bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chryseobacterium formosense sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa L. (garden lettuce)
Authors: Young Chiu-Chung , Kämpfer Peter , Shen Fo-Ting , Lai Wei-An , Arun A. B.
Published: January 2005

A yellow-pigmented bacterial strain (CC-H3-2T), isolated from the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa L. (garden lettuce) in Taiwan, was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were Gram-negative, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that the organism belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium, with the highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Chryseobacterium indoltheticum (97·7 %), Chryseobacterium scophthalmum (97·5 %), Chryseobacterium joostei (97·2 %) and Chryseobacterium defluvii (97·2 %). The major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (52·2 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed levels of only 27·4 % to C. scophthalmum, 27·1 % to C. indoltheticum, 14·1 % to C. joostei and 7·8 % to C. defluvii. DNA–DNA relatedness and biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties demonstrate that strain CC-H3-2 T represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium formosense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-H3-2T (=CCUG 49271T=CIP 108367T).
Marinomonas ushuaiensis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sea water in Ushuaia, Argentina, sub-Antarctica
Authors: Prabagaran S. R. , Suresh K. , Manorama Ruth , Delille Daniel , Shivaji S.
Published: January 2005

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, psychrophilic, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, strain U1T, was isolated from Ushuaia located at the southernmost tip of Argentina. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain U1Twas found to be closely related toMarinomonas communis(DSM 5604T) andMarinomonas primoryensis(IAM 15010T). At the DNA–DNA level, however, the values for similarity were 41 and 25 %, respectively. The major fatty acids present were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C17 : 1and C18 : 1ω7cand the G+C content of the DNA was 43·6 mol%. All of the above characteristics support the affiliation of strain U1Tto the genusMarinomonas. Furthermore, on the basis of phenotypic features, chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, it appears that strain U1Tis distinct from the fourMarinomonasspecies with validly published names. Strain U1T, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the nameMarinomonas ushuaiensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofM. ushuaiensisis U1T(=MTCC 6143T=DSM 15871T=JCM 12170T).
Bizionia paragorgiae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from the soft coral Paragorgia arborea
Authors: Nedashkovskaya Olga I. , Kim Seung Bum , Lysenko Anatoly M. , Frolova Galina M. , Mikhailov Valery V. , Bae Kyung Sook
Published: January 2005

A novel marine bacterium isolated from the soft coralParagorgia arboreain the Sea of Okhotsk was studied by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain, KMM 6029T, was strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, yellow-pigmented, non-motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. From results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain KMM 6029Toccupied a distinct lineage within the familyFlavobacteriaceaeand showed 95·5 % similarity to its closest relative,Formosa algae. The DNA G+C content was 37·6 mol%. Major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, a15 : 0, i15 : 1, a15 : 1, i16 : 1, i16 : 0, i16 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1ω7c). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics the novel bacterium has been assigned toBizioniagen. nov., asBizionia paragorgiaegen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6029T(=KCTC 12304T=LMG 22571T).
Factors affecting organisational creativity and innovativeness in Egyptian business organisations: an empirical investigation
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The overall purpose of this research is to further our understanding of how managers in Egypt perceive creativity and innovativeness. The paper also examines the construct validity of two measures of creativity and creativity barriers in order to gain further insights into the factors stimulating or hindering creativity in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 170 managers was used to achieve the research purpose. Based on the upper‐echelon perspective, the sample slightly favours high‐level managers. Respondents completed a 77‐item instrument designed to assess stimulants‐to‐creativity in the organisational workplace. A 17‐item barriers‐to‐creativity instrument was also used to assess barriers to creativity in Egypt's organisations.

Findings

The study detected a statistically significant difference in attitudes towards organisational creativity based on the managers’ functional areas in the organisation. The study also shows that the greater the education of the manager, the more he or she is likely to adopt creative and innovative activities. Using thet‐test procedure, no generation gap was detected in the managers’ attitudes towards organisational creativity. Finally, the study showed that male managers have significantly favourable attitudes towards creativity compared with their female counterparts.

Originality/value

This study has provided some insights into the factors associated with organisational creativity and creativity barriers in an Arab, non‐Western context. The more is known of how managers perceive creativity, the more quickly and efficiently creativity can be stimulated, thereby allowing other global players to capitalise on opportunities for innovation and partnering that will emerge as markets open in the Middle East.
Social capital and gender in the workplace
Authors: Timberlake Sharon
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Social capital has been widely accepted as an important asset for creating and maintaining healthy communities, robust organizations and vibrant civil societies. This paper explores the relevance of social capital to management development in the workplace and, more specifically, the importance of gender in the formation of social capital and the distribution of its benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The pertinent scholarly literature is reviewed to explore the role of social capital in organizational behavior and its relationship to gender.

