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Stores
Kinds of Stores Terms modified by Stores Selected AbstractsA Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Insensitive, Thapsigargin-Sensitive Ca2+ Store Reduces Basal Gonadotropin Exocytosis and Gene Expression: Comparison with Agonist-Sensitive Ca2+ StoresJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2003J. D. Johnson Abstract We examined whether distinct Ca2+ stores differentially control basal and gonadotropin (GTH-II)-releasing hormone (GnRH)-evoked GTH-II release, long-term GTH-II secretion and contents, and GTH-II- , mRNA expression in goldfish. Thapsigargin (Tg)-sensitive Ca2+ stores mediated neither caffeine-evoked GTH-II release, nor salmon (s)GnRH- and chicken (c)GnRH-II-stimulated secretion; the latter responses were previously shown to involve ryanodine (Ry)-sensitive Ca2+ stores. Surprisingly, Tg decreased basal GTH-II release. This response was attenuated by prior exposure to sGnRH and caffeine, but was insensitive to the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, the inhibitor of constitutive release brefeldin A and cGnRH-II. GTH-II- , mRNA expression was decreased at 24 h by 2 µm Tg, and by inhibiting (10 µm Ry) and stimulating (1 nm Ry) Ry receptors. Transient increases in GTH-II- , mRNA were observed at 2 h and 12 h following 10 µm and 1 nm Ry treatment, respectively. Effects of Tg, Ry and GnRH on long-term GTH-II secretion, contents and apparent production differed from one another, and these changes were not well correlated with changes in GTH-II- , mRNA expression. Our data show that GTH-II secretion, storage and transcription can be independently controlled by distinct Ca2+ stores. [source] Using Task Clarification, Checklists and Performance Feedback to Improve the Appearance of a Grocery StorePERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 2 2003Leslie Shier ABSTRACT An intervention package of task clarification, checklists, and posted performance feedback was developed to increase completion of tasks contributing to the appearance of a local grocery store. The intervention package was based on an informal diagnostic assessment that examined antecedents, equipment and processes, knowledge and skills, and consequences in the organizational environment. A multiple baseline design across five departments was utilized to evaluate the effects of the intervention package on employee cleaning behavior related to the appearance of the store. The results suggest overall improvement of task completion across the five departments observed, with substantial increases resulting from application of the intervention. The mean percentage of tasks completed in the deli department increased by 36%; by 93% in the meat department; by 38% in the frozen department; by 25% in the produce department; and by 34% in the front-end department. The average increase of task completion across departments was more than 45%. The results of this study are consistent with those of Anderson, Crowell, Hantula, and Siroky (1988), as well as with La Fleur and Hyten (1995), demonstrating that task clarification, checklists, and feedback have positive effects on work performance. [source] The Jack Woodford Press: Bestsellers at the Army Base, the Drug Store, and the Tourist Bookstore, 1946,1959THE JOURNAL OF POPULAR CULTURE, Issue 1 2007JAY A. GERTZMANArticle first published online: 24 JAN 200 First page of article [source] One Store, Two Employment Systems: Core, Periphery and Flexibility in China's Retail SectorBRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 1 2009Jos Gamble Research on ,flexible' or ,contingent work', derived primarily from manufacturing and production contexts in Western settings, has often been theorized in terms of a core-periphery model. Based upon ethnographic research on vendor representatives and regular store employees conducted at a multinational retail firm in China, we indicate that this model is insufficient to capture the complexity of employment arrangements in this context. This article delineates the coexistence of two employment systems and a quadrilateral relationship in which workers' interests sometimes overlap but often compete. Our research also indicates that institutional arrangements in China significantly affect the strategies that are open to firms and the consequent structure of employment relations. [source] The Monoammoniate of Lithium Borohydride, Li(NH3)BH4: An Effective Ammonia Storage CompoundCHEMISTRY - AN ASIAN JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Simon Abstract Store it up: The ammoniate, Li(NH3)BH4, has been prepared and fully characterized by Raman and NMR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The potential for its use as an ammonia store and a comparison to other ammonia storage materials is discussed. Lithium borohydride absorbs anhydrous ammonia to form four stable ammoniates; Li(NH3)nBH4, mono-, di-, tri-, and tertraammoniate. This paper focuses on the monoammoniate, Li(NH3)BH4, which is readily formed on exposure of LiBH4 to ammonia at room temperature and pressure. Ammonia loss from Li(NH3)BH4 commences around 40,°C and the compound transforms directly to LiBH4. The crystal structure of Li(NH3)BH4 is reported here for the first time. Its close structural relationship with LiBH4 provides a clear insight into the facile nature and mechanism of ammonia uptake and loss. These materials not only represent an excellent high weight-percent ammonia system but are also potentially important hydrogen stores. [source] Gel Strengthening Effect of Wood Extract on Surimi Produced from Mackerel Stored in IceJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2009A.K. Balange ABSTRACT:, The effect of ethanolic kiam wood extract (EKWE) and commercial tannin (CT) on the gel properties of surimi produced from mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) stored in ice for different times (0 to 12 d) was studied. During 12 d of iced storage, pH, total volatile base (TVB), trimethylamine (TMA), and trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptide contents