bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Segmenting the non‐adopter category in the diffusion of internet banking
Authors: Lee Eun‐Ju , Kwon Kyoung‐Nan , Schumann David W.
Published: September 2005

Purpose

For a new technology‐based product or service at an early stage of diffusion, it is likely that only a small subset of consumers have adopted it. When non‐adopters still comprise the majority of the target populations, describing all non‐adopters as a homogeneous population may be inaccurate and inappropriate. It is important to be able to identify differences, not only between adopters and non‐adopters, but also among non‐adopters, the latter providing a means of identifying the consumer segments likely to be profitable in the future. The first objective of this paper is to demonstrate the appropriateness of further segmenting the non‐adopter category based on motivations (intentions) to adopt internet‐banking by those who are “persistent non‐adopters” and those who are likely “prospective adopters”. The second objective of this paper is to further the understanding of the adoption process of internet banking by examining a range of diffusion factors that affect consumers’ adoption behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies three adopter segments, persistent non‐adopters, prospective adopters, and adopters, in the diffusion of internet banking services based on individuals’ intentions to adopt internet banking and their actual adoption behavior, using the data collected by the Graphic, Visualization, & Usability Center and Georgia Tech Research Corporation. Selective adoption factors (i.e. perceived attribute importance of internet banking, perceived risk, compatibility with existing banking services, and compatibility with the internet and computer technologies) were used to predict individuals’ adoption status through multinomial logit modeling.

Findings

It was found that further segmenting the non‐adopter category revealed meaningful differences between prospective adopters and persistent non‐adopters. This study reflects that the previous research practice of bifurcating adoption categories (adoption versus non‐adoption) is oversimplified. The two qualitatively different segments, prospective adopters and persistent non‐adopters, should not be lumped together in the diffusion of internet banking.

Originality/value

This study provides comparison profiles of the three adopter categories and discusses marketing implications for segmentation.
The Salvation Army
Authors: Howson Keith
Published: September 2005

Purpose

This article seeks to provide insight into internal control principles within a significant non‐profit organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of archival and general literature sources.

Findings

The article provides the background to the development of financial administration of The Salvation Army, chronicling early approaches to fund raising and attitudes to public accountability. It also sets out the early framework for regulating financial management and internal controls on financial matters. It presents a detailed account of a major breakdown in controls. It concludes with a brief summary of key guideline breakdowns.

Originality/value

This paper will be of interest to financial administrators in non‐profit organisations.
A conceptual framework of accounting policy choice under SSAP 20
Authors: Iatridis George , Lael Joseph Nathan
Published: September 2005

Purpose

To provide a framework of accounting policy choice associated with the timing of adoption of the UK Statement of Standard Accounting Practice (SSAP) No. 20, “Foreign Currency Translation”. The conceptual framework describes the accounting policy choices that firms face in a setting that is influenced by: their financial characteristics; the flexible foreign exchange rates; and the stock market response to accounting decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the positive accounting theory context, this paper puts into a framework the motives and choices of UK firms with regard to the adoption or deferment of the adoption of SSAP 20. The paper utilises the theoretical and empirical findings of previous studies to form and substantiate the conceptual framework. Given the UK foreign exchange setting, the framework identifies the initial stage: lack of regulation and flexibility in financial reporting; the intermediate stage: accounting policy choice; and the final stage: accounting choice and policy review.

Findings

There are situations where accounting regulation contrasts with the needs and business objectives of firms and vice‐versa. Thus, firms may delay the adoption up to the point where the increase in political costs can just be tolerated. Overall, the study infers that firms might have chosen to defer the adoption of SSAP 20 until they reach a certain corporate goal, or the adverse impact (if any) of the accounting change on firms' financial numbers is minimal. Thus, the determination of the timing of the adoption is a matter which is subject to the objectives of the managers in association with the market and economic conditions. The paper suggests that the flexibility in financial reporting, which may enhance the scope for income‐smoothing, can be mitigated by the appropriate standardisation of accounting practice.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study encompassed a period when firms and investors were less sophisticated users of financial information. Second, it is difficult to ascertain the decisions that firms would have taken, had the pound appreciated over the period of adoption and had the firms incurred translation losses rather than translation gains.

