bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How increased enforcement can offset statutory deregulation
Authors: Vitaliano Donald F. , Stella Gregory P.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to estimate the cost to US savings banks and savings and loan institutions with assets under $250 million of complying with the anti‐redlining Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Design/methodology/approach

Compliance cost is modeled as a type of inefficiency because the lending institution is required to favor higher cost borrowers whom it might otherwise choose to avoid. Inefficiency is estimated using a special form of regression with a two‐part error term that contains an inefficiency parameter.

Findings

The 1995 statutory changes designed to lessen the cost of CRA compliance are apparently more than offset by the increased enforcement efforts of the Clinton Administration, which was hostile to deregulation enacted by Congress. For the vast majority of small thrifts, annual compliance costs grew by $251,000 following “deregulation,” and for a small number of “Outstanding” (in meeting the goals of the Act) institutions, CRA‐related costs grew by $539,000. These increases represent a rise of about 3.5 and 6 percent of operating expenses, respectively.

Practical implications

Given the wide latitude afforded financial regulators in the USA legislative changes regarded as “deregulation” also require a sympathetic and supportive administration to be realized.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into how increased enforcement can offset statutory deregulation, focusing on the case of the Community Reinvestment Act.
Managing the competition risks of communication between competitors
Authors: Houwen Fred
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The study sets out to report and comment, from a competition law perspective, on communication between competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study outlines the facts and presents an opinion.

Findings

The study finds that communications between competitors can give rise to serious competition risks. Such risks can be managed by putting in place a compliance programme. Such a programme should make employees aware of topics to avoid and topics that are safe to discuss.

Originality/value

The study shows how employees need to be aware of when an issue falls within a grey area of potentially problematic issues, so that they may seek advice where required. In competition law, prevention is better than cure.
Public relations and the free organizational publication
Authors: Somerville Ian , Wood Emma , Gillham Mark
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the results of research conducted among Scottish communication professionals, which investigated their perception of and attitudes toward recent trends and future developments with respect to the free organisational publication.

Design/methodology/approach

The mainly qualitative data presented in this paper were gathered using an in‐depth self‐completion questionnaire.

Findings

The paper finds that first, there have been significant changes in purpose, content, design and distribution of free organisational publications in recent years, but for the foreseeable future communication professionals envisage important roles for both print and electronic organisational publications. Second, practitioners tend to adopt the rhetoric and language of “technological determinism” when discussing new media technologies. That is, they tend to see themselves as relatively powerless in the face of “technological advances” and see their role as simply adopting what is given to them. This article argues that viewing the technology/society relationship from a more “social shaping” perspective will allow practitioners to utilise new media technologies in ways which will benefit them and their stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a more complete picture of the “value” of free organisational publications. Future research must necessarily investigate the viewpoint of the audiences.

Practical implications

The paper draws lessons for practitioners on how best to employ print and electronic publications and how they should respond to current claims made about new media technologies.

Originality/value

This paper investigates what is, in many ways, a quite different new media environment from that analysed by previously published UK research in this area. This study also theorises practitioner discourses in a more comprehensive way than many earlier studies by examining them in the context of the theoretical debates surrounding the relationship between technology and society.
Promoting people‐focused knowledge management: the case of IDOM
Authors: Aramburu Nekane , Sáenz Josune
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide a practical experience in a leading Spanish engineering company in order to promote people‐focused knowledge management and socialization and collective learning processes within the firm.

Design/methodology/approach

From an epistemological perspective, the survey assumes a phenomenological approach, aimed at achieving a holistic understanding and interpretation of organizational processes. The evidence‐collection sources have been documents and open‐ended interviews.

Findings

The case shows the paramount relevance of articulating a knowledge‐sharing culture throughout management systems and organizational policies and routines, in order to guarantee the alignment of individual and organizational mental models.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in providing knowledge management practitioners with a useful insight about how to achieve effective socialization and collective learning processes within their companies.
A systematic approach for knowledge auditing: a case study in transportation sector
Authors: Cheung C.F. , Li M.L. , Shek W.Y. , Lee W.B. , Tsang T.S.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to present a systematic approach for knowledge auditing which is composed of a number of stages with the focus on the establishment of an overall framework and customized tools for knowledge auditing.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic approach for knowledge auditing is composed of eight phases: orientation and background study, cultural assessment, in‐depth investigation, building knowledge inventory and knowledge mapping, knowledge network analysis and social network analysis, recommendation of knowledge management strategy, deploying KM tools and building collaborative culture, and continuous knowledge re‐auditing, respectively.

