bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing tourism market potential in a dynamic emerging economy
Authors: Kaynak Erdener , Kara Ali
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Cambodia's tourism sector has increasingly been playing a crucial role and is the key to the country's socio‐economic development. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how value changes in Cambodian society affect development of the tourism industry and to evaluate the events having potential impact on tourism market development.

Design/methodology/approach

The Delphi qualitative forecasting technique has been utilized in a variety of settings as a powerful market research tool. In this empirical study, the Delphi method is utilized to predict the future tourism and hospitality scenarios for Cambodia from 2005 through 2020, as well as their marketing policy implications at regional and national levels. A representative sample of diverse groups of Cambodia tourism and hospitality industry experts were pooled for data collection.

Findings

The study results indicate that experts predict more structural changes will be taking place in the tourism and hospitality industry. An interesting study finding is that most of the tourism and hospitality events will take place in the medium and long‐term horizon. It is predicted that there will not be much change in value orientations of Cambodians, except for significant change in high value of materialism and interactive learning and cultural exchanges.

Practical implications

The research offers implications for tourism researchers, the Cambodian government tourism ministry, as well as tourism industry actors.

Originality/value

The paper offers greater insights into the working of qualitative forecasting in the development of tourism market planning in emerging markets.
Factors affecting credit card use in India
Authors: Khare Arpita , Khare Anshuman , Singh Shveta
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the moderating influence of Multi‐item List of Value (MILOV) on credit card attributes, age, and gender in credit use among Indian customers. The research examines the impact of “lifestyle” variables (convenience, use patterns, and status) on credit card use.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through mall intercept technique in six metropolitan cities of India. A self‐administered questionnaire was distributed to customers visiting the malls.

Findings

Use and convenience emerged as the major determinants of credit card use among Indian customers. Use, convenience, and status attributes were moderated by “sense of belonging” and “sense of fulfilment” dimensions of MILOV. Young customers were likely to use credit cards.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not examine the influence of customer income, occupation, and education on credit card use, as many customers were not willing to disclose the information. These demographic factors can influence customers' perception towards credit card ownership and use.

Practical implications

The findings can be of immense use to international and Indian banks in marketing of credit cards. The convenience attribute can be emphasized to instill confidence among consumers and motivate them to use credit cards.

Originality/value

There is no previous research on Indian credit cards which examines the influence of “lifestyle” and values on its use among Indian customers.
Improving knowledge management processes: a hybrid positive approach
Authors: Pinho Isabel , Rego Arménio , Pina e Cunha Miguel
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to identify and discuss barriers and facilitators to four processes implied in knowledge management (KM; acquisition, creation, sharing, and transfer). Technological, socio‐organizational, and individual barriers and facilitators are considered.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was carried out. Four databases (ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, Emerald, and ProQuest) were used for identifying relevant papers. The search covered the time period between January 1985 and August 2010.

Findings

Factors affecting the four KM processes involve some form of social capital and the interaction between technology and users' needs and activities. In addition to technology and social capital variables, other factors such as leadership, performance‐oriented culture, training and development practices, and T‐shaped skills emerged as relevant for KM processes. The authors conclude that KM thrives in positive organizational contexts and fails when the infrastructure establishing positive contexts is absent.

Originality/value

A hybrid positive approach (adopting the “positive deviance” lens of positive organizational scholarship without neglecting the negative features of organizational life) is adopted. The authors argue that the strategies to fight negative features of organizational life for improving KM processes are potentially different from those seeking to promote positive qualities with the same aim. A fruitful perspective for studying and improving KM processes may be to look for the constructive tension emerging from positive and negative features of organizational life. In short: only by advancing positivity and removing negativity may KM flourish.
Comparing levels of use of project plans and performance of traditional contract and design‐build construction projects in Nigeria
Authors: Idoro Godwin
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The prominent role of traditional contract and design‐build methods in the procurement of projects and the importance of planning in the success of the projects prompt this study. The study evaluates the levels of use of project documents and their influence on the outcome of projects procured by the two methods. The purpose of this paper is to assist stakeholders in comparing the documents prepared and the performance of projects procured by traditional contract and design‐build methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a questionnaire survey approach to achieve its purpose. A field survey of 84 projects made up of 42 traditional contract projects and 42 design‐build projects selected by purposive sampling was conducted. Three categories of variables namely: procurement method, project planning and project outcome were used. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaires and analysed to derive and compare the levels of use of selected project plans, levels of project inception, design, tendering, construction and overall planning in projects procured by traditional contract and design‐build methods using percentage, mean and t‐test.

