bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reexamination of stock liquidity risk with a relative measure
Authors: Uddin Hamid
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Negative relationship between the return of a stock and its liquidity suggests that the illiquid stocks are riskier than liquid stocks. Thus, researchers tend to include the stock liquidity as a variable in asset pricing models, where the stock and market liquidities are usually considered as independent. The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the relationship between the return of a stock and its liquidity by using a relative measure that links the individual stock liquidity with market‐wide liquidity.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate regressions are employed to examine the effect of relative market liquidity on the stock return while controlling the effects of other factors.

Findings

Negative relationship between the stock return and liquidity is confirmed, but the relationship is not linear. It is found that the relative measure of liquidity is not a substitute, but complement to other liquidity measures used in prior studies. It is also found that fluctuation in relative stock liquidity does not positively affect the return.

Research limitations/implications

The study is conducted on New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange exchanges using monthly data. The robustness tests using the daily or weekly data are not conducted.

Practical implications

Findings may suggest that investors do not seriously concern about the fluctuations of individual stock liquidity, provided that the stock liquidity is higher than the average market liquidity.

Originality/value

For the first time, the liquidity risk is tested using a relative measure instead of an absolute measure. Since fluctuation in stock liquidity does not positively affect the return, a new question arises whether the variability in liquidity can reflect the liquidity risk.
The effects of macroeconomic factors on stock returns: Istanbul Stock Market
Authors: Rjoub Husam , Türsoy Turgut , Günsel Nil
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of the arbitrage pricing theory (APT) in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) on a monthly basis, for the period January 2001 to September 2005.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines six pre‐specified macroeconomic variables which are: the term structure of interest rate, unanticipated inflation, risk premium, exchange rate and money supply. All these are the same as those used by Chen, Roll and Roll for the US market. In this study, the authors develop one more variable namely unemployment rate, which has a relation with the stock return.

Findings

Using the OLS technique, the authors observed that there are some differences among the market portfolios. Before starting to comment on the result of OLS, the serial correlation problem was discussed by using Durbin‐Watson statistics. In this study, the critical values were ranged from between 1.33 and 1.81 (T=57, K=6). Our test results confirmed that in ten out of the 13 there were no serial correlations. Our results show that there are big differences among market portfolios against macroeconomic variables through the variation of R2. In the remaining portfolios; there was no evidence to suggest.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the authors face a problem that was no corporate bond in Turkey's market.

Originality/value

This analysis appears to be the first empirical test of APT using the CAPM formula for finding the risk premium point for ISE.
Strategic alignment of HRM practices in manufacturing SMEs: aGestaltsperspective
Authors: Fabi Bruno , Raymond Louis , Lacoursière Richard
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to take aGestaltsperspective to analyze the alignment between the HRM practices and strategic capabilities of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Miles and Snow's adaptive cycle, this study examines the coherence of HRM practices with the strategic capabilities of manufacturing SMEs (n=176) in terms of products, markets, and networks. A principal component factor analysis was first made to reduce the HRM practices into a lesser number of factors. A clustering algorithm was then used to determine three groups of SMEs orGestalts. Finally, an a posteriori examination of the performance of each group was made.

Findings

SMEs align their HRM practices with their realized strategy within three configurations, namely local, international, and world‐class SMEs. Regardless of their strategic choices, these SMEs achieve comparable levels of performance.

Research limitations/implications

TheGestaltsperspective seems effective in its capacity to describe the role of the HRM function. While the firms surveyed are fairly representative of Canadian manufacturing SMEs, there might yet exist a bias in that these are firms that have chosen to undertake a benchmarking exercise.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to use Miles and Snow's adaptive cycle as a foundation to specify the type of activities that researchers should consider in assessing the SME's overall degree of strategic alignment. A practical implication for owner‐managers is that their strategic choices in terms of product innovation, market expansion or network extension must be inter‐linked with the development of their HRM practices.
Public and private sector entrepreneurship: similarities, differences or a combination?
Authors: Kearney Claudine , Hisrich Robert D. , Roche Frank
Published: February 2009

Purpose

While the term “entrepreneurship” is not exclusively a private sector phenomenon, it is usually associated with private sector business activity and more specifically with small to medium enterprises. However, over the last two decades it has appeared in the public administration literature with increasing frequency. The recent research in public sector entrepreneurial activity makes an exploratory comparative analysis of the key components that are applicable from private sector entrepreneurship timely as the topic is emerging as an area of academic inquiry and research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of private and public sector entrepreneurship using an analytical model from private and public sector entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

A clear understanding of the research issues involved requires an appreciation of the nexus between private sector entrepreneurship and the more limited research field of public sector entrepreneurship. The paper identifies and examines the historical and evolutionary research on entrepreneurship as a basis for analysis of public and private sector entrepreneurship.

