bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N-terminal Inactivation Domains of β Subunits Are Protected from Trypsin Digestion by Binding within the Antechamber of BK Channels
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zeng Xu-Hui , Xia Xiao-Ming , Lingle Christopher J.
Published: February 2009

N termini of auxiliary β subunits that produce inactivation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels reach their pore-blocking position by first passing through side portals into an antechamber separating the BK pore module and the large C-terminal cytosolic domain. Previous work indicated that the β2 subunit inactivation domain is protected from digestion by trypsin when bound in the inactivated conformation. Other results suggest that, even when channels are closed, an inactivation domain can also be protected from digestion by trypsin when bound within the antechamber. Here, we provide additional tests of this model and examine its applicability to other β subunit N termini. First, we show that specific mutations in the β2 inactivation segment can speed up digestion by trypsin under closed-channel conditions, supporting the idea that the β2 N terminus is protected by binding within the antechamber. Second, we show that cytosolic channel blockers distinguish between protection mediated by inactivation and protection under closed-channel conditions, implicating two distinct sites of protection. Together, these results confirm the idea that β2 N termini can occupy the BK channel antechamber by interaction at some site distinct from the BK central cavity. In contrast, the β3a N terminus is digested over 10-fold more quickly than the β2 N terminus. Analysis of factors that contribute to differences in digestion rates suggests that binding of an N terminus within the antechamber constrains the trypsin accessibility of digestible basic residues, even when such residues are positioned outside the antechamber. Our analysis indicates that up to two N termini may simultaneously be protected from digestion. These results indicate that inactivation domains have sites of binding in addition to those directly involved in inactivation.
Disruption of the IS6-AID Linker Affects Voltage-gated Calcium Channel Inactivation and Facilitation
Authors: Findeisen Felix , Minor Daniel L.
Published: February 2009

Two processes dominate voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV) inactivation: voltage-dependent inactivation (VDI) and calcium-dependent inactivation (CDI). The CaVβ/CaVα1-I-II loop and Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)/CaVα1–C-terminal tail complexes have been shown to modulate each, respectively. Nevertheless, how each complex couples to the pore and whether each affects inactivation independently have remained unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that the IS6–α-interaction domain (AID) linker provides a rigid connection between the pore and CaVβ/I-II loop complex by showing that IS6-AID linker polyglycine mutations accelerate CaV1.2 (L-type) and CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) VDI. Remarkably, mutations that either break the rigid IS6-AID linker connection or disrupt CaVβ/I-II association sharply decelerate CDI and reduce a second Ca2+/CaM/CaVα1–C-terminal–mediated process known as calcium-dependent facilitation. Collectively, the data strongly suggest that components traditionally associated solely with VDI, CaVβ and the IS6-AID linker, are essential for calcium-dependent modulation, and that both CaVβ-dependent and CaM-dependent components couple to the pore by a common mechanism requiring CaVβ and an intact IS6-AID linker.
Two Time-Series Analyses of the Impact of Antibiotic Consumption and Alcohol-Based Hand Disinfection on the Incidences of Nosocomial Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusInfection andClostridium difficileInfection
Authors: Kaier Klaus , Hagist Christian , Frank Uwe , Conrad Andreas , Meyer Elisabeth
Published: February 2009

Objective.

To determine the impact of antibiotic consumption and alcohol-based hand disinfection on the incidences of nosocomial methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection andClostridium difficileinfection (CDI).

Methods.

Two multivariate time-series analyses were performed that used as dependent variables the monthly incidences of nosocomial MRSA infection and CDI at the Freiburg University Medical Center during the period January 2003 through October 2007. The volume of alcohol-based hand rub solution used per month was quantified in liters per 1,000 patient-days. Antibiotic consumption was calculated in terms of the number of defined daily doses per 1,000 patient-days per month.

Results.

The use of alcohol-based hand rub was found to have a significant impact on the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infection (P<.001). The multivariate analysis (R2= 0.66) showed that a higher volume of use of alcohol-based hand rub was associated with a lower incidence of nosocomial MRSA infection. Conversely, a higher level of consumption of selected antimicrobial agents was associated with a higher incidence of nosocomial MRSA infection. This analysis showed this relationship was the same for the use of second-generation cephalosporins (P= .023), third-generation cephalosporins (P= .05), fluoroquinolones (P= .01), and lincosamides (P= .05). The multivariate analysis (R2= 0.55) showed that a higher level of consumption of third-generation cephalosporins (P= .008), fluoroquinolones (P= .084), and/or macrolides (P= .007) was associated with a higher incidence of CDI. A correlation with use of alcohol-based hand rub was not detected.

