bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explaining the intention to use technology among student teachers
Authors: Teo Timothy , Beng Lee Chwee
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine pre‐service teachers' self‐reported intention to use technology by employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the research framework.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 157 student teachers completed a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to four constructs in the TPB. These were administered at the beginning of the course in which technology was taught and used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as the technique for data analysis.

Findings

The results of this study showed that attitude toward usage and subjective norms were significant predictors of behavioral intention to use technology while perceived behavioral control was not. Overall, this study found that the three explanatory variables in the TPB explained about 40 percent of the variance in behavioral intention to use technology.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing interests among researchers in using models to explain users' intention to use technology. While prior research have use the theory of planned in explaining variables of interest in psychology, this study attempts to test the explanatory ability of the TPB on the intention to use technology in an educational setting. By doing so, the paper hopes to obtain greater insights into the applicability of TPB to explain issues of educational interests.
A verbal rating scale to measure Japanese consumers' perceptions of product quality
Authors: Bartikowski Boris , Kamei Katsuyuki , Chandon Jean‐Louis
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether verbal rating scales are viable formats for attitude measurement through an application to Japanese consumers' product quality perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The article notes theoretical differences between Likert‐based and Thurstone approaches to attitude measurement. The paper illustrates a Thurstone scale development process.

Findings

The new scale possesses nomological validity; it correctly predicts how consumer ethnocentrism relates to product quality evaluations for brands in different competitive situations.

Practical implications

The convenient, ready‐to‐apply verbal rating scale can measure Japanese consumers' perceptions of product quality. The article also offers survey researchers some practical guidance for developing their own verbal rating scales.

Originality/value

Verbal rating scales are rarely found in existing literature. This study sheds light on a frequently overlooked measurement scale format for measuring attitudes.
How supplier category management policy influences category sales performance
Authors: Chun Dal‐Young , Cadeaux Jack M.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how several aspects of supplier category management policy might affect category sales performance at Korean supermarkets.

Design/methodology/approach

Aggregated (market‐level) Nielsen time‐series category management and sales data for several variety enhancer categories in the Korean supermarket industry are analyzed.

Findings

Across both small and large supermarkets, both the number of brands and the forward inventory level had positive effects on sales while days of supply of a product had a significant negative effect. For large supermarkets, the out‐of‐stock rate also had a significant negative effect, while for small supermarkets the retail distribution rate had a significant positive effect.

Research limitations/implications

Using data for the Korean supermarket industry, this study demonstrates which policies for product assortment, pricing, stocking, and product replenishment can affect category sales and how these effects may vary between large and small stores. However, the findings rest on market‐level aggregated data and may be limited in scope to variety enhancer (i.e. low purchase frequency and high penetration) categories. Future research could try to relax these limitations.

Originality/value

The value of this study lies in confirming findings such as how category sales are higher in categories with a relatively larger number of brands (as has been observed in the US supermarket industry), as well as in the surprising finding that category pricing policies do not have a significant effect on category sales even though variety enhancer categories are generally considered price sensitive.
Design of closed‐loop supply chain and product recovery management for fast‐moving consumer goods
Authors: Grant David B. , Banomyong Ruth
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively investigate how product recovery management (PRM) activities affected the strategic design and implementation of a closed‐loop supply chain for a fast‐moving consumer good.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study approach with in‐depth interviews and structured observation of PRM processes at the focal company.

Findings

The focal company was able to design an efficient and effective product recovery and recycle manufacturing system by standardizing high‐quality raw materials, using a modular structure for the product and maintaining control over the entire process and bypassing the temptation to use third‐party collectors and processors.

Research limitations/implications

Primary research relates to the single case study and the focal company; however, the findings may not generally apply to other fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Practical implications

The comparison of the focal company's processes to an extant product recovery model provides firms with a structured way of implementing product recovery and recycling.

Originality/value

This paper adds to our knowledge of PRM and closed‐loop supply chain design by investigating its practical application to a fast‐moving consumer good; this topic has not previously received much attention by academics and practitioners.
Terror‐free investment index screens
Authors: Hemphill Thomas A. , Cullari Francine
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the corporate governance implications of the US terror‐free investment screens, instituted both legislatively and voluntarily, on the operations of non‐US multinational corporations (MNCs) concerning international trade and foreign direct investment with nations designated as “State Sponsors of Terrorism.”

Design/methodology/approach

After a brief introduction to the issue of “terror‐free lists” and investment indexes and divestment screens, the paper summarizes the US Federal and State Laws pertaining to state sponsors of terrorism and their direct impact on international trade and investment transactions. The third section evaluates the success of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indexes and investment screens compared to standard market investment indexes. The fourth section discusses the potential effects of terror‐free stock indexes and divestment (“social”) screens on corporate governance of non‐US corporations. In the final section, the paper offers business policy recommendations concerning international trade and foreign direct investment decisions and the listing of equity stock on the US financial market exchanges, and offer scholarly research questions addressing this issue.