Findings

The paper provides a comprehensive analysis that highlights key similarities, differences or a combination between public and private sector entrepreneurship and develops an existing model and framework for a systematic approach to the public sector entrepreneurial process.

Originality/ value

Based on this exploration, new insights about public sector entrepreneurship are developed, practical implications for public sector entrepreneurs on how to approach public sector entrepreneurship more systematically and effectively are presented and opportunities for further research are identified.
Export challenges and potential strategies
Authors: Kalafsky Ronald V.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the case of Canadian manufacturers involved in the Chinese market. In particular, it seeks to look at the challenges of entering a new export destination, including access to market intelligence. It also aims to analyze recent performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A postal survey of Canadian manufacturers that examined the myriad challenges and strategies for manufacturers serves as the basis for this research.

Findings

The findings show that, for these manufacturers, face‐to‐face contact is important in the Chinese market. The group of exporters, on average, was not as dependent on the US market. Perhaps most importantly, export success is not limited solely to larger manufacturers.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size and survey structure limited statistical analysis. Firm‐level interviews need to be conducted in order to examine unique export success strategies in this booming market.

Practical implications

The findings show that in‐person business relationships are important in the China market. Also, export success is not limited solely to larger manufacturers. Companies involved in implementing lean techniques tended to view China as an opportunity (rather than a threat) at a much higher rate than other manufacturers.

Originality/value

The paper provides an examination of manufacturers attempting to enter a relatively new market after years of regionally focused sales to a mature customer base.
The level of information systems integration in SMEs in Irish manufacturing sector
Authors: Woznica Jaroslaw , Healy Ken
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the role of information systems integration in Irish small and medium‐sized enterprises operating in the manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was conducted through a review of literature and subsequent primary research involving qualitative (semi‐structured interviews) and quantitative (questionnaires) research strategies.

Findings

The paper reveals the sophistication of internal IT infrastructure within Irish manufacturing SMEs and whether the IT systems are integrated with one another, and, if so, how well that integration is done. Moreover, the owner‐managers' and senior managers' attitude to IS integration issues is explored, including the reasons that prompt them to integrate IT systems within their businesses, their expectations of IS integration, the challenges they recognise when integrating the systems and their criteria regarding IS integration.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on manufacturing SMEs operating in Ireland; other sectors are not investigated.

Practical implications

The paper helps the owner‐managers and senior managers to understand the issues of IS integration and points towards possible solutions to the problem of disparate IT systems.

Originality/value

The negative impact of disparate systems and the benefits of integrating them in an SMEs environment have not been thoroughly examined to date.
Does the firm size matter on firm entrepreneurship and performance?
Authors: Ha‐Brookshire Jung E.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the relationship between firm entrepreneurship and performance is dependent on firm size within a small and medium‐size enterprise (SME) population, using non‐manufacturing, industry‐specific empirical data.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology was employed, using a national sample of US apparel import intermediary (AII) SMEs. Regression analysis was performed to determine the type of the moderator variable, firm size, and to test statistical significance of the firm size effect on the relationship between firm entrepreneurship and performance measures.

Findings

The paper's results suggested that the firm size effect was present on the relationship between firm entrepreneurship and SMEs' longevity performance; however, there was no statistical significance of the firm size effect on the relationship between firm entrepreneurship and SMEs' creative contribution or profitability performance.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study results were based on randomly selected nation‐wide surveys, the findings should be viewed as industry‐ and time‐specific; generalization to a larger population, or to other firms, must be undertaken with caution.

Practical implications

These findings help to recognize and understand the heterogeneity of the relationship between firm entrepreneurship and performance even within a population of SMEs. Therefore, the results suggest that AII SME managers should put different emphasis on firm entrepreneurship, depending on specific goals and the firm size.

Originality/value

The paper shows that different approaches to SME entrepreneurship research are needed to recognize diversity within an SME population. The study also supports the view that performance measures are not necessarily correlated; thus justification of selection is critical.
Globalization, US foreign investments and accounting standards
Authors: Akisik Orhan , Pfeiffer Ray
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relation between the proportion of direct investment to US total – direct and portfolio – investment abroad and their country‐specific determinants in developed and developing countries between 1997 and 2005, emphasizing the role of high‐quality accounting standards and corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study covers 46 developed and emerging market countries that are classified into four groups: Advanced, Asian, Central and Eastern European and Latin American. In order to eliminate the adverse effects of possible outliers in some observations on regression results, fixed effect robust regression (RR) techniques were conducted, in addition to fixed effect ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation using panel data.