Conclusion.

In 2 multivariate time-series analyses, we were able to show the impact of hand hygiene and antibiotic use on the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infection, but we found no association between hand hygiene and incidence of CDI.
Evaluation of the Effect of Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection on QuantiFERON-TB Gold Assay Results
Authors: Pollock Nira R. , Kashino Suely S. , Napolitano Danielle R. , Sloutsky Alex , Joshi Swati , Guillet Jasmine , Wong Michael , Nardell Edward , Campos-Neto Antonio
Published: February 2009

To evaluate the utility of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay for monitoring latent tuberculosis treatment efficacy, the assay was performed serially for healthcare workers receiving isoniazid therapy. After 9 months of isoniazid therapy, all of these healthcare workers remained QuantiFERON-TB Gold positive, and cellular proliferation assays revealed persistently strong purified protein derivative responses. These results do not support the use of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay to monitor therapy.
Stockpiling Drugs for an Avian Influenza Outbreak: Examining the Surge in Oseltamivir Prescriptions During Heightened Media Coverage of the Potential for a Worldwide Pandemic
Authors: Gasink Leanne B. , Linkin Darren R. , Fishman Neil O. , Bilker Warren B. , Weiner Mark G. , Lautenbach Ebbing
Published: February 2009

Objective.

During fall 2005, personal stockpiling of oseltamivir for use during an outbreak of H5N1 influenza virus infection was widely reported. The present study aimed to identify indications for oseltamivir prescriptions to determine whether oseltamivir that was not intended for seasonal influenza was inappropriately consumed and to compare persons who were likely to have stockpiled oseltamivir and those who did not with respect to their knowledge, understanding, concerns, and expectations regarding avian influenza.

Design.

Survey to evaluate usage patterns for oseltamivir and assess views about avian influenza.

Subjects.

A total of 109 outpatients who received a prescription for oseltamivir between September 1, 2005, and December 31, 2005, and 825 matched control subjects.

Results.

Of 109 prescriptions, 36 (33.0%) were prescribed for patients with appropriate indications. Sixty-eight (62.4%) of 109 patients identified as having received oseltamivir and 440 (53.3%) of 825 individuals identified as not having received it responded to the questionnaire. Only 2 prescription recipients whose oseltamivir was not intended for immediate consumption reported that they had consumed the oseltamivir. Persons who probably intended to stockpile oseltamivir were older and more often white than those unlikely to stockpile it. They also reported greater worry about avian influenza and more often expected avian influenza to spread to the United States than those unlikely to stockpile, but there were no significant differences in responses to other questionnaire items.

Conclusions.

A large proportion of the oseltamivir prescriptions written in fall 2005 were probably intended for personal stockpiling. Similarities in participants' responses to questionnaire items suggest that educational campaigns may not be an effective method to curtail stockpiling of antimicrobial medications during an infectious threat. Promoting appropriate prescribing practices among providers may be a better means by which to minimize personal stockpiling.
A Cluster of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Hospital Security Guards
Authors: Patrozou Eleni , Reid Kim , Jefferson Julie , Mermel Leonard A.
Published: February 2009

We investigated a cluster of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus soft-tissue infections in 5 security guards employed in a hospital emergency department. An epidemiologic investigation and molecular subtyping of isolates revealed that the source was a patient and that a community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain (USA-300) was transmitted to healthcare workers through physical contact.
ClueGO: a Cytoscape plug-in to decipher functionally grouped gene ontology and pathway annotation networks
Authors: Bindea Gabriela , Mlecnik Bernhard , Hackl Hubert , Charoentong Pornpimol , Tosolini Marie , Kirilovsky Amos , Fridman Wolf-Herman , Pagès Franck , Trajanoski Zlatko , Galon Jérôme
Published: February 2009

Summary: We have developed ClueGO, an easy to use Cytoscape plug-in that strongly improves biological interpretation of large lists of genes. ClueGO integrates Gene Ontology (GO) terms as well as KEGG/BioCarta pathways and creates a functionally organized GO/pathway term network. It can analyze one or compare two lists of genes and comprehensively visualizes functionally grouped terms. A one-click update option allows ClueGO to automatically download the most recent GO/KEGG release at any time. ClueGO provides an intuitive representation of the analysis results and can be optionally used in conjunction with the GOlorize plug-in.

