bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La littératie : une pratique sociale
Authors: Barton David , Hamilton Mary
Published: September 2010

Cet article présente une théorie de la littératie comme pratique sociale, avançant six propositions sur la nature de la littératie. Nous partons d’une conception de la littératie en termes de pratiques sociales, observables dans des événements relayés par des textes écrits. Cela offre un moyen puissant de conceptualiser le lien entre les activités de lecture et d’écriture et les structures sociales dans lesquelles elles s’insèrent. Dans une culture donnée, il y a différentes littératies associées à différents domaines de la vie. Les pratiques de littératies sont modelées par les institutions sociales et les relations de pouvoir, et certaines littératies sont plus dominantes que d’autres, plus vernaculaires. Ce cadre a été utilisé pour une étude ethnographique menée par les auteurs à Lancaster, en Angleterre (Barton, D. & M. Hamilton, 1998. Local literacies : reading and writing in one community, London : Routledge). Le concept de littératies vernaculaires résume bien ce qui a été révélé par cette étude. L’article souligne ensuite les changements radicaux dans l’organisation de la vie sociale et les technologies de la communication qui affectent les pratiques contemporaines.
L'appropriation de l'écriture dans deux villages nahua du centre du Mexique
Authors: Rockwell Elsie
Published: September 2010

Cette étude met l’accent sur l’émergence d’écrits, profondément ancrés dans l’oralité, dans des villages mexicains qui cherchent dans les années 1950-1970 à accéder à un statut d’autonomie et aux équipements urbains. Les récits de deux hommes qui habitent à Cuauhtenco et Xaltipan laissent entrevoir leur participation à de multiples transactions écrites qui ont des répercussions sur l’espace public de chaque communauté. Ils confortent une conception particulière de la « littératie » comme pratique située, influencée par le contexte social et ancrée dans des interactions locales mais aussi marqués par l’histoire des relations de ces bourgs à l’État. Ces relations, telles que perçues par ces communautés rurales, aident à comprendre l’émergence de stratégies liées au dispositif écrit dans les projets d’urbanisation et dans leurs rapports avec les différents niveaux de pouvoir.
TGF-β–Activated Kinase 1 Signaling Maintains Intestinal Integrity by Preventing Accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Intestinal Epithelium
Authors: Kajino-Sakamoto Rie , Omori Emily , Nighot Prashant K. , Blikslager Anthony T. , Matsumoto Kunihiro , Ninomiya-Tsuji Jun
Published: September 2010

The intestinal epithelium is constantly exposed to inducers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as commensal microorganisms. Levels of ROS are normally maintained at nontoxic levels, but dysregulation of ROS is involved in intestinal inflammatory diseases. In this article, we report that TGF-β–activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key regulator of ROS in the intestinal epithelium. tak1 gene deletion in the mouse intestinal epithelium caused tissue damage involving enterocyte apoptosis, disruption of tight junctions, and inflammation. Disruption of TNF signaling, which is a major intestinal damage inducer, rescued the inflammatory conditions but not apoptosis or disruption of tight junctions in the TAK1-deficient intestinal epithelium, suggesting that TNF is not a primary inducer of the damage noted in TAK1-deficient intestinal epithelium. We found that TAK1 deficiency resulted in reduced expression of several antioxidant-responsive genes and reduced the protein level of a key antioxidant transcription factor NF-E2–related factor 2, which resulted in accumulation of ROS. Exogenous antioxidant treatment reduced apoptosis and disruption of tight junctions in the TAK1-deficient intestinal epithelium. Thus, TAK1 signaling regulates ROS through transcription factor NF-E2–related factor 2, which is important for intestinal epithelial integrity.
Peptide Length Extension Skews the Minor HA-1 Antigen Presentation toward Activated Dendritic Cells but Reduces Its Presentation Efficiency
Authors: Hambach Lothar , Aghai Zohara , Pool Jos , Kröger Nicolaus , Goulmy Els
Published: September 2010

Minor histocompatibility Ags (mHags) are important targets of the graft-versus-leukemia effect after HLA-matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation. mHags are HLA-restricted polymorphic peptides expressed on normal and leukemia cells. Vaccination with hematopoiesis-restricted mHag peptides, such as HA-1, may boost the graft-versus-leukemia effect. However, some animal studies indicate that peptides exactly reflecting immunogenic T cell epitopes (short peptides [SPs]) induce tolerance that is potentially due to systemic Ag spreading. Peptide length extension (long peptides [LPs]) may optimize immune responses by restricting and prolonging Ag presentation on dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we compared the in vitro characteristics and T cell-stimulatory capacities of a human 30-mer HA-1 LP with the 9-mer HA-1 SP. DCs presented the HA-1 LP and SP and expanded HA-1–specific cytotoxic T cell lines. As hypothesized, HA-1 LP presentation, but not SP presentation, was largely restricted to activated DCs and was nearly absent on other hematopoietic cells. However, DCs presented the HA-1 LP 2–3 log levels less efficiently than the SP. Finally, the decay of HA-1 LP and SP presentation on DCs was comparable. We conclude that HA-1 LP and SP differ in their in vitro characteristics and that only comparative clinical studies after allogeneic stem cell transplantation may reveal the optimal HA-1 vaccine.
Cellular Requirements for Diabetes Induction in DO11.10xRIPmOVA Mice
Authors: Wesley Johnna D. , Sather Blythe D. , Perdue Nikole R. , Ziegler Steven F. , Campbell Daniel J.
Published: September 2010