Findings

The results reveal that the levels of project stage and overall planning in projects procured by the two methods investigated are the same. However, the levels of use of specific plans and project outcome in the two categories of projects are significantly different. The study considers the difference in the levels of use of project plans to be responsible for the lower delivery time and cost of projects procured by traditional contract method and higher quality standards in projects procured by design‐build method.

Originality/value

The paper has revealed the level of efforts put into the planning of projects procured by traditional contract and design‐build methods and their influence on the performance of the projects. The results will make project stakeholders aware of how to improve their efforts, thereby improving the outcome of the projects.
Trading costs around M&A announcements
Authors: Mai Liuqing
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine trading costs of both acquiring firms and target firms differentiated by method of payment, mode of acquisition, and deal attitude around merger and acquisition (M&A) announcements. The author calculates four spread measures of trading costs: quoted spread, percentage quoted spread, effective spread, and percentage effective spread.

Design/methodology/approach

Differences in spreads differentiated by M&A characteristics are calculated and two‐sample t‐tests applied. A linear regression model is developed to test whether changes in trading costs are related to acquiring firm's post‐merger price performance. The regression is estimated by OLS method.

Findings

It is found that various methods of payment affect the spreads of target firm differently on certain days around M&A announcement. For acquiring firms, significant differences are found in spreads between cash offers and stock offers, and between stock offers and mix offers. Significant difference was not found in spreads between cash offers and mix offers. The mode of acquisition affects the bid‐ask spreads of target firms only, but not those of acquiring firms. Deal attitudes affect the spreads of target firms on and after M&A announcements. It was also found that all four spread measures are significantly linked to acquiring firms’ post‐merger daily returns.

Research limitations/implications

Further study can be done on mechanisms through which M&A characteristics impact trading costs.

Practical implications

This study suggests that M&A characteristics affect firms’ spreads and that changes in spreads need to be accounted for in explaining acquiring firms’ post‐merger daily returns.

Originality/value

The paper fills in an important gap in existing literature by examining trading costs of acquiring firms around M&A announcements. It provides additional evidence on the anomaly of acquiring firm's negative post‐merger returns. The paper is intended to help improve the understanding of trading costs and the behavior of the market participants in response to a major corporate event.
A new term‐weighting scheme for naïve Bayes text categorization
Authors: Mendoza Marcelo
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Automatic text categorization has applications in several domains, for example e‐mail spam detection, sexual content filtering, directory maintenance, and focused crawling, among others. Most information retrieval systems contain several components which use text categorization methods. One of the first text categorization methods was designed using a naïve Bayes representation of the text. Currently, a number of variations of naïve Bayes have been discussed. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate naïve Bayes approaches on text categorization introducing new competitive extensions to previous approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on introducing a new Bayesian text categorization method based on an extension of the naïve Bayes approach. Some modifications to document representations are introduced based on the well‐known BM25 text information retrieval method. The performance of the method is compared to several extensions of naïve Bayes using benchmark datasets designed for this purpose. The method is compared also to training‐based methods such as support vector machines and logistic regression.

Findings

The proposed text categorizer outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods without introducing new computational costs. It also achieves performance results very similar to more complex methods based on criterion function optimization as support vector machines or logistic regression.

Practical implications

The proposed method scales well regarding the size of the collection involved. The presented results demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the approach.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a novel naïve Bayes text categorization approach based on the well‐known BM25 information retrieval model, which offers a set of good properties for this problem.
Brand network maps
Authors: Saunders Sarena , Rod Michel
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to augment traditional investigations of consumer‐brand relationships and suggest alternative ways to consider these interactions. Specifically, the paper employs consumer associative networks for the purpose of uncovering how various stakeholders perceive the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand brand subsequent to the implementation of a programme designed to enhance consistency of its brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises semi‐structured interviews in a focus group setting to solicit attitudes, opinions and general feedback regarding a new service concept called the Supporting Independent Living (SIL) Program, recently developed by the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (PGNZ). Results are interpreted utilising community branding and network approaches, such as associative network theory.

Findings

The importance of utilising an associative network approach in investigating brand‐customer relationships is supported. This helps to identify the relationships between firms and their brands and the impact that this has on the brand development of existing, or newly‐created services.

