bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Reduces Postsurgical Opioid Consumption in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
Authors: Borckardt Jeffrey J. , Reeves Scott T. , Robinson Stefanie M. , May Joshua T. , Epperson Thomas I. , Gunselman Ryan J. , Schutte Harold Del , Demos Harry A. , Madan Alok , Fredrich Sarah , George Mark S.
Published: January 2013

Background:

Although pain is often a symptom that precedes total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the procedure itself is associated with considerable postoperative pain lasting days to weeks. Postoperative pain control is an important factor in determining recovery time, hospital length of stay, and rehabilitation success. Several brain stimulation technologies including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have demonstrated promise as treatments for a variety of pain conditions. The present study examined the effects of 4 sessions of tDCS on post-TKA pain and opioid consumption.

Materials and Methods:

Forty patients undergoing unilateral TKA were randomly assigned to receive a total of 80 minutes of real (n=20) or sham tDCS (n=20) with the anode over the knee representation of the motor strip (C1h or C2h corresponding to the target knee) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3; located by the EEG 10-20 System). Patient-controlled analgesia ( hydromorphone) use was tracked during the ∼48 hours postsurgery.

Results:

Patients in the real tDCS group used an average of 6.6 mg (SD=5.3) of patient-controlled analgesia hydromorphone, whereas those in the sham group used 12.3 mg (SD=6.6; t
37=2.93, P=0.006). Despite using less opioid medication, participants in the real tDCS group reported no pain exacerbation or worse mood with respect to those in the sham tDCS group.

Conclusions:

Results from this pilot feasibility study suggest that tDCS may be able to reduce post-TKA opioid requirements. Although these results are preliminary, the data support further research in the area of adjunctive cortical stimulation in the management of postsurgical pain.
Subcutaneous and Perineural Botulinum Toxin Type A For Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Fabregat Gustavo , De Andrés José , Villanueva-Pérez Vicente L. , Asensio-Samper Juan M.
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that has been widely used in chronic pain for the treatment of multiple conditions with a component of localized muscle spasm. Recent studies suggest that botulinum toxin is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes such as postherpetic neuralgia or painful scars.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed and OvidSP databases. We also included cross-referencing bibliographies from primary and review articles.

Discussion:

In this descriptive review, we evaluate the usefulness, safety, and potential pathophysiological mechanism of botulinum toxin type A for treatment of painful disorders with neuropathic component such as postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, or trigeminal neuralgia.

Conclusions:

On the basis of the analysis of the reports published in the literature, it would seem that fractioned peripheral subcutaneous and perineural injections of botulinum toxin type A may be useful for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions with neuropathic component.
MULTIFOCAL CHOROIDITIS WITH PANUVEITIS IN A PATIENT WITH DISSEMINATED MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX
Authors: Bhikoo Riyaz , Bevan Rob , Sims Joanne
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

The authors present a case of multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis secondary to disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS.

Method:

Case report and review of relevant literature.

Results:

A 48-year-old woman with human immunodeficiency virus was admitted for the work up of abdominal pain, fevers, and weight loss. She was noncompliant with antiretroviral therapy with a CD4 count of 30 × 106/L. She reported bilateral reduction in vision with corrected acuities of 6/18 in the right eye and 6/36 in the left eye. Bilateral granulomatous panuveitis with multifocal choroiditis was present. A vitreous biopsy of the left eye confirmed Mycobacterium avium complex, also identified on mycobacterium blood cultures. She was started on oral azithromycin and ethambutol, and after 6 months, her corrected acuities were 6/9 in the right eye bilaterally with an improvement in uveitis and choroiditis.

Conclusion:

Mycobacterium avium complex infection should be considered as a cause of visual impairment in patients with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. Early detection and prompt management are essential for the prevention of visual and other systemic complications.
TISSUE REMODELING IN A SURGICALLY REPAIRED MACULAR HOLE
Authors: Simon Sumu , Dhanapala Mangala , Gilhotra Jagjit S
Published: January 2013

Purpose:

The authors report a case with early reopening, spontaneous closure, and delayed reopening with optical coherence tomography after successful repair to highlight the dynamic nature of tissue remodeling in surgically repaired macular holes.

Method:

Observational case report.

Result:

A 62-year-old woman underwent successful surgery for Grade IV macular hole. Five weeks postoperatively, the macular hole reopened but underwent spontaneous closure at 6 months of follow-up. Nine months later, there was reopening of the macular hole, which was surgically repaired.