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the immune-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing β-islet cells in the pancreas. The genetic and environmental mechanisms promoting the development of this disease remain poorly understood. We have explored the cellular requirements for T1D development in DO11.10xRIPmOVA (DORmO) mice, which carry a TCR transgene specific for an MHC class II-restricted epitope from OVA and express membrane-bound OVA in the pancreas under the control of the rat insulin promoter. We found that DORmO.RAG2−/− mice do not develop insulitis and are completely protected from diabetes, demonstrating that endogenous lymphocyte receptor rearrangement is required for disease development. Diabetes in DORmO mice is preceded by the development of OVA-specific autoantibodies and is delayed in B cell-deficient DORmO.JhD−/− mice, demonstrating that B cells contribute to disease progression. In addition, transfer of CD8+ T cells from diabetic animals into DORmO.RAG2−/− mice promoted insulitis by OVA-specific CD4+ T cells. Finally, although diabetes develops in DORmO mice in the presence of a significant population of Foxp3+ OVA-specific regulatory T cells, boosting regulatory T cell numbers by injecting IL-2 immune complexes dampens autoantibody production and prevents development of insulitis and overt diabetes. These results help define the events leading to diabetes in DORmO mice and provide new insights into the cellular interactions required for disease development in an Ag-specific model of T1D.
Effect of Ly49 Haplotype Variance on NK Cell Function and Education
Authors: Patel Rajen , Bélanger Simon , Tai Lee-Hwa , Troke Angela D. , Makrigiannis Andrew P.
Published: September 2010

The class I MHC-specific receptors expressed by murine NK cells exhibit remarkable variation. Specific activating killer Ig-related receptor/Ly49 have major effects on autoimmune and infectious disease induction and outcome in humans and mice. However, these studies are greatly affected by individual background genetics. Furthermore, the educational impact of variable inhibitory KIR/Ly49 gene numbers on NK cell development and the subsequent ability to survey for MHC class I (MHC-I) expression remain unknown. To address these questions, Ly49 congenic mice were generated that maintain a 129-derived Ly49 gene cluster on a C57BL/6 genetic background (B6.Ly49129 mice), and the in vitro and in vivo NK cell function of these mice was compared with their inbred parental 129S1 and C57BL/6 counterparts. Notably, target cell recognition directed by activating Ly49 receptors was profoundly affected by allelic variation in B6.Ly49129 congenic cells versus C57BL/6 NK cells. Furthermore, when assessing NK cell function based on education and subsequent recognition of the C57BL/6 MHC-I haplotype by inhibitory Ly49 receptors, B6.Ly49129 congenic mice exhibited robust NK cell activity, demonstrating efficient NK cell education by the 129S1 Ly49 cluster during development. The responsiveness of NK cells expressing 129S1 Ly49 was shown to be mediated by subsets expressing one or more self-MHC receptors, including Ly49I, Ly49O, Ly49V, and NKG2A. These findings demonstrate that the genetically segregating and diverse MHC-I and Ly49 loci in mice exhibit independent and epistatic effects on NK cell education that can be uncoupled during the intercrossing of inbred strains.
Glioma Cells Display Complex Cell Surface Topographies That Resist the Actions of Cytolytic Effector Lymphocytes
Authors: Hoa Neil , Ge Lisheng , Kuznetsov Yurii , McPherson Alex , Cornforth Andrew N. , Pham Jimmy T. H. , Myers Michael P. , Ahmed Nabil , Salsman Vita S. , Lamb Lawrence S. , Bowersock Joscelyn E. , Hu Yuanjie , Zhou Yi-Hong , Jadus Martin R.
Published: September 2010

