bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibrational spectroscopic analyses of unique yellow feather pigments (spheniscins) in penguins
Authors: Thomas Daniel B. , McGoverin Cushla M. , McGraw Kevin J. , James Helen F. , Madden Odile
Published: March 2013

Many animals extract, synthesize and refine chemicals for colour display, where a range of compounds and structures can produce a diverse colour palette. Feather colours, for example, span the visible spectrum and mostly result from pigments in five chemical classes (carotenoids, melanins, porphyrins, psittacofulvins and metal oxides). However, the pigment that generates the yellow colour of penguin feathers appears to represent a sixth, poorly characterized class of feather pigments. This pigment class, here termed ‘spheniscin’, is displayed by half of the living penguin genera; the larger and richer colour displays of the pigment are highly attractive. Using Raman and mid-infrared spectroscopies, we analysed yellow feathers from two penguin species (king penguin,Aptenodytes patagonicus; macaroni penguin,Eudyptes chrysolophus) to further characterize spheniscin pigments. The Raman spectrum of spheniscin is distinct from spectra of other feather pigments and exhibits 17 distinctive spectral bands between 300 and 1700 cm−1. Spectral bands from the yellow pigment are assigned to aromatically bound carbon atoms, and to skeletal modes in an aromatic, heterocyclic ring. It has been suggested that the penguin pigment is a pterin compound; Raman spectra from yellow penguin feathers are broadly consistent with previously reported pterin spectra, although we have not matched it to any known compound. Raman spectroscopy can provide a rapid and non-destructive method for surveying the distribution of different classes of feather pigments in the avian family tree, and for correlating the chemistry of spheniscin with compounds analysed elsewhere. We suggest that the sixth class of feather pigments may have evolved in a stem-lineage penguin and endowed modern penguins with a costly plumage trait that appears to be chemically unique among birds.
Bushmeat hunting changes regeneration of African rainforests
Authors: Effiom Edu O. , Nuñez-Iturri Gabriela , Smith Henrik G. , Ottosson Ulf , Olsson Ola
Published: March 2013

To assess ecological consequences of bushmeat hunting in African lowland rainforests, we compared paired sites, with high and low hunting pressure, in three areas of southeastern Nigeria. In hunted sites, populations of important seed dispersers—both small and large primates (including the Cross River gorilla,Gorilla gorilla diehli)—were drastically reduced. Large rodents were more abundant in hunted sites, even though they are hunted. Hunted and protected sites had similar mature tree communities dominated by primate-dispersed species. In protected sites, seedling communities were similar in composition to the mature trees, but in hunted sites species with other dispersal modes dominated among seedlings. Seedlings emerging 1 year after clearing of all vegetation in experimental plots showed a similar pattern to the standing seedlings. This study thus verifies the transforming effects of bushmeat hunting on plant communities of tropical forests and is one of the first studies to do so for the African continent.
Mitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of the giant squid
Architeuthis
: genetics sheds new light on one of the most enigmatic marine species
Authors: Winkelmann Inger , Campos Paula F. , Strugnell Jan , Cherel Yves , Smith Peter J. , Kubodera Tsunemi , Allcock Louise , Kampmann Marie-Louise , Schroeder Hannes , Guerra Angel , Norman Mark , Finn Julian , Ingrao Debra , Clarke Malcolm , Gilbert M. Thomas P.
Published: March 2013

Despite its charismatic appeal to both scientists and the general public, remarkably little is known about the giant squid
Architeuthis
, one of the largest of the invertebrates. Although specimens of
Architeuthis
are becoming more readily available owing to the advancement of deep-sea fishing techniques, considerable controversy exists with regard to topics as varied as their taxonomy, biology and even behaviour. In this study, we have characterized the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) diversity of 43
Architeuthis
samples collected from across the range of the species, in order to use genetic information to provide new and otherwise difficult to obtain insights into the life of this animal. The results show no detectable phylogenetic structure at the mitochondrial level and, furthermore, that the level of nucleotide diversity is exceptionally low. These observations are consistent with the hypotheses that there is only one global species of giant squid,
Architeuthis dux
(Steenstrup, 1857), and that it is highly vagile, possibly dispersing through both a drifting paralarval stage and migration of larger individuals. Demographic history analyses of the genetic data suggest that there has been a recent population expansion or selective sweep, which may explain the low level of genetic diversity.
Sustainability literacy in action: student experiences
Authors: Kokkarinen Noora , Cotgrave Alison J.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Previous research by the authors has outlined ways in which sustainability literacy has been promoted within higher education. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the recipients of these educational initiatives have experienced the learning of sustainability literacy skills.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the potential for transformative learning, data were collected during a final year multi disciplinary project at Liverpool John Moores University. The methodology used was purely qualitative. The design of the methodology was based on the findings of a mixed model methodology used in the previous research. Reflective texts written by final year built environment undergraduate students at Liverpool John Moores University were analysed using phenomenography, which investigates the different ways in which individuals experience and understand something.

