bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female behaviour plays a critical role in controlling murine pregnancy block
Authors: Becker Stuart D , Hurst Jane L
Published: March 2009

Exposure of recently mated female rodents to unfamiliar male scents during daily prolactin surges results in pregnancy failure (the ‘Bruce effect’). Control of nasal contact with male scents during these narrow windows of sensitivity could allow females to maintain or terminate pregnancy, but female behavioural changes specifically during this critical period have not been investigated. We examined the approach or avoidance of familiar stud strain and unfamiliar male scents by recently mated female mice. Females that maintained pregnancy avoided both unfamiliar and familiar male scent during critical periods of susceptibility for the Bruce effect. By contrast, females that did not maintain pregnancy showed a sharp rise in the time spent with unfamiliar male scent during this critical period. Manipulation of the social status of unfamiliar and stud strain scent donors did not affect the likelihood of pregnancy block, although females spent more time with dominant male scents across all time periods. The ability to control the Bruce effect through behaviour during brief sensitivity just before dusk, when females are likely to be in nest sites, provides a mechanism by which females may adjust their reproductive investment according to nest site social stability and likelihood of offspring survival.
Telomere dynamics rather than age predict life expectancy in the wild
Authors: Bize Pierre , Criscuolo François , Metcalfe Neil B , Nasir Lubna , Monaghan Pat
Published: March 2009

Despite accumulating evidence from
in vitro
studies that cellular senescence is linked to telomere dynamics, how this relates to whole-organism senescence and longevity is poorly understood and controversial. Using data on telomere length in red blood cells and long-term survival from wild Alpine swifts of a range of ages, we report that the telomere length and the rate of telomere loss are predictive of life expectancy, and that slow erosion of relatively long telomeres is associated with the highest survival probabilities. Importantly, because telomere dynamics, rather than chronological age, predict life expectancy, our study provides good evidence for a mechanistic link between telomere erosion and reduced organism longevity under natural conditions, chronological age itself possibly not becoming a significant predictor until very old ages beyond those in our sample.
Influence of major histocompatibility complex genotype on mating success in a free-ranging reptile population
Authors: Miller Hilary C , Moore Jennifer A , Nelson Nicola J , Daugherty Charles H
Published: March 2009

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are highly polymorphic components of the vertebrate immune system, which play a key role in pathogen resistance. MHC genes may also function as odour-related cues for mate choice, thus ensuring optimal MHC diversity in offspring. MHC-associated mate choice has been demonstrated in some fish, bird and mammal species but it is not known whether this is a general vertebrate phenomenon. We investigated whether MHC-associated mate choice occurs in a wild population of tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), a territorial and sexually dimorphic reptile. We found weak evidence for MHC-disassortative mating, based on amino acid genotypic distance between pairs, when mated pairs were directly compared with potential pairs in close spatial proximity. No significant association was found between male mating success, number of MHC sequences, microsatellite heterozygosity or MHC lineage. The major determinant of mating success in tuatara was male body size, which was not related to MHC lineage or microsatellite heterozygosity. Our results suggest that male competitive ability is the primary driver of mating success in tuatara. However, MHC-associated preferences also appear to play a role, possibly as a kin avoidance mechanism during territory formation.
Plastic responses of maleDrosophila melanogasterto the level of sperm competition increase male reproductive fitness
Authors: Bretman Amanda , Fricke Claudia , Chapman Tracey
Published: March 2009

Evolutionary and plastic responses by males to the level of sperm competition (SC) are reported across widespread taxa, but direct tests of the consequences for male reproductive success in a competitive context are lacking. We varied male perception of SC to examine the effect on male competitive reproductive success and to test whether the outcomes were as predicted by theory. Exposure to rival males prior to mating increased a male's ejaculate investment (measured as mating duration); by contrast, exposure to rival males in the mating arena decreased mating duration. The results therefore suggested that SC intensity is important in shaping male responses to SC in this system, although the patterns were not strictly in accord with existing theory. We then tested whether males that responded to the level of SC had higher reproductive fitness in a competitive context. We found that males kept with rivals prior to mating again mated for longer; furthermore, they achieved significantly higher paternity share regardless of whether they were the first or second males to mate with a female. The plastic strategies employed by males therefore resulted in significantly increased reproductive success in a competitive context, even following subsequent rematings in which the majority of sperm were displaced.
Individual differences in distance perception
Authors: Jackson Russell E
Published: March 2009