Originality/value

The managerial implications include the suggestion of using a stakeholder approach once the SIL concept is fully operational; particularly focusing on how the brand association information is flowing back to the PGNZ parent brand and how various stakeholders (based on their salience) perceive their relationship with the brand.
Government driven model of institutional change through adoption of new technology
Authors: Li Mingzhi , Reimers Kai
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This paper reflects on the evolution of China's drug distribution industry from the planned economy era to the most recent dramatic shift, with a major focus on the analysis of the government's efforts of centralizing the drug distribution channel through adoption of e‐bidding platforms. In a broader sense, the Chinese government's effort is a showcase of the so‐called “Chinese model” of implementing institutional change: the government initiates a project and counts on its fiat to gain compliance and support from the involved stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the limitations and problems of this mode of implementing institutional change.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical framework draws upon Williamson's theory of the mechanism of governance and insights from new institutional economics on institutional changes. The information used in this study is based on the authors' more than 40 interviews with a variety of pharmaceutical industry stakeholders, including government agencies, hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and electronic bidding platforms providers.

Findings

The failure of implementing third party electronic platforms based drug procurement practices shows the importance of aligning the mode of governing transactions with the macro level institutional environment and the micro level individual behavioral traits, and the government's decision of taking over the ownership of transaction platforms has further corroborated this logic.

Originality/value

This paper is an effort to analyze the logic behind the Chinese model of implementing institutional change: the government initiates a project and counts on its fiat to gain compliance and support from the involved stakeholders. From the academic perspective, this paper contributes to literature on the analysis of the interaction of technology adoption and institutional change.
Research on transition of China's resource cities: a case study of Pingxiang
Authors: Fu Zheng
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the specific challenges with which resource‐based cities are faced when they begin along the path of industrial transformation and to employ empirical studies to determine whether relevant reforms in resource‐based cities (taking Pingxiang, one of the first round of resource‐exhausted cities acting as pilot cities in the national sustainable development transformation program, as an example), promoted by local government in recent years, have brought significant changes to their development modes and facilitated the real transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper carried out some empirical studies from different angles: employing the “vertical table graph” method, to turn Pingxiang's statistical data (1997‐2010) into a graph that visually shows Pingxiang's economic and social development; comparing several major economic and social development indicators (especially the energy consumption per unit of GDP) of 11 cities within Jiangxi Province in order to learn Pingxiang's relative positions; based on time series data from 1997 to 2009, calculating the change rates, the variation coefficients and the shift‐share indexes of industrial structure so as to measure the quality of Pingxiang's structural transformation; comparing the above results with the cities of Jiaozuo, Benxi and Dalian; and comparing economic and social development state of 16 resource‐based cities (which are all among the list of 44 national resource‐exhausted cities) from the perspective of “green GDP”.

Findings

Although Pingxiang has gained great progress in economic development, its industrial structure is not rational enough, and shows great dependence on mining industry with a too high share of the secondary industry and a too small proportion of the tertiary industry. Its heavy dependence on resources and investment does not suggest a fundamental change in development modes. Accordingly, the city's development idea should be switched from GDP‐orientation to sustainable development. It should proceed with the optimization of the industrial structure adjustment, increase manpower capital investment and develop new green substitutable industries, so as to catalyze the success of transition.

Originality/value

This integration of empirical analysis methods from three angles in multivariate statistical analysis, environmental economics, and industrial economics is novel in the field of research on resource‐city and industry change. It not only could be of some help in decision making for Pingxiang municipal government, but also could provide reference for other cities dependent on resource exploitation.
Taiwan's MICE visitors: business, leisure and education dimensions
Authors: Chiang Che‐Chao , King Brian , Nguyen Thu‐Huong
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This study seeks to examine the motivational and socio‐demographic characteristics of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) visitors to Taiwan in order to identify salient market subgroups or segments. The aim is to establish results with relevance to Asian destinations and with some more general applicability.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature and expert input a questionnaire was designed and pretested. Using convenience sampling, data were collected from MICE visitors to Taipei (Taiwan). Principal components, hierarchical cluster, K‐means, chi‐square and ANOVA analyses of the data provide information about MICE visitors and their segments.

Findings

Three motivation‐based MICE segments are identified. Variable values suggest the following segment names – value seekers, no‐value seekers, and education seekers. Significant socio‐demographic differences are found between the segments. Results provide insight into MICE visitor decision making showing the role of business, education and leisure‐related motives. Discussion focuses attention on implications of the results for the development of tourism strategies.

Originality/value

The findings enhance understanding of the motivations of MICE visitors. The information adds to the knowledge that destination marketers can consider in developing a competitive edge. Since Taipei's MICE visitors should be similar to those of Asian competitors, results contribute to a better understanding of MICE business, education and leisure‐related motives and activities in Asia.
Understanding British youth behaviors on holiday in Ibiza
Authors: Briggs Daniel , Turner Tim
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The behavior of British youth abroad has caused considerable concern over recent years. This is because many British youth engage in binge drinking, drug use, sex behavior and other risk behaviors – especially in the Balearics, Spain. While research has documented levels of alcohol use, drug use, risk and sex behaviors on these islands, it tends to rely on survey data. This article aims to offer some contextualization to the British youth holiday experience and to examine why such behaviors might take place.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses ethnographic methods (observation, open‐ended focus groups) with British youth in San Antonio, Ibiza. Over the course of one week in July 2010, 17 focus groups were undertaken (n=97 aged between 17 and 31). Observations were conducted in bars, clubs, beaches, and general tourist areas.

