bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hydrocolloids on Water Absorption of Wheat Flour and Farinograph and Textural Characteristics of Dough
Authors: Linlaud N. E. , Puppo M. C. , Ferrero C.
Published: June 2009

The effect of hydrocolloids addition (0, 25, or 1.5 g/100 g of flour) on water absorption of flour and their influence on dough rheology were analyzed. The influence of guar gum (GG), xanthan gum (XG), high‐methoxyl pectin (P), locust bean gum (LBG), and a 1:1 mixture of locust bean gum and xanthan gum (LBG+XG) on water absorption was tested by different techniques including farinograph water absorption, water imbibing capacity, SDS sedimentation test, and sucrose solvent retention capacity. The rheological behavior was analyzed through the farinograph parameters and texture profile analysis (TPA). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to evaluate the behavior of the different mixtures. Absorption values obtained by different methods were increased by XG and LBG+XG addition, particularly at the highest levels (1–1.5%). Flour‐P mixtures showed the lowest absorption. GG‐added mixtures led to the more stable doughs and P to the less stable ones. Addition of NaCl increased stability in all cases. According to TPA, softer and less cohesive doughs than control were obtained when hydrocolloids were added, both in conditions of water availability and water restriction (except for XG and GG at the highest levels). However, when enough water was added, more variation in textural attributes among doughs could be observed by PCA. No remarkable differences compared with the control were observed in the gluten network, as evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Hydrocolloid incorporation led to rheological changes in dough; the trend and degree of this effect was affected by the amount of water added and the structure and concentration of the hydrocolloid.
Breadmaking Use of Andean Crops Quinoa, Kañiwa, Kiwicha, and Tarwi
Authors: Rosell Cristina M. , Cortez Gladys , Repo‐Carrasco Ritva
Published: June 2009

The effect of addition of flours from the highly nutritious Andean crops quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), kañiwa (Chenopodium pallidicaule), kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus), and tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis) has been investigated in wheat doughs and fresh bread quality. The thermomechanical profile of wheat doughs and bread quality has been explored by increasing substitution of wheat flour at 0–100% by Andean crop flours. Dough blends were evaluated using the Chopin Mixolab device, whereas bread quality assessment comprised sensory (overall acceptability) and physicochemical (moisture, specific volume, texture, color) determinations in composite breads. In general, no breads with aerated crumb structure could be obtained from 100% Andean crop flours, with the exception of quinoa breads that had overall sensory values about half a completely perfect score, and which were not significantly different from the breads made from a 50:50 blend of wheat and quinoa. Replacement of wheat flour by ≤12.5% (tarwi), 25% (kañiwa), and 50% (kiwicha), respectively, still produced breads with good sensory acceptability but variable color and doughs with acceptable thermomechanical patterns. Partial substitution of wheat flour by Andean crop flours constitutes a viable option to improve the nutritional value of the breads, with acceptable technological performance of dough blends and composite breads.
Effect of Fractionation of Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (DDGS) on Pelleting Characteristics of Broiler Diets
Authors: Srinivasan Radhakrishnan , Corzo Alejandro , Koch Kim B. , Kidd Michael T.
Published: June 2009

Recently, the Elusieve process, a combination of elutriation (air classification) and sieving (screening) was developed to separate fiber from distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to increase DDGS utilization in nonruminant (poultry and swine) diets. Elusieve process produces three products: 1) Pan DDGS, with 5% higher protein content than conventional DDGS, which would be used at higher inclusion levels in broiler diets because of low fiber content; 2) Big DDGS, with nearly the same protein content as conventional DDGS, which would be used at same inclusion levels as conventional DDGS; and 3) Fiber product. The objective of this study was to determine and compare pellet‐mill throughput, power consumption, and pellet quality for broiler diets incorporating different levels (0, 10, and 20%) of conventional DDGS and DDGS products from Elusieve process. Poultry oil contents were lower (1.5–1.6%) in diets comprising Pan DDGS and diets without DDGS than in the other diets (2.2–3.1%). The feed throughput was not affected by inclusion levels or type of DDGS. Pellet quality (pellet durability index [PDI]) for diets comprising Pan DDGS (both 10 and 20% inclusion levels) was significantly better than PDI for diets comprising conventional DDGS, Big DDGS, and the diet without DDGS. Better pellet quality of diets comprising Pan DDGS could be due to lower quantity of poultry oil used as well as compositional characteristics such as low fiber and high protein. Diets with Big DDGS had similar pelleting characteristics to those with conventional DDGS. Pellet quality deteriorated at higher inclusion levels of conventional DDGS, Big DDGS, and Enhanced DDGS. Considering that Pan DDGS would be included at higher inclusion levels in broiler diets, superior pellet quality of diets comprising Pan DDGS is beneficial.
Comparison of Different Types of NIR Instruments in Ability to Measure β‐Glucan Content in Naked Barley
Authors: Schmidt J. , Gergely S. , Schönlechner R. , Grausgruber H. , Tömösközi S. , Salgó A. , Berghofer E.
Published: June 2009

