bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Connectivity profiles reveal the relationship between brain areas for social cognition in human and monkey temporoparietal cortex
Authors: Mars Rogier B. , Sallet Jérôme , Neubert Franz-Xaver , Rushworth Matthew F. S.
Published: June 2013

The human ability to infer the thoughts and beliefs of others, often referred to as “theory of mind,” as well as the predisposition to even consider others, are associated with activity in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) area. Unlike the case of most human brain areas, we have little sense of whether or how TPJ is related to brain areas in other nonhuman primates. It is not possible to address this question by looking for similar task-related activations in nonhuman primates because there is no evidence that nonhuman primates engage in theory-of-mind tasks in the same manner as humans. Here, instead, we explore the relationship by searching for areas in the macaque brain that interact with other macaque brain regions in the same manner as human TPJ interacts with other human brain regions. In other words, we look for brain regions with similar positions within a distributed neural circuit in the two species. We exploited the fact that human TPJ has a unique functional connectivity profile with cortical areas with known homologs in the macaque. For each voxel in the macaque temporal and parietal cortex we evaluated the similarity of its functional connectivity profile to that of human TPJ. We found that areas in the middle part of the superior temporal cortex, often associated with the processing of faces and other social stimuli, have the most similar connectivity profile. These results suggest that macaque face processing areas and human mentalizing areas might have a similar precursor.
Staphylococcus aureusLukAB cytotoxin kills human neutrophils by targeting the CD11b subunit of the integrin Mac-1
Authors: DuMont Ashley L. , Yoong Pauline , Day Christopher J. , Alonzo Francis , McDonald W. Hayes , Jennings Michael P. , Torres Victor J.
Published: June 2013

Staphylococcus aureuscauses diseases ranging from superficial wound infections to more invasive manifestations like osteomyelitis and endocarditis. The evasion of host phagocytes recruited to the site of infection is essential to the success ofS. aureusas a pathogen. A singleS. aureusstrain can produce up to five different bicomponent pore-forming leukotoxins that lyse immune cells by forming pores in the cellular plasma membrane. Although these leukotoxins have been considered redundant due to their cytotoxic activity toward human neutrophils, each toxin displays varied species and cell-type specificities. This suggests that cellular factors may influence which cells each toxin targets. Here we describe the identification of CD11b, the α subunit of the αM/β2 integrin (CD11b/CD18), macrophage-1 antigen, or complement receptor 3, as a cellular receptor for leukocidin A/B (LukAB), an important toxin that contributes toS. aureuskilling of human neutrophils. We demonstrate that CD11b renders human neutrophils susceptible to LukAB-mediated killing by purified LukAB as well as duringS. aureusinfection ex vivo. LukAB directly interacts with human CD11b by binding to the I domain, a property that determines the species specificity exhibited by this toxin. Identification of a LukAB cellular target has broad implications for the use of animal models to study the role of LukAB inS. aureuspathogenesis, explains the toxin’s tropism toward human neutrophils and other phagocytes, and provides a cellular therapeutic target to block the effect of LukAB toward human neutrophils.
Engineering of regulated stochastic cell fate determination
Authors: Wu Min , Su Ri-Qi , Li Xiaohui , Ellis Tom , Lai Ying-Cheng , Wang Xiao
Published: June 2013

Both microbes and multicellular organisms actively regulate their cell fate determination to cope with changing environments or to ensure proper development. Here, we use synthetic biology approaches to engineer bistable gene networks to demonstrate that stochastic and permanent cell fate determination can be achieved through initializing gene regulatory networks (GRNs) at the boundary between dynamic attractors. We realize this experimentally by linking a synthetic GRN to a natural output of galactose metabolism regulation in yeast. Combining mathematical modeling and flow cytometry, we show that our engineered systems are bistable and that inherent gene expression stochasticity does not induce spontaneous state transitioning at steady state. Mathematical analysis predicts that stochastic cell fate determination in this case can only be realized when gene expression fluctuation occurs on or near attractor basin boundaries (the points of instability). Guided by numerical simulations, experiments are designed and performed with quantitatively diverse gene networks to test model predictions, which are verified by both flow cytometry and single-cell microscopy. By interfacing rationally designed synthetic GRNs with background gene regulation mechanisms, this work investigates intricate properties of networks that illuminate possible regulatory mechanisms for cell differentiation and development that can be initiated from points of instability.
Multifaceted oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma in an immunocompetent cancer stem cell model
Authors: Cheema Tooba A. , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Fecci Peter E. , Ning Jianfang , Kuroda Toshihiko , Jeyaretna Deva S. , Martuza Robert L. , Rabkin Samuel D.
Published: June 2013

