bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking IT governance for SMEs
Authors: Devos Jan , Van Landeghem Hendrik , Deschoolmeester Dirk
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically rethink the concepts and the theoretical foundations of IT governance in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on multiple case studies. In total, eight cases of outsourced information system projects where failures occurred were selected. An outsourced information system failure (OISF) is suggested as a failure of governance of the IT in a SME environment. A structure for stating propositions derived from two competing theories is proposed (Agency Theory and Theory of Trust).

Findings

The results reveal that trust is slightly more important than control issues such as output‐based contracts and structured controls in the governance of IT in SMEs.

Practical implications

The world of SMEs is significantly different from that of large companies, and therefore, the concept of IT governance in SMEs needs reconsideration. For researchers and practitioners, it would be more meaningful to focus on actual, working SMEs instead of on a version of their activities derived from those of large companies.

Originality/value

The paper offers two contributions. First, it elaborates the limited research on IT in SMEs and second, it brings theoretical foundations for their IT governance. The value of IT governance in SMEs is explained.
Modeling supplier risks using Bayesian networks
Authors: Lockamy Archie , McCormack Kevin
Published: March 2012

Purpose

To counteract the effects of global competition, many organizations have extended their enterprises by forming supply chain networks. However, as organizations increase their dependence on these networks, they become more vulnerable to their suppliers' risk profiles. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for modeling and evaluating risk profiles in supply chains via Bayesian networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data from 15 casting suppliers to a major US automotive company are analyzed using Bayesian networks. The networks provide a methodological approach for determining a supplier's external, operational, and network risk probability, and the potential revenue impact a supplier can have on the company.

Findings

Bayesian networks can be used to develop supplier risk profiles to determine the risk exposure of a company's revenue stream. The supplier risk profiles can be used to determine those risk events which have the largest potential impact on an organization's revenues, and the highest probability of occurrence.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation to the use of Bayesian networks to model supply chain risks is the proper identification of risk events and risk categories that can impact a supply chain.

Practical implications

The methodology used in this study can be adopted by managers to formulate supply chain risk management strategies and tactics which mitigate overall supply chain risks.

Social implications

The methodology used in this study can be used by organizations to reduce supply chain risks which yield numerous societal benefits.

Originality/value

As part of a comprehensive supplier risk management program, organizations along with their suppliers can develop targeted approaches to minimize the occurrence of supply chain risk events.
Contractual and quality aspects on warranty
Authors: González‐Prida Díaz Vicente , Barberá Martínez Luis , Gómez Fernández Juan Francisco , Crespo Márquez Adolfo
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief summary of quality and contractual aspects for the improvement of the warranty management. Together with this, the present work will show also some of the best practices followed by companies in order to manage properly those kinds of issues related to warranty, as well as some indications to assess the implementation degree of such practices in the whole organization. Basically, the global objective of the study is to present to the reader and in few words the importance of taking into account legal and quality aspects, when a company offers a technical service for the warranty assistance of any of its products, together with the maturity level that this company achieves applying some best practices currently available.

Design/methodology/approach

The study starts by mentioning some antecedents related to warranty, in order to summarize a reference framework, proposed for proper warranty management, and how the information exchange should be performed among the different departments of a generic company. Then, it will be suggested how to apply this according to a strategic management which is divided in phases, taken from the product life cycle concept: Front‐end, Design and Development, Production, Marketing, and Post‐sale Support. These phases are included in three higher stages considered as Pre‐Launch stage, Launch and Post‐Launch stage, where different decisions play important roles. Afterwards, it will be shown how warranty management is viewed from the contract and legal point of view, in order to link the above mentioned topics on generic management, with those best practices currently presented in actual markets. Finally, once analysed, all those aspects related to best practices and its application on the reference framework, it is required now to quantify how a company manages the warranty assistances by a maturity assessment on warranty management.

Findings

The paper observes what today's companies are doing in this field, that is, their best practices in warranty management covering the quality and contractual aspects already mentioned, in order to round off the development of a completed framework for such management.

Originality/value

The paper presents a review, a framework and a practical application of the framework for the management of warranty contracts, including a maturity assessment or evaluation.
Library Hi Tech at 30
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: March 2012

Purpose

This article aims to look at the last 30 years of Library Hi Tech to identify which topics have continued and what priorities have changed.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a review in which the author looks back at articles from each of the past decades to discuss how they represent core topics for the journal.

Findings

When Library Hi Tech first appeared 30 years ago, the key topics involved how to make our work as librarians more efficient. Today the question has become: how do we make it easier for those using our resources?