Importance of β‐glucan in human nutrition is mirrored in numerous approval applications registering β‐glucan containing products as health beneficial products in accordance with forthcoming EU Health Claims Regulation. In comparison to other cereals, barley contains considerable amounts of β‐glucan. Naked barley is of particular interest because it circumvents the costs and loss of beneficial substances related to dehusking. In this study, the potential of near‐infrared spectroscopy as an accurate, fast and economic method of determination of β‐glucan in naked barley was appraised. Four different near‐infrared instruments were used to analyze 107 barley samples, in both whole grain and milled form. Importantly, both black and purple pericarp samples, which are of additional nutritional interest due to high anthocyanin content, and waxy samples, which show an extraordinary high β‐glucan content could be analyzed within the same calibration set as the normal samples. All tested dispersive near‐infrared reflection instruments showed suitability for supervision of breeding experiments and β‐glucan monitoring in food industries (R2 > 0.78). Common, industrially used near‐infrared transmission instruments also provided reasonable results, although only suitable for rough selection according to β‐glucan levels. On the other hand, the Fourier transform near‐infrared reflection instrument was able to perform analytical analyses (R2 = 0.96–0.98).
Epigenetic profiling at mouse imprinted gene clusters reveals novel epigenetic and genetic features at differentially methylated regions
Authors: Dindot Scott V. , Person Richard , Strivens Mark , Garcia Rejinaldo , Beaudet Arthur L.
Published: June 2009

Genomic imprinting arises from allele-specific epigenetic modifications that are established during gametogenesis and that are maintained throughout somatic development. These parental-specific modifications include DNA methylation and post-translational modifications to histones, which create allele-specific active and repressive domains at imprinted regions. Through the use of a high-density genomic tiling array, we generated DNA and histone methylation profiles at 11 imprinted gene clusters in the mouse from DNA and from chromatin immunoprecipitated from sperm, heart, and cerebellum. Our analysis revealed that despite high levels of differential DNA methylation at non-CpG islands within these regions, imprinting control regions (ICRs) and secondary differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified by an overlapping pattern of H3K4 trimethylation (active chromatin) and H3K9 trimethylation (repressive chromatin) modifications in somatic tissue, and a sperm differentially methylated region (sDMR; sperm ≠ somatic tissue). Using these features as a common signature of DMRs, we identified 11 unique regions that mapped to known imprinted genes, to uncharacterized genes, and to intergenic regions flanking known imprinted genes. A common feature among these regions was the presence of a CpG island and an array of tandem repeats. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation and histone H3K4me3 and H3K9me3 modifications at imprinted gene clusters, and identifies common epigenetic and genetic features of regions regulating genomic imprinting.
Can the whole be less than the sum of its parts? Pathway analysis in genome-scale metabolic networks using elementary flux patterns
Authors: Kaleta Christoph , de Figueiredo Luís Filipe , Schuster Stefan
Published: June 2009

Elementary modes represent a valuable concept in the analysis of metabolic reaction networks. However, they can only be computed in medium-size systems, preventing application to genome-scale metabolic models. In consequence, the analysis is usually constrained to a specific part of the known metabolism, and the remaining system is modeled using abstractions like exchange fluxes and external species. As we show by the analysis of a model of the central metabolism of Escherichia coli that has been previously analyzed using elementary modes, the choice of these abstractions heavily impacts the pathways that are detected, and the results are biased by the knowledge of the metabolic capabilities of the network by the user. In order to circumvent these problems, we introduce the concept of elementary flux patterns, which explicitly takes into account possible steady-state fluxes through a genome-scale metabolic network when analyzing pathways through a subsystem. By being similar to elementary mode analysis, our concept now allows for the application of many elementary-mode-based tools to genome-scale metabolic networks. We present an algorithm to compute elementary flux patterns and analyze a model of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and adjacent reactions in E. coli. Thus, we detect several pathways that can be used as alternative routes to some central metabolic pathways. Finally, we give an outlook on further applications like the computation of minimal media, the development of knockout strategies, and the analysis of combined genome-scale networks.
Next-generation tag sequencing for cancer gene expression profiling
Authors: Morrissy A. Sorana , Morin Ryan D. , Delaney Allen , Zeng Thomas , McDonald Helen , Jones Steven , Zhao Yongjun , Hirst Martin , Marra Marco A.
Published: June 2009