Conclusion:

Successful macular hole repair warrants long-term observation due to the ongoing tissue remodeling.
Type III secretion system expression in oxygen-limited
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
cultures is stimulated by isocitrate lyase activity
Authors: Chung Jade C. S. , Rzhepishevska Olena , Ramstedt Madeleine , Welch Martin
Published: January 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic human pathogen and a common cause of chronic infections in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Oxygen limitation was recently reported to regulate the expression of a major virulence determinant in
P. aeruginosa
, the type III secretion system (T3SS). Here, we show that expression of the T3SS in oxygen-limited growth conditions is strongly dependent on the glyoxylate shunt enzyme, isocitrate lyase (ICL; encoded by
aceA
), which was previously shown to be highly expressed in CF isolates. ICL-dependent regulation of the T3SS did not alter the expression level of the master transcriptional regulator, ExsA, but did affect expression of the T3 structural proteins, effectors and regulators (ExsC, ExsD and ExsE). An
aceA
mutant displayed enhanced biofilm formation during anaerobic growth, which suggested that AceA-dependent modulation of type III secretion might impinge upon the RetS/LadS signalling pathways. Indeed, our data suggest that RetS is able to mediate some of its effects through AceA, as expression of
aceA in trans
partially restored T3SS expression in a
retS
mutant. Our findings indicate that AceA is a key player in the metabolic regulation of T3SS expression during oxygen-limited growth of
P. aeruginosa
. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that the T3SS can be regulated by factors that do not affect ExsA expression levels.
A novel mosquito-borne Orbivirus species found in South-east Asia
Authors: Kapoor Amit , Tesh Robert B. , Duraisamy Raja , Popov Vsevolod L. , Travassos da Rosa Amelia P. A. , Lipkin W. Ian
Published: January 2013

The genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae includes a genetically diverse group of dsRNA arthropod-borne viruses that infect a wide variety of animal species. Here, we report the complete genome and phylogenetic analysis of a novel orbivirus (IAn-66411 or Sathuvachari virus, SVIV) isolated in 1963 from starlings (Brahminy myna) collected in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Comparative genetic analysis of the SVIV polymerase (VP1 protein), core protein (VP3) and outer core protein (VP7) confirmed that SVIV is most closely related to the mosquito-borne orbiviruses, but that it is equally divergent from all known species. Therefore, SVIV should be tentatively considered as the prototype of a novel mosquito-associated Orbivirus species. These findings will aid in the development of molecular reagents that can identify genetically similar orbiviruses and help elucidate their geographical distribution, epidemiology, species tropism and possible disease association.
Coronaviruses in bats from Mexico
Authors: Anthony S. J. , Ojeda-Flores R. , Rico-Chávez O. , Navarrete-Macias I. , Zambrana-Torrelio C. M. , Rostal M. K. , Epstein J. H. , Tipps T. , Liang E. , Sanchez-Leon M. , Sotomayor-Bonilla J. , Aguirre A. A. , Ávila-Flores R. , Medellín R. A. , Goldstein T. , Suzán G. , Daszak P. , Lipkin W. I.
Published: January 2013

Bats are reservoirs for a wide range of human pathogens including Nipah, Hendra, rabies, Ebola, Marburg and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (CoV). The recent implication of a novel beta (β)-CoV as the cause of fatal respiratory disease in the Middle East emphasizes the importance of surveillance for CoVs that have potential to move from bats into the human population. In a screen of 606 bats from 42 different species in Campeche, Chiapas and Mexico City we identified 13 distinct CoVs. Nine were alpha (α)-CoVs; four were β-CoVs. Twelve were novel. Analyses of these viruses in the context of their hosts and ecological habitat indicated that host species is a strong selective driver in CoV evolution, even in allopatric populations separated by significant geographical distance; and that a single species/genus of bat can contain multiple CoVs. A β-CoV with 96.5 % amino acid identity to the β-CoV associated with human disease in the Middle East was found in aNyctinomops laticaudatusbat, suggesting that efforts to identify the viral reservoir should include surveillance of the bat families Molossidae/Vespertilionidae, or the closely related Nycteridae/Emballonuridae. While it is important to investigate unknown viral diversity in bats, it is also important to remember that the majority of viruses they carry will not pose any clinical risk, and bats should not be stigmatized ubiquitously as significant threats to public health.
Novel ssDNA virus recovered from estuarine Mollusc (Amphibola crenata) whose replication associated protein (Rep) shares similarities with Rep-like sequences of bacterial origin
Authors: Dayaram Anisha , Goldstien Sharyn , Zawar-Reza Peyman , Gomez Christopher , Harding Jon S. , Varsani Arvind
Published: January 2013

