bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Supermalt identity: how Brixton‐based Afro‐Caribbean consumers construct a Danish malt beer brand as one of their own
Authors: Bech‐Larsen Tino , Esbjerg Lars , Grunert Klaus G. , Jørn Juhl Hans , Brunsø Karen 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe objective of this article is to conduct a case study of the Supermalt brand of malt beer, which has become the preferred beverage of Afro‐Caribbean consumers in Brixton on a very limited marketing budget.Design/methodology/approachThe article uses the concepts of personal identity and brand identity in a qualitative study to explore how Brixton‐based Afro‐Caribbean consumers construct their self‐identities and the brand identity of Supermalt. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 Afro‐Caribbean consumers. Each interview was divided into three parts. The first part focused on consumers' self‐identities. The second part explored the role of food and beverage products in the construction of self‐identities. The final part focused on the construction of brand identity for Supermalt.FindingsThe article provides information on the self‐identities constructed by Afro‐Caribbean informants. The food and beverage consumption of informants reflects their mixed cultural identity. The brand identity Supermalt appears to be malleable, with ample room for consumer co‐construction. Perceptions of brand identity differ markedly among informants, who are all able to construct Supermalt as one of their own.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based solely on semi‐structured interviews with a small sample of Afro‐Caribbean consumers. The findings are therefore not generalizable.Practical implicationsThe Supermalt brand represents an interesting case for companies aiming to develop strong brands with a limited marketing budget. Based on the Supermalt case, suggestions are made regarding branding in relation to ethnic minorities.Originality/valueThis article provides a study of a brand that has become strong within a narrowly defined group of consumers.
Why UK companies hedge interest rate risk
Authors: Dhanani Alpa , Fifield Suzanne , Helliar Christine , Stevenson Lorna 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the interest rate risk management (IRRM) practices of UK companies. In particular, the study examines five theories that have been advanced in the literature to explain why companies hedge: tax and regulatory arbitrage; under‐investment, volatility of earnings and future planning; financial distress; managerial self‐interest; and economies of scale.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a questionnaire survey to examine the importance of hedging theories and to look at the detailed risk management practices of companies.FindingsThe research findings confirm that all five theories of financial risk management have some support in practice. However, while the responses to some questions supported the theories, other information elicited from the questionnaires did not. This finding demonstrates that studies which employ large disaggregated datasets that result in generalised conclusions often miss the dynamic nature of corporate affairs and that, as such, more qualitative research is needed in this area.Originality/valueThe use of a questionnaire survey facilitates an investigation of the IRRM practices of companies on an individual basis rather than the aggregated analysis afforded by most quantitative studies in finance. In addition, the qualitative approach adopted here permits an examination of many factors that relate to risk management practices, rather than just a limited number of financial ratios or factors that are typically used in studies of large datasets.
The Dynamic Organic Transformational (D.O.T.) team model for high‐performance knowledge‐worker teams
Authors: Courtney Hettie S. , Navarro Ernelyn , O'Hare Carrie A. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to explain the dynamics of the five dimensional Dynamic Organic Transformational (D.O.T.) Team Model for knowledge‐workers to use in achieving high performance.Design/methodology/approachThe D.O.T. Team Model is a dynamic team model developed to integrate and expand key concepts from open systems – contingency and dynamic congruence, transformational leadership, and learning organizations. The five dimensions of the D.O.T. Team Model consist of purpose, people, partnerships, process, and performance. The D.O.T. Team Model is most applicable where subjective measures are used for high performing teams. This model transcends the existing team performance theory and provides a basis for future researchers to build onto the continuing evolutionary changes in team performance.FindingsThe D.O.T. Team Model is a comprehensive and holistic approach for knowledge‐workers to achieve high performance. This model is grounded in theory and by applying the five dimensions (purpose, people, partnerships, process, and performance) this model enables optimumfitwith a high‐performance team's organization and environments – allowing knowledge‐worker members to effectively respond to dynamic changes and enhance its team and organizational performance.Practical implicationsThe article is particularly relevant to practicing knowledge‐worker leaders and team members that operate in a dynamic environment requiring a high‐performance team that can rapidly adapt and respond to change. The D.O.T. Team Model creates an understanding of the organizational and environmental dynamics necessary to achieve a high‐performance team capable of operating in this dynamic environment.Originality/valuePractitioners will find the information in the article extremely useful in helping to understand how the D.O.T. Team Model can assist them in creating the properfitwith a high‐performance team's organization and environment. The significance of the D.O.T. Team Model was demonstrated by two highly‐recognized teams from both the public and private sectors whose performance philosophy mirrors the dimensions of the D.O.T. Team Model.