Findings

The analysis suggests that, overall, students were able to identify and express their attitudes and conceptions of sustainable construction. The sustainable literacy skills identified during the literature review were mentioned by many of the students in their reflective texts.

Research limitations/implications

The research outlined in the paper is part of an ongoing project which will hopefully lead to recommendations being made to the construction and property industries as to how they can utilise staff development strategies to improve the environmental performance of their organisations.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the understanding of what works when teaching current built environment students about sustainability literacy from the point of view of the students themselves. Taking into account student experience gives insight into what types of educational interventions engage the students, and thus which are more likely to promote sustainability literacy skills.
Evolution of curvature under thermal cycling in sandwich assembly bonded by sintered nanosilver paste
Authors: Mei Yunhui , Chen Gang , Li Xin , Lu Guo‐Quan , Chen Xu
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine: how much the residual curvature could be formed in sintered nano‐silver assembly when it is cooled to room temperature from the sintering temperature (normally 275°C); how the cyclic temperature load affects the residual curvature or stresses in sintered joint. Then the stress level and the reliability of sintered nano‐silver for high‐temperature applications can be understood.

Design/methodology/approach

5 mm * 2.5 mm silicon chip was bonded with 96 per cent Al2O3 substrate by sintering nanosilver paste. An optical system was developed to measure the curvature of the sintered assemblies. Reliability of the sintered assemblies was evaluated by temperature cycling of −40∼125°C. Finite element analysis was employed to simulate the behavior of the joint subjected to the temperature cycling from −40°C to 125°C by ANSYS. SEM images were taken to investigate the impact of temperature cycling on the reliability of sintered silver attachment.

Findings

This residual bending at room temperature was found concave towards the substrate (alumina) side. Also, with the bondline thickness increasing, the residual curvature decreases obviously. The severity of the residual bending in all the structures was mitigated to some extent with increasing number of cycles. There is no crack in the joint with the thickness of 25 μm. The drop of the residual curvature of the samples with bondline of 25 μm is caused mainly by stress relaxation in sintered silver before 300 cycles. Sample with thicker bondline is more susceptible to thermal cycling for the structure bonded with nanosilver than that with thinner bondline. The poor quality of bonding is due to the thicker sintered joint, which means that sintered nanosilver is not suitable for die‐attachment requiring thick bondline.

Originality/value

The paper describes: how a precise optical system was developed to measure the residual curvature of the sintered assemblies; how the evolution of the residual curvature of the sintered assembly with the temperature cycling was obtained by both experiment and simulation; and how microstructures of the sintered silver joint were analyzed for as‐sintered assembly and the sintered assembly after temperature cycling.
Customer knowledge management via social media: the case of Starbucks
Authors: Chua Alton Y.K , Banerjee Snehasish
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extent to which the use of social media can support customer knowledge management (CKM) in organizations relying on a traditional bricks‐and‐mortar business model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a combination of qualitative case study and netnography on Starbucks, an international coffee house chain. Data retrieved from varied sources such as newspapers, newswires, magazines, scholarly publications, books, and social media services were textually analyzed.

Findings

Three major findings could be culled from the paper. First, Starbucks deploys a wide range of social media tools for CKM that serve as effective branding and marketing instruments for the organization. Second, Starbucks redefines the roles of its customers through the use of social media by transforming them from passive recipients of beverages to active contributors of innovation. Third, Starbucks uses effective strategies to alleviate customers' reluctance for voluntary knowledge sharing, thereby promoting engagement in social media.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the paper is limited by the window of the data collection period. Hence, the findings should be interpreted in the light of this constraint.

Practical implications

The lessons gleaned from the case study suggest that social media is not a tool exclusive to online businesses. It can be a potential game‐changer in supporting CKM efforts even for traditional businesses.

Originality/value

This paper represents one of the earliest works that analyzes the use of social media for CKM in an organization that relies on a traditional bricks‐and‐mortar business model.
Global ranking of knowledge management and intellectual capital academic journals: 2013 update
Authors: Serenko Alexander , Bontis Nick
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to update a global ranking of knowledge management and intellectual capital (KM/IC) academic journals.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different approaches were utilized: a survey of 379 active KM/IC researchers; and the journal citation impact method. Scores produced by the application of these methods were combined to develop the final ranking.