Findings

It was found that the proportion of direct investment to US total investment abroad is strongly and negatively related to both high‐quality accounting standards and effective corporate governance, even after controlling for a number of variables found in previous research to be important: inflation, stock market capitalization, per capita gross domestic product, openness of destination countries’ economies and tax rates.

Research limitations/implications

One major problem in international accounting research is the difficulty in obtaining of data. This problem was encountered in this study, too. Therefore, some emerging market countries are necessarily excluded from the sample.

Originality/value

The main focus is the contributions of accounting standards and corporate governance to explaining tradeoffs between US direct and portfolio investment in developed and developing countries. In this sense, this is – to the authors’ knowledge – the first study in this area.
Organization technologies, AMT and competent workers
Authors: Cordero Rene , Walsh Steven T. , Kirchhoff Bruce A.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which firms staffing with competent workers (CW), in addition to adopting organization technologies (OT) (which include total quality management and just‐in‐time techniques) and advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) change manufacturing performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature is reviewed to hypothesize relationships. The data are obtained with a questionnaire from 89 manufacturing managers in the micro electro‐mechanical systems industry. Factor analysis of indicators of manufacturing performance reveals two broad dimensions: manufacturing effectiveness and manufacturing flexibility. To test the hypotheses, these dimensions of manufacturing performance are regressed on measures of OT, AMT, CW and their pair‐wise interactions in a hierarchical fashion. The analyses are then repeated for the indicators of the two dimensions of manufacturing performance.

Findings

Staffing with CW fully increases both manufacturing effectiveness and manufacturing flexibility. The adoption of AMT partially increases manufacturing effectiveness, and partially increases manufacturing flexibility in the presence of CW. The adoption of OT fully increases manufacturing effectiveness, but partially decreases manufacturing flexibility in the presence of CW.

Originality/value

The paper provides a valuable study of the extent to which firms adopting OT and AMT, and staffing with CW change two broad dimensions of manufacturing performance and their indicators through both additive and synergistic effects.
Critical success factors for TQM implementation and their impact on performance of SMEs
Authors: Ismail Salaheldin Salaheldin
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors of TQM implementation, to evaluate their impact on the primary measures as expressed by the operational performance and the secondary measures as expressed by the organizational performance, and to find out the effect of the operational performance on the organizational performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Qatari industrial sector using the structured equation modeling (SEM) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed and distributed to 297 SMEs in the Qatari industrial sector. Of the 297 questionnaires posted, a total of 139 were returned and were used to test the theoretical model. In particular, hypotheses were developed to evaluate the impact of TQM implementation on the operational and organizational performance of the SMEs.

Findings

The empirical analysis demonstrates several key findings: data analysis reveals that there is a substantial positive effect of the TQM implementation on both the operational and the organizational performance. The findings confirm the significant relationship between operational and organizational performances of the SMEs. Overall, the results showed the central role of the strategic factors in the successful implementation of the TQM programs within the SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The research is subject to the normal limitations of survey research. The study is using perceptual data provided by production managers or quality managers which may not provide clear measures of performance. However, this can be overcome using multiple methods to collect data in future studies. Interestingly, the findings here may be generalisable outside Qatar, i.e. a similar country to Qatar such as the GCC countries.

Practical implications

Qatari SMEs should consider TQM as an innovative tool for improving operational and organizational performance in today's dynamic manufacturing environment. The findings suggest the notion that the TQM critical success factors (CSFs) should be implemented holistically rather than on a piecemeal basis to get the full potential of the TQM. Moreover, the study emphasizes the need to link operational performance to organizational performance to achieve the success of TQM implementation.

Originality/value

The study integrates the CSFs of TQM practices, i.e. strategic, tactical and operational factors, with operational and organizational performances as related drivers of the effectiveness and success of TQM practices in the SMEs. Very few studies have been performed to investigate and understand this issue. Therefore, the research can make a useful contribution.
Using DMAIC Six Sigma to systematically improve shopfloor production quality and costs
Authors: Kumar Sameer , Sosnoski Michael
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This study sets out to highlight how a leading manufacturer of tooling, with its continuous improvement drive, has leveraged DMAIC Six Sigma potential to realize cost savings and improved quality on their shopfloor. The study examines one of the shopfloor chronic quality issues which deals with finding a way to reduce the amount of warp incurred in Amada A‐Station punches during the heat‐treat process.

Design/methodology//approach

The goals of this specific study were achieved by utilizing Six Sigma tools such as “brainstorming, process mapping, fish‐bone diagrams, histograms, and control charts”.