We describe a new method, Tag-seq, which employs ultra high-throughput sequencing of 21 base pair cDNA tags for sensitive and cost-effective gene expression profiling. We compared Tag-seq data to LongSAGE data and observed improved representation of several classes of rare transcripts, including transcription factors, antisense transcripts, and intronic sequences, the latter possibly representing novel exons or genes. We observed increases in the diversity, abundance, and dynamic range of such rare transcripts and took advantage of the greater dynamic range of expression to identify, in cancers and normal libraries, altered expression ratios of alternative transcript isoforms. The strand-specific information of Tag-seq reads further allowed us to detect altered expression ratios of sense and antisense (S-AS) transcripts between cancer and normal libraries. S-AS transcripts were enriched in known cancer genes, while transcript isoforms were enriched in miRNA targeting sites. We found that transcript abundance had a stronger GC-bias in LongSAGE than Tag-seq, such that AT-rich tags were less abundant than GC-rich tags in LongSAGE. Tag-seq also performed better in gene discovery, identifying >98% of genes detected by LongSAGE and profiling a distinct subset of the transcriptome characterized by AT-rich genes, which was expressed at levels below those detectable by LongSAGE. Overall, Tag-seq is sensitive to rare transcripts, has less sequence composition bias relative to LongSAGE, and allows differential expression analysis for a greater range of transcripts, including transcripts encoding important regulatory molecules.
The Rice Aquaporin Lsi1 Mediates Uptake of Methylated Arsenic Species
Authors: Li Ren-Ying , Ago Yukiko , Liu Wen-Ju , Mitani Namiki , Feldmann Jörg , McGrath Steve P. , Ma Jian Feng , Zhao Fang-Jie
Published: June 2009

Pentavalent methylated arsenic (As) species such as monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)] and dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)] are used as herbicides or pesticides, and can also be synthesized by soil microorganisms or algae through As methylation. The mechanism of MMA(V) and DMA(V) uptake remains unknown. Recent studies have shown that arsenite is taken up by rice (Oryza sativa) roots through two silicon transporters, Lsi1 (the aquaporin NIP2;1) and Lsi2 (an efflux carrier). Here we investigated whether these two transporters also mediate the uptake of MMA(V) and DMA(V). MMA(V) was partly reduced to trivalent MMA(III) in rice roots, but only MMA(V) was translocated to shoots. DMA(V) was stable in plants. The rice lsi1 mutant lost about 80% and 50% of the uptake capacity for MMA(V) and DMA(V), respectively, compared with the wild-type rice, whereas Lsi2 mutation had little effect. The short-term uptake kinetics of MMA(V) can be described by a Michaelis-Menten plus linear model, with the wild type having 3.5-fold higher V  max than the lsi1 mutant. The uptake kinetics of DMA(V) were linear with the slope being 2.8-fold higher in the wild type than the lsi1 mutant. Heterologous expression of Lsi1 in Xenopus laevis oocytes significantly increased the uptake of MMA(V) but not DMA(V), possibly because of a very limited uptake of the latter. Uptake of MMA(V) and DMA(V) by wild-type rice was increased as the pH of the medium decreased, consistent with an increasing proportion of the undissociated species. The results demonstrate that Lsi1 mediates the uptake of undissociated methylated As in rice roots.
The Plastidic Bile Acid Transporter 5 Is Required for the Biosynthesis of Methionine-Derived Glucosinolates inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gigolashvili Tamara , Yatusevich Ruslan , Rollwitz Inga , Humphry Melanie , Gershenzon Jonathan , Flügge Ulf-Ingo
Published: June 2009

Aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis is highly compartmentalized, requiring import of 2-keto acids or amino acids into chloroplasts for side chain elongation and export of the resulting compounds into the cytosol for conversion into glucosinolate. Aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana is regulated by three R2R3-MYB transcription factors, the major player being High Aliphatic Glucosinolate 1 (HAG1/MYB28). Here, we show that BAT5, which belongs to the putative bile acid transporter family, is the only member of this family that is transactivated by HAG1/MYB28, HAG2/MYB76, and HAG3/MYB29. Furthermore, two isopropylmalate isomerases genes, IPMI1 and IPMI2, and the isopropylmalate dehydrogenase gene, IPMDH1, were identified as targets of HAG1/MYB28 and the corresponding proteins localized to plastids, suggesting a role in plastidic chain elongation reactions. The BAT proteins also localized to plastids; however, only mutants defective in BAT5 function contained strongly reduced levels of aliphatic glucosinolates. The bat5 mutant chemotype was rescued by induced overexpression of BAT5. Feeding experiments using 2-keto acids and amino acids of different chain length suggest that BAT5 is a plastidic transporter of (chain-elongated) 2-keto acids. Mechanical stimuli and methyl jasmonate transiently induced BAT5 expression in inflorescences and leaves. Thus, BAT5 was identified as the first transporter component of the aliphatic glucosinolate biosynthetic pathway.
Aspherical refractive lenses for small-angle neutron scattering
Authors: Frielinghaus H. , Pipich V. , Radulescu A. , Heiderich M. , Hanslik R. , Dahlhoff K. , Iwase H. , Koizumi S. , Schwahn D.
Published: June 2009

