bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Verification of TMI-Adjusted Rainfall Analyses of Tropical Cyclones at ECMWF Using TRMM Precipitation Radar
Authors: Benedetti A. , Lopez P. , Moreau E. , Bauer P. , Venugopal V.
Published: December 2005

A validation of passive microwave–adjusted rainfall analyses of tropical cyclones using spaceborne radar data is presented. This effort is part of the one-dimensional plus four-dimensional variational (1D+4D-Var) rain assimilation project that is being carried out at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Brightness temperatures or surface rain rates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are processed through a 1D-Var retrieval to derive values of total column water vapor that can be ingested into the operational ECMWF 4D-Var. As an indirect validation, the precipitation fields produced at the end of the 1D-Var minimization process are converted into equivalent radar reflectivity at the frequency of the TRMM precipitation radar (13.8 GHz) and are compared with the observations averaged at model resolution. The averaging process is validated using a sophisticated downscaling/upscaling approach that is based on wavelet decomposition. The precipitation radar measurements are ideal for this validation exercise, being approximately collocated with but completely independent of the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer measurements. Qualitative and statistical comparisons between radar observations and retrievals from the TMI-derived surface rain rates and from TMI radiances are made using 17 well-documented tropical cyclone occurrences between January and April of 2003. Several statistical measures, such as bias, root-mean-square error, and Heidke skill score, are introduced to assess the 1D-Var skill as well as the model background skill in producing a realistic rain distribution. Results show a good degree of skill in the retrievals, especially near the surface and for medium–heavy rain. The model background produces precipitation in the domain that is sometimes in excess with respect to the observations, and it often shows an error in the location of precipitation maxima. Differences between the two 1D-Var approaches are not large enough to make final conclusions regarding the advantages of one method over the other. Both methods are capable of redistributing the rain patterns according to the observations. It appears, however, that the brightness temperature approach is in general more effective in increasing precipitation amounts at moderate-to-high rainfall rates.
Implicit and explicit expectations of justice as a function of manager and subordinate race
Authors: Ritter Barbara A. , Fischbein Rebecca L. , Lord Robert G.
Published: December 2005

This study took a unique approach to the study of anticipatory injustice by differentiating between implicit and explicit justice judgments when participants were faced with a manager of similar or dissimilar race. Automatic, implicit justice expectations were assessed using reaction time in addition to the more traditional paper and pencil measures of justice expectations. Results indicated that regardless of manager race, minority status significantly predicted implicit (but not explicit) injustice expectations such that minorities were more likely to expect unfair treatment. Implicit expectations of injustice, as assessed by reaction time, were significantly related to explicit expectations. Finally, explicit expectations of injustice significantly predicted subordinate reduced self-esteem, but not stress levels. The implications of the results and the usefulness of a new implicit measure of justice expectations are discussed.
The Appeal of African Broadcast Web Sites to African Diasporas
Authors: Ogunyemi Olatunji
Published: December 2005

The diversification of African broadcast media into online services provides a vehicle for African diasporas to use not only for interactive communication but also for retrieving, sharing, displaying, and storing audiovisual information about their cultural practices and news about political and socioeconomic issues within their home and host countries. This study uses content analysis and audience survey to examine the content features of some African broadcast Web sites and their appeal to the African diasporas, on one hand, and to explore the awareness, motivation, and the content preference of the African diasporas on the other. It found little evidence of content differentiation between the Web sites and low audience awareness of their services but reveals a cluster of audience-preferred content features.
AIDS, Security, Biopolitics
Authors: Elbe Stefan
Published: December 2005

This article critically engages with recent efforts to frame the global AIDS pandemic as an international security issue. The securitization of HIV/AIDS is significant, the article argues, not just because it is a novel way of conceptualizing the global AIDS pandemic, but also because it marks an important contemporary site for the global dissemination of a biopolitical economy of power revolving around the government of ‘life’. This biopolitical dimension to the securitization of AIDS brings into play a set of potentially racist and normalizing social practices, which, the article argues, international political actors should seek to avoid in their attempts to find appropriate and effective responses to the global AIDS pandemic. Ways of minimizing these dangers are explored in the conclusion of the article.
Public Space, Inequality and Health: Interaction and Social Welfare in Rural Peru
Authors: Bowyer Tim
Published: December 2005

Social policy initiatives that actively promote greater interaction between the state and civil society are an increasingly important component in the politics of poverty reduction and the promotion of better health for poor people. To address local inequalities, and to strengthen rural economies, local societies and local public services, the government in Peru has introduced a new public space that is designed to incorporate ordinary people into the planning, implementation, administration, management and supervision of public activities. Instead of facilitating cooperation at the district level, this article shows that the idea of people working together and helping each other is undermined by the dislocation of the new public space from the political, cultural and geographical conditions under which social interaction takes place.
Revisiting an identity-based view of sustainable competitive advantage
Authors: Fiol C. Marlene
Published: December 2005

