces tunable from two-state to downhill folding reproduce the difference between the IR and fluorescence experiments, as well as the temperature and viscosity trends. In addition, the 2D surface reproduces the stretched exponential dynamics that we fit to the glucose solution experimental data at short times. Nonexponential dynamics at <10 μs is a signature either for local free energy minima along the reaction coordinate (“longitudinal roughness”), or for folding on a higher-dimensional free energy surface (“transverse roughness”).
Bile acids induce cholera toxin expression in
Vibrio cholerae
in a ToxT-independent manner
Authors: Hung Deborah T. , Mekalanos John J.
Published: February 2005

The production of cholera toxin (CT) during
Vibrio cholerae
infection results in the hallmark diarrhea that characterizes the disease cholera. The transmembrane protein ToxR was originally identified as a functional transcriptional activator of
ctxAB
in a heterologous
Escherichia coli
system. However, direct ToxR activation of the
ctxAB
promoter in
V. cholerae
has not been previously demonstrated. Instead, a regulatory cascade has been defined in which the activators ToxRS and TcpPH modulate
ctxAB
expression by acting in concert to transcriptionally activate another regulator, ToxT. ToxT, in turn, directly activates
ctxAB
expression as well as expression of the
tcp
genes and other virulence-associated genes. In this study, we show that ToxRS directly activates
ctxAB
in a ToxT-independent manner in a classical biotype
V. cholerae
, and that this activation requires the presence of bile acids. Although the levels of CT induced by this mechanism are lower than levels induced under other
in vitro
conditions, the bile-dependent conditions described here are more physiologic, being independent of pH and temperature. We further show that the inability of bile acids to stimulate ToxRS-dependent expression of CT in El Tor biotype strains is related to the differences between classical and El Tor
ctxAB
promoters, which differ in the number of heptad TTTTGAT repeats in their respective upstream regions. The ability of bile acids to stimulate direct activation of
ctxAB
by ToxRS depends upon the transmembrane domain of ToxR, which may interact with bile acids in the inner membrane of
V. cholerae
.
The
R
-enantiomer of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug etodolac binds retinoid X receptor and induces tumor-selective apoptosis
Authors: Kolluri Siva Kumar , Corr Maripat , James Sharon Y. , Bernasconi Michele , Lu Desheng , Liu Wen , Cottam Howard B. , Leoni Lorenzo M. , Carson Dennis A. , Zhang Xiao-kun
Published: February 2005

Prostate cancer is often slowly progressive, and it can be difficult to treat with conventional cytotoxic drugs. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs inhibit the development of prostate cancer, but the mechanism of chemoprevention is unknown. Here, we show that the
R
-enantiomer of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug etodolac inhibited tumor development and metastasis in the transgenic mouse adenocarcinoma of the prostate (TRAMP) model, by selective induction of apoptosis in the tumor cells. This proapoptotic effect was associated with loss of the retinoid X receptor (RXRα) protein in the adenocarcinoma cells, but not in normal prostatic epithelium.
R
-etodolac specifically bound recombinant RXRα, inhibited RXRα transcriptional activity, and induced its degradation by a ubiquitin and proteasome-dependent pathway. The apoptotic effect of
R
-etodolac could be controlled by manipulating cellular RXRα levels. These results document that pharmacologic antagonism of RXRα transactivation is achievable and can have profound inhibitory effects in cancer development.
Low levels of linkage disequilibrium in wild barley (
Hordeum vulgar
e ssp.
spontaneum
) despite high rates of self-fertilization
Authors: Morrell Peter L. , Toleno Donna M. , Lundy Karen E. , Clegg Michael T.
Published: February 2005

High levels of inbreeding cause populations to become composed of homozygous, inbred lines. High levels of homozygosity limit the effectiveness of recombination, and therefore, retard the rate of decay of linkage (gametic phase) disequilibrium (LD) among mutations. Inbreeding and recombination interact to shape the expected pattern of LD. The actual extent of nucleotide sequence level LD within inbreeding species has only been studied in
Arabidopsis
, a weedy species whose global range has recently expanded. In the present study, we examine the levels of LD within and between 18 nuclear genes in 25 accessions from across the geographic range of wild barley, a species with a selfing rate of ≈98%. In addition to examination of intralocus LD, we employ a resampling method to determine whether interlocus LD exceeds expectations. We demonstrate that, for the majority of wild barley loci, intralocus LD decays rapidly, i.e., at a rate similar to that observed in the outcrossing species,
Zea mays
(maize). Excess interlocus LD is observed at 15% of two-locus combinations; almost all interlocus LD involves loci with significant geographic structuring of mutational variation.
Cryo-electron tomography of vaccinia virus
Authors: Cyrklaff Marek , Risco Cristina , Fernández Jose Jesús , Jiménez Maria Victoria , Estéban Mariano , Baumeister Wolfgang , Carrascosa José L.
Published: February 2005

