bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eleven years of scholarly research in the Journal of Services Marketing
Authors: Nel Deon , van Heerden Gené , Chan Anthony , Ghazisaeedi Mehdi , Halvorson Wade , Steyn Peter
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The publication of papers in scholarly journals is an important channel for the dissemination of academic knowledge. Analyzing academic content provides useful insights into how services marketing evolves over a selected time frame. The purpose of this paper is to determine key trends published in the Journal of Services Marketing during the recent 11‐year period from 1998 to 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a content analysis of the papers published in the Journal of Services Marketing during the period 1998‐2008. A total of 417 papers, excluding book reviews, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics provide an overview of the research contributions.

Findings

The main finding is that most of the papers published in the Journal of Services Marketing during the recent 11‐year period are research‐based papers. Other findings include a trend towards co‐authorship, the use of surveys and empirical data, adults as research subjects, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and analysis of variance as the most popular statistical techniques. Based on a keyword analysis most papers are related to service quality and customer service.

Practical implications

Researchers who wish to publish in this journal can use the findings as a guideline in preparing for their submission. The study gives an overview of the types of papers published in this journal. The analysis also shows that there is no preference for a particular topic for publication which stimulates new and varied contribution from researchers.

Originality/value

This is the first content analysis conducted of the scholarly contribution to this journal that shows the trends in services research topics.
Beyond service attributes: do personal values matter?
Authors: Durvasula Srinivas , Lysonski Steven , Madhavi A.D.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Service firms constantly look for ways to differentiate their offering. Recently, personal values have emerged as a way to understand how customers fulfill deeper needs when consuming a service. This paper aims to examine how personal values operate in the evaluation of higher education services. Like other services, marketing has become essential to higher education as universities compete aggressively for students and differentiate their service offerings. Although attribute‐based measures such as SERVQUAL provide useful information to service providers, personal values may offer a deeper understanding of how customers judge the quality and desirability of an educational institution's services. This study seeks to determine whether personal values in higher education affect perceptions of overall value, satisfaction, and behavioral outcomes including loyalty and intention to recommend.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey measured student personal values, service quality, satisfaction, and behavioral outcomes in the USA – the largest exporter of higher educational service, and India – the largest net importer. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and t‐tests.

Findings

The results describe the impact of personal values on satisfaction and behavioral outcomes, while showing differences between India and the USA.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides implications for applying the personal values concept to the marketing of a university. It also serves as a basis for future research on the impact of personal values in other service sectors.

Originality/value

The study fills an important gap in the literature by showing that personal values are an important dimension in services. Service firms need to move beyond attributes and measure personal values, as these values do impact customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Determinants of core value behavior in service brands
Authors: Thorbjørnsen Helge , Supphellen Magne
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of employees' core value behavior. For service brands, employees are most likely the most important vehicle in building and communicating brand core values. The paper aims to draw on two related theories on motivation to understand the basic psychological mechanisms involved, and to propose a set of hypotheses on determinants of core value behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to test the proposed model, a survey was conducted among employees in a Scandinavian bank. Regression analyses were used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Supportive of the hypotheses, the study data suggest that attitude towards core values and role model behavior are significant determinants of core value behavior. Moreover, employee role satisfaction is found to be a key moderator of such behavior. Attitudes towards the values affect behavior only for less satisfied employees, whereas role model behavior influences behavior only for highly satisfied employees.

Practical implications

The findings provide clear managerial implications in terms of how to stimulate core value behavior for employees both high and low in role satisfaction.

Originality/value

The present study introduces the concept of core value behavior (CVB) and represents the first empirical investigation on determinants of CVB for services brands. The study offers novel theoretical and empirical insight to an important, yet understudied topic in service marketing.
Adopting performance appraisal and reward systems
Authors: Azzone Giovanni , Palermo Tommaso
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a qualitative analysis of change in order to understand which factors inhibit or, conversely, facilitate the enactment process of managers' performance appraisal and reward systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is investigated empirically through a multiple case study approach. The change processes that result from the adoption of performance appraisal and reward systems in six Italian central government institutions are illustrated in detail.

Findings

The cases reveal differentiated patterns of organizational change and lead to a problematic overview. The desired technical and cultural organisational transformations are limited by an interplay of organisational and wider environment forces.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on data from the Italian central government, and as such are not directly extendable elsewhere, although they may result to be of interest to other public sector organisations.