Glioblastoma (World Health Organization grade IV) is an aggressive adult brain tumor that is inevitably fatal despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment failures are attributed to combinations of cellular heterogeneity, including a subpopulation of often-resistant cancer stem cells, aberrant vasculature, and noteworthy immune suppression. Current preclinical models and treatment strategies do not incorporate or address all these features satisfactorily. Herein, we describe a murine glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) model that recapitulates tumor heterogeneity, invasiveness, vascularity, and immunosuppressive microenvironment in syngeneic immunocompetent mice and should prove useful for a range of therapeutic studies. Using this model, we tested a genetically engineered oncolytic herpes simplex virus that is armed with an immunomodulatory cytokine, interleukin 12 (G47∆-mIL12). G47Δ-mIL12 infects and replicates similarly to its unarmed oncolytic herpes simplex virus counterpart in mouse 005 GSCs in vitro, whereas in vivo, it significantly enhances survival in syngeneic mice bearing intracerebral 005 tumors. Mechanistically, G47∆-mIL12 targets not only GSCs but also increases IFN-γ release, inhibits angiogenesis, and reduces the number of regulatory T cells in the tumor. The increased efficacy is dependent upon T cells, but not natural killer cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that G47Δ-mIL12 provides a multifaceted approach to targeting GSCs, tumor microenvironment, and the immune system, with resultant therapeutic benefit in a stringent glioblastoma model.
Using shape effects to target antibody-coated nanoparticles to lung and brain endothelium
Authors: Kolhar Poornima , Anselmo Aaron C. , Gupta Vivek , Pant Kapil , Prabhakarpandian Balabhaskar , Ruoslahti Erkki , Mitragotri Samir
Published: June 2013

Vascular endothelium offers a variety of therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Significant research has been focused on developing agents to target the endothelium in diseased tissues. This includes identification of antibodies against adhesion molecules and neovascular expression markers or peptides discovered using phage display. Such targeting molecules also have been used to deliver nanoparticles to the endothelium of the diseased tissue. Here we report, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, that the specificity of endothelial targeting can be enhanced further by engineering the shape of ligand-displaying nanoparticles. In vitro studies performed using microfluidic systems that mimic the vasculature (synthetic microvascular networks) showed that rod-shaped nanoparticles exhibit higher specific and lower nonspecific accumulation under flow at the target compared with their spherical counterparts. Mathematical modeling of particle–surface interactions suggests that the higher avidity and specificity of nanorods originate from the balance of polyvalent interactions that favor adhesion and entropic losses as well as shear-induced detachment that reduce binding. In vivo experiments in mice confirmed that shape-induced enhancement of vascular targeting is also observed under physiological conditions in lungs and brain for nanoparticles displaying anti–intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and anti-transferrin receptor antibodies.
Ptr-miR397a is a negative regulator of laccase genes affecting lignin content in
Populus trichocarpa
Authors: Lu Shanfa , Li Quanzi , Wei Hairong , Chang Mao-Ju , Tunlaya-Anukit Sermsawat , Kim Hoon , Liu Jie , Song Jingyuan , Sun Ying-Hsuan , Yuan Lichai , Yeh Ting-Feng , Peszlen Ilona , Ralph John , Sederoff Ronald R. , Chiang Vincent L.
Published: June 2013

Laccases, as early as 1959, were proposed to catalyze the oxidative polymerization of monolignols. Genetic evidence in support of this hypothesis has been elusive due to functional redundancy of laccase genes. An
Arabidopsis
double mutant demonstrated the involvement of laccases in lignin biosynthesis. We previously identified a subset of laccase genes to be targets of a microRNA (miRNA) ptr-miR397a in
Populus trichocarpa
. To elucidate the roles of ptr-miR397a and its targets, we characterized the laccase gene family and identified 49 laccase gene models, of which 29 were predicted to be targets of ptr-miR397a. We overexpressed
Ptr-MIR397a
in transgenic
P. trichocarpa
. In each of all nine transgenic lines tested, 17
PtrLAC
s were down-regulated as analyzed by RNA-seq. Transgenic lines with severe reduction in the expression of these laccase genes resulted in an ∼40% decrease in the total laccase activity. Overexpression of
Ptr-MIR397a
in these transgenic lines also reduced lignin content, whereas levels of all monolignol biosynthetic gene transcripts remained unchanged. A hierarchical genetic regulatory network (GRN) built by a bottom-up graphic Gaussian model algorithm provides additional support for a role of ptr-miR397a as a negative regulator of laccases for lignin biosynthesis. Full transcriptome–based differential gene expression in the overexpressed transgenics and protein domain analyses implicate previously unidentified transcription factors and their targets in an extended hierarchical GRN including ptr-miR397a and laccases that coregulate lignin biosynthesis in wood formation. Ptr-miR397a, laccases, and other regulatory components of this network may provide additional strategies for genetic manipulation of lignin content.
The Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 oncoprotein induces a transcriptional repressor complex on the Toll-like receptor 9 promoter
Authors: Hasan Uzma A. , Zannetti Claudia , Parroche Peggy , Goutagny Nadège , Malfroy Marine , Roblot Guillaume , Carreira Christine , Hussain Ishraq , Müller Martin , Taylor-Papadimitriou Joyce , Picard Didier , Sylla Bakary S. , Trinchieri Giorgio , Medzhitov Ruslan , Tommasino Massimo
Published: June 2013

