bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of the corrosion performance of 304L stainless steel by a nanostructure hybrid coating/henna extract
Authors: Nasr-Esfahani Mojtaba , Pourriahi Mehdi , Motalebi Abolfazl , Zendehdel Mahmoud
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this investigation was to study the corrosion protection and structural characteristics of a hybrid organic-inorganic thin film preloaded with green corrosion inhibitor for anticorrosive protection of stainless steel 304L.

Design/methodology/approach

– An ethanol solution of the polymerized 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilan and tetraethylorthosilicate was mixed with henna extract to give homogeneous sols. The morphology, composition and adhesion of hybrid sol-gel coatings were examined by SEM, EDX and pull-off tests, respectively. The surface chemistry of the hybrid sol-gel coatings was investigated with polarization scans and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the physiological saline solution.

Findings

– The polarization curves and EIS data were in agreement. Henna extract additions significantly increased the corrosion protection capability of the sol-gel thin film to greater than 85 percent in the physiological saline solution. In addition, the doped hybrid coating on stainless steel 304L was useful in 3.5 percent NaCl solution.

Originality/value

– There have been few reports on the hybrid organic-inorganic thin films preloaded with corrosion inhibitor, as described in the paper, and this environmentally friendly coating on stainless steel 304L was found to be highly effective for industrial applications.
Shari'ah corporate governance: the need for a special governance code
Authors: Muneeza Aishath , Hassan Rusni
Published: December 2013

Purpose

–With the advent of Islamic banking, a new species was added to the banking system which was then, only dominated by the conventional banking. Islamic banking expanded in the world within the last decade and as a result, Islamic finance emerged as an alternative to the conventional finance. This created Islamic companies and Islamic financial institutions which operate based on the principles of Shari'ah or Islamic Law. These Islamic corporate bodies, like the conventional corporate bodies do need good governance rules. In other words, they also need a good, sophisticated “Shari'ah Governance Code” which would be based on the principle of Islamic Law. This is mainly because the objective of the conventional and the Islamic Corporate governance is different as conventional corporate governance structure is more focused on the protection of the rights of the stakeholders; while Islamic corporate governance focus on retaining the Islamicity of whole corporation. The objective of this research is, as the title suggests, proposing the reasons why a special governance Code for Shari'ah corporate bodies are needed. This paper would suggest a proper governance structure to the Islamic companies and will also discuss why the conventional corporate governance Codes are unsuitable for the Islamic companies.

Design/methodology/approach

–This research which is primarily library based, is an exploratory legal research in nature.

Findings

–In the course of this research, it is found that there is a need to enact a Shari'ah Corporate Governance Code due to the widespread establishment of shari'ah compliant companies in the world. Hence, the authors had discussed the potential content of such a Code in this paper.

Originality/value

–This research will complement the knowledge based on shari'ah corporate governance and is targeted to the existing and prospective shari'ah compliant companies.
Assurance of the leading UK food retailers' corporate social responsibility/sustainability reports
Authors: Jones Peter , Hillier David , Comfort Daphne
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer an exploratory assessment of the employment of assurance in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Sustainability reports published by the UK's top ten food retailers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper begins with an outline of the characteristics of assurance and the empirical information for the paper is drawn from the assurance material in the CSR/Sustainability reports posted on the internet by five of the selected retailers.

Findings

– The findings reveal considerable variation in the nature and the scope of the assurance processes undertaken, at best the accent is on limited assurance and some concerns are expressed about the independence of the assessment process. The paper concludes that these concerns can be seen to reduce the reliability and credibility of the assurance process.

Originality/value

– The paper provides an accessible review of how the UK's top ten food retailers are employing external assurance statements as part of their CSR reporting and as such it will interest academics, managers within the retail industry and those professionals and consultants who work with the industry.
A numerical investigation of heat transfer in a smooth bend part of a U-duct
Authors: Salameh Tareq , Sunden Bengt
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to study two-dimensional numerical simulations of the flow and temperature fields inside the bend (turn) part of a U-duct.

Design/methodology/approach

– Several turbulence models based on two and five equations were used to solve the momentum and energy equations inside the bend (turn) part of the U-duct. For two-equation models, both the renormalization group and realizable k-ɛ turbulence models were implemented. The five-equation model used is a Reynolds stress model with different wall boundary conditions. Standard, non-equilibrium and enhanced wall functions were used in parallel with the two- and five-equation models to treat the turbulent flow near the duct walls.

Findings

– Several turbulence models were used to simulate the flow and temperature fields along the bend part of a U-duct with different inlet and thermal boundary conditions. The numerical results indicate that the renormalization and realizable k-ɛ turbulence models with standard wall function treatment gave the best results when compared with experimental data obtained for similar conditions.

