bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for the development of sustainable tourism in the Amazon rainforest of Bolivia
Authors: Lima Cortez Sandra
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the strategies being adopted by the Government of the State of Bolivia to develop sustainable tourism both as a means of protecting the Bolivian Amazon and a mechanism for the realization of the “Living Well” vision of the national government.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a synopsis of the principal trends in Bolivia within the last decade and then discusses the main tourism destinations of the Bolivian Amazon. The paper then outlines the strategies being adopted to develop a Bolivian brand of sustainable tourism and closes with the presentation of a vision of the Bolivia tourism of the future.

Findings

The findings confirm that in the case of Bolivia, tourism is an activity imbued with a high political ideal, and not merely a force that is at the mercy and direction of market forces and private entities. Tourism development is organically linked with concepts of community self‐actualization.

Practical implications

As an explication of the current tourism policy of the Government of Bolivia and a discussion of the strategies currently in operation to develop sustainable tourism and enshrine the “Living Well” principle, the paper has obvious relevance at all levels of the tourism implementation pyramid in Bolivia, as well as for planners in the Amazon region as a whole.

Originality/value

The Bolivia tourism strategy clearly has some unique characteristics in the context of the Amazon. This paper, therefore, brings to light an alternative national perspective with respect to tourism development in the Amazon region.
Developing sustainable tourism in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil – premises, actions, challenges
Authors: Lino Rodrigues de Jesus Vinicius
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a number of premises to develop sustainable tourism in the Amazon region of Brazil and to identify a series of actions implemented by the Government of Brazil in the last five years for the effective development of this activity in the Amazon rainforest.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the global picture of tourism and then focuses on the development of tourism at the national level over the last decade, paying particular attention to some of the strategies needed to pursue sustainable tourism development. This is followed by a discussion of the initiatives adopted by one of the principal players in the region – the Programme for Ecotourism Development in Amazonia of the Ministry of the Environment. Finally, the paper explores some of the main challenges that both the public and private sectors will face in the coming years as they attempt to accelerate the development of sustainable tourism in the Amazon region.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that while significant challenges beset the development of sustainable tourism, the Government of Brazil is committed to the pursuit of the policies and strategies that would maximize the economic benefits of tourism in the Amazon while maintaining and even strengthening the integrity of its environment and its constituent cultural forms.

Practical implications

Any paper that examines policy prescriptions, especially with regard to protection of the rainforest, has immediate relevance to various layers of authorities and practitioners. This paper would be of interest to planners at both the federal and state levels in Brazil as well as the non‐government organizations and private sector entities concerned in the development and operation of sustainable tourism.

Originality/value

This paper lays a solid basis for cross‐sectoral research that examines the contribution of specific industrial sectors to the protection of the rainforest in the Amazon of Brazil.
Tourism strategies for “advantaging” the Amazon rainforest region
Authors: Victoria Reyes Maria
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the work in progress by the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in Ecuador, in collaboration with other national and international entities, to develop a sustainable tourism product in the Amazon region of the Republic of Ecuador.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the main tourism trends in Ecuador over the past decade and then gives quantitative data regarding tourism resources in the six provinces of the Ecuadorian Amazon. This is followed by a discussion of the partnerships, national, and international, enacted by the MINTUR to advance the development of sustainable tourism. The paper ends with an insight into the form of tourism deemed most desirable as a means of creating economic and human welfare benefits as well as environmental sustainability.

Findings

The paper is a clear presentation of a country committed to the task of “advantaging” a particular region – the Amazon – through the adoption of policies and the implementation of a strategic plan that aims at optimizing development based on the natural, ecological, and cultural wealth of the region.

Practical implications

Tourism planners, entrepreneurs, and operators would derive much benefit from the concepts advanced and strategies explained in this paper.

Originality/value

With its discussion of the strong Ecuadorian base in community and ecological tourism this paper offers some fresh perspectives on the planning complexities to be addressed in the development of sustainable tourism as a mechanism for rainforest protection.
Does sustainable tourism offer solutions for the protection of the Amazon rainforest in Suriname?
Authors: Sijlbing Harrold A.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the tourism sector in Suriname drawing attention to some key initiatives for conservation and protection of the rainforest in Suriname. The paper also identifies the principal prospects, challenges, and weaknesses that attend both the planning and management of tourism in Suriname.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes and draws evidence from articles, research papers, scholarly publications and official documents and supplements those findings with interviews with key officials and actors in the tourism sector. The paper reflects a balance of multiple perspectives in its investigation of the role of sustainable tourism initiatives in the effort to protect the rainforest of the Amazon region of Suriname.

