bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective migration of an epithelial monolayer in response to a model wound
Authors: Poujade M. , Grasland-Mongrain E. , Hertzog A. , Jouanneau J. , Chavrier P. , Ladoux B. , Buguin A. , Silberzan P.
Published: September 2007

Using an original microfabrication-based technique, we experimentally study situations in which a virgin surface is presented to a confluent epithelium with no damage made to the cells. Although inspired by wound-healing experiments, the situation is markedly different from classical scratch wounding because it focuses on the influence of the free surface and uncouples it from the other possible contributions such as cell damage and/or permeabilization. Dealing with Madin–Darby canine kidney cells on various surfaces, we found that a sudden release of the available surface is sufficient to trigger collective motility. This migration is independent of the proliferation of the cells that mainly takes place on the fraction of the surface initially covered. We find that this motility is characterized by a duality between collective and individual behaviors. On the one hand, the velocity fields within the monolayer are very long range and involve many cells in a coordinated way. On the other hand, we have identified very active “leader cells” that precede a small cohort and destabilize the border by a fingering instability. The sides of the fingers reveal a pluricellular actin “belt” that may be at the origin of a mechanical signaling between the leader and the followers. Experiments performed with autocrine cells constitutively expressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or in the presence of exogenous HGF show a higher average velocity of the border and no leader.
Impaired familiarity with preserved recollection after anterior temporal-lobe resection that spares the hippocampus
Authors: Bowles Ben , Crupi Carina , Mirsattari Seyed M. , Pigott Susan E. , Parrent Andrew G. , Pruessner Jens C. , Yonelinas Andrew P. , Köhler Stefan
Published: September 2007

It is well established that the medial-temporal lobe (MTL) is critical for recognition memory. The MTL is known to be composed of distinct structures that are organized in a hierarchical manner. At present, it remains controversial whether lower structures in this hierarchy, such as perirhinal cortex, support memory functions that are distinct from those of higher structures, in particular the hippocampus. Perirhinal cortex has been proposed to play a specific role in the assessment of familiarity during recognition, which can be distinguished from the selective contributions of the hippocampus to the recollection of episodic detail. Some researchers have argued, however, that the distinction between familiarity and recollection cannot capture functional specialization within the MTL and have proposed single-process accounts. Evidence supporting the dual-process view comes from demonstrations that selective hippocampal damage can produce isolated recollection impairments. It is unclear, however, whether temporal-lobe lesions that spare the hippocampus can produce selective familiarity impairments. Without this demonstration, single-process accounts cannot be ruled out. We examined recognition memory in NB, an individual who underwent surgical resection of left anterior temporal-lobe structures for treatment of intractable epilepsy. Her resection included a large portion of perirhinal cortex but spared the hippocampus. The results of four experiments based on three different experimental procedures (remember-know paradigm, receiver operating characteristics, and response-deadline procedure) indicate that NB exhibits impaired familiarity with preserved recollection. The present findings thus provide a crucial missing piece of support for functional specialization in the MTL.
Halalkalicoccus jeotgali sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon from shrimp jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood
Authors: Roh Seong Woon , Nam Young-Do , Chang Ho-Won , Sung Youlboong , Kim Kyoung-Ho , Oh Hee-Mock , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: October 2007

A novel, extremely halophilic archaeon B3T was isolated from shrimp-salted seafood. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Strain B3T is non-motile, Gram-variable, requires at least 10 % (w/v) NaCl for growth and grows in the ranges of 21–50 °C and pH 6.5–9.0. The DNA G+C content of strain B3T was 63.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain B3T belonged to the genus Halalkalicoccus and was phylogenetically closely related to the type strain Halalkalicoccus tibetensis (98.64 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed 7.0 % relatedness between strain B3T and a strain of a reference species of the genus Halalkalicoccus. Combined analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA–DNA relatedness data, physiological and biochemical tests indicated that the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics differentiate strain B3T from other Halalkalicoccus species. On the basis of the evidence presented in this report, strain B3T represents a novel species of the genus Halalkalicoccus, for which the name Halalkalicoccus jeotgali. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B3T (=KCTC 4019T=DSM 18796T=JCM 14584T=CECT 7217T).
Reductive evolution of architectural repertoires in proteomes and the birth of the tripartite world
Authors: Wang Minglei , Yafremava Liudmila S. , Caetano-Anollés Derek , Mittenthal Jay E. , Caetano-Anollés Gustavo
Published: October 2007