What makes a good investigative interviewer of children?
Authors: Wright Rebecca , Powell Martine B. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine police officers' perceptions about their role in interviewing children, and to compare these perceptions with those of child eyewitness memory experts.Design/methodology/approachA diverse sample of 23 police officers (from three states of Australia) individually participated in in‐depth interviews where they were asked to define what makes a good interviewer in the area of child abuse investigation.FindingsIrrespective of the background of the officers, the important role of interviewers' personal attributes was emphasised (e.g. having a relaxed, empathetic, warm nature). Such personal attributes were more prominent in the participants' descriptions than knowledge of legislation and children's development, prior job experience, and interviewing techniques.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that while child eyewitness memory experts acknowledge the importance of establishing a bond of mutual trust between the interviewer and the child, the importance of utilising an open‐ended questioning style for enhancing rapport, and for eliciting a detailed and accurate account of abuse cannot be overstated. The possible reasons for the police officers' emphasis on personal qualities are discussed.Originality/valueThis paper has revealed that limitations in the competency of police officers in interviewing children is not merely a problem of “doing” (i.e. learning to ask open‐ended questions), but may also reflect ingrained attitudinal and organisational barriers.
Measuring and managing intangible value drivers
Authors: Marr Bernard 
Published: March 2007

PurposeIntangible assets are seen as critical drivers of future performance for most organizations. For this reason many managers endeavor to better measure and manage those intangible value drivers. This article explores the challenges of measuring and managing intangibles.Design/methodology/approachGuided by practical experiences, case examples, and theory, this article systematically outlines how to tackle the problems we face when measuring aspects of organizations that are inherently difficult to measure.FindingsThere are different reasons for measuring and managing intangibles in organizations. Some require objectivity (accounting, external reporting), whereas others focus on the informative value (internal reporting, strategic decision making). It is difficult, if not impossible, to derive meaningful and objective measures for intangible assets.Practical implicationsInstead of trying to quantify the unquantifiable for accounting and objective external reporting purposes, managers should design indicators that can be used to assess performance of intangible elements in order to guide management decision‐making and strategic learning.Originality/valueThis article, based the book Strategic Performance Management, outlines why striving for objectivity can yield meaningless performance indicators and dysfunctional behavior. The real value is derived from indicators that assist our day‐to‐day decision‐making and organizational learning.
