bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The road to profit
Authors: O'Neill Sharron
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to reflect on the boundaries of corporate responsibility in the outsourcing relationships between chain stores, transport companies and owner‐driver truck operators.

Design/methodology/approach

Fictional prose.

Findings

Finds that questions about corporate social responsibility and accountability for driver safety remain unanswered by the 2005 New South Wales Parliament's Stay‐safe Committee's Inquiry into Road Safety Administration in New South Wales.

Research limitations/implications

Encourages further research into the social effects of transport industry accounting practices particularly in terms of exploring links between performance measurement and road safety.

Originality/value

A creative reflection on performance measurement and corporate accountability.
Improving patient safety and quality
Authors: Walsh Kerry , Antony Jiju
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the challenges and gaps in using an electronic adverse incident recording and reporting system from a commercial supplier to an acute health care setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used action diary, documentation and triangulation to obtain an understanding of the challenges and gaps.

Findings

The paper provides health care with further understanding of the complexity, challenges and gaps of using an electronic adverse incident recording system to improve patient safety.

Originality/value

This paper explains the important views of clinicians and managers in relation to improving patient safety by using an electronic adverse incident management system.
Involving service users in defining and evaluating the service quality of a disability service
Authors: O'Reilly Paula
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This study proposes to examine how a particular service quality model, the P‐C‐P attributes model, can be used to develop a measurement tool for a disability organisation, which involves service users in defining and determining service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation focused on a physical disability service within the voluntary sector in Ireland. To identify the service quality dimensions, which were important, a series of focus groups were completed with service personnel and service users. A questionnaire was then developed from the information identified relating to a number of service quality dimensions.

Findings

The results illustrated an overall high level of satisfaction with the service. There were a number of service dimensions identified in each of the attribute groupings, which could be improved. Respondents also made a number of recommendations for improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The study identified limitations to the model relating to whether the actual experiences of service users are captured.

Originality/value

This paper outlines from a consumer perspective the service attributes that provide satisfaction with service delivery but also highlighted areas where improvement was necessary and that the P‐C‐P model is a suitable framework for use.
Strangers on the train
Authors: Day Jacqueline
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide and develop a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the working relationship between the in‐house IT department and other parts of the business.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, IT professionals and internal customers at five medium‐large UK‐based companies were interviewed about how they work together for the development and operation of IT services. A grounded theory approach was followed to develop the theoretical framework from the empirical evidence.

Findings

In the paper the framework shows how the organisational setting, the attitudes of individuals, social processes and outcomes affect the emergence of collective beliefs that characterise the relationship. The strength of the relationship reflects the degree of congruence between the common beliefs of the parties.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that, within the context of IT services, this study shows the emergence of a larger scale social structure from interactions between individual social actors. Proposals are made for the operationalisation of the theoretical framework and its use for designing an instrument to evaluate working relationships. The work also shows how Grounded Theory Methodology can be used for IS/IT management research.

Practical implications

In the paper management interventions designed to strengthen the bonds between the workgroups are identified.

Originality/value

This paper may help individuals concerned with the development, support and operation of IT services to look beyond the confines of their day‐to day activities to consider the effect of their actions on enduring work group relationships.
Managing cultural diversity: opportunities and challenges for Northern Ireland hoteliers
Authors: Devine Frances , Baum Tom , Hearns Niamh , Devine Adrian
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the opportunities and challenges faced by hospitality employers in accommodating a culturally diverse workforce in Northern Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory paper based on interviews with hospitality employers in Northern Ireland. It seeks to answer the question “What opportunities and challenges does a culturally diverse workforce create for hoteliers in Northern Ireland?”.

Findings

This research highlights the potential of international workers as an invaluable new source of labour for the hospitality industry, provided that they are properly looked after and managed.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could analyse the role of multicultural management in assuring business benefits associated with cultural diversity.

Practical implications

The research suggests the importance of a positive proactive management system and solutions for training that could be incorporated into the workplace that celebrates its employee's cultures, that values and explores differences and that actively seeks to learn from other cultures, demonstrates tolerance, respects differences, identifies similarities and strives for inclusiveness. Training solutions are provided.

Originality/value

This study suggests the removal of barriers to the successful integration of international staff into the workplace and society, while benefiting all staff, their organisations and the Irish tourism product.
Late adolescent peer group formation in an international hotel school
Authors: Newnham Denise
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore group formation and the consequences of exclusion from peer groups amongst international students.