as well as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of mackerel mince increased while myosin heavy chain (MHC) band intensity decreased continuously (P,< 0.05). The result suggested that deterioration, protein degradation, and lipid oxidation proceeded with increasing storage time. For corresponding surimi, TVB and TMA were almost removed and TBARS and TCA soluble peptide contents were decreased. Conversely, MHC became more concentrated. Decreases in gel-forming ability of surimi were observed when fish used as raw material were stored in ice for a longer time, regardless of EKWE or CT addition. Whiteness of surimi gel decreased and expressible moisture increased especially when the storage time increased. However, superior breaking force and deformation of surimi gel with 0.15% EKWE or 0.30% CT added, compared to those of the control gel were observed during the first 6 d of the storage. Thereafter, EKWE and CT had no gel enhancing effect on surimi. Therefore, freshness was a crucial factor determining gel enhancing ability of EKWE or CT toward mackerel surimi. [source] Growth and Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Different Types of Milk Stored at 4 °C or 20 °CJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2003Y. Mamani ABSTRACT: Samples of ultra heat-treated (UHT) milk (whole, semiskimmed, and skimmed milk, whole milk with cinnamon and lemon flavors, and semiskimmed milk with cocoa) were collected. Growth of E. coli O157:H7 was detected in whole milk at 4 °C (generation time 0.89 d) and in all milks at 20 °C during the first 24 h. Growth of nonpathogenice. coli was detected in milk samples without flavors during the same period of time. The fastest death time of E. coli O157:H7 was detected in whole milk with cinnamon and lemon at 4 °C (,1.35 d) The nonpathogenic strain showed the fastest death time in skimmed milk at 20 °C. [source] Chemical and Functional Properties of Oxidatively Modified Beef Heart Surimi Stored at 2 °CJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2000J.K. Parkington ABSTRACT: Beef heart surimi was prepared using 4 washing conditions: (1) sodium phosphate buffer alone, (2) buffer 1 NaCl, (3) buffer 1 propyl gallate, and (4) buffer 1 sodium tripolyphosphate. Surimi samples were stored at 2 8C and analyzed periodically for protein oxidation, emulsifying properties, and dynamic gelling characteristics. Degree of oxidation differed among washing treatments. Addition of propyl gallate and sodium tripolyphosphate inhibited lipid oxidation but did not prevent protein oxidation. Gel elasticity increased and emulsifying activity decreased for all surimi samples during storage, coinciding with myosin aggregation. Modification of beef heart surimi functionality can be achieved through different washing processes. [source] Helicobacter pylori Infection and Iron Stores: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisHELICOBACTER, Issue 5 2008Khitam Muhsen Abstract Background and Aims:, We carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the existing evidence on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron stores. Methods:, Twelve case reports and case series, 19 observational epidemiologic studies and six intervention trials were included in the review. Results:, Although only few studies controlled for multiple potential confounders, most studies reported a positive association, linking between H. pylori and decreased body iron stores in symptomatic and asymptomatic H. pylori -infected subjects. H. pylori infection may be regarded as a risk factor for reduction in body iron stores and also for iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, especially in high-risk groups. The results of the meta-analysis of thoroughly designed and analyzed studies revealed an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia; pooled odds ratio (OR) 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9, 4.2) and also for iron deficiency; pooled OR 1.38 (95%CI 1.16,1.65) among H. pylori -infected subjects. The biologic mechanism by which H. pylori induces the alteration in the iron stores is not fully understood, but it seems to involve several pathways, including gastrointestinal blood loss, decrease in the absorption of dietary iron, and enhanced uptake of the iron by the bacterium. Conclusions:,H. pylori is associated with reduced iron stores. Future research is needed to determine whether this relationship is a causal association and to better understand its biologic mechanism. The impact of anti- H. pylori therapy on improvement of iron stores needs to be further evaluated in large and well-controlled trials. [source] The Hypothesis,Testing Ordering System: A New Competitive Weapon of Japanese Convenience Stores in a New Digital EraINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, Issue 4 2002Susumu OgawaArticle first published online: 17 DEC 200 This study focuses on the store,ordering system practiced by Japanese convenience stores. The article examines (1) the conceptual categorization of such ordering systems, (2) the history of the system development at three major convenience stores, and (3) the characteristics of 7,Eleven's development that led the way toward an innovative ordering system. [source] An empirical investigation of Wal-Mart's expansion into food retailingAGRIBUSINESS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010Alessandro Bonanno After revolutionizing the concept of mass merchandising with its Discount Stores, Wal-Mart has entered food retailing with its Supercenters, and has become the largest food retailer in the United States. Despite its relevance, little empirical research has focused on explaining the company's entry and expansion into food retailing. Wal-Mart's expansion into food retailing through its store conversion strategy is analyzed using an industrial organization entry framework. The results show that Wal-Mart's store conversion strategy has targeted largely populated areas with low population density, a high percentage of population receiving food stamps, and where the presence of incumbents is