Findings

Twenty‐five KM/IC‐centric journals were identified and ranked. The top six journals are: Journal of Knowledge Management, Journal of Intellectual Capital, The Learning Organization, Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Knowledge and Process Management and International Journal of Knowledge Management. Knowledge Management Research & Practice has substantially improved its reputation. The Learning Organization and Journal of Intellectual Capital retained their previous positions due to their strong citation impact. The number of KM/IC‐centric and KM/IC‐relevant journals has been growing at the pace of one new journal launch per year. This demonstrates that KM/IC is not a scientific fad; instead, the discipline is progressing towards academic maturity and recognition.

Practical implications

The developed ranking may be used by various stakeholders, including journal editors, publishers, reviewers, researchers, new scholars, students, policymakers, university administrators, librarians and practitioners. It is a useful tool to further promote the KM/IC discipline and develop its unique identity. It is important for all KM/IC journals to become included in Thomson Reuters' Journal Citation Reports.

Originality/value

This is the most up‐to‐date ranking of KM/IC journals.
Hybrid methodology for measuring the utilization of advanced manufacturing technologies using AHP and TOPSIS
Authors: Singh Harwinder , Kumar Raman
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Globalisation and liberalization of today's markets economy has posed new challenges to all manufacturing organizations, irrespective of their size and sector, for effective utilization of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) for sustaining their competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to provide a new insight into the use of hybrid methodology using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach, which is a multi‐criteria decision‐making methodology for measuring the effective utilization of advanced manufacturing technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A hybrid methodology using analytical hierarchy process and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach has been applied in this study. In this research work, seven factors such as top management support, resistance of employees, pay scale, training to employees, industry‐institute‐interaction, proper planning and team structure have been selected to determine the priority weights of attributes by using AHP. TOPSIS method is then employed to achieve the final ranking results. To benchmark the success possibility of AMTs utilization, AHP has been applied.

Findings

Top management support, resistance of employees and pay scale have been ranked as first, second and third important sub‐objectives for effective utilization of AMTs. While industry‐institute‐interaction, proper planning, training to employees and team structure have been placed at fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions for effective utilization of AMTs. It has been further noted that by using AHP, the successful utilization of AMTs can be found out.

Research limitations/implications

The parameters selected for this study are applicable to the northern India manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

An attempt has been made to apply hybrid methodology approach using AHP and TOPSIS for effective utilization of AMTs. This is probably the first time that an attempt has been made to apply the hybrid methodology using AHP‐TOPSIS‐AHP for benchmarking the success possibility of utilization of AMTs in the northern Indian manufacturing industry.
Targeted marketing and African American millennial consumers
Authors: Jeanine Meyers Yuvay , Janeice Morgan Allison
Published: March 2013

Purpose

With African American Millennials being the most intense users of the internet in the USA, based on length of time and frequency, this is a group that should be of particular interest to advertisers investing in online campaigns. The current marketing literature states that minorities respond more favorably to media and imagery that is targeted to them. However, this generalization has not been extended to make sure that this new generation and new medium follow the previous findings. The purpose of this paper is to examine how advertising performance is affected by the use of targeted marketing to African American Millennial consumers online.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the McGuire's Distinctiveness Theory as a framework, this study investigates the role of race in online advertising to determine if having a targeted vehicle (a race‐specific website) and or targeted imagery (featuring a race‐specific model) has an influence on an individuals' perception of a product, perception of an advertisement, and intent to purchase a product.

Findings

The findings provide interesting insight into the differences present between previously accepted generalizations and what is found when using a new medium with a new generation. Having a racially targeted media vehicle (website) did not have a significant effect on the resulting marketing outcomes (attitude towards the ad, attitude towards the product and purchase intent) but having targeted imagery (ethnic models) did. This shows that extending the current literature regarding targeted marketing to include the medium of internet and include this new consumer group of Millennials may not be a sound strategy.