Findings

Although the numbers of women entering the workplace have risen steadily in the last half century and strides have been made in attaining economic parity with men, statistics reveal that women continue to lag behind men in career advancement and in levels of compensation and achieved status. It is argued in the literature that women are hindered in their efforts to achieve career advancement and its associated benefits due to their inability to access social capital, a valuable organizational commodity and source of the knowledge, resources, and networks that are essential for career development and maturation.

Originality/value

This review reveals that untold benefits and rewards may be generated once workplaces are democratized and equalized so that women – and men – may contribute equally to the growth and development of private and public sector organizations. However, few practical solutions are included, as the available literature only cursorily addresses possible remedies.
Internal evaluation of a management‐development initiative: a public‐sector case
Authors: Seppänen‐Järvelä Riitta
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The central concern of this paper is to analyze how a management‐development (MD) program can be promoted through internal evaluation. The aim of this article is, through an evaluation experience, to study the usability of internal process‐oriented evaluation in the context of a public‐sector professional organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A case from a public‐sector professional organization is used as an example to demonstrate the idea of evaluative development orientation, which is the use of evaluation concepts, techniques, and findings in fostering organizational change and learning in one's own organization. It is a holistic approach, which consists of continuous scanning of emerging effects and systematic monitoring and documentation of the process of the program.

Findings

Develops the idea of using internal process‐oriented evaluation as a method to promote the organizational development initiative. Points out some lessons learned with regard to the following main themes: managing data, managing role variety, and managing organizational politics.

Originality/value

Evaluative interest in MD has been mainly focused on consequences of individual concern in skills learned or the impact on career development. The connections to the strategy, capacity building or motivation of the organization have been weak and the development effort itself has been taken as a “black box”: the understanding of what the outcomes are outcomes of has been inadequate.
The critical success factors in the client‐consulting relationship
Authors: Appelbaum Steven H. , Steed Anthony J.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The primary intent of this study is to examine recent projects involving external management consultants at a North American telecommunications firm, from the employees’ point of view, to measure the extent to which the aforementioned “critical success factors” were perceived as being evident. A secondary purpose was to examine which, if any, of these factors differ between more or less successful consulting projects with a view to building a model to predict employees’ perceptions of the level of the projects’ success. A third objective was to gather employee opinions on the use of management consultancy and other factors that might contribute to the success of consulting projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 102 employees responded to a questionnaire consisting of 59 questions. A model including six independent variables was able to predict overall rating of project success, with an adjusted R2=0.68, F=27.81 (p<0.0001). The significant variables, in order of importance, were: the solution took into account one's internal state of readiness; the project included prototyping new solutions; the project deliverables were clear; the consultant partnered with the project team throughout; the consultant was professional; and the consultant understood the sense of urgency.

Findings

Substantial differences were seen on most measures between projects judged “successful” and projects judged “not successful”. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that many of the success factors suggested in the literature, and proposed under “an ideal client‐consultant engagement”, were judged as being present in management consulting projects at the telecommunications firm, to one degree or another. General opinions of management consultants were mixed and somewhat negative. Employees at the telecommunications organization do not agree with the traditional benefits of management consultants promoted by the industry.

Originality/value

The results of this study support the anecdotal and theoretical models, in particular those emphasizing the importance of process issues, the client‐consulting relationship and their impact on project outcome.
Coaching professionalism and provider size
Authors: Ahern Geoffrey
Published: January 2005

Purpose

This article opens up for debate a new perspective on professional quality in externally supplied coaching.

Design/methodology/approach

Three provider size‐types are taken in turn and interpreted in relation to characteristic quality issues.

Findings

Professional quality characteristically varies with different types of coaching provider. Three primary provider types are identified: large conglomerates (often multinational); the solo market where coaches work as individuals; and the specialised coaching team or “boutique”. Provider size is suggested to be the key quality‐related variable distinguishing these three types. Professional quality is specified inclusively through identifying the factors currently in the coaching quality debate. This allows a menu of factors to be considered non‐judgementally in relation to the provider types.

Practical implications

The article suggests how the characteristic size pluses can be realised and the minuses avoided.

Originality/value

Provider size does not seem to have been debated before as a key variable in coaching quality.
Generalized hierarchical bases: a Wavelet‐Ritz‐Galerkin framework for Lagrangian FEM
Authors: D'Heedene S. , Amaratunga K. , Castrillón‐Candás J.
Published: January 2005

Purpose

This paper presents a novel framework for solving elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs) over irregularly spaced meshes on bounded domains.