Natural subsidence of the Venice area during the last 60 Myr
Authors: Barbieri C. , Di Giulio A. , Massari F. , Asioli A. , Bonato M. , Mancin N. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTIntegrated geohistory analysis performed on high‐resolution stratigraphy of Venezia 1 and Lido 1 wells (Quaternary–Pliocene interval) and low‐resolution stratigraphy of a simulated well extending Lido 1 down to the base of Cenozoic (Palaeocene–Miocene interval) is used to reconstruct the interplay between subsidence and sedimentation that occurred in the Venice area (eastern Po Plain) during the last 60 Myr, and to discuss the relationships between calculated subsidence rates and time resolution of stratigraphic data. Both subsidence and sedimentation are mostly related to the tectonic evolution of the belts that surround the Venice basin, influencing the lithosphere vertical motions and the input of clastic sediments through time. In particular, two subsidence phases are recorded between 40–33.5 and 32.5–24 Myr (0.13 and 0.14 mm year−1, respectively), coeval with tectonic phases in the Dinaric belt. Vice versa, during the main South‐Alpine orogenic phase (middle–late Miocene), quiescence or little uplift (−0.03 mm year−1) reflects the location of the Venice area close to the peripheral bulge of the South‐Alpine foreland system. Early Pliocene evolution is characterised by a number of subsidence/uplift events, among which two uplifts occurred between 5–4.5 and 3–2.2 Myr (at −0.4 and −0.2 mm year−1, respectively) and can be correlated with tectonic motions in the Apennines. During the last million years, the Venice area was initially characterised by uplift (−0.6 mm year−1 rising to −1.5 mm year−1 between 0.4 and 0.38 Myr), eventually replaced by subsidence at a rate ranging between 1.6 and 1.0 mm year−1 up to 0.12 Myr and then decreased to 0.4 mm year−1, as an average, up to present. Our results highlight that time resolution of the stratigraphic dataset deeply influences the order of magnitude obtained for the calculated subsidence rate. This is because subsidence seems to have worked through short‐lived peaks (in the order of 105 years), alternating with long relatively quiescent intervals. This suggests caution when components of subsidence are deduced by subtracting long‐term to short‐term subsidence rate.
Role of sex hormones in allergic inflammation in mice
Authors: Riffo‐Vasquez Y. , Ligeiro de Oliveira A. P. , Page C. P. , Spina D. , Tavares‐de‐Lima W. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground
A number of clinical studies have documented both a pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory role for sex hormones in the context of lung inflammation and worsening of asthma.Objective
To determine the role of sex hormones in a murine model of allergic inflammation and airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR) induced by ovalbumin (OVA).Methods
Female BALB/c were sensitized to OVA on days 0 and 7 and subsequently challenged on day 14 over a 3‐day period. Mice had their ovaries removed either 7 days before or 8 days after the first OVA injection on day 0. Pulmonary eosinophilia and AHR were measured 24 h following the last antigen challenge. In other experiments, ovariectomized mice (Ovx) were pre‐treated with oestradiol benzoate. In further studies, the effect of the oestradiol antagonist tamoxifen on allergic inflammation in intact mice was evaluated. Spleens from all groups were collected for proliferation assays and measurement of cytokine release.Results
Removal of the ovaries 7 days before sensitization to OVA significantly inhibited lung eosinophilia and IL‐5 levels in lung lavage. Furthermore, airway reactivity (maximum response) but not sensitivity (PC100) to methacholine were significantly reduced in these mice. Proliferation of spleen cells and release of IL‐5 collected from Ovx mice was significantly attenuated compared with spleen cells obtained from non‐Ovx mice. Ovx mice treated with oestradiol benzoate presented partially restored levels of eosinophils and IL‐5 in sensitized mice. Moreover, pharmacological antagonism of the effect of endogenous oestrogen with tamoxifen significantly reduced the number of eosinophils in the lung of intact sensitized mice, reproducing the effect of ovariectomy, and suggested a role for oestrogen in the process of antigen sensitization in female mice. In contrast, removal of ovaries 8 days after the first OVA injection failed to alter significantly pulmonary eosinophilia or AHR to methacholine in comparison with non‐Ovx mice. Moreover, removal of the ovaries 8 days after the sensitization period induced a significant increase in levels of IL‐5 in lung fluid. Spleen cells collected from these mice also had a significantly higher proliferation index and production of IL‐5 in response to OVA than non‐Ovx mice. Treatment with oestradiol benzoate partially reduced levels of eosinophils present in the lung of Ovx mice, supporting an anti‐inflammatory role of sex hormones during the effector phase of the response to inhaled antigen.Conclusion
Sex hormones play a dual role in regulating allergic lung inflammation in mice.