Design/methodology/approach

Three methods were used to collect relevant data: students' ongoing diaries, in‐depth discussions and observations. Behaviour traits were then quantified using group behavioural criteria of authors Paul and Elder and Allport. Graphs were drawn up to show behavioural, and therefore identity shift, between first‐ and fourth‐year students.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited in that the students' wider environment and its influences on wellbeing have not been considered. In order fully to identify international students' psychosocial needs this aspect needs to be approached.

Originality/value

This paper is of value to those that are interested in the psychosocial wellbeing of late adolescents and young adults when estranged from their natural environment. It is original in that little work has been undertaken on this subject.
What has influenced growth in the UK's boutique hotel sector?
Authors: Aggett Mandy
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the factors that have influenced growth in the UK's boutique hotel sector, through the identification of attributes that attract consumers to these hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

The study methods included a review of the literature and a survey of boutique hotel consumers in the UK.

Findings

Location, quality, uniqueness, services provided and the personalised levels of service offered are identified as the top five attributes attracting respondents to these hotels. The growth of the boutique hotel sector in the UK may be attributable to consumers seeking alternatives to the standardised provision of more traditional accommodation.

Practical implications

Although this research has its limitations due to the low response rate, many of the findings support those of previous studies and may assist boutique hotel operators in meeting customer needs more effectively. Practical recommendations are made for existing boutique hotel operators and those wishing to enter the market.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to investigate the growth of the UK's boutique hotel sector and the factors that influence the consumers' decision to purchase this type of accommodation.
The selection of instant messaging or e‐mail
Authors: Lancaster Sean , Yen David C. , Huang Albert H. , Hung Shin‐Yuan
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Instant messaging and e‐mail are popular communication methods on college campuses. However, students' perceptions of the two technologies vary greatly. This study seeks to investigate the differences between instant messaging and e‐mail.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was given to 545 college students.

Findings

Instant messaging is perceived as offering many advantages over e‐mail including conveying emotions, building relationships and ease of use (EU). Users are more likely to use symbols with their instant messages to help communicate. College students find both technologies to be easy to use, but show a preference for the EU of instant messaging. However, despite its perceived functional benefits, instant messaging is only the favored form of communication for personal and social relationships.

Originality/value

This paper builds on existing research by discussing information richness, EU, the use of emotions, multimedia, playfulness, flow, cognitive fit theory, bounded rationality, perceived commitment, and user satisfaction in the course of the study.
Why buy second‐best? The behavioral dynamics of market leadership
Authors: Na Woonbong , Son Youngseok , Marshall Roger
Published: March 2007

Purpose

In most markets it is possible to identify a brand leader and a number of brand followers. The purpose of this paper is to address the following question: “Why should any consumer purchase a ‘second‐best’ option?”

Design/methodology/approach

Consideration of the way in which these two groups of consumers (brand leaders and followers) trade off product attributes (utilitarian benefits, hedonistic benefits and price fairness) during the choice process is made in the study by path analysis of the appropriate structural equation models and then a consideration of the level and the differences between the means of the three variables.

Findings

The paper finds that utilitarian attributes are of paramount importance to satisfaction with the brand. This is not in accordance with conventional wisdom, which leads us to believe that price is most important to buyers of second‐tier brands and hedonic considerations most important to buyers of leading brands.

Research limitations/implications

The model fit attained is only good enough for exploratory work (GFI =0.88/0.90) so replication with a larger sample would be appropriate. In addition, the research is carried out in South Korea – although we know of no reason why this should affect the results it would be of interest to generalize the results to a western economy. Nevertheless, the method of first fitting the model then trading off the attribute levels is unusual and quite interesting.

Practical implications

Marketers of leading brands should not concern themselves about price but merely stress the benefits, whereas marketers of follower brands should make much of the price differential.

Originality/value

The importance of utilitarian benefits have hitherto not often been stressed when marketing premium brands – this research suggests that this is wrong.
Qualitative research in finance – pedigree and renaissance
Authors: Burton Bruce
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out the reasons for putting together a special issue of the Journal on Qualitative Research in Finance, discussing the pedigree of the approach, and outlining the articles contained therein.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted in this paper involves discussing the use of qualitative research in finance in previous years, focussing in particular on the pedigree of such analyses and describing the renaissance experienced by this type of work in recent years. The four empirical articles contained in the issue are then set in the context of this overview.

Findings

The paper makes clear the need for more research of a qualitative nature in finance, and illustrates that the recent renaissance in such work reflects the pedigree of the approach the ability of the methodology to generate novel and important empirical insights.