Gliomas are invasive cancers that resist all forms of attempted therapy. Immunotherapy using Ag-pulsed dendritic cells has improved survival in some patients. We present evidence that another level of complexity may also contribute to lack of responses by the lymphocytes toward gliomas. Atomic force microscopy of four different glioma types—human U251 and rat T9 and F98 glioma cells, including freshly isolated human glioblastoma multiforme neurosphere cultures (containing “stem cell-like cells”)—revealed a complex surface topography with numerous microvilli and filopodia. These structures were not found on other cell types. Electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy of glioma cells confirmed that microvilli are present. U251 cells with microvilli resisted the cytolytic actions of different human effector cells, (lymphokine-activated killer cells, γδ T cells, conventional CTLs, and chimeric Ag-receptor–redirected T cells) better than their nonmicrovilli-expressing counterparts. Killer lymphocytes released perforin, which was detected within the glioma’s microvilli/filopodia, indicating these structures can receive the cytolytic effector molecules, but cytotoxicity is suboptimal. Air-dried gliomas revealed nodes within the microvilli/filopodia. The microvilli that penetrated 0.4-μm transwell chamber’s pores resisted the actions of CTLs and physical damage. Those nodelike structures may represent a compartmentalization that resists physical damage. These microvilli may play multiple roles in glioma biology, such as invasion and resistance to lymphocyte-mediated killing.
NK Cell Deficiency Predisposes to Viral-Induced Th2-Type Allergic Inflammation via Epithelial-Derived IL-25
Authors: Kaiko Gerard E. , Phipps Simon , Angkasekwinai Pornpimon , Dong Chen , Foster Paul S.
Published: September 2010

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has long been associated with an increased risk for the development of childhood asthma and exacerbations of this disorder. Despite much research into the induction of Th2 responses by allergens and helminths, the factors associated with viral infection that predispose to Th2-regulated asthma remain unknown. Recently, clinical studies have shown reduced numbers of NK cells in infants suffering from a severe RSV infection. Here we demonstrate that NK cell deficiency during primary RSV infection of BALB/c mice results in the suppression of IFN-γ production and the development of an RSV-specific Th2 response and subsequent allergic lung disease. The outgrowth of the Th2 responses was dependent on airway epithelial cell-derived IL-25, which induced the upregulation of the notch ligand Jagged1 on dendritic cells. This study identifies a novel pathway underlying viral-driven Th2 responses that may have functional relevance to viral-associated asthma.
Acute Ablation of Langerhans Cells Enhances Skin Immune Responses
Authors: Bobr Aleh , Olvera-Gomez Irlanda , Igyarto Botond Z. , Haley Krystal M. , Hogquist Kristin A. , Kaplan Daniel H.
Published: September 2010

Understanding the function of Langerhans cells (LCs) in vivo has been complicated by conflicting results from LC-deficient mice. Human Langerin-DTA mice constitutively lack LCs and develop exaggerated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses. Murine Langerin-diptheria toxin receptor (DTR) mice allow for the inducible elimination of LCs and Langerin+ dermal dendritic cells (dDCs) after administration of diphtheria toxin, which results in reduced CHS. When Langerin+ dDCs have partially repopulated the skin but LCs are still absent, CHS returns to normal. Thus, LCs appear to be suppressive in human Langerin-DTA mice and redundant in murine Langerin-DTR mice. To determine whether inducible versus constitutive LC ablation explains these results, we engineered human Langerin-DTR mice in which diphtheria toxin ablates LCs without affecting Langerin+ dDCs. The inducible ablation of LCs in human Langerin-DTR mice resulted in increased CHS. Thus, LC-mediated suppression does not require their absence during ontogeny or during the steady-state and is consistent with a model in which LCs actively suppress Ag-specific CHS responses.
IL-18 Production Downstream of the Nlrp3 Inflammasome Confers Protection against Colorectal Tumor Formation
Authors: Zaki Mohammad Hasan , Vogel Peter , Body-Malapel Mathilde , Lamkanfi Mohamed , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi
Published: September 2010

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Chronic inflammation is recognized as a predisposing factor for the development of colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms linking inflammation and tumorigenesis have remained elusive. Recent studies revealed a crucial role for the NOD-like receptor protein Nlrp3 in regulating inflammation through the assembly of proinflammatory protein complexes termed inflammasomes. However, its role in colorectal tumor formation remains unclear. In this study, we showed that mice deficient for Nlrp3 or the inflammasome effector caspase-1 were highly susceptible to azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced inflammation and suffered from dramatically increased tumor burdens in the colon. This was a consequence of markedly reduced IL-18 levels in mice lacking components of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, which led to impaired production and activation of the tumor suppressors IFN-γ and STAT1, respectively. Thus, IL-18 production downstream of the Nlrp3 inflammasome is critically involved in protection against colorectal tumorigenesis.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Ogawa Naomi , Imai Yasushi , Morita Hiroyuki , Nagai Ryozo
Published: September 2010

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease with environmental and genetic determinants. The genetic determinants of CAD have previously been explored by the candidate gene approach. Recently, the data from the International HapMap Project and the development of dense genotyping chips have enabled us to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on a large number of subjects without bias towards any particular candidate genes. In 2007, three chip-based GWAS simultaneously revealed the significant association between common variants on chromosome 9p21 and CAD. This association was replicated among other ethnic groups and also in a meta-analysis. Further investigations have detected several other candidate loci associated with CAD. The chip-based GWAS approach has identified novel and unbiased genetic determinants of CAD and these insights provide the important direction to better understand the pathogenesis of CAD and to develop new and improved preventive measures and treatments for CAD.
Creating a Culture that Fosters Disciplinary Literacy in Agricultural Sciences
Authors: Park Travis D. , Van der Mandele Elizabeth S. , Welch Daniel
Published: September 2010