Originality/value

Key future issues for the library community, as well as for Library Hi Tech, include not only how to preserve digital information over long periods, but how humans interact with computers and digital resources, and how the human physical environment – in this case the library buildings – can adapt. This paper is of value in looking at the implications of these issues.
Measuring travel time and distance in library use
Authors: Jae Park Sung
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide a full understanding of library use patterns in their full temporal and spatial environment. By analyzing individuals' daily travel activity, this study seeks to measure the travel distance and travel time of library users in multi‐destination trip settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set for analysis was collected from the Metropolitan Travel Survey Archive, which stores 79 household daily travel data sets. Daily activities of 409 people who visited public libraries were extracted from the Puget Sound Region data set.

Findings

Through the analysis, four library access patterns were identified: single‐destination, en route, base camp, and trip‐chaining trips. Only 20 percent of library users made single‐destination trips, while 80 percent of users made trips of a multi‐destination nature; these are depicted by the latter three listed patterns. In particular, 62.2 percent of the activities fell into the trip‐chaining travel pattern. Such a pattern is defined as “discretionary activities which include a library visit.” Findings indicate that although travel distance is still a constraint to library access, travel time is a more informative factor than travel distance for gaining a richer understanding of the nature of library visits.

Originality/value

This study develops new measurements of travel distance and time, Dlibrary and Tlibrary respectively, enabling more accurate measures of travel distance and time, and further supporting precise measurements of the portions of multi‐destination trips most relevant to library visits.
Anatomy of crisis management: lessons from the infamous Toyota Case
Authors: Heller Victor L. , Darling John R.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the issue of crisis management within the Toyota Corporation's series of worldwide recalls for multiple malfunctions on a number of different Toyota brands of vehicles. The analysis relates to the difficulty now faced by Toyota, previously recognized as the world's leading manufacturer of automotive vehicles. The crisis became so great that Toyota corporate leaders even traveled from Japan to testify before a US Congressional Committee hearing.

Design/methodology/approach

A crisis, typically considered to be a negative issue, can be a positive event in the life of a business firm, such as Toyota, if the management involved seizes the opportunity to make appropriate changes in its operations to facilitate continuing positive growth and development. However, this opportunity was not initially addressed by Toyota in a meaningful way, and the crisis continued to evolve through subsequent stages, bringing a vast array of negative international criticism. The crisis management paradigm that is the focus for this case identifies four stages of a crisis – the preliminary (pre‐) crisis, acute crisis, chronic crisis, and crisis resolution. The present crisis deals with several different malfunctions that were identified, apparently by customers, in various Toyota brands, but publically ignored by Toyota's management. Therefore, the pre‐crisis stage was not appropriately dealt with by Toyota, and the firm was thrust into an acute crisis that has now evolved into a chronic crisis. A brief overview of the historical development of Toyota is presented, and an analysis of the present crisis situation in which the firm found itself is presented in some detail.

Findings

It was concluded that Toyota is now in a very difficult position in the chronic crisis stage due to the failure of its management to facilitate a timely response to the malfunctions of its vehicles.

Originality/value

The paper presents an excellent example of crisis mismanagement by a previously recognized world leader.
Role of web site design quality in satisfaction and word of mouth generation
Authors: Ha Young , Im Hyunjoo
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine a comprehensive model explaining how web site design influences consumer's emotional and cognitive responses and contributes to satisfaction and word‐of‐mouth (WOM) communication in an online shopping context.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 804 female college students completed an online survey after browsing one of two mock web sites developed to manipulate web site design quality.

Findings

Web site design quality showed positive direct effects on pleasure, arousal, and perceived information quality and indirect effects on satisfaction and WOM intention. Pleasant shopping experience increased positive perceptions and satisfaction. The results also showed that satisfaction mediated the relationship between emotional and cognitive responses and positive WOM intention.

Research limitations/implications

Although an online survey was used to increase the reality of an online shopping experience, uncontrolled conditions may have influenced the results of the study. Further research needs to be conducted in a laboratory setting to control these factors.

