bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The rise of the furniture manufacturing industry in Western North Carolina and Virginia
Authors: Cater John James
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand better the formation of an industry and the movement toward agglomeration by examining the development of the furniture manufacturing industry of Western North Carolina and Virginia.

Design/methodology/approach

In this general review, the initiation and growth of the furniture industry is traced, applying the theory of agglomeration and noting isomorphic tendencies and the primacy of the search for legitimacy among constituents.

Findings

The paper finds first of all, the pioneering efforts of Thomas Wrenn in High Point brought the industry to the region. An initial wave of furniture manufacturers followed closely behind Wrenn as the industry gained legitimacy and status in North Carolina. Important elements in building the industry included the establishment of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association and the Southern Furniture Market in High Point. A second wave of furniture producers arrived on the scene after the First World War. This group benefited from cooperative actions of the survivors of the first wave and brought the Western North Carolina and Virginia area to the forefront of the furniture manufacturing industry in the USA. Finally, the paper comments on the current state of the industry in relation to the threat of foreign competition.

Originality/value

The furniture industry is not alone in the need to understand the impact of globalization. Practitioners and researchers alike should be aware of the costs to stakeholder groups, such as employees and local communities.
Innovation, diffusion and adoption of total quality management (TQM)
Authors: Osayawe Ehigie Benjamin , McAndrew Elizabeth B.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The present paper seeks to establish, through literature reports, if TQM is still a management theory in vogue or now a management fad. To achieve this, the innovative change process of TQM is examined, along the dimension of creativity, invention, innovation, diffusion and adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach for data collection is basically secondary sources. The literature is extensively reviewed to arrive at the position presented in the paper.

Findings

From the reviews made it is argued that, although TQM looks faddish in graphical presentation of articles on TQM, it cannot be concluded that it is now a management fad. Though reports on TQM seem to diminish among popular press but academic scholars are still very much engrossed with empirical studies on TQM. This is based on the fact that many organizations still adopt and implement TQM and its diffusion is on the increase globally.

Research limitations/implications

The main source of literature for the presentation is the ABI‐INFORM database. This might have reduced the generalizability of the findings in the present research. It is encouraged for other sources of literature to be explored.

Practical implications

It is implied from the present research that TQM is still a management philosophy in practice. Because it is diffused cross‐culturally, it is encouraged for its adopters not to use it as a “canned technique” of management change. Rather the management ideas need to be adapted within specific organizational settings, putting into consideration employees' personality, organizational leadership styles, reward system, and other cultural practices. Implementers of TQM should endeavor to fully understand the antics of the management philosophy and implement accordingly. A clear understanding and training of personnel on TQM philosophy is pertinent for protecting it from becoming a management fad.

Originality/value

What is original about the paper is the conceptualization of TQM along the organizational change process. TQM is presented as an innovation and its diffusion and adoption processes are sequentially analyzed.
Industrial robotic system programmed from CAD files – an update
Authors: Norberto Pires J. , Godinho T. , Ferreira P. , Loureiro A.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

In this paper a solution capable of extracting robot motion information from CAD data is briefly presented and explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The motion information is added by the user to the CAD file, defining in this way the approach, fly‐by and welding trajectories. So the user programs the robot. An application is then used to extract that information and constitute a pre‐program, which should be tuned with the real robot using a small set of rules. In this way, versatility of robotic cells is improved and its programming is simplified.

Findings

The developed CAD interface is tested using a robot welding experiment on a steel beam used for industrial buildings.

Originality/value

This paper builds on work previously described in “CAD interface for automatic robot welding programming” published in Industrial Robot, Vol. 31, No. 1.
Development of closed‐loop control of robotic welding processes
Authors: Steele John P.H. , Mnich Chris , Debrunner Chris , Vincent Tyrone , Liu Stephen
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to develop closed‐loop control of robotic welding processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach being developed is the creation of three‐dimensional models of the weld pool using stereo imagining. These models will be used in a model‐based feedback control system. Fusion of more than one sensor type in the controller is used.

Findings

Three‐dimensional images can be produced from stereo images of GMAW‐p weld pools. This requires coordinating the image capture with the arc pulse to allow observation of the pool.

Research limitations/implications

This is a work in progress. The imaging is not being done in real time at this point in time. Future work will address this issue. Also, how the image information is to be used to make corrections within the controller is future work.