Findings

The analysis resulted in a number of findings and recommendations. A major contributor to the warp was the method used to fix the parts. It was found that, by using a new fixture to hang the parts, the amount of warp could be greatly reduced. The major recommendation was that the new heat‐treat fixture design be implemented as soon as a reliable fixture design has been proven. The value of implementing this new fixture design equates to roughly $10,000 per year in savings, which is due to the elimination of a secondary grinding operation and elimination of scrap parts. The company expects millions of dollars in annual savings as DMAIC Six Sigma process is rolled out to areas on the shopfloor.

Originality/value

The case study shows DMAIC Six Sigma process is an effective and novel approach for the machining and fabrication industries to improve the quality of their processes and products and profitability through driving down manufacturing costs.
Six Sigma vs TQM: some perspectives from leading practitioners and academics
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to present the fundamental and critical differences between two of the most powerful philosophies of modern quality management.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken was to form a panel of leading academics and practitioners who are familiar with both the Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM) topics.

Findings

The findings of the panel discussion were quite stimulating in the sense that the paper demystifies the myth that Six Sigma is an old wine in a new bottle or that it is another hot topic or flavour of the month. The author believes that this will be extremely useful to many practitioners and researchers in these fields.

Research limitations/implications

The viewpoints expressed here are based on many practitioners and academics in a few countries such as the USA, Singapore, India, the UK and Korea. It is essential to collect data on this topic from a number of leading researchers and practitioners in the field from other countries and to set out a research agenda in the future.

Originality/value

The paper provides an excellent resource for those people who are currently carrying out research in Six Sigma. Moreover, it is equally useful to practitioners and academics to understand the critical differences between these two powerful approaches to quality management.
Lean information management: the use of observational data in health care
Authors: Castle Andrew , Harvey Rachel
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast traditional data collection methodologies employed in health care with more practical observational methods which are closely aligned with Lean thinking. When combined with problem solving, observational approaches achieve demonstrable improvements in clinical outcomes, productivity and efficiency. The paper aims to describe the changes in mindset and behaviour that are required to adopt the observational methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to describe and evaluate case study examples on the use of observational data in the National Health Service in the UK. This is then used to derive generic principles about the wider application of observational data in health care.

Findings

Traditional data collection methodologies are often insufficient to expose the root cause of a problem and therefore may result in little or no action. The observational methods identify the root cause and as such offer a much more practical and real‐time way of solving process‐related problems.

Practical implications

The observational methods of collecting data described here offer staff at all levels of the organisation practical approaches to preventing mistakes and errors in health care processes.

Originality/value

The case studies described here support the reintroduction of observational techniques used by the early pioneers of productivity. The originality of the paper is in the use of these observational methods in a wide range of clinical settings to provoke changes in working practices.
Understanding the demand for social housing in the United Kingdom
Authors: Monk Sarah
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the continuing decline of the social rented sector in England implies increased residualisation of the sector, to estimate who is likely to be living in social housing in the future, and to explore the policy implications in terms of the future role of social housing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses these aims by analysing secondary data on the characteristics of current tenants and changes in these as the sector has become smaller. It applies the results of this analysis to demographic projections to determine the likely future profile of social housing tenants and to assess the implications of this for the future management of the sector.

Findings

Analysis results suggest that the sector will house three main groups of households in the future: those for whom it provides a secure home for life; those for whom it is a temporary tenure; and a smaller group who enter for the first time in old age.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this approach is that it assumes that the future will be like the past, whereas changes in policy and economic circumstances could produce a different outcome. However, recent trends reflect the outcomes of economic variables and policy changes take time to have an impact, therefore the analysis has practical applications in the short term.

Originality/value

The method, findings and policy implications in this paper all provide value for policy makers, as well as contributing to the wider debate about the role of social rented housing.
What we need is an “entrepreneurial society”
Authors: O'Regan Nicholas , Maclean Mairi
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to determine the views of Professor David Audretsch.

Design/methodology/approach

The article takes the form of an interview.

Findings

Professor David Audretsch shares his thoughts and advice on an “entrepreneurial society” where there is a rethinking of fundamental economic and business ideas, where innovation and entrepreneurship emerge as the driving forces of competitiveness and growth, but institutions and public policies facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship play a key role.

Originality/value

The aricle provides valuable insights from one of the world's most frequently cited economists.
My life on Mt Olympus
Authors: Hollander Stanley C.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recount Stanley C. Hollander's own educational experiences and career paths. This is a reprint (with permission) of Stanley C. Hollander's article which first appeared in the Journal of Macromarketing in 1995.

