title: Global competitiveness in the Datang hosiery cluster, Zhejiang

authors: Akoorie, Michèle E.M.

subjects: China

abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the development and characteristics of industrial clusters in the province of Zhejiang, China with particular emphasis on the hosiery industry in the town of Datang. 

Design/methodology/approach – The study used case study methodology and data triangulation techniques based on archival research and reports of statistical agencies both at central and local government level. 

Findings – Industry clusters assist in regional economic development by increasing local competitive advantages and creating an industrial regional identity through specialisation which attracts resources, labour and capital for investment. The industrial cluster in Datang has been stimulated by the local entrepreneurial climate, effective local networks and support from local government. 

Practical implications – The hosiery industrial cluster in Datang is in a less-developed rural region characterised by low-level labour intensive industrial activity. Their ability to compete internationally is hampered by low levels of innovation. The global networks are controlled by buyers of product. Design and/or innovation capability could be improved by developing strategic alliances with Italian producers in the same industry. 

Originality/value – This paper contributes to our understanding of the problems facing industrial clusters in provincial China which, as yet are unable to match the design and branding capabilities achieved by clusters in similar industries in Castel Goffredo (Italy) where outstanding design and branding have enabled them to build a dominant position in the European market in higher added-value products.

text: Global competitiveness in the Datang hosiery cluster, Zhejiang Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the development and characteristics of industrial clusters in the province of Zhejiang, China with particular emphasis on the hosiery industry in the town of Datang. 

Design/methodology/approach – The study used case study methodology and data triangulation techniques based on archival research and reports of statistical agencies both at central and local government level. 

Findings – Industry clusters assist in regional economic development by increasing local competitive advantages and creating an industrial regional identity through specialisation which attracts resources, labour and capital for investment. The industrial cluster in Datang has been stimulated by the local entrepreneurial climate, effective local networks and support from local government. 

Practical implications – The hosiery industrial cluster in Datang is in a less-developed rural region characterised by low-level labour intensive industrial activity. Their ability to compete internationally is hampered by low levels of innovation. The global networks are controlled by buyers of product. Design and/or innovation capability could be improved by developing strategic alliances with Italian producers in the same industry. 

Originality/value – This paper contributes to our understanding of the problems facing industrial clusters in provincial China which, as yet are unable to match the design and branding capabilities achieved by clusters in similar industries in Castel Goffredo (Italy) where outstanding design and branding have enabled them to build a dominant position in the European market in higher added-value products.

year: 2009

title: The Role of ELf5 in Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cells

authors: Redgate, Emma Louise

subjects: Trophoblast

abstract: Elf5 is a DNA transcription factor that has been identified as being involved in placentation of the early embryo. Elf5 is expressed in the extra embryonic ectoderm (ExE), a lineage that contributes to the placenta of the embryo. Pluripotent trophoblast stem (TS) cells can be derived from the ExE and can be cultured in vitro. Such cells can contribute to all the placental lineages when injected back into an embryo. Elf5 homozygous mutant embryos do not possess an ExE and trophoblast stem cells cannot be derived and the mutation is therefore embryonic lethal. When Elf5 is knocked out, the TS cells in the ExE are thought to differentiate into EPC/giant cells leading to the absence of the ExE. In previous experiments in this laboratory, potential Elf5 targets were identified by RNA interference in mouse trophoblast stem cells followed by global gene expression analysis using an Affymetrix array. In the present experiments these results have now been confirmed by siRNA induced knockdown of Elf5 in TS cells followed by quantitative real time PCR of potential target genes. Most of the target genes that were affected by Elf5 knockdown were changed in the same way by growth factor removal and therefore stem cell differentiation. This suggested that Elf5 usually acts to maintain the TS cells in a stem cell fate. As Elf5 is expressed in the ExE, whole mount In situ hybridisation was used to determine if the genes showed the correct spatial and temporal patterning to be in vivo relevant Elf5 targets. The targets that were down regulated upon Elf5 knockdown (and therefore positively regulated by Elf5) were expressed in the ExE as expected. Genes that were up-regulated upon Elf5 knockdown (and therefore usually repressed by Elf5) were expressed in the differentiated ectoplacental cone or giant cells. . Preliminary work was also carried out for the over-expression of Elf5 by a tamoxifen inducible Elf5. TS cells were stably transfected with a plasmid containing Elf5 fused to a tamoxifen inducible ERT2 receptor and a VP16 transcriptional activation domain to turn Elf5 into a potent activator, and were analysed for target gene expression.  Preliminary data showed that Elf5 is involved in a complex transcriptional network of events as the genes did not behave as expected when Elf5 was turned into an activator. The effect of Elf5 knockdown on TS cells has been studied closely in terms of morphology, proliferation, changes in DNA content and apoptosis. The knockdown of Elf5 caused an increase in the number of differentiated cells (as shown by changes in morphology and DNA content). This further supported the knockdown and in situ data. There was no change in proliferation or apoptosis.  These experiments which demonstrate which genes are regulated by Elf5 and the changes to TS cellular characteristics when Elf5 is knocked down, support the proposal that Elf5 acts as a trophoblast stem cell maintenance factor of the extraembryonic ectoderm of the mouse.