A comparative proteome analysis of human metaphase chromosomes isolated from two different cell lines reveals a set of conserved chromosome‐associated proteins
Authors: Takata Hideaki , Uchiyama Susumu , Nakamura Naoko , Nakashima Shoko , Kobayashi Shouhei , Sone Takefumi , Kimura Sumiko , Lahmers Sunshine , Granzier Henk , Labeit Siegfried , Matsunaga Sachihiro , Fukui Kiichi 
Published: March 2007

A comparative proteome analysis of human metaphase chromosomes between a typical epithelial‐like cell, HeLa S3, and a lymphoma‐type cell, BALL‐1, was performed. One‐dimensional (1‐D) SDS‐PAGE and radical‐free and highly reducing two‐dimensional electrophoresis (RFHR 2‐DE) detected more than 200 proteins from chromosomes isolated from HeLa S3 cells, among which 189 proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Consistent with our recent four‐layer structural model of a metaphase chromosome, all the identified proteins were grouped into four distinct levels of abundance. Both HeLa S3 and BALL‐1 chromosomes contained specific sets of abundant chromosome structural and peripheral proteins in addition to less abundant chromosome coating proteins (CCPs). Furthermore, titin array analysis and a proteome analysis of the ultra‐high molecular mass region indicated an absence of titin with their molecular weight (MW) more than 1000 kDa. Consequently, the present proteome analyses together with previous information on chromosome proteins provide the comprehensive list of proteins essential for the metaphase chromosome architecture.
The Impact of FCN2 Polymorphisms and Haplotypes on the Ficolin‐2 Serum Levels
Authors: Munthe‐Fog L. , Hummelshøj T. , Hansen B. E. , Koch C. , Madsen H. O. , Skjødt K. , Garred P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractFicolin‐2 (L‐ficolin), derived from the FCN2 gene, is an innate immunity pattern recognition molecule found in human serum in which inter‐individual variation in serum appears to be under genetic control. To validate and extend this finding, we developed a sandwich ELISA for detection of human Ficolin‐2 in serum samples and identified FCN2 genotypes with a Taq Man‐based minor groove binder assay and by sequencing. Serum samples were applied to gel‐permeation chromatography and fractions were analysed by an ELISA, SDS‐PAGE and subsequently Western blotting. In 214 Danish blood donors, the median Ficolin‐2 serum concentration was determined to 5.4 μg/ml (range: 1.0–12.2 μg/ml). An ELISA, SDS‐PAGE and Western blot analysis of gel‐permeation chromatography fractions showed that Ficolin‐2 comprises a mixture of covalently and non‐covalently linked Ficolin‐2 oligomers independent of the individual genotypes. The variation in serum concentration was associated with three polymorphisms in the promoter and one polymorphism in the structural part of the FCN2 gene. Further analysis indicated that two particular alleles on the same haplotype determined a low Ficolin‐2 concentration. Our results show that inter‐individual variation of Ficolin‐2 concentration is associated with polymorphisms in the promoter and the structural part of the FCN2 gene.
SA‐inducible Arabidopsis glutaredoxin interacts with TGA factors and suppresses JA‐responsive PDF1.2 transcription
Authors: Ndamukong Ivan , Abdallat Ayed Al , Thurow Corinna , Fode Benjamin , Zander Mark , Weigel Ralf , Gatz Christiane 
Published: March 2007

SummarySalicylic acid (SA) is a plant signaling molecule that mediates the induction of defense responses upon attack by a variety of pathogens. Moreover, it antagonizes gene induction by the stress signaling molecule jasmonic acid (JA). Several SA‐responsive genes are regulated by basic/leucine zipper‐type transcription factors of the TGA family. TGA factors interact with NPR1, a central regulator of many SA‐induced defense responses including SA/JA antagonism. In order to identify further regulatory proteins of SA‐dependent signaling pathways, a yeast protein interaction screen with tobacco TGA2.2 as bait and an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA prey library was performed and led to the identification of a member of the glutaredoxin family (GRX480, encoded by At1g28480). Glutaredoxins are candidates for mediating redox regulation of proteins because of their capacity to catalyze disulfide transitions. This agrees with previous findings that the redox state of both TGA1 and NPR1 changes under inducing conditions. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing GRX480 show near wild‐type expression of standard marker genes for SA‐ and xenobiotic‐inducible responses. In contrast, transcription of the JA‐dependent defensin gene PDF1.2 was antagonized by transgenic GRX480. This, together with the observation that GRX480 transcription is SA‐inducible and requires NPR1, suggests a role of GRX480 in SA/JA cross‐talk. Suppression of PDF1.2 by GRX480 depends on the presence of TGA factors, indicating that the GRX480/TGA interaction is effective in planta.