Originality/value

The accepted practice of using Black models to target African American consumers is still valid in the online environment, even when the audience is a member of the newer generation. However, according to the findings of this study, media buying practices should be examined in order to identify where targets can be reached beyond racially targeted websites. As this study suggests, the location being racially targeted is not as significant a predictor of success as having advertising images that mirror the self‐identification of the audience.
Effects of reputation and website quality on online consumers' emotion, perceived risk and purchase intention
Authors: Kim Jiyoung , Lennon Sharron J.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

This research extends Mehrabian and Russell's Stimulus‐Organism‐Response model to include both external (i.e. reputation) and internal source of information (i.e. website quality) as stimuli which affect consumers' response systems. The purpose of this paper is to test a more comprehensive model consisting of reputation and website quality (stimuli), cognition and emotion (organism) and purchase intention (response).

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 219 usable questionnaires were obtained at a large Midwestern university through online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for data analyses.

Findings

Reputation had a significant positive effect on consumers' emotion and significant negative effect on perceived risk. All four website quality dimensions had significant negative effects on perceived risk and significant positive effects on emotion, except for customer service. Perceived risk had a significant negative effect on consumers' emotion, and both perceived risk and emotion had a significant impact on purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

This research employed convenience sampling, which resulted in a majority of female respondents. The results may be generalized to a limited extent.

Originality/value

This study allows for empirical examination of the different effects of various components of retail websites on emotion, perceived risk and behavioral intentions. This research will add value to the related literature by filling the void of previous research and also will provide practical implications for online retailers on designing and maintaining positive consumer response. Strength of the research lies in its ecological validity, since respondents were not simply all reacting to the same single stimulus.
Dual order systems and SMEs' growth: three longitudinal cases from China
Authors: Tang Fangcheng , Ke Xinsheng
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine how the co‐evolution of two order systems‐guanxi networks and legal system, i.e. a dual order system‐has shaped the growth of China's SMEs. From an institutional perspective, one proposition suggested has been that building guanxi networks can facilitate the growth of China's SMEs when institutions change in unpredictable ways. Another proposition claims legal institutions become guarantors of the growth of China's SMEs as a result of competition in increasingly market‐oriented environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Over a nine‐year period (1998‐2006), this study conducts in‐depth interviews with 18 top managers of three Chinese SMEs in Wenzhou, a city located in south of China. To identify potential research subjects, SMEs that had been operating for a period of at least five years and privately‐owned were chosen. Since institution evolution is characterized with a longitudinal nature, the authors gathered data from three different time periods in order to capture the richness of the phenomenon.

Findings

Dual order mechanisms consisting of guanxi networks (informal institutions) and codified laws (formal institutions) are both relevant in the growth of SMEs: guanxi networks are more significant at earlier stages of growth whereas legal systems are more influential in later stages. This argument is supported with data collected from three longitudinal case studies of SMEs in China.

Research limitations/implications

Data were obtained from three companies in Wenzhou of China, thus findings might not be generalizable across the country.

Originality/value

Three longitudinal case studies are unique. According to Pettigrew, longitudinal methods may be the only way to uncover processes of institutional change. The paper investigates the role of dual order system consisting of guanxi and legal systems in the growth of China's SMEs. The research not only contributes to the guanxi literature but also enables managers and investors to better understand the guanxi practice and role of legal systems in the growth of SMEs.
The role of management innovativeness in modern organizations
Authors: Nedelko Zlatko , Potocan Vojko
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to emphasize the role and importance of management innovativeness for development of innovative working and behavior of organization and its employees.

Design/methodology/approach

General management literature quotes a plethora of reasons for the differences in organizations development level. Many theorists and practicians have unified opinion that the differences between low and high developed organizations are also due to the low innovativeness, i.e. the level of innovative working and behavior of all employees. This paper is based on the foundation that management attitudes towards innovativeness are crucial for increasing innovativeness in organization.

Findings

Increasing the level of innovativeness in an organization is importantly dependent upon appropriate working and behavior of management, which must create and maintain appropriate conditions for innovative working and behavior of organization as a whole and its employees. This contribution confirms that management readiness for innovating has a central role in organizations' shift from low to high innovative organizations.

Originality/value

The paper provides a comprehensive approach for considering the role of management innovativeness in low and high innovative organizations. Typical drivers of management innovativeness are outlined in framework of low and high innovative organizations. A framework for future empirical investigation is proposed.
Post‐crisis bank liquidity risk management disclosure
Authors: Asongu Simplice A.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate post‐crisis measures banks have adopted in a bid to manage liquidity risk. It is based on the fact that the financial liquidity market was greatly affected during the recent economic turmoil and financial meltdown. During the crisis, liquidity risk management disclosure was crucial for confidence building in market participants.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates if Basel II pillar 3 disclosures on liquidity risk management are applied by 20 of top 33 world banks. Bank selection is based on information availability, geographic balance and comprehensiveness of the language in which information is provided. This information is searched from the World Wide Web, with a minimum of one hour allocated to “content search”, and indefinite time for “content analyses”. Such content scrutiny is guided by 16 disclosure principles classified in four main categories.