Practical implications

Closing the loop on GMAW welding will allow robotic automation of welding to proceed to a much broader degree of application.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that stereo imaging of out‐of‐position GMAW‐p weld pools is possible and the useful information can be obtained from these images. It also provides insights into the analysis required within the model‐based controller if one is to close the loop on the process specifically with regard to weld pool stability.
Price as a variable in online consumer trade‐offs
Authors: Karlsson Ted , Pitt Leyland , Spyropoulou Stavroula
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To determine the impact of price on consumer decision making in online environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses a conjoint experiment to investigate the trade‐offs customers make when choosing and to establish their relative weights in online and offline situations.

Findings

Finds that customers expect prices to be lower in an online environment than in a traditional sales channel.

Research limitations/implications

Despite acknowledged limitations of experimental design and student samples, the findings have both theoretical and practical implications.

Practical implications

Marketing planners can use the intelligence gained from conjoint studies such as this to improve the design and implementation of online retail experiences.

Originality/value

Compares online and offline shopping environments with specific regard to the importance of price in each in the consumer decision‐making processes, a hitherto overlooked issue in marketing research.
Identifying the effects of cannibalization on the product portfolio
Authors: Raghavan Srinivasan Sundara , Ramakrishnan Sreeram , Grasman Scott E.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The need for studying the effects of cannibalization and its importance has been established in the literature, especially, since an assessment of the expected cannibalization effect of a new product can help in deciding on suitable times for new product introduction and promotions. However, quantitative measures that can be easily monitored and interpreted are not commonly available.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses parametric measures to help identify and investigate the effects of cannibalization. It proposes a predictive framework that may be used to investigate the effects of cannibalization. A case study, with real data from a consumer beverage company, illustrates the practical applicability of the model.

Findings

The parametric measures developed helped to identify the level of product cannibalization at the product, product group, family and brand levels in the portfolio.

Originality/value

Marketing strategists who can identify the victims of cannibalization in the product portfolio will be better prepared for the effects of cannibalization.
The benefits, challenges and impacts of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) for retailers in the UK
Authors: Jones Peter , Hillier David , Comfort Daphne
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To offer an outline of the characteristics of radio frequency identification technology (RFID) and discuss its perceived benefits, impacts and challenges, as they apply to retailers in the UK. The paper draws together a range of information and intelligence about the application of RFID and reflects on the strategic planning challenges it poses to retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws its material largely from trade and practitioner sources and illustrates general themes with specific retail examples.

Findings

The paper suggests that RFID has the potential to deliver a wide range of benefits throughout the supply chain, including tighter management and control, reduction in shrinkage, reduced labour costs and improved customer service. However, retail users will have to address a number of operational and strategic challenges and consumer privacy concerns before these benefits can be fully realised. The adoption of RFID may further increase structural concentration within the retail sector of the economy, and have a major impact on retail operations at shop floor level and on the customers' shopping experience.

Originality/value

An accessible outline of RFID developments within UK retailing, of interest to marketing professionals and academics concerned with marketing practice. A companion piece to the paper by Wyld et al. in this issue.
The use of information technology (IT) by electronic media workers in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Adomi Esharenana E. , Obarakpor Esoswo F. , Akparobore Daniel O.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To find out the patterns of information technology (IT) use by electronic media workers in Delta State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey design using questionnaires to collect data is employed.

Findings

These reveal the personal characteristics of the respondents – their sex, age, qualification, ranks/job titles, name of media organization; that all the respondents use IT facilities/components; most of them use computers system daily; a majority do not use internet/e‐mail nor fax machine but a majority use telephone; a good number of them use IT facilities to send message/news to their office; IT facilitates their sending/receiving of news/messages; frequent power outages among other factors militate against use of IT by the workers.

Originality/value

The findings would assist electronic media organizations in developing countries to develop policies that could make media workers better users of IT.
Analysis of users' searches of CD‐ROM databases
Authors: Okpala Angela E. , Igbeka Josephine U.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This study investigates the behaviour of searchers of CD‐ROM databases in the Kenneth Dike Library of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to identify the behaviour of end‐users with different amounts of overall experience in searching electronic databases in order to identify the knowledge of their search systems and syntax, and its effect on their search results, for the purpose of improving user education.

Design/methodology/approach

All end‐users who conducted searches during the period of the research were the subjects of the research. A well‐constructed questionnaire, including interviews and observations, were used to collect the requisite data. The variables included in this study are user variables, search process variables and search outcome variables. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings

The results show that logical operators “AND” and “OR” are significantly used for searching by end‐users; that search results are dependent on search strategy employed by the user. The more sophisticated the search strategy, the greater the result in terms of number and relevance obtained by the searcher. The result also shows that there is no relationship between the level of education of users and quality of search strategy.