Findings

Suriname has been making strong efforts to expand the management of the area of forest that is under protection despite the increasing encroachments from mining activities. Apart from those challenges on the ground, there are also challenges of an institutional nature in the weak regulations and legislative framework necessary to conserve and protect rainforests through sustainable tourism activity.

Practical implications

As the tourism authorities of Suriname plan to accelerate growth in the tourism sector and to double arrivals within the next three years, the issues addressed in this paper relating to sound rainforest management and most sustainable tourism practices should not escape the attention of tourism planners in Suriname.

Originality/value

Suriname promotes itself as “the beating heart of the Amazon.” This paper reveals some of the strong sustainability credentials of Suriname that have also received world recognition even as it presents a sobering picture of the clear and present threats to that sustainable future.
Tourism in the Amazon: conclusions and solutions
Authors: Jayawardena Chandana (Chandi) , Sinclair Donald
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to present answers to the strategic question: “Does sustainable tourism offer solutions for the protection of the Amazon rainforest?” It also aims to capture the essence of conclusions of eight papers written by 11 tourism experts to the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) issue on tourism in the Amazon, South America.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper integrates all solutions suggested in these eight papers and sought to provide a succinct response to the strategic question.

Findings

While providing a helicopter view of the key challenges of sustainable tourism development in the Amazon, this paper proposes implementable solutions to those challenges. Using the 2009 WHATT roundtable discussion in Brasilia as the foundation, this paper addresses some of the most significant issues affecting the Amazon and its people in the context of tourism in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname. In conclusion, 12 key suggestions are made for the Amazon, which envisions healthy and sustainable growth of tourism for its people.

Originality/value

This paper provides fresh perspectives on many relevant issues by analysing inputs, viewpoints, comments, and suggestions of many regional tourism experts. Readers with interests in the Amazon or similar tourism destinations around the world would benefit from this paper.
Diffusion of VoIP in Chinese large enterprises: the cases of Air China and Harvest Fund
Authors: Assimakopoulos Dimitris , Wu Herman
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This research paper aims to apply the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework to describe and discuss the critical factors concerning the diffusion of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) innovations among Chinese large enterprises, in particular, Air China and Harvest Fund.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper deploys a dual case study methodology and extensive triangulation, including review of archival data, in‐depth interviews with key stakeholders, and a questionnaire survey.

Findings

Key factors were identified that have significant influence on the VoIP adoption by Chinese large enterprises. These factors were grouped under the TOE framework to facilitate analysis. Based on the rich data set, the paper identified the following key factors for successful adoption, implementation, and use. Managers of large companies seem to consider reliability of a new technology as the most important factor to be considered for feasibility study and budget approval. At the same time, top management support is extremely important in China. For the top executives, especially those with government background, any major decisions must not only be financially sound but also politically correct. In addition, compatibility with pre‐existing systems, following technology trends and ease of use were also viewed as critical factors influencing the initial adoption of VoIP technology and also affecting its success of implementation and subsequent use.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is exploratory in nature including a dual‐case study design. Further descriptive or/and explanatory studies may help confirm the identified factors and provide additional evidence and explanations why these factors are critical for the diffusion of VoIP among Chinese large companies. Second, a future research avenue is the deregulation of the sector by the Chinese government. Further study can focus on what kinds of benefits can be derived from deregulation as in other countries or regions and how to deregulate current restrictions and foster the development of this market in China. Third, the companies studied in this paper are large companies with a history of government control. With the gradual rise of private companies in China, a future researcher could study the key influential factors for VoIP adoption for these companies.

Originality/value

Out of these critical factors, the paper identifies two rarely mentioned factors that are critical among Chinese large enterprises: first, technology trend; and second, the innovation's return on investment (price/total cost of ownership). The paper also spells out management implications for practitioners in large Chinese firms.
Global R&D organization and the development of dynamic capabilities
Authors: Ester Ralf Martin , Assimakopoulos Dimitris , von Zedtwitz Maximilian , Yu Xiubao
Published: April 2010

Purpose

How does the internationalization of R&D influence the development of dynamic capabilities? Based on the observation that Chinese high‐tech companies internationalize parts of their R&D activities to Western countries before they have established sound domestic R&D capabilities and in opposition to other held beliefs about internationalization drivers this paper aims to investigate the role of global R&D organizational structure in the development of dynamic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a qualitative case study using data of one Chinese high‐tech firm to develop testable propositions.