Findings

A systematic approach for knowledge auditing is proposed and trial successfully implemented in a railway company. The results show that the systematic knowledge auditing approach yields a number of benefits that include the identification of the critical knowledge and the subsequent recommendations can be derived for better managing the knowledge in the railway company.

Practical implications

Many KM programs failed because the companies themselves lacked the knowledge on KM and their knowledge organization. The practical implementation of the systematic approach for knowledge auditing allows an organization to reveal its KM needs, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats and risks. Hence, appropriate KM strategy can be derived for better managing its knowledge.

Originality/value

The proposed systematic approach for knowledge auditing addresses the shortcomings of some existing knowledge audit approaches which generally lack a systematic approach and have limited practical value for real‐life implementation. The capability of the proposed systematic approach is demonstrated through a successful implementation in a railway company.
Time lag assessment between research funding and output in emerging technologies
Authors: Daim Tugrul , Monalisa Mitali , Dash Pranabesh , Brown Neil
Published: July 2007

Purpose

In this paper, an analysis is presented of the research funding towards nanotechnology at the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and its relationship to the research output in Nanoscope, an application area of nanotechnology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the data collected from 1997 till 2006 and derives a definitive time lag between the allocation of research funds and issued patents and published journals. This assessment is achieved by identifying growth trends in patents, funds and publications and doing a curve‐fit analysis using the Fisher‐Pry model. Linear regression analysis is used to show the correlation between the funding and research outputs. Alongside, non‐linear programming objective function optimization technique is used to derive the time lag in years for each of the research outputs from the year of funds granted.

Findings

This paper demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between research funding and different research outputs. The time lag between funding and patents issued is evident from the patent trend analysis and Bibliometric analysis. In the case of Nanoscope, the patent time lag was found to be approximately five to six years, for journal article it was approximately two to three years and conference presentations happened right after the funding. The research outputs showed similar trends and were found to be interdependent as evident from our mathematical analysis.

Research limitations/implications

While this study has shown that lag times exist within the chosen example of Nanoscope, and furthermore can be calculated to a precise degree, further data points in terms of additional emerging technologies would support the hypothesis in a more general term. A future study can look at developing technology roadmaps of the future based on the funding happening today.

Originality/value

The work takes bibliometric analysis to a further intelligence and establishes key linkages between these indicators.
Business relationships redesign with electronic commerce tools
Authors: Salo Jari
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand and provide an empirical illustration for how electronic commerce (EC) tools are used to redesign business relationships. The amount and quality of EC tools have mushroomed and the use of these to redesign and digitize relationships is still a relatively under‐researched area. Most of the current research is conceptual in nature and empirical research has rarely been conducted.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of a literature review on EC and business relationships this paper provides the means to identify some important EC tools that can be used to streamline relationships. Besides, theoretical argumentation this research sheds some additional light on how relationships can be redesigned and digitized with a case study from the steel industry.

Findings

The case study reports on usage of the internet, enterprise resource planning systems and wireless local area network‐based mobile solutions to eliminate extra manual work and speed up order‐to‐delivery processes in a steel industry context.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides only one case study from a specific context.

Practical implications

For managers, this paper illustrates how interfacing processes in a steel industry business relationship can be conducted in a more cost‐effective manner. For academics this study highlights the need for further and consistent empirical research on the impact of EC tools on business relationships.

Originality/value

This paper casts light on business relationship redesign with EC tools and proposes further studies on this pertinent topic.
Critical success factors for implementing enterprise portals
Authors: Remus Ulrich
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to discuss critical success factors (CSF) for implementing enterprise portals by comparing them with CSF for ERP implementations.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify and rank CSF for portal implementations, the paper followed a multi‐method design, following a two‐stage approach with the first stage analyzing the state‐of‐the‐art of portal implementation by interviewing portal integrators in Germany and a follow‐up stage with a focus on CSF, thereby identifying and analyzing the CSF for portal (implementation) projects in general and across project stages. Then the findings are compared with the results of a similar study on CSF in ERP (implementation) projects.

Findings

When comparing CSF for portal projects with CSF of ERP projects, some similarities were found but also some differences with respect to top management support, project management, communication, selection of the software package and business process re‐engineering.

Research limitations/implications

There are limitations with regard to the comparability of both studies as both studies used different samples.

Practical implications

Based on these findings, measures to improve the engineering and management of portals can be proposed and developed.