Research limitations/implications

– For heat transfer analysis, two different thermal boundary conditions, i.e. constant wall temperature and constant heat flux at the wall are implemented. The results are calculated for Reynolds number equal 20,000.

Practical implications

– The results can be used in designing heat exchangers, piping and duct systems, and internal passage cooling of gas turbine blades.

Originality/value

– The numerical results obtained here concentrate on the detailed investigation of flow and temperature field at the outer wall of the bend part. Different boundary conditions at the inlet and the outer bend walls of the U-duct were applied to study how these boundary conditions affect the flow and temperature fields.
Selling rooms online: the use of social media and online travel agents
Authors: Inversini Alessandro , Masiero Lorenzo
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on the reason why hoteliers choose to be present in online travel agent (OTA) and social media web sites for sales purposes. It also investigates the technological and human factors related to these two practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on a survey sent to a wide range of hotels in a Swiss touristic region. The empirical analysis involves the specification of two ordered logit models exploring the importance (in terms of online sales) of both social media and the online travel agent, Booking.com.

Findings

– Findings highlight the constant tension between visibility and online sales in the web arena, as well as a clear distinction in social media and OTA web site adoption between hospitality structures using online management tools and employing personnel with specific skills.

Practical implications

– The research highlights the need for the hospitality industry to maintain an effective presence on social media and OTAs in order to move towards the creation of a new form of social booking technologies to increase their visibility and sales.

Originality/value

– This research contributes to understanding the major role played by OTAs and social media in the hospitality industry while underlining the possibility of a major interplay between the two.
Impact of TPM implementation on Indian manufacturing industry
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Kumar Soni Vimlesh , Agnihotri Geeta
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between TPM programme and manufacturing performance in Indian manufacturing industries; to discern the benefits obtained from TPM implementation; to identify common indicators; and to explore the common expectation while TPM implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper acceptability and implementation of TPM programme in Indian manufacturing industry have been elaborated to ascertain the tangible and intangible benefits accrued as a result of successful TPM implementation. A semi-structured questionnaire survey approach has been adopted for the justification of TPM implementation and benefits gained by it in Indian context. Survey has covered mainly automobile and machinery sector throughout India. A total of 57 filled responses have been received and analysed to find the impact of TPM programme on manufacturing productivity.

Findings

– The paper establishes the impact of successful TPM implementation on manufacturing performance. TPM initiatives have shown marked improvement in the equipment availability, performance and produced quality and have also brought appreciable improvement in other manufacturing functions in the organizations. It has been observed that TPM deployment contributes to improve the manufacturing productivity, quality, delivery, safety, morale, ensuring the cost effectiveness of the manufacturing function within the organization. The paper also indicates that overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) can be used for performance improvement without TPM implementation.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

– This paper highlights the contribution of TPM programme and OEE measure to ensure enhanced manufacturing productivity. The benefits gained by TPM implementation in selected Indian manufacturing industries have been highlighted, that could be genuine source of motivation to other manufacturing organizations to go in for TPM programme.

Originality/value

– The present study encompasses systematic identification of factors affecting overall organizational performance and the common expectations of the firms through implementation of TPM programme. TPM initiatives provide regular OEE measure, performance monitoring and improvement, and developing guidelines for achieving enhanced manufacturing productivity.
Efficiency and productivity analysis of Indian banking industry using Hicks-Moorsteen approach
Authors: Kumar Sharma Supran , Dalip Raina
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to attempt to measure the performance of the Indian banking sector in terms of efficiency and productivity levels and their determinants during the post-reform period.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study is a novel attempt as it has used pooled data for a duration of 15 years (i.e. 1997/1998-2010/2011) from 59 selected banks for estimating the Hicks-Moorsteen (HM) total factor productivity (TFP) index.

Findings

– Poor technical efficiency has experienced with scale efficiency change exerting dominant factors; whereas relatively better productivity growth has been experienced by the banks with major contributions from technical change components. The study found relatively underestimated efficiency and productivity levels by traditional data envelopment analysis-based Malmquist index. Additionally, the study brings into account the results for external and environmental determining factors contributing to the TFP growth.