Availability:  http://www.ici.upmc.fr/cluego/cluegoDownload.shtml

Contact:  jerome.galon@crc.jussieu.fr

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Training drivers, competitive strategy and clients' needs
Authors: Malik Ashish
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that drive a firm's decision to invest in training in India's IT‐enabled services/business process outsourcing (ITeS/BPO) sector. It aims to consider a much‐neglected area and an often‐cited need to consider external factors, especially the needs of an organisation's clients in a firm's decision to train.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs case study research strategy using semi‐structured interviews, organisational documents and non‐participant observation.

Findings

Employee turnover, competitive strategy, client specifications and quality management systems were important factors in shaping the nature and extent of training. The temporal dimension of the process was also significant in influencing volume of training. The study also found that learning and development were inextricably intertwined with its operations management, as against a firm's HR infrastructure.

Originality/value

As most HRD research adopts an inward‐looking approach, the study offers fresh insights by adopting an outward‐looking approach and considers the impact of an organisation's clients on provision of training. The study's distinctive contributions are in identifying the influence that client specifications, employee turnover, temporal and geographical dimension of processes have on provision of training and, in analysing the critical and unexplored link between a firm's market orientation, learning orientation, and quality management systems, in shaping the nature and extent of training provision. This research extends the current theory‐building debates and provides insights for practitioners and education policy makers about training decision making in ITeS/BPO firms.
John Rose and the early years of sociocybernetics
Authors: van der Zouwen Johannes , Felix Geyer R.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to sketch the most valuable contribution of Dr Rose to the development of social cybernetics over the period 1975‐1995.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an analysis of the proceedings of the sections on “Social Systems” or “Social Cybernetics” of the WOSC conferences from 1978 through 1991, and on an analysis of the entries of the Bibliography on Social Cybernetics (1998).

Findings

The sections on “Social Systems” of the International Congresses on Systems and Cybernetics, initiated by Dr Rose, provided in the period 1978‐1995 the most important meeting point for social scientists aiming at the application of the cybernetic approach to social systems and social processes, and for cyberneticians wanting to use the principles of cybernetics for the analysis and solution of social problems.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the journal Kybernetes, founded by Dr Rose, became the most frequently used publication medium of social cyberneticians: of the 184 papers on social cybernetics mentioned in this bibliography 76 (41 per cent) were published in Kybernetes, more than in any other journal in the domain of cybernetics or social science.
Complex versus complicated: the how of coping with complexity
Authors: Schwaninger Markus
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and explain how distinct approaches to coping with complexity vary in their effectiveness. The different strategies are evaluated as to their respective capabilities of absorbing complexity. Virtuous versus vicious approaches are distinguished.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on two basic formulas for the calculation of variety, a measure of complexity, sensitivity analyses for different strategies are carried out. Recommendations for the how of coping with complexity are derived logically.

Findings

Strategies based on increasing the repertory of behaviour through enhancing the potential states of the elements (component agents) in a system are superior to strategies which pursue an increase in the number of elements.

Practical implications

The imperative to increase the repertory of behaviour and to avoid responses to complexity through complication constitute an approach that leads to an overshoot of eigen‐complexity and consequently to inefficiencies or ineffectiveness.

Originality/value

This contribution sheds light on misinterpretations of Ashby's law of requisite variety. The insights derived from the analysis can help real‐life organizations to avoid failures and reap substantial strategic advantages.
The cybernetics of inertial propulsion
Authors: Engel Alejandro B. , Stiebitz Paul H.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a study of inertial propulsion.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the theory of inertial propulsion under dry friction and under viscous friction is developed.

Findings

As inertia propelled devices do not have any external moving parts; the propelling mechanism is completely enclosed inside the device. For inertial propulsion under dry friction, the equations of movement are explicitly derived and provided in closed form, so that such a device can be designed with its parameters computed exactly. For inertial propulsion under viscous friction, on the other hand, there is no closed form for the equations of movement, its dynamics are provided so that a device can be designed using a computer algebra system, as illustrated in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that an inertia propelled device under dry friction moves in the opposite direction than the same device under viscous friction.
Pansystems ecology, management and knowledge rediscovery
Authors: Yi Lan , You Wenhui , Li Chuan , Wu Xuemou
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to state the pansystems ecology, management and related principles and methods of knowledge rediscovery. Related contents include: generalized life, vitality, resource, circulation, environs, periodicity, phenology, eco‐niche in pansystems space, evolution, intelligence development, philosophy of science, epistemology, psychology, pedagogy and teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an application of pansystems principles to approach an ecology‐styled world outlook and methodology, related topics include: pansystems rediscovery to ecology and the world; generalized relativity, resource, environs, ecology, circulation, life; pansystems models on evolution, eco‐niche, pyramid law, recap law, phenology, management and knowledge rediscovery.