Originality/value

The paper theoretically extends the applicability of the stimulus‐organism‐response paradigm to satisfaction and electronic WOM intention research and fills the gap in the current online shopping literature. The paper also offers valuable information to online retailers to maximize consumer satisfaction and generate positive WOM using web site design.
Joining mechanisms and mechanical properties of PA composites obtained by selective laser sintering
Authors: Bassoli Elena , Gatto Andrea , Iuliano Luca
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Additive manufacturing is today a viable industrial solution alongside traditional processes. Techniques like selective laser sintering (SLS) address the issues of digital production and mass customization in a variety of materials. Composite parts can be obtained with specific functional and mechanical properties. Building orientation during additive manufacturing often causes anisotropy of parts' properties that is still unspecified in technical information. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanical performances and failure mechanisms of an aluminium‐filled polyamide and of a new alumina‐polyamide composite produced by SLS, in comparison with unfilled PA.

Design/methodology/approach

A specific focus is set on the evaluation of primary and secondary anisotropy in the case of metal or ceramic filler, as well as on the specific contribution of powder distribution modes and joining phenomena. Macroscopic mechanical tests and the observation of joining and failure micro‐mechanisms are integrated.

Findings

The results prove the absence of relevant anisotropy amongst specimens that are produced with the axis parallel to the plane of powder deposition. Samples whose axis is parallel to the growth direction Z, instead, reveal a significantly different response with respect to other orientations.

Originality/value

An original explanatory model is assumed and validated, based on an anisotropic distribution of the reinforcing particles during parts' production, which determines the efficacy of the strengthening mechanisms during crack propagation.
Polysilicon nanogap fabrication using a thermal oxidation process
Authors: Dhahi T.S. , Hashim U. , Ali M.E. , Taib Nazwa
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Nanogap electrodes have important applications in power saving devices, electrochemical sensors and dielectric detections of biomolecules. The purpose of this paper is to report on the fabrication and characterization of polysilicon nanogap patterning using novelties technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Polysilicon material is used to fabricate the nanogap structure and gold is used for the electrode and two chrome masks are used to complete this work; the first mask for the nanogap pattern and a second mask for the electrode. The method is based on the control of the coefficients (temperature and time) with an improved pattern size resolution thermal oxidation.

Findings

Physical characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrates such nanogap electrodes could be produced with high reproducibility and precision. Electrical characterization shows that nanogap enhanced the sensitivity of the device by increase the capacitance and the conductivity as well. They have also good efficiency of power consumption with high insulation properties.

Originality/value

With this technique, there are no principal limitations to fabricating nanostructures with different layouts down to several different nanometer dimensions. The paper documents the fabrication of nanogaps electrodes on a polysilicon, using low‐cost techniques such as vacuum deposition and conventional lithography. Polysilicon is a low‐cost materials and has desirable properties for semiconductor applications. A method of preparing a nanogap electrode according to the present innovation has an advantage of providing active surface that can easily be modified for immobilizations of biomolecules.
A review on effect of minor alloying elements on thermal cycling and drop impact reliability of low‐Ag Sn‐Ag‐Cu solder joints
Authors: Abdul Ameer Shnawah Dhafer , Faizul Bin Mohd Sabri Mohd , Anjum Badruddin Irfan , Said Suhana
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the reliability of board level Sn‐Ag‐Cu (SAC) solder joints in terms of both thermal cycling and drop impact loading conditions, and further modification of the characteristics of low Ag‐content SAC solder joints using minor alloying elements to withstand both thermal cycle and drop impact loads.

Design/methodology/approach

The thermal cycling and drop impact reliability of different Ag‐content SAC bulk solder will be discussed from the viewpoints of mechanical and micro‐structural properties.

Findings

The best SAC composition for drop performance is not necessarily the best composition for optimum thermal cycling reliability. The content level of silver in SAC solder alloys can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the application, package and reliability requirements. The low Ag‐content SAC alloys with different minor alloying elements such as Mn, Ce, Bi, Ni and Ti display good performance in terms of both thermal cycling and drop impact loading conditions.

Originality/value

The paper details the mechanical and micro‐structural properties requirements to design a robust bulk SAC solder joint. These properties provide design and manufacturing engineers with the necessary information when deciding on a solder alloy for their specific application.
The Arab Spring, MNEs, and virtual public spheres
Authors: Benmamoun Mamoun , Kalliny Morris , Cropf Robert A.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Although multinational enterprises (MNEs), according to John Dunning's work, are driven by motives of ownership, location, internalization and, ultimately, higher returns, these business entities, by virtue of their transnational products and services, and extensive reach and resources, provide direct and indirect mechanisms that can shape political and social outcomes. This paper seeks to explore those mechanisms in the context of the so‐called “Arab Spring”, the popular uprising that has ensued in a number of Arab countries. The paper also aims to explore virtual public spheres, the platform from which the Arab Spring was launched, and which owes much to the presence of MNEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is grounded on the theoretical construct of the virtual public sphere. The approaches taken are that of a general review and secondary research.