Design/methodology/approach

An autobiographical description of the author's early years.

Findings

The paper reveals many of Stanley C. Hollander's personal thoughts, reflections and some regrets.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable personal insights from the late Stanley C. Hollander.
Stanley C. Hollander and the Conferences on Historical Analysis & Research in Marketing
Authors: Brian Jones D.G. , Shaw Eric H. , Goldring Deborah
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the Conferences on Historical Analysis & Research in Marketing (CHARM) from their inception in 1983 through 2007 focusing on the influence of Stanley C. Hollander, who co‐founded the CHARM conference and whose drive and determination fueled its growth for the first 20 years.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses traditional historical narrative based on personal interviews, archival research, and content analysis of CHARM Proceedings.

Findings

The history of CHARM is described and Hollander's role in developing the conference is highlighted.

Originality/value

There is no written history of CHARM. This story is a major part of Hollander's legacy.
Competition, cooperation and open price associations
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to rethink the historical emergence of relationship marketing using the work of an early economics writer.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the paper is a historical review.

Findings

It is demonstrated that Eddy's major publication,The New Competition, articulates an argument central to relationship marketing, in terms of the value accorded to inter‐firm relationships. In doing so, this paper extends the work of Keepet al.on relationship marketing and Hollander's own reflection on the nature of competition.

Practical implications

Commensurate with studies that explore the “dark‐side” of relationship marketing, this paper shows how close organizational relations do not necessarily increase the efficiency of the market.

Originality/value

This paper undermines the argument that relationship marketing emerged in the 1970s. It thereby adds further weight to the idea that relationship marketing is not a new paradigm in marketing theory or business practice.
Hollander's doctoral seminar in the history of marketing thought
Authors: Brian Jones D.G. , Keep William
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe Stanley C. Hollander's doctoral seminar in the history of marketing thought and offer some insights into its uniqueness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a combination of personal reflections, personal interviews, and documentation from the final offering of the course.

Findings

Hollander's course was distinctive among such efforts at doctoral education and probably one of the last such seminars in North America.

Originality/value

There has been little written about teaching the history of marketing thought and to date no published account of Hollander's seminar.
Lost and found: Stanley C. Hollander's (1956) History of Labels
Authors: McLean Paula A.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an historical review of Stanley C. Hollander's History of Labels.

Design/methodology/approach

Historical review essays summarize and evaluate older, historically significant books by situating them in historical perspective often using biographical details of the subject.

Findings

In History of Labels, Hollander shows us early in his career that he is a rigorous marketing historian, and a brilliant and entertaining writer. Anyone doing research in marketing history should include this book on their reading list.

Originality/value

In the context of this special issue celebrating Hollander's life and work, the subject of this review essay is one of his earliest historical works and has never been reviewed in this fashion.
Increased serum phosphate levels and calcium fluxes are seen in smaller individuals after a single dose of sodium phosphate colon cleansing solution: a pharmacokinetic analysis
Authors: EHRENPREIS E. D.
Published: February 2009

Background  Sodium phosphate containing colonoscopy preparations may cause electrolyte disturbances and calcium‐phosphate nephropathy. Decreased body weight is an unexplored risk factor for complications with sodium phosphate ingestion.

Aim  To perform a pharmacokinetic analysis of a single dose of Fleet Phospho‐Soda in smaller and larger individuals.

Methods  Seven subjects weighing <55 kg (Group I) and six weighing >100 kg (Group II) consumed 45 mL Fleet Phospho‐Soda. Serum electrolytes were measured. Hydration was closely maintained by monitoring weight, fluid intake and total body water.

Results  Marked increases in serum phosphate were seen in Group I compared to Group II. For example, mean serum phosphate at 120 min was 7.8 ± 0.5 mg/dL in Group I and 5.1 ± 0.8 mg/dL in Group II (P < 0.001). Normalized area under the phosphate vs. time curve for Group I was 1120 ± 190 mg/dL*min and 685 ± 136 mg/dL*min for Group II (P < 0.001). Twelve‐hour urine calcium was lower in Group I (16.4 ± 7.6 mg) than in Group II (39.2 ± 7.8 mg, P < 0.001).