Originality/value

The paper explains the role of qualitative finance work in complementing – rather than replacing – conventional quantitative research and highlights some of the key areas and ways in which such analyses are likely to prove fruitful.
A new competitive analysis tool: the relative profitability and growth matrix
Authors: Calandro Joseph , Lane Scott
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the relative profitability and growth matrix and to demonstrate its use as a competitive analysis tool.

Design/methodology/approach

Two well‐known drivers of value are profitability and growth. After a study of 2 × 2 matrices we applied these drivers on a relative or industry comparative basis to a 2 × 2 matrix, and then we applied that matrix to competitive analyses of two industries to assess its strategic utility.

Findings

Our findings suggest that the relative profitability and growth matrix could be a useful competitive analysis screening and communications tool.

Practical and research implications

The relative profitability and growth matrix assesses a firm's profitability and growth relative to its industry and by so doing helps to identify and classify performance in a succinct format that facilitates further analysis. After such analysis has been completed the matrix can also serve as a convenient tool to communicate the analytical findings.

Originality/value

The relative profitability and growth matrix is a value‐driver based 2 × 2 matrix, the strategic utility of which is demonstrated and explained in two examples.
For top insurance companies, customer focus and merger mastery produce superior results
Authors: Palmer Nick , Tanner Scott , Detrick Christine , Wagner Ingo
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to identify what truly propels property and casualty insurance industry leaders to reach their peak performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Selection: from an initial list of 706 insurers worldwide, the authors screened for publicly held companies that derived at least 60 percent of their annual revenues from sales of property and casualty products and for which at least five years of detailed financial data were available. The final sample included only companies from advanced economies of North America, Europe and Australia, for a total of 86 insurers. Variables: the regression analysis investigated possible correlations between total shareholder returns and 17 measures of business mix and financial performance, including total revenue growth, total net premium growth and profitability growth. Time period: The authors ran tests on data covering the decade from 1994 through the end of 2004.

Findings

Consistent, sustainable revenue growth is the surest path to superior shareholder returns.

Practical implications

What sets the top performers in the insurance industry apart is an ability to master two of today's thorniest growth challenges: (1) high‐performance insurers cultivate organic growth by identifying their most valuable customers and investing to increase sales to them; by recruiting new clients through referrals and by lifting retention rates; (2) insurers that rely on mergers and acquisitions to boost revenues make regular, modest‐sized deals to add real value, and they integrate their new acquisitions quickly and seamlessly.

Originality/value

Property and casualty insurers that achieve top‐quartile revenue growth and produce exceptional returns for shareholders weave organic growth and acquisitions into a virtuous cycle of revenue expansion, pursuing deals that reinforce their ability to deliver customer value.
Sustainable “what”? A cognitive approach to understanding sustainable development
Authors: Byrch Christine , Kearins Kate , Milne Markus , Morgan Richard
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of sustainable development held by New Zealand “thought leaders” and “influencers” promoting sustainability, business, or sustainable business. It seeks to compare inductively derived worldviews with theories associated with sustainability and the humanity‐nature relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Worldviews were explored through a cognitive mapping exercise. A total of 21 thought leaders and influencers constructed maps of their understanding of sustainable development. These maps were analysed to reveal commonalities and differences.

Findings

Participant maps illustrated disparate levels of detail and complexity. Those participants promoting business generally emphasized the economic domain, accepting economic growth and development as the key to sustainable development. An emphasis on the environmental domain, the future, limits to the Earth's resources, and achievement through various radical means, was more commonly articulated by those promoting sustainability. Participants promoting sustainable business held elements of both approaches, combining an emphasis on the environmental domain and achievement of sustainable development by various reformist means.

Research limitations/implications

This study identified the range of worldviews expressed by 21 thought leaders and influencers across three main domains only – promoters of sustainability, business or both. Extending this sample and exploring how these and other views arise and are represented within a wider population could be the subject of further research.

Practical implications

Such divergence of opinion as to what connotes sustainable development across even a small sample does not bode well for its achievement. The elucidation of the worldview of promoters of sustainable business points to the need to consider more carefully the implications of environmentalism, and other aspects of sustainability, integrated into a business agenda.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to empirical research on environmental worldviews which has barely penetrated discussion of sustainability within the management and business literature. It shows cognitive mapping to be an effective technique for investigating the meaning of a conceptual theme like sustainable development.
Modeling the structure of CV formation and expectations
Authors: Ho Kim Hin (David)
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to form system dynamics modeling in introduced in conjunction with econometric analysis and planned scenario analysis which will uniquely structure the process whereby the ex ante capital values of the prime retail real estate sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrated system dynamics model investigates the structural factors affecting a unique expectation‐centered capital value (CV) formation of the prime retail real estate sector, through system dynamics modeling, econometric analysis , and the analysis of planned scenarios. This model extends beyond the usual lags and time line aspect of the price discovery process. The retail real estate sector is investigated within the Singapore context, as this sector changes dynamically and non‐linearly in relation to rental, cost and general demand expectations and to exogenous shocks like the Severe Advanced Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak. These macroeconomic factors are introduced to investigate their impact on retail space CVs through sensitivity analysis, during the simulation period of 20 quarters from the zero reference quarter (2Q2002).