Practical implications

The implication of the study is mainly the importance and necessity of training for end‐users in CD‐ROM literature search.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of the study is based on the fact that certain strategic methods are required for a successful CD‐ROM literature search and that this does not depend on the level of education of users. This paper is therefore important and applicable to all end‐users who are interested in conducting CD‐ROM literature search.
Beyond satisfaction: customer attachment to retail banks
Authors: Aldlaigan Abdullah , Buttle Francis
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This research paper seeks to investigate the different types of attachment that customers develop towards retail banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach blends literature reviews, in addition to qualitative and quantitative methods. The primary research programme analyses data from seven focus groups, 39 one‐on‐one interviews and 1,058 individual consumer questionnaires.

Findings

Identifies three forms of positive attachment, based on three different foundations: the credibility of the organisation, compatibility between the values of the organisation and those of the consumer, and interpersonal or relational considerations. Presents a statistically valid and reliable scale that can be used to measure these three forms of attachment. Also identifies other forms of customer‐bank attachment grounded on less positive associations, including inertia and alienation.

Originality/value

The scale can be used to identify customer‐organisational attachment profiles that transcend or complement customer satisfaction, and provide a basis for relationship longevity.
The importance of consumers' perceived risk in retail strategy
Authors: Mitchell Vincent‐Wayne , Harris Greg
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Gaining and sustaining a strategic competitive advantage in retailing requires knowledge of the attributes consumers value and use to discriminate between stores and why those attributes are important. Although many store image studies define discriminant attributes, few have attempted to explain either how these attributes lead to the satisfaction of personal shopping motives or how knowledge of these can be used to focus and reinforce a strategic position. The purpose of this article is to propose and examine a method to help retailers understand grocery consumers' store choice processes as a function of the linkages between store attributes, shopping motives and risk dimensions which can help them develop a more coherent and clearer positioning strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Means‐end chain analysis is used to explore how grocery customers build a mental link between store attributes, the consequences of not having those attributes, and the motives for seeking them.

Findings

The findings suggest that shoppers' motives are linked to only four main risk dimensions, namely time, financial, psychosocial and physical, and we present evidence for reassessing store positioning strategies, giving more emphasis to the risks involved.

Practical implications

The article suggests that the prime heuristics that consumers use to compare grocery stores are the four main risk dimensions. While consumers may think heuristically (i.e. deal in general perceptions of stores rather than comparing stores in every detail), retailers act in detail, and knowledge of how store attributes are related to these risk dimensions is therefore useful to retail marketers in developing and positioning stores. The findings also confirm the usefulness of means‐end chain analysis as a methodology for assessing retail store motivations, because it allows researchers to define all the store attributes which are important to respondents, gain responses in the respondent's language, and examine the underlying motives to which tangible and intangible attributes are related. Furthermore, the constructs/elements elicited can be used to feed into Kelly's repertory grid analysis, which is useful in positioning studies for determining a company's competitive position on one of the four main positioning dimensions.

Originality/value

The work extends the theory of means‐end chains by highlighting the relationship between the terminal values it produces and risk dimensions. The research is relevant to retail marketers in terms of store development and personnel training, and to consumer researchers interested in risk measurement.
Meeting metadata challenges in the consortial environment
Authors: Wisser Katherine
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to focus on the approaches to metadata pursued by North Carolina's Exploring Cultural Heritage Online (NC ECHO), a statewide digitization project. Metadata forms the cornerstone to the project and serves as a vehicle to meet the vision of all‐inclusive access to the state's unique cultural and historical resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The article begins with a description of the cultural heritage institution landscape in North Carolina and a discussion of that landscape within the framework of metadata challenges. Four distinct but interrelated approaches are then discussed in the context of the project's missions and goals: working groups, “metadata first”, training and outreach, and “Seek a Metadata Consultation”.

Findings

The described approach demonstrates a commitment to communication, facilitation, and empowerment that is fundamental to the overall mission of NC ECHO: to provide access to the state's cultural heritage materials through an online portal.

Originality/value

The article provides a discussion of the importance of marketing, approval, coordination, and participation in the context of these metadata solutions.
The Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive
Authors: Wykoff Leslie , Mercier Laurie , Bond Trevor , Cornish Alan
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the three state digital archive collaboration between the Washington, Oregon, and Idaho state historical societies, and Washington State University, a multi‐campus university.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the three major aspects of the IMLS Leadership project: the process of the museum/library collaboration, the technical aspects of the building, the digital archive and the metadata scheme, and the effort to engage the archive user with the past through interactive tutorials.