Originality/value

Up to now, there are neither detailed studies focusing on the identification and evaluation of CSF for portal projects nor studies that try to compare portal and ERP projects. The paper tries to fill this gap.
Evaluating operations flexibility in industrial supply chains to support build‐to‐order initiatives
Authors: Coronado M. Adrian E. , Lyons Andrew C.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the implications of operations flexibility in industrial supply chains and the effect it has on supporting initiatives designed for build‐to‐order (BTO) manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

An industrial case study is used to investigate operations flexibility and its impact on industrial supply chains. Tools used in the analysis include value stream mapping (VSM) and a scorecard for performance measurement. The scorecard tool comprises daily utilisation figures, product demand and responsiveness measures such as supply chain cycle times and pipeline inventory.

Findings

The results of the analysis confirm that supply chain VSM and scorecarding are effective tools that can be used to measure the performance of supply chains through the identification of inefficiencies associated with supply chain integration/design. The analysis shows the duration of value‐adding and non‐value adding activities in the entire chain. Also, the analysis has revealed the close relationship between operations flexibility and the supply chain flexibility dimensions of people and information systems.

Research limitations/implications

The research presented analyses the operations and the supply chain of one industrial case study. The analysis does not cover the life cycle of the products mentioned in the study.

Practical implications

The study addresses the need, in the manufacturing industry, for tools that can be used in the analysis of manufacturing operations and supply chains, ultimately providing guidelines that can be used in the design of policies focused on performance improvement.

Originality/value

BTO initiatives are growing in importance in the manufacturing industry. The flexibility of operations and the supply chain are closely related to the concept of BTO in manufacturing.
Process‐oriented taxonomy of BPOs: an exploratory study
Authors: Niranjan T.T. , Saxena K.B.C. , Bharadwaj Sangeeta S.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to classify business process outsourcing (BPO), linking it to service level agreement (SLA) design needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a framework based on prior literature to classify BPOs and illustrates it with field research of Indian vendors.

Findings

The paper identifies criticality and complexity as the dimensions of classification and explicates the role of SLAs along these dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory research involving four vendors. A larger study is needed to strengthen/enrich the proposed framework, and make the findings more conclusive.

Practical implications

The taxonomy aids BPO industry practitioners in understanding the characteristics of different processes and the control issues arising therein. It also helps analysts to make more qualified generalizations within the BPO industry.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a dearth of literature on BPOs, especially from a vendor perspective. The taxonomy serves to position future work in this fast‐growing field of research.
Closed‐loop supply chain activities and derived benefits in manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Talbot Stéphane , Lefebvre Élisabeth , Lefebvre Louis‐André
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Closing the loop at the end of products' useful life is earning increased attention from industry and academia. The recent or upcoming enactment of regulations regarding the management of end‐of‐life products is forcing manufacturers to consider strategies to increase the residual value of the products they make. Facilitating the residual value extraction process for end‐of‐life products is a challenging issue deserving investigation. This paper proposes to investigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes empirical evidence from a sample of 205 environmentally responsive SMEs operating in the fabricated metal products and electric/electronic products industries. A coherent research model is developed which classifies the closed‐loop supply chain (CLSC) activities along two dimensions, the forward and reverse supply chains.

Findings

This first proposed taxonomy has been shown to be relevant for both sectors. The results also demonstrate that firms' abilities to implement CLSC environmental initiatives vary in their intensity and in their locus along the product value chain. Furthermore, benefits derived from these initiatives seem to vary according to the strategy favored by the firms.

Originality/value

This research is valuable for those firms interested in implementing CLSC strategies in a synergistic manner with their forward supply chain.
Towards an IT production function
Authors: Wagner Heinz‐Theo , Weitzel Tim
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to identify core IT value drivers in firms and to model them as an IT production function to help disclose and measure the IT value creation process and to guide managers in seeking adequate ways of employing the IT resource.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a critical review of the literature on the resource‐based view, an IT value framework based on the constructs IT capability, resource, and routine is developed and then formalized as an IT production function.

Findings

Organizational routines are decisive for turning firm resources into an IT capability and in turn into better business process performance. Shows how the IT value creation process in general and routines in particular can be measured and formalized.

Practical implications

As the interaction between IT and business units is crucial for IT value generation, organizational routines provide for important knowledge flows that turn firm resources into value generating capabilities. Proposes a concrete method to measure and evaluate these routines and thereby contribute to making the IT resource controllable.

Originality/value

The main contribution is the identification and analytical formalization of the role of routines for IT value creation. Shows how insights from the resource‐based view, microeconomic theory (Cobb‐Douglas/CES production function), and Granovetter's strength of ties argument can be used to describe, measure, and guide IT value creation and to develop an IT production function.
KM governance: investigating the case of a knowledge intensive research organisation
Authors: Schroeder Andreas , Pauleen David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The aim of the research is to identify the knowledge management (KM) governance configuration of an organisation and to investigate its impact on the development of knowledge management in the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Case research methodology has been adopted using data obtained from interviews with key personnel involved in the knowledge management of the organisation.