Findings

The research develops three main propositions: the loss of competitive advantage and relevant capabilities in the domestic market is more important to the internationalization of R&D than an attempt to enter new international markets; in joint development teams with a partner company, a functional R&D team sub‐structure using heavyweight or autonomous teams leads to a higher degree of knowledge exchange in the partner sub‐project organization; R&D projects conducted in organizations with higher formal control lead to a higher degree of learning than R&D projects conducted when control is shared with a partner; R&D projects which rely extensively on external knowledge (with no formal control) produce better outcomes for learning than projects conducted under joint control; R&D projects which rely extensively on external knowledge (with no formal control) produce better outcomes for learning than projects conducted in full control.

Research limitations/implications

As the research is based on data of one single case study there are several inherent limitations regarding validity and reliability which need to be covered by future research.

Originality/value

This paper posits that R&D internationalization has a positive influence on the development of dynamic capabilities.
Multinational investment projects in the petrochemical industry in China
Authors: Todeva Emanuela , Fu Yan
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The paper discusses the new concept of “Multinational Investment Projects” (MIPs) and its application in the context of international business operations in China. The petrochemical industry in China is used as the industrial context in which we investigate the interplay between the Chinese government, which encourages growth and investment activities in the sector, and the multinational petrochemical firms competing for global market share in this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the nature of the petrochemical value chain and the investment activities in all of its segments. Using an originally created database of the top 180 MIPs in the petrochemical industry in China and additional context information the business environment in China, the paper reviews the investment strategies of multinational petrochemical corporations, and discusses their strategic choices for mode of entry in China, geographic location and location within the value chain.

Findings

The overview of MIPs in the Chinese petrochemical industry confirms the theoretical expectations of the critical impact of Chinese Government policies. The paper explains the emerging shape of international competition in this sector of the Chinese economy.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this paper are the new conceptual framework for analysis of the drivers for strategic investment choices, the assembly of a database with the top 180 MIPs in the petrochemical industry in China, and the analysis of the relationships between the regional endowments, concentration of value‐chain activities and location choices by multinational firms from different countries of origin. The results demonstrate the factors that drive growth in a knowledge‐, technology‐ and capital‐intensive sector.
Human and social capital interplay among internationalizing SMEs
Authors: Goxe François
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an explanation for foreign small‐ and‐medium‐sized enterprise' (SMEs) internationalization results in China based on human and social capital interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of a qualitative comparative case study drawing on primary (interviews, observations) and secondary data (reports) are reported.

Findings

The paper finds that human capital dimensions interact and influence social capital development for internationalization purposes. Different types of social capital can be developed (domestic or international) with different effects on internationalization. Similarities with Chinese guanxi practices are also established.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper provides a starting‐point for further research in SME internationalization and entrepreneurs' characteristics in China regardless of cultural traits typically invoked: quantitative analysis, extension to a different context of internationalization or use of different descriptors of human and social capital, etc.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the importance for internationalization agents (such as public agencies) to provide not only cultural training but also, above all, personal coaching to develop some international human capital traits (international orientation, international business skills, etc.) and sectoral connections.

Originality/value

The paper extends the traditional culture‐based guanxi paradigm of internationalization in China to a social capital based approach of emerging entrepreneurship.
SME innovation in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Mitussis Darryn
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the barriers to innovation in Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews with 39 SME owner‐managers, industry bodies and relevant government authorities were gathered and analysed.

Findings

The key finding is that Chinese SMEs may be at risk of being stuck in a high‐level equilibrium trap and that the improving macro‐environment might not change embedded innovation constraining hierarchical management and guanxi networking.

Originality/value

Key contribution is the characterisation of Chinese SMEs as stuck in an equilibrium trap along with a description of the conditions that cause it. Importantly, this paper explores these issues by juxtaposing macro‐environment conditions with the rational firm‐level behaviours that they prompt.
Key approaches to research knowledge for doctoral students: study of Tongji University, China
Authors: Yu Xiubao , Chen Ming , You Wenhong
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the most important approaches to gaining research knowledge employed by full‐time doctoral students in a Chinese university.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a case study of Tongji University using two sets of convenient samples and interviewing 51 students.