Findings

Building a contextually coherent digital archive from numerous geographically remote collections is possible to do given current meeting technologies and funding for travel. Project staff and partners need to be explicit and forthcoming about institutional and professional interests involved in collaborative projects. User focus groups found the site to be very engaging.

Originality/value

The paper describes the collaboration process, technically how the archive was built, and the development of the history tutorials and discussion board.
A holistic approach to quality success in developing nations
Authors: Wankhade Lalit , Dabade B.M.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Recently, Nobel Prize‐winning research in information economics has revealed that information asymmetry is instrumental for quality uncertainty, which is more crucial in developing nations. In this backdrop, aims to explain market mechanisms for various informational ambiences. Also, the paper aims to deal with quality management progress in developing countries. Factors responsible for quality success are identified and correlated.

Design/methodology/approach

System thinking is attempted in order to study information asymmetry repercussions on quality paradigm.

Findings

Quality success, particularly in developing nations, depends on many factors and there is a need to assimilate these related strands.

Originality/value

Implications for holistic quality success are offered.
Effects of reengineering on the employee satisfaction‐customer satisfaction relationship
Authors: Burke Ronald J. , Graham Jim , Smith Frank
Published: June 2005

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the correlations between measures of employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction before and after a major process reengineering initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in 130 branches of a large financial services organization using employee and customer surveys.

Findings

Scores on some employee satisfaction factors were predictive of customer satisfaction at both time periods. Other employee satisfaction factors were found to have a stronger relationship with customer satisfaction in one period but not both.

Research limitations/implications

This study needs to be replicated to determine the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Work demands which probably increased due to the reengineering initiative were predictive of customer satisfaction following the reengineering effort.

Originality/value

Organizations need to consider the effects of organizational changes in their efforts to provide high quality customer service.
Product and brand
Authors: Wigley Stephen M. , Moore Christopher M. , Birtwistle Grete
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To explore the factors crucial to international fashion retailer success and evaluate how internationalisation could be controlled efficiently by a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a qualitative approach in the form of case studies of two international fashion retailers. This involved structured interviews with management to explore their knowledge and experiences supported by secondary research such as company and media reports.

Findings

Defines the critical success factors especially contingent to their businesses, emphasising the importance of brand management, product development and differentiation to international fashion retailers.

Research limitations

An exploratory study which model needs testing using quantitative methods.

Originality/value

Understanding of how fashion retailers successfully internationalise will increase company efficiency.
Consumer‐based brand equity: improving the measurement – empirical evidence
Authors: Pappu Ravi , Quester Pascale G. , Cooksey Ray W.
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The present research aims to improve the measurement of consumer‐based brand equity. Current measurement of consumer‐based brand equity suffers from limitations, including: a lack of distinction between the dimensions brand awareness and brand associations, the use of non‐discriminant indicators in the measurement scales and of student samples.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the recommendations of extant research, the scale constructed to measure consumer‐based brand equity in this study included brand personality measures. Brand associations were measured using a different set of items. Unlike many of the previous studies that had used student samples, the present study used a sample of actual consumers from an Australian state capital city. Confirmatory factor analysis employing structural equations modelling was used to measure consumer‐based brand equity in two product categories and across six brands.

Findings

Results support the hypothesised four‐dimension model of consumer‐based brand equity across two product categories and six brands. Brand awareness and brand associations were found to be two distinct dimensions of brand equity as conceptualised in the marketing literature. The present study contributes to the understanding of consumer‐based brand equity measurement by examining the dimensionality of this construct.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the present research is that it provides empirical evidence of the multidimensionality of consumer‐based brand equity, supporting Aaker's and Keller's conceptualisation of brand equity. The present research also enriched consumer‐based brand equity measurement by incorporating the brand personality measures, as recommended by previous researchers. While earlier studies were conducted using US and Korean samples, the present study also used a sample of Australian consumers.
The locus effect on inertia equity
Authors: Ye Gewei
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The paper attempts to answer “Will the shift from the locus of self to locus of others impact the magnitude of loss aversion?” and “Will different prices affect the self‐other asymmetry in choice?”.

Design/methodology/approach

The design is a two (locus: self vs others) by two (anchoring price: $30 vs $90) between‐subjects’ factorial with both the locus of evaluation and the monthly service plan charges (anchoring prices) as the between‐subjects’ factors.

Findings

The author finds that inertia equity is smaller when consumers evaluate peer customers than when they evaluate themselves to switch brands. It is also found that the locus effect is applicable to brands at various prices.

Research limitations/implications

Further research should focus on the validations of the assumptions to support the empirical finding from the theoretical perspective.