Findings

The data suggest that young people engage in these behaviors not only to escape the constraints of work and family but also because they are exciting. The data also indicate that these behaviors appeared to help British youth construct life biographies which were integral to their identity construction. The findings are also considered within the social context of Ibiza which also played a role in promoting these behaviors.

Originality/value

No ethnographic research exists on the topic of British youth and their behaviors abroad. Previous research is mostly epidemiological survey research which does not adequately consider the social meaning and context for the behavior of British youth abroad.
Developing and animating enterprising individuals and communities
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Socio‐economic decline in rural areas is a pervasive and debilitating phenomenon in terms of regional development, particularly when former models of economic growth which once stimulated business generation and regeneration can no longer be counted on to do so. In these austere times, models of social and community enterprise are becoming more important. This corresponds to the emergence of theories of community‐based entrepreneurship and social enterprise as explanatory variables. Such theories are used to label enterprising behaviour enacted within our communities, even when the theoretical arguments underpinning these re‐conceptualisations require to be stretched to permit this. Often the resultant explanations are not entirely convincing. The purpose of this paper is to challenge existing conceptualisations of community‐based entrepreneurship and social enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study methodology, the paper reports on the activities of the Buchan Development Partnership (BDP) – a community‐based project situated in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland – demonstrating how individual and community enterprise can be utilized to develop enterprising individuals and communities by growing enterprises organically. The case articulates this process, as it occurred in a rural development partnership using a narrative‐based case study methodology to examine activities and growth strategies.

Findings

The case bridges issues of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial process, community and regional development and tells a story of community regeneration through the process of “Community Animateurship”.

Research limitations/implications

Research, practical and social implications are discussed but in particular the need to adopt a more holistic “bottom up” approach.

Originality/value

This case challenges existing conceptualisations of community‐based entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
Practical difficulties encountered in attempting to implement a partnering approach
Authors: Aarseth Wenche , Andersen Bjørn , Ahola Tuomas , Jergeas George
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present practical difficulties in attempting to implement a partnering approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper comprises empirical evidence from case studies in Norway and Canada and an extensive literature review on partnering.

Findings

The authors identified a lack of shared understanding of key partnering concepts, missing initial effort to establish shared ground rules, communication difficulties in inter‐organizational relationships and unclear (perceived) roles and responsibilities. In existing partnering literature, a large number of construction studies have identified conceptual partnering models. However, studies that describe partnering models to take these practical difficulties into account have not been found and the paper develops a practical model that outlines the phases of a typical partnering effort.

Research limitations/implications

Partnering has both a legal/contractual side and a management/collaboration side. This paper looks at the management and collaboration aspects of partnering only.

Practical implications

The paper will be a very useful source of information and advice for project managers who are attempting to implement partnering in projects.

Originality/value

The paper presents organizational challenges and difficulties in attempting to implement partnering and a practical model which takes these difficulties into account.
Supply chain capital in construction industry: coining the term
Authors: Khalfan Malik M.A. , Maqsood Tayyab
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the concept of supply chain capital, which is formed through managing knowledge in supply chains on a long‐term basis.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of a conceptual model describing supply chain capital is achieved through extensive literature review, past research carried out by the authors, and past experiences of the authors within the construction industry.

Findings

The paper develops a conceptual model that provides a link between construction organisations and their learning activities as part of a project supply chain, resulting in creation of a learning organisation and a learning supply chain. The model shows that the learning supply chains consist of learning organisations which would create supply chain capital in order to promote innovation and creativity by managing knowledge in supply chains on a long‐term basis.

Practical implications

In addition to the establishment of the model, the paper suggests that the learning organisations would also establish a virtual knowledge transfer among themselves and the supply chains in which they are involved. The paper also suggests that, as unit of competition changes from organisation verses organisation to chain verses chain under supply chain management, supply chain capital will become increasingly important for sustaining competition within the construction industry. Therefore, supply chain capitals are to be created through managing knowledge in supply chains on a long‐term basis, using the proposed conceptual model. The model also facilitates innovation and creativity, essentially required to thrive in the downturned business environment of today in many countries in different parts of the world.