Findings

All of the logoi concerned with are reduced to the actualization of pansystems variational principle and related OR‐concretion. The pansystems ecology presents a new outlook to world, society, management, methodology, pedagogy and knowledge rediscovery.

Originality/value

Provides the framework and concretion principles of pansystems research on generalized resource, circulation, environs, ecology and related applications. They lead to some new comprehension of evolution, psychology, epistemology, society, management.
Examining the use of new science metaphors in the learning organisation
Authors: Tee Ng Pak
Published: February 2009

Purpose

In recent years, the new science has become popular in management literature. This involves the use of metaphors from the field of science (e.g. mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology) in the field of management. This paper aims to examine the use of new science metaphors in learning organisation (LO) discourse and research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a theoretical analysis of the use of new science metaphors in LO discourse and research. In particular, the paper illustrates the potential value of such metaphors through four examples and explores the issue of appropriate application and interpretation.

Findings

This paper shows that using new science metaphors in the field of the LO can enrich the understanding and practice of LOs. However, one has to adopt a reflexive approach so that one is more critically aware of the assumptions behind their usage. This will lead to a more appropriate application and interpretation of such metaphors in context.

Practical implications

Subject to careful application and interpretation, new science metaphors can be useful in helping one appreciate the intricate dynamics of change; that a lack of one's control does not imply that the situation is out of control; that the measurement of outcomes in itself affects the development of an LO; and that paradoxes are “normal” in the dynamics of LO development.

Originality/value

This paper provides an analysis of the use of four new science metaphors in LO, namely complexity and chaos, living systems, uncertainty principle and wave‐particle duality. It discusses how these metaphors may enrich the understanding and practice of the LO. This paper also discusses a reflexive approach towards new science metaphor usage that encompasses four issues of separation, representation, enunciation and routinisation.
Consumer centered “brand value” of foods: drivers and segmentation
Authors: Gabay Gillie , Moskowitz Howard R. , Beckley Jacqueline , Ashman Hollis
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the consumer‐centered approach to brand management theorized by Rust, Zeithaml and Lemon in 2004 to assist companies in reducing the depreciation of brand equity.

Design/methodology/approach

Brand equity was operationalized in the context of conjoint measurement. In total, 5,364 respondents participated in interviews testing drivers of brand equity for six brands each in 28 food categories.

Findings

Data from the large‐scale study revealed that across categories brand value may not hold much beyond the name in the minds of consumers. It was found that mindset segmentation may be a basis for brand management. Messages that focused on product functionality were found to be stronger drivers of preference of one brand over another. Product features instead of brand names emerged as the primary source of value across segments.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on brands in the food industry requiring the replication to additional industries.

Practical implications

It was found that brands did not hold much beyond their name. Companies holding strong brands will need to define product features in terms of their perceived functionality across consumer segments. Companies are to build and position brands around customer segments.

Originality/value

A cutting edge methodology to test mindset segmentation by combinations of product features as a new basis for brand management was used. In contrast to traditional brand management which is based on products, the paper bases brand management on consumer needs highlighting consumer equity rather than brand equity.
A longitudinal study on Australian online DVD pricing
Authors: Li Hongyi , Tang Fang‐Fang , Huang Liang , Song Fiona
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the online DVD market in Australia, which has not been researched so far, and to examine whether the pricing patterns in this market exhibit any regularity consistent or inconsistent with research findings in other markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal data set of 27,030 price observations were collected weekly over one year. Various statistical tests – in particular, a least‐squares dummy variable (LSDV) panel data model with serial correlation – were applied to the data.

Findings

In general, the online branches of multi‐channel retailers have higher average prices and standard deviations than pure internet retailers. Overall, market prices decrease over time significantly within the sample period – about 17.4 per cent decrease for all titles, however, with popular titles' prices decreasing faster than those of random titles. Furthermore, prices do not seem to converge between the two types of online retailers. For individual retailers, brand name effect seems to matter in the results, with a significant difference on prices.

Research limitations/implications

This is an empirical study on a specific market. More data, testing and comparison are needed for any generalization of the findings whether they are consistent in the global sense.

Practical implications

Online marketers of different types of retailers may need to reflect on their pricing policies whether their pricing strategies have any space for improvement on profitability.

Originality/value

This study investigates the price movement of the Australian online DVD market using data collected over a one year time span.
Attitudes' hierarchy of effects in online user behaviour
Authors: Castañeda J. Alberto , Rodríguez Miguel A. , Luque Teodoro
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyse the impact of the internet, as a new information channel for the consumer, on business results, and in particular, the consequences of attitude towards the web site with regard to customer behaviour and web site sponsor brand.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey instrument was used to gather data to test the relationships in the research model.