Originality/value

This paper is useful to accounting standards setters, professional accountants, academics and investors. The study can give the accounting standard‐setting bodies useful information when they prepare a change in the accounting regulation or set an appropriate date for the implementation of an accounting standard. The paper provides significant insight about the behaviour of firms and the associated impacts of financial markets and regulation on the decision‐making process of firms. The framework aims to assist the market and other authorities to reduce information asymmetry and to reinforce the efficiency of the market.
Organisational restructuring and downsizing: issues related to learning, training and employability of survivors
Authors: Carbery Ronan , Garavan Thomas N.
Published: September 2005

Purpose

This article sets out to look at how employees who have survived an organisational downsizing and restructuring process adjust to meet the dynamics of the organisation, develop new skills and competencies, and the extent to which they take on new roles in the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Collects accounts from managers, focusing on exploring the skills and competencies that survivors had to develop, and the attitudes they had to embrace in respect of learning and employment. Explores issues relating to the employability of professional employees and their motivation to learning and willingness to participate in learning that was more tacit and non‐formal in nature.

Findings

Provides information in respect of learning processes and responsibilities. Highlights the onus on individuals to take responsibility for their own learning needs and initiate training and development needs. Suggests that self‐development skills were of particular importance in making the transition.

Research limitations/implications

Generalisabilty of the findings is rendered difficult due to the small sample size and lack of access to archival organisational material.

Originality/value

Addresses a gap in the extant literature on the skill and competency issues that arise from strategic and structural transformation and change, in particular from the perspective of managerial and professional employees. Identifies the risks involved in making individuals responsible for their own learning.
A cystems approach to training and complexity
Authors: Kennedy Bob
Published: September 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the quality profession's fascination with various models to depict complex interactive systems. Building on these and the outcome of a four‐year action research programme, it provides a model which has potential for use by other professions. It has been tailored here to suit training and learning systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The action research was carried out over a four‐year period. It used ethnographic principles and involved immersion in the community and engagement and participation at various levels and sectors. The objective was to discover the applicability of quality principles at community level.

Findings

The outcomes of the research are twofold. First, the Grange excellence model (GEM) provides a framework for all human activity systems. Second, a definition of excellence provides a generic code of practice for all human engagement. Both are applicable to all human activity in pursuit of any goal or objective.

Practical implications

Research outcomes are fractal and generic in nature, allowing them to be applied without limitation to all human activity at individual, interest group, industry or institution level. This paper describes how it might be used in training and learning systems.

Originality/value

The introduction of the term “cystem” provides a new unique concept for profiling human activity. The GEM provides a realistic model of real world human engagement not found in either the European Foundation's Quality Management (EFQM) or Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) models.
Explaining intention to use mobile chat services: moderating effects of gender
Authors: Nysveen Herbjørn , Pedersen Per E. , Thorbjørnsen Helge
Published: September 2005

Purpose

In this article the authors aim to investigate the moderating effects of gender in explaining intention to use mobile chat services.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended adoption model based on the technology acceptance model and theory of reasoned action is applied for pin‐pointing the antecedents of intention to use mobile chat services and for revealing cross‐gender differences. The hypotheses are tested on data from a survey of 684 users of mobile chat services.

Findings

The study results suggest that social norms and intrinsic motives such as enjoyment are important determinants of intention to use among female users, whereas extrinsic motives such as usefulness and – somewhat surprisingly – expressiveness are key drivers among men.

Research limitations/implications

The findings put renewed focus on non‐utilitarian motives and illuminate the role of gender in technology adoption.

Practical implications

The cross‐gender differences observed give several guidelines for mobile service developers and marketers in how to accommodate female versus male users.

Originality/value

The paper provides important and new insights both into mobile services adoption and into gender as an important segmentation variable in marketing.
Analysis of the healthy lifestyle consumer
Authors: Divine Richard L. , Lepisto Lawrence
Published: September 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the healthy lifestyle consumer by examining demographic, personal value and psychographic antecedents.

Design/methodology/approach

A cluster analysis was used to divide consumers into healthy and unhealthy lifestyle segments based on their diet and exercise behavior. A logistic regression analysis was then run on these segments to test the impact of 17 hypothesized antecedents.

Findings

Results indicate that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle tend to be female, older, more educated, place less importance on the value of “excitement”, have a greater tendency to plan ahead and tend to experience less role overload.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation is that the response rate of the mail survey used to collect data was only 28.8 percent. Another limitation was that the specific types of diet and exercise behavior used to classify respondents into clusters did not encompass the full range of diet and exercise options available to all consumers.

Practical implications

The financial impact of the healthy lifestyle consumer on a number of industries is documented. A demographic profile of the healthy lifestyle consumer was obtained which should assist companies seeking to target this segment. The significance of two time‐related psychographic predictors suggests that companies looking to expand the market for healthy products may want to focus on ways of making their products/services more convenient to time‐pressured consumers.