Originality/value

The paper's authors are the first to come up with the term “supply chain capital” in the research domain and to have developed the conceptual model for the construction industry.
Adjuvant lithium improves the efficacy of radioactive iodine treatment in Graves' and toxic nodular disease
Authors: Martin Niamh M. , Patel Miraj , Nijher Gurjinder M.K. , Misra Shivani , Murphy Elaine , Meeran Karim
Published: March 2012

Context

Lithium increases iodine retention in the thyroid gland and inhibits thyroid hormone release. Although lithium has been reported to improve the efficacy of radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment in Graves' disease, its role as an adjunct to RAI treatment of hyperthyroidism, particularly in toxic nodular disease, remains contentious.

Objective

To assess whether adjuvant lithium increases the efficacy of a fixed dose RAI regimen in Graves' and toxic nodular hyperthyroid patients.

Design and setting

Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral centre. Two hundred and four hyperthyroid patients (163 Graves' disease, 26 toxic multinodular goitre and 15 solitary toxic thyroid adenoma).

Intervention

One hundred and three patients received RAI alone (median dose 558 MBq). One hundred and one patients received RAI (median dose 571 MBq) with adjuvant lithium (800 mg/day for 10 days).

Main outcome measure

Proportion of patients cured at any time over a 1‐year period following RAI treatment. Cure was defined as sustained (two or more sequential time points) biochemical euthyroidism or hypothyroidism during the follow‐up period.

Results

The likelihood of cure at any time was 60% greater in all hyperthyroid patients (Graves' plus toxic nodular disease) receiving adjuvant lithium (n = 204, P = 0·003). In patients with Graves' disease receiving RAI + lithium, there was a similar occurrence in cure (n = 163, P = 0·006). Cure was twice as likely in patients with toxic nodular (non‐Graves') disease receiving RAI + lithium compared with RAI alone (n = 41, P = 0·01).

Conclusions

This study supports the use of adjuvant lithium to improve the efficacy of RAI in the treatment of Grave's disease and suggests a novel role in the management of toxic nodular (non‐Graves') disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is not associated with polymorphisms of the TCF7L2,CDKAL1,HHEX,KCNJ11,FTO and SLC30A8 genes
Authors: Kim Jin Ju , Choi Young Min , Cho Young Min , Hong Min A. , Chae Soo Jin , Hwang Kyu Ri , Hwang Seung Sik , Yoon Sang Ho , Moon Shin Yong
Published: March 2012

Objective

Insulin resistance is a core feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recently, genome‐wide association studies have reported a number of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with reproducible associations and susceptibilities to type 2 diabetes. We examined the potential association between the diabetogenic genes uncovered in the genome‐wide association studies and PCOS in Korean women.

Design

Case–control study.

Patients

Women with or without PCOS.

Measurements

DNA samples from 377 patients with PCOS and 386 age‐matched controls were genotyped.

Results

None of the 12 SNPs in the six genes (KCNJ11, TCF7L2, SLC30A8, HHEX, FTO and CDKAL1) uncovered in the genome‐wide association studies were associated with PCOS. For further analysis, the patients with PCOS were divided into two or three subgroups according to genotype, and the associations between the genotypes and insulin resistance or insulin secretory capacity were assessed. No SNPs were significantly associated with HOMA‐IR, HOMA βcell (%), or 2‐h 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test insulin levels in the patients with PCOS; there were no significant associations with other serum hormonal and metabolic markers, such as androgen or glucose levels.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the six type 2 diabetes–associated genes identified in genome‐wide association studies are not associated with PCOS.
Clinical and genetic analysis of patients with vitamin D‐dependent rickets type 1A
Authors: Durmaz Erdem , Zou Minjing , Al‐Rijjal Roua A. , Bircan İffet , Akçurin Sema , Meyer Brian , Shi Yufei
Published: March 2012

Context

Vitamin D‐dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR‐IA, OMIM 264700) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and is caused by mutations in the CYP27B1 gene.

Objectives

We aim to investigate CYP27B1 mutation in seven patients from four separate families and characterize the genotype–phenotype correlation.

Methods

The entire coding region of the CYP27B1 gene was sequenced, and genotype–phenotype correlation among patients was assessed.