Findings

Non‐US MNC managers should recognize, first, the importance of global corporate citizenship and reputation; second, the expansion of terror‐free investing criterion in ESG investment indexes and divestment screens; and third, the growth in the number of state government prohibitions on investing funds with foreign MNCs complicit with terror‐sponsoring states.

Originality/value

Exploratory in nature, this seminal paper evaluates an issue of emerging importance to non‐US MNC managers and directors concerned with potential political and economic repercussions of their international trade and foreign direct investment decisions.
Blogging: mediating impacts of flow on motivational behavior
Authors: Park Boram , Ahn SooKyoung , Kim HaeJung
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Upon extending Hoffman and Novak's flow model, this paper aims to delineate the blogging motivations with an emphasis of flow mediation to predict blogging behaviors. Three objectives are to: identify determinant dimensions of blogging motivations, behaviors and flow; investigate the hypothesized relationships between blogging motivations, blogging behaviors with the mediation of flow; and control the moderating effect of individual differences (i.e. blogger and blog reader) to disperse their blogging behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the self‐administered questionnaire, the data (n=432) are collected from students at a public Southwestern university in the USA. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS 7.0 identifies and validates the measurement model prior to examining the hypothesized relationships. To test the hypothesized relationships, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis is employed in addition to the multi‐group SEM analysis to scrutinize the moderate effects of blog ownership.

Findings

The findings reveal that the desire for entertainment, information, and efficiency are the primary drivers for blogging behaviors. Specifically, information‐seeking is the decisive motivation to urge digital engagement and e‐shopping behaviors concurrently. This study concludes that telepresence of flow plays a pivotal mediating role to promote both digital engagement and e‐shopping behavior stirring entertainment and information‐seeking motivations. Interestingly, there are disparities between blogger and blog‐reader groups that entail divergent mediating effect of telepresence.

Research limitations/implications

Given the preliminary nature of this approach, there are some limitations as follows: the convenience sampling limits the generalizability of the research; the individual factors as well as social and cultural factors in a global context need to counter why the majority of internet users do not participate in blogging.

Originality/value

Blogging provides distinctive insight into comprehending e‐consumer behavior explicitly with respect to social networking and information searching behaviors while facilitating a state of flow. This approach allows e‐service providers' and researchers' efforts to be more effective and approachable in comprehending the phenomenon through the application of the appropriate theoretical platform.
Relationships in online communities: the potential for marketers
Authors: Quinton Sarah , Harridge‐March Sally
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The potential influence of consumer generated communication in the form of online discussion fora has been overlooked by marketers. The purpose of this paper to explore the content of discussion and the relationships between posters on social networks using the wine sector as the research basis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the current usage of discussion fora by wine enthusiasts through a netnographic approach. A non‐probability purposive sample of wine discussion fora in three countries is employed to determine the content and style of the contributions posted.

Findings

The paper indicates that individuals within fora develop relationships with each other, the network itself and brands. Such relationships are predicated on trust between members, shared interests and experiences and relationships with the brands that they discuss. These relationships can develop into strong bonds and even evolve into offline activities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is an exploratory study with a sample limited to one product type and thus generalisation is difficult.

Practical implications

The paper outlines the strength and types of relationships between social network members. It demonstrates how netnography can provide insights into consumer behaviour and relationships between consumers and products. Marketers should consider the content of discussion fora as a valuable resource for learning about contemporary consumer communication and appreciate the power of peer‐to‐peer online relationships.

Originality/value

The paper uses a novel, but accepted, research method to discover useful insights into consumer perceptions and behaviour.
Money is not the problem: the KIT story
Authors: Donner Jan
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that there is a clear distinction between using public funds and non‐public funds for development cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes initiatives in development cooperation that the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) has taken in collaboration with partners in the private sector.

Findings

With their partners in the private sector and local partners in developing countries, the KIT is producing at viable costs for willing markets.

Originality/value

The paper provides a privileged, insider's view into working entrepreneurially in developing countries.
Promises of societal entrepreneurship: Sweden and beyond
Authors: Lundqvist Mats A. , Williams Middleton Karen L.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Several types of entrepreneurship with a societal purpose coincide in Sweden today, some stemming from older domestic traditions, others being more recent foreign influences. This paper aims to interrelate social, civic, community, and other entrepreneurships in search of a more unifying concept of societal entrepreneurship for Sweden and beyond.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of a larger study, Swedish researchers and practitioners promoting some kind of entrepreneurship with societal purpose, are interviewed and asked for examples and literature references. Altogether 176 actors are identified and 59 are interviewed. The main distinguishing factors between different discourses of entrepreneurship are accounted for as well as results from workshops where actors representing different discourses partook.