Originality/value

– Using HMTFP indices has helped to eliminate certain drawbacks of data envelopment and provided the more elaborative decomposition of productivity growth along with their components so as to have lucid and multidimensional insights about the performance of the Indian banking industry after the initiation of financial reforms.
Supplier management in a manufacturing environment
Authors: Kumar Sameer , C. Clemens Anthony , W. Keller Ethan
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– Managing a supplier base can be both challenging and rewarding. Instances abound where the lack of attention to supplier management has caused once successful businesses great losses or even failures. Assessing a supply base using the combined approach of discrete choice analysis (DCA) and total cost of ownership (TCO) can help a company determine the necessary features required to alleviate the strain caused by doing business with poorly managed companies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– By combining a company's DCA with their TCO, manufacturing companies can create a strategically focussed scorecard that aligns their supplier requirements with high-performing companies. During the analysis, the paper chose to analyze an appliance manufacturer.

Findings

– As a result of the analysis, it was determined that a specific supplier that was labeled as strategic, should actually be considered for elimination. While this analysis can be extremely effective, three main limitations within the research do exist. First, the lack of alignment of DCA with the strategic business initiatives within each unit of a company can adversely affect its financial success. Second, implications for management which include all data used in the analysis through all three stages – identify and classify, consolidate, and maintain supplier base – must be up-to-date. Finally, trade-offs must be accepted as a means of doing business with a supplier.

Originality/value

– After reading this study, sourcing managers should realize the potential for aligning and managing their supplier base with the strategy of the company to assure a profitable future.
Institutionalization of risk management framework in Islamic NGOs for suppressing terrorism financing
Authors: Othman Radiah , Ameer Rashid
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to propose solutions for improving internal controls and transparency to alleviate concerns of international community over alleged linked with terrorist groups.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors explore the counter-insurgency theory and political process model to explain the current state of counter-terrorism activities aimed at Islamic NGOs after 9/11.

Findings

– The authors believe the idea of money flow disruption to be of greater importance than freezing the accounts to suppress terrorism financing.

Practical implications

– Islamic NGOs established for philanthropic and humanitarian aid in third world Muslim countries have been accused of being involved in terrorism financing. This revelation is to the disadvantage of the donors who do not channel their donations for such activities. The authors propose risk management framework useful at operational level to detect and prevent welfare activities financing warfare activities.

Originality/value

– The proposed risk management framework is to complement various regional and international initiatives championed by Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering and Financial Action Task Force to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Money laundering and terrorism financing in virtual environments: a feasibility study
Authors: S.M. Irwin Angela , Slay Jill , Raymond Choo Kim-Kwang , Lui Lin
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– There is a clear consensus of opinion that virtual environments and virtual currencies pose a money laundering and terrorism financing threat. What is less clear, however, is the level of risk that they pose. This paper aims to clarify the suitability of virtual environments for conducting money laundering and terrorism financing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A number of experiments were conducted to estimate the quantity of funds that could be moved through these environments. These experiments took into account a number of factors such as the number of accounts that would need to be opened to launder/raise a specific amount of funds, the amount of funds that could be placed within a certain timeframe and the transaction limits imposed by each of the massively multiplayer online games and online financial service providers involved in the money laundering and terrorism financing scenarios.

Findings

– The findings of this research show that money laundering and terrorism financing can take place inside virtual environments. Virtual money laundering and terrorism financing offer high levels of anonymity, potentially low levels of detection, and remove many of the risks associated with real-world money laundering and terrorism financing activity. However, this comes at the cost of ease, time and, in some cases, the amount of funds laundered. Large sums (millions of dollars) can be laundered in virtual environments, but this exponentially increases the level of effort involved in setting up accounts and placing, layering and integrating funds.

Originality/value

– A number of authors have described potential virtual money laundering scenarios, but some of these are out-of-date due to closed loopholes, all are rudimentary and make no attempt to discuss the practicality or feasibility of using these scenarios. This research addresses those issues.
Do empowered employees absorb knowledge?
Authors: Siachou Evangelia , Gkorezis Panagiotis
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The present study aims to contribute to the limited empirical research regarding the individual level antecedents of absorptive capacity (AC). In this vein, the authors examined the impact of employees' psychological empowerment (PE) dimensions on their AC. Moreover, the authors explored the magnitude of the relationship between one of PE four dimensions, namely competence, and AC compared to that of the rest three dimensions of PE.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors collected data from 100 private employees working in two manufacturing organizations. In order to investigate the hypotheses, the authors conducted hierarchical regression and usefulness analysis.

Findings

– As predicted, the present results showed that all four PE dimensions affected employees' AC. Furthermore, competence demonstrated the strongest impact among all PE dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– Data were drawn from two manufacturing organizations located in specific geographical area. Thus, this may constrain the generalizability of the results. Also, the cross-sectional analysis of the data cannot directly assess causality.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study examining the relationship between PE and AC.
Risk and performance management: are they easy partners?
Authors: Arena Marika , Arnaboldi Michela
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a critical assessment of existing links between risk management systems (RMS) and performance management systems (PMS) through a general review of the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research approach consists of a literature review, aimed at highlighting the “points of contact” between RMS and PMS along three main dimensions: scope of the system, measurement and ownership.

