bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural equation modeling of value‐psychographic trait‐clothing purchase behavior: a study on the urban college‐goers of India
Authors: Roy Sudas , Goswami Paromita 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to attempt to understand the frequent clothing purchase behavior of undergraduate urban college‐goers of India aged 18‐23 years and empirically prove the value‐psychographic traits‐clothing (VPC) purchase behavior hierarchy.Design/methodology/approachA stratified systematic sample of 275 respondents was used to test the hierarchy. The List of Values (LOV) scale was submitted to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with principal components analysis and varimax rotation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to validate EFA results. Next, structural equation modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) was used to empirically prove VPC of the urban Indian college‐goers.FindingsThe study finds that EFA of the LOV scale yielded two dimensions‐ outer‐directed values and inner‐directed values. Outer‐directed values influenced the psychographic traits – fashion‐consciousness and innovativeness positively, while fashion‐consciousness and innovativeness positively influenced clothing purchase frequency. Thus, VPC hierarchy is empirically proved with the help of SEM.Research limitations/implicationsIn the context of frequent clothing purchases of college‐goers, values affect behavior indirectly through psychographic traits of fashion‐consciousness and innovativeness. Psychographic traits of fashion‐consciousness and innovativeness act as intervening variables between values and clothing purchase behavior. EFA and CFA were done on the same sample thereby limiting the scope of the study.Practical implicationsThe marketer of clothing for college‐goers should frame his/her product and communication strategy in such a way that it appeals to the fashion‐conscious and innovative consumers with outer‐directed values.Originality/valueAn attempt has been made for the first time to prove the VPC hierarchy empirically in the context of frequent clothing purchases of young college‐goers.
Beyond advertising: in‐home promotion of “fast food”
Authors: Eagle Lynne , Brennan Ross 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the range of potential influences on children's food choices, while suggesting that recent restrictions on advertising of some foods may not be as effective as expected. It aims to use home‐delivered food promotional materials to illustrate the types of promotional activity that are not covered by recent regulatory actions.Design/methodology/approachAll food promotional leaflets and flyers delivered to households over a four‐month period were analysed in terms of their overall content and whether healthy options were included in the content or in special promotional offers.FindingsThe study finds that 90 per cent of the material featured foods whose advertising would potentially be restricted if it were placed in media for which regulations were tightened in early 2007. Few included healthy options in menus – and none offered these as part of their special promotions.Research limitations/implicationsMaterial was collected from only one area of a large English city; however it is reasonable to assume that the type of material received is broadly representative of the material likely to be distributed across the UK and possibly other countries as well.Practical implicationsIncreased restriction of advertising of some types of food products does not address myriad influences on children's food choices. If the restrictions fail to deliver the expected benefits, further restrictions are likely to follow, but concentrating on one potential factor in isolation while failing to consider the wide range of influences on food choices means that even tighter restrictions are unlikely to achieve the intended results. Policy makers should consider the wider environmental factors that may influence food choices, and the development of health promotion strategies that reflect a more holistic and integrated approach than is currently occurring.Originality/valueThere are few studies of the potential impact of factors other than advertising. The findings of this study suggest that lobbyists, policy makers and advertisers alike should take a more holistic view of potential influences on dietary choice.
Transcomplementation and synergism in plants: implications for viral transgenes?