Findings

Results show that “academic databases” have outperformed the traditional supervisors' roles in their importance to PhD students' research activities. Also, an approach called “big and small group discussions” by local computer science students is identified to be important. In‐depth analysis of this special practice suggests this learning experience echoes the importance of Wenger's theory of “community of practice” in the research activities of doctoral students.

Originality/value

This paper presents an analysis of doctoral students' research knowledge at a Chinese university. Its findings give critical suggestions for doctoral students' education and also have key theoretical implications, and suggest that future researchers in this area should have a deep understanding of the special form of “community of practice,” both in academic PhD and firm‐level research activities.
Effectiveness of Western MBA programmes for Chinese managers
Authors: Yan Kai‐Cheung , Mak Michael
Published: April 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to address how management knowledge transferred through Western management education programmes is effectively perceived and applied to decisions by Chinese managers, who have a cultural background quite different from their Western counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first examines Western management concepts under Chinese culture and second reviews the development and status of Western Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes in China. Third, the framework of a three‐dimension knowledge transfer model first developed in the USA is used to study the effectiveness of the transfer of academic management concepts to working managers in China through their perception of source, familiarity and usefulness of the concepts. A quantitative approach employing non‐probability sampling method is adopted to survey a group of working managers enrolled in a Western MBA programme in Xi'an.

Findings

The result shows education to be a much more important source of management knowledge for the Chinese managers than for their US counterparts who regard it as the least important.

Research limitations/implications

Generalized interpretation of the results should be cautioned due to the limited scope of the study and the nature of non‐probability sampling method.

Originality/value

The findings form a basis for further research in how cultural differences between the West and China are tempering the effectiveness of Western MBA programmes to Chinese working managers so that educators can better design their management programmes for China.
Culture and leadership in Africa: a conceptual model and research agenda
Authors: Kuada John
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The paper aims at identifying the knowledge gaps in the existing African leadership studies and argues in support of further research in the field with a view to establishing the link between African culture and leadership practices and their implications for economic growth on the continent.

Design/methodology/approach

It reviews the mainstream perspectives in leadership literature in general and African leadership literature in particular as a basis for the development of an integrated goal‐behaviour‐performance model.

Findings

Previous studies have seen African culture as either defining the uniqueness of leadership on the continent or constraining leadership development. The paper suggests the presence of both types of impact on leadership. It also offers a conceptual framework that integrates the different perspectives on the relationship between culture, leadership and organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based mainly on limited empirical investigations into leadership styles and functions in Africa. The scarcity of studies in the field therefore imposes limitations on the generalizability of some of the arguments.

Practical implications

The paper encourages research in the field and provides some propositions to guide future empirical investigations. Ideas generated in the paper will guide organizational development strategies and poverty alleviation policies in Africa.

Originality/value

It is one of the recent attempts to synthesize existing perspectives on leadership behaviour in Africa and its implications for economic growth and poverty alleviation.
Defining and enforcing ethical leadership in Nigeria
Authors: Kate Nwadiogwa Nnabuife Ezimma
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current gap existing between ethics theorization and enforcement in the Nigerian leadership system.

Design/methodology/approach

In an attempt to achieve the objective of the paper, some ethical issues in the Nigerian governance and the several regulatory and enforcement agencies set up to curb ethical menace were critically examined. The achievements of the bodies were also evaluated.

Findings

The paper concludes that the apparent gap which continues to exist is not a function of ethical definition but results from challenges in the enforcement which are thematically grouped under leadership, societal and individual variables.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis suggests that bridging the ethical gap in Nigeria depends largely on leadership which must be by example.

Originality/value

This paper presents an invaluable challenge to leadership in Nigeria who must reposition their responsibility.
Work engagement among managers and professionals in Egypt
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , El‐Kot Ghada
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine potential antecedents and consequences of work engagement in a sample of male and female managers and professionals employed in various organizations and industries in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 242 respondents, a 48 percent response rate, using anonymously completed questionnaires. Engagement was assessed by three scales developed by Schaufeliet al.; vigor, dedication, and absorption. Antecedents included personal demographic and work situation characteristics as well as measures of need for achievement and workaholic behaviors; consequences included measures of work satisfaction and psychological well‐being.