Aspherical neutron lenses are discussed in detail as focusing elements for existing small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) diffractometers. The conceptual design can be obtained by analytical equations, while computer simulations provide the intensity distribution of the primary beam, which is strongly correlated with the instrumental resolution and the minimal momentum transferQ. For large illuminated sample/lens areas of 50 mm diameter the aspherical lens design is essential, while spherical lenses are limited toca20 mm diameter with a 60% spherical aberration for standard SANS experiments. Scattering experiments on different samples proved the applicability and revealed the resolution limits of the two lens types. From theoretical considerations it is proposed that lens cooling can be used to reduce the thermal diffuse scattering.
Detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in chicken rinse carcasses
Authors: Asensi G.F. , dos Reis E.M.F. , Del Aguila E.M. , dos P. Rodrigues D. , Silva J.T. , Paschoalin V.M.F.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to optimize a multiplex PCR in order to detect the incidence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in chicken carcasses, eliminating a pre‐culture enrichment step and the pathogen isolation.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 30 chicken rinse carcasses were analysed by standard microbiological methods, and the isolates were identified by biochemical and serological tests. The results were compared with those obtained by a multiplex PCR using validated primers targeting for invA and lamB genes of Salmonella and E. coli, respectively.

Findings

Microbiological analysis showed the prevalence of Salmonella in 14 out of 30 chicken carcasses. The same rinse samples were also analysed by multiplex PCR, which allowed the simultaneous detection of both bacteria directly from the chicken rinse water microbial community.

Originality/value

The optimized mPCR detected enterobacteria directly from the rinse samples, a complex matrix food, in one workday. There was 100 per cent agreement of the conventional microbiological analysis with those results obtained by multiplex PCR.
Resource management and environmental health service delivery regarding milk hygiene
Authors: Agenbag M.H.A , Lues J.F.R.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

As the regulatory authorities for registering, monitoring and controlling milk hygiene, metropolitan municipalities (metros) and district municipalities (DMs) should boast sufficient resources and systems to properly support the compliance of milk with legislative prescriptions and health standards. This paper aims to assess the availability and efficient management of resources for environmental health services (EHS), as well as the approach followed by local government (metropolitan and district municipalities as well as provincial health departments) in allocating available resources to monitor and control the informal milk‐producing sector in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire survey was conducted, targeting the cohort of municipal health service (MHS) managers (n=52) at the various metros and DMs in South Africa. Questions focused on physical and human resource management as well as the approach followed by MHS towards milk hygiene control.

Findings

At the time of the survey it was determined that resources (financial, human and to a lesser extent transport) available for MHS to effectively monitor, control and support the informal milk‐producing sector, were insufficient. Although food control enjoys high priority in MHS, activities such as sampling, premises inspections, and health and hygiene education at milking parlours, are predominantly performed on an ad hoc basis. This approach impacts negatively on the management of available resources and the effectiveness of interventions, leading to a need for national and provincial governments, industry and relevant associations to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to optimally exercise their powers and perform their functions.

Originality/value

The importance of the paper lies in its quantification and description of the current MHS situation in South Africa and thereby, via quantifiable results it makes an appeal to regulatory bodies towards channelling and effective management of resources by applying project management principles and skills.
Effect of composite flour fortification to wheat flour on the quality characteristics of unleavened bread
Authors: Khetarpaul Neelam , Goyal Rajni
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The unleavened bread called chapatis in vernacular language is the staple food of the majority of North Indians, which is generally prepared from wheat flour. However, wheat flour contains 8‐12 per cent protein and is limited in essential amino acid, so supplementation of partially defatted soy dhal, sorghum, rice, maize and pearl millet will help to improve the nutritional value of chapatis. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Wheat flour was supplemented with salt‐treated partially defatted soy dhal, sorghum, rice, maize and pearl millet (50:10:10:10:10:10). Different salt treatments were given to soy dhal so as to remove its typical beany flavour. Different flours were mixed with water to form dough followed by preparation of chapati on flat iron plates. These were further evaluated organoleptically by the panel of judges. On the basis of organoleptic evaluation the best combination was used for nutritional evaluation.