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) and other oncogenic viruses have been reported to deregulate immunity by suppressing the function of the double-stranded DNA innate sensor TLR9. However, the mechanisms leading to these events remain to be elucidated. We show that infection of human epithelial cells with HPV16 promotes the formation of an inhibitory transcriptional complex containing NF-κBp50–p65 and ERα induced by the E7 oncoprotein. The E7-mediated transcriptional complex also recruited the histone demethylase JARID1B and histone deacetylase HDAC1. The entire complex bound to a specific region on the TLR9 promoter, which resulted in decreased methylation and acetylation of histones upstream of the TLR9 transcriptional start site. The involvement of NF-κB and ERα in the TLR9 down-regulation by HPV16 E7 was fully confirmed in cervical tissues from human patients. Importantly, we present evidence that the HPV16-induced TLR9 down-regulation affects the interferon response which negatively regulates viral infection. Our studies highlight a novel HPV16-mediated mechanism that combines epigenetic and transcriptional events to suppress a key innate immune sensor.
Republication of conference papers in journals?
Authors: ZHANG Yuehong (Helen) , JIA Xiaoyan
Published: June 2013

Conference proceedings are one of the most important forms of communication for computer scientists. This study investigated the policies of a large number of computer science journals with regard to the republication of papers which had already appeared in conference proceedings. Nearly one‐quarter of journal editors would not republish such papers other than in special circumstances (such as a special conference issue), and almost all of the remainder would do so only after substantial updating and expansion of the original paper. Many specified the amount of content that should be new: 30% was the proportion most frequently mentioned. Thus, many sections of text may be identical to the original paper. However, some journal editors do not appear to consider this self‐plagiarism provided the original publication is properly cited. Nevertheless, such (re)publication is likely to lead to high similarity scores in CrossCheck; in this field, therefore, journal editors need to exercise particular discretion when evaluating CrossCheck results.
Book reviews
Authors: JUBB Michael
Published: June 2013

Prometheus Assessed? Research Measurement, Peer Review and Citation Analysis Shaun Goldfinch and Kiyoshi Yamamoto Oxford, Chandos Publishing, 2012, 365pp. ISBN 978‐1‐84334‐589‐3, £52.50, pbk
Book reviews
Authors: WARE Mark
Published: June 2013

The Handbook of Journal Publishing Sally Morris, Ed Barnas, Douglas LaFrenier, Margaret Reich Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2013, 477pp. ISBN‐13: 978‐1843346692; £19.99 (pbk), ISBN‐13: 978‐1107020856; £55.00 (hbk)
Resolution and stability analysis in full-aperture, linearized conductivity and wave imaging
Authors: Ammari Habib , Garnier Josselin , Sølna Knut
Published: June 2013

In this paper we consider resolution estimates in both the linearized conductivity problem and the wave imaging problem. Our purpose is to provide explicit formulas for the resolving power of the measurements in the presence of measurement noise. We show that the low-frequency regime in wave imaging and the inverse conductivity problem are very sensitive to measurement noise, while high frequencies increase stability in wave imaging.
Development and Validation of an Intraoperative Predictive Model for Unplanned Postoperative Intensive Care
Authors: Wanderer Jonathan P. , Anderson-Dam John , Levine Wilton , Bittner Edward A.
Published: June 2013

Background:

The allocation of intensive care unit (ICU) beds for postoperative patients is a challenging daily task that could be assisted by the real-time detection of ICU needs. The goal of this study was to develop and validate an intraoperative predictive model for unplanned postoperative ICU use.