Those of us who contributed to the Journal of Management’s 1991 special issue on a resourcebased view of the firm began with the assumption that it is possible for a firm to gain and maintain a sustainable competitive advantage. Based on that general premise, we presented various arguments suggesting that a firm’s resources represent a major source of that potential advantage. Ten years later, I begin this revisit of my identity-based view of sustainable advantage by questioning our premise that it is possible to gain a sustainable advantage based on any particular core competency, no matter how inimitable. I then review what we have learned during the past decade about organizational identities and identification and their role in creating and destroying a firm’s temporary competitive advantages.
The resource-based view and economics
Authors: Lockett Andy , Thompson Steve
Published: December 2005

This paper analyzes the link between economics and the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm. Although, historically there has been a strong link between the disciplines of strategy and economics, explicit citations of key RBV works has been disappointingly low in mainstream economics journals. However, there are substantial bodies of works that build implicitly on the ideas of the RBV, in particular the consequences of path dependency on firm behavior, to explain a number of different economic issues. The issues we review in the paper are all influenced by path dependency and include: (1) diversification and market entry, (2) corporate refocusing, and market exit, (3) explaining innovative activity among firms, (4) diversification and performance and (5) industry evolution with rapidly changing products. Furthermore, we identify a number of reasons that may have limited the explicit use of the RBV in economics, which include the problems of causal ambiguity, tautology and firm heterogeneity. Finally, potential areas for future research are identified, which include the interaction of the RBV and Agency Theory, the RBV as a dynamic theory, using the RBV to explain radical change and the application of the RBV to issues of antitrust.
Copyright and Book Piracy in Pakistan
Authors: Mahmood Khalid , Ilyas Muhammad
Published: December 2005

Pakistan has to face a tremendous pressure from Western countries due to widespread book piracy. This study presents the results of a survey of the book trade regarding copyright and book piracy in the country. International conventions to which Pakistan is a signatory and national copyright law and its implementation are described. American views on the situation of copyright in Pakistan are summarized. The survey reveals that the high price of foreign books is the main cause of book piracy. Local publishers and booksellers are the major beneficiaries of book piracy. Suggestions are given to protect intellectual copyright in Pakistan. Concludes that measures to minimize book piracy will not be successful until books at low price are available for local readers.
Globalization of Information and the Nigerian Librarian
Authors: Iwe Josephine I.
Published: December 2005

The globalization of information is strongly identified with information and communications technologies (ICTs). The Nigerian librarian may be constrained from maximizing ICT usage and application but has many opportunities and new possibilities for the future in a globalized economic system. The paper suggests that the local, state, and federal governments in Nigeria should increase the budget allocations and resources allocated to education and information as investments in the human capital required to maximize the benefits of ICT applications in a globalized system.
Kids and Assault Weapons
Authors: Ruddell Rick , Decker Scott H.
Published: December 2005

The sunset of the federal assault weapons ban in September 2004 increased the political and scholarly debate about the criminal use of such firearms. Some of the debate is alarmist, suggesting that juveniles have easy access to these firearms and are likely to use them in violent offenses. These perspectives are reinforced on television and in films and contribute to perceptions about the sophistication of weapons that juveniles possess, as well as to the punishments that juveniles should face. This study examines firearms recovered from juvenile offenders in both national and city samples from 1992 to 2000 and finds that assault weapons are seldom used or possessed by juveniles. Our findings suggest that the disjuncture between popular perceptions and the reality of juvenile gun use has been socially constructed by four different groups: the police, news and entertainment organizations, interest groups, and juveniles themselves.
Sixth-Grade Teachers’ Written Comments on Student Writing
Authors: Peterson Shelley Stagg , Kennedy Kerrie
Published: December 2005

This article examines the influence of genre and gender on comments written by 108 sixth-grade teachers in response to two narrative and two persuasive papers. There were significant genre differences. Process, conventions, artistic style, and format were the focus of significantly greater numbers of comments directed to narrative writing. In contrast, meaning, organization, effort, and ideology were emphasized to a greater degree when teachers responded to persuasive writing. Teachers tended to indicate and make greater numbers of corrections and to provide more criticisms and lessons, explanations, and suggestions when the work was attributed to a male writer. Female teachers generally wrote greater numbers of comments and tended to indicate and make more corrections. Generally, teachers were reluctant to engage with the ideologies in students’ writing. There was a correlation between convention errors and the number and types of comments.
Professional Academic Writing by Multilingual Scholars
Authors: Lillis Theresa , Curry Mary Jane
Published: December 2005