Findings

Seven societally oriented entrepreneurship discourses are distinguished, with different foreign or domestic origins. Key characteristics for interrelating different discourses are the type of actor (individual and/or collective) and purpose (social/ecological and/or economic) emphasized in a discourse. Interactions documented from workshops indicate a potential in unifying different entrepreneurships within a widened understanding of societal entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

The field of entrepreneurship emphasizing societal utility is fragmented with many parallel discourses. The conceptual analysis and empirical findings imply that there is potential in a more unifying concept. Furthermore, in the limited Swedish setting, collective dimensions of entrepreneurship stand out. This nevertheless implies that collective engagements into entrepreneurship of any kind are worthy of more research and recognition.

Practical implications

Implications are primarily limited to societal entrepreneurship within uncontested welfare states, such as Sweden, where most established societal needs are taken care of through taxes utilized by a public sector. Societal entrepreneurship in such a setting becomes a mechanism for renewal and experimentation.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its approach to identifying and interrelating current discourses in Sweden.
The legitimization of social entrepreneurship
Authors: Hervieux Chantal , Gedajlovic Eric , Turcotte Marie‐France B.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to answer how important institutional actors, such as academic researchers, consulting firms, and foundations, are tracing the boundaries of social entrepreneurship (SE) and how they justify SE as a legitimate form of social purpose organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a discourse analysis methodology.

Findings

The paper finds traces of the legitimacy issues in the literature on non‐profits and, based on this, argue that a new institutional domain is being constructed. The paper concludes that in this new domain not only is the use of market‐based initiatives seen as a legitimate means of funding a social mission, but also it has now become the normative way and one that is promoted by consultants and foundations concerned with social entrepreneurs and their initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the developing norms of SE.
Towards co‐creation of service research projects: a method for learning in networks
Authors: Halonen Minna , Kallio Katri , Saari Eveliina
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report a new kind of workshop process which aims at co‐creation across disciplines in a service research network. The case concerns Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) and took place from January to May, 2009.

Design/methodology/approach

Both foresight and organizational learning methods are combined in the process. During workshops, researchers and management are enabled to co‐create interdisciplinary service research proposals and a service research strategy for VTT. The workshops are designed to facilitate a dialogue between users of the research and potential collaborators (universities, funding agencies and societal actors). This initiative reflects the current global service science discourse based on a renewal of service management through service‐dominant logic and network thinking.

Findings

Although the need for co‐creation across disciplines and together with the customer has often been stated in service research, methods enabling such a way of acting have rarely been tested and achieved. This method worked as a concrete way for managing future‐oriented networking across organizational borders as a basis for continuous learning and innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The new approach to service science and the methods used in the VTT network are applicable in research practice.

Practical implications

The development process presented in this paper is an embryo for a new kind of research culture that fosters learning in networks as well as the shared and transparent planning of project proposals.

Originality/value

By creating the service science and business network and a process of learning by foresighting and evaluating our ideas on a concrete case are applied. This is believed to be the first time that methods of foresight and organizational learning have been combined. Furthermore, the process builds a research strategy both from below and above and together with customers and other collaborators thus establishing a network of co‐creation.
Leader effectiveness and integrity: wishful thinking?
Authors: Hooijberg Robert , Lane Nancy , Diversé Albert
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact that perceptions of integrity have on perceptions of leadership effectiveness in the context of leadership behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used multi‐source feedback from top‐level public service managers, their direct reports, peers, and bosses to examine two aspects of the relationship between integrity and leadership. The paper used exploratory factor analysis to investigate what qualities different stakeholders – self, direct reports, peers, and bosses – associate with integrity. The paper then used the resulting integrity factor in a hierarchical regression analysis to examine if perceived integrity had a greater impact on perceived leadership effectiveness than leadership behaviors.

Findings

The paper shows an association between honesty and integrity for all stakeholder groups. Integrity has an impact above that of leadership behaviors on perceived effectiveness for managers and their peers but not for their direct reports and bosses. For bosses and direct reports, there is a significant relationship between being flexible and perceived effectiveness. Goal orientation is the leadership role that bosses most strongly associate with perceived effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

The interpretation of integrity is left up to the respondents; the paper does not gather a more in‐depth understanding of what principles guide the respondents; the paper uses same‐source data to examine the associations among values, leadership roles, and effectiveness; and this research only provides a one‐time glimpse of how colleagues perceive their leaders' integrity and their personal effectiveness but does not link these to long‐term organizational effectiveness.