Methods:

With the use of anesthesia information management system, postanesthesia care unit, and scheduling data, a data set was derived from adult in-patient noncardiac surgeries. Unplanned ICU admissions were identified (4,847 of 71,996; 6.7%), and a logistic regression model was developed for predicting unplanned ICU admission. The model performance was tested using bootstrap validation and compared with the Surgical Apgar Score using area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic.

Results:

The logistic regression model included 16 variables: age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, emergency case, surgical service, and 12 intraoperative variables. The area under the curve was 0.905 (95% CI, 0.900–0.909). The bootstrap validation model area under the curves were 0.513 at booking, 0.688 at 3 h before case end, 0.738 at 2 h, 0.791 at 1 h, and 0.809 at case end. The Surgical Apgar Score area under the curve was 0.692. Unplanned ICU admissions had more ICU-free days than planned ICU admissions (5 vs. 4; P < 0.001) and similar mortality (5.6 vs. 6.0%; P = 0.248).

Conclusions:

The authors have developed and internally validated an intraoperative predictive model for unplanned postoperative ICU use. Incorporation of this model into a real-time data sniffer may improve the process of allocating ICU beds for postoperative patients.
The energetics of organic synthesis inside and outside the cell
Authors: Amend Jan P. , LaRowe Douglas E. , McCollom Thomas M. , Shock Everett L.
Published: June 2013

Thermodynamic modelling of organic synthesis has largely been focused on deep-sea hydrothermal systems. When seawater mixes with hydrothermal fluids, redox gradients are established that serve as potential energy sources for the formation of organic compounds and biomolecules from inorganic starting materials. This energetic drive, which varies substantially depending on the type of host rock, is present and available both for abiotic (outside the cell) and biotic (inside the cell) processes. Here, we review and interpret a library of theoretical studies that target organic synthesis energetics. The biogeochemical scenarios evaluated include those in present-day hydrothermal systems and in putative early Earth environments. It is consistently and repeatedly shown in these studies that the formation of relatively simple organic compounds and biomolecules can be energy-yielding (exergonic) at conditions that occur in hydrothermal systems. Expanding on our ability to calculate biomass synthesis energetics, we also present here a new approach for estimating the energetics of polymerization reactions, specifically those associated with polypeptide formation from the requisite amino acids.
Requirements of the cytosolic iron–sulfur cluster assembly pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bernard Delphine G. , Netz Daili J. A. , Lagny Thibaut J. , Pierik Antonio J. , Balk Janneke
Published: June 2013

The assembly of iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters requires dedicated protein factors inside the living cell. Striking similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic assembly proteins suggest that plant cells inherited two different pathways through endosymbiosis: the ISC pathway in mitochondria and the SUF pathway in plastids. Fe–S proteins are also found in the cytosol and nucleus, but little is known about how they are assembled in plant cells. Here, we show that neither plastid assembly proteins nor the cytosolic cysteine desulfurase ABA3 are required for the activity of cytosolic aconitase, which depends on a [4Fe–4S] cluster. In contrast, cytosolic aconitase activity depended on the mitochondrial cysteine desulfurase NFS1 and the mitochondrial transporter ATM3. In addition, we were able to complement a yeast mutant in the cytosolic Fe–S cluster assembly pathway,dre2, with the Arabidopsis homologueAtDRE2, but only when expressed together with the diflavin reductaseAtTAH18. Spectroscopic characterization showed that purified AtDRE2 could bind up to two Fe–S clusters. Purified AtTAH18 bound one flavin per molecule and was able to accept electrons from NAD(P)H. These results suggest that the proteins involved in cytosolic Fe–S cluster assembly are highly conserved, and that dependence on the mitochondria arose before the second endosymbiosis event leading to plastids.
Controlling the delicate balance of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis
Authors: Yin Liang , Bauer Carl E.
Published: June 2013

Tetrapyrroles are a family of compounds that contain four pyrrole rings. They are involved in many fundamental biological processes such as photoreception, electron transport, gas transport and also as cofactors for enzymatic reactions. As regulators of protein activity, tetrapyrroles mediate cellular response to light, oxygen and nutrient levels in the surrounding environment. Biosynthesis of haem tetrapyrroles shares, conserved pathways and enzymes among all three domains of life. This is contrasted by chlorophyll biosynthesis that is only present in eubacteria and chloroplasts, or cobalamin biosynthesis that is only present in eubacteria and archaea. This implicates haem as the most ancient, and chlorophyll as the most recent, of the common tetrapyrroles that are currently synthesized by existing organisms. Haem and chlorophyll are both toxic when synthesized in excess over apo-proteins that bind these tetrapyrroles. Accordingly, the synthesis of these tetrapyrroles has to be tightly regulated and coordinated with apo-protein production. The mechanism of regulating haem and chlorophyll synthesis has been studied intensively in
Rhodobacter
species and will be discussed.
Interactions of photosynthesis with genome size and function
Authors: Raven John A. , Beardall John , Larkum Anthony W. D. , Sánchez-Baracaldo Patricia
Published: June 2013