Originality/value

The paper offers a comprehensive view of organisational change processes, ranging from the initial decision to adopt a managerial instrument to the final use of this instrument. A theoretical framework combining two, apparently diverging approaches, neoinstitutionalism and organisational change management, is used to better understand the plural factors that influence the change processes.
Unconferencing as method to initiate organisational change
Authors: Wolf Patricia , Hansmann Ralf , Troxler Peter
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the potential of available event formats for facilitating the initiation of organizational change processes. It presents unconferencing, a relatively new event format, which seems to provide unique opportunities for this purpose. It reports and analyzes the case of a large Swiss university which initiated its pro‐sustainability transformation by organizing an unconference.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers studied the effects of unconferencing and the mechanisms, which brought them about in a case study. In the empirical setting of a large Swiss university, a qualitative study triangulating participatory observation, narrative and problem‐centered interviews, participant survey and documentary analysis was carried out. Data were collected and analyzed at different points in time.

Findings

Empirical findings suggest that unconferencing is an appropriate event format for facilitating the initiation of the pro‐sustainability organizational change process of a university. In our case, unconferencing achieved systems connectivity, enabled mutual learning and generated excellent outputs in form of project proposals.

Social implications

The paper raises the awareness of other universities and organizations of an event format they might wish to apply in their organizational change processes.

Originality/value

So far, research has not provided satisfactory answers to the question, how to best initiate organizational change. This paper provides a systematic investigation of available methodological approaches. It furthermore explains unconferencing, which is increasingly applied by practitioners but so far has stimulated only little discourse in the scientific community.
How to choose a free and open source integrated library system
Authors: Müller Tristan
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to present the results of an analysis of 20 free and open source ILS platforms offered to the library community. These software platforms were subjected to a three‐step analysis, whereby the results aim to assist librarians and decision makers in selecting an open source ILS, based on objective criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology applied involves three broad steps. The first step consists of evaluating all the available ILSs and keeping only those that qualify as truly open source or freely‐licensed software. During this step, the correlation between the practices within the community and the terms associated with the free or open software license was measured. The second step involves evaluating the community behind each open source or free ILS project, according to a set of 40 criteria in order to determine the attractiveness and sustainability of each project. The third step entails subjecting the remaining ILSs to an analysis of almost 800 functions and features to determine which ILSs are most suited to the needs of libraries. The final score is used to identify strengths, weaknesses and differentiating or similar features of each ILS.

Findings

More than 20 open source ILSs were submitted to this methodology, but only three passed all the steps: Evergreen, Koha, and PMB. The main goal is not to identify the best open source ILS, but rather to highlight from which, of the batch of dozens of open source ILSs, librarians and decision makers can choose without worrying about how perennial or sustainable each open or free project is, as well as understanding which ILS provides them with the functionalities to meet the needs of their institutions.

Practical implications

This paper offers a basic model so that librarians and decision makers can make their own analysis and adapt it to the needs of their libraries.

Originality/value

This methodology meets the best practices in technology selection, with a multiple criteria decision analysis. It can also be easily adapted to the needs of all libraries.
Exploring social media relationships
Authors: Hansen Derek L.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate novel techniques for exploring relationship data extracted from social media sites for actionable insights by educators, researchers, and administrators.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper demonstrates how non‐programmers can use NodeXL, an open source social network analysis tool built into Excel 2007/2010, to collect, analyze, and visualize network data from social media sites like Twitter and YouTube.

Findings

Researchers and education professionals can use NodeXL to explore (a) social networks to identify important individuals and subgroups, as well as (b) content networks to map the underlying structure of a domain and find important content. Illustrative examples are provided using NodeXL to examine followers of a Twitter user focused on open education, as well as a content network of YouTube videos about surgery.

Research limitations/implications

Tools like NodeXL are making network analysis accessible to non‐technical researchers in a variety of fields spanning the sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Despite their value, network analysis techniques are only as good as the data that underlie them, requiring careful assessment of possible selection biases and triangulation of findings.

Practical implications

Educational institutions and educators can benefit from more systematically analyzing their social media initiatives from a network perspective.

Originality/value

This paper describes some of the techniques and tools needed to make sense of the social relationships that underlie social media sites. As relational data are increasingly made public, such techniques will enable more systematic analysis by researchers studying social phenomena and practitioners implementing social media initiatives.
Political communication management
Authors: Gurău Călin , Ayadi Nawel
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the communication strategy of the two main candidates in the 2007 French presidential elections, deconstructing the process of communication in its main elements: context, message, media‐mix, and communication strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were collected from a variety of secondary sources, such as texts, articles, statistics and interviews on the subject of the 2007 French presidential elections, published in various journals or web sites, and then re‐interpreted from the perspective of two researchers, who were direct participants and observers of these political events.

Findings

The findings present an analytical discussion of the central political message used during the presidential campaign, complemented by an analysis of the media‐mix and the level of media exposure of the two main candidates.

Research limitations/implications

The limited focus of the paper on the communication campaign implemented by the two main candidates in the 2007 French presidential elections does not permit a general evaluation of the political marketing strategy.