Design/methodology/approach

Second‐generation wavelet construction gives rise to a powerful generalization of the traditional hierarchical basis (HB) finite element method (FEM). A framework based on piecewise polynomial Lagrangian multiwavelets is used to generate customized multiresolution bases that have not only HB properties but also additional qualities.

Findings

For the 1D Poisson problem, we propose – for any given order of approximation – a compact closed‐form wavelet basis that block‐diagonalizes the stiffness matrix. With this wavelet choice, all coupling between the coarse scale and detail scales in the matrix is eliminated. In contrast, traditional higher‐order (n>1) HB do not exhibit this property. We also achieve full scale‐decoupling for the 2D Poisson problem on an irregular mesh. No traditional HB has this quality in 2D.

Research limitations/implications

Similar techniques may be applied to scale‐decouple the multiresolution finite element (FE) matrices associated with more general elliptic PDEs.

Practical implications

By decoupling scales in the FE matrix, the wavelet formulation lends itself particularly well to adaptive refinement schemes.

Originality/value

The paper explains second‐generation wavelet construction in a Lagrangian FE context. For 1D higher‐order and 2D first‐order bases, we propose a particular choice of wavelet, customized to the Poisson problem. The approach generalizes to other elliptic PDE problems.
The integration of lean management and Six Sigma
Authors: Arnheiter Edward D. , Maleyeff John
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To eliminate many misconceptions regarding Six Sigma and lean management by describing each system and the key concepts and techniques that underlie their implementation. This discussion is followed by a description of what lean organizations can gain from Six Sigma and what Six Sigma organizations can gain from lean management.

Design/methodology/approach

Comparative study of Six Sigma and lean management using available literature, critical analysis, and knowledge and professional experience of the authors.

Findings

The joint implementation of the programs will result in a lean, Six Sigma (LSS) organization, overcoming the limitations of each program when implemented in isolation. A thorough analysis of the two programs provides some likely reasons why the programs alone may fail to achieve absolute perfection.

Practical implications

A lean, Six Sigma (LSS) organization would capitalize on the strengths of both lean management and Six Sigma. An LSS organization would include three primary tenets of lean management, and the LSS organization would include three primary tenets of Six Sigma.

Originality/value

Suggestions are made regarding concepts and methods that would constitute a lean, Six Sigma organization. Figures summarize the nature of improvements that may occur in organizations that practice lean management or Six Sigma, and the corresponding improvements that an integrated program could offer.
Strategic quality management for the construction industry
Authors: Sui Pheng Low , Hui Hong Sze
Published: January 2005

Purpose

As the key to value creation, construction firms should treat quality as a strategic issue. However, strategic quality management (SQM) is still a relatively new concept for construction firms. This paper aims to examine the application of the strategic treatise, Sun Tzu's Art of War with SQM in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Two sets of 20 statements each from SQM principles and Sun Tzu's Art of War were identified. A pilot survey and a questionnaire survey of construction project managers in Singapore were conducted to establish the relative ratings as well as correlations in the rankings of these two sets of statements.

Findings

The findings suggested that Sun Tzu's Art of War appears relevant for SQM thinking and practices for construction where appropriate lessons may be drawn.

Research limitations/implications

There are, however, limits to the analogy between war and construction. Warfare represents an extreme situation that demands exceptional responses, espionage and sacrifice of human lives, which could lead to unethical practices in construction.

Practical applications

Nevertheless, this study helps to prompt construction firms into thinking about SQM through drawing appropriate lessons from Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is to synthesize the strategic issues encapsulated in Sun Tzu's Art of War with SQM principles in the construction industry.
The evolution of TQM
Authors: Motwani Jaideep , Prasad Sameer , Tata Jasmine
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Business process change (BPC) is an organizational initiative to achieve significant improvement in performance and has been extensively reported in the information systems literature. Total quality management (TQM) has been employed to improve the quality of processes within a business unit. In this research an attempt is made to link BPC with TQM.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case‐study methodology, an attempt is made to connect the two fields. Specifically, examines how quality management falls within the various BPC constructs.

Findings

Results of this study indicate that the BPC concept is generalizable to accommodate TQM.