Photolithotrophs are divided between those that use water as their electron donor (Cyanobacteria and the photosynthetic eukaryotes) and those that use a different electron donor (the anoxygenic photolithotrophs, all of them Bacteria). Photolithotrophs with the most reduced genomes have more genes than do the corresponding chemoorganotrophs, and the fastest-growing photolithotrophs have significantly lower specific growth rates than the fastest-growing chemoorganotrophs. Slower growth results from diversion of resources into the photosynthetic apparatus, which accounts for about half of the cell protein. There are inherent dangers in (especially oxygenic) photosynthesis, including the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blue light sensitivity of the water spitting apparatus. The extent to which photolithotrophs incur greater DNA damage and repair, and faster protein turnover with increased rRNA requirement, needs further investigation. A related source of environmental damage is ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (280–320 nm), whose flux at the Earth's surface decreased as oxygen (and ozone) increased in the atmosphere. This oxygenation led to the requirements of defence against ROS, and decreasing availability to organisms of combined (non-dinitrogen) nitrogen and ferrous iron, and (indirectly) phosphorus, in the oxygenated biosphere. Differential codon usage in the genome and, especially, the proteome can lead to economies in the use of potentially growth-limiting elements
Board composition and bank performance in Kuwait: an empirical study
Authors: Al‐Saidi Mejbel , Al‐Shammari Bader
Published: June 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between board composition (i.e. non‐executive directors, family directors, role duality and board size) and bank performance, using a sample of nine listed Kuwait banks over the 2006 to 2010 period.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) and two‐stage‐least squares (2SLS) to test such a relationship and to address endogeneity in explanatory variables.

Findings

The results provide some evidence that board composition of banks relates to their performance. According to the OLS regression results, only board size and proportion of non‐executive directors negatively affect bank performance. Meanwhile, the 2SLS results indicate that role duality positively affects a bank's performance while board size affects a bank's performance negatively.

Research limitations/implications

Although the model has explained a significant part of the variation in performance, still unexplained is a material part that represents the “noise” of the model. Data availability limited the ability to study other aspects of corporate governance mechanisms such as number of audit committee members on board. The sample size is small; thus, in future research, the sample size could be increased by including a longer period of time or different countries such as members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia).

Practical implications

Given the importance of effective boards in monitoring bank values, more actions and rules need to take place in Kuwait to improve the efficacy of boards in protecting shareholders and their interests in Kuwaiti banks. Regulators may mandate a corporate governance code or adopt the OECD corporate governance principles as a starting point in Kuwait. Kuwaiti companies may use the findings to make appropriate choices about board appointments and best governance to improve performance. Investors also may use the findings to understand Kuwaiti companies. Such findings may assist them to diversify their investment portfolios.

Originality/value

This study asserts to provide insights on the relationship between bank performance and board composition in Kuwait. The study extends prior research and investigates the roles of board of directors in banks in the context of an emerging market characterized by weak shareholder protection and highly concentrated ownership.
Poor laws and schooling in Stockholm
Authors: Holmlund Kerstin
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to utilize illustrative examples from the industrialisation period in Sweden to analyse the interlace between poor legislation and school legislation.

Design/methodology/approach

It deals with how state regulation and societal transformations intervened in the lives of poor children and their parents. In particular, this article examines how collaboration between schools and poor relief resulted in normative judgements about their social inclusion and exclusion.

Findings

Overall, the article illuminates a new era in the history of social policy, an epoch when old assumptions were abandoned and fresh links were forged between industrialisation, national economics, education, gender relations, and social welfare. These changes are clarified not only by reference to nineteenth century sources but also to national and international research, and ideas about capital and gender relations associated with, among others, Hannah Arendt and Pierre Bourdieu.

Originality/value

The study illustrates how and why the official public spirit affects children and why understanding of this relationship needs to be broadened as well as deepened.
Guthrie Wilson and the trans‐Tasman educational career
Authors: Prentis Malcolm David
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Guthrie Wilson (1914‐1984) was one example of the trend of migration of teachers from New Zealand public schools to Australian private schools. The purpose of this paper is to explore this particular case with a view to revealing some of the dynamics involved and challenges facing certain types of Australasian schools in the 1950s and 1960s.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is essentially founded on empirical historical research and on analysis of data from published and archival sources and from interviews with participants and observers. It is placed in the context of the literature on both educational change in Australasia and trans‐Tasman migration at the time.