Findings

Organoleptic evaluation of developed chapatis indicated that they were acceptable in terms of various sensory parameters. Nutritional evaluation of unprocessed composite flour, wheat flour chapatis and composite flour chapatis revealed a significant increase in moisture and protein content and non‐significant difference in ash and crude fibre contents of composite flour chapatis when compared with unprocessed composite flour and wheat flour chapatis. Various processing methods, namely dough making and roasting involved in chapati making, significantly (p<0.05) reduced the phytic (11 per cent) and polyphenol (64 per cent) content of the developed chapati compared with unprocessed composite flour. As a result the protein and starch digestibility of the developed chapati was improved over the unprocessed composite flour.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed regarding the amino acid profile of the developed chapati.

Practical implications

Wheat flour should be supplemented with different cereals so as to improve the nutritional value.

Originality/value

The paper has significance in terms of improving the nutritional quality of the chapati without any extra input of time and energy.
Dublin Core Metadata Element Set usage in national libraries' web sites
Authors: Saadat Alijani Alireza , Jowkar Abdolrasool
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES) is a standard metadata schema for describing electronic records, documents and web resources. Librarians have been influenced on its initial structure most efficiently. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the librarians' tendency and amount of their attention to this standard in national libraries of the world.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports an empirical study of how 70 National Library web sites (NLWs) from 62 countries use DCMES. The source of each library web site main page is viewed and the data gathered with a formed checklist. The paper is conducted to determine whether or not DCMES is used within NLWs. In this paper DCMES is divided into three: content description; intellectual property and rights; and structural manifestation. The tendency measurement of NLWs' designers to each purpose is the second objective of this paper.

Findings

According to the results, 14 of all the NLWs use DCMES (20 percent). These 14 NLWs tendency ratio to each of the purposes are: content description 49 percent; intellectual properties and rights 57 percent; and structural manifestation 70 percent. The least‐used Dublin Core (DC) elements are source, relation and contributor – being used only once, and the most‐used DC element is title – used in 13 NLWs. The National Library of Serbia uses the most DC elements, using all 15, and the Bibliothèque Nationale Suisse uses the least DC elements by using two.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper show that most of the national libraries, the main libraries of the world, do not pay much attention to DCMES in web pages' designation. On the other hand, some other nation libraries using DCMES do not consider the main purpose of DCMES – content description – to be more important than its other purposes. Ultimately, the paper presents five probable reasons why most NLWs do not use DCMES.
PORE: a personal ontology recommender system for digital libraries
Authors: Liao Shu‐Chuan , Kao Kuo‐Fong , Liao I‐En , Chen Hui‐Lin , Huang Shu‐O
Published: June 2009

Purpose

As library collections increase rapidly, personalized recommender systems have become a very important service for library patrons. The purpose of this paper is to design and implement a personal ontology recommender (PORE) system by building personal ontologies based on patrons' borrowing records.

Design/methodology/approach

In the PORE system, the traditional cataloging scheme, classification for Chinese libraries, is used as the reference ontology. This reference ontology is transformed to a unique personal ontology for each user based on the mining results from library borrowing records of that user.

Findings

A personal ontology represents a unique user interest on specific subjects. The personal ontology can be used to filter out unsuitable recommendations based only on a keyword matching method. Besides, the recommended books can be organized into the personal ontology, and provide the patron with a user‐friendly interface to access library collections.

Research limitations/implications

The PORE system is currently implemented for Chinese collections. From this paper builds a new version to support English collections by adopting the Library of Congress Classification as the reference ontology.

Originality/value

This paper represents a practical method of building a user's personal ontology and explains the functional use of ontology knowledge.
Multipurpose community telecentres in Bangladesh: problems and prospects
Authors: Islam Shariful , Hasan Nazmul
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss multipurpose community information and knowledge centres (MCTs) and then describes and assesses the telecommunication facilities (and hence information access and provision) of such telecentres in Bangladesh including radio, television, telephone and internet facilities. The paper then highlights problems and prospects, in rural areas of Bangladesh, of information access through the telecentres.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of literature collected through the internet, personal visits and other secondary sources such as research reports and articles.

Findings

The paper highlights the existing MCT initiatives in rural Bangladesh and discusses their problems and prospects.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the very few studies which focuses on the prospects of MCTs for rural Bangladesh, particularly as regards information and knowledge access and provision, and proposes future directions for the development of MCTs in Bangladesh.
A model of consumer financial numeracy
Authors: Huhmann Bruce A. , McQuitty Shaun
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a theoretical explanation – financial numeracy – for consumer proficiency with financial services. With sufficient financial numeracy, consumers benefit fully from financial services and make competent choices in regard to financial management.