In the discipline of agricultural science education, which is taught in 7,500 secondary schools across the country, teachers have a responsibility for contributing to students’ overall academic achievement. These interviews, conducted with five secondary agricultural science teachers, concerned teachers’ perceptions of their role in developing students’ literacy. These teachers believed that (a) reading is necessary for success in life but supplemental in agricultural sciences; (b) literacy instruction was embedded into agricultural science teaching; (c) teachers asked students to read to apply; and (d) they used authentic texts, which they often referred to as outside readings. These conclusions provide insights into avenues for which disciplinary literacy instruction in agricultural science may contribute to students’ overall academic achievement, engagement with texts, and learning from reading and literacy, as well as further the notion of disciplinary literacy.
Small-Scale Cattle Production in Eastern Province, Zambia: Objectives, Productivity and Constraints
Authors: Chilonda P. , Van Huylenbroeck G. , D'Haese L. , Musaba E.C. , Samui K.L. , Ahmadu B.
Published: September 2010

The paper describes small-scale cattle production in Eastern province, Zambia by considering the objectives of small-scale cattle farmers, husbandry practices, indicators of productivity, typology, efficiency, constraints and objectives for small-scale cattle development. The study is based on a questionnaire survey of 209 small-scale farmers keeping cattle. The results show that small-scale farmers mainly keep cattle as a store of wealth, for draught power, to minimize risk, and for milk production. The small-scale farmers can be grouped into relatively high, medium and low-productivity small-scale farmers. The study shows that in order to improve the efficiency of small-scale cattle production in the study area, there is a need to increase calving rates and to reduce mortality rates, specifically by increasing the utilization of veterinary inputs and improving extension services. This should be accompanied by improvements in the marketing arrangements for agricultural products in general, and for cattle and cattle products in particular, and access to credit. The general strategy should consist, on the one hand, of increasing the productivity and performance of those small-scale farmers not attaining minimum productivity levels, and on the other hand, of improving the marketing possibilities for small-scale farmers who are performing well.
Agricultural Education in India: A Sociological Perspective
Authors: Rao D. Rama , Kumari R. Vijaya , Haribabu E.
Published: September 2010

The paper traces the evolution of agricultural education in India in terms of its organization, its perceived role in rural development, and the changing social backgrounds of students enrolling in agricultural education. It focuses on issues such as inequalities, changing attitudes among graduates, technology transfer, job segmentation and gender in agricultural education. The paper identifies shortcomings in the present education system with regard to meeting societal needs. The authors propose the institutionalization and expansion of lower-level agricultural education and an aggressive programme of positive discrimination in favour of rural sections of the community, both in education and employment, so as to make agricultural education and those it trains relevant to the Indian context.
The Itinerary of Soil Nutrients in Africa: Destination Anywhere?
Authors: Smaling Eric M.A. , Toulmin Camilla
Published: September 2010

Despite the accelerating globalization of trade, environmental impacts and information, there remain huge disparities in the availability, cost and use of nutrients for plant production between rich and poor countries. The sustainability of African farming systems gives particular cause for concern, given the high cost and poor market opportunities faced by many small producers. Markets are essential if farmers are to be able to afford the purchase of necessary inputs. Raising productivity within African agriculture must address the challenge of tailoring policy and intervention to the diverse settings, strategies and practices found across the continent. Account must be taken of climatic risk, differences in soil quality, balancing the use of organic and mineral inputs, and returns from farming versus other activities, as well as providing a research and extension framework that supports joint learning with farmers in order to develop more sustainable cropping systems.
Plant Intellectual Property Transfer Mechanisms at US Universities
Authors: Price Steven C. , Renk Bryan Z.
Published: September 2010

US colleges of agriculture and technology transfer offices have historically been in conflict over the management of plant varieties. In today's world, it is inefficient for agricultural colleges to have a system separate from a university's wider technology transfer system, since they both interact with inventors, handle intellectual property, market their products, negotiate licence agreements, and distribute royalties. The authors discuss a simple model that would allow these two currently competing systems to become integrated.
A Government—University—Industry Response to Critical Manufacturing Innovation Needs
Authors: Barnes James L. , Zarrugh Mohamed Y. , Lawrence David J. , McKown Robert L.
Published: September 2010