Findings

Only 25 per cent of sampled banks provide publicly accessible liquidity risk management information, a clear indication that in the post‐crisis era, many top ranking banks still do not take Basel disclosure norms seriously, especially the February 2008 pre‐crisis warning by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

Research limitations/implications

Bank stakeholders should easily have access to information on liquidity risk management. Banks falling‐short of making such information available might not inspire confidence in market participants in events of financial panic and turmoil. As in the run‐up to the previous financial crisis, if banks are not compelled to explicitly and expressly disclose what measures they adopt in a bid to guarantee stakeholder liquidity, the onset of any financial shake‐up would only precipitate a meltdown. The main limitation of this study is the use of the World Wide Web as the only source of information available to bank stakeholders and/or market participants.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper to literature can be viewed from the role it plays in investigating post‐crisis measures banks have adopted in a bid to inform stakeholders on their management of liquidity risk.
Determinants of demand on family Takaful in Malaysia
Authors: Sherif Mohamed , Azlina Shaairi Nor
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the driving forces that influence family Takaful demand in Malaysia. The paper examines various identified and available economics and socio‐demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Using ordinary least square (OLS) and generalised method of moments (GMM) techniques, the paper investigates the significance of the identified economic and socio‐demographic factors in determining the consumption of family Takaful. The paper first examines a full model that combines all variables; second, a model that controls for product market factors; and finally, a model that controls for socio‐demographic factors. Following Anderson and Nevin, Haberman, Lenten and Rulli and Josa the paper further separates all models into linear and log‐linear demand functions.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that income, Islamic banking development, education, dependency ratio and Muslim population factors are positively related to Takaful demand. On the other hand, inflation, real interest rate, financial development and life expectancy appear to be the significant factors that adversely influence the total family Takaful consumption.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this paper is the small sample size. Therefore, future studies may expand the variables omitted in this study due to unavailability of data, which may be influential in explaining the family Takaful demand in Malaysia. Possible influential variables may include government social security expenditure, price of Takaful and level of competition within the Takaful and insurance industry. Research should also be conducted on the impact of the legal system and government policies on the demand for family Takaful in the country. Finally, the study focuses solely on the determinants of demand for family Takaful. Nevertheless, the supply‐side of the equation should not be neglected and should be incorporated in future studies.

Originality/value

It is obvious that there are very few studies that focus on the Malaysian market and indeed, none of them gives attention to the factors that influence demand for family Takaful. In this regard, this study contributes in filling the gaps in the scope and coverage of studies in similar area. While this study is expected to provide more understanding and awareness on the concept of Takaful and the factors that influence its demand, the authors hope that it would encourage more studies on various issues on the Takaful industry so as to help researchers to understand more aspects of this new emerging business.
Influencing factors on carbon reporting: an empirical study in Spanish companies
Authors: María González‐González José , Zamora‐Ramírez Constancio
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has become an international instrument for carbon reporting of companies. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of some factors of the institutional environment of organizations (regulatory pressure, sustainability normative demands and interconnectedness) on the evaluation obtained by Spanish companies in this project.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has proceeded to make a multiple regression analysis in order to analyze the relationship between the dependent variable (“Carbon Disclosure” qualification) and independent variables (regulatory pressure, sustainability normative demands and interconnectedness) supported on the computer programStatistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS).

Findings

The results show that the interconnectedness of companies through their participation in associations that fight against climate change is the analyzed factor with a higher predictive power and statistical significance. Also, the regulatory pressure and normative demands from sustainability indexes, such as Dow Jones Sustainability Index, influence the carbon reporting of organizations participating in the CDP.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this paper is the reduced number of Spanish companies participating in the CDP.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of the role developed by the associations fighting against climate change, since they allow the members to belong to a network through which they share resources, norms and values that positively and significantly influence their behaviour related to carbon reporting.
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Modelling of Biomarker Response to Sitagliptin in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kim Bo‐Hyung , Kim Sung Eun , Kang Dongwoo , Lim Kyoung Soo , Kim Jung‐Ryul , Jang In‐Jin , Shin Sang‐Goo , Yoon Seo Hyun , Cho Joo‐Youn , Yu Kyung‐Sang
Published: March 2013