Practical implications

This research shows that what matters to bosses is that managers obtain results. Integrity adds to perceptions of effectiveness for managers themselves and their peers. For bosses and direct reports, flexibility is more important.

Originality/value

This paper articulates the perception of integrity in an organization, tests the axiom that integrity is an essential component of effective leadership, and provides empirical evidence on the role that perceptions of integrity has on the perceptions of leader effectiveness. Integrity may not be as strong as has been suggested.
The social psychology of status leveling in organizational contexts
Authors: Morand David A.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the programs of status leveling – such as through the elimination of executive washrooms, reserved parking, and so forth – are a taken‐for‐granted feature of many workplace involvement and quality improvement programs, yet no prior research has investigated the presumed effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper enumerates devices commonly used to level status in organizations, and presents a number of propositions intended to capture the major effects. The paper draws on extant literatures from social psychology, sociology, and organizational theory to account for processes and effects of leveling.

Findings

Leveling devices lead to several proximate outcomes: increased cross‐status interaction and contact, literal blurring of status, role flexibility, and low power distance perceptions. These in turn mediate the relation between leveling and several broader organizational outcomes, including distributive justice based upon equality, community, communication, and empowerment. Factors moderating the effects of leveling are explored.

Research limitations/implications

While the salutary effects of leveling tend to be taken for granted, it is possible to specify how leveling generates specific behavioral, attitudinal, and performance related outcomes. The model should be empirically tested.

Practical implications

The findings provide managers with a fine‐grained understanding of this important set of organizational practices.

Originality/value

No prior scholarship has focused on this most important topic.
River and estuary movements of yellow‐stage American eelsAnguilla rostrata, using a hydrophone array
Authors: Hedger R. D. , Dodson J. J. , Hatin D. , Caron F. , Fournier D.
Published: March 2010

Patterns of summertime movement and habitat use of yellow‐stage American eelsAnguilla rostratawithin York River and estuary and Gaspé Bay (Gaspesia, Québec, Canada) were examined using acoustic telemetry. Fifty fish were tagged with acoustic transmitters and released, either in the river or in the upper estuary, and their patterns of movement and habitat use were monitored at short spatial and temporal scales during the summer months using a dense hydrophone array. Approximately half of the fish released in the river swam to the estuary; two‐thirds of the fish released within the estuary did not move out of the estuary.Anguilla rostratawere detected more frequently and had a greater areal range of detections during night, suggesting greater nocturnal activity. Longitudinal movements within the estuary tended to occur nocturnally, with upstream movements from early to late evening, and downstream movements from late evening to early morning. Approximately one‐third of fish showed a regular pattern of movement, tending to reside in the deeper, downstream part of the estuary during day and in the shallower, more upstream part of the estuary during night. Approximately a quarter of fish, located in the upper estuary, remained upstream during both night and day. The remaining fish showed patterns intermediate between these two.
MicroRNA expression profiles of porcine skeletal muscle
Authors: Zhou B. , Liu H. L. , Shi F. X. , Wang J. Y.
Published: March 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non‐coding RNAs of ∼22 nucleotides in length that play important roles in multiple biological processes by degrading targeted mRNAs or repressing mRNA translation. To evaluate the roles of miRNA in porcine skeletal muscle, miRNA expression profiles were investigated using longissimus muscle tissue from pigs at embryonic day 90 (E90) and postpartum day 120 (PD120). First, we used previously known miRNA sequences from humans and mice to perform blast searches against the porcine expressed sequence tag (EST) database; 98 new miRNA candidates were identified according to a range of filtering criteria. These miRNA candidates and 73 known miRNAs (miRBase 13.0) from pigs were chosen for porcine miRNA microarray analysis. A total of 16 newly identified miRNAs and 31 previously known miRNAs were detected in porcine skeletal muscle tissues. During later foetal development at E90, miR‐1826, miR‐26a, miR‐199b and let‐7 were highly expressed, whilst miR‐1a, miR‐133a, miR‐26a and miR‐1826 showed highest abundance during the fast growing stage at PD120. Using the 47 miRNAs detected by the microarray assay, we performed further investigations using the publicly available porcine mRNA database from NCBI and computed potential target hits using the software rnahybrid. This study identified 16 new miRNA candidates, computed potential target hits for 18 miRNA families and determined the miRNA expression profiles in porcine skeletal muscle tissues at different developmental stages. These results provide a valuable resource for investigators interested in post‐transcriptional gene regulation in pigs and related animals.
Development of romiplostim for the treatment of patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia: from bench to bedside
Authors: Molineux Graham , Newland Adrian
Published: March 2010