The mission of Virginia's Manufacturing Innovation Center (VMIC), funded by Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology and sponsored by James Madison University (JMU), is to enhance the capability of Virginia's small-and medium-sized manufacturing firms initially in the Commonwealth of Virginia, then nationally and internationally, to meet the competitive challenges of the future. VMIC helps build strong economic foundations with a high-quality, well-trained workforce, accessible technology and modern business practices, and forward-looking infrastructure, while improving the quality of life and maintaining strong economic development programmes. Key strategic goals of VMIC are providing access to existing and new advanced manufacturing technology and innovative workforce training for Virginia.
The German Industrial—Technical Vocational School of the Future
Authors: Eicker Friedhelm
Published: September 2010

The quality of vocational education immediately after high school in Germany depends on cooperation between schools and companies as partners in the vocational education ‘Dual System’. If this system is to remain efficient in the future, current problems need to be solved. Therefore, a new concept of cooperation is introduced. This concept considers regional potential and opportunities for development and incorporates other local investors besides the traditional partners of the ‘Dual System’.
University—Enterprise Institutions in Technology Networks
Authors: Fernández-Arroyabe JuanCarlos , Arranz Nieves
Published: September 2010

At present the role of networks is becoming fundamental in understanding the process of innovation: from the genesis and development of research and technology projects to the subsequent diffusion of the results. Factors such as participating institutions, network objectives, administration, resource allocation, communication among partners, etc, or, simply, all types of interaction are critical. Extensive work has been done in relation to the study of organizations. However, the study of the networks themselves as a new form of organization is still at an early stage. Most university–enterprise institutions are actively involved in knowledge and technology transfer, but methods and results can differ due to differences in parent organization and culture, scientific activity and the industrial environment in which the institution is situated. This paper is based on an empirical study of technology cooperation networks in Europe, and summarizes the main aspects of the analysis, with special emphasis on the role of UETPs (University-Enterprise Training Partnerships) in technology-oriented European Union programmes.
Promoting Manufacturing Excellence in SMEs
Authors: Lowe Antony , Goh Susan , Heppell Geoff , Scott Robin , Ridgway Keith
Published: September 2010

The Ibberson Laboratory is a centre established at the University of Sheffield, partly financed by the European Community's Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to provide support for manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South Yorkshire region of the UK. Initiated in November 1998, the Laboratory aids firms by providing technical expertise and access to advanced manufacturing equipment and manpower. These are applied in graduate placements and short-term projects that focus on new product/process development and technology transfer. This paper describes the background to the project and details the objectives, structure and operation of the Laboratory. A typical project scenario is outlined and the performance measures to be achieved in meeting the requirements of ERDF funding are discussed. Finally, the progress of the Ibberson Laboratory towards meeting these measures is reported.
Finance Education
Authors: Black Carolyn
Published: September 2010

The author proposes that finance educators should adopt an experiential approach to finance education in order to enhance finance graduates' interpersonal, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The application of Kolb's experiential learning cycle to the finance discipline reveals the need for educators to consider different learning styles when designing papers. In order to incorporate multiple learning styles into the learning experience, a learning matrix is developed to match learning activities explicitly to a specified range of educational objectives for each major teaching concept. The experiential approach and the use of learning matrices are discussed in the context of a graduate-level open-learning finance paper at Massey University, New Zealand. The model is sufficiently generic to be used in a variety of disciplines, and offers educators a methodology for the design of experiential papers through which students can experience a wide range of learning skills and enhance their education.
Virtual Universities — The Way Ahead?
Authors: Gerrard Bill
Published: September 2010

The Internet has been subject to massive growth in usage and popularity throughout the last decade of the twentieth century. Applications have evolved such that the Internet serves almost any business, organization or institution in many ways. Once the sole domain of academics and scientists, it is now simpler and cheaper than ever for individuals and businesses to go ‘online’. The expansion, development and interaction of the basic Internet applications have given rise to a communications tool with immense potential for utility and flexibility in the transfer of information from one-to-many and one-to-one. One of the areas in which these attributes could prove useful is higher education. The higher education sector comprises academic institutions, academic staff, service staff, current and potential students. Each of these groups is affected by the drive towards fully Internet-based ‘virtual universities’ and therefore should be consulted in the search for the ideal virtual educational solution. With this in mind, the author considers how the Internet could potentially benefit those in higher education in the years ahead.
Lifelong Learning: Bridging the Gap between Higher Education and Employers' Needs
Authors: Burnet Deirdre , Smith Kevyn
Published: September 2010

Promoting the lifelong learning agenda is a clear aspiration within many higher education establishments. But can this aspiration be achieved without rethinking the way in which learning is approached and delivered? The UK government's agenda is targeted at increasing skill levels within business and industry through the delivery of lifelong learning activities, thus enhancing the competitiveness of UK companies. However, to encourage people to participate when they have not engaged in formal learning for some time may be problematic if the benefits of participation are not evidently relevant to them. This paper outlines an approach to lifelong learning that has provided a bridge between the needs of small and medium-sized firms in the North East of England and the University of Northumbria. The learners were Armed Forces personnel who had either left the services with no job to go to, or who were in the process of resettlement, with little idea of employment opportunities open to them in the future. Part of the challenge was to ‘match’ the existing skills of participants to the needs of local employers and to encourage new learning to help make the transition from service to civilian life as smooth as possible.
Kansas Strategic Technology Cluster Assessment
Authors: Bendis Richard A.
Published: September 2010