Practical implications

Price reductions should be made personally relevant to the consumer and price increases should be made relevant to other things.

Originality/value

The locus effect expands the assessment of loss aversion from one (self or other) to two dimensions jointly (self and other). It demonstrates the impact of the locus of evaluation on the magnitude of loss aversion.
Collaborative querying using the Query Graph Visualizer
Authors: Hoe‐Lian Goh Dion , Fu Lin , Shou‐Boon Foo Schubert
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Information overload has led to a situation where users are swamped with too much information, resulting in difficulty sifting through material in search of relevant content. Aims to address this issue from the perspective of collaborative querying, an approach that helps users formulate queries by harnessing the collective knowledge of other searchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The design and implementation of the Query Graph Visualizer (QGV), a collaborative querying system which harvests and clusters previously issued queries to form query networks that represent related information needs are described. A preliminary evaluation of the QGV is also described in which a group of participants evaluated the usability and usefulness of the system by completing a set of tasks and a questionnaire based on Nielsen's heuristic evaluation technique.

Findings

In the QGV, a submitted query is matched to its closest cluster and a recursive algorithm is applied to find other related clusters, forming a query network. The queries in the network are explored in the QGV, helping users locate other queries that might meet their current information needs. The results of the evaluation suggest the usefulness and usability of the system. Participants could complete their assigned tasks using the QGV and positively rated the system in terms of usability.

Originality/value

The techniques described can be used to design information retrieval systems that learn from the trials and tribulations of other searchers and help users in their quest for relevant and quality information
Options for presenting search results
Authors: Jacsó Péter
Published: June 2005

Purpose

Aims to discuss the various options for presenting the output of the search results of various online information systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigates and evaluates various methods of presenting search results employed by certain online information systems.

Findings

Different online information systems have different strengths and weaknesses relative to one another, and options present in one system may not be present in others.

Originality/value

Provides a comparison of the output of various online information systems, pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of the systems examined.
Dynamic cellular manufacturing under multiperiod planning horizons
Authors: Balakrishnan Jaydeep , Hung Cheng Chun
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to discuss cellular manufacturing is discussed under conditions of changing product demand. Traditional cell formation procedures ignore any changes in demand over time from product redesign and other factors. However given that in today's business environment, product life cycles are short, a framework is proposed that creates a multi‐period cellular layout plan including cell redesign where appropriate.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is illustrated using a two‐stage procedure based on the generalized machine assignment problem and dynamic programming. This framework is conceptually compared to virtual cell manufacturing, which is useful when there is uncertainty in demand rather than anticipated changes in demand. A case study is used to explain how the concept would work in practice.

Findings

One major characteristic of the proposed method is that it is flexible enough to incorporate existing cell formation procedures. It is shown through an example problem that the proposed two‐stage method is better than undergoing ad hoc layout changes or ignoring the demand changes when shifting or cell rearrangement costs exist. It also sheds some insight into cellular manufacturing under dynamic conditions.

Originality/value

This paper should be useful to both researchers and practitioners who deal with demand changes in cellular manufacturing.
Integrating six sigma and theory of constraints for continuous improvement: a case study
Authors: Ehie Ike , Sheu Chwen
Published: June 2005

Purpose

To investigate the potential of combining six sigma (SS) and theory of constraints (TOC) to improve production system performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature, this paper proposes an integrated TOC/SS framework and applies this framework to an axle manufacturing company to improve its gear‐cutting operation.

Findings

The results of the case study indicate that the company benefited tremendously from its emphasis on global improvement guided by the TOC concept. Managers were able to select a continuous improvement (CI) project that had greater impact on bottom line performance. On the other hand, SS provided various statistical tools and engineering techniques (such as value analysis, Pareto diagram and control charts) for defining the specific process to be improved, analyzing the root causes, and designing actions for making improvement.

Research limitations/implications

For the future effort of integrating TOC with SS and other CI techniques, we suggest the incorporation of a TOC methodology, thinking process (TP).

Practical implications

Overall, the integration of SS and TOC provides managers with an excellent platform for two CI techniques to work together and create great synergy.