Findings

The paper finds that simulation runs of the expectations‐centered system dynamics model are based on three scenarios. Sensitivity analysis is conducted for each scenario. Optimistic scenarios' CVs are lower than those of the likely scenario, owing to developers forming excessively high expectations that cannot be met by the actual rental levels. Pessimistic scenarios' CVs are highest. Based on bounded logic and the conditions for all scenarios, there are huge differences in expectations resulting in a large disparity in the endogenous CVs. Low actual rents are primarily due to poor informational efficiency, as the prime retail real estate sector is not transparent enough, and that many transactions are privately closed. Expectations cannot be met as the market information is not disseminated extensively through the agents and players. The scenarios clearly highlight the problem of informational non‐availability in the sector. The main policy implication is a need for a more transparent system of sharing rental and pricing information for the retail real estate sector, which is meaningful for real estate developers, investors and urban planners to sustain the retail real estate sector's viability.

Originality/value

This paper takes system dynamics modeling to the next level of incorporating econometric analysis, to estimate the sensitivity of retail rent to cost and the change in retail rent, for effectively structuring the dynamic process whereby the ex ante CVs of the prime retail sector in Singapore are formed and assessed, through a unique and rigorous expectations‐centered system dynamics model of rents, cost, retail stock, general demand and exogenous factors.
Accounting research in Italy: second half of the 20th century
Authors: Viganò Enrico , Mattessich Richard
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a concise survey and comparison of Italian accounting research and academic publications during the second half of the 20th century.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the special relation betweeneconomia aziendale(business and public economics) andragioneria(accounting) in Italy. The subsequent discussion on “financial accounting” includes a sub‐section on income‐orientation (vs capital‐orientation), especially important in Italy during this period, and the present crisis ofeconomia aziendaleas affectingragioneria, contributions by major Italian accountants of the period (above all, Onida and Amaduzzi) are discussed. After a section on “cost and managerial accounting” (of less significance in Italy than financial accounting), and a look at “novel accounting trends”, the paper closes with a discussion of some representative historical studies of the period.

Findings

The paper reveals the changing international position of Italian accounting research.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited by selecting the most prominent and relevant contributions among a host of pertinent publications.

Originality/value

In contrast to previous research, the paper offers an integrated survey of major Italian accounting publications of the entire second half of the 20th century.
Developing a strategic profile: the pre‐planning phase of strategic management
Authors: Sherman Herbert , Rowley Daniel J. , Armandi Barry R.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assist strategic planners and managers in developing and utilizing a strategic profile of the firm in order to conduct a SWOT analysis and therein apply its results appropriately.

Design/methodology/approach

How are the objectives achieved? This objective is achieved by developing a seven‐step procedure, with templates that assist planners and managers in creating a strategic profile of the firm and then utilizing that profile as a filtering mechanism for a SWOT analysis. The article covers the topics of competitive approach, competitive strategy, organizational structure, leadership, and organizational culture.

Findings

The profile may not only be employed as a method for centering a firm's strategic planning and implementation, it may also be used for creating a competitive profile of the firm's competitors.

Practical implications

The practical implications of the article indicate the need to attach a pre‐planning stage to the typical strategic management process of a firm. This action will lead to the creation of a preliminary strategic profile of the firm. This profile is used to produce a more accurate SWOT analysis with a greater likelihood of successful strategy implementation.

Originality/value

The value of this article is that it introduces a pre‐planning stage to the traditional strategic management process. This stage creates a strategic profile of the firm which managers and strategic planners can use for two purposes: producing a more accurate SWOT analysis with a greater likelihood of successful strategy implementation; and creating a strategic profile of their competitors.
The characteristics of a high performance organization
Authors: de Waal André A.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Seeks to identify the characteristics of high performance organizations (HPO) so managers can start improving their organizations in such a way that these also become HPOs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a meta‐analysis of the results of 91 HPO studies performed in the last and present decade.