Findings

The main findings of this paper are three‐fold. First, in the examination of the role of MNEs and the virtual public sphere in the Arab Awakening, it is found that the new information and networking technologies have already made a sizable impact in terms of paving the way toward political and social changes. Second, it is found that foreign investments in Arab media, mobile, and internet markets are dominantly regional. Third, behind the social media phenomenon in the Arab world are “born‐global” American firms (MNEs), notably Facebook, Inc., Twitter, Inc., and Google, Inc.

Originality/value

Most research on the Arab Spring has not incorporated the likely distinctive influence of MNEs. In addition, the paper highlights the association between regional and transnational orientations of business activities of multinational firms and political outcomes.
Why MNCs tend to concentrate their activities in their home region
Authors: Wolf Joachim , Dunemann Till , Egelhoff William G.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The current paper seeks to analyze to what degree theories from different fields of social science are able to explain the home‐region orientation of MNCs. This is necessary since there has been only a relatively narrow, economics‐oriented explanation for such an orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a thorough review of the literature that refers to a MNC's home‐region orientation and on different theories from the social sciences.

Findings

The paper shows that several theories from economics, psychology, and sociology are able to explain an MNC's home‐region orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the development of a more multi‐faceted explanation of why MNCs generally prefer a home‐region orientation. The paper derives propositions that are consistent with each theory. These propositions can be tested empirically in subsequent research studies.

Originality/value

The paper discusses a number of different theories and streams of research that can be used to conceptually explain and gain insight into the phenomenon of a home‐region orientation for MNCs
Challenges and remedies of manufacturing enterprises in developing countries
Authors: Sami El‐Khasawneh Bashar
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The paradigm shift in global competition and the resulting business challenges have led manufacturing enterprises, particularly in the developing world, to take a different look at their operations. Responding to this climate meant reassessing their competitive advantage, and re‐engineering their business models and operations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss many of these new challenges and present potential solutions from the practitioner point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses many of these new challenges and presents potential solutions. The results are from interviews with the enterprise managers and owners.

Findings

The issues are divided into three categories based on who can manipulate them: regional and international, national, and enterprise factors. The level of enterprises' ability to respond to these issues varies from full control to partial or no control. Nevertheless, issues' impact could be minimized by certain adopted polices and action plans.

Practical implications

The paper creates a guiding compass for developing countries' manufacturing enterprises, by which they can navigate around the arising challenges, in a well‐rounded, comprehensive overview.

Originality/value

The paper lays a foundation for a road map for researchers and practitioners to assist small and medium‐sized enterprises in becoming more competitive and improving their survivability, in a well‐rounded, comprehensive way.
Fuzzy control charts for process quality improvement and product assessment in tip shear carpet industry
Authors: Taylan Osman , Darrab Ibrahim A.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of artificial intelligence methods in quality control and improvement. The paper introduces a systematic approach for the design of fuzzy control charts of tip shear carpets.

Design/methodology/approach

There are certain steps for designing fuzzy control charts. All input, state and output variables of the carpet plant and partition of the universe of discourse were first determined. The interval spanned by each variable and the number of fuzzy subsets each assigned with a linguistic label were identified. Then, the adaptive capability of neural network was used to determine the membership functions for each fuzzy subset. The fuzzy relationship functions between the inputs and outputs were assigned to form the fuzzy rule base (controller) in order to normalize the variables and certain intervals. Fuzzification of input parameters and max‐min composition of rules for inferring crisp outputs was the next step. The aggregation of fuzzified outputs and defuzzification of the outputs were the last step of this study, which helped to produce crisp outputs for latex weight.

Findings

Fuzzy linguistic terms were employed for overall quality assessment and rating of the end product. The outcomes of neuro‐fuzzy system were good supplements to other statistical process control tools.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of qualified domain experts, knowledge acquisition of process parameters and time limitation for training of neuro‐fuzzy model were primary limitations.

Practical implications

The approach is more flexible and meaningful to identify the quality distribution of a product. The qualitative aspect of human reasoning for decision making was employed in this approach.

Originality/value

The paper is original and the first such work for local industry.
Symbols and place identity
Authors: Mueller Andreas , Schade Michael
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion about how to develop a common identity of local stakeholders of places (e.g. politicians, local companies, residents). Such a common identity is regarded as an essential aspect to market a place consistently to external target groups (e.g. tourists, companies, qualified workers, students).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a conceptual approach by transferring semiotic (symbolism) and sociological concepts (symbolic interactionism) to the concept of place branding. Moreover, a practical example of how to identify potential place symbols of cities is presented within the case study of the German town of Bremen.