Originality/value

This study adds to the CI literature and practice by demonstrating the value of a method of combining TOC and SS.
Mayahood Through Beauty: Indian Beauty Pageants in Guatemala
Authors: Schackt Jon
Published: June 2005

The election of a Ra’bin Ajaw constitutes the climax of the National Folklore Festival (Festival Folklórico Nacional), which since 1969 has taken place in Cobán during the last week of July. All participants are Maya Indians and must wear the traditional folk costume of their native township. The intention of this and other Indian pageants has been to preserve and reinvigorate traditional forms of cultural expression. Different from Ladina beauty queens, Indian queens are elected not so much on the basis of their looks as on their aptitude for representing cultural ‘authenticity’. However, as the notion of the authentic relates to how cultural identities are constructed in the present, the beauty pageant has increasingly been troubled by a tension between a traditional folklorist type of orientation and a more recent and politicised Mayanist one. Indeed, the Indian pageants, originally formed within a folklorist paradigm, have become important arenas for the communication of Maya consciousness and identity.
Circadian variation of the cell proliferation in the jejunal epithelium of rats at weaning phase
Authors: Gomes J. R. , Pereira A. A. M. , Barth L. , Silva J. S. , Leite M. L. , Wille A. C. M. , Soares M. A. M.
Published: June 2005

Abstract.   Circadian variation in cell proliferation of the jejunal epithelium of 18‐day‐old rats was studied using the 2‐h arrested metaphase score and crypt isolation method. A continuous decrease in the arrested metaphases occurred from 07.00 h to13.00 h. From 17.00 h arrested metaphase values increased and were maintained at the higher level during the dark period as showed by Cosinor analyses (P < 0.05). These results indicate that in the young rat there is already a circadian variation in jejunal epithelial cell proliferation as early as 18 days. We can even suggest that the presence of a circadian rhythm at weaning contributes to the steady state of cell proliferation in the intestinal epithelium observed in adult life.
Effects of ultra‐wideband electromagnetic pulses on pre‐neoplastic mammary epithelial cell proliferation
Authors: Sylvester P. W. , Shah S. J. , Haynie D. T. , Briski K. P.
Published: June 2005

Abstract.  Electromagnetic ultra‐wideband pulses (UWB) or nanopulses, are generated by a wide range of electronic devices used in communications and radar technology. However, the specific effects of nanopulse exposure on cell growth and function have not been extensively investigated. Here, studies have been conducted to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to non‐ionizing, low to moderate intensity nanopulses on the growth of pre‐neoplastic CL‐S1 mammary epithelial cellsin vitro. Cells were grown in culture and maintained in serum‐free defined medium containing 10 ng/ml EGF and 10 µg/ml insulin as comitogens. Studies showed that 0.25–3.0 h exposure to nanopulses of 18 kV/m field intensity, 1 kHz repetition rate and 10 ns pulse width had no effect on CL‐S1 cell growth or viability during the subsequent 72‐h culture period. However, exposure to similar nanopulses for prolonged periods of time (4–6 h) resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation, as compared to untreated controls. Additional studies showed that nanopulse exposure enhanced CL‐S1 cell growth when cells were maintained in media containing only EGF, but had no effect on cells maintained in defined media that were mitogen‐free or containing only insulin. Studies also showed that the growth‐promoting effects of nanopulse exposure were associated with a relatively large increase in intracellular levels of phospho‐MEK1 (active) and phospho‐ERK1/2 (active) in these cells. These findings demonstrate that prolonged exposure to moderate levels of UWB enhanced EGF‐dependent mitogenesis, and that this growth‐promoting effect appears to be mediated by enhanced activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway in pre‐neoplastic CL‐S1 mammary epithelial cells.
Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome: therapeutic approach and outcome in 113 patients
Authors: Anadolu Rana Yavuzer , Birol Ahu , Sanlı Hatice , Erdem Cengizhan , Türsen Ümit
Published: June 2005

Background  Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) are the most common forms of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL). Various topical and systemic therapeutic alternatives are available, but there is no standard or definite curative treatment regimen. When making a decision about the appropriate treatment modality, the age and compliance of the patient, stage of the disease, treatment accessibility, and previous treatment history should be considered.

Aim  To determine the therapeutic response of patients with MF and SS to different treatment modalities. Patients were evaluated with respect to their clinical and demographic features.

Methods  One hundred and thirteen patients diagnosed clinically and dermatopathologically with MF and SS between March 1984 and June 2001 were included in the study.

Results  Of the 113 patients studied, 110 had a diagnosis of MF and three had a diagnosis of SS; 101 patients (89.4%) were diagnosed with early stage (IA, IB, IIA) and 12 (10.6%) with late stage (IIB, III, IVA, IVB) disease. The age at diagnosis varied between 12 and 81 years (mean, 45.6 ± 15.8 years). Fifty‐five (48.7%) patients were male and 58 (51.3%) were female. The duration of the skin lesions varied between 1.5 months and 32 years (mean, 6.1 years). Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) was the most commonly used initial treatment modality in early stage disease (91%), with a complete remission (CR) rate of 80.4%. With PUVA + interferon‐α (INF‐α) treatment, CR was 57% in the early stages and 33.3% in the late stages. For late stage disease, systemic therapies, such as pentostatin, gemcitabine, and fludarabine, alone or in combination with INF‐α, were preferred. Of the 113 patients, eight (7% of the total and 57.1% of the advanced stage cases) died of MF; 21.4% of the late stage patients showed partial remission and 14.2% showed CR. None of the patients diagnosed with early stage disease died of MF, but two (1.9%) progressed to late stage disease.