Findings

Findings show the particular importance of the centralised structure of the KM function for the creation of synergies among the different KM aspects; and the importance of leadership, communication and coordination to integrate other functions and to promote KM aspects in the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

Even though data has been obtained from several interviewees and secondary data, additional interviews with other key players of the KM initiative might have provided additional insights. This study describes a single organisation operating in a particular industry, which limits generaliseability.

Practical implications

Of particular importance is the portfolio of functions integrated in the KM Group, the provision of KM leadership, and the communication and coordination processes employed to support the KM initiatives.

Originality/value

Research into KM governance and the way in which KM is structured and coordinated in organisations is still relatively new. Little research has looked at the structures and processes behind organisational KM
A profile of ERP adoption in manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Raymond Louis , Uwizeyemungu Sylvestre
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to build and validate a typological profile of manufacturing small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in regard to their eventual adoption of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, based on the predisposition of their environmental, organizational, and technological context.

Design/methodology/approach

Provides cluster analysis of secondary questionnaire data obtained from a benchmarking database of 356 Canadian manufacturing SMEs.

Findings

Three types of SMEs were obtained: 140 “internally predisposed” SMEs, 60 “externally predisposed” SMEs, and 156 “unfavourably disposed” SMEs.

Originality/value

Provides a valid framework for analysis that can serve ERP vendors and consultants, as well as SME owner‐managers, the first to better target their offer of products/services, and the second to better position their firm before contemplating the implementation of an ERP system.
The effect of performance management on the organizational results of a bank
Authors: de Waal André A. , Coevert Vincent
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the impact and workings of a new performance management system in a branch of a national bank.

Design/methodology/approach

Performance data of the branch, before and after introducing a new performance management system, were collected and the results of actions taken by managers in the commercial divisions of this bank, to improve performance management, and the results of their responsibility areas were observed.

Findings

The striking issue in this case study is the different effects the introduction of the new performance management system had in the two commercial divisions of the bank branch. However, only the Private Clients division improved its results significantly while those of the Business Clients division only improved slightly. After analysis, it turned out that this difference was due to the way the new system was used. The divisional manager of the Business Clients division paid virtually no attention to the behavioural factors of importance to the successful implementation of performance management, with detrimental effects.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is that the research concerns a case study in which only one fairly small organisation has been the subject of investigation. Whether the same effects of performance management can be found in other, bigger organisations remains to be studied.

Practical implications

During the implementation of a performance management system an organisation has to expressly pay attention to fostering and improving the behavioural factors of performance management, in order to increase the chance if a successfully implemented and used system.

Originality/value

This article describes the results of a study that explored the impact and working of a new performance management system in a branch of a bank, and thereby sheds light on the important role behavioural factors play in the successful implementation and use of performance management.
Aligning strategic profiles with operational metrics in after‐sales service
Authors: Cavalieri Sergio , Gaiardelli Paolo , Ierace Stefano
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to overcome the limitations of the current models available in the literature in terms of relation and consistency between business strategy, service chain configuration and performance measurement systems, and on the alignment between strategic, tactical and operational levels of after‐sales decision‐making processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a literature review of after‐sales performance measurement systems and provides a first validation of the proposed integrated model through industrial case studies related to the provision of durable consumer goods in a business to consumer scenario.

Findings

The paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the factors which influence the performance of after‐sales, in order to allow enterprises to consistently design their corporate after‐sales service strategic performances with those required at operational levels within a service chain.

Research limitations/implications

Further development must be carried out in order to: enlarge the sample of companies and cases where the model can be applied, with a specific extension on a business‐to‐business industry; extend the model to the whole supply and service chain; enrich the framework in order to consider other aspects, as empathy; and develop a full integration with the SCOR model, including the definition of best practices.

Originality/value

The integration of the strategic and operational views subsumed by the framework would allow enterprises in relating more consistently their corporate After‐sales strategic and operational performance within a service chain and to assess the cause and effect relationship between operational drivers and financial and competitive results.
Measurement and analysis of customer satisfaction: company practices in Spain and Portugal
Authors: Fernández‐González Arturo J. , Carlos Prado Prado J.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The research objective is to analyze the situation and outlook for the future of the measuring and analysis practices used to determine customer satisfaction in 305 ISO 9000‐certified organizations of the Euro‐region Galicia (Spain)‐North of Portugal.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study was conducted on a random sample of 305 ISO 9000 companies. Data were gathered by personally interviewing those responsible for quality management at the companies.