modest. The results also provide evidence that as the company moves toward saturation of local markets and increases store conversion rates, it may be forced to reconsider some of its strategic decisions based on the exploitation of economies of density and store conversion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] A Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Insensitive, Thapsigargin-Sensitive Ca2+ Store Reduces Basal Gonadotropin Exocytosis and Gene Expression: Comparison with Agonist-Sensitive Ca2+ StoresJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2003J. D. Johnson Abstract We examined whether distinct Ca2+ stores differentially control basal and gonadotropin (GTH-II)-releasing hormone (GnRH)-evoked GTH-II release, long-term GTH-II secretion and contents, and GTH-II- , mRNA expression in goldfish. Thapsigargin (Tg)-sensitive Ca2+ stores mediated neither caffeine-evoked GTH-II release, nor salmon (s)GnRH- and chicken (c)GnRH-II-stimulated secretion; the latter responses were previously shown to involve ryanodine (Ry)-sensitive Ca2+ stores. Surprisingly, Tg decreased basal GTH-II release. This response was attenuated by prior exposure to sGnRH and caffeine, but was insensitive to the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, the inhibitor of constitutive release brefeldin A and cGnRH-II. GTH-II- , mRNA expression was decreased at 24 h by 2 µm Tg, and by inhibiting (10 µm Ry) and stimulating (1 nm Ry) Ry receptors. Transient increases in GTH-II- , mRNA were observed at 2 h and 12 h following 10 µm and 1 nm Ry treatment, respectively. Effects of Tg, Ry and GnRH on long-term GTH-II secretion, contents and apparent production differed from one another, and these changes were not well correlated with changes in GTH-II- , mRNA expression. Our data show that GTH-II secretion, storage and transcription can be independently controlled by distinct Ca2+ stores. [source] Classification and design of teledermatology practice: What dermatoses?JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Which technology to apply? Abstract Dermatologists are mostly confined to urban regions and rural population is deprived of specialist care. Teledermatology Practice (TDP) is a solution to overcome this global problem. Tools for TDP includes video conference, store and forward, hybrid, mobile, satellite communication, integration model, nurse-led teledermatology, teledermatology focusing on difficult-to-manage cases, teledermoscopy, and teledermatopathology with combined applications. This article reviews the feasibility studies focusing teledermatology tools and analyses the possible options in designing TDP. Categorizing dermatoses for TDP depends on the purpose and types of technology. The dermatoses presenting from a remote geographic regions requires any of the following approaches (i) only TDP, (b) initial TDP followed by face-to-face, (iii) initial face-to-face followed by TDP and (iv) only face-to-face examination. The technology should suit the dermatoses, meet the purpose, be cost-effective and provide better management with follow-up care. We recommend store and forward as a basic TDP model as most dermatoses are diagnosed and follow-up care is delivered. Leprosy, pigmented skin lesions, leg ulcers, HIV and endemic dermatoses require screening and triage services using mobile teledermatology. Counselling and education require videoconference. Rural dermatology's camps require satellite communication mounted on a vehicle. Objective assessment (vitiligo and leg ulcer) after treatment requires integration model at a tertiary centre. Difficult-to-manage cases require second opinion using hybrid/store and forward TDP. Lower rural centre are provided with mobile/ store and forward teledermatology services. Selected or major community centre should be equipped with hybrid teledermatology and linked to a tertiary centre. This process helps healthcare administration to plan a TDP to cover all dermatoses, utilizing the available health care professional (HCP) and technology with minimum budget investment. Conflicts of interest None declared. [source] Regulation of glucose transporter 4 traffic by energy deprivation from mitochondrial compromiseACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009A. Klip Abstract Skeletal muscle is the major store and consumer of fatty acids and glucose. Glucose enters muscle through glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Upon insufficient oxygen availability or energy compromise, aerobic metabolism of glucose and fatty aids cannot proceed, and muscle cells rely on anaerobic metabolism of glucose to restore cellular energy status. An increase in glucose uptake into muscle is a key response to stimuli requiring rapid energy supply. This chapter analyses the mechanisms of the adaptive regulation of glucose transport that rescue muscle cells from mitochondrial uncoupling. Under these conditions, the initial drop in ATP recovers rapidly, through a compensatory increase in glucose uptake. This adaptive response involves AMPK activation by the initial ATP drop, which elevates cell surface GLUT4 and glucose uptake. The gain in surface GLUT4 involves different signals and routes of intracellular traffic compared with those engaged by insulin. The hormone increases GLUT4 exocytosis through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt, whereas energy stress retards GLUT4 endocytosis through AMPK and calcium inputs. Given that energy stress is a component of muscle contraction, and that contraction activates AMPK and raises cytosolic calcium, we hypothesize that the increase in glucose uptake during contraction may also involve a reduction in GLUT4 endocytosis. [source] Regulation of early response genes in pancreatic acinar cells: external calcium and nuclear calcium signalling aspectsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009N. Fedirko Abstract Nuclear calcium signalling has been an important topic of investigation for many years and some aspects have been the subject of debate. Our data from isolated nuclei suggest that the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are