The repertoire of protein architectures in proteomes is evolutionarily conserved and capable of preserving an accurate record of genomic history. Here we use a census of protein architecture in 185 genomes that have been fully sequenced to generate genome-based phylogenies that describe the evolution of the protein world at fold (F) and fold superfamily (FSF) levels. The patterns of representation of F and FSF architectures over evolutionary history suggest three epochs in the evolution of the protein world: (1) architectural diversification, where members of an architecturally rich ancestral community diversified their protein repertoire; (2) superkingdom specification, where superkingdoms Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya were specified; and (3) organismal diversification, where F and FSF specific to relatively small sets of organisms appeared as the result of diversification of organismal lineages. Functional annotation of FSF along these architectural chronologies revealed patterns of discovery of biological function. Most importantly, the analysis identified an early and extensive differential loss of architectures occurring primarily in Archaea that segregates the archaeal lineage from the ancient community of organisms and establishes the first organismal divide. Reconstruction of phylogenomic trees of proteomes reflects the timeline of architectural diversification in the emerging lineages. Thus, Archaea undertook a minimalist strategy using only a small subset of the full architectural repertoire and then crystallized into a diversified superkingdom late in evolution. Our analysis also suggests a communal ancestor to all life that was molecularly complex and adopted genomic strategies currently present in Eukarya.
The Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Subfamily UBP3/UBP4 Is Essential for Pollen Development and Transmission in Arabidopsis
Authors: Doelling Jed H. , Phillips Allison R. , Soyler-Ogretim Gulsum , Wise Jasen , Chandler Jennifer , Callis Judy , Otegui Marisa S. , Vierstra Richard D.
Published: September 2007

Deubiquitinating enzymes are essential to the ubiquitin (Ub)/26S proteasome system where they release Ub monomers from the primary translation products of poly-Ub and Ub extension genes, recycle Ubs from polyubiquitinated proteins, and reverse the effects of ubiquitination by releasing bound Ubs from individual targets. The Ub-specific proteases (UBPs) are one large family of deubiquitinating enzymes that bear signature cysteine and histidine motifs. Here, we genetically characterize a UBP subfamily in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) encoded by paralogous UBP3 and UBP4 genes. Whereas homozygous ubp3 and ubp4 single mutants do not display obvious phenotypic abnormalities, double-homozygous mutant individuals could not be created due to a defect in pollen development and/or transmission. This pollen defect was rescued with a transgene encoding wild-type UBP3 or UBP4, but not with a transgene encoding an active-site mutant of UBP3, indicating that deubiquitination activity of UBP3/UBP4 is required. Nuclear DNA staining revealed that ubp3 ubp4 pollen often fail to undergo mitosis II, which generates the two sperm cells needed for double fertilization. Substantial changes in vacuolar morphology were also evident in mutant grains at the time of pollen dehiscence, suggesting defects in vacuole and endomembrane organization. Even though some ubp3 ubp4 pollen could germinate in vitro, they failed to fertilize wild-type ovules even in the absence of competing wild-type pollen. These studies provide additional evidence that the Ub/26S proteasome system is important for male gametogenesis in plants and suggest that deubiquitination of one or more targets by UBP3/UBP4 is critical for the development of functional pollen.
Cytokinins in the Bryophyte Physcomitrella patens: Analyses of Activity, Distribution, and Cytokinin Oxidase/Dehydrogenase Overexpression Reveal the Role of Extracellular Cytokinins
Authors: von Schwartzenberg Klaus , Núñez Marta Fernández , Blaschke Hanna , Dobrev Petre I. , Novák Ondrej , Motyka Václav , Strnad Miroslav
Published: September 2007

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to establish the cytokinin profile of the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) B.S.G.; of 40 analyzed cytokinins, 20 were detected. cis-Zeatin-riboside-O-glucoside, N  6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenosine-5′-monophosphate (iPRMP), and trans-zeatin-riboside-O-glucoside were the most abundant intracellular cytokinins. In addition, the aromatic cytokinins N  6-benzyladenosine (BAR), N  6-benzyladenine, meta-, and ortho-topolin were detected. Unexpectedly, the most abundant extracellular cytokinin was the nucleotide iPRMP, and its identity was confirmed by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The effects of overexpressing a heterologous cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX; EC 1.4.3.18/1.5.99.12) gene (AtCKX2 from Arabidopsis [Arabidopsis thaliana]) on the intracellular and extracellular distribution of cytokinins was assessed. In cultures of CKX-transformed plants, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measurements showed that there were pronounced reductions in the extracellular concentrations of N  6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenine (iP) and N  6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)adenosine (iPR), but their intracellular cytokinin concentrations were only slightly affected. In vitro and in vivo measured CKX activity was shown to be strongly increased in the transformants. Major phenotypic changes observed in the CKX-overexpressing plants included reduced and retarded budding, absence of sexual reproduction, and abnormal protonema cells. In bud-induction bioassays with wild-type Physcomitrella, the nucleotides iPRMP, trans-zeatin-riboside-5′-monophosphate, BAR monophosphate, and the cis-zeatin forms cZ and cZR had no detectable effects, while the activities displayed by other selected cytokinins were in the following order: iP > tZ > N  6-benzyladenine > BAR > iPR > tZR > meta-topolin > dihydrozeatin > ortho-topolin. The results on wild type and CKX transgenics suggest that extracellular iP and iPR are the main cytokinins responsible for inducing buds in the bryophyte Physcomitrella. Cytokinin profile is discussed regarding the evolution of cytokinin biosynthetic pathways.
Hydrogen Peroxide Generation by the Pepper Extracellular Peroxidase CaPO2 Activates Local and Systemic Cell Death and Defense Response to Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Choi Hyong Woo , Kim Young Jin , Lee Sung Chul , Hong Jeum Kyu , Hwang Byung Kook
Published: September 2007