Results

Sequencing analysis identified biallelic CYP27B1 mutations in all patients and monoallelic mutations in their parents. One patient from the first family was compound heterozygous for c.1166G>A (p.Arg389His) and a novel nonsense mutation c.1079 C>A (p.Ser360*). Two patients from the second family were homozygous for a novel splice donor site mutation in intron 1 (c.195 + 2 T>G), causing partial retention of the intron and a shift in the reading frame. Both novel mutations lead to the complete loss of vitamin D1α‐hydroxylase activity. Four patients from families 3 and 4 were homozygous for a previously reported duplication mutation in exon 8 (1319–1325dupCCCACCC, Phe443Profs*24). Interestingly, one patient who was presented with severe hypocalcaemia and seizures at 4 months of age as a result of Phe443Profs*24 has improved spontaneously since 11 years of age and does not need regular treatment. Her laboratory tests showed normal serum calcium and 1,25(OH)2D after refusing to take medication for 12 months.

Conclusions

There is a good genotype–phenotype correlation in VDDR‐IA. However, some patients may recover from the loss of CYP27B1 function, probably due to 1α‐hydroxylase activity exerted by a non‐CYP27B1 enzyme.
Introduction to the special issue: ‘Achieving ecological outcomes’. Why is translational ecology so difficult?
Authors: HARRIS GRAHAM P.
Published: March 2012

1. This short piece introduces papers in a special issue arising from the second Freshwater Biological Association Summit held in Windermere, U.K., in April 2010 on the topic ‘Achieving Ecological Outcomes: aquatic ecological responses to catchment management’.

2. The papers in this special issue highlight a number of uncertainties, knowledge gaps and research needs when translating ecological research into management practice and achieving the desired outcomes.

3. The papers in this special issue span the spectrum from fundamental and theoretical science to community engagement and improved tools for more effective policy development.

4. At present, there is a gap between policy aspirations and realisable outcomes, but these papers identify some general issues and suggest possible new approaches.

5. Some more critical analysis of both scientific shortcomings and policy goals (particularly in densely populated landscapes) is in order. At the very least, we require a more transparent dialogue between science and the broader community about what is possible in desirable time frames.
The expansion of woody riparian vegetation, and subsequent stream restoration, influences the metabolism of prairie streams
Authors: RILEY ALYSSA J. , DODDS WALTER K.
Published: March 2012

1. Tallgrass prairies and their streams are highly endangered ecosystems, and many remaining streams are threatened by the encroachment of woody riparian vegetation. An increase in riparian vegetation converts the naturally open‐canopy prairie streams to closed‐canopy systems. The effects of a change in canopy cover on stream metabolism are unknown.

2. Our goal was to determine the effects of canopy cover on prairie stream metabolism during a 4‐year period in Kings Creek, KS, U.S.A. Metabolic rates from forested reaches were compared to rates in naturally open‐canopy reaches and restoration reaches, the latter having closed canopies in 2006 and 2007 and open canopies in 2008 and 2009. Whole‐stream metabolism was estimated using the two‐station diurnal method. Chlorophyllaconcentrations and mass of filamentous algae were measured after riparian removal to assess potential differences in algal biomass between reaches with open or closed canopies.

3. Metabolic rates were spatially and temporally variable even though the sites were on very similar streams or adjacent to each other within streams. Before riparian vegetation removal, whole‐stream community respiration (CR) and net ecosystem production were greater with greater canopy cover. In the vegetation removal reaches, gross primary production was slightly greater after removal.

4. Chlorophyllaconcentrations were marginally significantly greater in open (naturally open and removal reaches) than in closed canopy and differed significantly between seasons. Filamentous algal biomass was greater in open than in closed‐canopy reaches.

5. Overall, the restoration allowed recovery of some features of open‐canopy prairie streams. Woody expansion apparently increases CR and moves prairie stream metabolism towards a more net heterotrophic state. An increase in canopy cover decreases benthic chlorophyll, decreases dominance of filamentous algae and potentially alters resources available to the stream food web. The results of this study provide insights for land managers and conservationists interested in preserving prairie streams in their native open‐canopy state.
New anticoagulant drugs for treatment of venous thromboembolism and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Tripodi A. , Palareti G.
Published: March 2012

Abstract.  Tripodi A, Palareti G (IRCCS Cà Granda Maggiore Hospital Foundation and Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; S.Orsola‐Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy). New anticoagulant drugs for treatment of venous thromboembolism and stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (Review). J Intern Med 2012; 271: 554–565.

Venous thromboembolism (including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and atrial fibrillation are common conditions in Western countries. The mainstay of treatment and prevention for these diseases is fast‐acting anticoagulant drugs such as heparins and vitamin K antagonists. The use of these drugs is, however, complex and demanding for both patients and physicians. Recently, new antithrombotic drugs that act directly by inhibiting activated coagulation factors such as factor X or thrombin have been developed and investigated in phase III clinical trials. The aim of this article is to review: (i) the need to develop new drugs; (ii) their efficacy/safety as demonstrated in clinical trials; (iii) the need for laboratory monitoring and (iv) the direction towards the use of these new drugs in the real‐life clinical situation.
Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus natural history and conservation
Authors: GARCÍA‐RANGEL Shaenandhoa
Published: March 2012

A wealth of information has been generated for the Andean bear Tremarctos ornatus during the past four decades, and a thorough review of the species' natural history, ecology and conservation is provided here.