Findings

The results of the analysis offer a first picture of what a modern HPO looks like and provides the characteristics managers need to focus on in order to turn their companies into HPOs.

Research limitations/implications

Despite an extensive literature search, potentially valuable studies might have been missed. Also, the studies look by definition at what organizations have done in the past, therefore not necessarily giving a guarantee that these characteristics will also be valid and of importance for the dynamic future. Further HPO research should focus on validating the characteristics found in this study so that managers can start improving their organizations with confidence. Also, additional research should aim to validate the link between the HPO characteristics and organizational performance, in order to make sure it is worthwhile for companies to improve themselves in the direction indicated in this article.

Practical implications

As it is the task of every manager to realize the goals of the organization by achieving outstanding performance in the organizational unit for which he or she is responsible, managers are under great pressure to deal effectively with trends and developments. Therefore, the more that is known about the elements that make up sustainable organizational performance, the easier it becomes for managers to improve their organizations in a focused way.

Originality/value

The results of the search for HPO characteristics have been documented mainly in the popular management literature: until now, scientific research into HPOs has not been abundant. Therefore most evidence is anecdotal, consisting of surveys and case studies. The research described in this article forms the start of a thorough investigation of HPO characteristics, which is executed in a scientific way while at the same time yielding practical results with which managers can start improving their organizations.
Laboratory‐based epidemiological study of superficial fungal infections
Authors: DAS Shukla , GOYAL Renu , BHATTACHARYA S. N.
Published: March 2007

Dermatophytosis continues to be a worldwide problem, constituting a large bulk of cases attending the dermatology outpatient's department in tropical countries. Variable climatic conditions and multiple etiological agents, whose individual prevalence varies with time, prompted an attempt to define the current pattern and etiologic prevalence in our locality, and compare them with earlier studies from different centers. Of consenting patients clinically diagnosed to have superficial fungal infections, 1975 were investigated in the laboratory. All the specimens collected from patient skin, hair or nails were subjected to direct microscopy examination in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and fungal culture. Confirmed diagnosis was made only if specimen was KOH and/or culture positive. Male : female ratio was 1.65 : 1. Tinea corporis (21.4%), onychomycoses (14.7%) and tinea capitis (6.2%) were the most common laboratory‐confirmed infections. Only 909 patients (47%) out of 1035 clinically suspected patients had evidence of fungal infection by either microscopy and/or culture. Of these 909 patients, 787 (86.5%) were both KOH and culture positive, 25 (2.7%) were KOH negative and culture positive, while 97 (10.6%) were KOH positive but culture negative. In 1051 patients (53%), no evidence of fungal infection was seen.Trichophyton rubrumwas the most commonly isolated dermatophyte (55.2%) followed byTrichophyton mentagrophytes(19.6%) andTrichophyton tonsurans(2.9%).Candidasp. accounted for 16% of all isolates. Non‐dermatophyte moulds (NDM) were isolated only in patients with onychomycoses. Our study revealed a male preponderance, tinea corporis as the commonest clinical type, and dermatophytes as the commonest mycological isolates, which is in agreement with earlier studies. Relying on clinical diagnosis alone without laboratory confirmation may result in overestimation of the problem as evidenced in other studies as compared to our study. Rarely reported NDM appear to be important etiological agents of onychomycoses.
Sweet's syndrome associated with skin methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis infection
Authors: XIAO Ting , HE Chun‐Di , GAO Xing‐Hua , CHEN Hong‐Duo
Published: March 2007

A 53‐year‐old Chinese man presented with fever, a painful exudative plaque around his left eye and subsequent multiple tender plaques and nodules on his bilateral face, neck and back. He had a 12‐year history of refractory anemia, a subtype of myelodysplastic syndrome. Repeated bacterial cultures of exudates from the lesion of the left zygomatic area showed growth of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. A biopsy of a plaque on the back showed edema of the papillary dermis and marked neutrophilic infiltrates in the upper dermis. The patient was diagnosed with Sweet's syndrome (SS), and responded well to combination therapy of amoxycilline/sulbactam and corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of SS associated with skin S. epidermidis infection.
ADAMs in cancer cell proliferation and progression
Authors: Mochizuki Satsuki , Okada Yasunori
Published: March 2007