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for mediating cellular defense responses in plants. Controversy has existed over the origin of ROS in plant defense. We have isolated a novel extracellular peroxidase gene, CaPO2, from pepper (Capsicum annuum). Local or systemic expression of CaPO2 is induced in pepper by avirulent Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (Xcv) infection. We examined the function of the CaPO2 gene in plant defense using the virus-induced gene silencing technique and gain-of-function transgenic plants. CaPO2-silenced pepper plants were highly susceptible to Xcv infection. Virus-induced gene silencing of the CaPO2 gene also compromised hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and hypersensitive cell death in leaves, both locally and systemically, during avirulent Xcv infection. In contrast, overexpression of CaPO2 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) conferred enhanced disease resistance accompanied by cell death, H2O2 accumulation, and PR gene induction. In CaPO2-overexpression Arabidopsis leaves infected by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato, H2O2 generation was sensitive to potassium cyanide (a peroxidase inhibitor) but insensitive to diphenylene iodonium (an NADPH oxidase inhibitor), suggesting that H2O2 generation depends on peroxidase in Arabidopsis. Together, these results indicate that the CaPO2 peroxidase is involved in ROS generation, both locally and systemically, to activate cell death and PR gene induction during the defense response to pathogen invasion.
Fluorescent Reporter Proteins for the Tonoplast and the Vacuolar Lumen Identify a Single Vacuolar Compartment in Arabidopsis Cells
Authors: Hunter Paul R. , Craddock Christian P. , Di Benedetto Sara , Roberts Lynne M. , Frigerio Lorenzo
Published: September 2007

We generated fusions between three Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs; α-, γ-, and δ-TIP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). We also produced soluble reporters consisting of the monomeric red fluorescent protein (RFP) and either the C-terminal vacuolar sorting signal of phaseolin or the sequence-specific sorting signal of proricin. In transgenic Arabidopsis leaves, mature roots, and root tips, all TIP fusions localized to the tonoplast of the central vacuole and both of the lumenal RFP reporters were found within TIP-delimited vacuoles. In embryos from developing, mature, and germinating seeds, all three TIPs localized to the tonoplast of protein storage vacuoles. To determine the temporal TIP expression patterns and to rule out mistargeting due to overexpression, we generated plants expressing YFP fused to the complete genomic sequences of the three TIP isoforms. In transgenic Arabidopsis, γ-TIP expression was limited to vegetative tissues, but specifically excluded from root tips, whereas α-TIP was exclusively expressed during seed maturation. δ-TIP was expressed in vegetative tissues, but not root tips, at a later stage than γ-TIP. Our findings indicate that, in the Arabidopsis tissues analyzed, two different vacuolar sorting signals target soluble proteins to a single vacuolar location. Moreover, TIP isoform distribution is tissue and development specific, rather than organelle specific.
Global Expression Profiling Applied to the Analysis of Arabidopsis Stamen Development
Authors: Alves-Ferreira Márcio , Wellmer Frank , Banhara Aline , Kumar Vijaya , Riechmann José Luis , Meyerowitz Elliot M.
Published: September 2007

To obtain detailed information about gene expression during stamen development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), we compared, by microarray analysis, the gene expression profile of wild-type inflorescences to those of the floral mutants apetala3, sporocyteless/nozzle, and male sterile1 (ms1), in which different aspects of stamen formation are disrupted. These experiments led to the identification of groups of genes with predicted expression at early, intermediate, and late stages of stamen development. Validation experiments using in situ hybridization confirmed the predicted expression patterns. Additional experiments aimed at characterizing gene expression specifically during microspore formation. To this end, we compared the gene expression profiles of wild-type flowers of distinct developmental stages to those of the ms1 mutant. Computational analysis of the datasets derived from this experiment led to the identification of genes that are likely involved in the control of key developmental processes during microsporogenesis. We also identified a large number of genes whose expression is prolonged in ms1 mutant flowers compared to the wild type. This result suggests that MS1, which encodes a putative transcriptional regulator, is involved in the stage-specific repression of these genes. Lastly, we applied reverse genetics to characterize several of the genes identified in the microarray experiments and uncovered novel regulators of microsporogenesis, including the transcription factor MYB99 and a putative phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase.
A Universal Expression/Silencing Vector in Plants
Authors: Peretz Yuval , Mozes-Koch Rita , Akad Fuad , Tanne Edna , Czosnek Henryk , Sela Ilan
Published: September 2007