Originality/value

This has important ramifications for both practitioners and researchers. Practitioners will now have a methodology that is flexible to adjust as the demands of the business evolve from quality objectives into other needs such as mass customization and shortened lead times. The results of this study provide a theoretical model to the evolution of quality management.
Tobacco prevention with Mississippi elementary teachers and students
Authors: Carver Vivien , Reinert Bonita , Range Lillian M. , Campbell Catherine
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To examine a tobacco prevention elementary school project completed in 2000 in one rural state in the southeastern USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, 721 public school fourth through sixth grade teachers across Mississippi attended (for reimbursement) a tobacco prevention workshop that included curriculum‐integrated material; 658 completed a follow‐up questionnaire (91.3 percent return rate). In addition, 1,762 of their students completed an anti‐tobacco pre‐test and 1,723 (868 girls, 853 boys) completed an anti‐tobacco post‐test (97.8 percent return rate).

Findings

Students improved from pre‐ to post‐test; girls scored better than boys. African American students and teachers completed more lessons than White students and teachers. Sixth graders completed fewer lessons and scored lower than fourth and fifth graders.

Research limitations/implications

The test had a yes‐no format and a low ceiling, so many students answered correctly at pretest. Also, teachers were mostly white women, though they were demographically similar to teachers across the state, other groups would expand generalizability. Further, a true control group could evaluate the possibility that results were due to a secular trend.

Practical implications

Not only were teachers positive about a tobacco prevention workshop that included curriculum integrated materials, but also their students scored healthier after having tobacco prevention lessons. Further, those who received the most lessons improved the most, indicating a dose‐specific learning curve.

Orginality/value

A challenge for the future would be to assess whether these improvements continue over the long term, and translate into less willingness to experiment with and use tobacco.
Web‐enhanced learning: engaging students in constructivist learning
Authors: Neo Mai
Published: January 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of a web‐based constructivist learning environment, which was developed based on a course given to students in the Faculty of Creative Multimedia (FCM) on student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a web‐based multimedia‐mediated project was developed based on an Internet Applications course where students were taught to use specific web authoring tools to solve a web‐related problem. The mode of learning was geared towards a student‐centred, constructivist learning perspective where students were active learners, worked in a group environment and constructed knowledge and understanding in their learning process. An online survey was given to the students to assess their reactions towards this learning environment.

Findings

The results obtained were positive and satisfactory. In this learning process, students were able to understand the problem, work collaboratively, construct their own solutions, and determine their own learning outcomes. Feedback on the online survey provided further support of the students' positive attitudes towards this learning environment.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this research study are that students found that the web‐based learning environment allowed them to be more active participants in their learning process, increasing their critical and creative thinking skills as well as improving their problem‐solving skills. They learned “how to learn” and developed several learning skills such as communication, teamwork, collaboration and presentation, as well as achieving ownership of these learning outcomes. The use of multimedia‐ and web‐based tools for their project allowed them to be innovative in their presentations, making the project more fun for them.

Practical implications

This research provides educators with an innovative approach to teaching with technology, and students with a more effective learning environment.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils Malaysia's MSC initiative to include ICT in the classroom teaching environment and to focus on learner‐centred teaching and learning strategies. This constructivist‐based learning environment also enabled students to build their problem‐solving and collaborative skills as well as their creative and critical thinking abilities in order to meet the rising demands of twenty‐first century organisations.
Managing in‐house development of a campus‐wide information system
Authors: Shurville Simon , Williams John
Published: January 2005

Purpose

To show how a combination of hard and soft project and change management methodologies guided successful in‐house development of a campus‐wide information system.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of the methodologies and management structures that guided the development is presented.

Findings

Applying a combination of the dynamic systems development method, rapid prototyping, PRINCE 2, Checkland's soft systems methodologies and change management helped to develop a product that met user needs, offered value for money and was delivered on time.

Practical implications

The case study shows that the advantages of formal governance brought by PRINCE 2 can be retained in a softer environment where user needs generate work packages and stage gates.

Originality/value

There is widespread evidence that more than half of all IT projects fail and that the softer people issues are essential for success. The paper presents an example of fusing softer approaches with formal governance. It should interest programme and project managers, senior sponsors, software developers and usability specialists.
Group communication media choice and the use of information and communication technology to support learning: a case study
Authors: Shahriza Abdul Karim Nor , Heckman Robert
Published: January 2005

Purpose

This paper reports a study conducted longitudinally to investigate group communication media choice and the use of a web‐based learning tool, as well as other types of communication media, such as e‐mail, telephone, and face‐to‐face, for communication and collaboration to complete given tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was designed following the case study research methodology and design of Yin. Longitudinal observation was made on groups in their naturalistic research setting. Twenty‐three groups of four or five students working on five similar tasks were selected as the unit of analysis.