Distance perception is among the most pervasive mental phenomena and the oldest research topics in behavioural science. However, we do not understand well the most pervasive finding of distance perception research, that of large individual differences. There are large individual differences in acrophobia (fear of heights), which we commonly assume consists of an abnormal fear of stimuli perceived normally. Evolved navigation theory (ENT) instead suggests that acrophobia consists of a more normal fear of stimuli perceived abnormally. ENT suggests that distance perception individual differences produce major components of acrophobia. Acrophobia tested over a broad range in the present study predicted large individual differences in distance estimation of surfaces that could produce falls. This fear of heights correlated positively with distance estimates of a vertical surface—even among non-acrophobic individuals at no risk of falling and without knowledge of being tested for acrophobia. Acrophobia score predicted magnitude of the descent illusion, which is thought to reflect the risk of falling. These data hold important implications in environmental navigation, clinical aetiology and the evolution of visual systems.
Pervasive, genome-wide positive selection leading to functional divergence in the bacterial genus Campylobacter
Authors: Lefébure Tristan , Stanhope Michael J.
Published: March 2009

An open question in bacterial genomics is the role that adaptive evolution of the core genome plays in diversification and adaptation of bacterial species, and how this might differ between groups of bacteria occupying different environmental circumstances. The genus Campylobacter encompasses several important human and animal enteric pathogens, with genome sequence data available for eight species. We estimate the Campylobacter core genome at 647 genes, with 92.5% of the nonrecombinant core genome loci under positive selection in at least one lineage and the same gene frequently under positive selection in multiple lineages. Tests are provided that reject recombination, saturation, and variation in codon usage bias as factors contributing to this high level of selection. We suggest this genome-wide adaptive evolution may result from a Red Queen macroevolutionary dynamic, in which species are involved in competition for resources within the mammalian and/or vertebrate gastrointestinal tract. Much reduced levels of positive selection evident in Streptococcus, as reported by the authors in an earlier work, may be a consequence of these taxa inhabiting less species-rich habitats, and more unique niches. Despite many common loci under positive selection in multiple Campylobacter lineages, we found no evidence for molecular adaptive convergence at the level of the same or adjacent codons, or even protein domains. Taken collectively, these results describe the diversification of a bacterial genus that involves pervasive natural selection pressure across virtually the entire genome, with this adaptation occurring in different ways in different lineages, despite the species tendency toward a common gastrointestinal habitat.
Blogging – private becomes public and public becomes personalised
Authors: Gunter Barrie
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how blogging has grown as an online phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

Examines the way that blogs have become a phenomenon that embrace private authors who go online to write personal diaries through to representatives from different types of commercial, political and voluntary organisations who utilise them for a range of information exchange, debating, promotional and support purposes.

Findings

As blogging grows as an online phenomenon its impact in areas such as news, politics, and social networking is being taken ever more seriously. While the internet has been held up by governments as holding great economic and political promise, acting as a vehicle that can enhance public services, empower and engage citizens, and trigger new ways of doing business, the reality in terms of how it is actually applied can be poles apart from the ideal.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of blogging and introduces the papers in this special issue.
Linking perception of health‐promoting food attributes to tangible product characteristics
Authors: Sijtsema Siet , Backus Gé , Linnemann Anita , Jongen Wim
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to link the denotation of healthy and health‐related consumer terms of traditional Dutch meal components to characteristics, ingredients and affective aspects of food products.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 344 respondents completed a questionnaire with propositions about product perception and health opinions. Distinct meal components of a traditional Dutch meal were chosen to make the research results applicable in product development.

Findings

A total of four clusters of consumers emerged: with an unconventional definition of health; with no interest in health; feeling healthy; and having health problems, with sample percentages of 21, 10, 50 and 18, respectively.

Originality/value

The study provides insight in the transformation (selection and formulation) of consumers' terminology related to health into attributes, ingredients and affective aspects of products for groups of consumers with a different definition of health.
Pupils' school meal diet behaviour in Finland: two clusters
Authors: Tikkanen Irma
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe the self‐reported diet behaviour of pupils in four Finnish schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, eight theoretical views on school meals are briefly illustrated. Empirical data were collected in 2007 from four comprehensive schools, where the school kitchen types were either a preparing kitchen or a heating kitchen. A total of 168 6th‐9th graders returned the questionnaire. The data were analysed by using factor and cluster analyses, one‐way Anova and F‐tests.