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models can be useful tools in new drug development and also optimal drug therapy in patients. This study was designed to develop a PK/PD model of sitagliptin based on the physiology of incretin. The PK/PD data included information derived from two different studies. Study 1 was conducted as a one‐sequence, three‐period, repeated‐dose, dose escalation (sitagliptin 25, 50 and 100 mg q.d.) design in twelve healthy volunteers. Study 2 was a first‐in‐man study for the newly developed dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor in healthy volunteers. In study 1, blood samples were collected to measure sitagliptin concentrations, DPP‐4 activity and active glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) concentrations. In study 2, only data from the ‘placebo group’ were used, and blood samples were collected to measure DPP‐4 activity, active GLP‐1 concentrations and glucose concentrations. A PK/PD analysis was conducted using a non‐linear mixed effects modelling approach. Sitagliptin pharmacokinetics was modelled using a two‐compartment model with first‐order absorption. Changes in DPP‐4 inhibition were linked to the PK model using a sigmoid Emax model, whereas the active GLP‐1 changes were explained using an indirect response model; this model incorporated the glucose and DPP‐4 inhibition models. The PK/PD model developed adequately described the changes in sitagliptin concentration, DPP‐4 inhibition and active GLP‐1 concentration in healthy volunteers.
Population‐based comparison of laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty in paediatric pelvi‐ureretic junction obstruction
Authors: Knoedler John , Han Leona , Granberg Candace , Kramer Stephen , Chow George , Gettman Matthew , Kimball Brittany , Moriarty James , Kim Simon , Husmann Douglas
Published: March 2013

Objective

To describe the extent of use and in‐hospital outcomes of open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty for paediatric pelvi‐ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction in the USA.

Patients and Methods

Using the 2004–2008 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified 4590 paediatric patients (≤18 years old) who underwent open or laparoscopic pyeloplasty for PUJ obstruction at 195 hospitals.

Multivariable regression models were used to test the associations between hospital and patient covariates (age, gender, race, primary health insurance), type of admission (emergent vs elective), and hospital characteristics (teaching vs non‐teaching status; rural vs urban location) with complications, length of stay (LOS), and total hospitalization costs.

Results

During the 5‐year study interval, 4426 (96.4%) and 164 (3.6%) paediatric patients diagnosed with PUJ obstruction underwent open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty, respectively.

The proportion of patients undergoing laparoscopic pyeloplasty gradually increased from 2.4% in 2004 to 4.4% in 2008, but this increase was not significant (P = 0.22 for trend).

On multivariable analysis, laparoscopic pyeloplasty was observed to have rates of postoperative complications (2.51 vs 5.00; P = 0.67), LOS (2.42 vs 2.75; P = 0.33) and total hospitalization cost ($9755 vs $8537; P = 0.24) similar to those of open pyeloplasty.

Conclusions

While laparoscopic pyeloplasty was generally an infrequent operation performed for paediatric PUJ obstruction during the period studied, this minimally invasive surgery provided similar outcomes in terms of in‐hospital complications, LOS and total hospitalization costs.

The results of this study inform policymakers about the comparative effectiveness of laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty.
Deep UV autofluorescence microscopy for cell biology and tissue histology
Authors: Jamme Frédéric , Kascakova Slavka , Villette Sandrine , Allouche Fatma , Pallu Stéphane , Rouam Valérie , Réfrégiers Matthieu
Published: March 2013

Background Information

Autofluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful tool for molecular histology and for following metabolic processes in biological samples as it does not require labelling. However, at the microscopic scale, it is mostly limited to visible and near infrared excitation of the samples. Several interesting and naturally occurring fluorophores can be excited in the UV and deep UV (DUV), but cannot be monitored in cellulo nor in vivo due to a lack of available microscopic instruments working in this wavelength range.

To fulfil this need, we have developed a synchrotron‐coupled DUV microspectrofluorimeter which is operational since 2010. An extended selection of endogenous autofluorescent probes that can be excited in DUV, including their spectral characteristics, is presented. The distribution of the probes in various biological samples, including cultured cells, soft tissues, bone sections and maize stems, is shown to illustrate the possibilities offered by this system.

In this work we demonstrate that DUV autofluorescence is a powerful tool for tissue histology and cell biology.

Results

To fulfil this need, we have developed a synchrotron‐coupled DUV microspectrofluorimeter which is operational since 2010. An extended selection of endogenous autofluorescent probes that can be excited in DUV, including their spectral characteristics, is presented. The distribution of the probes in various biological samples, including cultured cells, soft tissues, bone sections and maize stems, is shown to illustrate the possibilities offered by this system.