Originality/value

This paper represents one of the first attempts in the marketing literature to study the healthy lifestyle segment.
The evolution of customer loyalty strategy
Authors: Duffy Dennis L.
Published: September 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the methods used by marketers over the past years to develop loyalty among customers. Furthermore, the paper considers the shortcomings of these methods and certain societal and technological changes that have further impacted on the potential effectiveness of these methods in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses his experience working with hundreds of marketers around the world developing, managing, analyzing, measuring and improving customer loyalty strategies and tactics. The author combines these experiences with analysis of certain dynamics in the marketplace that have changed the way marketers must interact with customers. Finally, the author has combined this experience and analysis to formulate a point of view about the impact on marketing strategies in the future.

Findings

Many of the past efforts used by marketers to develop customer loyalty have been ineffective because they have been based on tactics used in the airline industry. These shortcomings will become greater in the future unless marketers change their ways. Corporate scandals have eroded the trust that customers have in marketers and, therefore, marketing efforts must be more genuine and easily understood or customers will react skeptically. Concerns about privacy and identity theft have heightened concerns among customers and made them more wary and, therefore, less willing to openly share information and engage in a relationship with a brand unless there appear to be genuine value and behavior by the company that engender trust and faith.

Practical implications

Marketers must step back and make absolutely certain that their efforts are based on customer needs and desires and do more to enhance customer trust than to erode it. Marketing strategies and programs must be believable. One of the most important components of customer relationships moving forward will be the development of trust that further enhances the customers' willingness to interact with certain brands and companies.

Originality/value

There is a great deal of talk in the marketplace about customer relationships. This paper seeks to bring the dialogue down to earth and incorporate the customer's point of view rather than just the theoretical marketing point of view. This paper suggests that marketers should work harder and work smarter to be sure that their programs are worthwhile to customers.
Typologies of e‐commerce retail failures and recovery strategies
Authors: Forbes Lukas P. , Kelley Scott W. , Hoffman K. Douglas
Published: September 2005

Purpose

The authors propose focusing on e‐commerce service failure and recovery through the presentation of failure and recovery strategies employed by e‐commerce service firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the critical incident technique using 377 customer responses to present ten e‐tail failures and 11 e‐tail recovery strategies used by e‐commerce service firms. The authors also present data on post‐recovery satisfaction levels and propensity to switch behavior.

Findings

Findings indicate that: e‐tail customers experience different types of service failure relative to traditional retail settings; e‐tail firms employ a different series of recovery strategies relative to traditional retail settings; and post‐recovery switching by e‐tail customers can be high even with satisfying experiences.

Originality/value

This paper strengthens the existing failure and recovery literature by presenting data on the largest growing sector of the service industry. These findings will have value to traditional firms looking to expand to e‐commerce channels in addition to e‐commerce firms currently experiencing customer dissatisfaction.
Antecedents and outcomes of service recovery performance in a public health‐care environment
Authors: Ashill Nicholas J. , Carruthers Janet , Krisjanous Jayne
Published: September 2005

Purpose

This paper proposes investigating a model of service recovery performance in a public health‐care setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Frontline hospital staff (administrative and nursing staff) representing a range of out‐patient departments/clinics in a New Zealand inner‐city public hospital completed a self‐administered questionnaire on organizational variables affecting their service recovery efforts, job satisfaction and intention to resign. Data obtained from the hospital were analyzed using the SEM‐based partial least squares (PLS) methodology.

Findings

The results show significant relationships between perceived managerial attitudes, work environment perceptions, service recovery performance and outcomes variables.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study are noted including the generalizability of the findings within a public health‐care environment. Suggestions for future research include an examination of other variables potentially important in service recovery efforts. A patient perspective would also be valuable.

Practical implications

The research advances understanding of frontline service recovery performance in a health‐care setting and the findings indicate that health‐care managers can take actions on a number of fronts to assist progress toward the achievement of frontline service recovery excellence.

Originality/value

Very little attention has been given to understanding the antecedents and outcomes of service recovery performance in the health‐care literature. By expanding earlier research in private sector industries, the study investigates a model of service recovery performance in a public health‐care setting.
Crisis management and services marketing
Authors: Elliott Dominic , Harris Kim , Baron Steve
Published: September 2005

Purpose

Proposes exploring the opportunities for reciprocal learning between the fields of crisis management and services marketing, and stimulating research on crises experienced by service organisations through the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, an overview and summary are given of a crisis management approach by organisations, in order to demonstrate the contrast between the research perspectives adopted in the fields of crisis management and services marketing. To demonstrate the potential for reciprocal learning, a key construct from each field is identified and its potential contribution to learning in the other field is critically evaluated.

Findings

The comparison between the approaches of crisis management and services marketing highlights that a concentration, in services marketing, on service failures and recoveries at individual service encounters draws attention away from the “bigger picture” and the multiple stakeholder roles that may trigger a crisis and, while a crisis management approach acknowledges customers as key stakeholders in a crisis, it fails to give enough attention to the roles adopted by customers in service organisations, especially through customer participation in service production.