Scholars around the world are under increasing pressure to publish their research in the medium of English. However, little empirical research has explored how the global premium of English influences the academic text production of scholars working outside of English-speaking countries. This article draws on a longitudinal text-oriented ethnographic study of psychology scholars in Hungary, Slovakia, Spain, and Portugal to follow the trajectories of texts from local research and writing contexts to English-medium publications. Our findings indicate that a significant number of mediators, “literacy brokers,” who are involved in the production of such texts, influence the texts in different and important ways. We illustrate in broad terms the nature and extent of literacy brokering in English-medium publications and characterize and exemplify brokers’ different orientations. We explore what kind of brokering is evident in the production of a specific group of English-medium publications—articles written and published in English-medium international journals—by focusing on three text histories. We conclude by discussing what a focus on brokering can tell us about practices surrounding academic knowledge production.
Current Research on Parallel Measures of Interests and Confidence for Basic Dimensions of Vocational Activity
Authors: Betz Nancy E. , Rottinghaus Patrick J.
Published: December 2005

This article begins with a rationale for and review of parallel measures of self-efficacy (confidence) and interests for basic dimensions of vocational activity. Recent development of and research on the Expanded Skills Confidence Inventory, Campbell Interest and Skills Survey, Kuder Skills Assessment, and Inventory of Work-Relevant Abilities are described and reviewed. Research on the incremental predictive validity of these measures for understanding and for counseling uses is discussed. Numerous suggestions for further research and for career assessment are provided.
On Conceptualizing and Assessing Social Cognitive Constructs in Career Research: A Measurement Guide
Authors: Lent Robert W. , Brown Steven D.
Published: December 2005

Efforts to test hypotheses derived from social cognitive theory require sound measures of the theory’s constructs. Because the theory is concerned with domain-specific aspects of human functioning, it raises special measurement challenges. For example, unlike traits, which can be indexed with general, all-purpose measures, social cognitive research calls for measures that are tailored to the specific domain and dependent variables of interest. To facilitate social cognitive research on career development, a guide is provided for conceptualizing and assessing the core constructs of social cognitive career theory: self-efficacy, outcome expectations, interests, goals, and contextual supports and barriers. The basic constructs and their common variants are defined and distinguished, unique measurement concerns are considered, and examples and suggestions are offered for measurement design and adaptation.
Career Assessment With Native Americans: Role Salience and Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy
Authors: Brown Chris , Lavish Lea A.
Published: December 2005

One hundred thirty-seven Native American college students currently attending a tribal college were surveyed regarding their life-role salience and career decision-making self-efficacy. Also included was an examination of students’ reason for attending college. Findings revealed that although participation, commitment, and value expectations for the work role were more salient than the role of community service across these same three dimensions, home/family participation and commitment emerged as more salient than work participation and commitment. Correlational analysis indicated that (a) value expectations for work; (b) student role participation, commitment, and value expectations; and (c) community service commitment and value expectations all significantly correlated with career decision-making self-efficacy. Participants’ decisions to attend college suggested that they regard education as important to a good life and are motivated to attend college to help their family and community and to escape the high unemployment rate on the reservation.
The Paradox of Self-Efficacy: Research With Diverse Populations
Authors: Lindley Lori D.
Published: December 2005

Since its earliest applications to vocational psychology, self-efficacy has been recognized for its utility with diverse populations, attributable to its attention to environmental influences. Somewhat paradoxically, then, it has also been criticized as being limited in its applicability with people from other cultures, because of its focus on individual human agency. The current body of research on self-efficacy with diverse populations provides some insight into this paradox, although many questions remain unanswered. Self-efficacy literature with diverse populations is reviewed, theoretical questions are raised, and recommendations for future research are given.
Organizations as Distinction Generating and Processing Systems: Niklas Luhmann’s Contribution to Organization Studies
Authors: Seidl David , Becker Kai Helge
Published: December 2005

Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems has been widely influential in the German-speaking countries in the past few decades. However, despite its significance, particularly for organization studies, it is only very recently that Luhmann’s work has attracted attention on the international stage as well. This Special Issue is in response to that. In this introductory paper, we provide a systematic overview of Luhmann’s theory. Reading his work as a theory about distinction generating and processing systems, we especially highlight the following aspects: (i) Organizations are processes that come into being by permanently constructing and reconstructing themselves by means of using distinctions, which mark what is part of their realm and what not. (ii) Such an organizational process belongs to a social sphere sui generis possessing its own logic, which cannot be traced back to human actors or subjects. (iii) Organizations are a specific kind of social process characterized by a specific kind of distinction: decision, which makes up what is specifically organizational about organizations as social phenomena. We conclude by introducing the papers in this Special Issue.
The Possibility of the Testimony: A Case for Case Study Research
Authors: Quattrone Paolo
Published: December 2005