As part of this special issue of Industry and Higher Education, we include this unique report on clusters and innovation development in the USA with special reference to the state of Kansas. The report highlights exciting new developments in a state that is looking at new ways of promoting innovation and regional growth, involving the private and public sectors, with universities and other research organizations as key players. The evidence contained in the document offers useful pointers for policy development in the area of cluster-based economic regeneration. The report focuses on the need to address imaginatively complex issues that connect with each other. It also provides a factual backdrop to the rest of this issue and the research-based articles that bring together facts, figures and ideas for greater connectivity. The report is reproduced here with the kind permission of the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation.
Thematic Clustering
Authors: Mitra Jay , Matlay Harry
Published: September 2010

The authors first present a macro-level background to the idea of ‘connectivity’, based on a review of the systemic view in the literature on innovation and industrial/business clusters, linking the two to demonstrate the relevance of organizational forms (clusters) to the innovation process. They then identify management considerations for organizing appropriate competencies and leveraging firm-specific assets, and outline management issues relating to externalities, innovation and the management of change – the essential elements of organizational learning. An ‘Organizational Learning System’ model is developed with a view to better understanding the innovation process of cluster-based SMEs. In light of this discussion, the authors offer an overview of innovation in UK firms based on an initial random survey of 6,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is followed by two case studies of the industrial clustering process, with particular reference to examples of high-technology clusters in the UK, identifying some of the key factors connecting firms in the high-technology circuit. The paper concludes with a discussion of policy considerations, at the level of both the firm and government.
Modelling Business Travel
Authors: Kulendran Nada , Wilson Kenneth
Published: September 2010

Business travel is important and yet very few attempts have been made to model it. The aim of this study is to identify those economic variables that are most important in influencing business trips to Australia from four of Australia's most important travel and trade partners. Using a standard demand modelling approach suitably modified to deal with the motivations for business trips, Johansen's Full Information Maximum Likelihood technique is used to estimate the long-run relationship between business travel and its explanators. We find that the importance of the economic variables varies from country to country, although overall openness to trade and origin country real income are important variables explaining business travel.
Report: A Study of Tourist Demand and Accommodation in the Mt Paekdusan/Changbaishan Area
Authors: Kim Jae Min
Published: September 2010

This study is an attempt to calculate the short- and long-term demand for tourist accommodation facilities at Mt Paekdusan/Changbaishan, located at the border of Korea and China, which is becoming a popular international tourist destination in Northeastern Asia. In light of the rapidly increasing demand, substantial accommodation facilities are required at Mt Paekdusan/Changbaishan. This paper suggests a method for calculating the optimum number of guest rooms at Hwapyung resort, World Peace City and Song Kang resort. There are two major objectives: first, to estimate the demand of tourists in the Paekdusan/Changbaishan area and to forecast the short- and long-term demand; and, second, to calculate the numbers of tourist accommodation rooms required based on the supply and demand and assumptions.
Africa
Authors: Bar-On Raphael Raymond
Published: September 2010

WTO reported 24.7 million international tourist arrivals (excluding day-visitors) in 1998 in its Africa region, 6.4% above 1997, out of 635 million worldwide (2.5% above 1997). Receipts reported from international tourism in Africa totalled US$9.6 billion, 6.6% above 1997 (in current US$, including receipts from day-visitors, excluding international fares), out of US$439 billion worldwide (only 0.3% above 1997). Tourist arrivals, receipts and hotel capacity are presented for 50 countries. WTO reported revised data for 1998 (on 25/1/00): 25 million tourist arrivals out of 637 worldwide with receipts of US$10 billion (US$441 worldwide). Preliminary data for 1999 indicate an increase of 9% on 1998 in arrivals in Africa to 27.3 million (657 worldwide). Revised forecasts to 2010 and 2020 are also summarized.
Tourism and Terrorism: A Quantitative Analysis of Major Terrorist Acts and Their Impact on Tourism Destinations
Authors: Pizam Abraham , Smith Ginger
Published: September 2010

Since before the end of the Cold War, terrorism acts have had major effects on tourism destinations. As a result, the ‘shadowy, mobile, and unpredictable’ forces of terrorism are becoming an unfortunate part of the travel and tourism landscape. Few can forget the explosion that killed three in Paris in 1986, the home-made pipe bomb in Tel Aviv in 1990, the November 1997 massacre of 58 tourists at Luxor's Temple of Hatshepsut in Egypt, and the Kenyan and Tanzanian US Embassy truck bombings killing 263 in August 1998. This paper provides a quantitative analysis of major terrorism events around the world during 1985–98, classified by date, location, victims, weapons used, severity of damage, motive, effect on tourism demand, and length of effect. The analysis is followed by a summary and conclusions about the magnitude of the impact of these events on host destinations and the tourism industry worldwide.
Perceived Safety as an Important Quality Dimension among Senior Tourists
Authors: Lindqvist Lars-Johan , Björk Peter
Published: September 2010