The combination of cryo-microscopy and electron tomographic reconstruction has allowed us to determine the structure of one of the more complex viruses, intracellular mature vaccinia virus, at a resolution of 4–6 nm. The tomographic reconstruction allows us to dissect the different structural components of the viral particle, avoiding projection artifacts derived from previous microscopic observations. A surface-rendering representation revealed brick-shaped viral particles with slightly rounded edges and dimensions of ≈360 × 270 × 250 nm. The outer layer was consistent with a lipid membrane (5–6 nm thick), below which usually two lateral bodies were found, built up by a heterogeneous material without apparent ordering or repetitive features. The internal core presented an inner cavity with electron dense coils of presumptive DNA–protein complexes, together with areas of very low density. The core was surrounded by two layers comprising an overall thickness of ≈18–19 nm; the inner layer was consistent with a lipid membrane. The outer layer was discontinuous, formed by a periodic palisade built by the side interaction of T-shaped protein spikes that were anchored in the lower membrane and were arranged into small hexagonal crystallites. It was possible to detect a few pore-like structures that communicated the inner side of the core with the region outside the layer built by the T-shaped spike palisade.
Hepatitis C virus RNA replication is regulated by host geranylgeranylation and fatty acids
Authors: Kapadia Sharookh B. , Chisari Francis V.
Published: February 2005

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that high-level HCV replication during acute infection of chimpanzees is associated with the modulation of multiple genes involved in lipid metabolism, and that drugs that regulate cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis regulate the replication of the subgenomic HCV replicon in Huh-7 cells. In this article, we demonstrate that Huh-7 cells harboring replicating, full-length HCV RNAs express elevated levels of ATP citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA synthetase genes, both of which are involved in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis. Further, we confirm that the cholesterol-biosynthetic pathway controls HCV RNA replication by regulating the cellular levels of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, we demonstrate that the impact of geranylgeranylation depends on the fatty acid content of the cell, and we show that fatty acids can either stimulate or inhibit HCV replication, depending on their degree of saturation. These results illustrate a complex cellular-regulatory network that controls HCV RNA replication, presumably by modulating the trafficking and association of cellular and/or viral proteins with cellular membranes, suggesting that pharmacologic manipulation of these pathways may have a therapeutic effect in chronic HCV infection.
Resistance to diet-induced obesity in mice globally overexpressing OGH/GPB5
Authors: Macdonald Lynn E. , Wortley Katherine E. , Gowen Lori C. , Anderson Keith D. , Murray Jane D. , Poueymirou William T. , Simmons Mary V. , Barber Dianna , Valenzuela David M. , Economides Aris N. , Wiegand Stanley J. , Yancopoulos George D. , Sleeman Mark W. , Murphy Andrew J.
Published: February 2005

We identified a glycoprotein hormone β-subunit (OGH, also called GPB5) that, as a heterodimer with the α-subunit GPA2, serves as a second ligand for the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. Mice in which the OGH gene is deleted (OGH-/-) are indistinguishable from WT littermates in body weight, response to high-fat diet, metabolic parameters, body composition, and insulin tolerance. Mice engineered to transgenically globally overexpress OGH (OGH-TG) develop ≈2-fold elevations in their basal thyroid levels and weigh slightly less than WT littermates despite increased food intake because of an increase in their metabolic rates. Moreover, when OGH-TG mice are challenged with a high-fat diet, they gain significantly less weight and body fat than their WT littermates. The OGH-TG mice also have reduced blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides. In contrast to other approaches in which the thyroid axis is activated, OGH-TG mice exhibit only minor changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Our findings suggest that constitutive low-level activation of the thyroid axis (via OGH or other means) may provide a beneficial therapeutic approach for combating diet-induced obesity.
Phosphorylation at Thr-290 regulates Tpl2 binding to NF-κB1/p105 and Tpl2 activation and degradation by lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Cho Jeonghee , Tsichlis Philip N.
Published: February 2005