Findings

Certified companies in the Euro‐region Galicia‐North Portugal have a high awareness of the need to measure and analyze the satisfaction of their customers and a predisposition towards it but, when it comes to putting said practice into action, they fall into certain methodological deficiencies that lead to their usefulness being only moderate.

Research limitations/implications

This is a basically descriptive work concerning the practice of measuring and analyzing customer satisfaction in certified companies, within the Galicia (Spain)‐North Portugal Euro‐region. The results obtained are based on evaluations given by the interviewees, so that their reliability depends, to a large extent, on sincerity and good information being provided by the same.

Originality/value

The work is particularly useful for practitioners. The results may act as a guideline for the companies implementing these practices and for those who will do so in the near future. It is also of interest for orientating activities involving evaluation, training and assessment by companies and official bodies related to quality management, such as consultants, certification bodies, universities, business schools, etc.
Soil macrofauna research in ecosystems in Uganda
Authors: Okwakol M. J. N. , Sekamatte M. B.
Published: July 2007

Soil is a living entity, comprising an inseparable mixture of solid, liquid and gaseous phases, and diverse fauna and flora, the below ground biodiversity. The macrofauna consists of animals longer than 4 mm or wider than 2 mm, which are easily located by the naked eye and include arthropods, molluscs and earthworms. This review is aimed at developing an inventory of the present knowledge about macrofauna in ecosystems in Uganda and identifying future priorities for research, application and capacity building. It is noted that there are a few assessments of soil macrofauna, diversity and abundance made for different habitats. Similarly, studies on their importance in ecosystems, distribution patterns, management, linkage with above ground biodiversity and effects of land use on them are deficient. Further, there is little documentation of farmers’ knowledge and practices related to soil macrofauna management and conservation. It is also noted that the current gaps in the soil macrofauna data and information have been caused by lack of capacity and expertise to identify, evaluate and manage this resource. More research and training in the taxonomy, ecology, economic evaluation and management of this fauna are suggested.
The present knowledge on soil pests and pathogens in Uganda
Authors: Sekamatte M. B. , Okwakol M. J. N.
Published: July 2007

To develop an inventory of the present knowledge about soil‐borne pests (insects, fungi, nematodes and bacteria) in Uganda, we review in this paper, aspects of their diversity, abundance, distribution in agro‐ecosystems control approaches as well as their role in sustainable land management. Knowledge gaps about the soil pests and short falls in human resource capacity are identified as possible factors affecting the development of appropriate management packages for the soil pests. Priority research areas and capacity building needs are suggested.
Status of research on soil microsymbionts in Uganda
Authors: Nkwiine C. , Rwakaikara‐Silver M. C.
Published: July 2007

A symbiotic relationship involves two or more organisms living together for mutual benefit(s). Neither partner could do well without the other. Symbionts are the individual partners in the relationship. Microsymbiosis is a relationship in which one of partners is a micro‐organism. Most of the symbioses involve higher plants acting as hosts to micro‐organisms. Microsymbionts play a major role in plant nutrition especially for nitrogen, phosphorus and water availability in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. They are a valuable resource for national development especially to countries, like Uganda, whose economies are heavily agro‐based. This review gives an inventory of the present knowledge on microsymbionts in Uganda and identifies future priorities for research, application and capacity building. In Uganda, not much is known or has been done regarding microsymbionts and their importance in both natural and agroecosystems. This may be associated with the fact that there are few scholars in the field of soil science available in the country. There is no specific policy on the conservation of microsymbionts. Attempts have been made on production and use of Rhizobium inoculants for promotion of the role of legumes in agricultural production. Other symbioses like mycorrhizae, Azolla and Frankia have not been exploited. Awareness raising and in‐depth research on soil microsymbionts’ production and use are recommended.
A review of studies on decomposer microbiota in Uganda
Authors: Rwakaikara Silver M. C. , Nkwiine C.
Published: July 2007

Soil microflora and fauna participate in many ecosystem functions including organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. These processes significantly control natural and agro‐ecosystems productivity particularly in Uganda. The decomposer microbiota is poorly studied despite voluminous data on the processes involved. Currently there is scanty information on the diversity, distribution, abundance, population dynamics, biochemical capabilities of these organisms and how the latter relate to the above ground biodiversity and the environment as a whole. Definite rather than deductive knowledge is required for conservation and sustainable management of these resources. Immediate research programmes are recommended to address gaps in scientific and socio‐economic aspects of micro‐decomposers and related fields. Equally crucial is the review of existing policies, how they relate to belowground biodiversity and identify gaps and avenues of influencing formulation of pertinent instruments. In addition, capacity building, both physical and human to handle the challenge(s) effectively is obligatory.
Isolation by distance and selection effects on genetic structure of sardines Sardina pilchardus Walbaum
Authors: Laurent V. , Caneco B. , Magoulas A. , Planes S.
Published: July 2007