Findings

Symbols are identified to be of special importance for the development of group identity of local stakeholders of places. Moreover, symbols are presented as essential aspects of a feeling of belonging to a place (place commitment).

Research limitations/implications

As semiotic theory has not yet been transferred to the context of place branding this paper is opening up a new subject and needs to be understood as a first approach to constitute a theoretical framework. An empirical analyses needs to be carried out in order to proof the theories in the place branding context.

Practical implications

The paper explains that symbols can be established by the arrangement of public discourses like, e.g. competitions for place logos, place mascots or place songs. Moreover, it is pointed out, how already established place symbols which are not yet part of branding strategies can be identified in order to strengthen place identity.

Social Implications

Following the semiotic concept of symbolism the paper explains a high participation of residents as a necessity to establish and negotiate the meaning of symbols in order to strengthen place identity.

Originality/value

Because of being the first paper putting the semiotic theory of symbolism in the focus of the interdisciplinary discussion of branding the originality of the paper can be regarded as high.
Water impact tests and simulations of a steel structure
Authors: Borrelli Rosario , Mercurio Umberto , Alguadich Simona
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve knowledge of the water impact phenomenon from both the experimental and numerical points of view.

Design/methodology/approach

A drop test campaign on water was carried out on semi‐cylindrical steel structures. Therefore, an experimental database for validation purpose was generated. Subsequently, a finite element model was developed in LS‐DYNA in order to reproduce the tests. The behaviour of water was modeled by using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) methods. Numerical simulations were compared to experimental data and the influence of some numerical parameters on the simulations was investigated.

Findings

The FE model was found to be able to reproduce the tests, at least in terms of acceleration peak and distribution of plastic deformation. Acceptable prediction was also found for the pressure peak in soft areas.

Research limitations/implications

In case of low velocity impact, the water model was found to be too rigid and the acceleration peaks were over‐predicted by the simulations. Further investigations are needed to adjust the water model in order to obtain better results also in the case of low velocity impact.

Originality/value

The experimental database could be very useful to the crashworthiness community to validate their numerical models. Moreover, the present paper provides guidelines to modelling the water impact correctly.
Analytical investigation of effect of stress ratio on threshold stress intensity factor range improved by overload
Authors: Houjou Keiji , Takahashi Koji , Ando Kotoji
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the effects of stress ratio (R) on the threshold stress intensity factor range (ΔKth) by applied overload and to conduct an analytical investigation of the effect of the stress ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile overload was applied to a compact tension specimen, and fatigue tests were performed at R=0.1 or 0.5.

Findings

The value of ΔKth increased as the tensile overload was increased, and the nominal threshold values were given by the equation ΔNKth,R = C+ DKov, where C represents ΔKth, and D is a proportional constant. Experimental results showed that the value of D showed good agreement with theoretical value.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new model that arrests crack growth or makes cracks harmless by utilizing the overload effect.
Defining dosing pattern characteristics of successful tapers following methadone maintenance treatment: results from a population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nosyk Bohdan , Sun Huiying , Evans Elizabeth , Marsh David C. , Anglin M. Douglas , Hser Yih‐Ing , Anis Aslam H.
Published: March 2012

Aims  To identify dose‐tapering strategies associated with sustained success following methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Design  Population‐based retrospective cohort study.

Setting  Linked administrative medication dispensation data from British Columbia, Canada.

Participants  From 25 545 completed MMT episodes, 14 602 of which initiated a taper, 4183 individuals (accounting for 4917 MMT episodes) from 1996 to 2006 met study inclusion criteria.

Measurements  The primary outcome was sustained successful taper, defined as a daily dose ≤5 mg per day in the final week of the treatment episode and no treatment re‐entry, opioid‐related hospitalization or mortality within 18 months following episode completion.

Findings  The overall rate of sustained success was 13% among episodes meeting inclusion criteria (646 of 4917), 4.4% (646 of 14 602) among all episodes initiating a taper and 2.5% (646 of 25 545) among all completed episodes in the data set. The results of our multivariate logistic regression analyses suggested that longer tapers had substantially higher odds of success [12–52 weeks versus <12 weeks: odds ratio (OR): 3.58; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.76–4.65; >52 weeks versus <12 weeks: OR: 6.68; 95% CI: 5.13–8.70], regardless of how early in the treatment episode the taper was initiated, and a more gradual, stepped tapering schedule, with dose decreases scheduled in only 25–50% of the weeks of the taper, provided the highest odds of sustained success (versus <25%: OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.22–2.14).