Findings

– Key papers and books published in the field are examined. Based on this review, an assessment of similarities and potential synergies between RMS and PMS is offered. In addition, possible avenues for future research are discussed.

Practical implications

– The paper provides managers with useful insights on pros and cons of integrating RMS and PMS. It highlights possible instruments and organizational arrangements that could be exploited by practitioners to connect the two systems and discusses the implications of different possible configurations.

Originality/value

– Whilst the professional literature is loaded with illustrations of RMS and PMS as “integrated” solutions, this issue has been only partially addressed by the academic literature that generally focuses on one of the two systems. Hence, the study overall contributes to enrich the knowledge of the relationship between performance and risk management by mapping how and where the two systems are linked.
Corporate governance and brand performance
Authors: Trong Tuan Luu
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This investigation into listed companies at the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) in Vietnam aims to discern whether such constructs as trust and ethics act as precursors for brand performance with the mediating role of corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three hundred and twelve responses returned from self-administered structured questionnaires relayed to 1,163 middle-level managers were dissected via ANOVAs and structural equation modelling.

Findings

– From the findings emerged the interconnections between ethics of justice and calculation-based trust. Ethics of care, on the other hand, tends to cultivate knowledge-based trust and identification-based trust, which in turn positively impact corporate governance. The findings also paved the path from strong corporate governance to high brand performance.

Originality/value

– From the findings of the study, the insight into the interconnection pattern of brand performance and its antecedents highlights the magnitude of ethics training program as well as the construction of knowledge-based trust, identification-based trust as well as strong corporate governance in optimizing brand performance in listed companies in Vietnam market.
Effect of business characteristics and ERP implementation on business outcomes
Authors: Katerattanakul Pairin , J. Lee James , Hong Soongoo
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This study is an exploratory study aiming to explore whether different groups of manufacturing firms with similar business characteristics and enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation approaches would experience different business outcomes from ERP implementation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cluster analysis with data collected from 256 Korean manufacturing firms was employed to identify groups of manufacturing companies having similar business characteristics and adopting similar ERP implementation approaches. Then, the differences in business outcomes from implementing ERP systems among these groups of companies were examined.

Findings

– Company size and production approaches are useful variables for grouping manufacturing firms into clusters of companies with similar characteristics. Additionally, large manufacturing firms with make-to-order production approach have significantly higher perceived benefits from implementing ERP systems regarding external coordination and competitive impact than other firms do.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted in only one industry of one country and used the data collected by self-reporting instrument. Thus, further studies conducted in other industries and/or other countries and using more objective measures would allow more generalizability of the findings of this study. It would also be interesting to investigate the effects of the logistics practices adopted by small manufacturing firms even though these practices may be more suitable for large manufacturing firms.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the literatures on benefits obtained from implementing ERP systems as none of the previous studies has focused on the relationship among business characteristics, ERP implementation approaches, and business outcomes from ERP implementation.
Basing bloggers' power on readers' satisfaction and loyalty
Authors: Hsu Chiu-Ping , Huang Heng-Chiang , Ko Chih-Huei , Wang Shih-Ju
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to present a conceptual model of how blog readers' perceptions of satisfaction generate blog loyalty, which in turn enhances bloggers' power. This study also seeks to investigate the moderating influence of subjective norms on the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– The structural equation modelling approach was used to estimate a conceptual model based on survey data from blog readers in Taiwan. After discarding incomplete responses, the final sample consisted of 567 completed responses.

Findings

– The majority of the results supported the hypotheses. Three types of exchange outcome satisfaction influence blog readers' perceptions of bloggers' power by increasing attitudinal loyalty. Information satisfaction has a direct and positive effect on expert power. Most importantly subjective norms exhibited a positive moderating relationship between exchange outcome satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty. The authors found no evidence to support the relationship between exchange outcome satisfaction and behavioural loyalty.

Originality/value

– From the perspectives of exchange outcome satisfaction, loyalty, power, and susceptibility to normative influence, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the process through which blog readers become loyal to their bloggers and are influenced by bloggers' expert and referent power.
Police and crime commissioners: the first twelve months
Authors: Brain Timothy
Published: December 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the establishment of this new type of elected official and the conduct of those in office during the first twelve months of their official existence, and to consider whether a compelling case has yet been made for its retention as the principal method of police governance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper will review policy papers and data which preceded and followed the establishment of the office of police and crime commissioner (PCC) in November 2012; review the 2012 elections and their implications, review conduct since, particularly in respect of formal duties, principally setting budgets and police and crime plans; consider the potential for politicisation; and consider whether a case has been made for the retention of the office in future.