text: The Role of ELf5 in Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cells Elf5 is a DNA transcription factor that has been identified as being involved in placentation of the early embryo. Elf5 is expressed in the extra embryonic ectoderm (ExE), a lineage that contributes to the placenta of the embryo. Pluripotent trophoblast stem (TS) cells can be derived from the ExE and can be cultured in vitro. Such cells can contribute to all the placental lineages when injected back into an embryo. Elf5 homozygous mutant embryos do not possess an ExE and trophoblast stem cells cannot be derived and the mutation is therefore embryonic lethal. When Elf5 is knocked out, the TS cells in the ExE are thought to differentiate into EPC/giant cells leading to the absence of the ExE. In previous experiments in this laboratory, potential Elf5 targets were identified by RNA interference in mouse trophoblast stem cells followed by global gene expression analysis using an Affymetrix array. In the present experiments these results have now been confirmed by siRNA induced knockdown of Elf5 in TS cells followed by quantitative real time PCR of potential target genes. Most of the target genes that were affected by Elf5 knockdown were changed in the same way by growth factor removal and therefore stem cell differentiation. This suggested that Elf5 usually acts to maintain the TS cells in a stem cell fate. As Elf5 is expressed in the ExE, whole mount In situ hybridisation was used to determine if the genes showed the correct spatial and temporal patterning to be in vivo relevant Elf5 targets. The targets that were down regulated upon Elf5 knockdown (and therefore positively regulated by Elf5) were expressed in the ExE as expected. Genes that were up-regulated upon Elf5 knockdown (and therefore usually repressed by Elf5) were expressed in the differentiated ectoplacental cone or giant cells. . Preliminary work was also carried out for the over-expression of Elf5 by a tamoxifen inducible Elf5. TS cells were stably transfected with a plasmid containing Elf5 fused to a tamoxifen inducible ERT2 receptor and a VP16 transcriptional activation domain to turn Elf5 into a potent activator, and were analysed for target gene expression.  Preliminary data showed that Elf5 is involved in a complex transcriptional network of events as the genes did not behave as expected when Elf5 was turned into an activator. The effect of Elf5 knockdown on TS cells has been studied closely in terms of morphology, proliferation, changes in DNA content and apoptosis. The knockdown of Elf5 caused an increase in the number of differentiated cells (as shown by changes in morphology and DNA content). This further supported the knockdown and in situ data. There was no change in proliferation or apoptosis.  These experiments which demonstrate which genes are regulated by Elf5 and the changes to TS cellular characteristics when Elf5 is knocked down, support the proposal that Elf5 acts as a trophoblast stem cell maintenance factor of the extraembryonic ectoderm of the mouse.

year: 2010

title: Te Puni Rumaki – Strengthening Māori medium initial teacher education

authors: Tamatea, Karaitiana

abstract: The delivery of initial teacher education for Māori medium contexts in Aotearoa seeks to support the revitalization of the indigenous language and practices in collaboration with the current education system. This presentation introduces a research project begun early in 2013 with providers, student teachers, schools and communities involved in respective Māori medium programmes. This research project has a "positive output approach" where fundamental elements to the success of these various programmes are shared. The wide range of Māori medium initial teacher education settings is investigated. Consequences from the research findings will also be discussed.

text: Te Puni Rumaki – Strengthening Māori medium initial teacher education The delivery of initial teacher education for Māori medium contexts in Aotearoa seeks to support the revitalization of the indigenous language and practices in collaboration with the current education system. This presentation introduces a research project begun early in 2013 with providers, student teachers, schools and communities involved in respective Māori medium programmes. This research project has a "positive output approach" where fundamental elements to the success of these various programmes are shared. The wide range of Māori medium initial teacher education settings is investigated. Consequences from the research findings will also be discussed.

year: 2014