Research limitations/implications

The selection of one construct from each field is a limitation in itself, and the suggestions for further research are not exhaustive. The paper should stimulate new direction in services research.

Practical implications

The interdisciplinary approach has provided implications for both services marketers and crisis managers.

Originality/value

The paper is breaking new ground by linking the disciplines of services marketing and crisis management as a means of furthering an understanding of crises experienced by service organisations.
Blending services and crises: a few questions and observations
Authors: Martin Charles L.
Published: September 2005

Purpose

Proposes stimulating future thought and research among service scholars and practicing service marketers as to the relevance of crises and crisis management issues in the service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This article offers the author's perspective of the issues discussed. Eight crisis‐related questions are raised and discussed, with insights from various business leaders also woven into the discussion.

Findings

Several themes are addressed, including: crisis‐related issues (including crisis management) should be of particular interest to service organizations; although crises may be linked to specific dates or events, their occurrence is not necessarily random and unpredictable; a proactive approach to crisis management is called for; some organizations (e.g. small and powerless firms) may be more crisis‐prone than others; the term “crisis” means different things to different people and is used in both negative and positive contexts; and when organizations are interconnected with partners or constituencies, it is not always clear who “owns” a crisis – the organization or those affected by it.

Practical implications

To enhance service recovery efforts and ensure service continuity, the article promises to help practicing managers and service providers better understand the nature of crises and how crises might be effectively dealt with in their respective organizations.

Originality/value

The article takes a fresh look at the issues, highlights their particular relevance in the service sector, and includes the perspectives of numerous well‐known business leaders from around the world.
Conceptualizing strategic issues in information technology outsourcing
Authors: Pati Niranjan , Desai Mayur S.
Published: September 2005

Purpose

It is posited that information technology (IT) outsourcing unfolds a complex relationship that has the propensity to start with a bang and end in a whimper unless the strategic parameters are identified at the outset. The paper is intended to beacon flash areas open to scholarly research in this relatively nascent area.

Design/methodology/approach

The key to long‐term success is the mutually beneficial partnership of the client and the provider. This paper identifies such relationships based on a framework that can lead to strategic success of the outsourcing engagements. The paper develops a set of propositions to build a deeper understanding of the processes that underlie IT outsourcing as a strategic and sustainable enterprise‐wide initiative to further an organization's performance in the competitive market place.

Findings

Outsourcing of IT is emerging as a potent business strategy. The statistics compiled by the IT industry watch‐dogs point only to one direction – outsourcing will grow unabated in the foreseeable future. However, their data also reveal a staggering failure rate of outsourcing engagements. The failure may be partly attributed to a lack of formal research available to decision makers contemplating the possibility of outsourcing. The literature review corroborates that there is very little scholarly research available to guide decisions in the pre‐outsourcing phase. This paper suggests a research framework that would fill a void in understanding the relationships among the firm's internal capabilities, the type of engagement, and strategic business values. Understanding of these strategic relationships is vital before an organization decides to outsource, as the decision domain has shifted primarily from cost cutting to engagement of a strategic nature. The outsourcing decision of IT should be considered strategic as the relationship and the knowledge gained during the engagement can be translated into tangible and intangible business values for the organization. An interesting extension of the proposed research would be to investigate the conditions that underlie acceptance of an engagement by the vendor. The proposed research also has the potential to extend to the post‐engagement phase of the outsourcing in terms of identifying the conditions for strategically focused relationship management.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework and identifies propositions to delve deeper into the understanding and underpinnings of IT outsourcing as a strategic process by studying a majority of research available on the topic.
Engendering an innovative culture and maintaining operational balance
Authors: Hyland Paul , Beckett Ron
Published: September 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to identify key elements of innovative culture using innovation audit tools. The research seeks to determine if factors such as the ability to collaborate are important in building a culture that supports innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Many firms are continually scanning the environment for sources of ideas for product or service innovations. to realise benefits from these practices, organisations need a culture that supports collaborations and a systematic approach to man
work and uses the two cases studies to highlight some of the benefits of collaboration.

Findings

The key role of leadership in the two cases is noted, however not all aspects of innovation culture are considered in these case studies and further research needs to consider different forms of ownership and governance. Collaboration supported by creative leadership can give small firms a competitive innovative edge, small businesses seeking to be innovative need to understand the importance of leadership and collaboration. Innovative organisations require a set of competences and capacities that enable them to win new business, these may be located within the organisation or they can be accessed externally.