Findings

A total of six factors illustrating the dimensions of self‐reported school meal diet behaviour were found. They were titled as “learning”, “energy”, “economy”, “health”, “opposition to school meals”, and finally “impact of social‐ecological environment”. Based on the factor scores, the following two clusters emerged: “Pupils having a positive attitude towards school meals and learning” and “Impressionable pupils having a negative attitude towards school meals”.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that information on healthy eating habits and nutritional information – including the plate model – should be targeted, both to the pupils and the parents. Also, the pupils' favourite dishes could be served more often.

Originality/value

The study provides up‐to‐date, cross‐sectional structure on self‐reported diet behaviour of pupils based on eight theoretical views. The paper is useful for those who are interested in and concerned with pupils' diet behaviour.
Chemical composition and digestibility (in vitro) of green gram as affected by processing and cooking methods
Authors: Grewal Antu , Jood Sudesh
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Digestibility of pulses is affected due to presence of antinutritional and toxic compounds. Various processing treatments are known to destroy heat labile toxic compounds and other enzyme inhibitors, hence, to improve the texture, palatability and nutritive value of pulses. This paper, therefore, aims to focus on improving the digestibility and availability of nutrients of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) through processing treatments.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study was undertaken to see the effect of common processing and cooking treatments on newly released green gram cultivars. To achieve this objective, green gram seeds were soaked in plain water (1:4 w/v) for 12 hours at 37°C. One portion of the soaked seeds was dried at 55°C and left‐over soaked seeds were divided into three portions. One portion of the soaked seeds was dehulled manually. The second portion of the soaked seeds was ordinary and pressure‐cooked (water two times the weight of soaked seeds) for 35 minutes at 95‐100°C and at 1.05 kg/cm2 pressure for 15 minutes, respectively. The third portion of the soaked seeds was sprouted for 24 hours at 37°C. All the processed seeds were dried at 55°C in a hot air oven and then ground in a cyclone sample mill and stored for estimation of nutritional parameters using standard methods.

Findings

Soaking and cooking treatments had no significant effect on proximate composition, whereas sugar contents increased and starch contents decreased significantly. Soaking and cooking treatments also improved in vitro starch digestibility significantly. De‐hulling of soaked seeds further improved starch digestibility and also caused significant change in protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and sugar contents. Germination decreased starch, thereby raising the level of the soluble sugars and improved starch digestibility by 49 and 48 percent, respectively, in both cultivars. Similarly, pressure‐cooking also increased starch digestibility by about 44 and 49 percent, respectively, in both cultivars. Cooking may gelatinize starch and germination may mobilize starch, resulting in improved digestibility of starch by α‐amylase.

Practical implications

Evolving high‐yielding crop varieties is one of the most important strategies to fill the gap between demand and supply of food legumes and also to improve the nutritional status of the population consuming such foods. Hence, it is imperative to judge their chemical composition and improve them through inexpensive processing techniques.

Originality/value

The paper gives an overall view of nutritive values of new and traditional varieties of vegetables and will be of value to those who supply the consumer.
Interpolation of binarized CLSM images for extraction of premotor neuron branch structures in silkworm moth
Authors: Nakajima Kanako , Morishita Soichiro , Kazawa Tomoki , Kanzaki Ryohei , Kawabata Kuniaki , Asama Hajime , Mishima Taketoshi
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an automatic interpolation method for binarized confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images of a premotor neuron in the silkworm moth.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial deficiencies occur in binary images through the form extraction process because of noises in a CLSM image series. The proposed method selects several points from a binarized image series and connects these points with a Bezier curve based on premotor neuron characteristics in order to interpolate partial deficiencies.

Findings

To verify the availability of the proposed method, a three‐dimensional form of a premotor neuron of a silkworm moth was extracted. The results of each branch's relation of connection and of the interpolated neuron thickness show that the proposed method realizes to interpolate partial deficiencies and to extract three‐dimensional form of the premotor neuron.

Practical implications

The proposed method contributes to realize efficient premotor extraction process using image‐processing techniques. The extracted result by proposed method can be utilized for the form comparison among many data of the premotor neurons quickly. Moreover, it also contributes to provide the parameters of an accurate neuron model for realizing computer simulation of electrical of the neurons.

Originality/value

The proposed method extracts not only a topological form but also a premotor neuron's thickness by interpolating partial deficiencies based on specific characteristics of the neuron. Thickness values of the neuron are an important factor for a simulating accurate electrical response of the neuronal circuit.
Strip double sensing layer pressure sensor for interface pressure distribution
Authors: Gaofeng Zhou , Yulong Zhao , Zhuangde Jiang
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The flexibly thin film grid pressure sensor is mainly used to detect the interface pressure distribution between touching objects. Aim at larger measurement error, the strip double sensing layer pressure sensor are designed and fabricated and tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Defects and characteristic of the flexibly thin film grid pressure sensor based on piezoresistive effect are analyzed and pointed out in this paper. After comparison of four sensors, the strip double sensing layer pressure sensor was thought to be best.