A universal vector (IL-60 and auxiliary constructs), expressing or silencing genes in every plant tested to date, is described. Plants that have been successfully manipulated by the IL-60 system include hard-to-manipulate species such as wheat (Triticum duram), pepper (Capsicum annuum), grapevine (Vitis vinifera), citrus, and olive (Olea europaea). Expression or silencing develops within a few days in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), wheat, and most herbaceous plants and in up to 3 weeks in woody trees. Expression, as tested in tomato, is durable and persists throughout the life span of the plant. The vector is, in fact, a disarmed form of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which is applied as a double-stranded DNA and replicates as such. However, the disarmed virus does not support rolling-circle replication, and therefore viral progeny single-stranded DNA is not produced. IL-60 does not integrate into the plant's genome, and the construct, including the expressed gene, is not heritable. IL-60 is not transmitted by the Tomato yellow leaf curl virus's natural insect vector. In addition, artificial satellites were constructed that require a helper virus for replication, movement, and expression. With IL-60 as the disarmed helper “virus,” transactivation occurs, resulting in an inducible expressing/silencing system. The system's potential is demonstrated by IL-60-derived suppression of a viral-silencing suppressor of Grapevine virus A, resulting in Grapevine virus A-resistant/tolerant plants.
The Exposed N-Terminal Tail of the D1 Subunit Is Required for Rapid D1 Degradation during Photosystem II Repair inSynechocystissp PCC 6803
Authors: Komenda Josef , Tichý Martin , Prášil Ondřej , Knoppová Jana , Kuviková Stanislava , de Vries Remco , Nixon Peter J.
Published: September 2007

The selective replacement of photodamaged D1 protein within the multisubunit photosystem II (PSII) complex is an important photoprotective mechanism in chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. FtsH proteases are involved at an early stage of D1 degradation, but it remains unclear how the damaged D1 subunit is recognized, degraded, and replaced. To test the role of the N-terminal region of D1 in PSII biogenesis and repair, we have constructed mutants of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp PCC 6803 that are truncated at the exposed N terminus. Removal of 5 or 10 residues blocked D1 synthesis, as assessed in radiolabeling experiments, whereas removal of 20 residues restored the ability to assemble oxygen-evolving dimeric PSII complexes but inhibited PSII repair at the level of D1 degradation. Overall, our results identify an important physiological role for the exposed N-terminal tail of D1 at an early step in selective D1 degradation. This finding has important implications for the recognition of damaged D1 and its synchronized replacement by a newly synthesized subunit.
Revealed comparative advantage and competitiveness in services
Authors: Seyoum Belay
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the competitiveness of selected services: business, financial, transport and travel services in developing countries in relation to that of the rest of the world based on three indices of revealed comparative advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses revealed comparative advantage (RCA) indices to measure developing countries' comparative advantages in selected services for the period 1998‐2003.

Findings

Strong comparative advantages exist for many developing countries in transport, and travel services. There is substantial room for improvement in financial and business services. Trade liberalization and lack of adequate preparation appears to have resulted in a weakening of their comparative advantages over the years. However, their revealed comparative advantages remain, by and large, stable and do not show a fundamental shift in the structure of their comparative advantages.

Originality/value

There are no studies examining developing countries' comparative advantages in services. The findings and policy recommendations can be used by developing countries to improve the competitiveness of their service sectors.
Evaluating the penetration of capitalism in post‐socialist Ukraine
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Round John
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critically the meta‐narrative that capitalism is becoming totalising and hegemonic. Grounded in an emerging corpus of post‐development thought that has deconstructed this discourse in relation to western economies and the majority (third) world, the purpose of this paper is to further contribute to this burgeoning critique by analysing the degree to which capitalism has penetrated a post‐socialist society, namely Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyse the penetration of capitalism, a survey is reported of the work practices of 600 households in a array of localities in Ukraine, conducted during 2005/2006 using face‐to‐face interviews.

Findings

Analysing the practices used by households to secure their livelihoods, the finding is that capitalism is far from hegemonic. Even when the formal economy is relied on either as their most important or second most important source of livelihood, it is nearly always combined with some other economic activity. A diverse portfolio of work practices is thus the norm rather than the exception with over 90 per cent of households relying on sources other than the formal market sphere as either their most important or second most important source of livelihood.