Findings

– The paper concludes that the government has succeeded with PCCs in implementing a major plank of the Conservative party's 2010 manifesto. It can reasonably be anticipated that the Conservatives will promote this record at the next election. However, it is simply too early to tell if PCCs are individually or collectively adding value to the sum of policing in England and Wales. A compelling case for their retention as a means of police governance is therefore yet to be made. On the other hand, Labour has still to determine whether it will offer the electorate an alternative in 2015.

Research limitations/implications

– With only ten months having elapsed since the first elections, it is early to draw firm conclusions about the effectiveness or, more pertinently, the added value that PCCs have brought to policing. Conversely, the first twelve months was an opportunity for PCCs to make a positive impression and this has not occurred.

Practical implications

– PCCs ought to be subject to a rigorous appraisal of effectiveness. This is unlikely, for political reasons, to occur.

Originality/value

– First rigorous review of PCCs based on a review of available data.
Roosting behaviour and habitat selection of Pteropus giganteus reveal potential links to Nipah virus epidemiology
Authors: Hahn Micah B. , Epstein Jonathan H. , Gurley Emily S. , Islam Mohammad S. , Luby Stephen P. , Daszak Peter , Patz Jonathan A.
Published: December 2013

Flying foxes Pteropus spp. play a key role in forest regeneration as seed dispersers and are also the reservoir of many viruses, including Nipah virus in Bangladesh. Little is known about their habitat requirements, particularly in South Asia. Identifying Pteropus habitat preferences could assist in understanding the risk of zoonotic disease transmission broadly and, in Bangladesh, could help explain the spatial distribution of human Nipah virus cases.

We analysed characteristics of Pteropus giganteus roosts and constructed an ecological niche model to identify suitable habitat in Bangladesh. We also assessed the distribution of suitable habitat in relation to the location of human Nipah virus cases.

Compared to non‐roost trees, P. giganteus roost trees are taller with larger diameters and are more frequently canopy trees. Colony size was larger in densely forested regions and smaller in flood‐affected areas. Roosts were located in areas with lower annual precipitation and higher human population density than non‐roost sites.

We predicted that 2–17% of Bangladesh's land area is suitable roosting habitat. Nipah virus outbreak villages were 2·6 times more likely to be located in areas predicted as highly suitable habitat for P.  giganteus compared to non‐outbreak villages.

Synthesis and applications. Habitat suitability modelling may help identify previously undocumented Nipah outbreak locations and improve our understanding of Nipah virus ecology by highlighting regions where there is suitable bat habitat but no reported human Nipah virus. Conservation and public health education is a key component of P. giganteus management in Bangladesh due to the general misunderstanding and fear of bats that are a reservoir of Nipah virus. Affiliation between Old World fruit bats (Pteropodidae) and people is common throughout their range, and in order to conserve these keystone bat species and prevent emergence of zoonotic viruses, it is imperative that we continue to improve our understanding of Pteropus resource requirements and routes of virus transmission from bats to people. Results presented here can be utilized to develop land management strategies and conservation policies that simultaneously protect fruit bats and public health.
Nonlinear Pricing in Drug Benefits and Medication Use: The Case of Statin Compliance in Medicare Part D
Authors: Jung Kyoungrae , Feldman Roger , McBean A. Marshall
Published: December 2013

Objective

To examine how enrollees' statin compliance responds to expected prices in Medicare Part D, which features a nonlinear price schedule due to a coverage gap.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Prescription Drug Event data for a 5 percent random sample of Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan enrollees in 2008 who did not receive a low‐income subsidy.

Study Design

We analyze statin compliance prior to the coverage gap, where the “effective price” is higher than the actual copayment for drugs because consumers anticipate that more spending will make them more likely to reach the gap. We construct each enrollee's effective price as her expected price at the end of the year, which is the weighted average between pre‐gap and in‐gap copayments with the weight being the predicted probability of hitting the gap. Compliance is defined as at least 80 percent of days covered.

Principal Findings

Part D enrollees' pre‐gap statin compliance decreases by 3.7–4.7 percentage points for a $10 increase in the effective price.