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by abnormally low platelet counts (<100 × 109/l), purpura, and bleeding episodes, and can be categorised in three phases: newly‐diagnosed, persistent, and chronic. As many patients become refractory to standard treatments (corticosteroids, danazol, azathioprine, splenectomy), there is an urgent need for alternative treatments. The successful isolation and cloning of thrombopoietin (TPO) in the mid‐1990s and identification of its key role in platelet production was a major breakthrough, rapidly followed by the development of the recombinant thrombopoietins, recombinant human TPO and a pegylated truncated product, PEG‐rHuMGDF. Both agents increased platelet counts but development was halted because of the development of antibodies that cross‐reacted with native TPO, resulting in prolonged treatment‐refractory thrombocytopenia. Experimentation with novel platforms for extending the circulating half‐life of therapeutic peptides by combining them with antibody fragment crystallisable (Fc) constructs led to the development of a new family of molecules termed ‘peptibodies’. The 60Da recombinant peptibody romiplostim was finally produced by linking several copies of an active TPO‐binding peptide sequence to a carrier Fc fragment. In clinical trials, romiplostim was effective in ameliorating thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic ITP, was well tolerated and did not elicit cross‐reacting antibodies. Romiplostim has recently been approved for the treatment of adults with chronic ITP.
Altered membrane glycoprotein targeting in cholestatic hepatocytes
Authors: Liquori Giuseppa Esterina , Mastrodonato Maria , Rossi Roberta , Scillitani Giovanni , Gena Patrizia , Portincasa Piero , Calamita Giuseppe , Ferri Domenico
Published: March 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (5): 393–400

Background  Hepatocytes are polarized epithelial cells with three morphologically and functionally distinct membrane surfaces: the sinusoidal, lateral and canalicular surface domains. These domains differ from each other in the expression of integral proteins, which concur to their polarized functions. We hypothesize that the cholestasis‐induced alterations led to partial loss of hepatocyte polarity. An altered expression of membrane proteins may be indicative of functional disorders. Alkaline liver phosphatase (ALP), one of the most representative plasma membrane glycoproteins in hepatocytes, is expressed at the apical (canalicular) pole of the cell. Because the release of ALP protein in the bloodstream is significantly increased in cholestasis, the enzymatic levels of plasma ALP have major relevance in the diagnosis of cholestatic diseases. Here we assess the cholestasis‐induced redistribution of membrane glycoproteins to investigate the ALP release.

Materials and methods  We performed enzymatic histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, lectin histochemistry, immunogold and lectin‐and immunoblotting studies. Experimental cholestasis was induced in rats by ligation of common bile duct (BDL).

Results  The BDL led to altered membrane sialoglycoprotein targeting as well as to ultrastructural and functional disorders. Disarrangement of the microtubular system, thickening of the microfilamentous pericanalicular ectoplasm and disturbance of the vectorial trafficking of membrane glycoprotein containing vesicles were found.

Conclusions  Altogether, results indicate that the cholestasis‐induced partial loss of hepatocyte cell polarity leads to mistranslocation of ALP to the sinusoidal plasma membrane from where the enzyme is then massively released into the bloodstream.
Do maternally derived antibodies and early immune experience shape the adult immune response?
Authors: Addison BriAnne , Ricklefs Robert E. , Klasing Kirk C.
Published: March 2010

1. Immunological imprinting by maternally derived antibodies has been proposed to have both positive and negative consequences for offspring immunity in early and adult life. However, few studies of maternal effects on immunity have followed individuals past the juvenile stages.

2. Using laboratory Japanese quail, we developed a novel method of directly manipulating yolk antibodies of neonates, and then followed individuals through a series of immune challenges until they were of reproductive age.

3. Our method of directly injecting purified antibodies into the yolk sac of newly hatched chicks successfully elevated the plasma titres of specific anti‐KLH IgY in neonates. This allows us to test whether differences in neonatal anti‐KLH IgY affect immunity at the juvenile and adult stages of life.

4. We found little evidence for an effect of maternal antibodies on juvenile stage immune response, in contrast to results from previous studies. Adult immune response depended largely on the magnitude of the juvenile immune response regardless of the identity of the antigen in the juvenile immune challenge, and did not depend on neonatal IgY titres. Our results are consistent with a priming effect of early immune experience on adult stage immune responsiveness, but we found no evidence of carryover effects of yolk‐derived antibodies on adult immunity.