Conclusions  Increased serum phosphate occurs in smaller individuals after ingestion of sodium phosphate preparations, even with strict attention to fluid intake. Smaller body weight poses a potential risk for calcium‐phosphate nephropathy.
Exhuming the Alps through time: clues from detrital zircon fission‐track thermochronology
Authors: Bernet M. , Brandon M. , Garver J. , Balestieri M. L. , Ventura B. , Zattin M.
Published: February 2009

The European Alps are a mountain belt that is characterized by a series of discrete orogenic events, which have long been recognized. Despite the inherent episodic nature of orogenic evolution, the Alps have been continuously exhumed, mainly by erosion, but also by normal faulting. Since continental collision started in the late Eocene/Early Oligocene evidence for ongoing erosional exhumation has been preserved in synorogenic sediments that accumulated in basins adjacent to the pro‐ and retro‐side of this double‐vergent mountain belt. This long‐term erosion record can be used to determine exhumation rates. Lag‐times calculated from fission‐track (FT) ages of detrital zircon from synorogenic sediments are fairly constant for the European Alps since the Oligocene–Late Miocene. Although the fast exhuming areas were unroofed at rates of 0.4–0.7 km Myr−1, the overall average exhumation rate is between 0.2 and 0.3 km Myr−1 on a regional scale. The detrital and bedrock zircon FT data of the Alps do not detect the increase in erosion rates since the Pliocene over the past ∼5 Myr, as shown elsewhere. This increase cannot be detected yet with the detrital zircon FT method because not enough rock has been removed to widely expose zircons with Pliocene or younger cooling ages in the Alps. Long term (30 Myr) exhumation rates appear to have been approximately constant when averaged over a sliding time window of about 8 Myr, or depth window of 5 to 10 km (ZFT closure depths); shorter‐term fluctuations are not identified using this method.
Release from foliar and floral fungal pathogen species does not explain the geographic spread of naturalized North American plants in Europe
Authors: Van Kleunen Mark , Fischer Markus
Published: February 2009

During the last centuries many alien species have established and spread in new regions, where some of them cause large ecological and economic problems. As one of the main explanations of the spread of alien species, the enemy‐release hypothesis is widely accepted and frequently serves as justification for biological control.

We used a global fungus–plant host distribution data set for 140 North American plant species naturalized in Europe to test whether alien plants are generally released from foliar and floral pathogens, whether they are mainly released from pathogens that are rare in the native range, and whether geographic spread of the North American plant species in Europe is associated with release from fungal pathogens.

We show that the 140 North American plant species naturalized in Europe were released from 58% of their foliar and floral fungal pathogen species. However, when we also consider fungal pathogens of the native North American host range that in Europe so far have only been reported on other plant species, the estimated release is reduced to 10.3%. Moreover, in Europe North American plants have mainly escaped their rare, pathogens, of which the impact is restricted to few populations. Most importantly and directly opposing the enemy‐release hypothesis, geographic spread of the alien plants in Europe was negatively associated with their release from fungal pathogens.

Synthesis. North American plants may have escaped particular fungal species that control them in their native range, but based on total loads of fungal species, release from foliar and floral fungal pathogens does not explain the geographic spread of North American plant species in Europe. To test whether enemy release is the major driver of plant invasiveness, we urgently require more studies comparing release of invasive and non‐invasive alien species from enemies of different guilds, and studies that assess the actual impact of the enemies.
Five‐parameter grain boundary analysis of a grain boundary–engineered austenitic stainless steel
Authors: JONES R. , RANDLE V. , ENGELBERG D. , MARROW T.J.
Published: February 2009

Two different grain boundary engineering processing routes for type 304 austenitic stainless steel have been compared. The processing routes involve the application of a small level of strain (5%) through either cold rolling or uni‐axial tensile straining followed by high‐temperature annealing. Electron backscatter diffraction and orientation mapping have been used to measure the proportions of Σ3n boundary types (in coincidence site lattice notation) and degree of random boundary break‐up, in order to gain a measure of the success of the two types of grain boundary engineering treatments. The distribution of grain boundary plane crystallography has also been measured and analyzed in detail using the five‐parameter stereological method. There were significant differences between the grain boundary population profiles depending on the type of deformation applied.
In situ observation of intergranular crack nucleation in a grain boundary controlled austenitic stainless steel
Authors: RAHIMI S. , ENGELBERG D.L. , DUFF J.A. , MARROW T.J.
Published: February 2009

Grain boundary engineering has been proposed to increase the lifetime performance of sensitized austenitic stainless steel in aggressive environments. Increased microstructure resistance is typically associated with higher fractions of twin (Σ3) grain boundaries, but there is uncertainty about the properties and role of other boundaries. To develop predictive models for stress corrosion crack nucleation, more information is required about how grain boundary crystallography and the orientations of the grain boundary plane and its surrounding grains affect crack development. Digital image correlation combined with electron backscatter diffraction has been used to characterize the microstructure and to observe, in situ, the nucleation and propagation of short stress corrosion cracks in thermo‐mechanically processed type 304 stainless steel. The crack path and its growth rate have been determined and are found to be influenced by the microstructure.
The weighted Burgers vector: a new quantity for constraining dislocation densities and types using electron backscatter diffraction on 2D sections through crystalline materials
Authors: WHEELER J. , MARIANI E. , PIAZOLO S. , PRIOR D.J. , TRIMBY P. , DRURY M.R.
Published: February 2009