Over the past couple of years highly diverse novel ssDNA viruses have been discovered. Here, we present the first ssDNA virus, Gastropod-associated circular ssDNA virus (GaCSV), recovered from a mollusc Amphibola crenata Martyn 1784, which is a deposit feeder that grazes micro-organisms and organic detritus on the surface of tidal mudflats. The GaCSV (2351 nt) genome contains two large bidirectionally transcribed ORFs. The smaller ORF (874 nt) has similarities to viral replication-associated protein (Rep) sequences of some bacteria and circoviruses, whereas the larger ORF (955 nt) does not relate to any sequences in public databases and we presume it potentially encodes the capsid protein. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the GaCSV Rep clusters with Rep-like sequences of bacterial origin, highlighting the role of ssDNA viruses in horizontal gene transfer. The occurrence of previously unknown viruses in organisms associated with human pollution is a relatively unexplored field.
Low levels of foot-and-mouth disease virus 3C protease expression are required to achieve optimal capsid protein expression and processing in mammalian cells
Authors: Polacek Charlotta , Gullberg Maria , Li Jiong , Belsham Graham J.
Published: January 2013

The foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) capsid protein precursor (P1-2A) is processed by the virus-encoded 3C protease (3Cpro) to produce VP0, VP3, VP1 and 2A. Within the virus-encoded polyprotein, the P1-2A and 3Cpro can be expected to be produced at equivalent concentrations. However, using transient-expression assays, within mammalian cells, it is possible to modify the relative amounts of the substrate and protease. It has now been shown that optimal production of the processed capsid proteins from P1-2A is achieved with reduced levels of 3Cpro expression, relative to the P1-2A, compared with that achieved with a single P1-2A-3C polyprotein. Expression of the FMDV 3Cpro is poorly tolerated by mammalian cells and higher levels of the 3Cpro greatly inhibit protein expression. In addition, it is demonstrated that both the intact P1-2A precursor and the processed capsid proteins can be efficiently detected by FMDV antigen detection assays. Furthermore, the P1-2A and the processed forms each bind to the integrin αvβ6, the major FMDV receptor. These results contribute to the development of systems which efficiently express the components of empty capsid particles and may represent the basis for safer production of diagnostic reagents and improved vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease.
Arenavirus reverse genetics for vaccine development
Authors: Ortiz-Riaño Emilio , Cheng Benson Yee Hin , Carlos de la Torre Juan , Martínez-Sobrido Luis
Published: January 2013

Arenaviruses are important human pathogens with no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccines available and current antiviral therapy being limited to an off-label use of the nucleoside analogue ribavirin of limited prophylactic efficacy. The development of reverse genetics systems represented a major breakthrough in arenavirus research. However, rescue of recombinant arenaviruses using current reverse genetics systems has been restricted to rodent cells. In this study, we describe the rescue of recombinant arenaviruses from human 293T cells and Vero cells, an FDA-approved line for vaccine development. We also describe the generation of novel vectors that mediate synthesis of both negative-sense genome RNA and positive-sense mRNA species of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) directed by the human RNA polymerases I and II, respectively, within the same plasmid. This approach reduces by half the number of vectors required for arenavirus rescue, which could facilitate virus rescue in cell lines approved for human vaccine production but that cannot be transfected at high efficiencies. We have shown the feasibility of this approach by rescuing both the Old World prototypic arenavirus LCMV and the live-attenuated vaccine Candid#1 strain of the New World arenavirus Junín. Moreover, we show the feasibility of using these novel strategies for efficient rescue of recombinant tri-segmented both LCMV and Candid#1.
High-throughput sequencing reveals extraordinary fluidity of miRNA, piRNA, and siRNA pathways in nematodes
Authors: Shi Zhen , Montgomery Taiowa A. , Qi Yan , Ruvkun Gary
Published: January 2013

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans contains each of the broad classes of eukaryotic small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). To better understand the evolution of these regulatory RNAs, we deep-sequenced small RNAs from C. elegans and three closely related nematodes: C. briggsae, C. remanei, and C. brenneri. The results reveal a fluid landscape of small RNA pathways with essentially no conservation of individual sequences aside from a subset of miRNAs. We identified 54 miRNA families that are conserved in each of the four species, as well as numerous miRNAs that are species-specific or shared between only two or three species. Despite a lack of conservation of individual piRNAs and siRNAs, many of the features of each pathway are conserved between the different species. We show that the genomic distribution of 26G siRNAs and the tendency for piRNAs to cluster is conserved between C. briggsae and C. elegans. We also show that, in each species, 26G siRNAs trigger stage-specific secondary siRNA formation. piRNAs in each species also trigger secondary siRNA formation from targets containing up to three mismatches. Finally, we show that the production of male- and female-specific piRNAs is conserved in all four species, suggesting distinct roles for piRNAs in male and female germlines.
Europeans and aquaculture: perceived differences between wild and farmed fish
Authors: Katrin Schlag Anne , Ystgaard Kaja
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Fish is considered a healthy and pure food. However, modern aquaculture introduced a range of potentially controversial issues, which may impact public perceptions. The purpose of this paper is to compare consumer perceptions of the production and consumption of wild and farmed fish in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 28 focus groups were conducted in the capitals of seven European countries: France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Norway, Spain and the UK, between January‐March 2009. Data were analyzed with the qualitative software Atlas/ti.