5. This study employs new methodology for investigation of maternal antibodies and presents results suggesting that further studies of maternal effects on immunity will require careful consideration of the numerous ways maternally derived yolk components can impact the different types of immune response.
Surviving climate changes: high genetic diversity and transoceanic gene flow in two arctic–alpine lichens, Flavocetraria cucullata and F. nivalis (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)
Authors: Geml József , Kauff Frank , Brochmann Christian , Taylor D. L.
Published: March 2010

Aim  We examined genetic structure and long‐distance gene flow in two lichenized ascomycetes, Flavocetraria cucullata and Flavocetraria nivalis, which are widespread in arctic and alpine tundra.

Location  Circumpolar North.

Methods  DNA sequences were obtained for 90 specimens (49 for F. cucullata and 41 for F. nivalis) collected from various locations in Europe, Asia and North America. Sequences of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) + 5.8S ribosomal subunit gene region were generated for 89 samples, and supplemented by beta‐tubulin (BTUB) and translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene (EF1) sequences for a subset of F. cucullata specimens. Phylogenetic, nonparametric permutation methods and coalescent analyses were used to assess population divergence and to estimate the extent and direction of migration among continents.

Results  Both F. cucullata and F. nivalis were monophyletic, supporting their morphology‐based delimitation, and had high and moderately high intraspecific genetic diversity, respectively. Clades within each species contained specimens from both North America and Eurasia. We found only weak genetic differentiation among North American and Eurasian populations, and evidence for moderate to high transoceanic gene flow.

Main conclusions  Our results suggest that both F. cucullata and F. nivalis have been able to migrate over large distances in response to climatic fluctuations. The high genetic diversity observed in the Arctic indicates long‐term survival at high latitudes, whereas the estimated migration rates and weak geographic population structure suggest a continuing long‐distance gene flow between continents that has prevented pronounced genetic differentiation. The mode of long‐distance dispersal is unknown, but wind dispersal of conidia and/or ascospores is probably important in the open arctic landscapes. The high genetic diversity and efficient long‐distance dispersal capability of F. cucullata and F. nivalis suggest that these species, and perhaps other arctic lichens as well, will be able to track their potential niche in the changing Arctic.
Practical limitations to a positive deviance approach for identifying dietary patterns compatible with the reduction of cancer risk
Authors: Vossenaar M. , Bermúdez O. I. , Anderson A. S. , Solomons N. W.
Published: March 2010

Background:  The positive deviance (PD) approach seeks to devise and promote health‐promoting practices identified within the most successful member of a society. The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations indicate the need for specific dietary behaviours, which may be considered impractical. Thus, it is important to demonstrate ways in which these dietary practices have been achieved from concordant individuals. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility of constructing healthy eating guides in four international settings.

Methods:  Adult participants from the Netherlands (n = 1052), Scotland (n = 849), Mexico (n = 790) and Guatemala (n = 873) enrolled in an international diet survey project. Participants with inadequate diets and current smokers were excluded from the analysis. Concordance with selected WCRF/AICR individual guideline components related to diet and lifestyle were evaluated. A selection of participants was made towards making a set of 14 rotating menus for a cancer‐prevention healthy‐eating guide.

Results:  Overall concordance with the WCRF/AICR recommendations was low in all four nations and no participants with an ideal behaviour were found. The selection of candidates for constructing 14 daily menus for a single national guide identified 51, 13 and 12 individuals concordant with 11 of 14 WCRF/AICR recommendation components in Guatemala, Scotland and Mexico, respectively, and 24 individuals concordant with eight of 14 WCRF/AICR components in the Netherlands.

Conclusions:  The basis for PD guidance for developing dietary recommendations for cancer prevention was strong across all social classes in Guatemala, marginal for Mexico and Scotland, and effectively impossible for the Netherlands.
Dietary shortcomings in children on a gluten‐free diet
Authors: Öhlund K. , Olsson C. , Hernell O. , Öhlund I.
Published: March 2010

Background:  Coeliac disease (CD), or permanent gluten intolerance, is one of the most common chronic food‐related diseases among children in Europe and the USA. The treatment is lifelong gluten‐free diet (GFD) (i.e. the exclusion of wheat, rye and barley from the diet, which are important sources particularly of iron, dietary fibre and vitamin B). The present study aimed to evaluate dietary intakes of energy and nutrients in children and adolescents on GFD and compare these with intake of comparable age groups on a normal diet as well as current recommendations.

Methods:  Thirty children, 4–17 years of age with confirmed CD and on GFD were agreed to participate in this study at the Department of Pediatrics, Umeå University Hospital. Weight and height were used to calculate individual energy requirement according to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004 (NNR‐04). Dietary intake was assessed using 5‐day food records and household measures were used for quantities. Twenty‐five children completed their dietary record.