open even after depletion of the Ca2+ store in the nuclear envelope (NE). The NE contains ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors [Ins(1,4,5)P3Rs], most likely on both sides of the NE and these can be activated separately and independently: the RyRs by either NAADP or cADPR, and the Ins(1,4,5)P3Rs by Ins(1,4,5)P3. We have also investigated the possible consequences of nuclear calcium signals: the role of Ca2+ in the regulation of immediate early genes (IEG): c-fos, c-myc and c-jun in pancreatic acinar cells. Stimulation with Ca2+ -mobilizing agonists induced significant increases in levels of expression. Cholecystokinin (CCK) (10 nm) evoked a substantial rise in the expression levels, highly dependent on external Ca2+: the IEG expression level was lowest in Ca2+ -free solution, increased at the physiological level of 1 mm [Ca2+]o and was maximal at 10 mm [Ca2+]o, i.e.: 102 ± 22% and 163 ± 15% for c-fos; c-myc ,73 ± 13% and 106 ± 24%; c-jun ,49 ± 8% and 59 ± 9% at 1 and 10 mm of extracellular Ca2+ respectively. A low CCK concentration (10 pm) induced a small increase in expression. We conclude that extracellular Ca2+ together with nuclear Ca2+ signals induced by CCK play important roles in the induction of IEG expression. [source] INJUSTICE AND IRRATIONALITY IN CONTEMPORARY YOUTH POLICYCRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 4 2004DONNA M. BISHOP Lionel Tate was 12 years old when he killed 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick. Tiffany had been staying at the Tate home and, by all accounts, got along well with Lionel. The two were playing at "wrestling" when Lionel decided to try out some moves that he had seen on television. He threw Tiffany across the room, inflicting fatal injuries. Despite the boy's tender age, the prosecutor transferred Lionel to criminal court on a charge of first-degree murder, an offense carrying a mandatory penalty of life without parole. The boy was given an opportunity to plead guilty to second-degree murder in return for a sentence of three years incarceration, but he rejected the offer. A jury subsequently convicted him of first-degree murder. At sentencing, the prosecution recommended leniency, which drew an angry response from the judge: If the state believed the boy did not deserve to be sent to prison for life, why hadn't it charged him with a lesser offense? Without any inquiry into the boy's cognitive, emotional, or moral maturity, the judge imposed the mandatory sentence.1 Raymond Gardner was 16 years old when he shot and killed 20-year-old Mack Robinson.2 Raymond lived in a violent urban neighborhood with his mother, who kept close watch over him. He had no prior record. He was an A student and worked part-time in a clothing store to earn money for college. On the day of the shooting, a friend came into the store to tell Raymond that Mack had a beef with him about talking to a girl, and was "looking to get him." The victim was known on the street as "Mack the Knife" because he always carried a small machete and was believed to have stabbed several people. To protect himself on the way home, Raymond took the gun kept under the counter of the shop where he worked. As he neared home, Mack and two other men approached and blocked his path. According to eyewitness testimony, Raymond began shaking, then pulled out the gun and fired. Mack ran into the street and fell. Raymond followed and fired five more shots into the victim's back as he lay dying on the ground. Raymond did not run. He just stood there crying. The prosecutor filed a motion in juvenile court to transfer Raymond on a charge of first-degree murder. The judge ordered a psychological evaluation, which addressed the boy's family and social background, medical and behavioral history, intelligence, maturity, potential for future violence and prospects for treatment. The judge subsequently denied the transfer motion. He found Raymond delinquent and committed him to a private psychiatric treatment facility.3 [source] Customer Learning Processes, Strategy Selection, and Performance in Business-to-Business Service Firms,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 2 2004Debra Zahay ABSTRACT Learning about customers takes place through relevant dialogues with those customers, also known as customer relationship management (CRM). As relationships develop, information about the customer is gathered in the firm's customer information systems (CIS): the content, processes, and assets associated with gathering and moving customer information throughout the firm. This research develops a measure of CIS management capabilities based on learning organization theory and measured by the ability to get, store, move, and use information throughout the business unit. This measure is then used to analyze customer learning processes and associated performance in the context of marketing strategic decision making. This study of 209 business services firms finds that generic marketing strategy positioning (low-cost and differentiation) and the marketing tactics of personalization and customization are related to CIS development. Customer information systems development in turn is associated with higher levels of customer-based performance, which in turn is associated with increased business growth. Since the strongest association with customer-based performance is strategy selection, the long-term benefits of the knowledge gained from the CIS may be in the ability to assist in measuring customer-based performance, rather than in the ability to immediately contribute to performance. Finally, for these firms, customization and personalization are not directly associated with performance and thus may not be necessary to support every firm's marketing strategy. [source] Psychological resilience and neurocognitive performance in a traumatized community sample,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 8 2010Aliza P. Wingo M.D. Abstract Background: Whether psychological resilience correlates with neurocognitive performance is largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed association between neurocognitive performance and resilience in individuals with a history of childhood abuse or trauma exposure. Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 226 highly traumatized civilians, we assessed neurocognitive performance, history of childhood abuse and other trauma exposure, and current depressive and PTSD symptoms. Resilience was defined as having ,1 trauma and no current depressive or PTSD symptoms; non-resilience as having ,1 trauma and current moderate/severe depressive or PTSD symptoms. Results: The non-resilient group had a higher percentage of unemployment (P=.006) and previous suicide attempts (P<.0001) than the resilient group. Both groups had comparable education and performance on verbal reasoning, nonverbal reasoning, and verbal memory. However, the resilient group performed better on nonverbal memory (P=.016) with an effect size of .35. Additionally, more severe childhood abuse or other trauma exposure was significantly associated with non-resilience. Better nonverbal memory was significantly associated with resilience even after adjusting for severity of childhood abuse, other trauma exposure, sex, and race using multiple logistic regression (adjusted OR=1.2; P=.017). Conclusions: We examined resilience as absence of psychopathology despite trauma exposure in a highly traumatized, low socioeconomic, urban population. Resilience was significantly associated with better nonverbal memory, a measure of ability to code, store, and visually recognize concrete and abstract pictorial stimuli. Nonverbal memory may be a proxy for emotional learning, which is often dysregulated in stress-related psychopathology, and may contribute to our understanding of resilience. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The role of remote community stores in reducing the harm resulting from tobacco to Aboriginal peopleDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2006ROWENA G. IVERS Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the potential for reducing the harm resulting from tobacco use through health promotion programmes run in community stores in remote Aboriginal communities. The Tobacco Project utilised data from 111 stakeholder interviews (72 at baseline and 71 at follow-up after 12 months) assessing presence of sales to minors, tobacco advertising, labelling and pricing. It also involved the assessment of observational data from community stores and comments obtained from 29 tobacco vendors derived from community surveys. Sales of tobacco to minors were not reported in community stores and all stores complied with requirements to display the legislated signage. However, tobacco was accessible to minors through a vending machine and through independent vendors. Only one store displayed tobacco advertising; all stores had displayed anti-tobacco health promotion posters or pamphlets. Pricing policies in two stores may have meant that food items effectively subsidised the cost of tobacco. All stores had unofficial no-smoking policies in accessible parts of the store. Remote community stores complied with existing legislation, aside from allowing access of minors to vending machines. There may still be potential for proactive tobacco education campaigns run through community stores and for a trial assessing the effect of changes in tobacco prices on tobacco consumption. [source] What Happens When Wal-Mart Comes to Town: An Empirical Analysis of the Discount Retailing IndustryECONOMETRICA, Issue 6 2008Panle Jia In the past few decades multistore retailers, especially those with 100 or more stores, have experienced substantial growth. At the same time, there is widely reported public outcry over the impact of these chain stores on other retailers and local communities. This paper develops an empirical model to assess the impact of chain stores on other discount retailers and to quantify the size of the scale economies within a chain. The model has two key features. First, it allows for flexible competition patterns among all players. Second, for chains, it incorporates the scale economies that arise from operating multiple stores in nearby regions. In doing so, the model relaxes the commonly used assumption that entry in different markets is independent. The lattice theory is exploited to solve this complicated entry game among chains and other discount retailers in a large number of markets. It is found that the negative impact of Kmart's presence on Wal-Mart's profit was much stronger in 1988 than in 1997, while the opposite is true for the effect of Wal-Mart's presence on Kmart's profit. Having a chain store in a market makes roughly 50% of the discount stores unprofitable. Wal-Mart's expansion from the late 1980s to the late 1990s explains about 40,50% of the net change in the number of small discount stores and 30,40% for all other discount stores. Scale economies were important for Wal-Mart, but less so for Kmart, and the magnitude did not grow proportionately with the chains' sizes. [source] Oxidative stability of Echium plantagineum seed oil bodiesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2010David A. Gray Abstract Echium plantagineum seed contains a highly polyunsaturated oil (approximately 14% linoleic acid, 10% ,-linolenic acid, 33% ,-linolenic acid and 14% stearidonic acid); almost half of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids, so there is an interest in the possible health benefits of this oil, which, once extracted, is prone to oxidation. For the first time in reported literature, oil bodies (OBs), the organelles that store the oil in mature seed, were recovered from E. plantagineum seeds. The oxidative stability of these organelles ex vivo, dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase, was tested against processed E. plantagineum oil emulsions stabilised with either SDS or Tween 20. For both primary and secondary oxidation products the OBs were the most stable form of dispersed oil, and the dispersed systems were all more stable than bulk E. plantagineum oil after incubating at 40°C for 7 days. The possible reasons