Conclusions  The majority of patients attempting to taper from methadone maintenance treatment will not succeed. Success is enhanced by gradual dose reductions interspersed with periods of stabilization. These results can inform the development of a more refined guideline for future clinical practice.
The role of natural killer (NK) and NK T cells in the loss of tolerance in murine primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Shimoda S , Tsuneyama K , Kikuchi K , Harada K , Nakanuma Y , Nakamura M , Ishibashi H , Hisamoto S , Niiro H , Leung P S C , Ansari A A , Gershwin M E , Akashi K
Published: March 2012

One of the major obstacles in dissecting the mechanism of pathology in human primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been the absence of animal models. Our laboratory has focused on a model in which mice, following immunization with a xenobiotic chemical mimic of the immunodominant autoepitope of the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), develop autoimmune cholangitis. In particular, following immunization with 2-octynoic acid (a synthetic chemical mimic of lipoic acid-lysine located within the inner domain of PDC-E2) coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), several strains of mice develop typical anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies and portal inflammation. The role of innate immune effector cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells and that NK T cells, was studied in this model based on the hypothesis that early events during immunization play an important role in the breakdown of tolerance. We report herein that, following in-vivo depletion of NK and NK T cells, there is a marked suppression of anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies and cytokine production from autoreactive T cells. However, there was no change in the clinical pathology of portal inflammation compared to controls. These data support the hypothesis that there are probably multiple steps in the natural history of PBC, including a role of NK and NK T cells in initiating the breakdown of tolerance. However, the data suggest that adaptive autoimmune effector mechanisms are required for the progression of clinical disease.
Impact of the FTO gene variation on fat oxidation and its potential influence on body weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Kowalska Irina , Adamska Agnieszka , T. Malecki Maciej , Karczewska‐Kupczewska Monika , Nikolajuk Agnieszka , Szopa Magdalena , Gorska Maria , Straczkowski Marek
Published: March 2012

Context

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder where insulin resistance might be involved in the development of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. It has recently been shown that the FTO gene modifies weight, fat mass and insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS, where its role might be larger than in other phenotypes.

Objective

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of a variation of the FTO gene on carbohydrate and lipid oxidation in PCOS women.

Patients

The study group consisted of 65 women with PCOS and 28 healthy, normally menstruating women.

Measurements

Clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp and measurements of serum sex hormones were performed. Carbohydrate and lipid oxidation were evaluated with indirect calorimetry in the baseline state and during last 30 min of the clamp. The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results

There were no differences in carbohydrate and lipid oxidation between PCOS and control women. In the PCOS group, TT homozygotes had higher baseline fat oxidation in comparison with carriers of the A allele (P = 0·018), which was not found in the control group. We did not observe the effect of the FTO gene variation on insulin‐stimulated lipid oxidation and neither on the baseline nor on the insulin‐stimulated carbohydrate oxidation.

Conclusion

Our data show that this FTO gene variation might influence the baseline lipid oxidation in PCOS patients. This might potentially be one of the mechanisms explaining the impact of the FTO gene on body weight in PCOS.
Polymorphism of the complement 5 gene and cardiovascular outcome in patients with atherosclerosis
Authors: Hoke Matthias , Speidl Walter , Schillinger Martin , Minar Erich , Zehetmayer Sonja , Schönherr Michael , Wagner Oswald , Mannhalter Christine
Published: March 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (9): 921–926

Background  Humoral mediators of inflammation, in particular the complement system, have been described to play an important role in atherogenesis. Previously, we found a single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the complement 5 gene (C5 rs17611, A>G) independently associated with stroke. Up to now, the impact of C5 rs17611 on the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular outcome in patients with asymptomatic atherosclerosis was unclear.

Materials and Methods  We investigated C5 rs17611 in a cohort of 1065 consecutive patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis. All patients were prospectively followed for the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the development of a first major cardiovascular event (MACE), respectively.