Findings

Experiment shows that the strip double sensing layer pressure sensor could eliminate the measurement error basically and illustrates the validity of measuring the interface pressure distribution between area touching objects.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, only the strip double sensing layer pressure sensor was used to verify the validity of measuring the static interface pressure distribution between peach and platform. But there also exists some problems such as the adhering reliability of electrode and the unevenness of sensing layer. These problems could be overcome in the future research if the fabricating procedure and ingredient of material could be adjusted correctly.

Practical implications

The strip double sensing layer pressure sensor could be applied to detect the static interface pressure distribution such as peach pressure distribution. For dynamic measurement, this research needs to be done further.

Originality/value

Strip double sensing layer pressure sensor with simple “interlayer” structure and with low manufacture cost is presented to basically eliminate the measurement error of interface pressure distribution of original sensor.
On system reliability with single strength and multi‐component stress model
Authors: Islam H.M. , Khan Maroof A.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to consider the problem of strength of a manufactured item against an array of stresses, when each component follows exponential failure law.

Design/methodology/approach

The study considers a system consisting of n components in a series with lifetimes that follow exponential failure law and applies a competing failure model to examine the strength reliability of the system.

Findings

In process of developing a new product, the engineer is given the goal for the system and must then develop a design that will achieve the desired reliability of the system, while performing all of the system's intended functions at a minimum cost. The paper involves a balancing act of determining how to distribute reliability to the components in the system, so that the system will meet all the other associated performance specifications.

Originality/value

The application of the proposed technique will not only help the reliability engineers/managers/system engineers to understand the design methodology of the system, but also lead to the problem of addressing the risks involved in perceived quality and reliability levels by eliminating or at least reducing the risk‐impact at the design phase.
Examining the trait and functional motive antecedents of four gambling activities: slot machines, skilled card games, sports betting, and promotional games
Authors: Fang Xiang , Mowen John C.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the functional motive and trait antecedents of four forms of gambling – slot machines, skilled card games, sports betting, and participating in marketing promotional games such as sweepstakes and contests.

Design/methodology/approach

A hierarchical model of motivation and personality (3M model) was employed to investigate the trait and functional motive antecedents of four gambling activities. Five motives for gambling were identified – money, excitement, social interaction, escape from problems, and self‐esteem enhancement. In addition, the effects of demographic variables (i.e. age, gender, and education) on four gambling types were examined. A total of 1,158 responses were collected from an online consumer panel.

Findings

The results suggest that the four forms of gambling have divergent motives, traits, and demographic profiles.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should further explore other possible traits in predicting different gambling activities (e.g. superstitious beliefs). Another limitation of the study is the online panel sample, which is somewhat older and more highly educated than the general public.

Practical implications

The findings will help marketers better segment the market based on unique profiles of personality traits, functional motives, and demographic variables associated with each gambling type and design communication strategies to reach the targeted consumers.

Originality/value

Previous researchers have neither investigated the functional motives for gambling nor compared the motives for divergent forms of gambling. This research employs a hierarchical model (3M model) to investigate the trait and functional motive predictors of multiple forms of gambling.
Selection criteria, skill sets and competencies
Authors: O'Meara Bernard , Petzall Stanley
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The research presented here attempts to identify and analyse the reported selection criteria used in the appointment of Australian vice‐chancellors (VCs) and to contrast this with the selection criteria actually used.

Design/methodology/approach

Contemporary research into the nature, role and purpose of section criteria in appointment processes has chiefly been conducted in the private sector and across various hierarchical levels. The research is based on a PhD entitled “The recruitment and selection of vice‐chancellors for Australian universities”. The research for the thesis had ethics approval and involved interviews with former and incumbent chancellors, VCs, consultants, representatives of the Australian Vice‐Chancellors Committee and selection panel members. Central to this research was the selection criteria and the skill bases selection criteria attempted to measure. A questionnaire was also sent to those listed above.

Findings

The findings show that a matching of organisational antecedents with candidate attributes does occur. The research also highlights the key selection criteria used to appoint VCs. It also demonstrates how these key criteria are universally applied but in different orders depending upon the various foci of universities. Non‐stated, but important, criteria and competencies are also discussed.