Allozyme data were used to analyse the genetic structure of Sardina pilchardus populations. Fifty samples from 15 locations between the North Sea and Mauritania, including samples from the Azores, Madeira and the Mediterranean Sea, were surveyed. A weak but significant structure was found between all samples (FST= 0.057, P < 0·001). This structure results from a change in the most common allele of SOD* between the North African and the Azores populations separated by the greatest distance. This locus seemed to be under selective pressure according to the test of neutrality, and the variations in allele frequencies may be explained due to isolation by distance (IBD) of coastal populations (from Mauritania to the North Sea) (r= 0·86, P < 0·001). When SOD* was removed from the analyses, IBD was not observed in coastal populations (r= 0·236, P > 0·05) but was observed over the whole range (r= 0·321, P= 0·05). The genetic structure of S. pilchardus is driven by both IBD and selective processes.
Extremely high variability in the S72 intron of the Amazonian cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
Authors: Cooke G. M. , Beheregaray L. B.
Published: July 2007

Here, a combination of a DNA screening technique, direct sequencing and cloning was used to carry out a large‐scale assessment of intron variability in cardinal tetras – the first to be conducted for an Amazonian forest fish. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the levels of DNA variability reported in this study are the highest ever documented for an intron marker.
New insights on molecular systematics of opsariichthines based on cytochrome b sequencing
Authors: Wang H.‐Y. , Wang C.‐F. , Du S.‐Y. , Lee S.‐C.
Published: July 2007

Species or sub‐species including Parazacco spilurus fasciatus, Candidia barbatus, Zacco temminckii, Zacco sieboldii, Zacco platypus, Zacco macrolepis, Zacco pachycephalus, some undetermined Zacco taxa formerly misidentified as Chinese Z. platypus and Opsariichthys uncirostris were sampled, and their mitochondrial cytochrome b genes were sequenced. In the phylogenetic analysis, the genus Parazacco forms the basal taxon for the remaining members of the opsariichthine fishes, which can be divided into two major groups. The first group includes species with one longitudinal stripe on the flanks and contains Z. temminckii, Z. sieboldii and C. barbatus with sequence divergences of 12·7–16·5%. The second group has species with 10 cross bars on the body and includes O. uncirostris, Z. macrolepis, Z. platypus, Z. pachycephalus and five undetermined Zacco spp. (A–E) lineages. The estimated divergence times of mtDNA lineages within the nominal species of Z. pachycephalus and C. barbatus are >2 million years ago. According to geological evidence, this predates the earliest possible time for their arrival in Taiwan Island and indicates that the population differentiations might have been taken place in mainland China before their subsequent dispersal to Taiwan.
The effect of family structure on the likelihood for kin‐biased distribution: an empirical study of brown trout populations
Authors: Carlsson J.
Published: July 2007

This study is aimed at evaluating the likelihood that kin‐biased distribution will be expressed or detected in a range of brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations as a function of family size. Microsatellite analysis indicated that fewer full‐ and half‐siblings were found in populations with larger effective population sizes, while more full‐ and half‐siblings were found in populations with lower effective population size. It is suggested that kin‐biased distribution and hence kin‐biased behaviours are not likely to be expressed equally frequently in all populations since the number of close relatives will vary among populations and, hence, the opportunity for relatives to interact differs among populations. These findings can, at least partly, explain the discrepancy among previous studies of kin‐biased distribution in wild salmonids under natural conditions. Effective population size could, hence, be used to predict the salmonid populations in which kin‐biased distribution are more likely to occur and be detected.
The role of sex steroids in controlling pubertal growth
Authors: Perry R. J. , Farquharson C. , Ahmed S. F.
Published: July 2007

Longitudinal growth, which is primarily due to chondrocytic activity at the level of the epiphyseal growth plate, is influenced by many hormones and growth factors in an endocrine and paracrine manner. Their influence is even more complex during the accelerated growth period of puberty that accounts for about 20% of final adult height. Although abnormalities of growth during puberty are very common, the underlying mechanisms that govern the beginning and cessation of pubertal growth at the level of the growth plate are poorly understood. Sex steroids play a crucial role in pubertal growth both at the systemic level via the GH/IGF‐1 axis and at the local level of the epiphyseal growth plate. In both sexes it is now accepted that oestrogen is the critical hormone in controlling growth plate acceleration and fusion. This paper reviews the mechanisms that influence pubertal growth and the problems that are associated with disorders of gonadal function.
Prolonged human chorionic gonadotrophin stimulation as a tool for investigating and managing undescended testes
Authors: Dixon J. , Wallace A. M. , O'Toole S. , Ahmed S. F.
Published: July 2007

Objective  To observe the outcome in a group of children with undescended testes (UDT) given prolonged human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation as part of their management.