The Andean bear is the only remaining bear species in South America. Evolutionarily, it is the youngest of all ursids and the only remnant taxon within the subfamily Tremarctinae. The species is distributed throughout the Andes mountain range from Venezuela to Bolivia, but the limits of its current and past range are uncertain.

The species is polyestrous, capable of delayed implantation and a facultative seasonal breeder. Genetic information is scarce, and species‐specific markers need to be developed for a more appropriate assessment of the genetic structure of wild populations.

Andean bears inhabit a wide variety of habitats across the Andes including different forest types and high‐elevation grasslands. They are omnivorous with a frugivorous/folivorous emphasis that is reflected by adaptations of the typical tremarctine mandible.

Andean bears are vulnerable to extinction due to land conversion and poaching. Efforts have been made to protect them, but threats have not been reduced significantly. Therefore, the species is expected to move faster towards extinction than any other carnivore in the region.
Ghrelin prevents levodopa‐induced inhibition of gastric emptying and increases circulating levodopa in fasted rats
Authors: Wang L. , Murphy N. P. , Stengel A. , Goebel‐Stengel M. , Pierre D. H. St , Maidment N. T. , Taché Y.
Published: March 2012

Background  Levodopa (l‐dopa) is the most commonly used treatment for alleviating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. However, l‐dopa delays gastric emptying, which dampens its absorption. We investigated whether ghrelin prevents l‐dopa action on gastric emptying and enhances circulating l‐dopa in rats.

Methods  Gastric emptying of non‐nutrient methylcellulose/phenol red viscous solution was determined in fasted rats treated with orogastric or intraperitoneal (i.p.) l‐dopa, or intravenous (i.v.) ghrelin 10 min before orogastric l‐dopa. Plasma l‐dopa and dopamine levels were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Plasma acyl ghrelin levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Fos expression in the brain was immunostained after i.v. ghrelin (30 μg kg−1) 10 min before i.p. l‐dopa.

Key Results  Levodopa (5 and 15 mg kg−1) decreased significantly gastric emptying by 32% and 62%, respectively, when administered orally, and by 91% and 83% when injected i.p. Ghrelin (30 or 100 μg kg−1, i.v.) completely prevented l‐dopa’s (15 mg kg−1, orogastrically) inhibitory action on gastric emptying and enhanced plasma l‐dopa and dopamine levels compared with vehicle 15 min after orogastric l‐dopa. Levodopa (5 mg kg−1) did not modify plasma acyl ghrelin levels at 30 min, 1, and 2 h after i.v. injection. Levodopa (15 mg kg−1, i.p.) induced Fos in brain autonomic centers, which was not modified by i.v. ghrelin.

Conclusions & Inferences  Ghrelin counteracts l‐dopa‐induced delayed gastric emptying but not Fos induction in the brain and enhances circulating l‐dopa levels. Potential therapeutic benefits of ghrelin agonists in Parkinson’s disease patients treated with l‐dopa remain to be investigated.
Retinoic acid signalling in gastrointestinal parasite infections: lessons from mouse models
Authors: HURST R. J. M. , ELSE K. J.
Published: March 2012

Retinoic acid or vitamin A is important for an extensive range of biological processes, including immunomodulatory functions, however, its role in gastrointestinal parasite infections is not yet clear. Despite this, parasite infected individuals are often supplemented with vitamin A, given the co‐localised prevalence of parasitic infections and vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of this vitamin on the immune responses to gastrointestinal parasites. Here, we review data regarding the role of retinoic acid signalling in mouse models of intestinal nematode infection, with a view to understanding better the practice of giving vitamin A supplements to worm‐infected people.
Recent macroids on the Kikai‐jima shelf, Central Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Authors: BASSI DAVIDE , IRYU YASUFUMI , HUMBLET MARC , MATSUDA HIROKI , MACHIYAMA HIDEAKI , SASAKI KEIICHI , MATSUDA SHINYA , ARAI KOHSAKU , INOUE TAKAHIKO
Published: March 2012