Originality/value

No other research exists outlining the skill sets and competencies required by Australian VCs. It is hoped that this research will form the basis for further research and discovery into this field that we know so little about.
Accounting assemblages, desire, and the body without organs
Authors: Neu Dean , Everett Jeff , Shiraz Rahaman Abu
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper uses the ideas and concepts of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari and aims to to examine how accounting works in the context of international development.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach within El Salvador is used. Data sources include archival documents, 35 semi‐structured interviews with field participants, and participant observations. The focus is on the activities of the Inter‐American Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP) in the country of El Salvador, showing how complex assemblages of people, technologies such as accounting, and discourses such as accountability come to claim or “territorialize” particular physical and discursive spaces.

Findings

The analysis highlights how accounting and its associated actors further the development aspirations of loan beneficiaries; yet at the same time contribute to the “over‐organization” of these actors' social space.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that the concepts of Deleuze and Guattari – assemblage, desire, Bodies without Organs, and lines of flight to name a few – open up for consideration and analysis a series of field‐specific processes that have previously been largely un‐explored within the accounting literature.
Service quality effect on satisfaction and word of mouth in the health care industry
Authors: Chaniotakis Ioannis E. , Lymperopoulos Constantine
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effect of service quality (SQ) dimensions on satisfaction and word of mouth (WOM) for maternities in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Parasuraman et al.'s SERVQUAL variables, the authors tried to identify the effects of each variable to satisfaction and WOM. Data were collected through field research among 1,000 mothers who have given birth to a child during the last five years, and the data were analysed using SEM.

Findings

The results suggest that, in addition to “satisfaction”, the only service quality dimension that directly affects WOM, is “empathy”. In addition, “empathy” affects “responsiveness”, “assurance” and “tangibles” which in turn have only an indirect effect to WOM through “satisfaction”.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations relate to the use of a non‐probability sample and the restricted geographical area of the field research. This study contributes to the body of academic knowledge by shedding more light into the role of SQ dimensions, and especially “empathy”, in the WOM for maternities.

Practical implications

An understanding of the effect of SQ dimensions in satisfaction and WOM is important to maternities' marketing managers because it offers them the opportunity to take certain actions for improving customers' satisfaction and increase their intention to use positive WOM.

Originality/value

The paper manages to identify the effects of SQ dimensions on satisfaction and WOM, especially in the health care marketing sector.
A comparison between high‐resolution central and Godunov‐based schemes for the black‐oil simulation
Authors: Karimi A. , Naderan H. , Manzarii M.T. , Hannani S.K.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to perform a comparative study between capabilities of two numerical schemes from two main branches of numerical methods for solving hyperbolic conservation equations.

Design/methodology/approach

The accuracy and performance of a newly developed high‐resolution central scheme vs a higher‐order Godunov‐based method are evaluated in the context of black‐oil reservoir simulations. Both methods are modified enabling study of applications that are not strictly hyperbolic and exhibit local linear degeneracies in their wave structure.

Findings

The numerical computations show that while both schemes produce results with virtually the same accuracy, the Godunov method reproduces slightly more accurate results at the expense of calculation of eigen‐structures.

Research limitations/implications

The paper investigates only one dimensional problems, but the idea can be easily extended to multi‐dimensional problems.

Practical implications

The paper shows the strengths and weaknesses of two practical numerical methods.

Originality/value

Such comparative study has not been published elsewhere and in particular, the performance of numerical methods on simulating hysteresis effect in hydrocarbon reservoirs has not been investigated in detail before.
Numerical analysis for the flow past a porous trapezoidal‐cylinder based on the stress‐jump interfacial‐conditions
Authors: Chen X.B. , Yu P. , Winoto S.H. , Low H.T.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The paper aims to report on the flow past a porous trapezoidal‐cylinder, in which the porous‐fluid interface was treated by implementing the stress jump boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical method was based on the finite‐volume method with body‐fitted and multi‐block grids. The Brinkman‐Forcheimmer extended model was used to govern the flow in the porous medium region. At its interface, a shear stress jump that includes the inertial effect was imposed, together with a continuity of normal stress.

Findings

The present model was validated by comparing with those for the flow around a solid circular cylinder. Results for flow around porous expanded trapezoidal cylinder are presented with flow configurations for different Darcy number, 10−2 to 10−7, porosity from 0.4 to 0.8, and Reynolds number 20 to 200. The flow develops from steady to unsteady periodic vortex shedding state. The first coefficient β has a more noticeable effect, whereas the second coefficient β1 has very small effect, even for Re   =   200.