Findings

The paper shows the importance of attitude towards the web site and attitude towards the internet in explaining attitude towards the brand and consumer e‐behaviour, and identifies the hierarchy of effects operative among these three concepts of attitude: attitude towards the internet; attitude towards the web site; and attitude towards the brand.

Research limitations

This study only looked at one category of web site – free‐content sites. Future research could apply the conclusions of this study to other types of web sites, e.g. the e‐commerce web site and the corporate web site.

Practical implications

The main practical consequence of the study lies in the need to take into account that the profitability of an e‐business should not be measured solely in terms of direct profitability. Profits generated indirectly should also be considered, given the proven positive relationship between attitude towards the web site and attitude towards the brand. This conclusion is of vital importance since very few e‐businesses obtain direct profits. Brick‐and‐click firms eliminate their e‐businesses without bearing in mind the positive consequences they may be having on the brand itself.

Originality/value

The study aimed to take a more in‐depth look at the value of e‐businesses for brick‐and‐click firms. It analysed sources of indirect profitability for the e‐business that should be taken into account when looking at web site value.
Visual analysis of obesity‐related query terms on HealthLink
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wolfram Dietmar
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate obesity‐related queries from a public health portal (HealthLink) transaction log.

Design/methodology/approach

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was applied to each of five obesity‐related focus keywords and their co‐occurring terms in submitted queries. After the transaction log data were collected and cleaned, and query terms were extracted and parsed, relationships between a focus keyword and its co‐occurring terms were established. Clustering relationships between focus keywords and their co‐occurring terms were identified and analysed in the MDS visual context.

Findings

The MDS analysis produced satisfactory outcomes for all five focus keywords. The term “placements”, in the visual configurations revealed strong grouping tendencies of three to five clusters for each focus keyword.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide insights into health consumers' internet‐based information‐seeking behaviour on obesity‐related topics. These findings could be used to enhance online search system design and health‐related thesaurus construction.
Behaviour analysis of internet survey completion using decision trees
Authors: Lin Che‐Chern , Yang Hung‐Jen , Kuo Lung‐Hsing
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers' behaviours in completing an internet survey using decision trees. Furthermore, to reduce the complexity of the decision trees, a statistical technique was used to decrease the number of input variables in the decision trees.

Design/methodology/approach

A dataset of 47,647 samples was used to build the decision trees. These samples were collected from an internet survey of teachers in Taiwan. The output of the decision trees was the answering time (the time taken to complete the internet questionnaire). Eight variables were selected as the inputs for the decision trees. Two techniques were employed to build the decision trees – the exhaustive chi‐squared automatic interaction detector (ECHAID) and classification and regression tree (CRT) analysis. To reduce the complexity of the decision models, factor analysis technique was used to decrease the data dimensions (number of input variables) and to obtain a simplified decision model. One‐way ANOVA was used to validate the effects of the dimension reduction.

Findings

From the results of the factor analysis, a simplified decision tree is recommended using four input variables – teaching years, school level, sex and area. The classification accuracy of the simplified model is statistically equivalent to that of the original one, which used eight input variables.

Originality/value

The complexity of decision trees theoretically depends on the number of input variables. This study used a statistical technique to decrease the number of input variables and thereby reduce the complexity of the decision trees. A statistical technique was employed to validate that the classification accuracy is not statistically different between the original decision model and the simplified one. The decision models proposed in this paper can be applied in estimating the answering time for completing a questionnaire during an internet survey.
Patent informatics
Authors: Starešinič Marica , Boh Bojana
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of relevance in full‐text patent document searches from the viewpoint of end‐users in science and technology. It aims to present three cases of patent document analysis for relevance, with an additional case of improved search profile with increased relevance, and to summarise the findings in the form of instructions for users.

Design/methodology/approach

Two methodological approaches were used for the analysis of patent documents: value‐added processing of the bibliographic part of patent documents for the identification of trends; and structuring of data into systems for the determination of patent relevance. Overall, four sets of full‐text patent documents were analysed, covering the topics of: microencapsulated phase change materials; digital photography and image sensors; patent document processing; and patent analysis.

Findings

Value‐added analysis of the bibliographic parts of patent documents is a quick and useful option for the recognition of research trends. However, where non‐relevant patent documents are present in a data set, automatic bibliographic analysis may lead to conclusions that are mathematically and statistically correct, but that are not reliable or may even be incorrect for the user's research. Non‐adequate terminology is one of the main obstacles to relevant patent searches, especially if well‐defined keywords are non‐existent, as with cases of newly emerging and fast developing scientific and technological fields.