Findings

Focus group discussions centre on a broad range of themes: economic risks and benefits, environmental concerns, human health issues, trust and nature. Europeans weigh up the scientific risks and benefits of farmed versus wild fish. However, when considering non‐scientific concerns, such as trust and nature, consumers prefer wild to farmed fish. Respondents have less trust in the production and consumption of farmed fish than in their wild counterparts, as the former are perceived as unnatural and unfamiliar.

Originality/value

Results have implications for the development of public communication strategies. The predicted growth of aquaculture highlights the importance of communicating the risks and benefits of farmed fish and fish farming effectively. The authors' findings show that a communication needs to incorporate moral and ethical risk dimensions, as these are the distinguishing areas leading to consumer preference of wild over farmed fish.
Characteristics of prebiotic food products containing inulin
Authors: Kuntz Marilyn G.F. , Fiates Giovanna M.R. , Teixeira Evanilda
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify food products being developed with the addition of the prebiotic inulin (a soluble, fermentable dietary fibre that stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon), in order to determine how its addition modifies their probiotic, physicochemical and sensory characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper's approach is a systematic review of the Web of Science, Medline/Pubmed and Scielo‐Br electronic databases, from 2001 to 2011. Of the 256 abstracts initially retrieved, those reporting development of products containing inulin were included, while those regarding literature review, clinical investigations, inulin extraction and effects on the human body were excluded. Full papers of all the 28 studies identified as relevant to the aims of the review were then obtained.

Findings

Inulin quantities added to products varied from 1 to 32 per cent. Products containing inulin had improved microorganism counts and received either equal or better scores in sensory analysis tests. pH and colour of high fat content products were not significantly altered by inulin addition. Texture profile of high protein and carbohydrate content products was irregularly altered by inulin addition. Food composition was found to determine the necessary amount of inulin to induce the desired changes. Highest added quantities were observed in the group of products with high carbohydrate content.

Originality/value

The paper presents a compilation of information regarding inulin percentage needed to alter physicochemical and sensory characteristics of products with different protein, fat and carbohydrate content.
An automatic optical inspection system for measuring a microlens array with an optical interferometric microscope and genetic algorithm
Authors: Yang Shih‐Wei , Lin Chern‐Sheng , Lin Shir‐Kuan , Fu Shu‐Hsien , Yeh Mau‐Shiun
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an automatic optical inspection system for measuring the surface profile of a microlens array.

Design/methodology/approach

The system set‐up was constructed according to the principle of the Fizeau interferometer. After capturing the ring interference fringe images of the microlens with a camera, the diameter, profile information and optical properties were analyzed through a microlens surface profile algorithm using innovative image pre‐processing with a precision of less than 0.09 micron.

Findings

By integrating with the genetic algorithm, the XY‐Table shortest moving path of the system is calculated to achieve the purpose of high‐speed inspection and automatic microlens array surface profile measurement.

Originality/value

The measurement results of this system were also compared with other systems, including the atomic force microscope and stylus profiler, to verify the measurement precision and accuracy of this system.
It's not what you know, it's who you know: CEO‐director social connections and the effectiveness of boards of directors
Authors: Dang Nguyen Bang
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this viewpoint paper is to discuss the impact of social ties between chief executive officers (CEOs) and board directors.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint paper, which looks at social ties between CEOs and board directors.

Findings

The paper finds that diversifying candidate backgrounds and giving shareholders more power in nominating directors might lead to more independent and more effective boards.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the findings of research carried out at Judge Business School, which suggests that a broader selection committee for appointing directors increases the likelihood of an effective, impartial board.
User perception and use of OPAC: a comparison of three universities in the Punjab region of India
Authors: Kumar Shiv , Vohra Ranjana
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the manner and purposes for which users search the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) in the University Libraries of India. The study is a comparative analysis of the use of OPAC in three universities located, in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and Punjab, a northern state of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed, designed and distributed among 500 respondents in the three universities after conducting a suitable pilot study and pre‐testing the tools of investigation. There were 384 (76.8 per cent) respondents who returned the filled‐in questionnaires. The data, thus collected, were compiled, processed and analyzed with the aid of the SPSS package (version 14.0).