Conclusion

The presence of a coverage gap decreases statin compliance prior to the gap, suggesting that incorporating expected future prices is important to assess the full impact of cost sharing on drug compliance under nonlinear price schedules.
The Effect of Simvastatin–Ezetimibe Combination Therapy on Adipose Tissue Hormones and Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Isolated Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Zmuda Witold , Okopien Bogusław
Published: December 2013

Background

Pleiotropic effects of ezetimibe have only been investigated in a few studies. The aim of this article was to compare the effects of simvastatin and the combined treatment with simvastatin and ezetimibe on low‐grade systemic inflammation and plasma levels of selected adipokines in patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

The study included 69 patients with elevated cholesterol levels, who were allocated to one of the three groups treated for 12 weeks, respectively, with simvastatin (40 mg daily), simvastatin (40 mg daily) plus ezetimibe (10 mg daily), or placebo. Plasma levels of lipids, apolipoproteins, glucose homeostasis markers, leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), free fatty acids (FFA), and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were determined on the allocation day and after 12 weeks of therapy.

Results

Apart from improving lipid profile, simvastatin administered alone or in combination with ezetimibe, decreased plasma levels of hsCRP, FFA, leptin, visfatin, and TNF‐α, as well as increased plasma levels of adiponectin. The combination therapy was superior to simvastatin in influencing plasma lipids/lipoproteins, hsCRP, FFA, and the investigated adipokines. The effect of the combination therapy, but not of simvastatin, on systemic inflammation and plasma adipokines was stronger in insulin‐resistant than in insulin‐sensitive subjects.

Conclusions

The obtained results suggest that insulin‐resistant patients with hypercholesterolemia and high cardiovascular risk may benefit the most from the combined treatment with simvastatin and ezetimibe.
Impact of volcanic ash on anammox communities in deep sea sediments
Authors: Song Bongkeun , Buckner Caroline T. , Hembury Deborah J. , Mills Rachel A. , Palmer Martin R.
Published: December 2013

Subaerial explosive volcanism contributes substantial amounts of material to the oceans, but little is known about the impact of volcanic ash on sedimentary microbial activity. We have studied anammox communities in deep sea sediments near the volcanically active island of Montserrat, Lesser Antilles. The rates of anammox and denitrification in the sediments were measured using 15N isotope pairing incubation experiments, while 16S rRNA genes were used to examine anammox community structures. The higher anammox rates were measured in sediment containing the lower accumulation of volcanic ash in the surface sediments, while the lowest activities were found in sediments with the highest ash deposit. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed the presence of ‘Candidatus Scalindua spp.’ in the sediments. The lowest diversity of anammox bacteria was observed in the sediments with the highest ash deposit. Overall, this study demonstrates that the deposition of volcanic material in deep sea sediments has negative impacts on activity and diversity of the anammox community. Since anammox may account for up to 79% of N2 production in marine ecosystems, periods of extensive explosive volcanism in Earth history may have had a hitherto unrecognized negative impact on the sedimentary nitrogen removal processes.
What Is “the Question”?
Authors: Foster Stephen William
Published: December 2013

Ethnographers' questions are an impress on their encounters and an investment in the politics and poetics of ethnography. I examine the symbolic aura of the question, generically and substantively, that shapes and textures ethnographic truth‐telling. An encounter in Morocco illustrate the paradoxical dynamics of the question that constrains the dialogues it produces. The art of the question premises an ethics, a recursive style and a mobile analytics in which process and truth coalesce.
Excavation, Narration, and the Wild Man: Montage and Linearity in Representing Archaeology
Authors: Mickel Allison
Published: December 2013

This article contrasts the way that archaeologists discuss the practice and experience of archaeology with each other to the way archaeology is represented to nonspecialist public audiences. I argue that the former is characterized by “montage,” while the latter is typified by a radically opposed linear narrativity, suggesting that montage may offer a way of ameliorating many of the problems linked to popular (mis)conceptions of archaeology.
“If we don't push homeless people out, we will end up being pushed out by them”: The Criminalization of Homelessness as State Strategy in Hungary
Authors: Udvarhelyi Éva Tessza
Published: December 2013

In recent years, the intensity of the criminalization of homelessness in Hungary gave rise to a veritable tug‐of‐war between the ruling party and grassroots activists. In fact, today it is the only country in the world where the possibility of penalizing homelessness is encoded in the constitution itself. In this paper, I first provide an overview of the rise of homelessness since the late 1980s. Then, I go on to examine changing public and political attitudes towards homelessness in post‐socialist Hungary and place the growing trend towards penalization in the larger context of an emerging criminal paradigm. After examining the recent authoritarian turn, I argue that the radical intensification of criminalization is a strategy not only to secure political dominance, but also to obscure the failure of the state to address the social, political and economic contradictions that became salient at the time of the regime change.
Pharmacogenomics in psychiatry: the relevance of receptor and transporter polymorphisms
Authors: Reynolds Gavin P. , McGowan Olga O. , Dalton Caroline F.
Published: December 2013

