bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PR72, a novel regulator of Wnt signaling required for Naked cuticle function
Authors: Creyghton Menno P. , Roël Giulietta , Eichhorn Pieter J.A. , Hijmans E. Marielle , Maurer Irma , Destrée Olivier , Bernards René
Published: February 2005

The Wnt signaling cascade is a central regulator of cell fate determination during embryonic development, whose deregulation contributes to oncogenesis. Naked cuticle is the first Wnt-induced antagonist found in this pathway, establishing a negative-feedback loop that limits the Wnt signal required for early segmentation. In addition, Naked cuticle is proposed to function as a switch, acting to restrict classical Wnt signaling and to activate a second Wnt signaling pathway that controls planar cell polarity during gastrulation movements in vertebrates. Little is known about the biochemical function of Naked cuticle or its regulation. Here we report that PR72, a Protein Phosphatase type 2A regulatory subunit of unknown function, interacts both physically and functionally with Naked cuticle. We show that PR72, like Naked cuticle, acts as a negative regulator of the classical Wnt signaling cascade, establishing PR72 as a novel regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. Our data provide evidence that the inhibitory effect of Naked cuticle on Wnt signaling depends on the presence of PR72, both in mammalian cell culture and in Xenopus embryos. Moreover, PR72 is required during early embryonic development to regulate cell morphogenetic movements during body axis formation.
Selection-driven transcriptome polymorphism inEscherichia coli/Shigellaspecies
Authors: Le Gall Tony , Darlu Pierre , Escobar-Páramo Patricia , Picard Bertrand , Denamur Erick
Published: February 2005

To explore the role of transcriptome polymorphism in adaptation of organisms to their environment, we evaluated this parameter for theEscherichia coli/Shigellabacterial species, which is composed of well-characterized phylogenetic groups that exhibit characteristic life styles ranging from commensalism to intracellular pathogenicity. Both the genomic content and the transcriptome of 10 strains representative of the majorE. coli/Shigellaphylogenetic groups were evaluated using macroarrays displaying the 4290 K12-MG1655 open reading frames (ORFs). AlthoughShigellaand enteroinvasiveE. coli(EIEC) are not monophyletic, phylogenetic analysis of the binary coded (presence/absence) gene content data showed that these organisms group together due to similar patterns of undetectable K12-MG1655 genes. The variation in transcript abundance was then analyzed using a core genome of 2880 genes present in all strains, after adjusting RNA hybridization signals for DNA hybridization signals. Nonrandom changes in gene expression during the evolution of theE. coli/Shigellaspecies were evidenced. Phylogenetic analysis of transcriptome data again showed thatShigellaand EIEC strains group together in terms of gene expression, and this convergence involved groups of genes displaying biologically coherent patterns of functional divergence. Unlike the otherE. colistrains evaluated,Shigellaand EIEC are intracellular pathogens, and therefore face similar selective pressures. Thus, within theE. coli/Shigellaspecies, strains exhibiting a particular life style have converged toward a specific gene expression pattern in a subset of genes common to the species, revealing the role of selection in shaping transcriptome polymorphism.
ProbCons: Probabilistic consistency-based multiple sequence alignment
Authors: Do Chuong B. , Mahabhashyam Mahathi S.P. , Brudno Michael , Batzoglou Serafim
Published: February 2005

To study gene evolution across a wide range of organisms, biologists need accurate tools for multiple sequence alignment of protein families. Obtaining accurate alignments, however, is a difficult computational problem because of not only the high computational cost but also the lack of proper objective functions for measuring alignment quality. In this paper, we introduce probabilistic consistency, a novel scoring function for multiple sequence comparisons. We present ProbCons, a practical tool for progressive protein multiple sequence alignment based on probabilistic consistency, and evaluate its performance on several standard alignment benchmark data sets. On the BAliBASE, SABmark, and PREFAB benchmark alignment databases, ProbCons achieves statistically significant improvement over other leading methods while maintaining practical speed. ProbCons is publicly available as a Web resource.
Highly multiplexed molecular inversion probe genotyping: Over 10,000 targeted SNPs genotyped in a single tube assay
Authors: Hardenbol Paul , Yu Fuli , Belmont John , MacKenzie Jennifer , Bruckner Carsten , Brundage Tiffany , Boudreau Andrew , Chow Steve , Eberle Jim , Erbilgin Ayca , Falkowski Mat , Fitzgerald Ron , Ghose Sy , Iartchouk Oleg , Jain Maneesh , Karlin-Neumann George , Lu Xiuhua , Miao Xin , Moore Bridget , Moorhead Martin , Namsaraev Eugeni , Pasternak Shiran , Prakash Eunice , Tran Karen , Wang Zhiyong , Jones Hywel B. , Davis Ronald W. , Willis Thomas D. , Gibbs Richard A.
Published: February 2005