Results  Three hundred and thirty‐seven patients (31·6%) experienced a MACE during a median follow‐up of 3·0 years. The homozygous GG genotype of the C5 rs17611 was significantly associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome (adjusted HR: 1·36 [95% CI, 1·07–1·73]; P = 0·01). After stratification for sex, C5 rs17611 CC was found to be an independent risk factor for MACE in men (HR 1·50 [95% CI, 1·12–1·83]). No association of C5 rs17611 with progression of carotid stenosis, observed in 93 (8·7%) patients, was detectable. Performance of ELISA indicated a significant association of the C5 rs17611 variant with C5a plasma levels.

Conclusion  The C5 rs17611 GG genotype is associated with increased C5a plasma levels and represents a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcome in male patients with carotid atherosclerosis.
Modifications of organic matter and enzymatic activities in response to change in soil use in semi‐arid mountain ecosystems (southern Spain)
Authors: Miralles I. , Ortega R. , Almendros G. , Gil‐Sotres F. , Trasar‐Cepeda C. , Leirós M. C. , Soriano M.
Published: March 2012

Soil organic matter composition and biochemical properties were determined in mountain calcimorphic Mediterranean soils under different vegetation (cultivated soils, secondary bush, high mountain bush, juniper, evergreen oak and pine) to assess the impact of soil use on the size and activity of microbial communities. Our results indicated that clearing forest leads to a general decline in the performance of soil organic carbon sequestration and associated enzymatic activities. However, when soil enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, catalase, phosphodiesterase, β‐glucosidase, urease and casein‐protease) were expressed as ratios to total organic carbon (specific activities), a conspicuous increase in their activities was observed in cleared soils as compared with forest soils, suggesting enhanced hydrolytic potential in the former. In addition, the negative correlation observed between qCO2 (metabolic quotient) and water retention at −1500 kPa, could be interpreted as an adaptive strategy against low soil moisture by microbial communities in cleared soils. This indicates the importance of describing soil quality in terms of long‐term soil organic C sequestration and/or resistance of the organic matter to microbial transformation. These features were reflected in the visible and infrared spectra of humic acids, which suggested humification mechanisms involving mainly an alteration of plant macromolecules with poor incorporation of characteristic microbial metabolites in the forest soils whereas the opposite effect was observed in cleared soils.
A clinicopathological study of malignant odontogenic tumours
Authors: Chaisuparat Risa , Sawangarun Wanlada , Scheper Mark A
Published: March 2012

Chaisuparat R, Sawangarun W & Scheper M A  (2012) Histopathology 61, 107–112

A clinicopathological study of malignant odontogenic tumours

Aims:  Malignant odontogenic tumours (MOTs) are rare neoplasms occurring primarily within the jaw. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, demographics and clinicopathological features of the MOTs from two institutions.

Methods and results:  The records of the Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand and the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental School, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA were searched from 1991 to 2010; we identified 17 cases of previously diagnosed MOTs. All cases were reviewed independently of the previous diagnosis by two blinded oral pathologists and reclassified based on the 2005 World Health Organization classification of head and neck tumours. In this study we describe in detail these 17 cases which presented with an average age of 50.29 years and a male to female ratio of 2.4:1. These cases included five ameloblastic carcinomas, four atypical ameloblastomas, three primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinomas, three intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinomas and two clear cell odontogenic carcinomas. All cases were treated by surgical resection and one patient with ameloblastic carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy.

Conclusions:  Malignant odontogenic tumours are considered rare central odontogenic lesions. Awareness of their existence, rapid diagnosis and successful treatment using surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy is critical to patient survival.
Understanding the complexity of γδ T‐cell subsets in mouse and human
Authors: Pang Dick J. , Neves Joana F. , Sumaria Nital , Pennington Daniel J.
Published: March 2012

γδ T cells are increasingly recognized as having important functional roles in a range of disease scenarios such as infection, allergy, autoimmunity and cancer. With this has come realization that γδ cells are not a homogeneous population of cells with a single physiological role. Instead, ever increasing complexity in both phenotype and function is being ascribed to γδ cell subsets from various tissues and locations, and in both mouse and human. Here, we review this complexity by describing how diverse γδ cell subsets are generated in the murine thymus, and how these events relate to subsequent γδ subset function in the periphery. We then review the two major γδ cell populations in human, highlighting the several similarities of Vδ1+ cells to certain murine γδ subsets, and describing the remarkable functional plasticity of human Vδ2+ cells. A better understanding of this spectrum of γδ cell phenotypes should facilitate more targeted approaches to utilise their tremendous functional potential in the clinic.
Physical, functional and pasting properties of different maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses
Authors: Falade Kolawole O. , Kolawole Titilayo A.
Published: March 2012