Findings

The findings showed that groups' choice‐making process of communication media evolved over a period of time. A pattern of group communication emerged, namely face‐to‐face, virtual, and mixed (the use of both face‐to‐face and virtual communication). The three group communication categories were significantly different in performance, with the mixed category performing the highest in terms of grade.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are related to the case study methodology and the subjectivity of some interpretations.

Practical implications

The findings should assist in the design of both on‐campus and distance learning course modules to facilitate learning through group project or assignment. The findings should also assist the design and implementation of the e‐learning systems and tools that are acceptable to users.

Originality/value

The study provides insight into how such ICT applications can be made useful and effective, and why, when given the freedom to choose, the use of a web‐based tool is the least attempted for communication.
IT‐enablement of supply chains: understanding the barriers
Authors: Jharkharia Sanjay , Shankar Ravi
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Information technology (IT) is increasingly being used towards the effectiveness of supply chains. There are, however, some barriers in this process. These barriers influence one another and also adversely affect the IT‐enablement of a supply chain. The aim of this paper is to understand these mutual influences so that those barriers which are at the root of few more barriers (called driving barriers) and those which are most influenced by the others (called dependent barriers) are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire‐based survey was conducted to rank the barriers.

Findings

The results of the survey and the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology have been used to evolve the mutual relationships among these barriers.

Originality/value

It is observed that there are some barriers, which have both high driving power and dependency and therefore need more attention.
Modelling knowledge worker behaviour in business process studies
Authors: Elliman Tony , Eatock Julie , Spencer Nicky
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Aims to describe a successful use of simulated knowledge worker behaviour used in the developing online procedures and software for arbitration – the E‐Arbitration‐T project

Design/methodology/approach

Presents four common factors – deadline, length of task, importance of customer, importance to business – that need to be incorporated within any business process model of knowledge worker behaviour.

Findings

A richer model of knowledge worker behaviour is postulated and elements not necessary for the E‐Arbitration‐T model are identified. The knowledge worker's day was defined as being made up of Scheduled, On‐demand and At‐will tasks, only some of which may relate to the business process being modelled. A particular question that must be addressed in this extended model is how to model the choices knowledge workers make between competing at‐will tasks.

Originality/value

The two pieces of work reported here have generated a rich model of knowledge worker behaviour ready for application and refinement in further business process modelling studies.
Unlocking the value of business model patents in e‐commerce
Authors: Jim Wu Yen‐Chun
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Aims to provide an overall picture of the current status of business methods in e‐commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive comparison of the business models among countries, sectors and companies is conducted. Insightful evidence on the current state of patenting in business models is also provided.

Findings

The findings of the paper in, accordance with the USPTO white paper on business methods, show that patent applications being examined in Class 705 strongly reflect the basic software engineering that underlay each invention

Originality/value

This study of business model patents presents information about the character of business method patenting activity and provides valuable insights into the current development of business method technology.
Demystifying productivity and performance
Authors: Tangen Stefan
Published: January 2005

Purpose

Examines the ways in which the concepts of “productivity” and “performance” are dealt with in the literature, demonstrating that terms used within these fields are often vaguely defined and poorly understood.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews related performance literature from the past 30 years (of both an academic and a practical nature).

Findings

Clarifies the meaning of five terms (productivity, performance, profitability, efficiency, effectiveness) and shows how they are inter‐related.

Research limitations/implications

The creation of a common grammar is not an easy task; one must therefore still accept the fact that people will continue to interpret the terms described in this paper in slightly various ways.

Practical implications

Measurement and improvement regimes are often built without a clear understanding of what is being measured or improved. This can be regarded as simply a pragmatic approach to improvement, or a missed opportunity to fully understand and then optimise important factors relating to competitiveness and success.

Originality/value

The paper creates a terminology that reduces the existing confusion within the field. Certainly, within academia and industry, a shared vocabulary and grammar are helpful in ensuring rigorous and robust development of shared understanding.
Influence of the larval environment on performance and adult body size of the wood‐boring beetle Phoracantha semipunctata
Authors: Hanks L.M. , Paine T.D. , Millar J.G.
Published: January 2005