Conclusions  PUVA and PUVA + INF‐α are effective treatment modalities, especially for early stage MF. Once the disease has progressed, both MF and SS are very resistant to treatment regimens, including chemotherapeutic agents. It is important to diagnose and treat these diseases, especially MF, in the early stages for lasting remission.
Klebsiella oxitoca folliculitis mimicking tinea barbae in a diabetic man
Authors: Cascio Antonio , Cannavò Serafinella Patrizia , Guarneri Claudio , Iaria Chiara , Guarneri Biagio
Published: June 2005

A 55‐year‐old male dairy farmer was admitted to our hospital with a skin infection on the neck and face. He was apparently in good general health, and his medical history was unremarkable. He reported that, 50 days before admission, a pruritic red maculopapular rash had developed on the anterior region of his neck. This rash failed to improve after a 10‐day course of trimethoprim‐sufamethoxazole and fluconazole; rather it progressively worsened. On admission, examination revealed confluent follicular papulae‐pustules with purulent‐hematic exudation and crusting, on an erythematous‐edematous area extending over the anterior region of the neck, chin and mandible (Fig. 1); hairs within the affected area were not compromised. Body temperature was 38.5 °C, and cervical nodes were not appreciable. Results of routine laboratory investigations were: white blood cells (WBC), 8090/mm3 (85% neutrophils, 10% lymphocytes and 4% monocytes); erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 72 mm/h; C‐reactive protein, 44.8 mg/100 mL; serum glucose, 453 mg/100 mL. Quantitative measurements of serum levels of immunoglobulins M, G, A, and E, total complement activity, complement factors C3 and C4, and alpha‐1‐antitrypsin were within normal limits.

Coalescent follicular papulae‐pustules with purulent‐hematic exudation and crusting, on an erythematous‐edematous area involving the face and neck of a dairy farmer

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Swabs for bacteriological and mycological analysis were taken from pustules. While waiting for the results of the cultures, insulin therapy was started at 40 IU/day, because of hyperglycemia. Mycological culture was negative, while bacteriological culture yielded Klebsiella oxitoca. The patient was treated with ceftazidime 4 g/day intravenously and amikacin 1 g/day intramuscularly for 3 weeks, and a slow and progressive improvement, with no formation of scars or alopecic areas, was observed (Fig. 2).

Appearance of the previously involved area after a 3‐week course of ceftazidime and amikacin. The area is completely healed, with no evidence of scarring or alopecia

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Evaluation of the efficacy of ciclopirox 0.77% gel in the treatment of tinea pedis interdigitalis (dermatophytosis complex) in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Skinner Alayne R. , Cooper Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2005

Background  Ciclopirox is an antifungal agent and is effective against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. These properties may give ciclopirox an advantage over other antifungal agents in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with secondary bacterial infection (dermatophytosis complex).

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of ciclopirox 0.77% gel in the treatment of tinea pedis interdigitalis with secondary bacterial infection in a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical study.

Subjects and methods  One hundred subjects were enrolled in this 8‐week study (twice‐daily ciclopirox, 40 subjects; once‐daily ciclopirox, 40 subjects; twice‐daily vehicle, 20 subjects). Mycologic sampling, bacterial swabs, and evaluations for symptoms and signs of tinea pedis were performed on a target webspace at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, and 8. Global evaluations were made by both investigator and subject at each visit.

Results  Ciclopirox gel applied once or twice daily significantly reduced the signs and symptoms at week 8, compared with vehicle (P < 0.0036). The mycologic cure and complete cure rates were much higher for the ciclopirox regimens than for the vehicle regimen. Early reduction of bacterial counts was noted with the ciclopirox regimens. There was no significant difference in the adverse event rate between the ciclopirox groups and the placebo group.