Findings

Users in all three universities were found to be in regular use of OPAC in the libraries. This usage frequency was despite the fact that the users had encountered a number of problems while doing this. Contrary to expectations, however, there is a great degree of similarity in the results obtained especially with regard to the various aspects examined in connection with the use of OPAC in three different libraries.

Originality/value

OPAC has an important place in university libraries. The findings have strong policy implications in the fact that they will help the library community to improve the current OPAC facility usage in university libraries in India as well as in other developing countries.
Factors hindering acceptance of using cloud services in university: a case study
Authors: Wu Wei‐Wen , Lan Lawrence W. , Lee Yu‐Ting
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose a novel evaluation framework to explore the “root causes” that hinder the acceptance of using internal cloud services in a university.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed evaluation framework incorporates the duo‐theme DEMATEL (decision making trial and evaluation laboratory) with TAM (technology acceptance model). The operational procedures were proposed and tested on a university during the post‐implementation phase after introducing the internal cloud services.

Findings

According to the results, clear understanding and operational ease under the theme perceived ease of use (PEOU) are more imperative; whereas improved usefulness and productivity under the theme perceived usefulness (PU) are more urgent to foster the usage of internal clouds in the case university.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings, some intervention activities were suggested to enhance the level of users' acceptance of internal cloud solutions in the case university. However, the results should not be generalized to apply to other educational establishments.

Practical implications

To reduce the resistance from using internal clouds, some necessary intervention activities such as developing attractive training programs, creating interesting workshops, and rewriting user friendly manual or handbook are recommended.

Originality/value

The novel two‐theme DEMATEL has greatly contributed to the conventional one‐theme DEMATEL theory. The proposed two‐theme DEMATEL procedures were the first attempt to evaluate the acceptance of using internal clouds in university. The results have provided manifest root‐causes under two distinct themes, which help derive effectual intervention activities to foster the acceptance of usage of internal clouds in a university.
Implementation of e‐Government at the local level in underdeveloped countries
Authors: Paroški Milan , Konjović Zora , Surla Dušan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to collect and articulate experiences acquired in implementation of e‐Government in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia) aimed at speeding up diminution of the gap in the level of local e‐Government development when compared to the developed countries, while taking into consideration the main constraints that are attributable to underdeveloped countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Contemporary methodologies were used for the project design and implementation of the communication and information infrastructure, accompanied with international and domestic good practices related to the development of e‐Government.

Findings

Based on the strategic recommendations related to ICT policy and standards, and annual operating plans, in the first five‐year period (2005‐2010) the level of the ICT deployment in the operation of AP Vojvodina Assembly and Government was achieved that is close to the level of e‐Government in the developed countries in early 2006. The computer communication network was developed in the buildings of AP Vojvodina Assembly and Government and electronic communication was fully embraced within that network (2007). All activities pertaining to sessions of the Government of AP Vojvodina are conducted electronically, without paper documents (2007), and the electronic voting system was implemented in sessions of the AP Vojvodina Assembly (2009). Several public electronic services were implemented: Library (2006), Portal APV (2007), Records and Archives Office (2010), Legal Regulations and Judicial Practice (2009), Distance Learning (2009) and Access to Records from Sessions of AP Vojvodina Government (2010). Another important result is development of the system aimed at improving IT literacy for all employees in provincial administrative bodies. The results indicate that the creative leadership, careful planning and strict management of implementation plans which are based on precise goals could facilitate a speedy development of e‐Government even under severe constraints in financial and technical resources.

Originality/value

Recommendations were made for the development of e‐Government at the local level, to ensure interoperability with subordinate and superior e‐Governments. Recommendations contain models of computer communication networks, software architectures, programme platforms and the strategy for implementation of e‐Government.
Incorporating KM education into LIS curriculum: perspectives from LIS academics
Authors: Roknuzzaman  , Umemoto Katsuhiro
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how and to what extent knowledge management (KM) has been incorporated into the library and information science (LIS) curriculum.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted using an e‐mail questionnaire survey of LIS academics world‐wide who adopted KM education in their schools. Based on a preliminary survey of 600 LIS schools' homepages, a structured questionnaire is sent out to 106 LIS academics via e‐mail. In total, 58 filled‐in questionnaires are received, of which 57 are valid for analysis. The analysis follows a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches of research with a primary focus on qualitative analysis.

Findings

LIS has assimilated the core content of KM based on the combination of varying proportions of major perspectives and skill‐sets of KM with an emphasis on information management and information technology‐oriented courses. The study also finds that LIS has incorporated KM following a partial adoption process through mutual borrowing of knowledge between LIS and KM.