Authors: LATHAM JONATHAN R. , WILSON ALLISON K. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYIn plants, viral synergisms occur when one virus enhances infection by a distinct or unrelated virus. Such synergisms may be unidirectional or mutualistic but, in either case, synergism implies that protein(s) from one virus can enhance infection by another. A mechanistically related phenomenon is transcomplementation, in which a viral protein, usually expressed from a transgene, enhances or supports the infection of a virus from a distinct species. To gain an insight into the characteristics and limitations of these helper functions of individual viral genes, and to assess their effects on the plant–pathogen relationship, reports of successful synergism and transcomplementation were compiled from the peer‐reviewed literature and combined with data from successful viral gene exchange experiments. Results from these experiments were tabulated to highlight the phylogenetic relationship between the helper and dependent viruses and, where possible, to identify the protein responsible for the altered infection process. The analysis of more than 150 publications, each containing one or more reports of successful exchanges, transcomplementation or synergism, revealed the following: (i) diverse viral traits can be enhanced by synergism and transcomplementation; these include the expansion of host range, acquisition of mechanical transmission, enhanced specific infectivity, enhanced cell‐to‐cell and long‐distance movement, elevated or novel vector transmission, elevated viral titre and enhanced seed transmission; (ii) transcomplementation and synergism are mediated by many viral proteins, including inhibitors of gene silencing, replicases, coat proteins and movement proteins; (iii) although more frequent between closely related viruses, transcomplementation and synergism can occur between viruses that are phylogenetically highly divergent. As indicators of the interoperability of viral genes, these results are of general interest, but they can also be applied to the risk assessment of transgenic crops expressing viral proteins. In particular, they can contribute to the identification of potential hazards, and can be used to identify data gaps and limitations in predicting the likelihood of transgene‐mediated transcomplementation.
The mast cell and allergic diseases: role in pathogenesis and implications for therapy
Authors: Brown J. M. , Wilson T. M. , Metcalfe D. D. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryMast cells have long been recognized for their role in the genesis of allergic inflammation; and more recently for their participation in innate and acquired immune responses. Mast cells reside within tissues including the skin and mucosal membranes, which interface with the external environment; as well as being found within vascularized tissues next to nerves, blood vessels and glandular structures. Mast cells have the capability of reacting both within minutes and over hours to specific stimuli, with local and systemic effects. Mast cells express the high affinity IgE receptor (FcɛRI) and upon aggregation of FcɛRI by allergen‐specific IgE, mast cells release and generate biologically active preformed and newly synthesized mediators which are involved in many aspects of allergic inflammation. While mast cells have been well documented to be essential for acute allergic reactions, more recently the importance of mast cells in reacting through pattern recognition receptors in innate immune responses has become recognized. Moreover, as our molecular understanding of the mast cell has evolved, novel targets for modulation have been identified with promising therapeutic potential.
Ozone and density affect the response of biomass and seed yield to elevated CO2 in rice
Authors: REID CHANTAL D. , FISCUS EDWIN L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTropospheric O3 reduces growth and yield of many crop species, whereas CO2 ameliorates the negative effects of O3. Thus, in a combined elevated CO2 and O3 atmosphere, seed yield is at least restored to that of charcoal‐filtered (CF) air at ambient CO2. The CO2‐induced yield increase in CF air is highly variable, suggesting other potential resource limitations. To understand such variability in response, we tested that (1) competition for resources precludes some of the CO2 enhancement on biomass and yield; and (2) O3 reduces competition in elevated CO2. We grew rice (Oryza sativa L.) at five densities in CF and O3‐fumigated (+O3) air at ambient (A) and elevated [CO2] (+CO2) in 1997 and 1998. O3 reduced biomass by 25% and seed yield by 13–20% in A, but had little effect in +CO2. A competition model of biomass and yield response to density based on resource availability without competition showed that fewer resources were used for biomass in +O3 than in CF (average 53% vs. 70%) in A, while in +CO2 85% of resources were used for biomass regardless of O3 suggesting greater depletion of resources. The enhanced biomass response to CO2 with O3 is consistent with a 22% greater CO2 enhancement ratio [mass in +CO2 air/mass in A air; enhancement ratio (ER)] in +O3 than in CF air. For seed yield, few resources were used (average 17% and 25% for CF in 1997 and 1998, respectively), and ER was 13% greater in +O3. With competition the rate of change of individual plant biomass to density was not affected by +CO2 in CF air in 1997 but was increased 19% with more nutrients in 1998, indicating resource limitations with +CO2. The rate of change of individual plant yield to density was reduced with CO2 in 1997 and unchanged in 1998 showing a different response to resource limitation for reproductive biomass. The resource use in +O3‐A suggested that increased density and soil fertility might compensate for pollutant damage. Although ambient [O3] can modulate the response to elevated CO2, resource limitation precludes the CO2 fertilization impact and both factors need consideration for better management and forecasts of future productivity.