Findings

Although Guthrie Wilson craved recognition as a novelist, he excelled as a school Principal, partly because he seemed to fit certain notions of education, leadership and manhood which suited the Council of The Scots College Sydney. In the 1960s, the Council wanted to maintain traditions which appeared to have been weakened by Wilson's progressive predecessor and challenged by social change. Though he fulfilled the Council's expectations, Wilson also proved to be a mediator between traditional and progressive education. Thus, Wilson could be both an honourable representative of the “Old School” and modestly progressive.

Originality/value

Biographical studies can reveal unsuspected patterns as well as challenge casual generalizations. Images of schools and of their leadership, held by both contemporaries and later observers, can prove to be subtly misleading on closer inspection. In particular, the article confronts a number of school myths which affect not only the schools involved but all schools,mutatis mutandis.
Caroline Pratt's political, toy manufacturing, and educational life, 1896‐1921
Authors: Staring Jeroen
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the political, toy manufacturing, and educational activities of Caroline Louise Pratt (1867‐1954), founder of the Play School (later renamed City and Country School), New York City.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews previously unreported biographical material and draws on a number of Caroline Pratt's own writings, combining results of archival text research and digital searches.

Findings

Newly available data sources on Caroline Pratt's 1896‐1921 life show her to be more of a social reconstructionist than previously concluded. This research demonstrates that it was Pratt's feminist, socialist and trade unionist ideals, transformed into educational aims, that formed the core of her educational work.

Research limitations/implications

This investigation is limited to Pratt's activities during the years 1896 to 1921.

Originality/value

The internet has provided ready access to a wealth of newspaper and journal documents. The ease of access has no precedent, and the volume of newly available data sources has brought opportunities for reinterpretation and rewriting of the history of education. Yet even more new data will inevitably become accessible. This paper provides insights into how previously unresearched documents, now easily found through digital research, can enhance understanding of the contributions of Caroline Pratt.
Component analysis of adherence in a family intervention
Authors: Hill Laura G. , Owens Robert W.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Most studies of adherence use a single global measure to examine the relation of adherence to outcomes. These studies inform us about effects of overall implementation but not about importance of specific program elements. Previous research on the Strengthening Families Program 10‐14 has shown that outcomes were unrelated to global adherence. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether adherence to specific components of SFP was related to outcomes, even though global adherence was not.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors micro‐coded data from an observational study of 11 instances of SFP (N=47 facilitators, 151 participants) into specific process and content components. Using multilevel analysis, they examined the relation of each component to program outcomes, accounting for individual‐ and program‐level variables.

Findings

Most associations of adherence with outcome were negligible for European‐Americans but significant for minority participants.

Research limitations/implications

Global assessments of implementation are insufficient for complex, multi‐component prevention programs and may obscure relations of implementation to outcomes. Additionally, program components may function differently based on participant characteristics.

Practical implications

Facilitators would benefit from understanding the function of individual program components, particularly when programs are delivered to diverse audiences. Program developers should provide detailed logic models of program theory to guide facilitators’ decisions about adaptation.

Originality/value

This is one of only a few studies to examine the relation of adherence to specific intervention components to outcomes in a real‐world setting. Results show the utility of component analysis and the importance of considering individual characteristics for implementation assessment.
The effects of implementation fidelity in the Towards No Drug Abuse dissemination trial
Authors: Little Melissa A. , Sussman Steven , Sun Ping , Rohrbach Louise A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The current study aims to examine the influence of contextual and provider‐level factors on the implementation fidelity of a research‐based substance abuse prevention program. Also, it aims to investigate whether two provider‐level factors, self‐efficacy and beliefs about the value of the program, statistically moderate and mediate the effects of a provider training intervention on implementation fidelity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using generalized mixed‐linear modeling, the authors examine relationships between program provider‐, organizational, and community‐level factors and implementation fidelity in a sample of 50 high school teachers from 43 high schools in eight states across the USA. Fidelity of implementation was assessed utilizing an observation procedure.

Findings

Implementation fidelity was negatively associated with the urbanicity of the community and the level of teachers’ beliefs about the value of the program, and positively predicted by the organizational capacity of the school. Comprehensive training significantly increased teachers’ self‐efficacy, which resulted in an increase in implementation fidelity.