Design/methodology/approach

The article builds theory by combining consumer cognitive capacity and customer knowledge theories with findings from prior studies of consumer difficulties with financial services to introduce a comprehensive model of the antecedents and consequences of financial numeracy with testable propositions for many psychographic and cultural influences and moderators.

Findings

Financial numeracy demands that consumers possess sufficient financial information processing capacity and ability as well as sufficient prior knowledge of financial concepts. Although partly a function of individual cognitive ability, it can be enhanced through appropriate experience with financial instruments and familiarity through personal financial materials when consumers are motivated to process them. Financial numeracy directly affects financial management outcomes related to borrowing, saving, and taxes. It indirectly affects higher‐order financial consequences, such as a consumer's credit score, interest rates charged on subsequent loans, net worth, likelihood of bankruptcy, and size of inheritance.

Originality/value

Consumers around the world are increasingly experiencing difficulties with financial services. To advance research in financial services marketing beyond documenting troublesome financial behaviours of consumers, this conceptual model provides insights to help increase consumer proficiency in comprehending and managing financial services based on knowledge about consumer information processing, learning, memory and the cultural and psychographic influences on these internal processes.
Using a multiple‐attribute approach for measuring customer satisfaction with retail banking services in Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Eisa Abdulkarim S. , Alhemoud Abdulla M.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to identify the most salient attributes that influence customer satisfaction with retail banks in Kuwait and to determine the level of the overall satisfaction of the customers of these banks.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple‐attribute approach proposed by Shin and Elliott in 2001 was employed. This approach was applied in the analysis of data collected from a convenient sample of 863 actual customers of retail banks in Kuwait.

Findings

The most crucial attributes for predicting customer satisfaction with retail banks in Kuwait were fast service, courtesy and helpfulness of employees and availability of self‐banking services. The vast majority of the customers of retail banks in Kuwait (nearly 81 percent) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the services of their banks.

Research limitations/implications

A number of very important attributes, such as those related to loans and credit cards, were not examined due to social reasons. The unavailability of lists of existing customers and their contacts made it not possible to draw a random sample from the target population of this study.

Practical implications

To maintain a competitive edge in the market, the managers of retail banks in Kuwait need to be updated about technological advances and to invest in those that satisfactorily enhance technology‐based encounters with their customers. These managers also need to focus on minimizing encounter failures in service delivery. For a retail bank in Kuwait, sufficient recovery efforts are needed so that dissatisfied customers do not end up defecting.

Originality/value

Use of a single‐item approach to measure customer satisfaction is common. This approach has been shown to suffer from inherent drawbacks, rendering its practical utility questionable. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present study represents the first attempt to apply Shin and Elliott's multiple‐attribute methodology to retail banking services in a different culture.
The role of bank image for customers versus non‐customers
Authors: Bravo Rafael , Montaner Teresa , Pina José M.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the corporate image of financial institutions and its impact on consumer behaviour. More specifically, it aims to focus on the differences between customers and non‐customers of banking institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through five questionnaires involving five major Spanish commercial banks. The questionnaires were answered by 450 individuals and SEM methodology was used to test the hypotheses of the study.

Findings

Corporate image of commercial banks includes dimensions related to the services offered, accessibility, corporate social responsibility, global impression, location and personnel. Two alternative models were validated for customers and non‐customers to explain how corporate associations influence intention to use the bank's services. For the case of current customers, satisfaction is a key mediating variable.

Research limitations/implications

The study is focused on national commercial banks and corporate image of individuals. Different stakeholders like employees can hold a different corporate image. Moreover, the paper only considers intention to use as a dependant variable.

Practical implications

The effect of corporate associations on purchase intentions depends on the specific type of associations and may be mediated through satisfaction. Results thus indicate that firms have to use different marketing strategies when considering the individuals' previous experience.

Originality/value

The paper extends previous research by showing the specific effect of corporate associations on intention to use the bank's services. It proposes two alternative models for explaining responses of both customers and non‐customers.
The illustrated Post Office: a layered account of organisational sexism, brutality and escape
Authors: Rippin Ann
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Reading the works of Charles Bukowski is a male, and by extension, masculine activity, and as such it can make a female reader feel as if she is trespassing into some male preserve. Arguably, in entering many organisations, women experience similar feelings. The purpose of this paper is to offer an account of the process of reading Charles Bukowski's novel Post Office as a woman.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to evoke her response to the text of Post Office and to reclaim her feminine identity in the face of Bukowski's masculinist project, the author adopts a multilayered, art‐based methodological approach using Bukowski's text as well as her own, Bukowski's biographer's, texts of a number of theorists of research methodology, visual illustrations and notes.