Sandy and gravelly carbonate sediments found off Kikai‐jima, southern Japan, a coral reef‐related island shelf, represent the northernmost sub‐tropical, carbonate deposits in the Central Ryukyu Islands (Ryukyus). On the Kikai‐jima shelf, at water depths of 61 to 105 m, these sediments are characterized by macroid pavements. Since the abundance of very small and of exceptionally large macroids may indicate specific hydrodynamic controls regarding constraints on growth and taphonomy, the detailed analysis of recent and fossil macroid pavements is meaningful ecologically and environmentally. Macroids, ranging in size from ca 25 to 130 mm in diameter, are spheroidal and sub‐spheroidal in shape and consist mainly of the encrusting foraminifer Acervulina inhaerens and subordinate thin encrusting and lumpy coralline algae. Accessory components include bryozoans, serpulids and, to a lesser extent, encrusting arborescent foraminifera (Homotrema and Miniacina). Low sedimentation rates and occasional movement due to current action are indicated by sizes, shapes and growth‐forms of the studied macroids, the Entobia–Gastrochaenolites–Trypanites–Maeandropolydora ichnocoenosis and the ‘Bioerosion Index’ for coated grains (introduced herein). The deep‐water tidally induced current energy was sufficient to maintain multi‐directional growth (spheroidal shapes) of the larger macroids and to initiate macroid growth using the diverse biogenic remnants as nuclei. The asymmetrical inner arrangement suggests possible periods of stability for the macroids. The residence time of the coated grain in its original environment determines the size and morphology of the macroid and the selection of coating organisms. The composition of the coating community is mainly a consequence of component growth rates in relation to turnover time and residence time. Long‐term studies are needed to assess the spatial and temporal resolution of present‐day encrusting communities across biogeographic provinces and shelf to slope regions.
MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 promote cell proliferation and axial growth in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Lucas Jessica R. , Shaw Sidney L.
Published: March 2012

We investigated the role of the Arabidopsis microtubule associated proteins 65‐1 and 65‐2 (MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2) in the control of axial root growth. Transgenic plants expressing fluorescent fusion proteins from native promoters indicated exactly overlapping accumulation of MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 in the root tip and elongation zone. Nearly identical protein accumulation patterns were observed when MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 were expressed behind a constitutive CaMV 35S promoter, suggesting a level of post‐transcriptional control that restricts these proteins to rapidly growing portions of the root. Co‐expression of MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 fusion proteins showed precise co‐localization to interphase and cytokinetic microtubule arrays. In interphase root tip cells, the fluorescent protein fusions labeled microtubules that were organized into a variety of different array patterns. In the rapidly growing cells of the root elongation zone, we found MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 co‐localized exclusively to the lateral faces of cells that were axially extending. Genetic analysis showed that MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 are coordinately required for proper root elongation. Double map65‐1‐1 map65‐2‐2 mutant roots from dark‐grown plants contained 50% fewer cells per file than wild‐type roots, but we found no evidence that cytokinesis was disrupted. We additionally discovered that cell length was significantly shorter in the mature regions of the root beyond the zone where MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 accumulated. Our data indicate that MAP65‐1 and MAP65‐2 play a critical role in root growth by promoting cell proliferation and axial extension.
Epidermal cell differentiation in cotton mediated by the homeodomain leucine zipper gene, GhHD‐1
Authors: Walford Sally‐Ann , Wu Yingru , Llewellyn Danny J. , Dennis Elizabeth S.
Published: March 2012

Gossypium hirsutum L. (cotton) fibres are specialized trichomes a few centimetres in length that grow from the seed coat. Few genes directly involved in the differentiation of these epidermal cells have been identified. These include GhMYB25‐like and GhMYB25, two related MYB transcription factors that regulate fibre cell initiation and expansion. We have also identified a putative homeodomain leucine zipper (HD‐ZIP) transcription factor, GhHD‐1, expressed in trichomes and early fibres that might play a role in cotton fibre initiation. Here, we characterize GhHD‐1 homoeologues from tetraploid G. hirsutum and show, using reporter constructs and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), that they are expressed predominantly in epidermal tissues during early fibre development, and in other tissues bearing epidermal trichomes. Silencing of GhHD‐1 reduced trichome formation and delayed the timing of fibre initiation. Constitutive overexpression of GhHD‐1 increased the number of fibres initiating on the seed, but did not affect leaf trichomes. Expression of GhHD‐1 in cotton silenced for different fibre MYBs suggest that in ovules it acts downstream of GhMYB25‐like, but is unaffected in GhMYB25‐ or GhMYB109‐silenced plants. Microarray analysis of silencing and overexpression lines of GhHD‐1 indicated that it potentially regulates the levels of ethylene and reactive oxidation species (ROS) through a WRKY transcription factor and calcium‐signalling pathway genes to activate downstream genes necessary for cell expansion and elongation.