In this work we demonstrate that DUV autofluorescence is a powerful tool for tissue histology and cell biology.

Conclusions

In this work we demonstrate that DUV autofluorescence is a powerful tool for tissue histology and cell biology.
Targeting survival pathways in chronic myeloid leukaemia stem cells
Authors: Sinclair A , Latif A L , Holyoake T L
Published: March 2013

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the presence of a fusion oncogene BCR‐ABL, which encodes a protein with constitutive TK activity. The implementation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) marked a major advance in CML therapy; however, there are problems with current treatment. For example, relapse occurs when these drugs are discontinued in the majority of patients who have achieved a complete molecular response on TKI and these agents are less effective in patients with mutations in the BCR‐ABL kinase domain. Importantly, TKI can effectively target proliferating mature cells, but do not eradicate quiescent leukaemic stem cells (LSCs), therefore allowing disease persistence despite treatment. It is essential that alternative strategies are used to target the LSC population. BCR‐ABL activation is responsible for the modulation of different signalling pathways, which allows the LSC fraction to evade cell death. Several pathways have been shown to be modulated by BCR‐ABL, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK‐STAT and autophagy signalling pathways. Targeting components of these survival pathways, alone or in combination with TKI, therefore represents an attractive potential therapeutic approach for targeting the LSC. However, many pathways are also active in normal stem cells. Therefore, potential targets must be validated to effectively eradicate CML stem cells while sparing normal counterparts. This review summarizes the main pathways modulated in CML stem cells, the recent developments and the use of novel drugs to target components in these pathways which may be used to target the LSC population.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Therapeutic Aspects in Oncology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.169.issue‐8
SOX2 promotes tumor growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling pathway
Authors: Gen Yasuyuki , Yasui Kohichiroh , Nishikawa Taichiro , Yoshikawa Toshikazu
Published: March 2013

The transcription factor SOX2 is essential for the maintenance of embryonic stem cells and normal development of the esophagus. Our previous study revealed that the SOX2 gene is an amplification target of 3q26.3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and that SOX2 promotes ESCC cell proliferation in vitro. In the present study, we aimed to identify the mechanisms by which SOX2 promotes proliferation of ESCC cells. Using a phosphoprotein array, we assayed multiple signaling pathways activated by SOX2 and determined that SOX2 activated the AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, and rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1, suppressed the ability of SOX2 to enhance proliferation of ESCC cells in vitro. Effects of SOX2 knockdown, including reduced levels of phosphorylated AKT and decreased ESCC cell proliferation, were reversed with constitutive activation of AKT with knockdown of phosphatase and tensin homolog. In mouse xenografts, SOX2 promoted in vivo tumor growth of ESCC, which was dependent on AKT/mTORC1 activation. LY294002 suppressed the ability of SOX2 to enhance tumor growth of ESCC by reducing cell proliferation, but not by enhancing apoptosis. Furthermore, tissue microarray analysis of 61 primary ESCC tumors showed a positive correlation between expression levels of SOX2 and phosphorylated AKT. Our findings suggest that SOX2 promotes in vivo tumor growth of ESCC through activation of the AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway, which enhances cell proliferation.
Cultural differences in the development of processing speed
Authors: Kail Robert V. , McBride‐Chang Catherine , Ferrer Emilio , Cho Jeung‐Ryeul , Shu Hua
Published: March 2013

The aim of the present work was to examine cultural differences in the development of speed of information processing. Four samples of US children (N = 509) and four samples of East Asian children (N = 661) completed psychometric measures of processing speed on two occasions. Analyses of the longitudinal data indicated that, although processing speed was comparable among US and East Asian children at the youngest age (~4.5 years), it developed more rapidly in some but not all of the East Asian samples. Results are discussed in terms of factors that may promote more rapid development of processing speed in some East Asian cultures.
Competitiveness by Design: An Institutionalist Perspective on the Resurgence of a “Mature” Industry in a High‐Wage Economy
Authors: Hatch Carolyn J.
Published: March 2013