Large body size confers a reproductive advantage to adults of the wood‐boring beetle Phoracantha semipunctata (F.) (Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Phoracanthini). Larvae of this species feed subcortically in stressed and dying eucalypt trees and logs. We evaluated the influence of the larval environment on larval performance and adult body size by manipulating the post‐felling age of host logs (from freshly cut to 2‐weeks‐old) and the density of colonizing neonates (low density with minimal competition for resources vs. high density with intense competition). Adult beetles emerged in greater numbers from logs that had been subjected to the aging treatment which reduced bark moisture content and favored colonization by neonates. Survival was greatest in larger logs having lower densities of neonates, but was greatly diminished in all treatments by mortality during pupation. Development time varied from 2 months to more than a year and was shortest in smaller logs having high densities of larvae. The size of adult beetles emerging from a log was not influenced by larval density, but was positively correlated with the age of logs when the neonates colonized, and log size. These findings suggest that the optimal developmental conditions for P. semipunctata larvae, in terms of larval performance and adult body size, are available in large, aged host logs having low densities of larvae. Manipulation of the larval environment in this study resulted in a considerable variation in adult body size, but large individuals were relatively more common in the wild population that was the source of neonates for the experiment. Potential body size may have been constrained by our use of only one host species and a narrow range of log dimensions.
Reduced antennal sensitivity, behavioural response, and attraction of male codling moths, Cydia pomonella, to their pheromone (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol following various pre‐exposure regimes
Authors: Judd Gary J.R. , Gardiner Mark G.T. , DeLury Naomi C. , Karg Gerhard
Published: January 2005

The effects of pre‐exposing male codling moths, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), to their pheromone (E,E)‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol (codlemone), in static and moving air, under laboratory and field conditions, on subsequent antennal sensitivity, behavioural responsiveness, and attraction to codlemone were investigated. In flight tunnel experiments, the percentage of moths wing fanning and taking flight were mostly unaffected, but upwind flight to, and contact with, pheromone sources known to elicit responses of both were shown to depend on the intensity and duration of previous exposure to codlemone and recovery time between exposure and assessment. Ten to 30‐min pre‐exposures to codlemone in static air (≈ 35 µg l−1) not only caused a 99% reduction in attraction, but also significantly reduced electroantennogram response to codlemone. Recovery of full antennal sensitivity to codlemone took more than 1 h, but recovery of attraction took over 4 h, suggesting that habituation is also partially involved in reduced behavioural responsiveness following pre‐exposure. Seventy‐five min exposures to codlemone in moving air (5–10 cm s−1) at rates of 0.9, 4.5, and 18 µg h−1 from Celcon fibres caused 75, 86, and 99% disruption, respectively. However, 30–34‐h exposure of caged moths to air moving through an orchard treated with 1000 Isomate‐C® dispensers ha−1 releasing approximately 20 µg h−1 per dispenser during tests, had no impact on moth response in flight‐tunnel assays 30 min after removal from the orchard. In this treated orchard, catches of free‐flying moths in pheromone‐baited traps were completely inhibited. If observed mechanisms such as long‐lasting antennal adaptation or habituation of the central nervous system contribute to the disruption of pheromone communication among codling moths under field conditions, it seems unlikely that they occur following exposure to the average atmospheric concentrations of codlemone. For these effects to be important, codling moths may require close contact with pheromone sources for extended periods, or repeated close encounters.
Effects of temperature on the reproductive life history of the black vine weevil,Otiorhynchus sulcatus
Authors: Son Youngsoo , Lewis Edwin E.
Published: January 2005

Otiorhynchus sulcatus(F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most serious pests of horticultural crops but despite this, the effects of temperature on its reproduction are not fully understood. This study investigates the effects of temperature on the full set of reproductive traits ofO. sulcatusat nine temperatures between 11 and 36 °C and develops descriptive models for each trait. Cohorts of newly eclosed adults were subjected to these temperatures and fed onRhododendronspec. leaves. Adults oviposited at temperatures from 11 to 27 °C. Significant differences among treatments were found in the preoviposition period, oviposition period, longevity, per capita egg production, and egg viability. The preoviposition period was the shortest at 24 °C and the longest at 11 °C. With a non‐linear model fitted to the data across the full range of experimental temperatures, the lower and upper threshold temperatures and optimum temperature for reproductive maturation were estimated to be 6.8, 30.0, and 22.7 °C, respectively. The developmental threshold and calculated thermal constant were estimated to be 6.7 °C and 505.0 degree‐days, respectively, using a linear model at temperatures between 11 and 21 °C. Maximum per capita egg production (1094.1 eggs) and highest egg viability (90.1%) were both observed at 21 °C. The median longevity ofO. sulcatusadults in the 18–36 °C range decreased linearly as temperatures increased. At 27 °C or above, the reproductive success ofO. sulcatuswas substantially impaired, and the optimum temperature range was 21–22 °C. Production of viable eggs in relation to temperature and weevil age was simulated by incorporating four models of life history traits, including egg production, egg viability, cumulative pattern of egg production, and adult survival. Overall, the present study demonstrates that temperature is a key factor in determining the reproductive success ofO. sulcatusadults. We hypothesize that temperature may influence the phenology and geographic distribution ofO. sulcatuspopulations.
Human herpesvirus‐8 infection of umbilical cord‐blood‐derived CD34+ stem cells enhances the immunostimulatory function of their dendritic cell progeny
Authors: Larcher C. , Nguyen V. A. , Fürhapter C. , Ebner S. , Sölder E. , Stössel H. , Romani N. , Sepp N.
Published: January 2005