Originality/value

The effects of the porosity, Darcy number and Reynolds number on lift and drag coefficients, and the length of circulation zone or shedding period are studied.
E‐learning in China
Authors: Wang Qiyun , Zhu Zhiting , Chen Li , Yan Hanbing
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set the context for the papers in this Special Issue, which explore the state of e‐learning in China. It introduces relevant topics such as the imbalanced development between the Eastern developed region and the Western undeveloped region and the fact that a large number of students who graduate from senior secondary schools cannot go to reputable universities, which drive the development of e‐learning in China. With rapid economic development, China now has the ability to provide better infrastructure and other necessary conditions for schools and universities. E‐learning is believed to be a promising approach since it offers students ways to interact with experienced teachers or professors. The Chinese government has initiated a number of national projects to set up or upgrade the infrastructure in schools, and a number of Chinese online schools and distance education colleges have been established to offer various e‐learning programs.

Design/methodology/approach

This article introduces the case studies that comprise this special issue on e‐learning in China.

Findings

The use of information and communication technologies in education is at different stages in China. This review presents a clear picture on the development of e‐learning in China and the challenges it currently faces.

Practical implications

The paper summarizes the form of e‐learning form China. This information is useful for policymakers, administrators and teachers.

Originality/value

The state of e‐learning in China is under‐represented in Western educational technology journals.
Teacher training in China and a practical model: e‐Training Community (eTC)
Authors: Yan Hanbing
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to introduce the overall situation of online teacher training in China, and then to analyze some typical state level e‐training projects; second, to describe the problems that most teacher training agencies (TTAs) have. Also, this article presents the background, process and achievement of a practical model – e‐Training Community (eTC) – which integrates the advantages of professional organizations and TTAs.

Design/methodology/approach

This article reviews literature related to Ministry of Education (MOE) policies and general reviews or reports about China's teacher e‐training. The case study approach is applied in this study. The e‐Training Community is a particular cooperative model developed by the Distance Education College of East China Normal University. A survey and interview are applied to gain deep understanding of this model.

Findings

E‐learning is an effective way for teacher education in China to meet the challenge of massive and routine training. The recent projects initiated by MOE show that the trend of e‐training is on the right track. However, China's teacher e‐training still has a long way to go because most TTAs still do not have the ability to implement e‐training by themselves. The eTC model presented in this article shows its strength in solving this problem.

Practical implications

The development of distance education needs professional guidance. How to integrate professional strength of universities and practical strength of local agencies is key to improving the overall quality of teacher e‐training.

Originality/value

This article introduces and analyzes the eTC model, which is a creative model in the field of distance education in China. This model is a good example for professional organizations to push the e‐learning practice.
The efficiency of Estonian central public libraries
Authors: Miidla Peep , Kikas Konrad
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to describe the results of a four‐year‐long study into the efficiency of Estonian central public libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA), a non‐parametric linear programming‐based tool to determine the relative efficiency of 20 central public libraries of Estonia. Relative efficiency shows the capacity of an organisation to provide the same output for less expenditure.

Findings

The study finds that 40 per cent of the libraries investigated used their resources effectively. Efficiency scores of the rest of the libraries varied from 0.74 to 0.98, with staff expenditure slack being the main inefficiency factor for half of inefficient libraries.

Originality/value

The results of this research enhance the diagnostic capacity for planning the future activities of Estonian central public libraries and offers insights into using DEA for efficiency measurement and decision‐making in public libraries in general.
Emotional labour: clinicians' attitudes to death and dying
Authors: Sorensen Roslyn , Iedema Rick
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to understand the impact of emotional labour in specific health care settings and its potential effect on patient care.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi‐method qualitative ethnographic study undertaken in a large ICU in Sydney, Australia using observations from patient case studies, ward rounds and family conferences, open ended interviews with medical and nursing clinicians and managers and focus groups with nurses.

Findings

Clinician attitudes to death and dying and clinicians' capacity to engage with the human needs of patients influenced how emotional labour was experienced. Negative effects were not formally acknowledged in clinical workplaces and institutional mechanisms to support clinicians did not exist.

Research limitations/implications

The potential effects of clinician attitudes on performance are hypothesised from clinician‐reported data; no evaluation was undertaken of patient care.