Research limitations/implications

Many LIS schools, especially from non‐English speaking countries, do not come under investigation due to their lack of web accessibility.

Practical implications

This paper reinforces the curriculum renovation of LIS with the incorporation of KM. It suggests a strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other disciplines having KM interests, and the adoption of a balanced approach to KM that would consider wider audiences and market demand.

Originality/value

The study presents the practical experiences of LIS academics who adopted KM education. The study also explores the concept of “mutual borrowing of knowledge” between LIS and KM.
Relating price strategies and price‐setting practices
Authors: Ingenbleek Paul T.M. , van der Lans Ivo A.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This article aims to address the relationship between price strategies and price‐setting practices. The first derive from a normative tradition in the pricing literature and the latter from a descriptive tradition. Price strategies are visible in the market, whereas price‐setting practices are hidden behind the boundaries of an organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study deals with the relationship between price strategies and price‐setting practices that refer to the use of customer value, competition, and cost information. Hypotheses are tested on survey data on 95 small and medium‐sized manufacturing and service firms in The Netherlands.

Findings

The results show that price strategies and price‐setting practices are related because strategies are implemented through price‐setting practices. However, some firms do not pursue any of the strategies indicated by pricing theory, some firms engage in practices for no clear strategic reasons, and some firms insufficiently engage in appropriate practices to implement their strategic choices.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited to small companies. Researchers should examine why firms may not pursue any price strategy that is offered by pricing theory. They may also focus on organizational learning and pricing capabilities.

Practical implications

Managers need greater awareness about the price strategies they can use, should be cautious about a potential mismatch between price strategies and price‐setting practices, and should reassess whether their firms are capable of engaging in the appropriate practices.

Originality/value

Linking price strategies to price‐setting practices reduces conceptual confusion in the pricing literature and may help to specify the gap between pricing theory and practice.
Adventure versus gratification: emotional shopping in online auctions
Authors: Lee Min‐Young , Kim Youn‐Kyung , Lee Hyun‐Joo
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Online auctions have attracted emotional shoppers through exciting shopping processes such as searching and bidding. The recreational and emotional worth of online auction shopping forces auction retailers to develop tailored strategies for their consumers. To this end, this study aimed to classify online auction shoppers based on their emotional shopping motivations and examine the relations of demographics (i.e. age, gender, income, and education) and psychographics (i.e. impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, price sensitivity, and risk‐consciousness) to online auction shopper groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via an online questionnaire utilizing a pre‐recruited consumer panel that had experience of online auction shopping during the past 12 months. Existing measurement scales were adopted and tested for validity and reliability in the processes of academic expert review, expert debriefing, the pretest, and the main study. The measures consisted of consumer psychographics (i.e. impulsiveness, variety seeking, price consciousness, and risk consciousness), emotional shopping motivations (i.e. adventure and gratification), and demographic variables. The analyses of the study proceeded in two stages. First, a cluster analysis uncovered auction shopper segments that emerged from the two dimensions of emotional shopping motivation. Second, regression analyses determined the predictive powers of demographic and psychographic variables in discriminating auction shopper segments.

Findings

The findings suggested that there were distinct auction shopper segments based on adventure and gratification shopping motivations. Four cluster groups showed significant differences in demographic characteristics of age and gender, and psychographic characteristics of impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, and price sensitivity. The regression results provided information on predictive powers of selected variables (i.e. age, gender, impulsiveness, variety‐seeking tendency, price sensitivity, and risk consciousness) for different segments.

Originality/value

This study identified four online auction shopper segments and their differences in demographic and psychographic characteristics.
Brand communities: loyal to the community or the brand?
Authors: Marzocchi Gianluca , Morandin Gabriele , Bergami Massimo
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the relative emphasis accorded by members of a brand community to identification with that community and identification with the brand‐owner, and thereby close a gap in the literature to date.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the literature relating to identification, loyalty, and potentially mediating brand‐related constructs, a cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based survey was carried out at a brandfest organised by a major European motorcycle manufacturer. Data collected from 256 respondents were analysed by structural equation modelling, testing seven hypothesised causal links.

Findings

Brand loyalty is primarily influenced by identification with the brand community, through the mediating role of brand affect.

Research limitations/implications

The findings require confirmation in other settings and industry sectors before they can be generalised with confidence, but point to several fruitful research directions.

Practical implications

Brand strategists have new evidence to guide allocation of effort and resources to the effective cultivation and maintenance of brand loyalty.