The serine–threonine protein kinase encoded by the
Tpl2
protooncogene transduces Toll-like and death receptor signals in a variety of cell types and plays an important role in innate immunity and inflammation. Differential translational initiation of the Tpl2 mRNA gives rise to 58-kDa (p58) and 52-kDa (p52) isoforms. In unstimulated cells, both isoforms are stabilized and inactivated by stoichiometric binding to NF-κB1/p105. After lipopolysaccharide or TNF-α stimulation, p58 is released from p105 preferentially relative to p52. The released p58 is active but unstable and undergoes rapid degradation via the proteasome. Recent studies revealed that Tpl2 undergoes phosphorylation at Thr-290 and that phosphorylation at this site is required for activation. Here, we present evidence showing that it is the p58 isoform that is preferentially phosphorylated at Thr-290 and that phosphorylation is more efficient when p58 is complexed to p52. Because p58 is preferentially released from p105 after stimulation, we examined whether Tpl2 phosphorylation at this site controls the dissociation of the two proteins in response to external signals and the subsequent events leading to the activation of Tpl2. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide-induced Tpl2 phosphorylation at Thr-290 in macrophages promotes the release of Tpl2 from p105, contributes to the enzymatic activation of the Tpl2 kinase, and is required for the degradation of Tpl2 via the proteasome.
Characterization of MADS-box genes in charophycean green algae and its implication for the evolution of MADS-box genes
Authors: Tanabe Yoichi , Hasebe Mitsuyasu , Sekimoto Hiroyuki , Nishiyama Tomoaki , Kitani Masakazu , Henschel Katrin , Münster Thomas , Theissen Günter , Nozaki Hisayoshi , Ito Motomi
Published: February 2005

The MADS-box genes of land plants are extensively diverged to form a superfamily and are important in various aspects of development including the specification of floral organs as homeotic selector genes. The closest relatives of land plants are the freshwater green algae charophyceans. To study the origin and evolution of land plant MADS-box genes, we characterized these genes in three charophycean green algae: the stonewort
Chara globularis
, the coleochaete
Coleochaete scutata
, and the desmid
Closterium peracerosum–strigosum–littorale
complex. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that MADS-box genes diverged extensively in the land plant lineage after the separation of charophyceans from land plants. The stonewort
C
.
globularis
mRNA was specifically detected in the oogonium and antheridium together with the egg and spermatozoid during their differentiation. The expression of the
C
.
peracerosum–strigosum–littorale
-complex gene increased when vegetative cells began to differentiate into gametangial cells and decreased after fertilization. These expression patterns suggest that the precursors of land plant MADS-box genes originally functioned in haploid reproductive cell differentiation and that the haploid MADS-box genes were recruited into a diploid generation during the evolution of land plants.
Impaired vasodilation by red blood cells in sickle cell disease
Authors: Pawloski John R. , Hess Douglas T. , Stamler Jonathan S.
Published: February 2005

Red blood cells (RBCs) have been ascribed a unique role in dilating blood vessels, which requires O
2
-regulated binding and bioactivation of NO by Hb and transfer of NO equivalents to the RBC membrane. Vasoocclusion in hypoxic tissues is the hallmark of sickle cell anemia. Here we show that sickle cell Hb variant S (HbS) is deficient both in the intramolecular transfer of NO from heme iron (iron nitrosyl, FeNO) to cysteine thiol (
S
-nitrosothiol, SNO) that subserves bioactivation, and in transfer of the NO moiety from
S
-nitrosohemoglobin (SNO-HbS) to the RBC membrane. As a result, sickle RBCs are deficient in membrane SNO and impaired in their ability to mediate hypoxic vasodilation. Further, the magnitudes of these impairments correlate with the clinical severity of disease. Thus, our results suggest that abnormal RBC vasoactivity contributes to the vasoocclusive pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia, and that the phenotypic variation in expression of the sickle genotype may be explained, in part, by variable deficiency in RBC processing of NO. More generally, our findings raise the idea that defective NO processing may characterize a new class of hemoglobinopathy.
Effects of familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 mutations on neuronal P/Q-type Ca
2+
channel activity and inhibitory synaptic transmission
Authors: Cao Yu-Qing , Tsien Richard W.
Published: February 2005