Study design  Retrospective review of 16 prepubertal boys given intramuscular hCG, 1500 U, on Days 1, 2 and 3 and then twice a week for 2 weeks with assessment of serum testosterone (T), SHBG, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androstenedione (A) on Days 1, 4 and 22.

Results  In seven boys (44%), peak rise in T was by Day 4; in 5 boys (31%), the rise was by Day 22 and in the remainder, serum T stayed low. The median Day1 testosterone : androstenedione (T : A) ratio rose from 0·4 (range 0·2–1·5) to 1·7 (range 0·2–5·3) at Day 4 (P < 0·05) with no further rise by Day 22. The median dihydrotestosterone : testosterone ratio (DHT : T) at Day 1 and Day 4 remained unchanged. SHBG levels were more likely to be lower at Day 22 than at Day 4. The mean testosterone : SHBG (T : SHBG) ratio as a marker of androgen sensitivity was 0·2 (1SD 0·1). Bilateral testicular descent deemed immediate surgery unnecessary in 3 out of 15 (20%) boys where outcome data were available.

Conclusion  Whilst a 3‐day hCG stimulation regimen may exclude 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐3 and 5α‐reductase deficiencies, some boys with cryptorchidism may require more prolonged stimulation to assess androgen production and sensitivity. The possibility that this regimen leads to a reduced need for orchidopexy requires further exploration.
Establishment of testicular endocrine function impairment during childhood and puberty in boys with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Bastida María Gabriela , Rey Rodolfo A. , Bergadá Ignacio , Bedecarrás Patricia , Andreone Luz , Del Rey Graciela , Boywitt Adriana , Ropelato María Gabriela , Cassinelli Hamilton , Arcari Andrea , Campo Stella , Gottlieb Silvia
Published: July 2007

Objective  To precisely characterize the chronology of testicular endocrine function impairment during childhood and adolescence in patients with Klinefelter syndrome.

Design  Retrospective chart review.

Patients  A total of 29 boys with Klinefelter syndrome with up to 12·3 years follow‐up.

Measurements  Clinical features and serum hormone levels were analysed during follow‐up.

Results  Of the 29 patients, 16 were prepubertal and 13 had already entered puberty at their first visit. Fifteen patients were followed up through late puberty. Before puberty, LH, FSH, testosterone, anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B were within the expected range in almost all cases. However, levels of the inhibin α‐subunit precursor Pro‐αC were in the lowest levels of the normal range in most cases. During puberty, FSH levels increased earlier and more markedly than LH. Inhibin B and AMH declined to abnormally low or undetectable levels in advanced pubertal stages. Although testosterone and Pro‐αC levels were within the reference ranges in most cases, they were abnormally low for the observed LH values.

Conclusions  In Klinefelter syndrome, a mild Leydig cell dysfunction is present from early childhood in most cases and persists throughout puberty. Sertoli cell function is normal until mid puberty, when a dramatic impairment is observed.
Screening patients with sensorineural hearing loss for vestibular schwannoma using a Bayesian classifier
Authors: Nouraei S.A.R. , Huys Q.J.M. , Chatrath P. , Powles J. , Harcourt J.P.
Published: July 2007

Objectives:  Selecting patients with asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss for further investigation continues to pose clinical and medicolegal challenges, given the disparity between the number of symptomatic patients, and the low incidence of vestibular schwannoma as the underlying cause. We developed and validated a diagnostic model using a generalisation of neural networks, for detecting vestibular schwannomas from clinical and audiological data, and compared its performance with six previously published clinical and audiological decision‐support screening protocols.

Design:  Probabilistic complex data classification using a neural network generalization.

Settings:  Tertiary referral lateral skull base and a computational neuroscience unit.

Participants:  Clinical and audiometric details of 129 patients with, and as many age and sex‐matched patients without vestibular schwannomas, as determined with magnetic resonance imaging.

Main outcome measures:  The ability to diagnose a patient as having or not having vestibular schwannoma.