Originality/value

The study makes an original contribution, in a real‐world setting, to the understanding of how members of a brand community relate to the brand, and of how their brand loyalty is activated.
Structural equation modelling in marketing and business research
Authors: Martínez‐López Francisco J. , Gázquez‐Abad Juan C. , Sousa Carlos M.P.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is a method that is very frequently applied by marketing and business researchers to assess empirically new theoretical proposals articulated by means of complex models. It is, therefore, a logical thought that the quality of the new advances in marketing and business theory depends, in part, on how well SEM is applied. This study aims to conduct an extensive review and empirical analysis of a broad variety of classic and recent controversies and issues related with the use of SEM, in order to identify problematic questions and prescribe a compendium of solutions for its suitable application.

Design/methodology/approach

The main analyses were conducted on a sample of 191 SEM‐based papers and 472 applications, i.e. all the SEM‐based studies published in four leading marketing journals during the period 1995‐2007.

Findings

Despite the maturity of SEM, its application in marketing research still has notable room for improvement. This is a general conclusion based on numerous problems detected and discussed here.

Practical implications

The study provides plausible solutions to the problems identified, a useful guide that is easy to follow and to apply adequately to present SEM issues in marketing and business studies.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of SEM‐based papers and applications is limited to four publication outlets. A wider set or/and other journals different to those analyzed here may be preferred.

Originality/value

This is a valuable and timely study of the application of SEM in marketing and business research, and is also useful as a guiding framework for good practice. Likewise, as the problems discussed here presumably occur in other areas of social science, this paper should be welcome beyond the borders of the business disciplines.
Effects of package visuals and haptics on brand evaluations
Authors: Littel Sandra , Orth Ulrich R.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how visual and haptic package design characteristics singularly and jointly affect consumers' brand impressions.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrating and extending design perception with congruence and fluency theories, the paper presents three research propositions that are tested in three studies. Bottled water serves as an example category with data provided by professionals and consumers.

Findings

Study 1 identifies key types of holistic bimodal designs (Modern, Big Grip, Prototypical‐Small, Boxy Billboards, and Prototypical‐Large) based on brand visual and haptic factors. Study 2 relates these types to unique single‐modal brand impressions. Study 3 determines how consumers evaluate brands depending on the semantic congruence between haptics and visuals. Except for the excitement dimension, brand evaluations are more positive under conditions of high rather than low congruence.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are obtained for a single category (bottled water) using experiments designed to highlight and focus consumer attention on the formation of impressions. The findings may thus not fully reflect consumer responses in actual retail purchase situations.

Practical implications

The paper provides preliminary guidelines on how to utilize visual and haptic cues in the design of brand packages for stimulating desired consumer responses.

Originality/value

The work presented in this paper contributes to the literature on design‐based brand inferences and semantic congruence by integrating the visual with the haptic perspectives.
Influence of personality traits on perceived relationship quality within a franchisee‐franchisor context
Authors: Dant Rajiv P. , Weaven Scott K. , Baker Brent L.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This is the first attempt to examine the theoretical and empirical linkages between franchisee personality traits and franchisee‐franchisor relationship quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A self‐report online survey was used in this research to collect data from a random sample of 225 franchisees drawn across 80 franchise systems. Personality was represented by the Big Five personality traits (IPIP‐B5 scales) and relationship quality was conceptualized as a 23‐item second‐order construct (incorporating trust, commitment and relationship satisfaction). Regression analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Four of the five personality dimensions had the predicted effect on the outcome variable of relationship quality. Dimensions of “agreeableness”, “conscientiousness”, “emotional stability” had a positive effect on relationship quality, while “extraversion” had a negative effect on the dependent variable. Implications of these results are discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Although personality is a valid predictor of work‐related behaviours, future research should investigate the impact of other individual‐level influences (e.g. autonomy, self‐esteem, entrepreneurial fervour) on franchisee‐franchisor relationship quality. Overall, the authors recommend administration of the Big Five tests in franchisee recruitment and ongoing management activities.

Originality/value

The manuscript introduces the need to extend current inter‐organisational approaches to understanding franchise relationships through the inclusion of interpersonal constructs like personality dimensions. In effect, it calls for a marriage of B2B and B2C perspectives to examining the franchising and more generally the relationship marketing phenomenon.
Networks: a social marketing tool
Authors: Barrutia Jose M. , Echebarria Carmen
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This research aims to extend the social marketing literature by considering the network effect as a social marketing tool. The network effect is seen as complementary to traditional social marketing tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study the implementation of a good practice, Local Agenda 21 (LA21), in the Basque Country. The empirical test involves 134 surveys conducted with municipal organizers of LA21. A SEM model is developed and tested.