Results:  Thirteen of the 25 children did not meet the recommended energy intake and the dietary intakes were inadequate regarding quality of macronutrients and quantity of minerals and vitamins. The mean intakes of sucrose and saturated fatty acids were above and the intakes of dietary fibre, vitamin D, magnesium and selenium below the NNR‐04. High intakes of sucrose and saturated fat and a low intake of dietary fibre were also noted in a previous national survey on healthy children on a normal diet. The nutrient density of vitamin D, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, magnesium and selenium were lower among CD children than healthy children but, for iron and calcium, it was higher in CD children.

Conclusions:  Children on GFD appear to follow the same trends as healthy children on a normal diet, with high intakes of saturated fat and sucrose and low intakes of dietary fibre, vitamin D and magnesium compared to recommendations.
Expression and localization of BCRP, MRP1 and MRP2 in intestines, liver and kidney in horse
Authors: TYDÉN E. , BJŐRNSTRŐM H. , TJÄLVE H. , LARSSON P.
Published: March 2010

Tydén, E., Bjőrnstrőm, H., Tjälve, H., Larsson, P. Expression and localization of BCRP, MRP1 and MRP2 in intestines, liver and kidney in horse. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2885.2009.01140.x.

The gene and protein expression and the cellular localization of the ABC transport proteins breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), multidrug resistance‐associated protein 1 (MRP1) and multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2 (MRP2) have been examined in the intestines, liver and kidney in horse. High gene and protein expression of BCRP and MRP2 were found in the small intestines, with cellular localization in the apical membranes of the enterocytes. In the liver, MRP2 was present in the bile canalicular membranes of the hepatocytes, whereas BCRP was localized in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in the peripheral parts of the liver lobuli. In the kidney both BCRP and MRP2 were predominantly present in the distal tubuli and in the loops of Henle. In most tissues, the gene and protein expression of MRP1 were much lower than for BCRP and MRP2. Immunostaining of MRP1 was detectable only in the intestines and with localization in the cytoplasm of enterocytes in the caecum and colon and in the cells of serous acini of Brunner’s glands in the duodenum and the upper jejunum. The latter cells were also stained for BCRP, but not for MRP2. Many drugs used in horse are substrates for one or more of the ABC transport proteins. These transporters may therefore have important functions for oral bioavailability, distribution and excretion of substrate compounds in horse.
Survival, distribution and genetic variability of inoculum of the strawberry red core pathogen, Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae, in soil
Authors: Newton A. C. , Duncan J. M. , Augustin N. H. , Guy D. C. , Cooke D. E. L.
Published: March 2010

An experimental field infested with Phytophthora fragariae var. fragariae (Pff) and used for strawberry red core fungicide and cultivar resistance trials until 1981 was surveyed for the presence of inoculum of the pathogen 11 and 12 years later. Alpine strawberries, highly susceptible to all races of Pff, were grown from true seed and planted as a bait crop on a 0·5 m‐spaced grid. Rapid and widespread red core infection was observed, which provided good evidence that oospores had survived in soil for this extended period. Site elevation and the distribution of red core infected plants showed a strong correlation, with a higher frequency of infected and dead plants in the lowest areas of the field. The race designation of 18 recovered isolates were determined and AFLP fingerprint patterns of some of these and their single‐spore derivatives were analysed. The isolates differed little in race type, and the majority were genetically identical at 433 AFLP loci. Races used to inoculate the site in the 1970s were recovered. The fingerprints of the single variant isolate matched that of an isolation made by Hickman in the 1950s, originally used to inoculate the site. Clearly Pff is a very stable and long‐lived pathogen able to retain its genetic integrity and lie dormant in soil for many years, ensuring its survival between epidemiologically favourable conditions which occur erratically.
Susceptibility of intercrops to infection with Rhizoctonia solani AG 2‐2 IIIB and influence on subsequently cultivated sugar beet
Authors: Kluth C. , Buhre C. , Varrelmann M.
Published: March 2010

The susceptibility of intercrop species (Raphanus sativus, Brassica juncea, B. rapa, Sinapis alba and Phacelia tanacetifolia) to the sugar beet pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated in vitro, in the greenhouse and in the field with artificial inoculation. Disease severity in subsequently cultivated sugar beet was monitored in the field. Differences in susceptibility between species were found to be consistent in all experimental systems. All intercrop species were susceptible to R. solani. Brassica rapa and R. sativus were less susceptible than P. tanacetifolia. Compared to fallow, the cultivation of B. rapa and R. sativus reduced disease severity in subsequently grown sugar beet (median ratings of up to 3·0 and 3·5, respectively, depending on environmental conditions). This resulted in higher white sugar yield compared to fallow (up to 210% and 157% for B. rapa and R. sativus, respectively). This study demonstrates that in vitro and greenhouse resistance tests are suitable systems to predict the effects of intercrop species susceptibility in the field on disease severity and white sugar yield in subsequently grown sugar beet. Intercrop breeding programmes might profit from fast and efficient screening tests to provide Rhizoctonia‐resistant intercrops as an additional control measure against R. solani in sugar beet.
High resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in transgenic soybean plants transformed to express an oxalate decarboxylase gene
Authors: Cunha W. G. , Tinoco M. L. P. , Pancoti H. L. , Ribeiro R. E. , Aragão F. J. L.
Published: March 2010