for the enhanced chemical stability of E. plantagineum OBs are explored in this paper. Practical applications: OBs, the natural store of oil in oilseeds, can be recovered from seeds intact and are relatively stable to oxidation ex vivo. Echium seed OBs, enriched in physiologically active omega-3 fatty acids, therefore offer an attractive alternative to traditional oil extraction methods and overcome the need to encapsulate the omega-3 rich oil. [source] A prototype store choice and location modelling system using Dempster,Shafer theoryEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2002Malcolm Beynon This paper concerns the study of destination choice modelling, more specifically identifying within some area (e.g. a city) the region where a particular store is the most favourable to be visited by individuals. An influence measure is constructed for each individual, which incorporates the modern technique known as Dempster,Shafer theory. Based on the evidence of the shopping destinations of individuals, geographical regions are found for levels of largest belief and plausibility (within Dempster,Shafer theory) for specific stores being the most favourable to visit. Additionally, this method may be used to identify the possible position of new stores, based on regions of most uncertainty or conflict in store choice. A prototype choice modelling system is introduced to enable the series of associated results to be easily visualized and analysed. [source] Retail Store Lighting for Elderly Consumers: An Experimental ApproachFAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007Nam-Kyu Park The study presents an investigation of the influence of the color of light on readability by figure to background value contrast, color perception, and overall room-light estimation for elderly consumers in an experimental setting representing a retail store. A factorial design with repeated measures was used to identify the impact of three independent variables: (a) lamp color temperatures, (b) lamp color-rendering properties, and (c) age of the participants. The results show that older adults perceived the higher color temperature light source as less cool than did younger adults. Older adults rated their level of comfort and preference higher than the younger participants under all lighting conditions. Regarding readability, higher color-rendering light sources provide better readability, and older adults have more difficulty with warmer lighting when value contrasts were reduced. Implications from this study can be applied to retail lighting techniques to attract elderly consumers. [source] Voltage- and Ca2+ -activated potassium channels in Ca2+ store control Ca2+ releaseFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 15 2006Masayuki Yamashita Ca2+ release from Ca2+ stores is a ,quantal' process; it terminates after a rapid release of stored Ca2+. To explain the quantal nature, it has been supposed that a decrease in luminal Ca2+ acts as a ,brake' on store release. However, the mechanism for the attenuation of Ca2+ efflux remains unknown. We show that Ca2+ release is controlled by voltage- and Ca2+ -activated potassium channels in the Ca2+ store. The potassium channel was identified as the big or maxi-K (BK)-type, and was activated by positive shifts in luminal potential and luminal Ca2+ increases, as revealed by patch-clamp recordings from an exposed nuclear envelope. The blockage or closure of the store BK channel due to Ca2+ efflux developed lumen-negative potentials, as revealed with an organelle-specific voltage-sensitive dye [DiOC5(3); 3,3'-dipentyloxacarbocyanine iodide], and suppressed Ca2+ release. The store BK channels are reactivated by Ca2+ uptake by Ca2+ pumps regeneratively with K+ entry to allow repetitive Ca2+ release. Indeed, the luminal potential oscillated bistably by ,45 mV in amplitude. Our study suggests that Ca2+ efflux-induced store BK channel closures attenuate Ca2+ release with decreases in counter-influx of K+. [source] Seasonal nitrogen storage and remobilization in the forb Rumex acetosaFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2001U. Bausenwein Summary 1,The contribution of N storage and remobilization to the vegetative and reproductive growth of the forb Rumex acetosa was quantified using 15N labelling techniques with plants derived from semi-natural grasslands in Scotland. 2,The contribution of remobilized N to the total N in the new above-ground tissues was highest at the beginning of the growing season at 58%. New leaves and reproductive organs contained equal amounts of remobilized N. 3,During early vegetative growth, the taproot was the main source of remobilized N, whereas during reproductive growth, N was additionally remobilized from fine roots and leaves. 4,Free amino acids (mainly arginine and glutamine) and proteins were identified as the main storage compounds in the taproots. The protein pool did not show any seasonal variations that indicated the existence of a vegetative storage protein, indicating that such proteins are not a necessary component of N storage/remobilization in all species. 5,The ability to store and remobilize N provides a mechanism for growth in the spring when the availability of soil N is low, and means that growth depends upon environmental conditions during more than one year. [source] Gq/11-induced intracellular calcium mobilization mediates Per2 acute induction in Rat-1 fibroblastsGENES TO CELLS, Issue 9 2006Naoyuki Takashima Phase resetting is one of the essential properties of circadian clocks that is required for the adjustment to a particular environment and the induction of Per1 and Per2 clock genes is believed to be a primary molecular event during this process. Although the intracellular signal transduction pathway underlying Per1 gene activation has been well characterized, the mechanisms that control Per2 up-regulation have not yet been elucidated. In our present study, we demonstrate that Gq/11 coupled receptors mediate serum-induced immediate rat Per2 (rPer2) transactivation in Rat-1 fibroblasts via intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Stimulation