Practical implications

The conclusions of this study can provide a useful insight for political communication specialists.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the paper lies in the presentation and discussion of the main communication methods and tools used in a political system different from the Anglo‐American context, which is analysed in most empirical and theoretical studies on the subject of political marketing.
Developing international executives: the capacity‐building approach
Authors: Khan Anas , Khan Riad , Habibur Rahman Mohammad
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the development steps that should be undertaken by any executives who are to be sent on an expatriate assignment to take the lead in a foreign subsidiary location. It highlights the need to develop an understanding of the host country's business practices, cultural preferences and operational methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores contemporary thinking and practice and is based on work carried out over the past two years. It also uses arguments from organizational development and learning literature.

Findings

The paper explains that programs need to impart skills and knowledge in the area of cross cultural empathy, cross cultural communication and leadership, and, finally, the individual's self efficacy and level of adaptability.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights and practical tools to assist in the development of a successful international executive.

Originality/value

The short paper is designed for executives and researchers with demanding lifestyles and assists in getting an in‐depth overview by selecting the most relevant information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
A Study of the Ergonomics Evaluation of a Water Heater’s Case Manufacturing Factory
Authors: Hsu Yao‐Wen , Chung Yi‐Chan , Chiu Chung‐Ching , Chen Ching‐Piao , Tsai Chih‐Hung
Published: February 2011

Unnatural working postures usually cause musculoskeletal problems for workers in work field, especially in traditional industry. Many analysis and survey methodologies have been developed to identify unnatural postures and disorder risks in workplaces. The Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) are the representative methods and applied widely. This study applied the both tools to investigate the work field of a manufacturing factory of the water heater’s case. We divided the manufacturing process into nine workshops, took the pictures of working motions by DV camera and analyzed the postures on OWAS. From the OWAS results, we could identify the risks level of musculoskeletal symptoms as four Action Categories (AC). And from the comparison of OWAS and NMQ results, we could provide the suggestions to improve the working methods and environment. From the results of OWAS, we found that the operators) head/neck and back were above AC3 in some workshops. If the situation continued in long period, the operators might have the risk to get musculoskeletal symptoms. From the investigation of NMQ, we also found that the percentage of aches on neck, shoulders and lower back were higher than other parts of body. The correlation between aches and jobs was more than 75 per cent. So we provided some suggestions to improve: work rotation and adjustment of work surface/height to fit in with Ergonomics. Then the risks of musculoskeletal symptoms would be reduced.
Workflow technology as an e‐participation tool to support policy‐making processes
Authors: Sajjad Farhana , Lee Habin , Kamal Muhammad , Irani Zahir
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to gauge the feasibility of workflow technology as a potential solution to facilitating citizen participation in policy‐making processes. The gaps in and future direction of a current workflow models to be used to automate policy‐making processes are to be discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough review on the principles and philosophies of policy‐making processes and process models is performed to extract the core constructs of the processes. This follows critical analysis of existing workflow models to identify gaps of the models to be used to support policy‐making processes. An e‐participation perspective is also taken to identify additional modelling constructs that are required when a large number of citizens is involved in a workflow task for opinion gathering.

Findings

While workflow technology has been adopted in the public sector, the use of the technology is mostly limited to supporting administrative business processes, leaving the potential to automate policy‐making processes. There are some studies that take a life‐cycle approach for policy making and they can be the starting‐point of applying workflow technology to policy‐making process automation. The application of workflow technology to policy‐making processes is expected to facilitate the participation of citizens in these processes through the automatic delivery of relevant policy issues into citizens' lives. A new type of workflow model is required to reflect factors specific to the public sector, including rules for role resolution, considering large‐scale citizen participation and modelling constructs to penetrate into citizens' everyday lives for proactive stimulation for e‐participation.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is based on a literature review, and empirical data collection could complement the analysis results of the paper. This is included in the future research agenda.

Practical implications

The findings provide policy makers with a stimulus for adopting workflow technology in the public sector. Gap analysis and future directions of a workflow model for policy‐making processes are expected to be informative for any practitioners who are intending to develop workflow management systems in the public sector.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first efforts to gauge the potential of using workflow technology from an e‐participation perspective to engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including citizens, in policy‐making processes.
Measuring local climate change response capacity and bridging gaps between local action plans and land use plans
Authors: Tang Zhenghong , Wang Zijia , Koperski Thomas
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to measure local climate change response capacity and identify the existing gaps between local climate change action plans and land use plans.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses content analysis method to statistically analyze 40 pioneering local jurisdictions' climate change action plans and land use plans.

Findings

The results show significant gaps in the two types of plans. Local climate change action plans have a higher quality of plan components including factual basis, targets, coordination, and communication than local land use plans. However, local land use plans have an even higher quality of policy plan components than action plans.