Large-scale genetic studies are highly dependent on efficient and scalable multiplex SNP assays. In this study, we report the development of Molecular Inversion Probe technology with four-color, single array detection, applied to large-scale genotyping of up to 12,000 SNPs per reaction. While generating 38,429 SNP assays using this technology in a population of 30 trios from the Centre d'Etude Polymorphisme Humain family panel as part of the International HapMap project, we established SNP conversion rates of ∼90% with concordance rates >99.6% and completeness levels >98% for assays multiplexed up to 12,000plex levels. Furthermore, these individual metrics can be “traded off” and, by sacrificing a small fraction of the conversion rate, the accuracy can be increased to very high levels. No loss of performance is seen when scaling from 6,000plex to 12,000plex assays, strongly validating the ability of the technology to suppress cross-reactivity at high multiplex levels. The results of this study demonstrate the suitability of this technology for comprehensive association studies that use targeted SNPs in indirect linkage disequilibrium studies or that directly screen for causative mutations.
Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB by retrieval is required for long-term memory reconsolidation
Authors: Merlo Emiliano , Freudenthal Ramiro , Maldonado Héctor , Romano Arturo
Published: February 2005

Several studies support that stored memories undergo a new period of
consolidation after retrieval. It is not known whether this process, termed
reconsolidation, requires the same transcriptional mechanisms involved in
consolidation. Increasing evidence supports the participation of the
transcription factor NF-κB in memory. This was initially demonstrated in
the crab Chasmagnathus model of associative contextual memory, in
which re-exposure to the training context induces a well characterized
reconsolidation process. Here we studied the role of NF-κB in
reconsolidation. NF-κB was specifically activated in trained animals
re-exposed to the training context but not to a different context. NF-κB
was not activated when animals were re-exposed to the context after a weak
training protocol insufficient to induce long-term memory. A specific
inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway, sulfasalazine, impaired reconsolidation
when administered 20 min before re-exposure to the training context but was
not effective when a different context was used. These findings indicate for
the first time that NF-κB is activated specifically by retrieval and
that this activation is required for memory reconsolidation, supporting the
view that this molecular mechanism is required in both consolidation and
reconsolidation.
Sleep enhances explicit recollection in recognition memory
Authors: Drosopoulos Spyridon , Wagner Ullrich , Born Jan
Published: February 2005

Recognition memory is considered to be supported by two different memory
processes, i.e., the explicit recollection of information about a previous
event and an implicit process of recognition based on an acontextual sense of
familiarity. Both types of memory supposedly rely on distinct memory systems.
Sleep is known to enhance the consolidation of memories, with the different
sleep stages affecting different types of memory. In the present study, we
used the process-dissociation procedure to compare the effects of sleep on
estimates of explicit (recollection) and implicit (familiarity) memory
formation on a word-list discrimination task. Subjects studied two lists of
words before a 3-h retention interval of sleep or wakefulness, and recognition
was tested afterward. The retention intervals were positioned either in the
early night when sleep is dominated by slow-wave sleep (SWS), or in the late
night, when sleep is dominated by REM sleep. Sleep enhanced explicit
recognition memory, as compared with wakefulness (P < 0.05),
whereas familiarity was not affected by sleep. Moreover, explicit recognition
was particularly enhanced after sleep in the early-night retention interval,
and especially when the words were presented with the same contextual features
as during learning, i.e., in the same font (P < 0.05). The data
indicate that in a task that allows separating the contribution of explicit
and implicit memory, sleep particularly supports explicit memory formation.
The mechanism of this effect appears to be linked to SWS.
Poets House Showcase 2004: suggested titles
Authors: Kindseth Tim , Romanos Michael
Published: February 2005

Purpose

This annotated list represents a selection of outstanding poetry titles published in the USA in 2003 and the early part of 2004.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors selected the titles in this list from the 2,100 titles received for the 2004 Poetry Publications Showcase at Poets House in New York City, held in April 2004.

Findings

The authors selected titles for this list that would be both accessible and challenging to library users.

Originality/value

This list can be used as a guide to collection development for contemporary poetry.
Product development in UK retail banking
Authors: Slattery David J. , Nellis Joseph G.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

The paper examines how product innovation in the UK banking industry has been affected and is likely to be affected by changes in regulation and in government policy. It considers the issues faced by banks in pursuing a market‐oriented approach in this environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The rapidly changing regulatory environment in the UK is described and analysed, primarily in the context of the market for mortgage products and medium‐ to long‐term savings products. The paper describes the main events of the last 20 years and analyse their immediate impacts. The paper examines the most recent changes, identify the direction of policy change and consider the implications.

Findings

Empirical evidence suggests that the development of mortgage and pensions products has been closely linked to changes in regulation and government policy. This has resulted in an adverse impact on the brand values and reputations of banks. An analysis of the most recent events identifies two different regulatory approaches which banks now have to manage.