Practical implications

Displaying the shallow penetration of capitalism in this array of localities in Ukraine, this paper reveals the need for a re‐representation of the realities of work in such post‐socialist societies so as to open up the feasibility of, and possibilities for, alternative futures for work.

Originality/value

This paper reports the first evaluation of the extent to which capitalism has penetrated work practices in post‐socialist Ukraine.
Evaluating the competitive market efficiency of top listed companies in Egypt
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed M.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the research presented in this paper is to measure the relative market efficiency of the top listed companies in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying a two‐stage approach, this study uses production frontier analysis (PFA) to measure the relative market efficiency of 62 listed companies in Egypt, and Tobit regression to examine the dependence of efficiency on the specific operating environment of these companies.

Findings

The results indicate that the performance of several companies is sub‐optimal, suggesting the potential for significant improvements over both profitability and marketability dimensions. Separate benchmarks were derived for possible reductions in resources used, and the results indicate that several companies deploy a much larger number of employees than required by a best practice company, and significant savings are possible on this account.

Originality/value

From a policy perspective, this study highlights the economic importance of encouraging increased market efficiency throughout the business sector in Egypt.
Perceived environmental uncertainty, supply chain purchasing strategy, and use of MAS information
Authors: Agbejule Adebayo , Burrowes Ashley
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), supplier development (SUD) and the use of broad scope management accounting systems (MAS) information. In recent years, many companies have come to recognize the important role supply chain purchasing strategy plays in achieving competitive advantage. One of the key components of the supply chain purchasing strategy is supplier development. In addition, there have been calls for research into how changes in supply chain management affect the use of MAS.

Design/methodology/approach

About 78 managers from different organizations participated in this Finnish study. Using operations management and accounting literature, four hypotheses were proposed in the study. Data were collected from managers using a mail‐out questionnaire.

Findings

The results revealed that PEU is a determinant of SUD, which, in turn, is a determinant of the use of MAS. In other words, SUD plays a mediating role in the relationship between PEU and the use of broad scope MAS information.

Research limitations/implications

This paper describes the responses from 78 managers in medium to large size manufacturing firms in North‐Western Finland and consequently a caveat about generalizability is appropriate notwithstanding the high‐global esteem of Finnish manufacturing.

Practical implications

The competitive production environment that exists today has forced many firms into lean production. This paper suggests that under such conditions of uncertainty the incorporation of SUD data into the MAS may prove very salutary.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper should prove useful to firms entertaining an upgrade and broadening the scope of their MAS to include supply chain management information, particularly as it relates to supplier development.
Professional accounting bodies' perceptions of ethical issues, causes of ethical failure and ethics education
Authors: Jackling Beverley , Cooper Barry J. , Leung Philomena , Dellaportas Steven
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Given the calls for increased ethics education following recent corporate collapses, this paper aims to examine the significance of ethical issues that challenge the profession and, more specifically, professional accounting bodies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assesses the perceptions via an online survey of 66 professional accounting bodies worldwide in respect of ethical issues, potential causes of ethical failure and the need for ethics education.

Findings

Respondents identified a number of important challenges including conflicts of interest, earnings management and whistle‐blowing. The findings also demonstrate strong support for participation in prescribing the nature of ethics education by members of professional accounting bodies.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are based on feedback from 41 per cent of member bodies of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). Despite a number of follow‐up reminder notices, some regions are under‐represented in the responses to the survey distributed to the (then) 160 member bodies of IFAC. Geographic isolation and language limitations contributed to the failure to gain a higher response rate.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that professional bodies support ethics education at the pre‐ and post‐qualifying levels of education and a willingness to take an active role in promoting ethics education to their members.

Originality/value

By addressing member bodies' attitudes to ethics education, this paper fills a gap in prior literature that has been restricted to addressing the attitudes of academics, students and business organisations.
Economic factors and psychiatric hospital beds – an analysis of historical trends
Authors: Ceccherini‐Nelli Alfonso , Priebe Stefan
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between economic factors (consumer price index, real gross domestic product per capita, base discount rate, and rate of unemployment) and numbers of hospital psychiatric beds.

Design/methodology/approach

Time series analytical techniques (unit root and cointegration tests) were applied to two regional data sets from the nineteenth century (North Carolina, USA; Berkshire, UK) and three national data sets in the twentieth century (US; UK; Italy) to test the hypothesis of a relationship.

Findings

All data sets suggest a long‐run relationship between economic factors and psychiatric bed numbers. Increase of consumer price predicted a decrease of hospital beds (and vice versa) in all data sets and was the strongest predictor of changes in psychiatric bed numbers. Hence, economic factors appear to be an important driver for the supply of hospital beds.