Originality/value

This study has extended established climate change concepts and practices by incorporating climate change considerations into the existing framework of local decision making.
Novel virtual cytological analysis for the detection of endometrial cancer cells using autoscan fluoromicroscopy
Authors: Koga Yoshikatsu , Yasunaga Masahiro , Kajikawa Masunori , Shimizu Emi , Takamatsu Reiko , Kataoka Rie , Murase Yumi , Sasajima Yuko , Kasamatsu Takahiro , Kato Tomoyasu , Onda Takashi , Ikeda Shunichi , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Ishitani Ken , Ohta Hiroaki , Matsumura Yasuhiro
Published: February 2011

The current medical examinations for detecting endometrial cancer can sometimes be stressful and inconvenient for examinees and examiners. Therefore, we attempted to develop an autoscan‐virtual cytology system for detecting endometrial cancer without relying on judgment by the human eye. Exfoliated cells from the uterus were retrieved using a tampon inserted for 3 h. More than 100 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) developed by us were screened in three steps of immunohistochemistry to find mAb sets that would enable the cancer and normal endometrium to be perfectly distinguished. The exfoliated cells provided by 30 endometrial cancer patients and a total of 37 samples of 14 non‐malignant volunteers including the menstrual cycle were analyzed using imaging cytometry. All samples contained epithelial cells and dysplasia cells, but the pathologist could not definitively diagnose all of them as endometrial cancer cells because most cells had degenerated. Twenty‐two of 28 endometrial cancer tissues (79%) were positive with four mAb sets, CRELD1, GRK5, SLC25A27 and STC2, and 22 of 22 normal endometriums (100%) were negative. Our newly developed autoscan‐virtual cytology for exfoliated endometrial cells showed overall sensitivity for endometrial cancer patients and overall specificity for volunteers of 50% (15/30) and 95% (35/37), respectively. Our autoscan‐virtual cytology combined with cancer‐specific mAb and imaging cytometry could be useful for endometrial cancer detection. Autoscan‐virtual cytology for endometrial cancer deserves further evaluation for future endometrial cancer screening. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 1068–1075)
Distribution of HLA alleles and haplotypes in the Maldivian population
Authors: Testi M. , Lai S. , Orrù S. , Alba F. , Cappai L. , Firdous N. , Gaziev J. , Troiano M. , Andreani M. , Carcassi C.
Published: February 2011

The study of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), allele and haplotype frequencies within populations provides an important source of information for anthropological investigation, organ and hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation purposes as well as disease association studies. As of today, there are no data available in the literature on the HLA structure of the Maldivian population. Altogether 106 families were studied. We used the parents of each family (212 unrelated individuals) to analyze the frequencies of HLA class I and class II allele groups and haplotypes.
Genetic association of Fc receptor‐like 3 polymorphisms with susceptibility to primary biliary cirrhosis: ethnic comparative study in Japanese and Italian patients
Authors: Tanaka A. , Ohira H. , Kikuchi K. , Nezu S. , Shibuya A. , Bianchi I. , Podda M. , Invernizzi P. , Takikawa H.
Published: February 2011

A functional variant in the Fc receptor‐like 3 (FCRL3) gene is associated with the susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases. In this study, we examined whether the FCRL3 is associated with susceptibility to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) by comparing the two different ethnic groups, Japanese and Italians. We enrolled 232 patients with PBC and 230 controls in Japanese, and 216 PBC and 180 controls in Italians. Minor allele frequency of fcrl3_3 (−169 T>C) in the patients with PBC and controls was 0.20 and 0.09 in Japanese and 0.24 and 0.21 in Italians, respectively. We found a significant association of fcrl3_3 with PBC only in Japanese (P = 9.64 × 10−7). These findings support the presence of common FCRL3‐related pathological pathways in several autoimmune diseases, especially in Asians.
Characterization of a novel HLA allele, HLA‐B*40:128, in a Chinese individual
Authors: Zhu F.‐M. , Zhang W. , Wang W. , Lv H.‐J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: February 2011

Nucleotide sequence of HLA‐B*40:128 has a single nucleotide difference at position 539 T>G compared with that of HLA‐B*40:01:01, with an amino acid change from Leu to Arg at codon 156.
A new human leukocyte antigen‐B allele, HLA‐B*52:11
Authors: Liu X.‐Z. , Li X.‐F. , Zhang X. , Zhang K.‐L. , Li J.‐P.
Published: February 2011

A new HLA‐B*52 allele differs from B*52:01:01 by a single nucleotide exchange at position 583 where a ‘C’ to ‘T’.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*35 variant allele, B*35:151
Authors: Lind C. , Busacco A. , Huynh A. , Monos D. , Coppage M.
Published: February 2011