Findings

The network effect significantly impacts embrace of LA21 (social product) by municipalities.

Research limitations/implications

The study refers to a single regional context. Future investigations are required in broader geographical contexts.

Practical implications

This research aims to indicate possible alternative marketing‐related paths towards a more across‐the‐board diffusion of locally based sustainable development (SD) strategies. This approach could be used to achieve strong adoption of other good practices.

Originality/value

The authors adopt an uncommon perspective. Social marketing is viewable as a relationship‐oriented government‐to‐government tool.
The quality and determinants of voluntary disclosures in annual reports of Shari'ah compliant companies in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmed Haji Abdifatah , Anum Mohd Ghazali Nazli
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of voluntary disclosure practices by Shari'ah compliant companies (ShCCs) in Malaysia. The study also examines factors influencing the quality of voluntary disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a weighted disclosure analyses approach, a self‐constructed disclosure checklist was developed to measure the quality of corporate voluntary disclosures (CVDs). The study examines the annual reports of a sample of 76 ShCCs selected from various sectors listed on Bursa Malaysia in the year 2009.

Findings

The results indicate that the quality of voluntary disclosures by ShCCs is in overall low consistent with prior studies that gauged the quality of CVDs in Malaysia. The multivariate regression analyses reveal that board size is significant in explaining the quality of CVDs at the 5 percent significance levels. Company size and leverage as control variables are also significant at the 1 and 10 percent significance levels in determining the quality of CVDs by ShCCs. The reduced regression model further indicates that government ownership is highly significant at the 1 percent significance level in explaining the quality of CVD by ShCCs while leverage is significant at the 5 percent levels.

Practical implications

The low level of corporate disclosures by the ShCCs in Malaysia suggests that these companies require awareness on matters relating to the concepts of accountability and full disclosures in becoming accountable to the community. Hence, the Shari'ah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission Malaysia should provide awareness on matters relating to accountability and transparency which could lead to socio economic justice. The commission may also introduce a detailed reporting guideline for the companies to follow.

Originality/value

This study provides useful insights on the disclosure quality of ShCCs in Malaysia which remained largely unexplored. The study also represents the first empirical investigation toward the association between voluntary disclosures by ShCCs and corporate governance attributes in the Malaysian context.
Measurement model of corporate zakat collection in Malaysia
Authors: Owolabi Yusuf Muhammad‐Bashir , Mat Derus Alias
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of the study detailed in this paper is to conceptualize the model of the determinants of individual decision to adopt corporate zakat collection in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a conceptual work that identified a number of factors that influence the adoption of an innovation as it relates to zakat collection in Malaysia by surveying a number of acceptance model.

Findings

A total of nine factors that are likely to contribute to the success of corporate zakat collection in Malaysia were identified and formulate hypotheses concerning them.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper and hypotheses need to be tested to ascertain their veracity.

Practical implications

The likely outcome of this research work from testing the final model will be an extension of the existing behavioural models (IDT, TAM, Trust), through new constructs validated within Muslim community, using zakat payers. The model, hopefully, will provide motivation for further research in the area of zakat collection in Malaysia.

Originality/value

This is a pioneer work seeking to develop a model for corporate zakat collection.
Quality function deployment in healthcare: a literature review and case study
Authors: Gremyr Ida , Raharjo Hendry
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This article aims to provide a literature review on the use of quality function deployment (QFD) in healthcare and a case study in order to provide contextual knowledge as a means of improving applications of QFD in healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature search was done via Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science using the keywords “quality function deployment” and “healthcare”; focusing on journal publications and their related citations. The case study was done within a design for Six Sigma project (DFSS) in a Swedish hospital. Empirical data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews and project documentation.

Findings

Four potentials (better understanding of customers' needs and wants, identification of opportunities for process improvement, effective system thinking approach, and better communication and more transparent process) and three antecedents (understanding the customer, understanding the customer's needs, and finding ways to prioritize and translate those needs) of QFD application in healthcare were identified from the literature review. From the case study, the application of QFD leads to an increased awareness of a complex multiple‐customer concept, traceability of the improvement strategies in a more structured way, and the formation of a new process organization. A time study at one clinic (cardiology) before and after the project within which the QFD was used showed that the time spent on prescription of medication has decreased by more than 20 percent. This has increased the time that doctors can spend with their patients.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the potentials and antecedents of applying QFD in healthcare from previous research. Furthermore, the practical findings obtained from applying QFD in the project can also provide some useful insights for practitioners.

Originality/value

The novel contribution is two‐fold. First, it is the identification of the potentials and antecedents of using QFD in healthcare context. Second, it is the findings and learning from a practical application of QFD for improving a medication process in the hospital.