A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) are a new gene family of proteins with sequence similarity to the reprolysin family of snake venomases that share the metalloproteinase domain with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). They are structurally classified into two groups: the membrane‐anchored ADAM and ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS). These molecules are involved in various biological events such as cell adhesion, cell fusion, cell migration, membrane protein shedding and proteolysis. Studies on the biochemical characteristics and biological functions of ADAMs are in progress, and accumulated lines of evidence have shown that some ADAMs are expressed in malignant tumors and participate in the pathology of cancers. The activities of ADAMs are regulated by gene expression, intracytoplasmic and pericellular regulation, activation of the zymogens and inhibition of activities by inhibitors. Many ADAM species, including ADAM8, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM17, ADAM19, ADAM28, ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5, are expressed in human malignant tumors. Many of them are involved in the regulation of growth factor activities and integrin functions, leading to promotion of cell growth and invasion, although the precise mechanisms of these are not clear at the present time. In this article, we review recent information about ADAM family members and their implications for cancer cell proliferation and progression. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 621–628)
Geological constraints of pore pressure detection in shales from seismic data
Authors: Teige Gunn M. G. , Hermanrud Christian , Wensaas Lars , Nordgård Bolås Hege M.
Published: March 2007

Methods for detection of pore fluid overpressures in shales from seismic data have become widespread in the oil industry. Such methods are largely based on the identification of anomalous seismic velocities, and on subsequent determination of pore pressures through relationships between seismic velocities and the vertical effective stress (VES). Although it is well known that lithology variations and compaction mechanisms should be accounted for in pore pressure evaluation, a systematic approach to evaluation of these factors in seismic pore pressure prediction seems to be absent. We have investigated the influence of lithology variations and compaction mechanism on shale velocities from acoustic logs. This was performed by analyses of 80 wells from the northern North Sea and 24 wells from the Haltenbanken area. The analyses involved identification of large‐scale density and velocity variations that were unrelated to overpressure variations, which served as a basis for the analyses of the resolution of overpressure variations from well log data. The analyses demonstrated that the overpressures in neither area were associated with compaction disequilibrium. A significant correlation between acoustic velocity and fluid overpressure nevertheless exists in the Haltenbanken data, whereas the correlation between these two parameters is weak to non‐existing in the North Sea shales. We do not presently know why acoustic velocities in the two areas respond differently to fluid overpressuring. Smectitic rocks often have low permeabilities, and define the top of overpressures in the northern North Sea when they are buried below 2 km. As smectitic rocks are characterized by low densities and low acoustic velocities, their presence may be identified from seismic data. Smectite identification from seismic data may thus serve as an indirect overpressure indicator in some areas. Our investigations demonstrate the importance of including geological work and process understanding in pore pressure evaluation work. As a response to the lack of documented practice within this area, we suggest a workflow for geological analyses that should be performed and integrated with seismic pore pressure prediction.
Interaction of tectonics, eustasy, climate and carbonate production on the sedimentary evolution of an early/middle Jurassic extensional basin (Southern Provence Sub‐basin, SE France)
Authors: Léonide Philippe , Floquet Marc , Villier Loïc
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the evolution of an extensional basin in regard to the nature and sequence stratigraphic arrangement of its carbonate deposits. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the respective effects of tectonism, eustasy, climate and oceanography on a carbonate sedimentary record. The case study is the early to mid‐Jurassic age carbonate succession of the Southern Provence Sub‐basin (SE France), located within the southern part of the extensional Western European Tethyan Margin. This work is based on sedimentologic, biostratigraphic (using ammonites and brachiopods) and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the carbonate facies of the Cherty Reddish Limestone Formation (late Sinemurian to earliest Bajocian). These strata were deposited in shoreface to lower offshore depositional environments. The succession of the various environments together with the recognition of key stratigraphic surfaces allow us to define four second‐order depositional sequences; of late Sinemurian to earliest Pliensbachian, early Pliensbachian to late Pliensbachian, earliest Toarcian to middle Aalenian and late Aalenian to early Bathonian ages. The architecture of the depositional sequences (thickness and facies variations within the systems tracts, wedge‐shaped geometries) reflects a strong tectonic control. The sub‐basin was structured by extensional faults (oriented approximately 070–090/250–270). Sea‐level variations, fluctuations in carbonate production and preservation, and environmental changes were also significant controlling factors of the carbonate deposition. The interplay of the tectonic control with the other factors resulted in five main phases in the sedimentary evolution of the sub‐basin: (1) dominant tectonic control during the initial rifting stage (late Sinemurian to early Pliensbachian); (2) increasing extensional tectonics (mid‐Pliensbachian); (3) global climato‐eustatic sea‐level fall (latest Pliensbachian) and global climato‐eustatic sea‐level rise plus hypoxia/anoxia (early Toarcian); (4) relative sea‐level fall linked to tectonic uplift related to the ‘Mid‐Cimmerian phase’ (mid‐Aalenian) and (5) oceanographic events (upwelling) and reduction in carbonate production (hypoxia/anoxia) plus tectonic downwarping (late Aalenian/earliest Bajocian).
The effect of different platelet‐rich plasma concentrations on proliferation and differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells in vitro
Authors: Han J. , Meng H. X. , Tang J. M. , Li S. L. , Tang Y. , Chen Z. B.
Published: March 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: The use of platelets and platelet products has become increasingly popular clinically as a means of accelerating endosseous wound healing. It is likely that growth factors released by activated platelets at the site of injury play a role in periodontal regeneration by regulating cellular activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in vitro. Materials and methods: Primary cultures of hPDLCs were obtained from healthy premolars. PRP was isolated by two‐step centrifugation. Two main growth factors present in the thrombin‐activated PRP (platelet‐derived growth factor [PDGF‐AB] and transforming growth factor‐β1 [TGF‐β1]) were evaluated using ELISA assay. Activated PRP or the combination of recombined human TGF‐β1 (rhTGF‐β1) and PDGF‐AB (rhPDGF‐AB) were added to hPDLCs in different concentrations to assess cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Results: PRP contained high levels of TGF‐β1 and PDGF‐AB. Cell attachment, proliferation and ALP activity were enhanced by addition of PRP or rhTGF‐β1 and rhPDGF‐AB combination to the cell cultures, while the stimulatory potency of PRP was much greater than the latter. These stimulatory effects presented in a dose‐dependant manner, it seemed that PRP with 50~100ng/ml TGF‐β1 was an ideal concentration. Conclusions: PRP can enhance hPDLC adhesion, proliferation and induce the differentiation of hPDLC into mineralized tissue formation cell; thereby contribute to the main processes of periodontal tissue regeneration. For economical and biological reasons, PRP has more clinical beneficial than analogous growth factors.
Safety of immunotherapy with therapeutic vaccines containing depigmented and polymerized allergen extracts
Authors: Casanovas M. , Martín R. , Jiménez C. , Caballero R. , Fernández‐Caldas E.
Published: March 2007