Research limitations/implications

Cointegration tests are not true causality tests as they only measure the ability to forecast the value of an X variable knowing the value of N other variables. Therefore, one cannot rule out that the relationship between economic factors and psychiatric hospital beds is an indirect one, caused by another unidentified factor. Also, this study alone does not provide evidence to decide whether economic factors mainly influence demand or supply, although various findings suggest the latter.

Practical implications

CPI is of particular significance for changes in psychiatric bed provision, and co‐integration tests are a useful method to explore such association.

Originality/value

This study is the first one to apply time series analytical techniques to explore the role of economic factors in the processes of psychiatric institutionalisation and deinstitutionalisation.
Ideals in sequential bargaining structures
Authors: Martins Ana Paula
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest possible extensions of the baseline Rubinstein sequential bargaining structure – applied to the negotiation of stationary infinitely termed contracts – that incorporate a direct reference to the “ideal” utilities of the players. This is a feature of the Kalai‐Smorodinsky cooperative solution – even if not of the generalized Nash maximand; it is usually not encountered in non‐cooperative equilibria.

Design/methodology/approach

First, it is argued that different bargaining protocols than conventionally staged are able to incorporate temporary all‐or (and)‐nothing splits of the pie. Scenarios are advanced where such episodes are interpreted either as – out of bargaining – war or unilateral appropriation events, or free experience contracts. Second, some modifications to the Rubinstein infinite horizon paradigm are experimented with, allowing for mixed strategies under alternate offers, and matching or synchronous decisions in a simultaneous (yet, discrete) bargaining environment. Solutions are derived where the reference to the winner‐takes‐it‐all outcome arises as a parallel – out‐of‐the‐protocol – outside option to the status quo point. In some cases, the limiting maximand for instantaneous bargaining was derived.

Findings

Rubinstein's optimal periodic division in a closed contract remained robust to most of the settings.

Originality/value

Presents possible extensions of the baseline Rubinstein sequential bargaining structure.
Economic science: what it is and what the scientists do not tell us
Authors: Kaskarelis Ioannis A.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the view that economic science is invented to support political regimes and not to find solutions to the economic problems of the society.

Design/methodology/approach

Without virtue and the sense of justice, science does not serve wisdom, and scientists are not intellectuals but mere professionals who serve their employers, unknown sometimes.

Findings

Scientists and the political regimes acting in common construct the social conscience and ethical values in their society and era.

Practical implications

Science does not serve the mankind. Economic science serves capitalism and globalization, economists are calculating the size of economic growth but nobody is responsible for declining welfare and deterioration of environmental conditions.

Originality/value

Humanistic education is the only that can provide an ethical code to the society and bring science to the status of wisdom and scientists spiritual leaders of the society.
Economics of access in a developing country: an analysis of firm‐conduct in financial services
Authors: Okeahalam Charles
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of industrial concentration on the level of access to financial services in a developing country context. In most studies, price is the only variable that is used to assess conduct. In this paper, we extend the standard approach by assessing the impact of concentration on the level of access to retail financial services in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Two regression models have been specified and tested.

Findings

It is found – as with most of the literature – that concentration has an impact on the conduct of retail financial services firms. Specifically, the study illustrates that the pricing of retail banking products in South Africa fits with the structure‐performance hypothesis and secondly, the level of access to services is inadequate, does not meet the needs of consumers and is a symptom of market power and the absence of a competitive market in retail banking.

Practical implications

The findings imply that there is a need for greater regulatory focus on the enhancement of social welfare in the retail banking sector in South Africa. There is also a need to develop policy and increase provision of basic infrastructure, in particular, electricity so as to reduce the cost of distribution, supply and intermediation of retail bank products.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is that it delineates conduct into two parts. It separately illustrates that concentration in the financial services sector can adversely affect social welfare in two ways. First, as is well known, it increases prices second, it reduces the level of supply and access provided to points of need. This is believed to be the first study to explicitly do this in a developing country context.
Gregory Bateson in contemporary cross‐cultural systemic psychotherapy
Authors: Krause Inga‐Britt
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the relevance of Bateson's ethnographic work to systemic psychotherapy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses this by examining Bateson's work with the naven ritual practiced by the Iatmul people of New Guinea. Bateson published this work in an ethnography entitled Naven, which has largely been ignored by systemic psychotherapists.

Findings

It is argued that Bateson's early work has been neglected in the field of psychotherapy despite being highly relevant to the development of cross‐cultural approaches in this field. The paper summarises Bateson's arguments in the main body of the book and in the two epilogues which provide Bateson's own commentary on this work. Key concepts such as “context” “pattern” and “ethos” are discussed. The paper also addresses the issues of how psychotherapists and ethnographers have access to the meaning of their interlocutors and outlines some pointers given by Bateson upon which psychotherapists may build in their cross‐cultural work with clients. Bateson's thinking about emotional, sociological and behavioural patterns and the way he involved himself in interpreting these is briefly considered in relation to the work of the anthropologist/sociologist Pierre Bourdieu on the one hand, and the psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion, on the other.