This Connexions essay aims to reflect on the nature, rationale, and implications for research and researchers of conducting case studies. It draws on the works of Primo Levi and Giorgio Agamben on the meaning of the testimony and the paradox of Auschwitz: only those who died could fully testify the atrocities of the camp, but they tragically passed away. Thus each testimony presents a lacuna, and one needs to listen to the voices coming from this empty space to comprehend what happened. For organizational scholars, this paradox metaphorically implies that listening to managers and interviewees has nothing to do with telling what could be seen (a fact) and rather relates to what is missing (a lacuna) and thus the issue is one of investigating this absence (this space left empty by whichever testimony). This opens some ethical questions: What is the role of researchers in this investigation? Where does their ‘authority’ to narrate come from? What are they ‘authorized’ to recount? And with what consequences? Are researchers ineluctably perpetrators of a domination in the absence (and in the name) of the Other or is there an escape from this?
Sustaining Skills in Headship
Authors: Stroud Vince
Published: December 2005

Educational leadership has been seen by many as one of the most important factors in school improvement and effectiveness and is about providing a culture within which teaching and learning will prosper. The training of leaders has therefore become of paramount importance. There is a wealth of training in the UK for teachers in leadership roles, and particularly for those aspiring to become headteachers, and those newly appointed. This article is derived, however, from research indicating the needs of headteachers who have been in post for some years and are looking for ways to continue with their own professional development. There is a real danger that these experienced headteachers will become disenchanted, and their performance will decline during their middle years of headship, and that coaching, focus groups and a rich selection of professional development opportunities could make the difference.
Job Satisfaction of Secondary School Teachers
Authors: Crossman Alf , Harris Penelope
Published: December 2005

Low job satisfaction has been cited as a possible cause of the current teaching crisis in the UK. This article reports on a study that examined job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in different types of secondary school. The results indicate a significant difference in the overall job satisfaction scores of teachers by type of school. Teachers in independent and privately-managed schools exhibited the highest satisfaction levels while those in foundation schools exhibited the lowest. No significant difference in satisfaction was found when the data were analysed by age, gender and length of service.
Measuring and Targeting Internal Conditions for School Effectiveness in the Free State of South Africa
Authors: Kgaile Abraham , Morrison Keith
Published: December 2005

A questionnaire-based methodology for constructing an overall index of school effectiveness is reported, focusing on within-school conditions of schools, which is currently being used in the Free State of South Africa. The article reports the construction and use of a straightforward instrument for measuring the effectiveness of key aspects of the conditions for school effectiveness in the Free State, using a variety of dimensions. It indicates how this instrument can identify where to intervene in improving schools in order to gain the maximum return on investment of time, effort, development activity and support. The instrument provides aggregated and disaggregated data for individual schools, groups of schools and whole districts, both at a single point in time and over time, thereby enabling the most economical and beneficial development to be planned for targeted individual schools and groups of schools. It enables users to identify the key drivers of the internal school conditions for effectiveness, development and change in schools.
Selective activation of TACI by syndecan-2
Authors: Bischof Daniela , Elsawa Sherine F. , Mantchev George , Yoon Juhan , Michels Grace E. , Nilson Allan , Sutor Shari L. , Platt Jeffrey L. , Ansell Stephen M. , von Bulow Gotz , Bram Richard J.
Published: December 2005

B-lymphocyte homeostasis and function are regulated by complementary actions of the TNFR family members TACI, BCMA, and BAFF-R, which are expressed by mature B cells. How these receptors are differentially activated is not entirely understood, because the primary ligand BAFF binds to all three. We searched for alternative ligands for TACI using recombinant TACI-Fc fusion protein as a probe and identified syndecan-2 as a new binding partner. TACI binding appears to require heparan sulfate posttranslational modifications of syndecan-2, because free heparin or pretreatment with heparitinase blocked the interaction. Syndecan-2 bound TACI but bound neither BAFF-R nor BCMA. Transfected cells expressing syndecan-2 activated signaling through TACI, as indicated by an NFAT-specific reporter. Syndecan-1 and syndecan-4 were also able to induce TACI signaling in a similar manner. This is the first identification of ligands that selectively activate TACI without simultaneously triggering BCMA or BAFF-R. This finding may help explain the alternative outcomes of signaling from this family of receptors in B cells.
Altered IL-7Rα expression with aging and the potential implications of IL-7 therapy on CD8+ T-cell immune responses
Authors: Kim Hang-Rae , Hong Myung Sun , Dan Jin Myung , Kang Insoo
Published: December 2005