Results:  A Gaussian Process Ordinal Regression Classifier was trained and cross‐validated to classify cases as ‘with’ or ‘without’ vestibular schwannoma, and its diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operator characteristic plots. It proved possible to pre‐select sensitivity and specificity, with an area under the curve of 0.8025. At 95% sensitivity, the trained system had a specificity of 56%, 30% better than audiological protocols with closest sensitivities. The sensitivities of previously‐published audiological protocols ranged between 82–97%, and their specificities ranged between 15–61%.

Discussion:  The Gaussian Process ORdinal Regression Classifier increased the flexibility and specificity of the screening process for vestibular schwannoma when applied to a sample of matched patients with and without this condition. If applied prospectively, it could reduce the number of ‘normal’ magnetic resonance (MR) scans by as much as 30% without reducing detection sensitivity. Performance can be further improed through incorporating additional data domains. Current findings need to be reproduced using a larger dataset.
Columella stabilising suture
Authors: Kunanandam T. , Sheikh S. , Hilmi O.J.
Published: July 2007

Keypoints

• Caudal septal deformities if uncorrected can lead to poor functional and cosmetic outcomes.

• Adequate fixation of the septum to the maxillary spine is paramount in correcting these deformities.

• We describe a simple technique for securing the caudal septum to the maxillary spine that stabilises it in all three planes.
Free radial forearm flapversuspectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of oral and oropharyngeal defects: a cost analysis
Authors: De Bree R. , Reith R. , Quak J.J. , Uyl‐de Groot C.A. , Van Agthoven M. , Leemans C.R.
Published: July 2007

Objectives: The free radial forearm flap has replaced the pedicled pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and it has become the ‘workhorse flap’ used by many head and neck reconstructive surgeons for soft tissue reconstructions. Cost implications of radial forearm flap reconstruction within the context of the overall health care in a particular system need to be investigated particularly before it is labelled as ‘costly only’.

Design and Setting: Forty patients who underwent immediate free radial forearm flap reconstruction for oral or oropharyngeal soft tissue defects were matched with patients who underwent pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction for similar defects. The 2 years of which the overall management costs according to the hospital perspective were calculated were divided into four periods: operative period, the postoperative phase, follow‐up during first year and follow‐up during second year after discharge.

Results: The total costs within the first 2 years were comparable at ∼50 000 euros. The lower costs of hospital admission (24 daysversus28 days;P = 0.005) in the postoperative phase outweighed the higher costs of the surgical procedure (692 minversus462 min;P < 0.005) in radial forearm flap patients when compared with pectoralis major flap patients.

Conclusions: Oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction with radial forearm flap is not more costly than pectoralis major flap reconstruction. Given the better functional outcome and the present cost analysis, reconstruction of oral and oropharyngeal defects is preferably performed using free tissue transfer.
A review on the genetics of otosclerosis
Authors: Moumoulidis I. , Axon P. , Baguley D. , Reid E.
Published: July 2007

Background:  The aetiology of otosclerosis is not fully understood despite intensive research. It is, however, certain that a genetic component plays a significant role in the manifestation of otosclerosis, although the precise mode of inheritance is still uncertain.

Objective of review:  To provide an up‐to‐date review for the genetics of otosclerosis. The mode of inheritance, chromosomal and linkage studies are presented. In addition, the possible genetic relationship between otosclerosis and osteogenesis imperfecta, and the association between otosclerosis and specific human leucocyte antigen types are described.

Type of review:  Systematic analysis of the literature was focused on any information related to the genetics of otosclerosis.

Search strategy:  A MEDLINE search (1960–2007) was undertaken to perform a comprehensive review. Articles were also identified through searches of the files of authors.

Results:  The majority of epidemiological studies on families with otosclerosis suggest an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with reduced penetrance of approximately 40%. Genetic linkage studies have demonstrated the presence of six loci (OTSC1, OTSC2, OTSC3, OTSC4, OTSC5 and OTSC7) located on chromosomes 15q, 7q, 6p, 16q, 3q and 6q respectively. Although these loci have been mapped, no causative genes have been identified, and we have little idea of the molecular process involved in this disease. While clinical similarities and some unreplicated genetic association studies suggest an aetiological relationship between otosclerosis and osteogenesis imperfecta‐type I, there is no definite evidence of a common pathological process between the two diseases.

Conclusions:  Otosclerosis may be considered as a complex disease with relatively common monogenic forms. Knowledge of these genes could lead to substantial improvements in our ability to diagnose and possibly even prevent or treat this type of hearing deterioration.