The treatment of severe mental illness, and of psychiatric disorders in general, is limited in its efficacy and tolerability. There appear to be substantial interindividual differences in response to psychiatric drug treatments that are generally far greater than the differences between individual drugs; likewise, the occurrence of adverse effects also varies profoundly between individuals. These differences are thought to reflect, at least in part, genetic variability. The action of psychiatric drugs primarily involves effects on synaptic neurotransmission; the genes for neurotransmitter receptors and transporters have provided strong candidates in pharmacogenetic research in psychiatry. This paper reviews some aspects of the pharmacogenetics of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. A focus on serotonin, catecholamines and amino acid transmitter systems reflects the direction of research efforts, while relevant results from some genome‐wide association studies are also presented. There are many inconsistencies, particularly between candidate gene and genome‐wide association studies. However, some consistency is seen in candidate gene studies supporting established pharmacological mechanisms of antipsychotic and antidepressant response with associations of functional genetic polymorphisms in, respectively, the dopamine D2receptor and serotonin transporter and receptors. More recently identified effects of genes related to amino acid neurotransmission on the outcome of treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression reflect the growing understanding of the roles of glutamate and γ‐aminobutyric acid dysfunction in severe mental illness. A complete understanding of psychiatric pharmacogenomics will also need to take into account epigenetic factors, such asDNAmethylation, that influence individual responses to drugs.
Dating fluvial erosion: fluvial response to climate change in the Moselle catchment (France, Germany) since the Late Saalian
Authors: Cordier Stéphane , Frechen Manfred , Harmand Dominique
Published: December 2013

This paper focuses upon the youngest terraces of the Moselle and its tributary the Meurthe (NE France and SW Germany). It includes research on several sections, in particular the key sections of Golbey‐Pré Droué and Thörnich‐Hochrech (located in the vicinity of the Vosges Massif and in the Rhenish Massif, respectively), and the use of the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating method. Our investigations made it possible to obtain a more robust chronostratigraphical framework and to update the previous model of fluvial response to climate change. The results demonstrate that the Moselle terrace M3 (first terrace formed after the capture of the Upper Moselle by the Palaeo‐Meurthe) has the same age from the Vosges to the Rhenish Massif. The formation of this terrace included two main periods of sedimentation attributed to the Late Saalian (MIS 6) and the Early Weichselian (MIS 5), respectively. They were separated by a major episode of fluvial erosion that may be allocated to the MIS 6–5 transition on the basis of chronological and sedimentological evidence. This erosion led to the removal of most of the MIS 6 deposits, whereas the MIS 5 deposits have been widely preserved following the subsequent (MIS 5–4) terrace incision. This evolution somewhat contrasts with that observed in the Sarre valley, the main tributary of the Moselle, and with many fluvial systems in western Europe, which show better preservation of deposits from cold periods. This atypical behaviour is explained by the relationship between the fluvial evolution and the glaciers covering the upper Moselle catchment (Vosges Massif) during the Pleistocene cold periods.
Natural variant of the Helicobacter pylori CagA oncoprotein that lost the ability to interact with PAR1
Authors: Hashi Kana , Murata‐Kamiya Naoko , Varon Christine , Mégraud Francis , Dominguez‐Bello Maria Gloria , Hatakeyama Masanori
Published: December 2013

Helicobacter pylori strains carrying the cagA gene are associated with severe disease outcomes, most notably gastric cancer. CagA protein is delivered into gastric epithelial cells by a type IV secretion system. The translocated CagA undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation at the C‐terminal EPIYA motifs by host cell kinases. Tyrosine‐phosphorylated CagA acquires the ability to interact with and activate SHP2, thereby activating mitogenic signaling and inducing cell morphological transformation (hummingbird phenotype). CagA also interacts with PAR1b via the CM sequence, resulting in induction of junctional and polarity defects. Furthermore, CagA‐PAR1b interaction stabilizes the CagA‐SHP2 complex. Because transgenic mice systemically expressing CagA develop gastrointestinal and hematological malignancies, CagA is recognized as a bacterium‐derived oncoprotein. Interestingly, the C‐terminal region of CagA displays a large diversity among H. pylori strains, which influences the ability of CagA to bind to SHP2 and PAR1b. In the present study, we investigated the biological activity of v225d CagA, an Amerindian CagA of H. pylori isolated from a Venezuelan Piaroa Amerindian subject, because the variant CagA does not possess a canonical CM sequence. We found that v225d CagA interacts with SHP2 but not PAR1b. Furthermore, SHP2‐binding activity of v225d CagA was much lower than that of CagA of H. pylori isolated from Western countries (Western CagA). v225d CagA also displayed a reduced ability to induce the hummingbird phenotype than that of Western CagA. Given that perturbation of PAR1b and SHP2 by CagA underlies the oncogenic potential of CagA, the v225d strain is considered to be less oncogenic than other well‐studied cagA‐positive H. pylori strains.
A prostaglandin d‐synthase‐positive mast cell gradient characterizes scalp patterning
Authors: Larson Allison R. , Zhan Qian , Johnson Elisha , Fragoso Ana Carolina , Wan Marilyn , Murphy George F.
Published: December 2013