Findings

The following results are observed. First, both need for achievement and one workaholic job behavior are found to predict all three engagement measures. Second, engagement, particularly dedication, predict various work outcomes (e.g. job satisfaction, intent to quit). Third, engagement, again, particularly dedication, predicted various psychological well‐being outcomes but less strongly than these predicted work outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Questions of causality cannot be addressed since data were collected at only one‐point in time. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the effects of work life experiences on engagement.

Practical implications

Organizations can increase levels of work engagement by creating supportive work experiences (e.g. control, rewards, and recognition) consistent with effective human resource management (HRM) practices. But caution must be exercised before employing North American practices in the Egyptian context.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of work engagement among managers and professionals and HRM more broadly in a large Muslim country.
Organizational retention strategies and employee performance of Zenith Bank in Nigeria
Authors: Eseme Gberevbie Daniel
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine employee‐retention strategies and performance in the Nigerian banking sector over the period 2000‐2005, with focus on Zenith Bank in Nigeria. The sector is unique in terms of its contribution to Nigeria's gross domestic product.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey research design involving the use of questionnaire and structured interview to obtain primary and secondary data from relevant books, journals and the internet were adopted. The paper also adopted the χ2‐analytical technique to test for significant relationship between variables.

Findings

The study revealed that it is more profitable for organizations to put in place appropriate employee‐retention strategies such as good organization's image, staff participation in decision making, enhanced and regular salary package, and humane treatment of employees as strategies for organizational performance.

Practical implications

Particularly, organizations are likely to experience frequent employee turnover for as long as they fail to put in place appropriate employee‐retention strategies, which is capable of preventing enhanced performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides insight into what could enhance the performance of organizations in their quest for quality service delivery and profitability. Its findings could also be a source of motivation to organizations in other sectors in the area of employee performance.
Establishment processes in a one party economy: the case of Eritrea
Authors: Abraha Gebrekidan Desalegn
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issues of how business people perceive the business environment, how government policies impact the environment and how the environment impacts the establishment processes and position development of new firms in the Eritrean market. The process is discussed by keeping a strict focus on the main actors and the activities they carried out, as well as how the available resources are utilized and exchanged in the market.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the establishment process model developed from the network approach, case studies based on interviews and focus group discussions have been used to shed light on the extent to how government policies and the environment impacts the establishment processes and position development in the Eritrean market.

Findings

An important conclusion of this paper is that the main obstacle for business establishment is the hostile attitude of the government to the private sector. Another significant obstacle for building a successful position in the market is the state‐owned command economy network of relationships. An additional crucial hindrance is the non‐existence of a market economy network of relationships that can provide firms in the private sector with the resources they need to perform their operations.

Research limitations/implications

All firms in this paper have demonstrated that the main obstacle for establishment is the hostile attitude of the government to the private sector. Another obstacle is the state‐owned command economy network of relationships, which hinders firms from building a successful position in the market. An additional crucial hindrance is the non‐existence of a market economy network of relationships that can provide firms in the private sector with the resources they need to perform their operations. Since the paper is based on case studies and focus group discussions, conducting a similar study on a representative sample of firms selected from a larger population will be very useful.

Originality/value

This paper makes a unique contribution by focusing on the establishment process in a market, which is regulated, controlled and owned by the one party government. The other unique contribution is that a firm has to identify the secrets of business success and to follow the same strategy.
Generic Lean Six Sigma project definitions in publishing
Authors: de Koning Henk , Does Ronald J.M.M. , Groen Arjan , Kemper Benjamin P.H.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Many companies in the publishing industry are facing the task of developing new business models and becoming more efficient and effective in execution. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a unified framework for systematically developing efficiency and quality improvements; it can help realize significant results and breakthrough improvements in the publishing industry, as demonstrated with many projects from a Dutch multinational publishing company. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the process of defining LSS projects in publishing, because lack of a clear definition is an important cause for project failure.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses and categorizes 49 project definitions based on two elements: the critical to quality flowdown and the corresponding set of operational definitions and shows how this simple categorization and subsequent standardization of approaches can help LSS teams simplify the definition phase.

Findings

The strategy presented in this paper provides seven standard LSS project definitions (“generic templates”).