Practical implications

The theoretical discussion aims to contribute to the development of a rigorous approach to cross‐cultural psychotherapy and to the integration of social science and psychotherapy.

Originality/value

The paper will be of value to systemic psychotherapists, psychotherapists generally, anthropologists, social scientists and clinicians interested in cross‐cultural clinical work and in ethnographic enquiry.
Caught in the middle of a double‐bind: the application of non‐ordinary logic to therapy
Authors: Nardone Giorgio , Portelli Claudette
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of Bateson and colleagues' double bind theory, which has been a breakthrough in the history of psychiatry and human behavior because it freed us from the prison of ordinary logic.

Design/methodology/approach

The use of non‐ordinary logic, in understanding and in solving seemingly bizarre, over‐the‐lines human behavior, with its three different components: logic of paradox, logic of contradiction and logic of belief.

Findings

This paper presents the work carried out by the Centro di Terapia Strategica of Arezzo, which following the MRI approach, has put together seemingly simple solution to intimidating complex problems.

Practical implications

With the help of literature and practical‐clinical examples, this paper puts forward the use of non‐ordinary logic in brief strategic therapy in designing simple solutions to complex human problems such as phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders, presumed psychosis and other pathologies.

Originality/value

This work helps therapists and other care‐gives liberate themselves from the constraining chains of ordinary logic, in order to be able to solve human problems that seem unsolvable.
Practicising psychotherapy employing Gregory Bateson's epistemological models
Authors: Madonna Giovanni
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The task is to report what with more details was exposed in one of the author's recently published works, and consist in trying to develop a new approach to psychotherapy.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of this research is to employ Gregory Bateson's epistemological models to acquire new ideas to think and practise psychotherapy.

Findings

In the course of the work it was found that, in a Batesonian perspective, psychotherapy can be considered, at the same time, ethical and aesthetic: ethical because one type of the therapist's action is founded on a conscious purpose; aesthetic because another type of the therapist's action is “spontaneous”.

Research limitations/implications

The practical implication of these reflections consist in the use of the Batesonian method of double description in psychotherapy.

Originality/value

The original value of the paper is that the ethical nature of Batesonian psychotherapy imposes two different types of responsibility on the therapist: the first concerns the actions he takes based on the extrovert purpose and the second concerns his actions with regard to the introvert purpose, which creates the conditions for the flow of “spontaneous” action.
Second thoughts on Gregory Bateson and Alfred Korzybski
Authors: Günter Holl Hans
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The paper is intended to show, that Bateson and Korzybski have a strong common ground for their “ecological”, respectively, “anti‐aristotelian” critique of modern mentality insofar, as both reject the metaphysical doctrine of identity, identified by both as “Aristotelianism”. Instead of this, they postulate a concept of the mind based on differences (like the map‐territory‐relation) and patterns or mathematical structures.

Design/methodology/approach

By analysing the various facets of Aristotelian tradition, including the critical impact of logic, the paralysing effect of dogmatic scholasticism and the explosive force of negation, the text demonstrate that the identity of substance can, depending on context, promote the adventure of knowledge or forestall it.

Findings

The reflection of context implies, also to reflect the context of context and so forth. After all, there is no justification for postulating substitutes of the absolute such as Korzybski's “Alpha‐Object” oder Bateson's “MindGod”.

Originality/value

Original in the paper is the revision of Korzybski's map‐territory‐relation. As both, map and territory, are abstractions, a map can promise the territory as a score promises the music. So, Korzybski's famous reminder should read: “A map is not yet the territory”.
Choreography: a pattern language
Authors: Klien Michael
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to outline recent developments in the field of choreography, especially focusing on the influence of Gregory Bateson's ideas. Choreography is progressing towards a form of art that not only deals with the creation and manipulation of systems of rules, but does so in a non‐deterministic, open way. The author argues that if the world is approached as a reality constructed of interactions, relationships, constellations and proportionalities and choreography is seen as the aesthetic, creative practice of setting those relations – or setting the conditions for those relations – to emerge.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on ten years practical research and artistic creations, the author introduces choreography as the creative act of ordering, outlining the shift and developments in this field by introducing ideas of system theory and cybernetics, especially as described by Gregory Bateson.

Findings

Choreography has become a metaphor for dynamic constellations of any kind, consciously choreographed or not, self‐organising or artificially constructed. It has become a metaphor for order, embodied by self‐organising systems as observed in the biological world or superimposed by a human creator. The choreographer deals with patterns and frameworks within the context of an existing, larger, ongoing choreography of physical, mental, and social structures. As an aesthetics of change, the discipline of choreography can be applied to enquire into the dance of life, merging observation, theoretical writing and philosophy with practical rigor and personal expression.