We investigated the effects of aging on the IL-7-mediated CD8+ T-cell survival pathway and of IL-7 therapy on T-cell immunity. Cells expressing IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) αhigh and αlow were identified in a CD45RA+ effector memory (EMCD45RA+, CD45RA+CCR7-) CD8+ T-cell subset. Elderly subjects (65 years and older) had an increased frequency of EMCD45RA+ IL-7Rαlow CD8+ T cells, leading to decreased STAT5 phosphorylation and survival responses to IL-7 compared with young subjects (40 years and younger). These EMCD45RA+ IL-7Rαlow cells were largely antigen experienced (CD27-CD28-), replicatively senescent (CD57+), and perforinhigh CD8+ T cells that had decreased IL-7Rα mRNA, independent of guanine and adenine binding protein α (GABPα) and growth factor independence-1 (GFI1) expression. In measuring T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells, the elderly had a limited repertoire in IL-7Rαhigh and IL-7Rαlow cells, whereas the young had a diverse repertoire in IL-7Rαhigh but not in IL-7Rαlow cells. These findings suggest that aging affects IL-7Rα expression by EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells, leading to impaired signaling and survival responses to IL-7, and that IL-7 therapy may improve the survival of EMCD45RA+ CD8+ T cells with a diverse TCR repertoire in the young but not in the elderly.
Induction and regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-12in human airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Xie Shaoping , Issa Razao , Sukkar Maria B , Oltmanns Ute , Bhavsar Pankaj K , Papi Alberto , Caramori Gaetano , Adcock Ian , Fan Chung K
Published: December 2005

Background

The elastolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 has been implicated in the development of airway inflammation and remodeling. We investigated whether human airway smooth muscle cells could express and secrete MMP-12, thereby participating in the pathogenesis of airway inflammatory diseases.

Methods

Laser capture microdissection was used to collect smooth muscle cells from human bronchial biopsy sections. MMP-12 mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. MMP-12 protein expression and secretion from cultured primary airway smooth muscle cells was further analysed by Western blot. MMP-12 protein localization in bronchial tissue sections was detected by immunohistochemistry. MMP-12 activity was determined by zymography. The TransAM AP-1 family kit was used to measure c-Jun activation and nuclear binding. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistical significance.

Results

We provide evidence that MMP-12 mRNA and protein are expressed byin-situhuman airway smooth muscle cells obtained from bronchial biopsies of normal volunteers, and of patients with asthma, COPD and chronic cough. The pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-1β, induced a >100-fold increase in MMP-12 gene expression and a >10-fold enhancement in MMP-12 activity of primary airway smooth muscle cell cultures. Selective inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase reduced the activity of IL-1β on MMP-12, indicating a role for these kinases in IL-1β-induced induction and release of MMP-12. IL-1β-induced MMP-12 activity and gene expression was down-regulated by the corticosteroid dexamethasone but up-regulated by the inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α through enhancing activator protein-1 activation by IL-1β. Transforming growth factor-β had no significant effect on MMP-12 induction.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that human airway smooth muscle cells express and secrete MMP-12 that is up-regulated by IL-1β and TNF-α. Bronchial smooth muscle cells may be an important source of elastolytic activity, thereby participating in remodeling in airway diseases such as COPD and chronic asthma.
Use of a food frequency questionnaire in American Indian and Caucasian pregnant women: a validation study
Authors: Baer Heather J , Blum Robin E , Rockett Helaine RH , Leppert Jill , Gardner Jane D , Suitor Carol W , Colditz Graham A
Published: December 2005

Background

Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been validated in pregnant women, but few studies have focused specifically on low-income women and minorities. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Harvard Service FFQ (HSFFQ) among low-income American Indian and Caucasian pregnant women.

Methods

The 100-item HSFFQ was administered three times to a sample of pregnant women, and two sets of 24-hour recalls (six total) were collected at approximately 12 and 28 weeks of gestation. The sample included a total of 283 pregnant women who completed Phase 1 of the study and 246 women who completed Phase 2 of the study. Deattenuated Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare intakes of 24 nutrients estimated from the second and third FFQ to average intakes estimated from the week-12 and week-28 sets of diet recalls.

Results

Deattenuated correlations ranged from 0.09 (polyunsaturated fat) to 0.67 (calcium) for Phase 1 and from 0.27 (sucrose) to 0.63 (total fat) for Phase 2. Average deattenuated correlations for the two phases were 0.48 and 0.47, similar to those reported among other groups of pregnant women.

Conclusion

The HSFFQ is a simple self-administered questionnaire that is useful in classifying low-income American Indian and Caucasian women according to relative dietary intake during pregnancy. Its use as a research tool in this population may provide important information about associations of nutrient intakes with pregnancy outcomes and may help to identify groups of women who would benefit most from nutritional interventions.
In situ studies of algal biomass in relation to physicochemical characteristics of the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Major Kelly M , Kirkwood Andrea E , Major Clinton S , McCreadie John W , Henley William J
Published: December 2005