Research limitations/implications

This research considers two case studies and provides examples of characteristics of innovation cultures but the findings may not be generalisable to a wider population.

Originality/value

The values that create an organisational culture and supports and encourages innovation needs to be embedded in the organisation.
Apportionment in property valuation: should we separate the inseparable?
Authors: Hendriks Dave
Published: September 2005

Purpose

Property valuers are often asked to allocate portions of the market value of a property to parts of the subject property. This paper aims to illustrate that the market value of a property cannot be divided into a market value for the land and a market value for the improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Apportionment methods that exist in practice are briefly addressed and shortcomings are identified. Also theory that was developed for valuation and apportionment purposes is discussed and evaluated. From a combination of theory and practice conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made.

Findings

The combination of theory and practice show that the existing apportionment methods are unreliable tools for property analysis. Some suggestions are made concerning tools that might replace apportionment in property analysis.

Practical implications

Apportionment plays an important role in property investment and finance decisions. Due to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) apportionment will have a strong role to play in financial reporting and through this it will influence management and investment decisions indirectly. This paper shows that apportionment methods are not reliable and that important decisions should not be based on results from apportionment methods. Valuers should no longer supply these apportionments unless the client fully understands the shortcomings of the method used. On the other hand, clients, their advisors and auditors should no longer ask for value apportionments, as there are far more reliable alternatives.

Originality/value

The property profession has been struggling with apportionment theory for years. At this time IFRS introduces a strong need for value apportionment. Therefore, this is the time for the property profession to thoroughly investigate the shortcomings of existing apportionment methods and to come up with alternatives. This paper is an attempt to do just that.
FIRST RECORD OF NANNOCHLOROPSIS LIMNETICA (EUSTIGMATOPHYCEAE) IN THE AUTOTROPHIC PICOPLANKTON FROM LAKE BAIKAL1
Authors: Fietz Susanne , Bleiß Wilfrid , Hepperle Dominik , Koppitz Heike , Krienitz Lothar , Nicklisch Andreas
Published: August 2005

Three new strains of eukaryotic picoplankton, isolated from Lake Baikal, were identified as Nannochloropsis limnetica Krienitz, Hepperle, Stich & Weiler. To date, N. limnetica had only been detected in small German and North American inland water bodies. On determination of the 18S rDNA sequence, the three new strains were found to be identical to each other and to the type strain KR 1998/3 (GenBank accession no. AF251496). Rapid analysis of polymorphic DNA–PCR revealed that the genotypes were different, although the Baikalian eustigmatophycean strains were more similar to each other compared with the type strain KR 1998/3 from Germany. Ecophysiological differences were also evident between the new strains from Lake Baikal and the type strain from growth rate determinations. The morphological characteristics were similar to that of a previous description of the species. However, although the cells of Eustigmatophyceae usually propagate by autosporulation, in these newly detected species germination of single daughter cells from thick‐walled cells was observed for the first time. Based on pigment analysis, the occurrence of Eustigmatophyceae in Lake Baikal was estimated. Eustigmatophyceae were established to be common members of the phytoplankton community of this large oligotrophic Siberian lake and occurred throughout the year, even under the ice cover during winter. Moreover, they peaked during early summer and in the South Basin. Hence, the widely accepted opinion that Chlorophyceae solely comprise the eukaryotic picoplankton should be changed and the Eustigmatophyceae considered.
GENETIC ISOLATION BETWEEN THREE CLOSELY RELATED TAXA:FUCUS VESICULOSUS, F. SPIRALIS, ANDF. CERANOIDES(PHAOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Billard Emmanuelle , Daguin Claire , Pearson Gareth , Serrão Ester , Engel Carolyn , Valero Myriam
Published: August 2005

All traditional markers, both phenotypic and phylogenetic, have failed to discriminate between the taxa composing theFucus vesiculosusL.,F. spiralisL., andF. ceranoidesL. species complex, particularly in Brittany (France), so we used five microsatellite markers to compare the allelic frequencies of populations of the three taxa in this region. The aim of this study was to assess whether the different populations were grouped according to their geographical location, their habitat (open coast versus estuary), or theira prioritaxonomic assignment. Species‐specific alleles were identified at one locus, demonstrating the utility of microsatellite markers for recognizing the three taxa in Brittany. Moreover, our results clearly support the separation ofF.vesiculosus,F. spiralis, andF. ceranoidesinto distinct species, independently of geography. We also identified genetic differentiation between estuarine and coastal populations ofF. vesiculosus.
The role of proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of heartburn during pregnancy
Authors: Christopher Leslie A.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To review the problem of heartburn in gravid women, discuss the present treatment options, and examine the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as one of the treatment options for moderate to severe heartburn.