Practical implications

Choreographic knowledge gained in the field of dance or harvested from perceived patterns in nature should be transferable to other realms of human knowledge production, providing a new aesthetic sensibility in the act of creation.

Originality/value

This essay delineates choreography as a new aesthetics, the one of change.
Fictional communication: developing Gregory Bateson's “Theory of Play and Fantasy”
Authors: Angela Knoop Christine
Published: September 2007

Purpose

To supplement Gregory Bateson's theory with findings from literary studies and attempt a new take on literary communication.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of Gregory Bateson's “Theory of play and fantasy” the transmission of messages between author and readers is investigated. After that, it is attempted to show the particularities of literary messages and their communication, including different literary levels of what Bateson calls the “frame” of a message. The elements discussed include creativity, tension, surprise, Coleridge's notion of “the willing suspension of disbelief” in reading fiction and emotional response.

Findings

While messages usually contain signs referring to an existing range of object representations, literary texts depart from and expand this range. The term “message” is subject to shift. The creativity of both author and readers allows a level of innovation that alters Bateson's categories: the metacommunicative level is not necessarily denoted by the message itself, and the metalinguistic level is adjusted to allow creativity that is existential for fiction writing and reading.

Research limitations/implications

Trying to give a schematic introduction, this paper is rather an overview than an in‐depth study.

Originality/value

This paper discusses a part of Bateson's approach in the light of findings in literary theory and thus helps to create an interdisciplinary dialogue that makes both sides' achievements, respectively, accessible.
What would Bateson's work look like today?
Authors: Feller Gordon
Published: September 2007

Purpose

To demonstrate that Bateson's path‐breaking life and breakthrough thinking have directly (and indirectly) inspired a profound shift which has specific and practical effects in the physical world – as well as in the world of ideas.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes an outstanding initiative inspired by Bateson's ideas and work.

Findings

Colombia's Gaviotas, situated far from the traditional centers of power and prestige, is the scene of an extraordinary whole system's experiment which is successfully applying Batesonian ideas in a harsh and troubled setting. Colombia is a country where environmental degradation, violence and instability are rampant. The paper examines some of the successes already achieved in Gaviotas, the path that lies ahead and the new opportunities being pursued by the Gaviotas project's developers. The paper attempts to understand how scientists are actively using Bateson's epistemology in their work.

Practical implications

This paper aims to enrich the Bateson memorial by demonstrating that cutting‐edge ecological thinking, as pioneered by Bateson, is being applied around the globe in ways both surprising and profound.

Originality/value

This paper identifies a unique attempt to manifest, in the most difficult circumstances, that Bateson's ecological concepts and values are not abstraction s and that change is a process which can occur in the most unlikely places.
Slippery rigor
Authors: Bateson Nora
Published: September 2007

Purpose

When the editors of this publication asked me to do a little editing for them, they also asked me to write a short piece for you about how my father's work has affected my work as a filmmaker.

Design/methodology/approach

A short and informal note form Nora Bateson.

Findings

In the end it turns out, from my perspective at least, that the most important thing he said was nothing he said, (though a lot of it is inherently fascinating and hugely useful). What is truly important is how he approached EVERYTHING.

Originality/value

A personal look into how Gregory Bateson's ideas and his lifestyle worked together.
Global environmental impact assessment of the Pb‐free shift
Authors: Andrae Anders S.G. , Itsubo Norihiro , Inaba Atsushi
Published: September 2007

Purpose

Using two different conceptual approaches to environmental life‐cycle assessment, attributional and consequential, the purpose was to test the hypothesis that a typical lead free solder paste Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7 is worse than Sn63Pb37 as far as global environmental impacts are concerned.

Design/methodology/approach

Single index weighting indices within the impact methodology Life cycle Impact Assessment Method based on Endpoint Modelling (LIME) impact methodology, were applied to the flows of three life cycle inventory models and their globally related flows. The LIME results based on three environmental impact categories, i.e. resource consumption, global warming and ozonelayer depletion are presented and discussed.

Findings

The attributional LCA (ALCA) results point towards a larger impact for Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7 than Sn63Pb37 mostly due to the higher Sn and Ag content. This study confirms earlier similar ALCAs. The system expansion for the Consequential LCA (CLCA) did not change this conclusion.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has not included the affected microelectronics packaging parts of electronic products, nor has it included toxic effects as they are local. ALCA was considered to be equal to CLCA for Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7, where no Ag nor Sn recycling was included.

Originality/value

For the first time a global environmental impact assessment of the shift to Pb‐free solder paste using the LIME weighting method applied to a CLCA is reported. Environmental life‐cycle investigations intended to support decisions of an ecological nature in the microelectronics packaging industry should benefit from the consequential approach.