Conclusion  Ciclopirox 0.77% gel, applied once or twice daily, is effective and safe in the treatment of tinea pedis interdigitalis with concomitant bacterial infection (dermatophytosis complex).
Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis in bone marrow transplant recipient
Authors: Altclas J. , Lescano A. , Salgueira C. , Di Martino A. , Brennan V. , Campestri R. , Ritacco V. , Palmero D.
Published: June 2005

Abstract: Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB) is an increasing problem worldwide, however only three cases have been previously described in transplant recipients, especially involving lung and heart transplant. We describe a case of multidrug‐resistant TB in an allogenic bone marrow transplant recipient with good response to second‐line therapy.
A descriptive study examining postdischarge patient needs after laser ablation and transuretheral resection of the prostate
Authors: LeVasseur Sandra A , Fitzgerald Ruth , Bell Frances
Published: June 2005

LeVasseur SA, Fitzgerald R, Bell F. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 33–39

A descriptive study examining postdischarge patient needs after laser ablation and transuretheral resection of the prostate

This descriptive study identifies and describes the postdischarge experiences in two groups of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. The two patient groups included 12 patients who underwent laser ablation and 12 patients who underwent traditional transuretheral prostatectomy. A questionnaire was developed and used to examine the postoperative experiences of the two groups after discharge. The questionnaire obtained demographic information from medical records and examined the types of assistance required at home, the need to contact health professionals, difficulties encountered after catheter removal and the amount of time until resolution of symptoms and a return to normal activities. The laser ablation group were discharged home with an indwelling catheter, and thus were required to complete additional questions regarding their experiences of going home with a catheter and leg bag.

The results indicate the laser ablation group went home with an indwelling catheter and reported a higher frequency of symptom distress and technical problems in caring for the leg bag. The laser ablation group also sought more assistance from health professionals. These problems were not demonstrated in the traditional transuretheral prostatectomy group, who remained in hospital until the catheter was removed. This study demonstrates the need for further nursing research examining patient issues that occur during the postdischarge recovery phase.
Restoring homeostasis in a residential care facility through behaviour modification
Authors: Wilson Sarah , Barrett Catherine
Published: June 2005

Wilson SJ & Barrett CM. International Journal of Nursing Practice 1998; 4: 51–57

Restoring homeostasis in a residential care facility through behaviour modification

A verbally aggressive, 32‐year‐old male with a traumatic brain injury was admitted to a unit in an aged care facility for residential care. The homeostasis of the unit was disrupted by the resident's verbal aggression and other inappropriate behaviours. With the guidance of a neuropsychologist, nursing staff were able to use behaviour modification to successfully replace the disruptive behaviours with more socially appropriate ones. A series of positive rewards was implemented in response to socially appropriate behaviour, whilst inappropriate behaviours received a negative reward. Several disruptive behaviours were affected by the single treatment implemented. This interdependence of targeted behaviours was viewed as a clinical advantage, as it served to provide a more rapid restoration of homeostasis to the unit. The use of a single‐subject, multiple baseline design in this case study demonstrates that disruptive behaviours may be reversible.
Varicocele rupture due to sexual intercourse
Authors: NISHIYAMA YASUHIRO , NAGAI ATSUSHI , NASU YASUTOMO , WATANABE MASAMI , KUSUMI NORIHIRO , MONDEN KOICHI , KUMON HIROMI
Published: June 2005

Abstract  Varicocele rupture was diagnosed in a 23‐year‐old man who presented with swelling and pain in the left scrotum after sexual intercourse. Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed blood flowing into the space surrounding the left testis, a hematoma and reflux of blood in the left spermatic vein. Varicocele rupture is a very rare condition and there have been only five reported cases.
Delayed adrenal insufficiency long after unilateral adrenalectomy: Prolonged glucocorticoid therapy reduced reserved secretory capacity of cortisol
Authors: KAZAMA ITSURO , KOMATSU YASUHIRO , OHIWA TAKAFUMI , SANAYAMA KYO , NAGATA MIKIO
Published: June 2005

Abstract  A 51‐year‐old woman with Cushing's syndrome underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for left adrenal adenoma. After 7 years of prednisolone treatment (with some interruptions), followed by 4 years of total withdrawal from prednisolone treatment, she presented with hypotension, weight loss, general fatigue, nausea, hyponatremia and hypoglycemia. These clinical features together with a low response in the rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone test led to the diagnosis of acute adrenal insufficiency. Relatively low serum adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in the face of increased demand for cortisol during adrenal crisis suggested a disordered hypothalamic‐pituitary function, indicating secondary adrenal insufficiency. This patient demonstrated the etiology of acute adrenal insufficiency long after unilateral adrenalectomy in association with subsequent glucocorticoid therapy. A reduction in the reserved secretory capacity of cortisol after prolonged prednisolone treatment was considered to have induced secondary adrenal insufficiency, even after 4 years of total withdrawal from prednisolone.