This is the first in a series of experiments designed to characterize the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (SPNWR) ecosystem in northwestern Oklahoma and to catalogue its microbial inhabitants. The SPNWR is the remnant of an ancient ocean, encompassing ~65 km2 of variably hypersaline flat land, fed by tributaries of the Arkansas River. Relative algal biomass (i.e., chlorophyll concentrations attributed to Chlorophyll-a-containing oxygenic phototrophs) and physical and chemical parameters were monitored at three permanent stations for a one-year period (July 2000 to July 2001) using a nested block design. Salient features of the flats include annual air temperatures that ranged from -10 to 40°C, and similar to other arid/semi-arid environments, 15–20-degree daily swings were common. Shade is absent from the flats system; intense irradiance and high temperatures (air and sediment surface) resulted in low water availability across the SPNWR, with levels of only ca. 15 % at the sediment surface. Moreover, moderate daily winds were constant (ca. 8–12 km h-1), sometimes achieving maximum speeds of up to 137 km h-1. Typical of freshwater systems, orthophosphate (PO4
3-) concentrations were low, ranging from 0.04 to <1 μM; dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels were high, but spatially variable, ranging from ca. 250–600 μM (NO3
- + NO2
-) and 4–166 μM (NH4
+). Phototroph abundance was likely tied to nutrient availability, with high-nutrient sites exhibiting high Chl-a levels (ca. 1.46 mg m-2). Despite these harsh conditions, the phototrophic microbial community was unexpectedly diverse. Preliminary attempts to isolate and identify oxygenic phototrophs from SPNWR water and soil samples yielded 47 species from 20 taxa and 3 divisions. Our data indicate that highly variable, extreme environments might support phototrophic microbial communities characterized by higher species diversity than previously assumed.
Spontaneous apoptosis of blood dendritic cells in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Pinzon-Charry Alberto , Maxwell Tammy , McGuckin Michael A , Schmidt Chris , Furnival Colin , López J Alejandro
Published: December 2005

Introduction

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen-presenting cells that play an essential role in initiating and directing cellular and humoral immunity, including anti-tumor responses. Due to their critical role in cancer, induction of DC apoptosis may be one of the central mechanisms used by tumors to evade immune recognition.

Methods

Spontaneous apoptosis of blood DCs (lineage negative HLA-DR positive cells) was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using Annexin-V and TUNEL assays immediately after blood collection. The role of tumor products was assessed by culturing cells with supernatants derived from breast cancer cell lines (TDSN) or PBMCs (PBMC-SN, as a control). The capacity of DC stimulation to prevent apoptosis was assessed by incubating DC with inflammatory cytokines, poly I:C, IL-12 or CD40 ligand (CD40L) prior to culture with TDSN. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and microscopy, and Bcl-2 expression determined by intracellular staining.

Results

In this study we document the presence of a significantly higher proportion of apoptotic (Annexin-V+ and TUNEL+) blood DCs in patients with early stage breast cancer (stage I to II; n = 13) compared to healthy volunteers (n = 15). We examined the role of tumor products in this phenomenon and show that supernatants derived from breast cancer lines induce apoptosis of blood DCs in PBMC cultures. Aiming to identify factors that protect blood DC from apoptosis, we compared a range of clinically available maturation stimuli, including inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin (PG)E2 as a cytokine cocktail), synthetic double-stranded RNA (poly I:C) and soluble CD40 ligand. Although inflammatory cytokines and poly I:C induced robust phenotypic maturation, they failed to protect blood DCs from apoptosis. In contrast, CD40 stimulation induced strong antigen uptake, secretion of IL-12 and protected blood DCs from apoptosis through sustained expression of Bcl-2. Exogenous IL-12 provided similar Bcl-2 mediated protection, suggesting that CD40L effect is mediated, at least in part, through IL-12 secretion.

Conclusion

Cumulatively, our results demonstrate spontaneous apoptosis of blood DCs in patients with breast cancer and confirm that ex vivo conditioning of blood DCs can protect them from tumor-induced apoptosis.
The Interaction of TRβ1-N Terminus with Steroid Receptor Coactivator-1 (SRC-1) Serves a Full Transcriptional Activation Function of SRC-1
Authors: Iwasaki Toshiharu , Takeshita Akira , Miyazaki Wataru , Chin William W. , Koibuchi Noriyuki
Published: December 2005

Steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) plays a crucial role in nuclear receptor-mediated transcription including thyroid hormone receptor (TR)-dependent gene expression. Interaction of the TR-ligand binding domain and SRC-1 through LXXLL motifs is required for this action. However, potential interactions between the TRβ1-N terminus (N) and SRC-1 have not been explored and thus are examined in this manuscript. Far-Western studies showed that protein construct containing TRβ1-N + DNA binding domain (DBD) bound to nuclear receptor binding domain (NBD)-1 (amino acid residue, aa 595–780) of SRC-1 without ligand. Mammalian two-hybrid studies showed that NBD-1, as well as SRC-1 (aa 595-1440), bound to TRβ1-N+DBD in the absence of ligand in CV-1 cells. However, NBD-2 (aa 1237–1440) did not bind to this protein. Glutathione-S-transferase pull-down studies showed that TRβ1-N (aa 1–105) bound to the broad region of SRC-1-C terminus. Expression vectors encoding a series of truncations and/or point mutations of TRβ1 were used in transient transfection-based reporter assays in CV-1 cells. N-terminal truncated TRβ1 (ΔN-TRβ1) showed lower activity than that of wild-type in both artificial F2-thyroid hormone response element and native malic enzyme response element. These results suggest that there is the interaction between N terminus of TRβ1 and SRC-1, which may serve a full activation of SRC-1, together with activation function-2 on TRβ1-mediated transcription.
An Essential Role of the CAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein-α in the Vitamin D-Induced Expression of the Human Steroid/Bile Acid-Sulfotransferase (SULT2A1)
Authors: Song Chung S. , Echchgadda Ibtissam , Seo Young-Kyo , Oh Taesung , Kim Soyoung , Kim Sung-A , Cho Sunghwan , Shi Liheng , Chatterjee Bandana
Published: December 2005