The discussion of competitive edge in companies is often based on issues of quality and loyalty. Senior tourists are mostly very loyal to tourism companies provided that high-quality services are offered. Perceived quality is the result of a cognitive elaboration, including a comparison of individual needs and wants with the product offered by the company. Ageing takes place in three dimensions – physiological, sociological and cognitive – changing the consumer requirements that the tourism industry has to meet. Safety is the quality dimension analysed in this paper and age-related personal safety (ARPS) is distinguished from general personal safety (GPS). The results from quasi-structured interviews carried out in Finland among senior tourists show that perceived safety is an important factor in their decision making and that the perceived importance of this factor increases as the tourist grows older.
Reducing the Health Risks Associated with Travel
Authors: Cartwright Rodney
Published: September 2010

All travel has associated health risks that need to be recognized not only by travellers, but also by tour operators and governments. In this context, the author considers some of the infections that have been contracted by package holiday tourists from the UK. With 15 million package holidays sold in the UK each year and increasing consumer concern about health risks, health is now a major factor in customer satisfaction. Media exposure and possible legal action when expectations are not met mean that the need to reduce the health risks associated with travel is crucial for the tourism industry as well as for travellers themselves. This paper sets out the main hazards and risks and examines what actions can and should be taken by tour operators, destination countries, and tourists. The author stresses the importance of ensuring a proper health infrastructure in the development of tourist areas; the need for operators to stipulate minimum hotel standards, backed up by regular auditing; the responsibility of tourists to ensure that they do not expose themselves to unnecessary risks; and the significance of surveillance systems in the control of travel-related diseases.
Identifying the Responsibility for Risk at Tourism Destinations: The UK Experience
Authors: Hunter-Jones John
Published: September 2010

Taking the case of UK holidaymakers in foreign destinations, this paper seeks to identify whether the responsibility for risk while on holiday is clear to tourists and the tourism industry. ‘Risk’ is considered in terms of holiday illness and injury, and their causes. In particular, the author considers activities that carry an inherent risk (such as skiing); the law as it relates to responsibility for safety; and the approaches taken by those responsible for safety. An issue of particular concern is the conflict between the need for providers of holidays to remain competitive in holiday pricing and their responsibility to protect the health and safety of their customers. The paper demonstrates that weaknesses exist in the present situation and, crucially, that there is a serious lack of clarity: there is confusion among the various parties involved in the provision and taking of a holiday as to the extent of their particular responsibility. In his concluding remarks, the author makes recommendations for change.
Biodiversity and the Tourism Value of Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve, China: A Travel Cost Approach
Authors: Xue Dayuan , Cook Averil , Tisdell Clem
Published: September 2010

The recreational value of an outdoor site is reflected in a visitor's willingness to pay for the visit. This can sometimes be estimated using the Travel Cost Methodology (TCM) as the consumer surplus under the site demand curve. Based on a case study of Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve (CMBR) located in Northeast China, this paper focuses on the recreational values of tourism using the TCM and speculates on the extent to which this value depends on the biodiversity present in CMBR.
Europe
Authors: Bar-On Raphael Raymond
Published: September 2010

Europe continues to lead the world in international tourism. The World Tourism Organization reported 394 million tourist arrivals in 1999 (excluding day-visitors) in its European Region, 2.7% above 1998, with receipts from international tourism totalling US$235 billion in 1999 (including receipts from day-visitors, excluding international fares). Tourist arrivals and receipts are presented for the 58 countries and territories (by sub-regions), also hotel nights (inbound and domestic) and rooms, with revised arrivals totals for the other five WTO regions in 1998–99.
Support of University Spin-off Companies
Authors: van der Sijde Peter , van Tilburg Jaap
Published: September 2010

In this paper the process of the business development of spin-off companies from universities is described. The authors discuss each phase of development (awareness, feasibility, start-up, growth and maturity) and provide examples of each phase. They describe in particular the example of the University of Twente and its spin-off programme, TOP (Temporary Entrepreneurial Positions). Secondly, they focus on university spin-off programmes: what are the arguments against and in favour of such initiatives? The arguments that led the University of Twente to favour investment in spin-off programmes are discussed. The final section of the paper concerns the EU-supported UNISPIN project, a systematic approach to university spin-off development throughout all member states of the European Union.
Mentoring and Self-Management Career Strategies for Entrepreneurs
Authors: Ensher Ellen A. , Murphy Susan E. , Vance Charles M.
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this article is to examine the literature on self-management and mentoring to develop practical methods of enhancing the career success of entrepreneurs. The authors believe that both behavioural and cognitive self-management strategies can be useful to entrepreneurs. These techniques include goal-setting, self-observation, self-rewards, cueing, self-talk, visualization and the active reframing of obstacles into opportunities. In addition, the varying roles and functions of mentors, including emotional, vocational and role modelling support, will have many positive benefits for both entrepreneurial protégés and mentors. Recommendations for future research and an entrepreneurial model of career development are provided.
A Holistic Approach to Virtual Entrepreneurial Team Formation
Authors: Ratcheva Violina , Vyakarnam Shailendra
Published: September 2010