Nitrous oxide emissions from a cropped soil in a semi‐arid climate
Authors: BARTON LOUISE , KIESE RALF , GATTER DAVID , BUTTERBACH‐BAHL KLAUS , BUCK RENEE , HINZ CHRISTOPH , MURPHY DANIEL V. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractUnderstanding nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural soils in semi‐arid regions is required to better understand global terrestrial N2O losses. Nitrous oxide emissions were measured from a rain‐fed, cropped soil in a semi‐arid region of south‐western Australia for one year on a sub‐daily basis. The site included N‐fertilized (100 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and nonfertilized plots. Emissions were measured using soil chambers connected to a fully automated system that measured N2O using gas chromatography. Daily N2O emissions were low (−1.8 to 7.3 g N2O‐N ha−1 day−1) and culminated in an annual loss of 0.11 kg N2O‐N ha−1 from N‐fertilized soil and 0.09 kg N2O‐N ha−1 from nonfertilized soil. Over half (55%) the annual N2O emission occurred from both N treatments when the soil was fallow, following a series of summer rainfall events. At this time of the year, conditions were conducive for soil microbial N2O production: elevated soil water content, available N, soil temperatures generally >25 °C and no active plant growth. The proportion of N fertilizer emitted as N2O in 1 year, after correction for the ‘background’ emission (no N fertilizer applied), was 0.02%. The emission factor reported in this study was 60 times lower than the IPCC default value for the application of synthetic fertilizers to land (1.25%), suggesting that the default may not be suitable for cropped soils in semi‐arid regions. Applying N fertilizer did not significantly increase the annual N2O emission, demonstrating that a proportion of N2O emitted from agricultural soils may not be directly derived from the application of N fertilizer. ‘Background’ emissions, resulting from other agricultural practices, need to be accounted for if we are to fully assess the impact of agriculture in semi‐arid regions on global terrestrial N2O emissions.
Water, temperature, and vegetation regulation of methyl chloride and methyl bromide fluxes from a shortgrass steppe ecosystem
Authors: TEH YIT ARN , RHEW ROBERT C. , ATWOOD ALYSSA , ABEL TRIFFID 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTemperate grasslands are considered to be a significant sink for CH3Br, although large uncertainties exist about the magnitude of this sink because of a paucity of field measurements. Here, we report the results of a combined field and laboratory study that investigated the effects of water, temperature, and plant community composition on CH3Cl and CH3Br fluxes in a semiarid temperate grassland. A novel stable isotope tracer technique was also employed to deconvolute simultaneous production and oxidation of CH3Cl and CH3Br. Net and gross fluxes were measured from different landforms (ridges, floodplains) and cover types (grass‐dominated, shrub‐dominated) to capture a representative range of hydrologic regimes, temperatures, and plant communities. In field experiments, net CH3Cl and CH3Br uptake was observed at all grass‐dominated sites (−400±77 nmol CH3Cl m−2 day−1 and −3.4±0.9 nmol CH3Br m−2 day−1), while net CH3Cl emission (439±58 nmol CH3Cl m−2 day−1) was observed at sites dominated by the shrub Atriplex canescens, indicating that this plant is a strong CH3Cl producer. Gross CH3Cl and CH3Br oxidation were comparable with estimates from other dryland ecosystems (507±115 nmol CH3Cl m−2 day−1 and 9.1±2.2 nmol CH3Br m−2 day−1), although CH3Br oxidation rates were at least five times lower than those observed in more mesic temperate grasslands. We suggest that estimates of the temperate grassland CH3Br sink should be reduced by ≥19% (≥1.8 Gg yr−1) to account for the weaker sink strength of semiarid environments. Identification of A. canescens as a ‘new’ CH3Cl source may have important ramifications for the global atmospheric budget of CH3Cl, given the global distribution of this plant and its congeners and their widespread presence in many dryland ecosystems. Laboratory experiments revealed that soil water was the chief regulator of CH3Cl and CH3Br oxidation, while temperature had no observed effect between 14 and 26 °C. Oxidation rates rose most rapidly between 0.4% and 5% volumetric water content, suggesting that methyl halide‐oxidizing bacteria respond strongly to small inputs of water under the very driest conditions. Soil drying and rewetting experiments did not appear to affect the oxidation of CH3Cl and CH3Br by soil microorganisms, which are presumably adapted to frequent wet/dry cycles.