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates steroid and drug metabolism by inducing the genes encoding phase I and phase II enzymes. SULT2A1 is a liver- and intestine-expressed sulfo-conjugating enzyme that converts the alcohol-OH of neutral steroids, bile acids, and drugs to water-soluble sulfated metabolites. 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] induces SULT2A1 gene transcription after the recruitment of VDR to the vitamin D-responsive chromatin region of SULT2A1. A composite element in human SULT2A1 directs the 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated induction of natural and heterologous promoters. This element combines a VDR/retinoid X receptor-α-binding site [vitamin D response element (VDRE)], which is an imperfect inverted repeat 2 of AGCTCA, and a CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-binding site located 9 bp downstream to VDRE. The binding sites were identified by EMSA, antibody supershift, and deoxyribonuclease I footprinting. C/EBP-α at the composite element plays an essential role in the VDR regulation of SULT2A1, because 1) induction was lost for promoters with inactivating mutations at the VDRE or C/EBP element; 2) SULT2A1 induction by 1,25-(OH)2D3 in C/EBP-α-deficient cells required the expression of cotransfected C/EBP-α; and 3) C/EBP-β did not substitute for C/EBP-α in this regulation. VDR and C/EBP-α were recruited concurrently to the composite element along with the coactivators p300, steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1), and SRC-2, but not SRC-3. VDR and C/EBP-α associated endogenously as a DNA-dependent, coimmunoprecipitable complex, which was detected at a markedly higher level in 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated cells. These results provide the first example of the essential role of the interaction in cis between C/EBP-α and VDR in directing 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced expression of a VDR target gene.
Cheap Talk and Bogus Network Externalities in the Emerging Technology Market
Authors: Li Xiaotong
Published: December 2005

Many emerging technologies exhibit path-dependent demands driven by positive network feedback. Such network effects profoundly impact marketing strategists' thinking in today's network economy. However, the significant network externalities expected by many people often fail to materialize in the emerging technology market. We analyze this phenomenon in the context of a technology distribution channel. By studying cheap-talk strategies under information asymmetry, we show that incentive-compatible contracts are essential for achieving credible information transmission. In our model, the better-informed technology vendor has an incentive to inflate the retailer's ex ante belief of network externalities when a wholesale price contract is adopted. When properly termed revenue-sharing contracts are implemented, there are information-efficient cheap-talk equilibria where truthful information transmission is mutually beneficial. When the vendor's information is imperfect, even revenue-sharing contracts cannot guarantee credible information transmission if there is significant prior belief disparity between the vendor and the retailer. This study demonstrates how information-inefficient equilibria (e.g., information blockage) arise because of the conflict of interest or the conflict of opinion among channel members. It also explores the role of cheap talk in facilitating channel coordination.
The Effect of Product Assortment Changes on Customer Retention
Authors: Borle Sharad , Boatwright Peter , Kadane Joseph B. , Nunes Joseph C. , Galit Shmueli
Published: December 2005

This research investigates the impact of a large-scale assortment reduction on customer retention, utilizing a model we develop to explore the effect on sales at both the store level and the category level simultaneously. We apply our model to a data set provided by an online grocer. The data contain detailed household purchase records for every category in the store. Our results indicate that the reduction in assortment reduces overall store sales, a result that contrasts with that of all of the recent studies on assortment reductions (Food Marketing Institute. 1993. Variety or duplication: A process to know where you stand. Prepared by Willard Bishop Consulting and Information resources, Inc., in cooperation with Frito Lay; Drèze, Xavier, Stephen J. Hoch, Mary E. Purk. 1994. Shelf management and space elasticity. J. Retailing 70(4) 301–326; Broniarczyk, Susan M., Wayne D. Hoyer, Leigh McAlister. 1998. Consumers' perceptions of the assortment offered in a grocery category: The impact of item reduction. J. Marketing Res. 35(May) 166–176; Boatwright, Peter, Joseph C. Nunes. 2001. Reducing assortment: An attribute-based approach. J. Marketing 65(July) 50–63; Boatwright, Peter, Joseph C. Nunes. 2004. Correction note for “Reducing assortment: An attribute-based approach.” J. Marketing. Forthcoming). We find the reduction had a negative effect on both shopping frequency and purchase quantity, and we find that the decline in shopping frequency resulted in a greater loss than did the reduction in purchase quantities. We also find that the impact of the assortment cut varies widely by category, with less-frequently purchased categories more adversely affected. The variation in the assortment reduction's impact across categories suggests that managers compare select categories in order to moderate the overall loss in sales.
Understanding Geographical Markets of Online Firms Using Spatial Models of Customer Choice
Authors: Jank Wolfgang , Kannan P. K.
Published: December 2005