Data sources

Extensive review of worldwide scientific literature on the use and safety of PPIs during pregnancy and heartburn during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Preliminary information indicates that use of PPIs during pregnancy is safe for both the fetus and the woman and that obstetrical practitioners are using them more frequently. Randomized controlled trials are needed to examine the efficacy of PPIs to treat heartburn during pregnancy, especially as they are compared to histamine2 receptor antagonists.

Implications for practice

Heartburn during pregnancy is at risk for being undertreated, given that delivery is the cure. As PPIs are more widely used by women, questions will arise regarding their use in the first trimester as well as throughout pregnancy. This article brings nurse practitioners up to date on the safety of PPIs through the literature review and suggests various treatment options that can be discussed with the patient.
Development and psychometric testing of the EverCare Nurse Practitioner Role and Activity Scale (ENPRAS)
Authors: Abdallah Lisa , Fawcett Jacqueline , Kane Robert L. , Dick Karen , Chen Jie
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To develop and test an instrument measuring the frequency of the performance of role activities by EverCare nurse practitioners (NPs), who provide primary care to nursing home residents.

Data sources

One hundred thirty‐one EverCare Nurse Practitioner Role and Activity Scale (ENPRAS) activities were identified through telephone interviews (n= 11), participant observation (n= 5), and a focus group (n= 4).

Conclusions

Two content validity tests (n= 11; n= 15) (Content Validity Index ≥ .78 for all retained items) and internal consistency reliability testing (n= 127; Cronbach's alpha = .78–.96) yielded 99 activities arranged in six role subscales—Collaborator, Clinician, Care Manager/Coordinator, Counselor, Communicator/Cheerleader, and Coach/Educator.

Implications for practice

The ENPRAS can be used to measure similarities and differences in NP practice activities performed by EverCare NPs working at different EverCare program sites and to compare practice activities performed by EverCare NPs and other NPs. The EverCare program is sponsored by United Health Care, which leads the field in collaborative NP/MD primary care in nursing homes. Future studies should be directed toward testing the generalizability of the ENPRAS with NPs working in other collaborative models, as well as NPs in noncollaborative models of care delivery in the long‐term care setting.
How does information about sleeping arrangements contribute to nurse practitioners’ assessment of development?
Authors: Middlemiss Wendy
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To explore how information about children's sleeping arrangements contributes to nurse practitioners’ (NPs) assessment of children's developmental progress at toddlerhood.

Data sources

Selected research articles and a survey of NPs’ assessments of development for toddlers engaged in solitary and shared sleeping arrangements.

Conclusions

Research does not provide definitive information regarding the connection between children's engagement in different sleeping arrangements and children's development. In this study, information about how sleeping arrangements played a role in NPs’ ratings of toddlers’ current and predicted social development and autonomy, but not toddlers’ language skills, is presented. NPs’ ratings of the development of boys who engaged in shared sleeping arrangements suggested that NPs’ viewed this sleeping arrangement as a risk factor for both social development and autonomy. Shared sleeping arrangements for girls were not identified as a risk factor, with some analyses suggesting that shared sleep may have a positive impact on girls’ social development.

Implications for practice

Assessing children's developmental progress is one task completed by Family and Pediatric NPs. NPs gather information across many sources in making these developmental assessments. Type of sleeping arrangement can be one of these sources as it has been connected to children's developmental progress. However, information available in the literature is inconclusive and often contradictory in regard to how sleeping arrangements impact development. To help clarify how NPs currently use information concerning sleeping arrangements to assess developmental progress, this report describes how sleeping arrangements influenced ratings of 18‐month‐old toddlers’ current and later predicted levels of development. This information can help NPs develop strategies for assessing development in light of information regarding sleep arrangements.
Estradiol Stabilizes p53 Protein in Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF–7
Authors: Okumura Naoki , Saji Shigehira , Eguchi Hidetaka , Hayashi Shin‐ichi , Saji Shigetoyo , Nakashima Shigeru
Published: September 2005

Overexpression of the oncoprotein MDM2, an important regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, is often observed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, particularly in those which express estrogen receptor a (ERa). In MCF–7 breast cancer cell line possessing wild‐type p53, ERa, and overexpressing MDM2, p53 accumulation was stimulated by 17β‐estradiol (E2) in a concentrationdependent manner. On the other hand, E2 caused no change of the expression of p53 mRNA, indicating that E2 affects p53 at the post‐transcriptional level. To analyze the mechanism of p53 accumulation by E2, the stability of p53, ERa and MDM2 proteins was analyzed in the presence of cycloheximide under an E2–supplemented or‐depleted condition. E2 significantly extended the half‐life of p53 protein, but shortened that of ERa in MCF–7 cells. E2 significantly decreased the stability of p90(MDM2) and p60(MDM2) in MCF–7. Interestingly, E2 increased the ratio p60(MDM2)/p90(MDM2) inversely proportionally to the degradation of p53. These results suggest that the ratio of the two MDM2 proteins, p90(MDM2) and p60(MDM2), may affect the accumulation of wild‐type p53 protein in response to E2.
Induction of Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines by Emodin
Authors: Jing Xubin , Ueki Noboru , Cheng Jidong , Imanishi Hiroyasu , Hada Toshikazu
Published: September 2005