Originality/value

Project leaders can use the templates presented in this paper as an example and as a guide in the project definition phase. This helps them to formulate crystal‐clear project definitions, which have explicitly stated goals and a solid business rationale.
Design for Six Sigma: caveat emptor
Authors: Watson Gregory H. , DeYong Camille F.
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the historical approach to concurrent engineering (CE) which has resulted in product line management (PLM) and then evaluates the theoretical models that have been proposed for design for Six Sigma (DFSS) in order to determine which model is able to provide the most consistent approach with historical development of PLM.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach begins with an overview of the approach taken by the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) in the development of a coherent quality methodology for structured analysis and problem solving – the Deming Wheel of plan‐do‐check‐act (PDCA) which has become the standard model in Japanese total quality management to define a logical decomposition in process management. In Japan, PDCA is the single logical model which has been broadly accepted as the construct for understanding how to develop both strategic and operational quality methods. The second step in the approach is to examine a similar American development of the model for statistical problem solving that is applied in the Six Sigma method for statistical problem solving: define‐measure‐analyze‐improve‐control (DMAIC). Next, the paper examines the historical sequence in the way the product development process has developed over the past forty years, with emphasis on its military origins (especially CE) and which resulted in the generic model for PLM. The final part of this paper examines the models that have been proposed to implement DFSS over the past ten years and evaluate their logical congruence with the engineering community's design process.

Findings

Problems in alignment with the engineering design process were identified with all of the DFSS models and with the non‐structured or “heuristic” approach to developing a coherent body of knowledge related to DFSS.

Originality/value

This paper provides a challenge to the quality community as well as to the academic community. The paper points out the need for rigorous examination of logical models that are proposed for guiding the thinking of practitioners in the use of quality methods for both the engineering of products and business systems. An expose of lack of rationality in the way an approach to DFSS has been investigated calls for more responsibility in the management of the development of this body of knowledge.
Reproductive biology of the crocodile shark Pseudocarcharias kamoharai
Authors: Oliveira P. , Hazin F. H. V. , Carvalho F. , Rego M. , Coelho R. , Piercy A. , Burgess G.
Published: April 2010

From February 2005 to September 2007, a total of 490 crocodile sharks Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, caught as by‐catch in the swordfish and tuna longline fishery that operates in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, was studied in regard to their reproductive biology. Maximum observed total lengths (LT) were 1220 and 1090 mm for females and males respectively, with a high proportion of the catch being composed of mature specimens. Sexual maturity was attained at 760–810 mm LT for males (LT50 = 800 mm) and 870–980 mm LT for females (LT50 = 916 mm). The size at birth was estimated at 415 mm LT. Temporal variation in gonad morphology and mass suggests that in this region P. kamoharai, an aplacental viviparous species with oophagy, does not show a well‐defined reproductive seasonality, with mating and parturition occurring possibly over an extended period of the year. Mean ±s.d. fecundity was estimated to be 3·9 (± 0·6) pups per reproductive cycle.
Reproductive aspects of the Atlantic angel shark Squatina dumeril
Authors: Baremore I. E.
Published: April 2010

Atlantic angel sharks Squatina dumeril were collected by fishery‐dependent and independent trawls from 2002 to 2008 for reproductive analysis. Female S. dumeril have only one functional ovary (left), with an average litter size of seven pups. The reproductive cycle is at least biennial, though the seasonality of vitellogenesis could not be determined. Gestation is c. 12 months, and embryo data support a seasonal trend in reproduction, with parturition occurring in the spring months (February to June). Mature male S. dumeril have spines on the outer margins of their pectoral fins, and there is an apparent peak in gonad size in the spring. The total length at which 50% of the population is mature is 85·8 and 92·9 cm for females and males, respectively.
Genome‐wide germline analyses on cancer susceptibility and GeMDBJ database: Gastric cancer as an example
Authors: Yoshida Teruhiko , Ono Hiroe , Kuchiba Aya , Saeki Norihisa , Sakamoto Hiromi
Published: April 2010