As the online channel matures, many firms are finding that an understanding of how their online customers' preferences and choices vary across geographical markets can be very useful. In this paper, we propose a spatial multinomial model of customer choice and illustrate how spatial modeling of choices of online customers across geographical markets provides useful insights in the context of a product mix and pricing decision of an online book publisher. The spatial multinomial model specifically accounts for the spatial correlations among customer choices among different product forms—print and PDF. The estimation results obtained using data generated from an online experiment show that the spatial model accounts for the geographical variation in many of the unobserved effects possibly due to locational differences and price sensitivities. The resultant spatial decision maps provide useful predictions as to how purchase rates vary across geographical markets as a function of the price differential between product forms, with implications for targeting customers through local market advertising, direct marketing, and cross-channel promotion.
Globalization of Authorship in the Marketing Discipline: Does It Help or Hinder the Field?
Authors: Stremersch Stefan , Verhoef Peter C.
Published: December 2005

Marketing scholars have reflected upon the marketing discipline's internal evolution before. However, no prior study has assessed the globalization of authorship in our discipline, let alone assessed its consequences for the field. This paper addresses the following two questions: (1) Is there evidence of increasing globalization of authorship in the marketing discipline? (2) If so, does it help or hinder the field? Our work shows empirically how the globalization of our discipline evolved, how U.S. dominance is fading, and which countries experienced a rise in productivity of their affiliate and native scholars. Globalization hinders the field, because it has a negative effect on the impact of several major journals (most importantly, the Journal of Marketing and the Journal of Marketing Research). Globalization helps the field, because it has a positive effect on the diversity of our discipline. Important implications of our research are: (1) Journals and sponsoring organizations should strive for more international meetings. (2) Editors, reviewers, and authors should pay more attention to the global relevance of the research they publish, review, and submit. (3) Individual researchers should aim to be part of the global community of marketing scientists through, for instance, international research visits.
Marketing and Designing Transaction Games
Authors: Shugan Steven M.
Published: December 2005

Past research reveals an extraordinary number and variety of transaction games, often with different rules. For example, buy and sell offers can be take-it-or-leave-it, irrevocable, of limited duration, negotiable, contingent on events, et cetera. The possible sets of rules seem endless.

Past (often, very insightful) research has focused on optimization, given particular rules of the game. This focus often overlooks why players choose to play the game. Indeed, assuming that an exchange will occur makes the marketing function (e.g., facilitating exchanges) inconsequential. Unlike inescapable market games between rival firms, buyers and sellers often choose whether to play transaction games. Hence, game design (i.e., setting the rules of the game) becomes vital, because the design determines both the likelihood of desirable outcomes (e.g., the best transaction price) and whether (or how many) players will choose to play.

We need more research revealing the desirability of various rule sets for different target groups and revealing rules that enhance the benefits to all players. For example, a particular auction game might provide sellers with liquidity (i.e., faster transactions) while providing buyers with unique items at bargain prices. We should also explore the interaction of rules and player benefits (e.g., liquidity, anonymity, likelihood of a transaction, etc.).
The role of panic in acute dissociative reactions following trauma
Authors: Bryant Richard A. , Panasetis Paula
Published: December 2005

Objective. ‘Peritraumatic dissociation’ refers to alterations in awareness and memory for events that occur during and shortly after a traumatic experience. Despite the prevalence of reported peritraumatic dissociation, little is known about the mechanisms that mediate dissociative responses in the initial period after trauma. One theory suggests that peritraumatic dissociation may be a response to elevated arousal and panic symptoms during trauma. This study investigated panic symptoms that occurs at the time of the trauma and their relationship to ongoing dissociation in acute stress disorder.

Design. A sample of traumatized people with acute stress disorder or controls were administered a range of psychopathology measures within one month of their trauma.

Method. Fifty‐one civilian trauma survivors with either acute stress disorder or no acute stress disorder were administered the acute stress disorder interview, the Impact of Event Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, and the Physical Reactions Scale to index panic reactions during the trauma.

Results. Hierarchical regression analysis found that panic reactions during the trauma accounted for nearly half of the variance (47%) of peritraumatic dissociation, and subsequent stress reactions accounted for an additional 3% of the variance.

Conclusions. These findings are consistent with proposals that acute dissociation is associated with panic symptoms that occur during the traumatic experience. Possible mechanisms for the association of panic and dissociation are discussed.