Research limitations/implications

School‐based prevention program implementation is influenced by a variety of contextual factors occurring at multiple ecological levels. Future effectiveness and dissemination studies need to account for the complex nature of schools in analyses of implementation fidelity and outcomes.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings suggest that both provider‐ and organizational‐level are influential in promoting implementation fidelity. Before implementation begins, as well as throughout the implementation process, training and ongoing technical assistance should be conducted to increase teachers’ skills, self‐efficacy, and comfort with prevention curricula.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the few to examine contextual and provider‐level correlates of implementation fidelity and use mediation analyses to explore whether provider‐level factors mediate the effects of a provider training intervention on implementation fidelity.
Adsorption‐induced frequency analysis using nonlocal Euler‐Bernoulli beam theory with initial axial stress
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Jian , Deng Zi‐Chen
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the buckling and the vibration of the beam induced by atom/molecule adsorption using the nonlocal Euler‐Bernoulli beam model with initial axial stress.

Design/methodology/approach

The nonlocal parameter associated with adsorbed mass and bending rigidity variations of the beam induced by adsorbates are taken into account, and the buckling and dynamic behaviors are obtained via the Hamilton's principle, in which the potential energy between adsorbates and surfaces of the beam, the bending energy, the external work and the kinetic energy are summed as the Lagrangian function.

Findings

The results show that, for both buckling and resonant frequency, the nonlocal effect should be considered when the beam scales down to several hundreds of nanometres, especially for higher mode numbers.

Originality/value

The present paper gives the exact expressions for the buckling and resonant frequency of a simple‐supported nonlocal beam with initial axial stress. Different from previous works, the mass increasing and bending rigidity of the beam are found size‐dependent (nonlocal effect), resulting in possible different static and dynamic behaviors of the beam when atom/molecular adsorption occurs. The exact expressions obtained for the buckling and resonant frequency may be helpful to the design and application of micro‐ and nanobeam‐based sensors/resonators.
Student satisfaction and impact of leadership in private universities
Authors: Arif Seema , Ilyas Maryam , Hameed Abdul
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the differing views of the students studying in private universities in Pakistan about quality and the gap that exists between their expectations and actual experiences from the services provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been conducted in seven private universities of Pakistan using quantitative survey for data collection and data analysis. SPSS has been used to apply exploratory factors technique to identify satisfying and dissatisfying factors in customers of higher education through six service quality indicators (teaching, management, leadership, campus life, academic services and infrastructure).

Findings

The multivariate effects of satisfaction across universities were measured through MANOVA. Discriminant analysis has been the most critical tool used for analysis, as not only could it distinguish between satisfied and dissatisfied students across seven universities, but predicted the strength of the word of mouth and intentions to stay in the university.

Originality/value

A model has been proposed to understand dynamics of student satisfaction and loyalty in private universities of Pakistan. The model suggests that two leading factors, which influence students’ perception of service quality are either related to leadership and effective planning or to management, the actual process of service delivery.
Opportunities or obstacles?
Authors: Azmat Fara
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Applying theories of entrepreneurship, the paper aims to identify the factors – with theoretical explanations – that act as barriers to migrant women entrepreneurs (MWEs), particularly women from developing countries starting businesses in developed economies. The paper further seeks to explore which barriers also have the potential to act as enablers.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between immigration, ethnicity, gender and entrepreneurship has received little theoretical attention. Linking these discourses, the paper theoretically develops a framework of the possible barriers or enablers faced by MWEs.

Findings

The paper reinforces earlier research that MWEs are not a homogeneous group; the problems they face are multifaceted, and MWEs from developing countries are the most disadvantaged of entrepreneurs. It identifies multiple factors – human capital, culture, family, institutional factors, gender and social capital – as possible barriers for MWEs. Findings further indicate that among those barriers, culture, family, social capital and gender have the potential to play a dual role for MWEs, by acting either as a barrier or an enabler. Findings also highlight the overarching and predominant influence of culture – as explained by cultural theory – acting as a barrier for MWEs from developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

This is a theoretical paper. Empirical research is needed to test the framework and its different dimensions. Given the diversity of MWEs and the factors that shape their entrepreneurial endeavours, it is difficult to develop a single framework to encompass the complexity of the situation. Nevertheless, the proposed framework provides useful insights into the barriers or enablers that MWEs face, along with theoretical explanations and, thus, acts as a springboard for future research.

Practical implications

Given the increasing potential of MWEs, the paper provides implications for not only addressing the barriers but also viewing the barriers as ways to promote entrepreneurship among such minority groups. It further stresses a needs‐based approach to customizing policies to benefit the diverse group of MWEs.