From ideals towards practice: paradigmatic mismatches and drifts in method deployment
Authors: Päivärinta Tero , Sein Maung K. , Peltola Tuomo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThere is considerable debate in the information systems literature on how systems development methods (SDMs) are used in practice. On one side are those who take the position that these methods are not used at all. The other side posits that SDMs are used but not in the manner intended by the method developers. In practice, SDMs are adapted and modified to meet project exigencies, which results in unique methods‐in‐use in each project. We subscribe to the latter view and extend the argument by proposing that SDM modifications happen due to mismatches between the paradigmatic values inherent in the SDM, the method users and the organizational context. Further, planned modifications themselves result in shifts of paradigmatic values inherent in the SDM. To examine our contention, we conduct a case study in which we trace an SDM from its development to its deployment and use in an organization. We show where the mismatches occurred and provide explanations for the mismatches. Our results indicate that paradigm differences explain most of the mismatches, and different factors contribute to the paradigm drifts simultaneously, even towards diverging orientations. We conclude that the true value of an SDM, in addition to its tool and technique use, is a basis for examining and self‐reflecting about paradigmatic values. This is an essential part of learning to develop systems.
DNA sequence heterogeneity in Fim tyrosine‐integrase recombinase‐binding elements and functional motif asymmetries determine the directionality of the fim genetic switch in Escherichia coli K‐12
Authors: McCusker Matthew P. , Turner Elizebeth C. , Dorman Charles J. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryPhase‐variable expression of type 1 fimbriae in Escherichia coli K‐12 involves inversion by site‐specific recombination of a 314 bp sequence containing the promoter for fim structural gene expression. The invertible sequence is flanked by 9 bp inverted repeats, and each repeat is in turn flanked by non‐identical recombinase‐binding elements (RBEs) to which the FimB or FimE site‐specific recombinases bind. These proteins have distinct DNA inversion preferences: FimB inverts the switch in the ON‐to‐OFF and OFF‐to‐ON directions with similar efficiencies, whereas FimE inverts it predominantly in the ON‐to‐OFF direction. We have found that FimB and FimE invert the switch through a common mechanism. A genetic investigation involving base‐by‐base substitution combined with a biochemical study shows that the same DNA cleavage and religation sites are used within the 9 bp inverted repeats, and that each recombination involves a common 3 bp spacer region. A comprehensive programme of RBE exchanges and replacements reveals that FimB is much more tolerant of RBE sequence variation than FimE. The asymmetric location of conserved 5′‐CA motifs at either side of each spacer region allows the inside and outside of the switch to be differentiated while the RBE sequence heterogeneity permits its ON and OFF forms to be distinguished by the recombinases.
Nutrition–parasite interactions in goats: is immunoregulation involved in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes?
Authors: HOSTE H. , TORRES‐ACOSTA J. F. J. , AGUILAR‐CABALLERO A. J. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYCompared to sheep, goats seem to develop a low immune response against the parasitic nematodes of the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, some variability in the host response has been observed either at the individual level or depending on internal (genetic) or external (physiological status, nutrition) factors suggesting the possibility to exploit and manipulate this response. There is good evidence from field studies to suggest that a better plane of nutrition might contribute to improve goat resilience. However, the effects on immunoregulation and host resistance remain less clear. Due to their peculiarities in feeding behaviour (‘intermediate browser’), goats represent a valuable model to explore the relationships between the three possible strategies to control nematode infection through nutrition: (i) by increasing the immune response; (ii) by avoiding the infective larvae; and (iii) by selecting plants with direct anthelmintic properties (self medication).