Previous experiments have shown that emodin is highly active in suppressing the proliferation of several tumor cell lines. However, it is not clear that emodin can induce growth inhibition of hepatoma cells. We have found that emodin induces apoptotic responses in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HCC) Mahlavu, PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2. The addition of emodin to these three cell lines led to inhibition of growth in a time‐and dose‐dependent manner. Emodin generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells which brought about a reduction of the intracellular mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), followed by the activation of caspase–9 and caspase–3, leading to DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate that ROS and the resulting oxidative stress play a pivotal role in apoptosis. Preincubation of hepatoma cell lines with the hydrogen peroxide‐scavenging enzyme, catalase (CAT) and cyclosporin A (CsA), partially inhibited apoptosis. These results demonstrate that enhancement of generation of ROS, ΔΨmdisruption and caspase activation may be involved in the apoptotic pathway induced by emodin.
ETS transcription factors: Possible targets for cancer therapy
Authors: Oikawa Tsuneyuki
Published: August 2005

Ets family (ETS) transcription factors, characterized by an evolutionally conserved Ets domain, play important roles in cell development, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis and tissue remodeling. Most of them are downstream nuclear targets of Ras‐MAP kinase signaling, and the deregulation of ETS genes results in the malignant transformation of cells. Several ETS genes are rearranged in human leukemia and Ewing tumors to produce chimeric oncoproteins. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of several ETS genes is often observed in various types of human malignant tumors. Considering that some ETS transcription factors are involved in malignant transformation and tumor progression, including invasion, metastasis and neo‐angiogenesis through the activation of cancer‐related genes, they could be potential molecular targets for selective cancer therapy.
Detection of a mouse OGG1 fragment during caspase‐dependent apoptosis: Oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis
Authors: Hirano Takeshi , Kawai Kazuaki , Ootsuyama Yuko , Orimo Hiroshi , Kasai Hiroshi
Published: August 2005

We investigated the expression of mouse 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (mOGG1) in mouse non‐parenchymal hepatocytes (NCTC) during etoposide‐ or mitomycin C (MMC‐induced apoptosis. We observed mOGG1 fragmentation in apoptotic cells. The apoptosis accompanying the fragmentation of mOGG1 was caspase‐dependent. The mOGG1 fragment existed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of the etoposide‐treated NCTC, indicating that the mOGG1 fragment could be transferred into the nucleus. In addition, 8‐hydroxyguanine (8‐OH‐Gua, 7,8‐dihydro‐8‐oxoguanine) accumulated in the DNA of NCTC treated with etoposide, suggesting that the mOGG1 fragment might not function as a normal repair enzyme in etoposide‐treated NCTC. Although we have not clarified in detail the mechanism and the significance of the mOGG1 fragmentation, further study of the fragmentation of DNA repair enzymes might provide insights into the relationship between oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis.
Alterations of the p16INK4a/p14ARF pathway in clear cell sarcoma
Authors: Takahira Tomonari , Oda Yoshinao , Tamiya Sadafumi , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Kawaguchi Kenichi , Kobayashi Chikashi , Iwamoto Yukihide , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi
Published: August 2005

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a very rare soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis. It has become apparent through immunohis‐tochemical, ultrastructural, and microarray analyses that CCS is a soft tissue melanocytic neoplasm. Alterations in the p16INK4a/ p14ARF gene are common in malignant melanoma, which is the prototypical melanocytic neoplasm. In the present study, we performed a clinicopathologic analysis and investigated p16 and cy‐clin D1 expression by immunohistochemistry in 14 cases. Furthermore, we investigated genetic changes of various tumor suppressor genes and an oncogene, including p16INK4a/p14ARF, p53, (‐catenin, and APC, in 11 cases. The 5‐year overall survival rate in all the patients was 33.3%. A high mitotic rate was a significant adverse prognostic factor (P=0.004). Decreased expression of p16 was observed in 4 (28.6%) of 14 cases. Overexpression of cyclin D1 was observed in 9 cases (64.3%). SSCP analysis followed by DNA direct sequencing revealed point mutations of the p16INK4a gene in 2 of 11 cases (18.2%). In addition, one case with the p14ARF mutation and 2 cases with the p53 mutation were observed. None of the cases harbored mutation of the (‐catenin or APC gene. Homozygous deletion of the p1ffNK4a/p14ARF gene was detected in one case. Methylation‐specific PCR did not reveal hy‐permethylation of the p16INK4a/p14ARF promoter region in any of the cases. Three cases harbored genetic alterations of the pl6INK4a/ p14ARF gene (27.3%). All tumors with genetic alterations of the p16INK4a/p14ARF or p53 gene showed a high mitotic rate or tumor necrosis. These alterations were considered to be influential in the poor prognosis of CCS patients.
Dominant‐negative Stat5 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in T47D‐derived tumors in nude mice
Authors: Yamashita Hiroko , Nishio Mariko , Fujii Yoshitaka , Iwase Hirotaka
Published: August 2005