The Weighted Burgers Vector (WBV) is defined here as the sum, over all types of dislocations, of [(density of intersections of dislocation lines with a map) × (Burgers vector)]. Here we show that it can be calculated, for any crystal system, solely from orientation gradients in a map view, unlike the full dislocation density tensor, which requires gradients in the third dimension. No assumption is made about gradients in the third dimension and they may be non‐zero. The only assumption involved is that elastic strains are small so the lattice distortion is entirely due to dislocations. Orientation gradients can be estimated from gridded orientation measurements obtained by EBSD mapping, so the WBV can be calculated as a vector field on an EBSD map. The magnitude of the WBV gives a lower bound on the magnitude of the dislocation density tensor when that magnitude is defined in a coordinate invariant way. The direction of the WBV can constrain the types of Burgers vectors of geometrically necessary dislocations present in the microstructure, most clearly when it is broken down in terms of lattice vectors. The WBV has three advantages over other measures of local lattice distortion: it is a vector and hence carries more information than a scalar quantity, it has an explicit mathematical link to the individual Burgers vectors of dislocations and, since it is derived via tensor calculus, it is not dependent on the map coordinate system. If a sub‐grain wall is included in the WBV calculation, the magnitude of the WBV becomes dependent on the step size but its direction still carries information on the Burgers vectors in the wall. The net Burgers vector content of dislocations intersecting an area of a map can be simply calculated by an integration round the edge of that area, a method which is fast and complements point‐by‐point WBV calculations.
Tomography of insulating biological and geological materials using focused ion beam (FIB) sectioning and low‐kV BSE imaging
Authors: WINTER D.A. MATTHIJS DE , SCHNEIJDENBERG C.T.W.M. , LEBBINK M.N. , LICH B. , VERKLEIJ A.J. , DRURY M.R. , HUMBEL B.M.
Published: February 2009

Tomography in a focused ion beam (FIB) scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a powerful method for the characterization of three‐dimensional micro‐ and nanostructures. Although this technique can be routinely applied to conducting materials, FIB–SEM tomography of many insulators, including biological, geological and ceramic samples, is often more difficult because of charging effects that disturb the serial sectioning using the ion beam or the imaging using the electron beam. Here, we show that automatic tomography of biological and geological samples can be achieved by serial sectioning with a focused ion beam and block‐face imaging using low‐kV backscattered electrons. In addition, a new ion milling geometry is used that reduces the effects of intensity gradients that are inherent in conventional geometry used for FIB–SEM tomography.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of propofol administered to cats in a novel, aqueous, nano‐droplet formulation or as an oil‐in‐water macroemulsion1
Authors: CLEALE R. M. , MUIR W. W. , WASELAU A.‐C. , LEHMANN M. W. , AMODIE D. M. , LERCHE P.
Published: February 2009

This study evaluated pharmacokinetic and pharmacologic properties of a novel, non‐lipid microemulsion, 1% w/v formulation of propofol to a conventional macroemulsion formulation of propofol (Rapinovet®) in cats. The study utilized a two‐period crossover design with two treatments and 10 female, intact, purpose bred domestic shorthair cats. Cats were fitted with telemetry transmitters for direct measurement of arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, electrocardiogram (ECG, lead II), and body temperature. At least 7 days separated treatments. Orotracheal intubation was the clinical endpoint utilized to evaluate adequate depth of anesthesia. Blood samples were drawn from jugular vascular access ports before propofol treatment; 3, 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 60 min and then 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, and 24 h after administration of propofol into a cephalic vein. Whole blood samples were assayed for propofol concentrations using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method validated for feline blood at a limit of quantification of 5 ng/mL. Pulse rate, ECG, heart rhythm, respiratory rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures, SpO2, and body temperature were monitored continuously during each anesthetic episode. Time to lateral recumbency, orotracheal intubation, and extubation, time to sternal recumbency during recovery, times to adverse events, and doses of propofol required for induction to anesthesia were documented. Cats required 6.96 ± 0.90 mg propofol/kg from the novel microemulsion formulation of propofol and 7.07 ± 1.55 mg propofol/kg from Rapinovet®to achieve anesthesia adequate to allow orotracheal intubation (P > 0.05). Areas under the dose‐normalized propofol concentration by time curves (AUC0‐LOQ) and maximum propofol concentrations (Cmax) were equal for the novel microemulsion formulation of propofol and Rapinovet®(P > 0.05). Effects of anesthesia induction doses on cardiorespiratory values were comparable between treatments, and consistent with known effects of propofol anesthesia. Results provide evidence that the novel microemulsion formulation of propofol and Rapinovet®macroemulsion produced comparable pharmacodynamic, physiological, and pharmacokinetic responses in cats. The unique composition of the microemulsion formulation, and the presence of an antimicrobial preservative minimize the potential for bacterial contamination and prolong shelf life.
Three‐genome mosses: complex double allopolyploid origins for triploid gametophytes in Sphagnum
Authors: KARLIN ERIC F. , BOLES S. B. , RICCA M. , TEMSCH E. M. , GREILHUBER J. , SHAW A. J.
Published: February 2009