Background
The major complication of allergen immunotherapy is a severe reaction.

Objective
To evaluate the safety of depigmented and glutaraldehyde‐modified allergen extracts in a large group of patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment.

Material and methods
Seven hundred sixty‐six patients, having rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma, were entered in a prospective, multi‐centre, observational cohort study, to evaluate the safety of immunotherapy with modified allergen vaccines. Patients were sensitized to mites and/or pollen and received a therapeutic vaccine containing depigmented and polymerized allergen extracts of mites and/or pollens adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide. The schedule of administration consisted of a build‐up phase of 4‐ to 6‐weekly injections, followed by 12‐monthly injections of the maintenance dose. Tolerance was assessed by recording all side reactions related to immunotherapy.

Results
All patients completed the study. Fifty‐four clinically relevant local reactions (43 immediate and 11 delayed) were observed (0.4% of injections). The systemic reactions were 34 in 12 patients. Six reactions were immediate (all of grade 2) and 28 delayed (18 of grade 1 in two patients, nine of grade 2 and one of grade 3). The systemic reactions of grade 2 or 3 occurred in 0.12% of the injections. All systemic reactions were mild and resolved spontaneously without the need for medication.

Conclusion
Specific immunotherapy using modified allergen vaccines is safe to treat allergic patients. The percentage of adverse reactions detected is lower than those reported in the literature with native‐unmodified allergen extracts.
Effects of nutrients and light on periphyton biomass and nitrogen uptake in Mediterranean streams with contrasting land uses
Authors: SCHILLER DANIEL VON , MARTÍ EUGÈNIA , RIERA JOAN LLUÍS , SABATER FRANCESC
Published: March 2007

1. Nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) were used to determine the relative importance of nutrients and light as potential limiting factors of periphyton biomass and nitrogen (N) uptake in Mediterranean streams subjected to different human impacts. The nutrients examined were phosphorus (P) and N, and we also further differentiated between the response of periphyton communities to N species (i.e. NO3‐N and NH4‐N). To examine the effect of light and nutrients on periphyton biomass, chlorophyll a accrual rates on NDS located at open and closed canopy sites were compared. The effect of nutrient availability on periphyton uptake was measured by 15N changes on the NDS after NO3‐15N short‐term nutrient additions.

2. Results show that light was the main factor affecting algal biomass in the study streams. Algal biomass was in general higher at open than at closed canopy sites. Nutrient availability, as simulated with the NDS experiments, did not enhance algal biomass accrual in either of the 2 light conditions.