Vaccine testing of a recombinant activation‐associated secreted protein (ASP1) from Ostertagia ostertagi
Authors: GELDHOF P. , MEYVIS Y. , VERCRUYSSE J. , CLAEREBOUT E. 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARY Previous vaccination trials against the economically important cattle parasite Ostertagia ostertagi have indicated the protective capacity of activation‐associated secreted proteins (ASPs). The further development of these antigens into a commercial vaccine will require their recombinant expression. The aim of the current study was to clone and express Oo‐asp1 in a baculovirus expression system and to evaluate the protective capacity of the recombinant protein against an O. ostertagi challenge infection in cattle. The full coding sequence of Oo‐asp1 was cloned in a baculovirus expression vector in frame with a carboxy‐terminal Histidine tag and recombinant virus was used to infect an insect cell culture. Western blot analysis with anti‐His and anti‐Oo‐ASP1 antibodies showed the production of recombinant Oo‐ASP1. The cell pellet containing the recombinant was subsequently used to immunize seven calves three times intramuscularly with QuilA as adjuvant. Control animals were solely injected with the QuilA adjuvant. The challenge infection with O. ostertagi consisted of 30 000 L3 larvae per animal given over 30 days (1000 larvae/day, 5 days/week) and started the same day as the final immunization. Immunization with the recombinant Oo‐ASP1 did not result in any level of protection against the challenge infection. There was no reduction in faecal egg output or in worm burdens. Moreover, Western blot analyses and ELISA indicated that, although the animals raised an antibody response against the recombinant Oo‐ASP1, there was hardly a response against the native Oo‐ASP1, suggesting that the baculovirus expressed recombinant was wrongly folded or lacked essential secondary modifications. Further analysis of the structure of the native ASPs and their glycosylations is being done.
The Second Joint Meeting of American Urological Association (AUA)/Japanese Urological Association (JUA) International Program on the 102nd Annual Meeting of American Urological Association at Anaheim 2007
Authors: Ogan Kenneth , Kawai Koji , Gill Inderbir Singh , Naito Seiji , B Isaacs Williams , Suzuki Kazuhiro , S Kibel Adam , Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Yoshimura Naoki , Yokoyama Osamu , B Chancellor Michael , Takahashi Satoru 
Published: November 2007

Preface:  We owe the success of the 2nd JUA/AUA joint Meeting at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (19–24 May 2007, Anaheim, California, USA) entirely to the warm support of all the people concerned, including the moderators and panelists of both countries. Joint programs have been held by the societies of France and Latin America in recent years and China started holding the ‘World China’ last year. It has not been easy to maintain the joint meeting because of constraints in planning, financial support and the workforce, and therefore some societies have been unable to hold their meetings continuously. Nevertheless, there are long‐term plans to hold the meeting with the cooperation of both AUA and JUA sharing the moderators and panelists. Fortunately, since CME Credit was adopted for our meeting, the AUA members who participated in our meeting were given credits. It is now time to consider the accreditation for the JUA members too. We would like to thank Professor Robert C Flanigan, the Secretary General of AUA, Professor Glenn M Preminger, the Chairman of AUA Office of Education and the staff of AUA and JUA for introduction CME. The meeting was a great success with more than 200 participants from both countries. We hope to keep holding the joint meeting and have plenty of ideas on themes and forms. We believe that this international program helps to establish a closer relationship between JUA and AUA in the scientific field. Luckily, the abstract of this program is arranged not only as a monograph but as part of this issue of the International Journal of Urology. I believe this is an excellent opportunity for us to promote our meeting to a broader audience.Akihiko Okuyama md, President of JUA
Hideyuki Akaza md, Chairman of the International Committee of JUA