Originality/value

Based on the bibliographic and content analyses of patent documents, the paper provides instructions for users in the form of ten general rules for increasing the relevance of full‐text patent document searches.
Implementing the ISO 14001 certification
Authors: Bahmed Lylia , Djebabra Mébarek , Boubaker Leila , Boukhalfa Ali
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the reality of environmental management as experienced by an Algerian company while in the process of being certified.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted focuses on how the environmental dimension is perceived by the wage earners of the company. The perception of the environmental dimension is highlighted by means of a statistical analysis supported by the use of data processing software.

Findings

The results show that all staff categories agree that the environmental aspect is to some extent neglected compared to other aspects and that production comes at the forefront.

Practical implications

The analysis of the results highlights the course that should be followed by any Algerian company, such as the one selected in our study, in order to implement the ISO 14001 certification successfully.

Originality/value

The interesting focus of the paper is in the human aspect, which plays a major role in any successful environmental management system
Ethical issues in relational maintenance via computer‐mediated communication
Authors: Hales Kayla
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the influences that computer‐mediated communication (CMC) has and could have on the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. In doing this, ethical dilemmas and implications that arise from the technical affordances offered to CMC participants are discussed. Relational maintenance is integral to people's everyday lives. Yet, the ethical issues involve in using CMC to support this have not been explicitly explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of relational maintenance will be explored independently and as it relates to CMC and ethics. This paper will examine current literature and briefly discuss a pilot study relevant to these areas. The pilot study consisted of a survey distributed to undergraduate students in non‐platonic long distance and short distance relationships.

Findings

The exploration of prior literature and the findings of a pilot study support the notion that, with the increase of CMC use to maintain relationships follows the potential increase of unethical behavior in this medium. A number of ethical questions have risen that can be used to inform and direct future research.

Originality/value

This paper is original as it explores the concept of ethics from a relational maintenance perspective through electronic communication. It adds value by integrating these three areas and enhancing the understanding of this integration, while providing information of both theoretical and practical relevance.
The role of anomia on the relationship between organisational justice perceptions and organisational citizenship online behaviours
Authors: Zoghbi‐Manrique‐de‐Lara Pablo , Melián‐González Santiago
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Anomic feelings (AFs) are predicted to play a moderating role in the relationship between organisational justice perceptions and the citizenship use of the organisation's internet access, or cybercivism. The purpose of this paper is to hypothesise that, just as AFs are supported in prior research as able to intensify the negative effects of organisational justice (OJ) on cyberloafing, they will also intensify the positive effects of OJ on cybercivism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 270 (17 per cent) of the 1,547 respondents at a public university.

Findings

Except in the case of procedural justice, the results support that AF act as a moderator of the OJ‐cybercivism link because, among employees with comparatively less AF, the perceptions of the OJ under study (distributive, procedural and interactional) had a stronger impact on cybercivism.

Research limitations/implications

To generalise from a convenience sample of 17 per cent to the entire University is unfeasible, let alone the “public sector” as a whole for a whole culture/country. Therefore, the paper only aims to be an early exploration of actual phenomenon, and to provide new insights necessary to understand the impact of pervasive new media and information and communication technologies (ICTs) on individual behaviour in virtual work settings.

Practical implications

The findings contribute to an improved understanding of the influence of OJ on cybercivism. As a moderator, anomia is supported in our sample as one of the key “controllers” of the OJ predictions on cybercivism and sets a new scenario in seeking electronic business effectiveness. By encouraging convincing values and equity in the workplace, organisational management seems be on the right path to create the proper context for cybercivism to occur.

Originality/value

Employee AFs are shown to be a moderator in the relationship between OJ and cybercivism. This is the first empirical test of this interaction.
St Paul as sales strategist: an essay commemorating the years of St Paul, 2008/2009
Authors: Etzold Veit M.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

In the course of the St Paul year 2008 and 2009 Christians in the whole world are commemorating St Paul. This essay aims to trace the footsteps of St Paul and consider the success factors that every strategist needs to make people enthusiastic about a product or an idea and nevertheless behave in a sustainable and ethical manner.

Design/methodology/approach

The six key performance indicators/methods of St Paul of spreading the gospel are analysed (global presence, networking, customer segmentation, keep it simple, time based competition and integrity) and compared to current distribution strategies of sales people and analysts of customer behaviour.