This paper documents the occurrence of allotriploidy (having three differentiated genomes) in gametophytes of two Southern Hemisphere Sphagnum species (S. australe, S. falcatulum). The pattern of microsatellite alleles indicates that both species are composed of a complex of allodiploid and allotriploid gametophytes, with the latter resulting from two allopolyploidization events. No haploid (n = x) gametophytes were found for either species. The ploidal levels suggested by the pattern of microsatellite alleles were confirmed by flow cytometry and Feulgen DNA image densitometry. For both S. australe and S. falcatulum, the respective allodiploid plants (or their ancestors) are one of the parent species of the allotriploid plants. This is the first report of triploidy in Sphagnum gametophytes occurring in nature and also the first report of the presence of three differentiated genomes in any bryophyte. It is also the first report of intersectional allopolyploidy in Sphagnum, with S. australe appearing to have parental species from Sphagnum sections Rigida and Sphagnum, and S. falcatulum having parental species from Sphagnum sections Cuspidata and Subsecunda. In both species, the allotriploid cytotypes were the most prevalent cytotype on the South Island of New Zealand. The pattern of microsatellite alleles shows the presence of two genetically distinct populations of allodiploid S. australe, possibly indicating multiple origins of polyploidy for that allodiploid cytotype. Morphological evidence is also highly indicative of recurrent polyploidy in the allotriploid cytotype of S. falcatulum. Allopolyploidy has clearly played a major evolutionary role in these two Southern Hemisphere taxa. This study, in conjunction with other recent research, indicates that allopolyploidy is a common, if not the predominant, form of polyploidy in Sphagnum.
Coupling and propagation of normal and dysrhythmic gastric slow waves during acute hyperglycaemia in healthy humans
Authors: Coleski R. , Hasler W. L.
Published: February 2009

Abstract  Acute hyperglycaemia in healthy humans disrupts slow wave rhythm similar to that observed in diabetic gastropathy, but hyperglycaemic effects on regional dysrhythmias, power, coupling and propagation are unexplored. Using mucosal mapping, we aimed to demonstrate that hyperglycaemia elicits region‐specific tachygastria and evokes slow wave uncoupling between adjacent regions. Catheters with bipolar electrodes were affixed 10.5, 6 and 2 cm from the pylorus during endoscopy with midazolam in 10 healthy humans. Recordings were obtained for 1 h under basal conditions and for 1 h with hyperglycaemic clamping to 250 mg dL−1. In basal recordings, proximal and distal slow wave frequencies were similar [2.91 ± 0.05 vs 2.81 ± 0.09 cycles per minute (cpm)]. Tachygastria (>3.6 cpm) was present 1.7 ± 1.1% of the time proximally and 3.3 ± 1.8% distally and localized to one lead 67% of the time. Proximal to distal gradients in signal power and power variability were observed. Coupling between adjacent sites was 78 ± 2% with propagation velocities of 1.3 ± 0.1 cm s−1. 2 ± 1% of segments showed >50% uncoupling. Hyperglycaemic clamping increased mean proximal (3.18 ± 0.11 cpm) and distal (3.50 ± 0.12 cpm) frequencies and proximal (15 ± 6%) and distal (32 ± 9%) tachygastria (all P < 0.01) that localized to one lead 80% of the time. During periods of normal frequency, coupling decreased proximally (54 ± 6%) and distally (47 ± 4%) (P < 0.01). 55 ± 8% of segments showed >50% uncoupling (P < 0.01). In conclusion, gastric slow waves show stable, highly coupled rhythms under basal conditions. Hyperglycaemia elicits isolated tachygastrias and uncoupling of normal slow waves that are most prominent distally. These findings provide a foundation for studying slow wave conduction defects in diabetic gastropathy.