Inhibitory synapses play key roles in the modulatory circuitry that regulates pain signaling and generation of migraine headache. A rare, dominant form of this common disease, familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1), arises from missense mutations in the pore-forming α
1A
subunit of P/Q-type Ca
2+
channels. These channels are normally vital for presynaptic Ca
2+
entry and neurotransmitter release at many central synapses, raising questions about effects of FHM1 mutations on neuronal Ca
2+
influx and inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. We have expressed the four original FHM1 mutant channels in hippocampal neurons from α
1A
knockout mice. Whole-cell recordings indicated that FHM1 mutant channels were less effective than wild-type channels in their ability to conduct P/Q-type current, but not generally different from wild type in voltage-dependent channel gating. Ca
2+
influx triggered by action potential waveforms was also diminished. In keeping with decreased channel activity, FHM1 mutant channels were correspondingly impaired in supporting the P/Q-type component of inhibitory neurotransmission. When expressed in wild-type inhibitory neurons, FHM1 mutant channels reduced the contribution of P/Q-type channels to GABAergic synaptic currents, consistent with a competition of mutant and endogenous channels for P/Q-specific slots. In all cases, N-type channels took up the burden of supporting transmission and homeostatic mechanisms maintained overall synaptic strength. The shift to reliance on N-type channels greatly increased the susceptibility to G protein-coupled modulation of neurotransmission, studied with the GABA
B
agonist baclofen. Thus, mutant-expressing synapses might be weakened in a heightened state of neuromodulation like that provoked by triggers of migraine such as stress.
The use of external within-person variance estimates to adjust nutrient intake distributions over time and across populations
Authors: Jahns Lisa , Arab Lenore , Carriquiry Alicia , Popkin Barry M
Published: February 2005

Objective

To examine the utility of using external estimates of within-person variation to adjust usual nutrient intake distributions.

Design

Analyses of the prevalence of inadequate intake of an example nutrient by the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point method using three different methods of statistical adjustment of the usual intake distribution of a single 24-hour recall in Russian children in 1996, using the Iowa State University method for adjustment of the distribution. First, adjusting the usual intake distribution with day 2 recalls from the same 1996 sample (the correct method) second, adjusting the distribution using external variance estimates derived from US children in 1996; and third, adjusting the distribution using external estimates derived from Russian children of the same age in 2000. We also present prevalence estimates based on naïve statistical analysis of the unadjusted distribution of intakes.

Setting/subjects

Children drawn from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey in 1996 and 2000 and from the 1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals.

Results

When the EAR cut-point method is applied to a single recall, the resulting prevalence estimate in this study is inflated by 100–1300%. When the intake distribution is adjusted using an external variance estimate, the prevalence estimate is much less biased, suggesting that any adjustment may give less biased estimates than no adjustment.

Conclusions

In moderately large samples, adjusting distributions with external estimates of variances results in more reliable prevalence estimates than using 1–day data.
Coordinate control of axon defasciculation and myelination by laminin-2 and -8
Authors: Yang Dongren , Bierman Jesse , Tarumi Yukie S. , Zhong Yong-Ping , Rangwala Reshma , Proctor Thomas M. , Miyagoe-Suzuki Yuko , Takeda Shin'ichi , Miner Jeffrey H. , Sherman Larry S. , Gold Bruce G. , Patton Bruce L.
Published: February 2005

Schwann cells form basal laminae (BLs) containing laminin-2 (Ln-2; heterotrimer α2β1γ1) and Ln-8 (α4β1γ1). Loss of Ln-2 in humans and mice carrying α2-chain mutations prevents developing Schwann cells from fully defasciculating axons, resulting in partial amyelination. The principal pathogenic mechanism is thought to derive from structural defects in Schwann cell BLs, which Ln-2 scaffolds. However, we found loss of Ln-8 caused partial amyelination in mice without affecting BL structure or Ln-2 levels. Combined Ln-2/Ln-8 deficiency caused nearly complete amyelination, revealing Ln-2 and -8 together have a dominant role in defasciculation, and that Ln-8 promotes myelination without BLs. Transgenic Ln-10 (α5β1γ1) expression also promoted myelination without BL formation. Rather than BL structure, we found Ln-2 and -8 were specifically required for the increased perinatal Schwann cell proliferation that attends myelination. Purified Ln-2 and -8 directly enhanced in vitro Schwann cell proliferation in collaboration with autocrine factors, suggesting Lns control the onset of myelination by modulating responses to mitogens in vivo.
Characterization of the elastic properties of the nuclear envelope
Authors: Rowat A.C , Foster L.J , Nielsen M.M , Weiss M , Ipsen J.H
Published: February 2005

Underlying the nuclear envelope (NE) of most eukaryotic cells is the nuclear lamina, a meshwork consisting largely of coiled-coil nuclear intermediate filament proteins that play a critical role in nuclear organization and gene expression, and are vital for the structural stability of the NE/nucleus. By confocal microscopy and micromanipulation of the NE in living cells and isolated nuclei, we show that the NE undergoes deformations without large-scale rupture and maintains structural stability when exposed to mechanical stress. In conjunction with image analysis, we have developed theory for a two-dimensional elastic material to quantify NE elastic behaviour. We show that the NE is elastic and exhibits characteristics of a continuous two-dimensional solid, including connections between lamins and the embedded nuclear pore complexes. Correlating models of NE lateral organization to the experimental findings indicates a heterogeneous lateral distribution of NE components on a mesoscopic scale.
Combining configuration space and occupancy grid for robot navigation
Authors: Bräunl Thomas , Tay Nicholas
Published: February 2005