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (StatS) regulates growth, differentiation, and survival of mammary and hematopoietic cells. The role of Stat5 in breast cancer has not been established, although Stat5 is critical for some hematopoietic maignancies. In this study, we have analyzed the role of Stat5 in progression of the estrogen receptor‐positive T47D human breast cancer cell line, in which Stat5b is constitutively activated. Expression of Stat5‐regulated genes, such as cyclin D1 and bcl‐xL, was strongly suppressed in T47D cells infected with the dominant‐negative Stat5 adenovirus, AdStat5aA740. We also determined the phenotypic effects of introduction of dominant‐negative Stat5 on T47D‐derived tumors in nude mice. Tumors injected with AdStat5aA740 showed a 60% reduction in size, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis. Our results indicate the possibility of using dominant‐negative Stat5 to induce apoptosis in certain Stat5‐activated breast cancers.
Involvement of cell cycle regulatory proteins and MAP kinase signaling pathway in growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest by a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, etodolac, in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Cheng Jidong , Imanishi Hiroyasu , Liu Weidong , Nakamura Hideji , Morisaki Takayuki , Higashino Kazuya , Hada Toshikazu
Published: August 2005

Recent studies have shown that selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors induce growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. However, the mechanism by which COX‐2 inhibitors regulate the cell cycle and whether or not growth signal pathways are involved in the growth inhibition remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest by etodolac, a selective COX‐2 inhibitor, in HCC cell lines, HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5, by studying cell cycle regulatory proteins, and the MAP kinase and PDK1‐PKB/AKT signaling pathways. Etodolac inhibited growth and PCNA expression and induced cell cycle arrest in both HCC cell lines. Etodolac induced p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1 expression and inhibited CDK2, CDK4, CDC2, cyclin A and cyclin B1 expression, but did not affect cyclin D1 or cyclin E. HGF and 10% FBS induced ERK phosphorylation, but phosphorylation of p38, JNK and AKT was down‐regulated by etodolac. PD98059, a selective inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation, induced growth inhibition, the expression of p27Kip1 and cell cycle arrest. In conclusion, p21WAF1/Cip1 p27Kip1, CDK2, CDK4, CDC2, cyclin A, cyclin B1 and the MAP kinase signaling pathway are involved in growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest by a selective COX‐2 inhibitor in HCC cell lines.
Bowel movement frequency, medical history and the risk of gallbladder cancer death: A cohort study in Japan
Authors: Yagyu Kiyoko , Lin Yingsong , Obata Yuki , Kikuchi Shogo , Ishibashi Teruo , Kurosawa Michiko , Inaba Yutaka , Tamakoshi Akiko ,   The JACC Study Group
Published: August 2005

Few risk factors for gallbladder cancer have been identified with sufficient statistical power, because this cancer is rare. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association of bowel movement frequency and medical history with the risk of death from gallbladder cancer using the data set from a large‐scale cohort study. A total of 113,394 participants (42.0% males), aged 40 to 89 years, were followed up for 11 years. Information on the medical history of selected diseases, history of blood transfusions, frequency of stools, and tendency toward diarrhea at baseline was collected through a self‐administered questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR). During the follow‐up period, a total of 116 deaths (46 males, 70 females) from gallbladder cancer were identified. After adjustments for age and gender, history of hepatic disease (HR: 2.28; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.24–4.21), frequency of stool, and tendency toward diarrhea (HR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.08‐0.83) were found to be significantly associated with the risk of death from gallbladder cancer. Compared with those who had a stool at least once a day, the HR was 2.06 (95% Cl: 0.82–5.18) for those who had a stool less than once in 6 days (P for trend=0.050). In this prospective study, constipation and a history of hepatic disease were found to elevate the risk of gallbladder cancer death, whereas a tendency toward diarrhea diminished it.