The power of an SNP‐based genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was first demonstrated in Japan using the JSNP database and is currently a major strategy adopted around the world for a number of common diseases including cancers. The hypothesis‐free strategy can lead us to a novel hypothesis for carcinogenesis and may contribute to identifying a high risk group for research and, in the future, practice of personalized prevention. We performed a GWAS on diffuse‐type gastric cancer and identified a significant association with SNPs in the PSCA (prostate stem cell antigen) gene. The association was validated by a Korean gastric case‐control analysis. The PSCA protein is expressed predominantly in the stem cell/precursor‐rich region of the gastric epithelium, which is considered as the origin of diffuse‐type gastric cancer, and showed tumor suppressor‐like characteristics. Individuals with a low PSCA promoter activity are susceptible to diffuse‐type gastric cancer. By contrast, the polymorphism does not significantly predispose to intestinal‐type gastric cancer, congruous to the hypothesis of the two distinct carcinogenesis pathways for the two major types of gastric cancer. In addition to publication on a specific gene, the sharing of GWAS data through a database on the web is expected to accelerate validation and discovery by other investigators. GeMDBJ (Genome Medicine Database of Japan), started in 2005 in Japan, is one of such attempts. Moreover, the advent of “next generation” sequencers may herald a new era in which the poorly explored domains of the genetic architecture of disease susceptibility may be unveiled. (Cancer Sci 2010)
DNA ligase IV is a potential molecular target in ACNU sensitivity
Authors: Kondo Natsuko , Takahashi Akihisa , Mori Eiichiro , Noda Taichi , Su Xiaoming , Ohnishi Ken , McKinnon Peter J. , Sakaki Toshisuke , Nakase Hiroyuki , Ono Koji , Ohnishi Takeo
Published: April 2010

Nimustine (ACNU) is a chloroethylating agent which was the most active chemotherapy agent used for patients with high‐grade gliomas until the introduction of temozolomide, which became the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastomas in Japan. Since temozolomide was established as the standard first‐line therapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), ACNU has been employed as a salvage chemotherapy agent for recurrent GBM in combination with other drugs. The acting molecular mechanism in ACNU has yet to be elucidated. ACNU is a cross‐linking agent which induces DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). The work described here was intended to clarify details in repair pathways which are active in the repair of DNA DSBs induced by ACNU. DSBs are repaired through the homologous recombination (HR) and non‐homologous end‐joining (NHEJ) pathways. Cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts were used which have deficiencies in DNA DSB repair genes which are involved in HR repair (X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group 2 [XRCC2] and radiation sensitive mutant 54 [Rad54]), and in NHEJ repair (DNA ligase IV [Lig4]). Cellular sensitivity to ACNU treatment was evaluated with colony forming assays. The most effective molecular target which correlated with ACNU cell sensitivity was Lig4. In addition, it was found that Lig4 small‐interference RNA (siRNA) efficiently enhanced cell lethality which was induced by ACNU in human glioblastoma A172 cells. These findings suggest that the down‐regulation of Lig4 might provide a useful tool which can be used to increase cell sensitivity in response to ACNU chemotherapy. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Non‐native fishes and climate change: predicting species responses to warming temperatures in a temperate region
Authors: BRITTON J. R. , CUCHEROUSSET J. , DAVIES G. D. , GODARD M. J. , COPP G. H.
Published: April 2010

1. Temperate regions with fish communities dominated by cold‐water species (physiological optima <20 °C) are vulnerable to the effects of warming temperatures caused by climate change, including displacement by non‐native cool‐water (physiological optima 20–28 °C) and warm‐water fishes (physiological optima >28 °C) that are able to establish and invade as the thermal constraints on the expression of their life history traits diminish.

2. England and Wales is a temperate region into which at least 38 freshwater fishes have been introduced, although 14 of these are no longer present. Of the remaining 24 species, some have persisted but failed to establish, some have established populations without becoming invasive and some have become invasive. The aim of the study was to predict the responses of these 24 non‐native fishes to the warming temperatures of England and Wales predicted under climate change in 2050.

3. The predictive use of climate‐matching models and an air and water temperature regression model suggested that there are six non‐native fishes currently persistent but not established in England and Wales whose establishment and subsequent invasion would benefit substantially from the predicted warming temperatures. These included the common carp Cyprinus carpio and European catfish Silurus glanis, fishes that also exert a relatively high propagule pressure through stocking to support angling and whose spatial distribution is currently increasing significantly, including in open systems.