HLA‐B*35:151 differs from HLA‐B*35:68:02 by one nucleotide at codon 116 (TCC>TTC) resulting in an amino acid substitution, serine to phenylalanine.
Identification of a new HLA‐A*11:78N allele by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing
Authors: Zhu F.‐M. , Wang W. , He Y.‐M. , Lv H.‐J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: February 2011

Nucleotide sequence of HLA‐A*11:78N allele was different from that of HLA‐A*11:01:01 by two nucleotides deletion at positions 286 and 287, resulting in reading frameshift and has premature stop codon at position 73 in exon 2.
Current approaches to the management of highly sensitized kidney transplant patients
Authors: Süsal C. , Morath C.
Published: February 2011

With the introduction of sensitive antibody detection techniques, effective antibody elimination devices, therapeutic agents, such as bortezomib and eculizumab, and new concepts, such as Heidelberg algorithm, kidney paired exchange, and acceptable mismatch programs, several effective options are now available for the management of highly sensitized kidney transplant patients. However, as the number of human leukocyte antigen‐mismatched transplantations is increasing with each year and as long as the elimination or long‐term control of donor‐specific antibody‐producing clones remains an unresolved issue, sensitization will continue to represent a major problem in kidney transplantation.
Hafnia alvei pyelonephritis in a renal transplant recipient: case report and review of an under‐recognized nosocomial pathogen
Authors: Cardile A.P. , Forbes D. , Cirigliano V. , Stout B. , Das N.P. , Hsue G.
Published: February 2011

A.P. Cardile, D. Forbes, V. Cirigliano, B. Stout, N.P. Das, G. Hsue. Hafnia alvei pyelonephritis in a renal transplant recipient: case report and review of an under‐recognized nosocomial pathogen. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 407–410. All rights reserved

Abstract: We describe the first case to our knowledge of Hafnia alvei pyelonephritis in a renal transplant recipient. Clinicians should consider this under‐recognized pathogen when clinically evaluating immunosuppressed patients with a history of invasive procedures.
Ofloxacin: new applications for the prevention of urinary tract infections in renal graft recipients
Authors: Rafat C. , Vimont S. , Ancel P.Y. , Xu‐Dubois Y.C. , Mesnard L. , Ouali N. , Denis M. , Vandewalle A. , Rondeau E. , Hertig A.
Published: February 2011

C. Rafat, S. Vimont, P.Y. Ancel, Y.C. Xu‐Dubois, L. Mesnard, N. Ouali, M. Denis, A. Vandewalle, E. Rondeau, A. Hertig. Ofloxacin: new applications for the prevention of urinary tract infections in renal graft recipients Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 344–352. All rights reserved

Abstract: Background. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), the most common form of bacterial infection in kidney transplant recipients, recently have been demonstrated to be detrimental for long‐term graft outcome. Therefore, reinforcing antibiotic prophylaxis might be vital, in addition to basic hygiene recommendations, surgical care, and prophylaxis by trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole.

Methods. In 2006, a Legionella pneumophila contamination of our department's water pipes meant that all the patients undergoing renal transplantation underwent a 1‐month regimen of ofloxacin (OFLO) (200 mg every other day). We took this opportunity to measure the incidence of UTI, including acute pyelonephritis (APN), in 100 consecutive patients transplanted before (n=50) and after (n=50) this treatment decision was reached. We also studied the antimicrobial resistance profiles in our department and in the rest of the hospital.

Results. No patient developed Legionnaire's disease. A dramatic decrease in the incidence of UTI (−63%) was also seen in patients undergoing OFLO treatment. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the use of OFLO was independently associated with a reduction in UTI (odd ratio [OR]=0.31%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11–0.84, P=0.02) and APN (OR=0.21%, 95% CI 0.07–0.98, P=0.045). This protection was sustained during the whole first year post transplantation. As for resistance rates, we observed a decrease in the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to ciprofloxacin in our nephrology department, compared with that observed in the rest of the hospital. The incidence of multi‐resistant bacteria was stable.

Discussion. Our unintentional extension of prophylactic antibiotherapy with OFLO gave rise to a dramatic decrease in the 1‐year incidence of UTI and APN in kidney recipients. Emergence of resistant strains is, however, a major concern.
Influence of EARLI1‐like genes on flowering time and lignin synthesis of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Shi Y. , Zhang X. , Xu Z.‐Y. , Li L. , Zhang C. , Schläppi M. , Xu Z.‐Q.
Published: February 2011