This article introduces a map generation algorithm that combines configuration space and occupancy grid approaches. This algorithm is suitable for a mobile robot system with local sensors for positioning. Global positioning is not required. The algorithm will generate a driving path for the robot to explore the unknown environment around it. A version of the DistBug algorithm is used to determine routes around obstacles. The algorithm can deal with imperfect distance sensors and localization errors.
Parallelised finite/discrete element simulation of multi‐fracturing solids and discrete systems
Authors: Owen D.R.J. , Feng Y.T.
Published: February 2005

This paper outlines a dynamic domain decomposition‐based parallel strategy for combined finite/discrete element analysis of multi‐fracturing solids and discrete systems. Attention is focused on the parallelised interaction detection between discrete objects. Two graph representation models for discrete objects in contact are proposed which lay the foundation of the current development. In addition, a load imbalance detection and re‐balancing scheme is also suggested to enhance the parallel performance. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the parallel performance achieved with the current implementation.
A distributed electronic course reserves project: early findings
Authors: Brigham Carol , Ronallo Jason , Sneff Gretchen
Published: February 2005

Electronic reserves is an added service that can benefit both the traditional and nontraditional student. In this article the authors describe an electronic reserves pilot project at Temple University using Innovative Interfaces, Inc.’s Course Reserves Module and Electronic Course Reserves product. Initial observations indicate that the project has had a different impact on the operations of Paley Library’s centralized access services unit and the departmental Biology Library participating in the project. The project has pointed out the need for investigating the economic and preservation issues of long‐term storage of reserves images and for developing quality standards for e‐reserve materials. This trial has directed our thinking about the future of integrating course reserves on our OPAC with Temple’s learning management software (primarily Blackboard) enabling the library to retain its function of organizing reserves and other documents.
Electronic journal publishing in mathematics
Authors: Kingma Bruce R.
Published: February 2005

This paper is part of a larger study on the market for scholarly journals in mathematics. This paper describes the current market trends for mathematics journals, the pricing of electronic journals, and examines electronic publishing alternatives for independent journal publishers in mathematics. Independent journal publishers can either produce an electronic journal in‐house or use the services of Highwire Press, Catchword, or Project MUSE. This paper examines these alternatives and their pricing models.
Comparison of Asian and European logistics systems
Authors: Bookbinder James H. , Tan Chris S.
Published: February 2005

This research compares the logistics systems of Asia and Europe and categorises them into distinct levels of logistics excellence. First, the context in Asia and in Europe is summarized. Then, attributes of a world‐class logistics system are proposed. By applying cluster analysis to data from authoritative sources, we objectively segregate European and Asian logistics systems into three logistics tiers. There are several surprises, the main one being that the UK is classified Tier 2 (not as favourable as Tier 1). A prioritized set of attributes that the UK could improve on to qualify for the Tier 1 group is suggested. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to determine changes to the classifications. After finding that the top‐ranking logistics systems of Europe and Asia are from Denmark and Singapore, respectively, those two countries are studied in detail to draw logistics lessons applicable elsewhere.
How supply network operations strategies evolve
Authors: Lowson Robert H.
Published: February 2005

This paper explores the nature of a supply chain operations strategy. There are two distinct strands reflected in the work. First, the character of a supply network or supply chain operations strategy is discussed, with particular reference to the historic features directly related to their evolution. An operations strategy definition is provided and, perhaps for the first time, a genealogy offered that locates such a strategy in the wider supply chain and operational debate. Second, empirical evidence is reported that confirms the use of such strategies and demonstrates how they are customised to reflect the business domain and competitive priorities of the organisation.
A framework for improving operational effectiveness and cost
efficiency in emergency planning and response
Authors: Kelly Charles
Published: February 2005

Presents a practical framework within which disaster response
operational effectiveness can be balanced with cost efficiency. This
balancing is accomplished through a systematic proactive planning of
response requirements, costs projections, procurement and resource
mobilization. The framework is useful in general disaster response
planning and in the development of cost‐efficient procedures for
supporting disaster response efforts. It is generic and can be adapted
to local conditions and requirements.
Reconstructing reality: interpreting the aeroplane disaster news story
Authors: Garner Ana C.
Published: February 2005