Practical implications

Health service providers must openly acknowledge the effect of emotional labour on the care of dying people. By sharing their experiences, multidisciplinary clinicians become aware of the personal, professional and organisational impact of emotional labour as a core element of health care so as to explicitly and practically respond to it.

Originality/value

The effect of care on clinicians, particularly care of dying people, not only affects the wellbeing of clinicians themselves, but also the quality of care that patients receive. The affective aspect of clinical work must be factored in as an essential element of quality and quality improvement.
Emergence of green building guidelines in developed countries and their impact on India
Authors: Potbhare Varun , Syal Matt , Arif Mohammed , Khalfan Malik M.A. , Egbu Charles
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of green building guidelines in developed countries and to analyze their influence on the evolution and adoption of similar guidelines in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This research reviews the green building guidelines in the developed as well as the developing countries such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines for new construction (LEED® NC‐USA), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)‐UK, Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency (CASBEE)‐Japan, and LEED®‐India and further performs a comparative analysis of these guidelines.

Findings

Based on the comparative analysis of LEED® NC‐USA, BREEAM‐UK, and CASBEE‐Japan, the characteristics that might have affected their current acceptance were identified. The catalysts and hindrances associated with the acceptance of LEED‐India in India were identified based on the comparative analysis of LEED® NC‐USA and LEED®‐India.

Originality/value

With an exponential growth of construction industry in the rapidly developing countries, there is a definite need to promote the adoption of green building guidelines. The methodology adopted in this research can be applied to understand the evolution as well as future adoption of green building guidelines in other countries that are facing similar circumstances.
Translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) in gastric B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Toracchio Sonia , Ota Hiroyoshi , de Jong Daphne , Wotherspoon Andrew , Rugge Massimo , Graham David Y. , Samani Amir , El‐Zimaity Hala M.T.
Published: March 2009

Translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) is the most frequent chromosomal aberration reported in gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. Intriguingly, this translocation has been reported only rarely in diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas; it has been proposed that t(11;18)‐positive tumors rarely progress to diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas. We examined the frequency of chromosomal translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma of the stomach. Paraffin‐embedded tissues from patients with gastric B‐cell lymphomas were selected retrospectively. The presence of the t(11;18)(q21;q21) was determined using reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. β‐Actin transcript was also determined to evaluate the integrity and efficiency of RNA (cDNA) recovery from paraffin‐embedded tissues. We analyzed 53 gastric B‐cell lymphomas (33 diffuse large B‐cell and 20 mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue) obtained from Italy, the USA, or Japan. β‐Actin transcript was amplified in 50 cases (94%), including 19 mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue and 31 diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (five with mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue components). The t(11;18) translocation was detected in 19% (6 of 31) cases with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma versus 26% (five of 19) with mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (P = 0.72). One of five diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas with a mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue component showed the t(11;18)(q21;q21). In conclusion, translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) was found in both mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas and diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas of the stomach at approximately equivalent frequencies; its presence does not exclude progression to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 881–887)
Stimulatory heterotrimeric GTP‐binding protein augments cisplatin‐induced apoptosis by upregulating Bak expression in human lung cancer cells
Authors: Choi Yoon Jung , Oh Jung‐Min , Kim So‐Young , Seo Miran , Juhnn Yong‐Sung
Published: March 2009

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the stimulatory heterotrimeric GTP‐binding (Gs) protein signaling system on cisplatin‐induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells and its underlying mechanism as an attempt to develop a novel strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin. Overexpression of the constitutively active α subunit of Gs (GαsQL) in A549 human lung cancer cells increased cisplatin‐induced apoptosis, and knockdown of Gαs with small hairpin RNA decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells. GαsQL increased the expression of the proapoptotic proteins B‐cell leukemia/lymphoma‐2 genes (Bcl‐2) homologous antagonist killer protein (Bak) and Bcl‐2 associated X protein (Bax), and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐Xlong protein. Knockdown of Bak blocked the augmentative effects of GαsQL. GαsQL decreased the degradation rate of the Bak protein, and increased Bak mRNA transcript levels. GαsQL increased Bak‐luciferase activity in a protein kinase A and cyclic AMP response element‐dependent manner. GαsQL also augmented cisplatin‐induced apoptosis of H1299 human lung cancer cells that lack functional p53. From this study, it is concluded that Gαs augments cisplatin‐induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells partially through upregulating Bak expression by increasing transcription and by decreasing the rate of protein degradation. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1069–1074)
Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor level and immunophenotype are prognostic factors for patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Morito Toshiaki , Fujihara Megumu , Asaoku Hideki , Tari Akira , Sato Yasuharu , Ichimura Kouichi , Tanaka Takehiro , Takata Katsuyoshi , Tamura Maiko , Yoshino Tadashi
Published: March 2009