Findings

Through the original use of arts‐based methodology, the paper offers insights into the embodied, situated experience of reading Post Office, and gives an account of the author's reflections on organisational sexism, brutality and escape in the novel.

Originality/value

Drawing the attention to the multilayered interweavings of novel, author, organisation, analyst and discipline, the paper moves us beyond a representational reading of Post Office to consider the materiality of the text within the productive assemblage of organisational theory.
Reliability analysis of a novel fan‐out type WLP
Authors: Yew Ming‐Chih , Tsai Mars , Hu Dyi‐Chung , Yang Wen‐Kun , Chiang Kuo‐Ning
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The wafer level package (WLP) is a cost‐effective solution for electronic packaging and has been increasingly applied in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to propose a newly developed packaging technology, based on the concepts of the WLP, the panel base package (PBP) technology, in order to further obtain the capability of signal fan‐out for fine‐pitched integrated circuits (ICc).

Design/methodology/approach

In the PBP, the filler material is selected to fill the trench around the chip and provide a smooth surface for the redistribution lines. Therefore, the solder bumps could be located on both the filler and the chip surface and the pitch of the chip side is fanned‐out. The design concept and the manufacturing process of the PBP would first be described in this study. The three‐dimensional finite element model is established based on the real testing sample and the thermo‐mechanical behavior of the PBP is simulated.

Findings

It is found that the solder joint reliability of the PBP can be highly improved because of the applied stress buffer layer. However, the accumulated stress/strain from the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch may transfer to the metal lines in package. In order to enhance the robustness of the redistribution lines, the bypassed type interconnect is suggested. Moreover, the trace/pad connecting junction and the conductive via which have smooth outline are preferred to avoid stress concentration effects.

Originality/value

In this paper, a low‐cost and short time‐to‐market packaging technology is proposed which is especially suitable for high density IC devices. The PBP technology has the ability to meet the requirements of major reliability testing conditions and it will have a high potential for application in the near future.
Macromarketing, controversy and economic development
Authors: Shapiro Stanley J. , Shultz Clifford J.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to familiarize readers with the nature and scope of the current global economic crisis, its implications for economic development, and what macromarketing can contribute both to better understanding and solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a controversies‐based examination, including a selective, multi‐disciplinary literature review and personal observation with a focus on the past, the present and the likely future of economic development.

Findings

The paper reports on global trends in economic development, shares prognoses, and suggests the importance of macromarketing perspectives and practices to advance individual and societal well being.

Originality/value

This paper provides a fresh, multi‐disciplinary perspective on controversies vis‐à‐vis economic development, while reflecting on past perspectives and new directions for individual and societal well being. The prospects for economic development in light of the global economic crisis and macromarketing orientations are discussed in considerable detail. Some personal views on the likely future of development are also offered.
An anthology of codes of ethics
Authors: Mcdonald Gael M.
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Corporate codes of conduct originated around 1900 in the USA gaining further momentum in the 1950s in relation to anti‐trust legislation. Subsequently, the adoption of codes of ethics has spread throughout the world and they now feature extensively in many organisations. The literature relating to codes of ethics, therefore, spans many decades and is undoubtedly comprehensive. The purpose of the paper is to provide an appropriate anthology of codes of ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive, historical, anthological approach has been taken.

Findings

This paper examines the motivations for the adoption of codes of ethics, which naturally also includes international codes, their frequency of use and content. Codes are also not without critique and it is appropriate to highlight the criticisms of codes, to provide an assessment of their potential effectiveness, the issues surrounding implementation and enforcement and the relationship to organisational culture and leadership.

Research limitations/implications

As noted, the literature on codes of conduct is extensive and while effort has been made to capture the key themes the review is not necessarily exhaustive.

Originality/value

The literature is characterised by the means of institutionalising ethics in organisations and the paper concludes with a summative reflection on the key dimensions that appear to be paramount for improving the efficacy of codes of conduct.
Creative restruction – how business services drive economic evolution
Authors: Wirtz Jochen , Ehret Michael
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to express the widely underestimated role of business services in driving the growth of the service sector, and the increasing specialization and productivity of the economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on statistical data and industry reports and link them to the non‐ownership‐concept in service research and the theory of the firm.

Findings

Business services are the major driver of the service economy. Organizations focus on core competencies and outsource commoditized and non‐core activities in order to free managerial capacity for the entrepreneurial pursuit of opportunities. This in turn drives the specialization and enhanced productivity of economies.