Pathogenesis of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (white mould) has been associated with fungal secretion of oxalic acid (OA). Enzymes capable of degrading OA have been utilized to produce transgenic resistant plants. Transgenic soybean lines containing the decarboxylase gene (oxdc) isolated from a Flammulina sp. were produced by the biolistic process. Molecular analysis revealed successful incorporation of the gene into the plant genome and showed that the oxdc gene was transferred to the progeny plants. Sixteen T2 transgenic events were screened for S. sclerotiorum resistance using a detached leaf assay. The white mould disease progress curve displayed a significant delay in symptom development in all oxdc events compared with the nontransgenic genotype. Area under the disease progress curve (audpc) showed reduction in severity ranging from 61% to 96% comparing the oxdc events with the nontransgenic control. One event (OXDC.9.21) presented some plants that did not show any symptoms after 92 h. RT‐PCR analysis for detection of oxdc gene transcripts suggested that expression of the oxdc gene is associated with resistance to S. sclerotiorum.
The timing of mating influences reproductive success in Drosophila melanogaster: implications for sexual conflict
Authors: Long T. A. F. , Pischedda A. , Nichols R. V. , Rice W. R.
Published: March 2010

Despite its potential importance, the role of the timing of mating(s) as a source of variation in female lifetime reproductive success has been largely overlooked. Here, using a laboratory-adapted population of the model species Drosophila melanogaster, we explore how temporal variation in the patterns of single and multiple matings influences female fecundity. We find that the boost to fecundity known to occur after a virgin female’s initial mating also extends to subsequent matings as nonvirgins, but only for a short duration. This fecundity boost at least partially offsets the direct costs of multiple matings to females in this population of D. melanogaster. The implications of these results for our understanding of the evolution and maintenance of polyandry in this species are discussed in the context of sexual conflict.
Early Meiotic‐Specific Protein Expression in Post‐natal Rat Ovaries
Authors: Zhang P , Lv LX , Xing WJ
Published: March 2010

Contents

Recent studies in mice challenged the basic doctrine that most mammalian females lose neo‐oogenesis in post‐natal ovaries. In order to provide more information in other species, we examined post‐natal rat ovaries by histological sections and detected the germline cell marker protein RVLG (rat vasa‐like gene), BrdU (5‐bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation in RVLG‐expressing cells, for identification of germline cells undergoing mitosis and meiosis in the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). We also detected the expression of early meiotic‐specific proteins disruption of meiotic control 1 (DMC1), stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) and synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SCP3) by immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting, and the transcript of SCP1, SCP3 and Sporulation‐specific protein 11 (SPO11) by RT‐PCR in the pos‐tnatal ovarian cortex. However we failed in detecting large ovoid cells in the OSE, which may represent the putative germline stem cells (GSCs) that are supposed to sustain neo‐oogenesis, and the transcription of the meiotic‐specific genes SCP1, SCP3 and SPO11 by RT‐PCR as well as the translation of DMC1, STRA8 and SCP3 by Western blotting. Our data support the postulation that there is no neo‐oogenesis occurring in the OSE of rat post‐natal ovary through meiosis of GSCs.
Airline policies for passengers with obstructive sleep apnoea who require in‐flight continuous positive airways pressure
Authors: WALKER Jacqueline , KELLY Paul T. , BECKERT Lutz
Published: March 2010

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the current policies of Australian and New Zealand airlines on the use of in‐flight CPAP by passengers with OSA.

Methods:  A survey was conducted of 53 commercial airlines servicing international routes. Information was obtained from airline call centres and websites. The policies, approval schemes and costs associated with in‐flight use of CPAP were documented for individual airlines.

Results:  Of the 53 airlines contacted, 28 (53%) were able to support passengers requiring in‐flight CPAP. All these airlines required passengers to bring their own machines, and allowed the use of battery‐operated machines. Six airlines (21%) allowed passengers to plug their machines into the aircraft power supply. The majority of airlines (19, 68%) did not charge passengers for the use of CPAP, while 9 (32%) were unsure of their charging policies. Many airlines only permitted certain models of CPAP machine or battery types.

Conclusions:  Many airlines are unaware of CPAP. Those who are, have relatively consistent policies concerning the use of in‐flight CPAP.