Energy and interspecific body size patterns of amphibian faunas in Europe and North America: anurans follow Bergmann's rule, urodeles its converse
Authors: Olalla‐Tárraga Miguel Á. , Rodríguez Miguel Á. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTAim  To describe broad‐scale geographical patterns of body size for European and North American amphibian faunas and to explore possible processes underlying these patterns. Specifically, we propose a heat balance hypothesis, as both heat conservation and heat gain determine the heat balance of ectotherms, and test it along with five other hypotheses that have a possible influence on body size gradients: size dependence, migration ability, primary productivity, seasonality and water availability.Location  Western Europe and North America north of Mexico.Methods  We processed distribution maps for native amphibian species to estimate the mean body size in 110 × 110 km cells and calculated eight environmental predictors to explore the relationship between environmental gradients and the observed patterns. We used least squares regression modelling and model selection approaches based on information theory to evaluate the relative support for each hypothesis.Results  We found consistent body size gradients and similar relationships to environmental variables within each amphibian group in Europe and North America. Annual potential evapotranspiration, a measure of environmental energy, was the strongest predictor of mean body size in both regions. However, the contrasting responses to ambient energy in each group resulted in opposite geographical patterns, i.e. anurans increased in size from high‐ to low‐energy areas in both continents and urodeles showed the opposite pattern.Main conclusions  Our results support the heat balance hypothesis, suggesting that the thermoregulatory abilities of anurans would allow them to reach larger sizes in colder climates by optimizing the trade‐off between heating and cooling rates, whereas a lack of such strategies among urodele faunas would explain why these organisms tend to be smaller in cooler areas. These findings may also have implications for the role of climate warming on the global decline of amphibians.
Management of women with abnormal cervical cytology: treatment patterns and associated costs in England and Wales
Authors: Martin‐Hirsch P , Rash B , Martin A , Standaert B 
Published: March 2007

Objective  To evaluate the time from abnormal Papanicolaou smear detected during routine screening to the initiation of investigation and treatment of subjects and to evaluate its related costs.Design  Retrospective study of clinical records from women with abnormal cervical smears.Setting  Six specialist gynaecology/colposcopy clinics in England and Wales.Sample  Six hundred subsequent women (100 per clinic) with first abnormal cervical smear result at the specialist gynaecology/colposcopy clinic.Methods  Details of all clinic visits, tests and procedures during 24 months starting from the first abnormal cervical smear were collected from the year 2002.Main outcome measures  Patterns of management after initial abnormal smear, time to start the investigation and/or treatment expressed in days/months and treatment costs by cytology and histology grades.Results  Significant age differences were observed between women with early grades of precancer lesions (32 years) and cancer (49 years) (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis of women younger than 26 years indicates a representation of this age group in all the histology grades including cancer. Median time to initiate the investigation and/or treatment was 50 days. In contrast, for 5% of women, delay in management lasted for >1 year. Colposcopy and repeated cervical smears were the most frequent systematic investigations performed, while the large loop excision of the transformation zone procedure was the principal therapeutic procedure. Analysis of average treatment costs by referral cytology showed small differences between the three grades of cytological diagnoses (mild dyskaryosis, £408.96; moderate dyskaryosis, £442.55 and severe dyskaryosis, £493.74). Analysis by histology grade showed that the cost for women with a negative result (£263.34) differed markedly from that for women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (CIN1, £419.39; CIN2, £572.29; and CIN3, £584.92).Conclusion  Time to investigation could be improved for a subgroup of women. Costs associated with investigation and treatment of women with abnormal cervical smears differ significantly between analyses by cytology and histology grade. This needs to be borne in mind when designing cost‐effectiveness studies of cervical screening.