At 9 a.m. on 31 August 1988, Delta Flight 1141 crashed on take‐off, killing 13 people and leaving 94 survivors. Existing research has furthered our insight into media coverage of disasters but it has not broadened our understanding of disaster narrative interpretations and disaster behaviour education. In total, 24 in‐depth interviews explore reader interpretations of print‐mediated disaster reality and the Delta 1141 disaster. Disaster news stories provide the frames people use to interpret aeroplane disaster behaviour. Concludes the media need to recognize that their pedagogical role extends beyond disaster reporting and includes disaster behaviour information.
Help from the deep: the potential of ocean‐based response to disaster
Authors: Scanlon Joseph
Published: February 2005

Examines, through examples of disasters cited in the text, how response and assistance is given and at what speed, with particular reference to oceans, when applicable. Looks particularly at the part played by the Canadian Navy in many of these events.
A trustworthy Internet auction model with verifiable fairness
Authors: Liao Gen‐Yih , Hwang Jing‐Jang
Published: February 2005

Describes a novel Internet auction model achieving verifiable fairness, a requirement aimed at enhancing the trust of bidders in auctioneers. Distrust in remote auctioneers prevents bidders from participating in Internet auctioning. According to proposed survey reports, this study presents four characteristics that render the Internet untrustworthy for bidders. These intrinsic properties suggest that auction sites not only follow auction policies, but provide customers with evidence validating that the policies are applied fairly. Evidence of verifiable fairness provides bidders with a basis for confidence in Internet auctions. Cryptographic techniques are also applied herein to establish a novel auction model with evidence to manifest and verify every step of the auctioneer. Analysis results demonstrate that the proposed model satisfies various requirements regarding fairness and privacy. Moreover, in the proposed model, the losing bids remain sealed.
Commercial Web site links
Authors: Thelwall Mike
Published: February 2005

Every hyperlink pointing at a Web site is a potential source of new visitors, especially one near the top of a results page from a popular search engine. The order of the links in a search results page is often decided upon by an algorithm that takes into account the number and quality of links to all matching pages. The number of standard links targeted at a site is therefore doubly important, yet little research has touched on the actual interlinkage between business Web sites, which numerically dominate the Web. Discusses business use of the Web and related search engine design issues as well as research on general and academic links before reporting on a survey of the links published by a relatively random collection of business Web sites. The results indicate that around 66 percent of Web sites do carry external links, most of which are targeted at a specific purpose, but that about 17 percent publish general links, with implications for those designing and marketing Web sites.
Information retrieval from the Internet: an evaluation of the tools
Authors: Brinkley Monica , Burke Mary
Published: February 2005

Evaluates the principal tools available for the retrieval of
information from the Internet, e.g. Hytelnet, Archie, Gopher, WAIS, and
the World Wide Web (WWW). Principally concentrates on an evaluation of
the user interface and search software for each of the aforementioned
tools. Concludes with a brief perspective of Internet information
retrieval and the implications for the future.
Enforcement of intellectual property rights on the Internet
Authors: Small Harry
Published: February 2005

Defines intellectual property rights and infringement. Looks at the current relevant legislation; assesses the extent to which right owners can seek redress, and prevent adaptation of a work, making of transient or incidental copies and the storing of works in any medium by electronic means. Discusses how the inherent territoriality of law and remedy relates to the online world.
Doing business on the information superhighway
Authors: Fojt Martin
Published: February 2005

Suggests that one reason for the relative lack of commercial success of the information superhighway may be lack of precise information. This has led Ernst & Young to provide a thorough appraisal of the benefits and associated risks. Summarizes the concepts managers need to understand in order to assess the impact of the information superhighway. Outlines some steps managers can take in order to ensure that their organizations are prepared for future changes.
Outsourcing as a strategy for driving transformation
Authors: Linder Jane C.
Published: February 2005

This article demonstrates how a few leading edge companies have successfully implemented an outsourcing strategy to drive radical change and enterprise transformation. A strategy of transformational outsourcing seeks a rapid, sustainable, step‐change improvement in enterprise‐level performance. When should firms consider transformational outsourcing as a strategic option or imperative? Accenture research highlights at least four contingencies – for scaling up rapidly, for removing the constraints to break‐through growth, for catalyzing broad cultural change, and for radical renewal. A case study shows how by outsourcing their entire maintenance staff, the senior leadership at a large New Zealand pulp and paper mill initiated a two‐phase project to first reduce their workforce and then set the stage for a company‐wide change in their relationship with their unions. In “phase 1,” instead of continuing to battle with their heavily unionized maintenance workforce, mill management partnered with a global maintenance services provider that will take over the function. The deal set the stage for “phase 2,” during which the firm switched many of its other workers from hourly to salaried status. As a result the mill has taken a giant step forward in productivity, cost structure, and flexibility.
Case study: Outsourcing enables American startup to enter Japanese funeral services industry
Authors: Grossberg Kenneth Alan
Published: February 2005