3. In the control treatments (i.e. ambient concentrations), periphyton NO3‐N uptake rates increased and C : N molar ratios decreased consistently with increases in N availability across streams. NO3‐N uptake rates were altered when ambient N concentrations were increased artificially in the N amended NDS. Periphyton assemblages growing on N enriched substrata seemed to preferentially take up N diffusing from the substratum rather than N from the water column. This response differed among streams, and depended on ambient N availability.

4. Periphyton biomass was not significantly different between substrata exposed to the two forms of available N sources. Nonetheless, we found differences in the effects of both N sources on the uptake of N from the water column. NH4‐N seemed to be the preferred source of N for periphyton growing on NDS.

5. Results suggest that the effect of riparian zones on light availability, although seldom considered by water managers, may be more important than nutrients in controlling eutrophication effects derived from human activities. Finally, our results confirm that not only increases in concentration, but also stoichiometric imbalances should be considered when examining N retention in human altered streams.
Evidence for non‐random spatial positioning of migrating smolts (Salmonidae) in a small lowland stream
Authors: SVENDSEN JON C. , ESKESEN ALLAN O. , AARESTRUP KIM , KOED ANDERS , JORDAN ANDERS D.
Published: March 2007

1. The ontogenetic development of anadromous salmonids includes downstream emigration of immature individuals from freshwater towards the marine environment. Although this migration of juvenile salmonids (smolts) may be associated with severe mortalities, only limited attention has been paid to the spatial positioning of smolts in small streams.

2. Using a novel approach, this study examined the vertical and horizontal positioning of brown trout and Atlantic salmon smolts while performing downstream migration in a small lowland stream.

3. Pre‐smolts of indigenous and hatchery‐reared (F1) brown trout (Salmo trutta), and two different populations of Atlantic salmon (S. salar), were tagged with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and subsequently released upstream of an antenna array consisting of five circular swim‐through PIT antennas. Antennas were positioned in order to determine whether the migrating smolts were bottom or surface oriented, and if they were oriented towards the mid‐channel or the stream bank.

4. During the smolt emigration period, data describing both the detection of the migrating fish and the amount of water passing through the antennas were collected. This was accomplished in order to determine if the fish were performing active positioning behaviour independently of the vertical and horizontal discharge distributions in the stream.

5. The results showed that the smolts migrated in a non‐random spatial pattern independently of the stream discharge distributions. Vertically, the indigenous brown trout and the Atlantic salmon demonstrated a preference for the bottom orientated positions. In contrast, the distribution of the F1 brown trout was not different from the discharge distribution. The latter observation suggests random vertical positioning, which may be indicative of inferior migratory performance. Horizontally, all tested smolt populations strongly preferred the mid‐channel positions.

6. The discharge‐corrected preferences for certain spatial positions suggest that smolt emigration is not entirely a matter of passive displacement in lowland streams.

7. Anthropogenically altered channels may inhibit or delay downstream emigration of smolts resulting in increased mortalities. Given that the smolts in this study actively selected spatial positions in the mid‐channel and near the bottom, it is suggested that deep, mid‐channel furrows may be used to help guide migrating smolts past adverse habitats in lowland streams.
c‐Ski activates MyoD in the nucleus of myoblastic cells through suppression of histone deacetylases
Authors: Kobayashi Norihiko , Goto Kouichiro , Horiguchi Kana , Nagata Motoko , Kawata Mikiko , Miyazawa Keiji , Saitoh Masao , Miyazono Kohei
Published: March 2007

c‐Ski, originally identified as an oncogene product, induces myogenic differentiation in nonmyogenic fibroblasts through transcriptional activation of muscle regulatory factors. Although c‐Ski does not bind to DNA directly, it binds to DNA through interaction with Smad proteins and regulates signaling activities of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). In the present study, we show that c‐Ski activates the myogenin promoter independently of regulation of endogenous TGF‐β signaling. Expression of myogenin is regulated by a transcription factor complex containing proteins of the MyoD family and the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family. c‐Ski acts on the MyoD–MEF2 complex and modulates the activity of MyoD in myogenin promoter regulation. Interestingly, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors up‐regulated basal activity of transcription from a MyoD‐responsive reporter, although c‐Ski failed to further augment this transcription in the presence of HDAC inhibitors. c‐Ski is observed both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus, but its nuclear localization is required for myogenic differentiation. We conclude that c‐Ski induces myogenic differentiation through acting on MyoD and inhibiting HDAC activity in the nucleus of myogenic cells.