Originality/value

By providing a theory‐based framework of the barriers or enablers faced by MWEs, along with policy implications, the paper contributes to a better understanding of the phenomenon of migrant women entrepreneurship.
An empirical investigation of the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance of Egyptian listed companies
Authors: Desoky Abdelmohsen M. , Mousa Gehan A.
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to empirically investigate the influence of ownership concentration and identity on firm performance using a sample of 99 of the most active publicly listed companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX).

Design/methodology/approach

Firm performance of the sampled companies was measured by two different accounting measures, namely return on assets “ROA”, return on equity “ROE”, then the ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis and the two‐stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis were employed.

Findings

OLS and 2SLS regression analyses show that ownership concentration has significant impact on firm performance when measuring by ROE. Regarding ownership identity, OLS regression analyses by both ROA and ROE show that the overall ownership identity has a significant impact on firm performance, as well as particular types of investors such as funds. Further, ownership identity and firm performance (when measured by ROA) had a significant endogeneity problem supporting the use of 2SLS as an effective analysis tool for such investigation.

Research limitations/implications

Findings of such research may not be generalizable to different countries at different stages of development, or with different business environments and cultures. Also, the sampled companies, 99 Egyptian companies, may be a small number which needs to be extended in a future research.

Originality/value

This paper provides an empirical investigation on the association between ownership structure and firm performance in the Egyptian context. It examines the role played by two aspects of ownership structure: the fraction of shares owned by the three largest shareholding interests (ownership concentration) and the fraction of shares owned by different type of shareholders (ownership identity) including seven separate groups of owners.
Was the Great Depression always depressing? Examining diachronic diversity in students’ historical learning
Authors: Palek Dominik
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and characterise students’ historical thinking as they attempt to work simultaneously with two second‐order concepts – change and diversity, to examine student difficulties in so doing and to reflect on the value of certain teaching approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a case study using data gathered from teaching and learning experiences across five history lessons taught to two Year 9 classes.

Findings

“Diachronic diversity” may be a useful characterisation of the distinctive student accomplishment of linking change and diversity in discursive historical analysis. An elaboration of shortfall in the form of “proto‐diachronic diversity” helps to establish the boundaries of that achievement and the possible properties that future curricular goals and assessment might privilege.

Practical implications

History teachers may need to find ways of integrating teaching of change and diversity rather than expecting the two to merge naturally after separate analyses. Possible impediments may include difficulties with language and limitations in students’ existing concept of “change”.

Originality/value

“Diachronic diversity” points to a new curricular category for characterising a particular disciplinary property of student thinking and learning in history lessons.
Ms. Y: a life less ordinary – an interview
Authors: Jones Jackie
Published: June 2013

Purpose

Ms. Y is a MTF (male‐to‐female) woman. The purpose of the interview is to examine the problematics of leading a life that is perceived as different in the workplace and in private.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses common problems faced by transsexuals at work.

Findings

Ms. Y divulges some personal and intimate thoughts, in particular her thoughts about dress codes, difficulties at work and becoming herself.

Originality/value

The interview comments highlight the lack in the pace of change and persistent attitudes towards transsexuals.
Expatriate motivation in religious and humanitarian non‐profit‐organizations
Authors: Oberholster Abraham J. , Clarke Ruth , Bendixen Mike , Dastoor Barbara
Published: June 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this exploratory, empirical study is to identify motivations for expatriation among religious and humanitarian (R&H) workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 158 active expatriate Christian R&H workers from 25 countries, representing 48 international organizations, completed a survey with 45 reasons for expatriation, derived from literature on corporate expatriation, international volunteering, and international migration. Data analysis includes factor analysis and cluster analysis.

Findings

In total, eight latent motivation factors were found: career development; economics; international experience; escapism; altruism; outsider support; family life; and location. Workers in the not‐for‐profit sector are primarily motivated by altruism, and thus integrate organizational mission with personal purpose in their decision to work abroad. Using cluster analysis, four groups of humanitarian and religious workers in the Christian sub‐sector were identified: Caring Missionary; Focused Worker; Self‐Directed Careerist; and International Family Custodian. Workers from developed versus developing countries exhibit different motivators.

Practical implications

The findings provide insight into differences between developed versus developing country workers and between R&H workers. Recognizing the differences in motivation can assist international human resource managers in the effective recruitment, selection, training and development, career management, and support and encouragement of non‐profit organizations (NPO) expatriates. The authors provide propositions to be tested based on the application of self‐determination theory to expatriate motivation.

Originality/value

This exploratory, empirical study of Christian R&H workers extends the organizational and country context and builds on motivation for expatriation research to include this sub‐sector of workers from both developed and developing countries operating in global organizations. The findings provide new insights into motivation for expatriation and lead to propositions for future research.