American business models have been used as levers to open many industries in Japan to participation by foreign firms, from toy retailing to fast food restaurants and from consumer banking to direct selling of computers. This case describes the efforts of All Nations Society to apply an American approach to outsourcing, pricing, and service bundling in the very traditional industry of funeral services so as to create a competitive advantage for itself against companies that practice opaque pricing and have high overheads.
Interpretive consumer research: how far have we come?
Authors: Szmigin Isabelle , Foxall Gordon
Published: February 2005

Considers the history and current position of interpretive consumer research within the marketing paradigm. It focuses on the conflict that has developed between the positivist tradition and the relatively new interpretive approach. In doing so it considers the merits of interpretive research in consumer behaviour and criticisms made against it. Methodological issues centring on the trustworthiness of this type of research are explored, as well as the friction that traditionally has existed between art and science. An argument is made for an inclusive rather than exclusive approach, allowing the existence of differing approaches and assuming each has a contribution to make to the furtherance of consumer behaviour research.
Complaints about advertising: what’s really happening?
Authors: Harker Debra
Published: February 2005

As the most visible element of the marketing communications mix advertising has had its critics over the years and developed countries usually opt for a self‐regulatory approach to deal with unacceptable advertising. The recent breakdown of one of the world’s longest established advertising self‐regulatory programs in Australia has reopened the 20 year‐old debate that has taken place in the leading academic and business journals concerned with improving the effectiveness of such regulatory systems. One of the key changes in this area is the increasing dominance of the rival advertisers in the complaints process. This article presents a model of effective advertising self‐regulation and reports on the key findings of an Australian study. The empirical work, utilising a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, succeeds in making both a practical and theoretical contribution to this important area.
What price on loyalty when a brand switch is just a click away?
Authors: Clarke Ken
Published: February 2005

Compares two leading brands in the USA in late 1999: the leading e‐retailer, Amazon.com, and the leading “bricks and mortar” retailer, Wal‐Mart. The two brands were found to enjoy, in their respective markets, similar consumer brand equity, defined in terms of the degree of loyalty felt by category consumers. An examination of UK consumer banking services shows that the newer “direct” banks, which concentrate on Internet and telephone trading, in fact enjoy particularly strong ties of loyalty with their existing customers. The hypothesis of the enormous commoditising impact of e‐retailing is not borne out by the evidence in these two areas where Internet trading has established itself in the USA and the UK. The issues that face the new e‐commerce entrepreneurs remain the same as for “old economy” businesses, namely maximising customer retention, minimising loss and optimising new customer acquisition.
The representation of female athletes in textual and visual media
Authors: George Christeen , Hartley Andrew , Paris Jenny
Published: February 2005

Whilst the participation of women in sport can be traced back at least as far as 1000BC, there is evidence to suggest that barriers to women’s participation in sport still exist. One possible barrier that can be investigated is the representation of female athletes in the media. This paper outlines the results of two studies designed to investigate the coverage of female participation in sport by newspapers and television companies in the UK. Both studies involved a media watch. The results of both studies indicated that the British media give preference in their coverage to male athletes, often ignoring female athletic achievements. Similar results have been found in earlier studies carried out in other countries (e.g. Australia and the USA).
Co‐operation or coercion? Supplier networks and relationships in the UK food industry
Authors: Robson Ian , Rawnsley Vikkey
Published: February 2005

As a result of several high profile food scares in recent years, the practices of key players in the UK food industry have been called into question on ethical grounds. These practices include a range of operational activities including those concerned with supply chain management which form the focus of this study. This paper utilises an interpretive methodology to examine the buyer‐supplier relationships in the food industry from the perspectives of manufacturing managers and food regulators. The paper utilises the transcripted data from 20 interviews with senior officials from the UK’s food regulation services and from marketing and quality managers working in the food processing and production industry. The study demonstrates the application of interpretive analysis and interview technique to establish the issues concerning the food industry network in the UK today. This is set against Craig Smith’s model of ethical stance and decision making which serves as the backdrop to explicating the respondents’ perspectives on the food industry of the UK. Reveals coercive practices at work in the supply chain and details how this manifests in the lives of regulators and manufacturing managers and in the operations of the companies they work with.
Supply chain relationships in the Polish pork sector
Authors: Boger Silke , Hobbs Jill E. , Kerr William A.
Published: February 2005