EARLI1 encodes a 14.7 kDa protein in the cell wall, is a member of the PRP (proline‐rich protein) family and has multiple functions, including resistance to low temperature and fungal infection. RNA gel blot analyses in the present work indicated that expression of EARLI1‐like genes, EARLI1, At4G12470 and At4G12490, was down‐regulated in Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants derived from transformation with Agrobacterium strain ABI, which contains a construct encoding a double‐strand RNA targeting 8CM of EARLI1. Phenotype analyses revealed that Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants of EARLI1 flowered earlier than Col‐FRI‐Sf2 wild‐type plants. The average bolting time of Col‐FRI‐Sf2 and Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants was 39.7 and 19.4 days, respectively, under a long‐day photoperiod. In addition, there were significant differences in main stem length, internode number and rosette leaf number between Col‐FRI‐Sf2 and Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants. RT‐PCR showed that EARLI1‐like genes might delay flowering time through the autonomous and long‐day photoperiod pathways by maintaining the abundance of FLC transcripts. In Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants, transcription of FLC was repressed, while expression of SOC1 and FT was activated. Microscopy observations showed that EARLI1‐like genes were also associated with morphogenesis of leaf cells in Arabidopsis. Using histochemical staining, EARLI1‐like genes were found to be involved in regulation of lignin synthesis in inflorescence stems, and Col‐FRI‐Sf2 and Col‐FRI‐Sf2 RNAi plants had 9.67% and 8.76% dry weight lignin, respectively. Expression analysis revealed that cinnamoyl‐CoA reductase, a key enzyme in lignin synthesis, was influenced by EARLI1‐like genes. These data all suggest that EARLI1‐like genes could control the flowering process and lignin synthesis in Arabidopsis.
Fully‐covered, self‐expandable metal stents (CSEMS) in malignant distal biliary strictures: Mid‐term evaluation
Authors: Bakhru Mihir , Ho Henry C , Gohil Vishal , Wang Andrew Y , Ellen Kristi , Sauer Bryan G , Shami Vanessa M , Kahaleh Michel
Published: February 2011

Background and Aims:  Limited data exist regarding fully‐covered, self‐expandable metal stents (CSEMS) with anchoring fins for the management of malignant distal biliary strictures. The aim of this study is to evaluate their safety and patency.

Methods:  Over a period of 2 years, 70 patients (45 males, 66 ± 13 years) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with placement of a 10‐mm (67 patients) or 8‐mm diameter (3 patients) CSEMS for the palliation of distal malignant biliary obstruction (pancreatic [53] or other [17]). Data were collected prospectively for survival and stent patency; complications were evaluated retrospectively.

Results:  After CSEMS placement, 17 patients proceeded to surgery, and 53 patients were deemed unresectable. Mean survival for non‐surgical candidates was 180 days (range: 15–1091), and 170 days (range: 9–589) for patients who underwent surgical management. CSEMS were left in place and remained patent for a mean of 163 days (range: 15–1091) in non‐surgical candidates, and a mean of 55 days (range: 5–126) in surgical candidates. Complications during placement included wire perforations (4) and proximal deployment requiring repositioning (4), one of which was complicated by a bile leak. Post‐procedure complications were observed in 24 cases (34%) and included post‐ERCP pancreatitis (8, with 2 of them severe), post‐procedure pain (5, with 3 requiring admission), cholecystitis (3), stent occlusion (3), cholangitis (2), proximal migration (1), post‐sphincterotomy bleeding (1), and sepsis leading to death (1).

Conclusion:  CSEMS appear to provide acceptable short‐term patency rates; however, their limited long‐term patency and high complication rate might limit their widespread use. Further long‐term prospective data are required to confirm this observation.
Robotic bladder diverticulectomy: Technique and surgical outcomes
Authors: Altunrende Fatih , Autorino Riccardo , Patel Neil S , White Michael A , Khanna Rakesh , Laydner Humberto , Yang Bo , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Kaouk Jihad H , Stein Robert J
Published: February 2011

Objectives:  Indications for surgical treatment of bladder diverticula include tumor, lower urinary tract symptoms refractory to medical treatment, renal dysfunction or recurrent urinary tract infections. We describe the technique and report the outcomes of robotic bladder diverticulectomy at our institution.

Methods:  A chart review of patients who underwent robotic bladder diverticulectomy at our institution from 2007 to 2010 was carried out. Indications for the procedure were: lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) not responding to medical treatment (2 patients), ureteral obstruction (1 patient), tumor arising in a diverticulum (2 patients) and diverticulum secondary to neurogenic bladder (1 patient). One patient also had renal dysfunction associated with ureteral insertion into the diverticulum and therefore underwent ipsilateral ureteroneocystostomy. Other additional procedures included transurethral resection of the prostate (1 patient) and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (1 patient). Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results:  Six patients (median age 61.5 years, range 19–75) underwent da Vinci diverticulectomy using a transperitoneal approach without the need for open conversion. Median operative time was 232 min (135–360 min.). Median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (50–150 mL). The Foley catheter was removed after a negative cystogram and median time to catheter removal was 7 days (7–12 days). Median hospital stay was 3 days (2–5 days). The only complication was a urinary tract infection managed with antibiotics.