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma is the most common form of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Although many studies have attempted to identify prognostic factors, most have focused on conventionally treated patients. The influence of anti‐CD20 antibody (rituximab) should be considered now. We evaluated the prognostic significance of serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels and germinal center B‐cell‐like or non‐germinal center B‐cell like subgroups in 80 patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, who had been treated with rituximab. Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels ranged from 322 to 39900 U/mL (median 1365 U/mL). Sixteen (20%) were germinal center B‐cell‐like subgroups, and the remainder (80%) non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like. Survival analysis associated lower serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor level and germinal center B‐cell‐like phenotype with better overall survival (P = 0.015), whereas multivariate analysis, including International Prognostic Index factors, revealed that only higher performance status score and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly affected survival. However, serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels were elevated in patients with higher International Prognostic Index scores as well as in the non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like subgroup. Serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor levels, International Prognostic Index, and subphenotypes were strongly correlated with each other. Our study showed that soluble interleukin‐2 receptor is quite useful and may serve as a substitute for the International Prognostic Index, especially for patients undergoing treatment. Moreover, the differentiation between the germinal center B‐cell‐like and non‐germinal center B‐cell‐like phenotypes is also useful for predicting patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, even among those treated with rituximab. (Cancer Sci2009; 100: 1255–1260)
Fragile gene product, Fhit, in oxidative and replicative stress responses
Authors: Okumura Hiroshi , Ishii Hideshi , Pichiorri Flavia , Croce Carlo M. , Mori Masaki , Huebner Kay
Published: March 2009

Though the fragile histidine triad gene product, Fhit, was discovered and characterized as a tumor suppressor 13 years ago, its sequence, structure, and cellular location did not provide clues to aid discovery of its mechanisms of suppression. Recently, using chemical cross‐linkers and immunoprecipitation, a Fhit protein complex was identified that includes Hsp60 and Hsp10 which may mediate Fhit stability and mitochondrial localization, where Fhit binds and stabilizes ferredoxin reductase (Fdxr); when Fdxr is overexpressed, it can lead to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induce apoptosis. Cancer cells expressing endogenous or exogenous Fhit, when exposed to H2O2, an oxidative stress, produce higher levels of apoptosis‐inducing ROS than matched, Fhit‐negative cells; the Fhit‐negative cancer cells survive, carrying DNA damage. In addition to this mitochondrial function, Fhit‐overexpression in cancer cells exposed to replicative stress‐inducing agents leads to enhanced caspase 3 activation and apoptosis, due to defective Chk1 activation. Thus, damage to the fragile FHIT locus leads to reduced expression of Fhit protein, and makes a two‐pronged contribution to development of preneoplastic clonal expansion: (1) absence or reduction of Fhit leads to reduced expression of Fdxr and reduced ROS‐induced apoptosis; (2) cells that escape ROS‐ or replicative stress‐induced apoptosis can carry misrepaired DNA damage. The aberrant DNA damage response checkpoint in Fhit‐deficient preneoplasias and cancers may make these lesions targets for inhibitors of proteins such as Parp1 and Chk1 with important roles in checkpoint responses, as observed for BRCA1‐deficient cancer cells that also exhibit DNA damage repair deficiencies. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1145–1150)
Physical, motor, sensory and developmental features associated with agenesis of the corpus callosum
Authors: Moes P. , Schilmoeller K. , Schilmoeller G.
Published: March 2009

Background The study objective was to develop a profile of characteristics and diagnostic indicators of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) using a large sample of individuals with ACC and their siblings. Very few previous studies have been able to access large populations in order to develop a comprehensive profile.

Methods Caregivers of 720 individuals with ACC and 219 siblings, the largest sample studied to date, provided surveys with data on diagnoses, physical characteristics, developmental patterns and physical functioning.

Results Compared with siblings, individuals with ACC exhibited a pattern of delayed motor development, difficulty with balance and bimanual movements, large head size, poor muscle tone, poor depth perception, reduced pain perception, sleeping difficulties and an increased proportion of left and mixed handedness.

Conclusions These results extend previous descriptions but are also consistent with published reports that used small samples and single case studies. The data provide a profile that has implications for early detection and intervention of individuals with ACC as well as for highlighting future research directions to extend knowledge about ACC.