Abstract:  CD34+ progenitor cells carrying human herpesvirus‐8, Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (HHV‐8/KSHV), have been described in the peripheral blood of AIDS patients suffering from Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). In this study, we investigated the influence of HHV‐8 on the differentiation of CD34+ progenitor cells. Native CD34+ cells derived from cord blood could be infected by a laboratory strain of HHV‐8, as shown by immunofluorescence staining and polymerase chain reaction, but no significant initial maturation/differentiation effects were observed. In addition, these infected cells were differentiated into immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs) using cytokine induction with recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhGm‐CSF), recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF‐α) and recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF). Double immunofluorescence and flow cytometry studies demonstrated that virus infection did not impair the development of immature and mature DC populations. Subsequently, the immunostimulating capacity of DC populations was tested in a mixed lymphocyte reaction using allogeneic T‐cells. The HHV‐8‐infected CD34+ progenitor cell‐derived mature DC population showed a significantly enhanced antigen‐presenting capacity, compared to non‐infected DCs, which was not observed with the immature DCs. This suggests stimulation of DC function by HHV‐8 infection. Because there are only a small percentage of HHV‐8‐positive DCs in the preparations and because it is not clear whether infection is abortive or productive to some extent, this seems to be most likely due to an indirect viral effect.
Expression of cell adhesion molecules, CD44s and E‐cadherin, and microvessel density in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Gong Y , Sun X , Huo L , Wiley E L , Rao M S
Published: January 2005

Aims : Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare variant of ductal carcinoma of the breast and is characterized by high metastatic potential and an aggressive clinical course. This tumour is hence ideal for studying the mechanism underlying tumour biological behaviour, especially metastasis. Cell adhesion molecules, such as CD44 and E‐cadherin (Ecad), and angiogenesis are considered important in the invasion and metastasis of tumours.

Methods and results : We immunohistochemically analysed 23 IMPCs for expression of a standard form of CD44 (CD44s), Ecad, and CD34 to measure microvessel density (MVD). Results are compared with the changes observed in 23 tubular carcinomas (TCs), another variant of ductal carcinoma that rarely metastasizes. Evaluation of haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) sections showed a higher prevalence of lymph‐vascular invasion (19/23, 83%) and regional lymph node involvement (12/15, 80%) in IMPCs; whereas no lymph‐vascular invasion or lymph node metastasis was identified in TCs. Loss or reduction of CD44s immunoreactivity was significantly frequent in IMPC (39%) compared with TC (4%) (P = 0.0098), and was associated with positive axillary lymph nodes and lymph‐vascular invasion. All cases of IMPC and TC strongly expressed Ecad. MVD (in five 200× fields) was significantly higher in IMPC (88 ± 37) than in TC (57 ± 16) (P = 0.001). In the IMPC group, MDV was higher in cases with positive lymph node(s) (P = 0.048), and cases with loss or reduction of CD44s expression (P = 0.011). The same trend was also demonstrated in cases with lymph‐vascular invasion (P = 0.077). Moreover, the vessels in IMPC had much smaller calibres with thinner walls than those in TC.

Conclusions : Loss of the CD44 adhesion molecule and high MVD may play a significant role in the high incidence of lymph‐vascular permeation and metastasis in IMPC.
Colonic angiodysplasia and true diverticula: is there an association?
Authors: Mudhar H S , Balsitis M
Published: January 2005

Aims : To investigate the pathology of colectomy specimens, from patients presenting with lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage, who had undergone preoperative mesenteric angiography. The angiography diagnoses ranged from active bleeding of unknown aetiology to angiodysplasia.