Findings

St Paul was a very successful power seller, but, differing from many other nowadays power sellers (take Madoff), he was selling his product in an ethical way, because he himself was also deeply convinced of the product, i.e. Christianity. Sales people can learn from St Paul, that big ticket sale will only work in the long run if combined with ethical sales behaviour. If sales organisations do not believe in the products they sell, they are doomed to fail in the long term. The current credit crisis, which originated in the sales of bad products with good sounding names is a prominent example..

Practical implications

By comparing abstract processes like sales and distribution to historical figures and their actions, it is easier for management to grasp ideas. Furthermore, stories stick better in the head than numbers. Corporate storytelling like the story of St Paul can help executives to get a clear idea of a topic and – different from “empty flipchart brainstorming” – give a good basis for management offsites and workshops.

Originality/value

By using strategy metaphors, business strategists can stretch their thinking. Linking a non‐business topic (St Paul) to a business topic can help to view one's own business from a fresh perspective.
Tree mortality due to an El Niño flood along the lower Tana River, Kenya
Authors: Wieczkowski Julie
Published: February 2009

This study investigated forest tree mortality as a result of the extremely strong 1997–1998 El Niño flood in Tana River, Kenya, directly tested how mortality varied in relation to tree species and diameter at breast height (DBH), and indirectly tested how mortality varied in relation to floodwater depth. The study forest was under 2 m of water for approximately 71 days, from December 1997 until February 1998. Twenty‐five liana, subcanopy tree, and canopy tree species were selected based on their importance in the diet of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus Peters), a critically endangered primate endemic to the Tana River. Reproductive‐sized individuals of these species were enumerated in 16.25 ha. I also enumerated trees killed by the El Niño flood, recorded their location in the forest, and measured their DBH. Ninety‐two trees in fifteen species were killed by the flood. There were significant differences in mortality by species and by 0.25 ha quadrat. There were negative correlations between number of dead and DBH, number of dead and distance from the river, and per cent of quadrat killed and distance from the river. There appear to have been few long‐term consequences of the El Niño flood in the forest or for the mangabeys.
Invasive Acacia auriculiformis Benth. in different habitats in Unguja, Zanzibar
Authors: Kotiluoto Riitta , Ruokolainen Kalle , Kettunen Marianne
Published: February 2009

Acacia auriculiformis Benth., Mimosaceae, has been introduced relatively recently as a plantation tree to the island of Unguja, Zanzibar. It has been reported to establish itself outside the plantations, but it is not known if the success of establishment depends on habitat quality. We investigated the occurrence of A. auriculiformis in 5‐m‐wide sample lines, which started from the edge of acacia plantations and reached farthermost the distance of 1 km. The results of 7.24 ha studied showed that: (1) A. auriculiformis occurred in most of the studied habitats in Unguja and appeared to be more abundant in deep soils than in shallow coral‐derived soils. However, statistical analyses suggested that the species has little preference or avoidance towards any of the habitats, even though forests – the least disturbed habitats – seemed to have less acacias than other more disturbed habitats. (2) The number of acacias decreased rapidly with the distance from an acacia plantation, and most of the found acacias were still young, below three metres tall. Our results suggest that the invasion of A. auriculiformis is at its beginning in Unguja. If no preventive measures are taken, A. auriculiformis may have an increasing impact on local ecosystem in the future.
Long‐term effects of prescribed early fire, grazing and selective tree cutting on seedling populations in the Sudanian savanna of Burkina Faso
Authors: Zida Didier , Tigabu Mulualem , Sawadogo Louis , Tiveau Daniel , Odén Per Christer
Published: February 2009

Annual early fire, selective tree cutting and exclusion of grazing are currently used as management tools in the Sudanian savanna of Burkina Faso although their long‐term effects on seedling recruitment are poorly documented. A factorial experiment involving fire, grazing and cutting, each with two levels, was established in 1992 to study the effects of these management regimes and their interactions on the regeneration of woody species, and examine whether their effects varied temporally. Species richness, density and the morphology of seedlings were assessed in 1997 and 2002, and their relative changes were determined. The change in species richness of multi‐stemmed individuals was significantly higher (P = 0.018) on plots that received fire × cutting treatment than the control plots. Significantly more species with single‐stem were found on unburnt than on burnt plots (P < 0.001). Grazing tended to reduce the change in total density while fire (P < 0.001) and grazing (P = 0.029) significantly reduced the change in density of single‐stemmed individuals. Selective cutting did not affect the total seedling density, but tended to reduce the change in single‐stemmed seedling density. Principal component analysis revealed species‐specific responses to treatments, particularly the relatively high abundance of lianas compared with other species.
Foraging efficiency and vigilance behaviour of impala: the influence of herd size and neighbour density
Authors: Smith Sonja M. , Cain III James W.
Published: February 2009