Research limitations/implications

This paper advances the non‐ownership discussion in service research and integrates it with economic theories of the firm, including the property rights theory, the resource‐based view and the entrepreneurial theory of the firm. This paper makes a conceptual contribution without empirical testing.

Practical implications

Implications for individual businesses include recommendation to focus on core activities and outsourcing of non‐core competencies to competitive business service providers. Here three fundamental value propositions business service providers can offer their clients are identified: reduction of the costs of asset‐ownership (property rights theory); freeing scarce management capacity to focus on high value‐creation opportunities (resource‐based view); and the enhancement of their entrepreneurial agility and leverage (entrepreneurial theory of the firm). Policy implications include a better understanding of the role of business services in wealth creation and the recommendation to create and ensure competitive business services markets that are open to global competition.

Originality/value

The authors provide an explanation for the role of business services as a driving force of economic development and business productivity.
Accommodating the newfound strategic importance of educational technologists within higher education
Authors: Shurville Simon , Browne Tom , Whitaker Marian
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Educational technologists make significant contributions to the development, organisational embedding and service provision of technology‐enhanced learning (TEL) environments, which are key enablers for mass access to flexible higher education (HE). Given the increasing centrality of this role, it is advocated that institutions investigate sustainable career structures for educational technologists. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The arguments are evidence‐driven by the small body of research literature describing the role of educational technologists and contextualized by the experiences as academics and leaders of TEL projects in HE, including managing educational technologists.

Findings

The roles of educational technologists are very diverse, requiring competencies in educational leadership, both management and technical. Their career paths, backgrounds, legitimate powers and organisational locations exhibit considerable variation.

Research limitations/implications

University leaders require evidence to formulate appropriate human resource strategies and performance management strategies for educational technologists. Further empirical research to analyze current issues and future trajectories relating to their aspirations, career structures, legitimate power, management and organisational contexts is proposed.

Originality/value

Given the strategic importance of educational technologists to information and communications technology‐driven transformation, university leaders will require evidence to formulate appropriate human resource and performance management strategies for these key academic‐related/professional staff. This paper brings together relevant literature for the first time, generates recommendations for further research and policy discussion.
Using learning styles to personalize online learning
Authors: Zajac Maria
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of research aimed at collecting the data necessary for preparing personalised content of e‐learning courses. Its aim is to show how the information describing individual learning styles can be linked to the rules of creating tailored online courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives a brief explanation of how personalization is understood for the purpose of research carried out by the author and what are the psychological backgrounds of the applied approach. It presents also a KS‐TIW questionnaire, based on Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory.

Findings

As it is not possible to define infinite number of different course models corresponding to every single learner a concept of defining several learner profiles which would represent various types of learning preferences is described.

Practical implications

The final part of the paper shows how the data concerning one's learning preferences can be transferred into particular type of learning content with special emphasis on a form of learning content delivery and type of activities planned for individual learner.

Originality/value

This research goes one step further than typical approach to personalization in e‐learning, which is usually understood either by freedom of choosing the time and the place of learning or by adapting the layout of virtual learning environment (VLE) to one's individual needs. Quite rarely the solutions offered in VLE's enable the learner to choose among the forms and methods the learning content is delivered.
Past, present and possible future developments in human capital accounting
Authors: Guthrie James , Murthy Vijaya
Published: June 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to pay tribute to several of the ideas of Jan‐Erik Gröjer by reviewing and critiquing the field of Human Competence Accounting (HCA) since his Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal review article in 1998.Three research questions he posed in that article are now addressed in the current paper: What could be done, as envisaged in the commentary of Gröjer and Johanson; What has been published in HCA research in the ten year period (1999‐2008); What more could/should be done in HCA as a research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature based analysis and critique of HCA accounting articles published in the selected journals from 1999 to 2008 is employed. A purpose built coding and classification scheme is built around several categories for the purpose of analysing the HCA literature.

Findings

The paper seeks to demonstrate the importance of Gröjer and Johanson's review and indicates that questions they raised and possible research directions have been acted upon by a number of authors. The findings of the analysis indicate that, a decade on from the original review, HCA is a legitimate area for accounting research and is multi‐disciplinary and multi‐focused in nature.

Research limitations/implications

The paper only considers selected HCA articles within the ten journals used over the period 1999‐2008.American mainstream positivist research has not been reviewed. Also the categories chosen to represent HCA have several limitations which are addressed in the paper.

Originality/value

HCA research has a strong tradition and the Gröjer and Johanson review is an important beacon that provided insights to accounting researchers. The current analysis extends Jan‐Erik's work by providing several insights into what has happened and also provides several ideas for future research and policy work in accounting for HCA.