Methods and results : The macroscopic and microscopic pathology of 11 colectomy specimens was studied. All the specimens contained blood on receipt with no obvious macroscopic source of haemorrhage identified. In all cases the large bowel demonstrated diverticula with an unusual topography. These were wide‐mouthed, up to 20 mm across and exhibited a partly scattered distribution across the bowel; in two cases the diverticula contained blood clot. Histology demonstrated true diverticula invested by all muscle layers, exhibiting thick‐walled vessels, within the submucosa and within the muscularis propria fibres, resembling the vascular elements identified in congenital vascular malformations. The two cases that contained blood clot revealed the thick‐walled vessels to have ruptured into the diverticular lumen. Histology from the background colon between the diverticula demonstrated vascular lesions fulfilling the histological criteria for angiodysplasia; these features were also represented in the true‐type diverticula. Most cases showed right‐sided angiodysplasia and right‐sided true diverticula. However, left‐sided angiodysplastic lesions were also seen in association with left‐sided true‐type diverticula.

Conclusions : We have identified the dual pathologies of angiodysplasia and multiple true‐type diverticula, and suggest a topographical relationship between these two lesions. Furthermore, we propose that the thick‐walled vessels within the true diverticula are congenitally abnormal, and raise the possibility that these vessels exert local haemodynamic effects, that effectively predispose the colon to acquired angiodysplastic phenomena.
Fat in the right ventricle of the normal heart
Authors: Tansey D K , Aly Z , Sheppard M N
Published: January 2005

Aims : Fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricle wall, often with associated inflammation, is the hallmark of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare but established cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults. Fatty infiltration of the right ventricle alone without fibrosis may also occur but its relation to sudden death is not well established. In this study we assessed the amount of epicardial and intramyocardial fat in the right ventricle of ‘normal’ hearts from subjects who had died of non‐cardiac causes.

Methods and results : Hearts (n = 148) were examined from 81 males and 67 females, with an age range of 6 months to 68 years, who had died of non‐cardiac causes. The extent and distribution of right ventricular epicardial and intramyocardial fat was assessed macro‐ and microscopically, respectively. The majority of hearts (85%) contained at least some intramyocardial fat with significantly more fat replacement noted in the right ventricles of older subjects and in females than in males. There was no significant fibrosis or inflammation in any of the 148 cases.

Conclusion : Variable amounts of intramyocardial fat may be seen in the right ventricle of subjects dying of non‐cardiac related causes. Care should be taken not to confuse this relatively common simple fatty infiltration with ARVC.
The utilization of e‐government services: citizen trust, innovation and acceptance factors*
Authors: Carter Lemuria , Bélanger France
Published: January 2005

Abstract. Electronic government, or e‐government, increases the convenience and accessibility of government services and information to citizens. Despite the benefits of e‐government – increased government accountability to citizens, greater public access to information and a more efficient, cost‐effective government – the success and acceptance of e‐government initiatives, such as online voting and licence renewal, are contingent upon citizens’ willingness to adopt this innovation. In order to develop ‘citizen‐centred’ e‐government services that provide participants with accessible, relevant information and quality services that are more expedient than traditional ‘brick and mortar’ transactions, government agencies must first understand the factors that influence citizen adoption of this innovation. This study integrates constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusions of Innovation theory and web trust models to form a parsimonious yet comprehensive model of factors that influence citizen adoption of e‐government initiatives. The study was conducted by surveying a broad diversity of citizens at a community event. The findings indicate that perceived ease of use, compatibility and trustworthiness are significant predictors of citizens’ intention to use an e‐government service. Implications of this study for research and practice are presented.
Evaluating e‐government: learning from the experiences of two UK local authorities
Authors: Irani Zahir , Love Peter E.D. , Elliman Tony , Jones Steve , Themistocleous Marinos
Published: January 2005

Abstract. Part of the remit of public sector management includes planning and reflecting on capital expenditure on new technology. With this in mind, the role that information systems play in supporting improvements in e‐government service delivery to stakeholder groups continues to attract much attention. The authors of this paper seek to define the scope and role that information systems evaluation plays within the public sector. In particular, the authors assess whether public sector organizations might benefit from the use of established ex‐ante evaluation techniques, when applied to analyse the impact of e‐government information systems. Following a comprehensive review of the normative literature, an initial conceptual framework for public sector information systems evaluation is proposed, which is then empirically explored within two local government authorities. The conceptual framework is then revised by using the structured case approach, which is dependent on an iterative research cycle where triangulated data are elicited. This then supports the emergence of new concepts during each research cycle that leads to the view that information systems evaluation in the public sector is a process of experiential and subjective judgement, which is grounded in opinion and world views. This leads the authors to challenge the appropriateness of traditional modes of investment appraisal when applied in the public sector. The finalized framework embraces investment decisions, evaluation methods, culture and structure, as well as post hoc evaluation. It emphasizes the importance of situated, interpretive user assessments in evaluating e‐government investments.