Group foraging can be beneficial for ungulates by decreasing the time required for vigilance, but it can also prove costly because of competition. To determine responses to gregarious behaviour, we studied foraging activity and vigilance of impala (Aepyceros melampus) near Kruger National Park, South Africa. We measured time spent foraging, vigilant, moving, grooming, engaging in social interactions and determined herd size and group distribution (i.e. density). We calculated accepted food abundance (AFA), food ingestion rate, steps per minute and percent vigilance for female, bachelor male and herd male impala. There was no relationship between herd size and vigilance, but vigilance decreased with increasing density (t1,311 = 4.91, P <0.0001). Additionally, AFA decreased (t1,61 = 5.96, P <0.0001) and steps per minute increased (t1,311 = 14.38, P < 0.0001) as more individuals fed in close proximity to each other. Impala could be altering their behaviour to accommodate a perceived change in resources because of intraspecific competition and these adjustments might be related more to the distribution of herd members than to herd size. Further studies should examine the behaviour of gregarious animals in relation to the distribution of herd members in addition to group size.
Why is there discordant diversity in sengi (Mammalia: Afrotheria: Macroscelidea) taxonomy and ecology?
Authors: Rathbun Galen B.
Published: February 2009

The seventeen species of sengis or elephant‐shrews form a well‐defined clade of mammals endemic to Africa that occupy the extremes of terrestrial habitats, from coastal deserts to montane forests. Because of their isolation on Africa soon after the break‐up of Gondwanaland, theoretically sengis initially evolved with little competition from other placental radiations. Their life history features include myrmecophagy, saltatorial gaits, no or limited use of nests, social monogamy, small litters of precocial young and absentee maternal care of neonates. These traits together are unique to the Macroscelidea and represent a wedding of features usually associated with either small antelopes or anteaters. Combined, these features define an adaptive syndrome that presumably has been relatively immune to competition from contemporary mammals, partially due to phylogenetic inertia. Yet paradoxically, the syndrome is well suited to a wide range of terrestrial habitats, resulting in low taxonomic diversity. Because of their unusual phylogeny and low species diversity, conservation interest is high for those sengis with relatively low densities in fragmented forests.
An increase in the prevalence of type 1 and 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: results from prescription data from a UK general practice database
Authors: Hsia Yingfen , Neubert Antje C. , Rani Fariz , Viner Russell M. , Hindmarsh Peter C. , Wong Ian C. K.
Published: February 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Increasing antidiabetic drugs use in youths has been reported in the USA, however there is a lack of epidemiological evidence in the UK.

• There is an increase in the prevalence of both type 1 and 2 diabetes, but precise estimates are difficult to obtain and as such are uninformative for future health services planning.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The prevalence of children receiving insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs has increased twofold and eightfold, respectively, between 1998 and 2005.

• The data reflect the prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes rapidly increase in recent years.

• The prevalence of antidiabetic drug use increases with increasing age, especially among those aged 12–18 years.

• Consideration needs to be given to the funding and design of future services for children and particularly adolescents with diabetes to take account of these epidemiological findings.

AIMS Despite evidence of an increase in the incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in youths, there are few data on the prevalence of either type in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of childhood diabetes over an 8‐year period in the UK.

METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study that covered 8 years (January 1998 to December 2005) of UK IMS Disease Analyzer (IMS DA) data. The cohort comprised all children and adolescents aged 0–18 years who received at least one antidiabetic drug prescription during the study period. The prevalence of antidiabetic drug prescribing was used as a proxy for diabetes itself.

RESULTS Data were available on 505 754 children aged 0–18 years and a total of 37 225 antidiabetic prescriptions were issued. Insulin use increased significantly from 1.08 per 1000 children [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96, 1.20] in 1998 to 1.98 (95% CI 1.80, 2.10) in 2005 (P < 0.001), more markedly in those aged 12 and 18 years. The use of oral antidiabetic drugs for diabetes treatment rose significantly from 0.006 per 1000 children in 1998 (95% CI 0.0043, 0.017) to 0.05 (95% CI 0.025, 0.080) (P < 0.001) in 2005.

CONCLUSIONS This study indicates a significant increase in prevalence on both type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatment in children and adolescents in the UK. Thus, this supporting evidence from other sources that the prevalence of childhood diabetes is rising rapidly. Further epidemiological studies are required to investigate the aetiology and risk factors.