Virtual teams formed across organizational boundaries and organized around an opportunity are a relatively new area of research. A review of previous research shows that, although virtual teams have been well defined as a concept, only a few studies have contributed to developing an understanding of the mechanisms of assembling and maintaining effective inter-organizational teams enabled by new modes of communication. By pointing out the need for a multidisciplinary perspective and a more holistic approach to research in this area, this study presents an initial attempt to understand the phenomenon by emphasizing the interaction patterns required for virtual work. The results presented confirm that virtual teams are not simply evolutionary forms of the traditional collocated entrepreneurial teams, but they represent novel patterns of interactions of social and organizational factors and specific team formation processes characterized by collaboration across organizational and country boundaries.
Global Economy in the New Millennium: A Dynamic Context for Food and Agricultural Policies
Authors: Viatte Gérard
Published: September 2010

Many developing countries continue to suffer from insufficient economic growth and poverty. Food and agriculture are major elements for development, in particular in the least developed countries where they account for 35% of GDP. OECD countries are committed to the reform of agricultural policies towards more market orientation and trade liberalization, while recognizing that agriculture also fulfils societal functions. Support to agriculture in OECD countries in 1999 reached the same level as in 1987, thus offsetting the decline observed until 1997. The URAA has created disciplines in market access, export subsidies and domestic support; this constitutes progress, even if its impact has been limited. It is essential that domestic policy reform and trade liberalization be further enhanced, thereby improving the economic prospects of developing countries.
Population Growth and Food Production: Issues, Problems and Prospects
Authors: Maskey Rabi
Published: September 2010

The world food supply and population growth are considered important variables in today's debate on economic and environmental development. This paper looks at the past, present and future trends of population growth and food production. It then concentrates on the present debate to identify whether rapid population growth poses serious problems for the supply and demand of food. This paper argues the need to apply a simultaneous demographic, economic and ecological policy in order to tackle effectively the problem of a population, development and environment triangle.
Iguana Production in Central America: Prospects and Constraints Based on Stakeholders' Perceptions
Authors: Eilers C.H.A.M. , Koops W.J. , Udo H.M.J. , van Keulen H. , Noordhuizen J.P.T.M.
Published: September 2010

Iguana production in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama is a complex system with various stakeholders. In order to explore the opinions of stakeholders about iguana production, the system was discussed with two stakeholder groups: Farmers and Organizations. Organizations consisted of officials from government and non-governmental organizations. The stakeholders' discussions resulted in conceptual models of the system. These models were used to discuss problems, possible solutions and the feasibility of these solutions. Problems related to the market, to costs, the environment, information, reproduction and legal problems were mentioned. Suggested solutions included presenting proposals to financiers, organizing farmers, organizing courses and exchanging experiences.
Coffee: Is it Still a Viable Cash Crop for Smallholders in Africa?
Authors: Hillocks Rory
Published: September 2010

Smallholder coffee production in Africa has declined over the last 10 years due to a combination of unfavourable producer prices, inefficient marketing and the high cost of inputs resulting from economic structural adjustment policies and lack of credit facilities. Although there is currently a surplus of coffee on the world market and prices may remain low for some time as a result, the ‘fair trade’ sector is expanding, offering a marketing opportunity for smallholders. This article examines some of the problems currently facing the smallholder sector in Africa and suggests that adapting the principles of integrated crop management (ICM) to the needs of coffee smallholders can contribute to the profitability and sustainability of the sector.
Characterization of Smallholders' Livestock Production and Marketing Strategies in Semi-Arid Areas of Tanzania
Authors: Hella J.P. , Mdoe N.S. , Van Huylenbroeck G. , D'Haese L. , Chilonda P.
Published: September 2010

High rainfall variability in semi-arid Tanzania makes livestock production a risky enterprise and its marketing decisions highly stochastic. This paper discusses smallholders' production and marketing strategies in the Dodoma region based on responses from 498 farmers randomly selected from four purposely sampled villages in the semi-arid ecological zone of Tanzania. Qualitative characterization of marketing and production decisions is presented. Generally the timing, frequency and amount of rainfall do to a great extent determine farmers' production and marketing strategies. Results of the quantitative analysis, however, revealed that most strategies were correlated with low productivity and profitability levels and with high environmental degradation. The findings suggest that a gradual change in production and marketing strategies is necessary to increase efficiency in this agroecological zone.