In the midst of the widespread, long‐term economic downturn throughout theCanadian manufacturing landscape, the contract (or office) furniture sector has demonstrated resilience and vibrancy. The study reported here investigated the institutional foundations of innovation and competitive advantage in this dynamic, design‐led, export‐oriented manufacturing sector. It connects to ongoing work in economic geography and the social sciences to enhance economic geographers' understanding of the role of institutions in shaping the practices of firms and competitive outcomes and seeks to advance a more agency‐centered institutionalist economic geography. The study focused on three dimensions of industrial practices: (1) the use of training and investments in technology, (2) the nature of employment relations, and (3) the use of design. The analysis reveals that the most globally competitive firms operating in aCanadian institutional context prosper by learning a set of production practices and the value of design‐intensive products from the embodied knowledge of their founders, who have lived, studied and worked in high‐wage, coordinated market economies of continentalEurope. The ability of these entrepreneurs to transfer industrial knowledge from continentalEurope toCanada has had direct benefits for learning and innovation processes that are critical to the synthetic knowledge base of this sector. The empirical analysis entails a sector wide survey questionnaire (N = 220) as well as 55 in‐depth interviews with senior managers, production workers, and designers from a subset of leading firms.
Energy reserves of parasitoids depend on honeydew from non‐hosts
Authors: TENA ALEJANDRO , PEKAS APOSTOLOS , WÄCKERS FELIX L. , URBANEJA ALBERTO
Published: March 2013

Adult parasitoids depend on sugar‐rich foods such as nectar and honeydew to meet their energy requirements and control insect pests. However, it is poorly known whether parasitoids can detect and feed on honeydew in agroecosystems, where it is the primary carbohydrate source, because this sugar source is less apparent in comparison to nectar and sometimes contains repellent compounds for parasitoids.

High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were carried out to test whether Aphytis melinus DeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), a parasitoid whose host does not produce honeydew, feeds on honeydew from non‐hosts. In addition, the correlation between the parasitoid's sugar reserves and honeydew abundance was determined. To do this, both the levels of honeydew producers and the sugar levels of individual collected parasitoids were assessed during different seasons. The overall sugar content was treated as an indicator of energy reserves and the erlose–melezitose ratio as an indicator of honeydew feeding.

The data show that A. melinus fed commonly on honeydew from non‐host hemipterans. More than 50% of the female parasitoids collected in spring and summer had recently fed on honeydew and most of them showed a high sugar content.

However, in autumn, when the number of honeydew producers was three times lower than in spring and summer, less than 20% of A. melinus were found to have fed on honeydew, with the average total sugar content being reduced by a factor of three.

This study demonstrates that A. melinus commonly feeds on honeydew in the field, even though its host does not produce honeydew. The results also suggest that the exploitation of honeydew by A. melinus is a function of the density and species of honeydew producers.
Mapping complex soil patterns with multiple‐point geostatistics
Authors: Meerschman E. , Van Meirvenne M. , Van De Vijver E. , De Smedt P. , Islam M. M. , Saey T.
Published: March 2013

The commonly used variogram function is incapable of modelling complex spatial patterns associated with repetitive, connected or curvilinear features, because it is a two‐point statistic. Because this was strongly limiting to petroleum‐ and hydrogeologists, they developed multiple‐point geostatistics (MPG), an approach that replaces the variogram by a training image (TI). However, soil scientists also face complex spatial patterns andMPGmight be of use to them as well. Therefore, this paper aims to introduceMPGto soil science and demonstrate its potential with a case study of polygonal subsoil patterns caused byWeichselian periglacial frost cracks inBelgium. A high‐resolution proximal soil sensing survey provided a reference image from which a continuous (655 sensor data) and a categorical (100 point observations) dataset were extracted. As a continuousTI, we used the geophysical data of another part of the field, and as categoricalTIwe used a classified photograph of an ice‐wedge network inAlaska. The resultingMPGmaps reconstructed the polygonal patterns very well and corresponded closely to the reference image. Consequently, we identifyMPGas a promising technique to map complex soil patterns and suggest that it should be added to the pedometrician's toolbox.
Expansion of epidermal progenitors with high p63 phosphorylation during wound healing of mouse epidermis
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke , Senoo Makoto
Published: March 2013

The transcription factor p63 plays an essential role in maintaining the proliferative potential of epidermal stem cells. We have shown recently that under homoeostatic conditions, phosphorylation of p63 increases during the early transition of stem cells to transit‐amplifying cells in human epidermis. However, how p63 phosphorylation relates to the regenerative processes during wound healing remains unknown. In this study, we characterize epidermal cells that contribute to wound repair in mouse models using phosphorylated p63 as a marker for stem cell differentiation. Our studies reveal that epidermal progenitors with high p63 phosphorylation preferentially expand in response to wounding in both full‐thickness wound and surface injury models. As phosphorylated p63 levels inversely correlate with the proliferative potential of epidermal progenitors, p63 phosphorylation may serve as a therapeutic target to modulate the function of these regenerative cells during wound healing.