Physical, functional and pasting properties of six maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses were investigated. From the L*, a* and b* measured, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle were calculated. Functional and physicochemical properties of maize flours were determined using standard methods and Rapid Visco Analyser, respectively. Often, the effect of γ‐irradiation on L*, a* and b* values within each cultivar was almost never significant but pronounced between the yellow and white cultivars. Generally, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle decreased with increased γ‐irradiation dose. Mean seed bulk density and 100 kernel weight varied from 0.73–0.77 g cm−3 and 23.13–35.42 g, respectively. Loose and packed bulk densities, and water (WAC) and oil absorption capacities of the maize flours were not significantly affected by γ‐irradiation. WAC of nonirradiated and γ‐irradiated maize flours ranged from 1.54–1.62 and 1.09–1.70 g g−1, respectively. Peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose.
In vitro antioxidant activity of papain‐treated grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) protein hydrolysate and the preventive effect on fish mince system
Authors: Li Xue , Luo Yongkang , You Juan , Shen Huixing , Du Jin
Published: March 2012

Antioxidant activities of papain‐treated grass carp protein hydrolysate (HP) were investigated using in vitro methods and in grass carp mince system. Lipid oxidation, colour changes and cooking loss in grass carp mince added with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% HP during refrigerated storage (4 °C) for 8 days was studied. HP could chelate 50% of Fe2+ and scavenge 50% of hydroxyl radicals at the concentration of 0.81 and 8.12 mg mL−1, respectively. And HP could effectively decrease peroxide values and inhibit the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in fish mince throughout storage (P < 0.05), at the application level range from 0.5% to 4.0%. In HP‐treated samples the formation of conjugate dienes (CDs) was retarded 5–30% at day 6 of storage compared to control. In addition, HP could significantly decrease cooking loss of fish mince samples, at the application level range from 1.0% to 4.0%.
Ideal and relative sweetness of high intensity sweeteners in mango nectar
Authors: Cadena Rafael Silva , Bolini Helena Maria André
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to analyse the ideal and relative sweetness of mango nectar with high intensity sweeteners. The ideal sweetness of the samples sweetened with sucrose at 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%, was analysed using an acceptance test with a just‐about‐right (JAR) scale and 100 consumers of mango nectar. The magnitude estimation method was then used to determine the relative sweetness of the high intensity sweeteners. Six samples were prepared and one sweetener added to each: sucrose, sucralose, 100:50:1 acesulfame‐K/sucralose/neotame blend, 1:1 thaumatin/sucralose blend and stevia with 97% of rebaudioside. The ideal sweetness analysis revealed that 6.84% was the ideal concentration of sucrose. The relative sweetness analysis showed that neotame presented the highest sweetening power, being 6026 times sweeter than sucrose with respect to the mango nectar containing 7% of sucrose, followed by sucralose (627), thaumatin/sucralose blend 1:1 (549), acesulfame‐K/sucralose/neotame blend 100:50:1 (259) and stevia (134).
Comparison of the effects of a commercial and an autochthonous Pediococcus acidilactici and Staphylococcus vitulus starter culture on the sensory and safety properties of a traditional Iberian dry‐fermented sausage “salchichón”
Authors: Casquete Rocío , Benito María J. , Martín Alberto , Ruiz‐Moyano Santiago , Pérez‐Nevado Francisco , Córdoba María G.
Published: March 2012

The effect of the addition of an autochthonous starter culture and commercial starter culture on the physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics of the dry‐fermented sausage ‘salchichon’ was investigated. Sausages were prepared with a mixture of Pediococcus acidilactici MC184 and Staphylococcus vitulus RS34 as the autochthonous starter culture (P184S34), ripened for 86 days, and compared with a commercial starter batch (CS1). Strains of acid lactic bacteria and Staphylococcus were identified in the samples along the ripening process which demonstrated that the inoculation of sausages assures their implantation during the ripening process. However, P184S34 starter culture showed a higher inhibitory effect on enterobacteria and coliform flora than the CS1 batches, guaranteeing a better quality hygienic sausages. Dry‐fermented sausages ripened with P184S34 showed higher amounts of NPN and volatile compounds derived from amino acid catabolism than the CS1 batches. Especially important was the result found in biogenic amines, since the P184S34 reduced their accumulation compared to the commercial starter batch. The inoculation of a decarboxylase‐negative autochthonous starter culture P184S34 reduced the biogenic amine accumulation guaranteeing safety and homogeneity of the products without producing a negative effect on the sensory characteristics of the traditional fermented sausages.