Conclusions:  Robotic surgery represents a reasonable minimally invasive treatment option for resection of bladder diverticula when indicated.
General practitioners' knowledge and management of viral hepatitis in the migrant population
Authors: Guirgis M. , Yan K. , Bu Y. M. , Zekry A.
Published: February 2011

Background:  Escalating morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections represent a major health burden in Australia, particularly among migrants from endemic areas who may present late.

Methods and Aims:  We evaluated the knowledge and educational needs of general practitioners (GPs) in the St George Division, Sydney which serves a large migrant population. The aims of the study were to identify gaps in knowledge about viral hepatitis that may affect management and referral patterns. GPs completed a survey comprised of 15 questions. They were also invited to comment on barriers to managing viral hepatitis in migrant patients.

Results:  A 44% response rate was achieved from 280 eligible GPs. Forty‐two per cent of GPs lacked confidence in interpreting HCV serology and 20% for HBV serology. Twenty‐two per cent of GPs did not recognise HCC as a complication of HBV and 18% for HCV. Twenty per cent of GPs were unaware of treatment for HBV. Forty‐seven per cent of GPs were uncertain whether pregnant women could receive HCV treatment. Twenty‐three per cent and 21% of respondents believed that all HCV‐ or HBV‐infected mothers, respectively, should not breast‐feed. Eighty‐nine per cent of GPs identified language difficulties as the main barrier to treatment among the migrant population.

Conclusions:  There were gaps in the knowledge of GPs particularly concerning natural history, diagnosis, treatment availability and management of pregnant or lactating women with viral hepatitis. Specific educational initiatives targeting these deficits are required as well as increased availability of language resources for managing patients from a non‐English‐speaking background.
Guidelines for patient selection and performance of carotid artery stenting
Authors:   The Carotid Stenting Guidelines Committee: An Inter‐collegiate Committee of the RACP (ANZAN, CSANZ), RACS (ANZSVS) and RANZCR
Published: February 2011

The endovascular treatment of carotid atherosclerosis with carotid artery stenting (CAS) is controversial. The inter‐collegiate Carotid Stenting Guidelines Committee (CSGC) recommends that CAS should not be performed in the majority of patients requiring carotid revascularization. CAS may be considered for specific high risk patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis who have contraindications for carotid endarterectomy, or in those under 70 years of age where carotid re‐vascularization is considered appropriate. Advances in endovascular technologies and the long‐term results of randomized controlled trials will guide future revisions of these guidelines.
Maternal endothelial dysfunction and its association with abnormal fetal growth in diabetic pregnancy
Authors: Zawiejska A. , Wender‐Ożegowska E. , Pietryga M. , Brązert J.
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 692–698 (2011)

Aims  Some authors consider the vascular endothelium to be a target organ in diabetes. However, there have only been a few studies of the function of the maternal endothelium during pregnancy in women with diabetes. We analysed the relationship between maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction and fetal growth in such pregnancies.

Methods  Markers of endothelial dysfunction (serum concentration of sE‐selectin and sVCAM‐1) were measured at admission (baseline) and before delivery in 97 women with pregestational diabetes and a singleton pregnancy,. After delivery, the group with pregestational diabetes was divided retrospectively according to neonatal birthweight into three groups—appropriate, small and large for gestational age— and the maternal variables were analysed in relation to birthweight.

Results  The baseline concentration of sE‐selectin was significantly higher in the large‐for‐gestational‐age group vs. the small‐for‐gestational‐age group (median: 53.1 vs. 39.0 ng/ml, P < 0.05). The concentration of sVCAM‐1 at baseline was significantly higher in the small‐for‐gestational‐age vs. the appropriate‐ and large‐for‐gestational‐age groups (median: 846.2 vs. 576.8 and 524.1 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). The concentration of sE‐selectin at baseline and gestational changes in the concentration of sVCAM‐1 were related to birthweight. The baseline concentrations of sE‐selectin and sVCAM‐1 and the gestational change in sVCAM‐1 concentration were predictive factors for large for gestational age (cut‐off values: 45.0, 644.6 and 38.4 ng/ml; sensitivity: 67.7, 89.3 and 34.4%; specificity: 65.5, 39.7 and 85.5%, respectively).