New institutional economics suggests that the development of institutions and the existence of transaction costs are important determinants of the speed and success of the transition from command to market systems. Investigates the development of hog marketing channels in Poland during transition using data from a survey of Polish hog farmers. Given the fragmented structure of hog production and processing and the upheaval of transition, different transition paths can be identified. The supply chain relationships, such as contracting, that encourage improved quality and stimulate further investment are likely to exhibit long‐run transaction cost advantages.
Strategic alignment and the supply chain for the steel stockholder sector: an exploratory case study analysis
Authors: McAdam Rodney , Brown Leonard
Published: February 2005

Aims to conduct an exploratory study on the organisational implications of strategic alignment within the steel stockholder supply chain by analysing the responses of a case study organisation. Increasingly fragmented and volatile markets result in pressure on organisations to strategically align all aspects of their supply chain to ensure rapid and appropriate responsiveness. There is a paucity of research in this area in the steel stockholder supply chain. A strategic alignment model was selected which incorporated alignment from four key aspects, namely markets, strategy, culture and leadership style. The model is used as an analysis framework for a case study in the steel stockholder supply chain. Data collection included a survey of a stratified sample of customers, company archive and organisational material and semi‐structured interviews. The implications for the supply chain and the organisation’s response are discussed and evaluated.
Community policing and socialcapital
Authors: Pino Nathan W.
Published: February 2005

This paper argues for the utilization of the social capital concept in studying, evaluating, or implementing community oriented policing (COP) strategies. Social capital is helpful in measuring COP implementation effectiveness because it is central to COP issues such as trust and genuine dialogue between different groups, the ability to collectively tap into various resources, and the ability of individuals to work together to solve various problems. Findings from a study conducted in Iowa utilizing focus group and interview methodology demonstrate that COP cannot be successful without the existence of social capital building among and between the citizenry, the police, and other public and private organizations.
Using pattern matching for the international benchmarking of production practices
Authors: Santos Aguinaldo , Powell James A. , Hinks John
Published: February 2005

This paper presents a methodological contribution to benchmarking studies of production practices. It presents some of the main findings gathered from a benchmarking study developed between UK and Brazilian construction sites. The study was carried out within six case studies and focused on the use of visual controls in construction sites. The “cross‐case study analysis” approach used a process called “pattern matching” where the researcher looked for direct replications of theoretical propositions. In this pattern‐matching approach, empirical evidence is considered to be a “literal replication” if the observed results match the theoretical predictions. In contrast, when the case study produced contrasting results but for predictable reasons, it is called a “theoretical replication”. The results show that pattern‐matching is a highly useful approach for developing benchmarking studies in production management because it allows direct transfer of results from practice to theory.
The role of competitive benchmarking in small‐ to medium‐sized
enterprises
Authors: Monkhouse Elaine
Published: February 2005

Examines the penetration of the small‐ to medium‐sized enterprise
(SME) sector by the rapidly growing practice of benchmarking, hitherto
more usually employed by large companies. The specific needs of this
business type have to date been sadly neglected by both academic and
governmental attempts at disseminating “best practice”.
Following a survey of over 200 SMEs, which clearly identified a
“performance information gap”, the author has undertaken
extensive quantitative and qualitative interviews with 25 senior
managers, and built a picture of both current usage and the perceived or
actual barriers to greater use of the technique. Concludes that the
practice of benchmarking in SMEs is embryonic, that little progress can
be made by even enlightened managers until the barriers are understood,
and that a range of tools and techniques which are capable of
accommodating the idiosyncrasies of small businesses need to be
developed and made accessible.
Quality control and social processes: a case for acceptance sampling
Authors: Baker Joanna R. , Lattimore Pamela K. , Matheson Lance A.
Published: February 2005

The “at the source” emphasis of total quality management (TQM) has reduced the reliance on post‐production statistical quality control approaches such as acceptance sampling. In cases where it is appropriate more proactive approaches such as statistical process control have improved productivity in manufacturing environments. For social processes where the inputs are ill‐defined and the outputs are difficult to measure, traditional quality control approaches have rarely been applied. Addresses the problem of monitoring use of illegal drugs, a critical social problem. Because the inputs, the use of drugs, are not easy to document and the process which results in an individual’s decision to use drugs is too complex to model, one must rely on the detection of drugs as a measurement of drug abuse. The behaviour of interest is the detection of illegal drug use through urine testing. The technique for monitoring this behaviour in a population of interest is single‐attribute, Bayesian acceptance sampling. Applies a partial drug‐testing methodology based on single‐attribute acceptance sampling to a population of probationers in Madison County, Illinois, USA. The approach offers probation offices with a lower cost approach to monitoring drug use among populations of known drug users. The use of acceptance sampling allows Madison County to reduce the total cost of testing by reducing the total amount of testing that must be done to monitor use of drugs among their probation populations.