of these cells with a high concentration of serum was found to rapidly increase the intracellular Ca2+ levels and strongly up-regulated rPer2 gene. rPer2 induction by serum stimulation was abrogated by intracellular Ca2+ chelation and depletion of intracellular Ca2+ store, which suggests that the calcium mobilization is necessary for the up-regulation of rPer2 gene. In addition, suppression of Gq/11 function was observed to inhibit both Ca2+ mobilization and rPer2 induction. Further, we demonstrated that endothelin-induced acute rPer2 transactivation via Gq/11-coupled endothelin receptors is also suppressed by a Gq/11 specific inhibitor. These findings together suggest that serum and endothelin utilize a common Gq/11-PLC mediated pathway for the transactivation of rPer2, which involves the mobilization of calcium from the intracellular calcium store. [source] Paleosols in Central Illinois as Potential Sources of Ammonium in GroundwaterGROUND WATER MONITORING & REMEDIATION, Issue 4 2009Justin J. G. Glessner Glacially buried paleosols of pre-Holocene age were evaluated as potential sources for anomalously large concentrations of ammonium in groundwater in East Central Illinois. Ammonium has been detected at concentrations that are problematic to water treatment facilities (greater than 2.0 mg/L) in this region. Paleosols characterized for this study were of Quaternary age, specifically Robein Silt samples. Paleosol samples displayed significant capacity to both store and release ammonium through experiments measuring processes of sorption, ion exchange, and weathering. Bacteria and fungi within paleosols may significantly facilitate the leaching of ammonium into groundwater by the processes of assimilation and mineralization. Bacterial genetic material (DNA) was successfully extracted from the Robein Silt, purified, and amplified by polymerase chain reaction to produce 16S rRNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) community analyses. The Robein Silt was found to have established diverse and viable bacterial communities. 16S rRNA TRFLP comparisons to well-known bacterial species yielded possible matches with facultative chemolithotrophs, cellulose consumers, nitrate reducers, and actinomycetes. It was concluded that the Robein Silt is both a source and reservoir for groundwater ammonium. Therefore, the occurrence of relatively large concentrations of ammonium in groundwater monitoring data may not necessarily be an indication of only anthropogenic contamination. The results of this study, however, need to be placed in a hydrological context to better understand whether paleosols can be a significant source of ammonium to drinking water supplies. [source] Retrograde amnesia and the volume of critical brain structuresHIPPOCAMPUS, Issue 8 2003M.D. Kopelman Abstract There are many controversies concerning the structural basis of retrograde amnesia (RA). One view is that memories are held briefly within a medial temporal store ("hippocampal complex") before being "consolidated" or reorganised within temporal neocortex and/or networks more widely distributed within the cerebral cortex. An alternative view is that the medial temporal lobes are always involved in the storage and retrieval (reactivation) of autobiographical memories (multiple trace theory). The present study used quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 40 patients with focal pathology/volume loss in different sites, to examine the correlates of impairment on three different measures of RA. The findings supported the view that widespread neural networks are involved in the storage and retrieval of autobiographical and other remote memories. Brain volume measures in critical structures could account for 60% of variance on autobiographical memory measures (for incidents and facts) in diencephalic patients and for 60,68% of variance in patients with frontal lesions. Significant correlations with medial temporal lobe volume were found only in the diencephalic group, in whom they were thought to reflect thalamic changes, but not in patients with herpes encephalitis or hypoxia in whom the temporal lobes were particularly implicated. The latter finding fails to support one of the main predictions of multiple trace theory, as presently expounded. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The impact on histopathology practice of new human tissue legislation in the UKHISTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2006J C E Underwood The undisclosed or unauthorized retention of tissue from autopsies in the UK and elsewhere has caused considerable public concern and much distress to some families. Histopathologists involved in these cases have also been discomfited. These events have exposed deficiencies in prevailing legislation, principally in the Human Tissue Act 1961 and the Coroners Rules 1984. New human tissue legislation comes into force in the UK in September 2006. The Human Tissue Act 2004 and the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006 make it unlawful to remove, store and use tissue from the dead without appropriate authority. The Human Tissue Act 2004, which does not apply in Scotland, also prohibits the removal, storage and use of tissue from living individuals for purposes specified in the Act unless appropriate consent has been obtained. The Coroners (Amendment) Rules 2005, which came into force in June 2005, introduced new arrangements for dealing with the retention of tissue from bodies undergoing coroner's autopsies. This new legislative regime is intended to create a climate in which pathologists, patients and the public can have confidence that tissue is used appropriately and, when necessary, with proper authority or valid consent. However, other than in Scotland, there may be unintended consequences arising from restrictions on archiving, for audit and diagnostic review, tissue samples from coronial autopsies. [source] Observing Purchase-Related Parent,Child Communication in Retail Environments: A Developmental and Socialization PerspectiveHUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH, Issue 