Conclusions  Our study showed a relationship between maternal endothelial dysfunction and fetal growth disturbances during pregnancy in women with diabetes that was not associated with maternal metabolic control. Higher levels of maternal sE‐selectin in early pregnancy were associated with increased risk of the large‐for‐gestational‐age condition. High levels of maternal sVCAM‐1 in early pregnancy were characteristic of gestation complicated by the small‐for‐gestational‐age condition. Further studies in larger groups are warranted to determine whether markers of maternal endothelial dysfunction are of use in the prediction of abnormal birthweight (large or small for gestational age) in pregnant women with diabetes.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine in young people with Type 1 diabetes: a paradoxical association with HbA1c
Authors: Marcovecchio M. L. , Widmer B. , Turner C. , Dunger D. B. , Dalton R. N.
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 685–691 (2011)

Aims  Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and its concentrations are increased in several diseases, including diabetes. However, there is limited information on this plasma marker in young people, particularly in those with Type 1 diabetes. The aim of the present study was therefore to perform a longitudinal evaluation of plasma ADMA and of its determinants in young people with childhood‐onset Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  For measurement of ADMA using mass spectrometry, 1018 longitudinal stored blood samples were available from 330 young people with Type 1 diabetes followed in the Oxford Regional Prospective Study. Additional data concerning annual assessments of HbA1c, height, weight, insulin dose and three early morning urine samples for measurement of the albumin/creatinine ratio were available.

Results  ADMA levels were significantly higher in males than in females (mean ± sd: 0.477 ± 0.090 vs. 0.460 ± 0.089 μmol/l, P = 0.002) and declined with chronological age (estimate ± se: –0.0106 ± 0.0008, P < 0.001). A significant inverse association was detected between ADMA and HbA1c (estimate ± se:–0.0113 ± 0.001, P < 0.001). ADMA levels were lower in subjects developing microalbuminuria (mean ± sd: 0.455 ± 0.093 vs. 0.476 ± 0.087 μmol/l, P = 0.001) than in subjects with normoalbuminuria, but this difference disappeared after adjusting for HbA1c.

Conclusions  In this longitudinal study, ADMA concentrations decreased with age and were significantly higher in males and lower in subjects developing microalbuminuria. These associations were largely explained by a paradoxical negative association between HbA1c and ADMA. We suggest that chronic hyperglycaemia might down‐regulate mechanisms implicated in ADMA production or stimulate its metabolism confounding short‐term associations with complications risk.
The humoral immune response to the inactivated influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea
Authors: Nam J. S. , Kim A. R. , Yoon J. C. , Byun Y. , Kim S. A. , Kim K. R. , Cho S. , Seong B. L. , Ahn C. W. , Lee J. M.
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 815–817 (2011)

Aims  We evaluated the antibody response to a single‐dose adjuvanted, inactivated, pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccination in patients with diabetes and assessed factors associated with the failure to induce antibody responses.

Methods  Eighty‐two patients with Type 2 diabetes were vaccinated and antibody responses were determined with haemagglutination inhibition assay and anti‐haemagglutinin antibody ELISA.

Results  Among 70 antibody‐negative patients at baseline, 34 (48.6%) achieved seroconversion; 28 (60.9%) in the young adults group and six (25%) in the elderly group acquired H1N1‐specific antibodies. Patients in the older age range or with longer duration of diabetes had a lower seroconversion rate.

Conclusions  Our data show low cross‐reactive antibody carrying rate and low seroconversion rate in patients with diabetes. Until larger‐scale, case‐controlled trials become available, older patients and patients with a longer duration of diabetes should be considered for the two‐dose vaccination or have antibody titres measured after the first vaccination.
ANDREAS HEINRICH VOIGT AND THE HICKS‐ALLEN REVOLUTION IN CONSUMER THEORY
Authors: SCHMIDT TORSTEN , WEBER CHRISTIAN E.
Published: February 2011

In 1893, Andreas Heinrich Voigt argued that utility admits only an ordinal characterization. We discuss the apparent impact of Voigt's now forgotten early argument for an ordinal approach to utility on later economists. Edgeworth cited Voigt's ordinal‐cardinal distinction several times in the Economic Journal, bringing both the concept and the terminology into Anglophone economics. In 1927, Rosenstein‐Rodan, too, cited Voigt's argument for ordinal utility. Since Hicks apparently learned the cardinal‐ordinal terminology from Edgeworth, and discussed utility theory and complementarity with Rosenstein‐Rodan, it appears that Voigt's 1893 article is the original source of ordinal utility in economics. (JEL B13, B21)
Lowering British higher education (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Gusterson Hugh
Published: February 2011

Hugh Gusterson argues, based on his experience in the U.S. university system, that the marketization of higher education can be expected to have perverse consequences. Universities will focus on branding and capturing research funding rather than teaching; students will increasingly see a degree as something they buy and will put pressure on faculty to lower grading standards; many students will also be forced by tuition expenses to work while they are in college, and will therefore have less time to study; and some will turn their backs on their true vocations in favor of courses of study that will enable them to repay their tuition debt. As the British university system increasingly resembles its American counterpart in cost and style, British faculty and students will feel increasingly tempted to study or teach in the U.S. system.