Background

Pattern (androgenetic) alopecia is commonly encountered in scalp biopsies obtained for non‐scarring hair loss. Prostaglandin d‐synthase is known to be elevated in bald vs. non‐alopetic scalp of patients with androgenetic alopecia. We hypothesized that this difference in pattern of prostaglandin d‐synthase expression may constitute a developmental pattern inherent to normal as well as alopecic scalp skin, thus defining a ‘field’ vulnerable to acquired hair loss.

Methods

We immunohistochemically mapped prostaglandin d‐synthase expression from supra‐auricular to vertex scalp skin of 11 cadavers.

Results

We found significantly more dermal mast cells immunoreactive for prostaglandin d‐synthase in the vertex compared to the lateral aspects of the scalp, with a decrement that spatially approximated the pattern of androgenetic alopecia. This difference was present in both balding and non‐balding scalps and was independent of gender. Dual labeling established dermal cells expressing prostaglandin d‐synthase as mast cells.

Conclusions

These data indicate that scalp is spatially programmed via mast cell prostaglandin d‐synthase distribution in a manner reminiscent of the pattern seen in androgenetic alopecia.
Paying the price: A cross‐sectional survey of Australian socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers' responses to hypothetical cigarette price rises
Authors: Guillaumier Ashleigh , Bonevski Billie , Paul Christine , D'Este Catherine , Doran Christopher , Siahpush Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Introduction and Aims

Increases in tobacco taxation can lead to reductions in tobacco consumption and prevalence of use across social groups. However, use of price‐minimisation strategies to manage current and future tobacco use and the role of financial stress is less understood. This study aimed to measure the effect of cigarette price increases on price‐minimisation strategy endorsement and financial stress among socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers.

Design and Methods

Community service organisation welfare recipients in NSW, Australia completed a touchscreen survey. Smoking history, financial stress, highest price to quit and responses to hypothetical cigarette price increases were assessed.

Results

Participants were 354 smokers (response rate = 79%). Most participants received income from a government pension (95%), earned <A$300/week (55%), had not completed secondary schooling (64%), were moderately or heavily nicotine‐dependent (60%), reported high financial stress (66%) and spent A$56/week on tobacco. In response to 10% and 20% hypothetical price rises, significantly more participants endorsed trying to quit in response to the larger increase scenario (P < 0.001), and fewer selected no change to their smoking (P < 0.001). Numerous price‐minimisation strategies (e.g. switching to cheaper brands/products) were endorsed, but remained constant across hypothetical scenarios; level of financial stress appeared to have little influence. Smokers indicating they would not change their smoking in response to price rises had higher levels of nicotine dependence.

Discussion and Conclusions

Socially disadvantaged smokers endorsed numerous price‐minimising strategies to maintain smoking at hypothetically increased costs. Larger cigarette price rises motivated more smokers to consider quitting, while price‐resistant smokers appeared to have a more entrenched smoker status.
Changes in saccadic eye movement and memory function after mild closed head injury in children
Authors: Phillipou Andrea , Douglas Jacinta , Krieser David , Ayton Lauren , Abel Larry
Published: December 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether volitional saccadic impairments are present in children with mild closed head injury (mCHI) and whether these deficits are predictive of ongoing cognitive impairment.

Method

We analysed a sample of 26 children with mCHI (20 males, 6 females; mean age 13y 1mo, SD 2y) and 29 age‐matched comparison children (20 males, 9 females; mean age 12y 2mo, SD 2y). Participants completed a battery of saccadic eye movement tasks and a set of computer‐based cognitive tasks at three time points: within 2 weeks of mCHI, and at 3 months and 6 months.

Results

The group with mCHI made fewer errors on the antisaccade task at the first time point and showed increased latencies on prosaccades, correct antisaccades, and corrected antisaccade errors at the third time point (6mo). The group with mCHI also showed poorer performance on the cognitive tasks assessing memory.

Interpretation

Even very mild, uncomplicated mCHI in children may persistently affect aspects of executive control and visual processing.