1 2008Moniek Buijzen In a quantitative observation study, we unobtrusively examined purchase-related communication between 0- to 12-year-old children and their parents (N= 269 dyads) during supermarket and toy store visits. The aims of the study were to determine (a) the development of purchase-related parent,child communication (i.e., children's purchase influence attempts, their coercive behavior, parent-initiated communication) and (b) the relative influence of different socialization variables (e.g., television viewing, family communication patterns) on these communication variables. Our inverted-U hypothesis for the effect of developmental level on purchase influence attempts received support: Children's purchase influence attempts increased until early elementary school and started to decline in late elementary school. Our inverted-U hypothesis for the effect of developmental level on coercive behavior was also supported: Children's coercive behavior was highest among preschoolers. With increasing age, children were more likely to be involved in the purchase decision-making process, and parent,child communication more often resulted in a product purchase. Finally, children's television viewing was the most important (positive) predictor of their purchase influence attempts. Résumé L'observation dans des environnements commerciaux de la communication parent-enfant liée à l,achat: Une perspective du développement et de la socialisation Dans une étude quantitative par observation, nous avons discrètement examiné la communication liée à l'achat entre des enfants de 0 à 12 ans et leurs parents (N= 269 dyades) au cours de visites dans des supermarchés et des boutiques de jouets. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de déterminer a) le développement de la communication parent-enfant liée à l,achat (c.-à-d. les tentatives des enfants d'influencer l,achat, leur comportement coercitif ainsi que la communication initiée par le parent) et b) l'influence relative de différentes variables de socialisation (par exemple l'écoute de la télévision ou les schémas de communication familiaux) sur ces variables communicationnelles. Notre hypothèse en U inversé concernant l,effet du niveau de développement sur les tentatives d'influence d,achat fut appuyée : les tentatives des enfants d'influencer les achats ont augmenté jusqu,au début de l'école élémentaire et ont commencéà décliner à la fin de l'école élémentaire. Notre hypothèse en U inversé supposant des effets du niveau de développement sur le comportement coercitif fut aussi appuyée : le comportement coercitif fut le plus élevé chez les enfants d'âge préscolaire. Plus l'âge augmentait et plus les enfants étaient susceptibles d'être impliqués dans le processus décisionnel d'achat, et la communication parent-enfant résultait plus souvent en l,achat d'un produit. Finalement, l'écoute télévisuelle des enfants était la variable explicative (positive) la plus importante de leurs tentatives d,influence des achats. Abstract Beobachtung von kaufbezogener Elternteil-Kind-Kommunikation in Einzelhandelsumgebungen: Eine Entwicklungs- und Sozialisationsperspektive In einer quantitativen Beobachtungsstudie untersuchten wir verdeckt die kaufbezogene Kommunikation zwischen Kindern (0-12 Jahre) und einem Elternteil (N=269 Dyaden) während ihres Besuchs im Supermarkt oder Spielzeugladen. Ziele der Studie waren: a) die Entwicklung von kaufbezogener Kommunikation zwischen Elternteil und Kind und b) den relativen Einfluss verschiedener Sozialisationsvariablen (z.B. Fernsehnutzung, Familienkommunikationsmuster) auf diese Variablen zu untersuchen. Unsere umgekehrte U-Hypothese bezüglich des Einflusses des Entwicklungsstadiums auf den Grad der Einflussnahmeversuche auf den Kauf wurde gestützt: Die Einflussnahmeversuche nahmen bis zur frühen Grundschulzeit zu und gingen in der späten Grundschulzeit zurück. Unsere umgekehrte U-Hypothese bezüglich des Einflusses des Entwicklungsstadiums auf erzwingendes Verhalten wurde auch bestätigt: erzwingendes Verhalten von Kindern war am stärksten im Vorschulalter. Mit zunehmendem Alter wurden Kinder mehr in Kaufentscheidungsprozesse einbezogenen und die Eltern-Kind-Kommunikation resultierte häufiger im Kauf des Produkts. Letztendlich zeigte sich, dass das Fernsehnutzungsverhalten der Kinder der wichtigste (positive) Prädiktor für Kaufeinflussversuche war. Resumen Observando la Comunicación entre Padres y Niños durante las Compras en los Ambientes de Venta al por Menor: Una Perspectiva de Desarrollo y Socialización En un estudio de observación cuantitativa, examinamos de manera discreta la comunicación relacionada con la compra entre niños de 0- a 12-anos de edad y sus padres (N= 269 dúos) durante sus visitas al supermercado y las tiendas de juguetes. Los propósitos de este estudio fueron determinar (a) el desarrollo de la comunicación entre padres e hijos durante las compras (a saber, los intentos de los niños de influir en la compra, el comportamiento coercitivo, la comunicación iniciada por los padres), y (b) la influencia relativa de las diferentes variables de socialización (a saber, exposición a la televisión, pautas de comunicación familiar) sobre estas variables de comunicación. Nuestra hipótesis U invertida para los efectos del nivel de desarrollo sobre los intentos de influencia de compra recibieron apoyo: Los intentos de los niños de influir en la compra incrementaron hasta antes de la escuela primaria y comenzó a declinar más tarde en la escuela primaria. Nuestra hipótesis U invertida para los efectos del nivel de desarrollo sobre el comportamiento coercitivo recibieron apoyo: El comportamiento coercitivo fue mayor durante la etapa pre-escolar. Con el aumento de la edad, los niños se involucraron más probablemente en el proceso de decisión de compra, y la comunicación padre-hijo resultó más a menudo en la compra de un producto. Finalmente, la exposición de los niños a la televisión fue el vaticinador más importante (positivo) de sus intentos de influencia de compra. ZhaiYao Yo yak [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||