4. The potential ecological impacts of the combined effects of warming temperatures, current spatial distribution and propagule pressure on the establishment and invasion of C. carpio and S. glanis were assessed. The ecological consequences of C. carpio invasion were assessed as potentially severe in England and Wales, with impacts likely to relate to habitat destruction, macrophyte loss and increased water turbidity. However, evidence of ecological impacts of S. glanis elsewhere in their introduced range was less clear and so their potential impacts in England and Wales remain uncertain.
Incidence of accessory canals in Japanese anterior maxillary teeth following root canal filling ex vivo
Authors: Adorno C. G. , Yoshioka T. , Suda H
Published: April 2010

Adorno CG, Yoshioka T, Suda H. Incidence of accessory canals in Japanese anterior maxillary teeth following root canal filling ex vivo. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 370–376, 2010.

Aim  To investigate the vertical and horizontal distribution and the incidence of accessory canals in Japanese maxillary anterior teeth following root filling.

Methodology  The study included maxillary teeth; 69 central incisors, 61 lateral incisors and 31 canines. After the canal systems had been dyed and root canal instrumentation had been carried out, all prepared canals were filled with gutta‐percha without using sealer. Transparent specimens were then obtained and examined with a digital microscope for horizontal and vertical distributions of accessory canals.

Results  The incidence of teeth with accessory canals in the apical 3 mm was 46%, 29% and 38% for the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors and canines, respectively. The horizontal distribution was mainly buccal for central incisors, palatal for lateral incisors and distal and palatal for canines. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the apical 3 mm and the rest of the root (16%, 20% and 19% for the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors and canines, respectively) in terms of the presence of accessory canals.

Conclusions  A high percentage of accessory canals can be found in apical 3 mm of the root. The horizontal distribution of accessory canals differed amongst the tooth types studied.
Mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol pulpotomy of primary teeth: a 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Ansari G. , Ranjpour M.
Published: April 2010

Ansari G, Ranjpour M. Mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol pulpotomy of primary teeth: a 2‐year follow‐up. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 413–418, 2010.

Aim  To compare the clinical and radiographic response of primary teeth to vital pulpotomy using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or formocresol (FC).

Methodology  A group of 17 children aged 4–9 were selected from those referred to the Paedodontic Department at Shahid Beheshti University, Dental School. Cases with at least two matching teeth were selected (40 teeth), showing signs of pulp involvement. A pulpotomy procedure was carried out in all cases with FC in control teeth whilst MTA was placed in experimental teeth. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 1‐, 6‐, 12‐ and 24‐month recall. Statistical analysis using a Fischer exact test was performed on the data to determine significant differences between the groups.

Results  Overall, 22 second and 18 first primary molars were included. The gender ratio was one male to three female. No significant difference was found between the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the two groups at 6‐, 12‐ and 24‐month follow‐up (P > 0.05). Internal resorption was seen significantly more often in FC cases after 12 months than MTA cases. Overall radiographic appearance of normal structures at 24th month was seen in more than 95% of the cases in MTA and 90% in the FC‐treated group (P > 0.05).

Conclusion  Mineral trioxide aggregate for pulp treatment of primary teeth can be considered a replacement for FC.
Discrimination between cells of murine and human origin in xenotransplants by species specific genomic in situ hybridization
Authors: Steck Eric , Burkhardt Michaela , Ehrlich Hermann , Richter Wiltrud
Published: April 2010

Steck E, Burkhardt M, Ehrlich H and Richter W. Discrimination between cells of murine and human origin in xenotransplants by species specific genomic in situ hybridization. Xenotransplantation 2010; 17: 153–159. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Xenotransplantation of human cells into immune compromised host species is an important experimental setup to follow the faith of implanted cells and the contribution of host cells to tissue regenerates. In this context, it is of major relevance to discriminate between transplanted and host cells. Labeling techniques of donor cells frequently reach only part of the cells, have the risk of influencing their natural biological activity and may allow label transmission to host cells via vesicles or phagocytosis. To allow positive detection of donor and host cells on histological sections of a transplant, we have developed a method to identify mouse cells by in situ hybridization of murine specific genomic repetitive elements (SINE/B1, SINE/B2) which we combined with human cell detection using Alu in situ hybridization. We describe generation of mouse specific probes, hybridization and read out using biomaterial supported human chondrocyte constructs implanted subcutaneously in mice. Mouse specific genomic repeats identified attached or invaded host cells in the transplants with human specific signals confined to regions of cartilage‐like extracellular matrix. The method is suitable to discriminate specifically between cells of human and mouse origin without overlap of unspecific staining.