Research limitations/implications

A review of the literature shows that very little detailed research has been carried out into the impact of regulation and government policy on banks and financial services companies.

Practical implications

With this lack of systematic research and analysis, and in the absence of a theoretical framework, it is difficult for banks, regulators and government to make informed decisions.

Originality/value

The paper highlights and analyses an increasingly important issue which has not been addressed in any detail in the literature. The paper puts forward an agenda of research questions and propositions for further research.
The spherical marketing concept
Authors: Svensson Göran
Published: February 2005

Purpose

In the marketing literature it is often argued that corporations should pay attention to the needs and wants not only of their own customers, but also to those of their customers' customers. This is often referred to as “the marketing concept”. The objective is to revitalize the marketing concept beyond the traditional levels of manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, customers and consumers in marketing channels.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual discussion and approach are undertaken.

Findings

The term “spherical marketing concept” is coined. This term connects the distinct upstream and downstream levels of marketing channels, as well as reconnecting their indistinct subsequent and preceding levels.

Research limitations/implications

The dilemma with the common use of the marketing concept in the literature is that it fails to acknowledge the simultaneous connection of the components and interfaces between the upstream and downstream distinct levels from the start to the end of the marketing channels with the reconnection of the components and interfaces from the subsequent and preceding indistinct levels of the marketing channels. Further research efforts should be dedicated to bridge the start and end of distinct levels of marketing channels by way of the indistinct preceding and subsequent ones. Economic, social and ecological factors should be included.

Practical implications

It is not enough simply to match the supply and demand between the start and the end of marketing channels – a revitalization of the boundaries of the marketing concept towards a total circulation approach is necessary. Best practice tends to be more and more aware and skilful in this respect.

Originality/value

The spherical marketing concept contributes to pin‐point the importance of the seamlessness, sustainability and total circulation of components and interfaces in marketing channels. It also contributes to place current theories and practices in perspective for the future.
Measure and control of non‐response in a mail survey
Authors: Díaz de Rada Vidal
Published: February 2005

Purpose

This paper shows several results obtained from the first investigation made in Spain using Dillman's total design method for mail surveys. In the spring of 1998 a survey was carried out on consumer behaviour in one particular Spanish region (Navarra). The response rate was 68.3 percent. One month later, a team of professional interviewers interviewed the people who did not respond to the mail survey. The objective is to compare the results obtained by these interviewers with an estimation of the non‐response after using several different methods and a group of adjustment procedures.

Design/methodology/approach

The total design method (TDM) for mail surveys has produced some wonderful results in several countries in Northern and Central Europe, but as far as one can gather it has never been used in any of the countries of Southern Europe surrounding the Mediterranean. The excellent results obtained from mail surveys in the USA, and some of the findings confirmed by disciples of Dillman in several European countries, led to carrying out the first investigation in Spain using TDM through mail surveys. With the aim of resolving some of the above‐mentioned questions, it was decided to make the first‐ever investigation using TDM within Spanish society.

Findings

The results obtained by applying the total design method to a Mediterranean country do not differ greatly from data obtained by other researchers on the efficiency of mailing surveys in other countries. This fact forces one to have serious doubts about the declarations of some experts who place the response rate for mailing surveys at 40 percent in Spain. In this paper, different strategies to reduce the impact of non‐response in a mail survey are outlined. First, a second interview was carried out with a subsample of the interviewees who were non‐responders, with the aim of finding out more about the characteristics of those who do not respond. Later, a strategy of weighting was used using CHAID to identify the best predictors from among the set of variables available.

Originality/value

In the South of Europe there is very sparse use of mail surveys, while there is great use of face‐to‐face surveys: this is the opposite of the tendency in other countries, where telephone surveys are supplanting the face‐to‐face interview. This is the first research about non‐response in mail surveys in the South of Europe.
Contemporary marketing practices in Russia
Authors: Wagner Ralf
Published: February 2005

Purpose

This study investigates the validity of the relationship paradigm in contrast with the marketing‐mix paradigm with respect to modern Russian markets. Moreover, the specifics of Russian marketing practices are outlined and a comparison with marketing practices in other countries is provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is rooted in the theoretical framework of the “Contemporary Marketing Practices” project. Data about marketing practices are gathered with standardised questionnaires and groups of organisations are identified using cluster analysis, the gap criterion, and canonical discriminant analysis. By comparing scores for relational marketing as well as transactional marketing, the marketing practices are described and contrasted with those in Argentina and Canada. To assess the success of different combinations of marketing activities, association rules are computed.

Findings

Contemporary Russian marketing practices cover only a narrow spectrum of the diversity of marketing practices observed in other nations, and the overall intensity of marketing activities is low in comparison with international benchmarks. Overall, the relevance of the traditional transactional marketing concept holds for current practices and market conditions in Russia. Relational activities are considered as merely additional rather than as alternative options of developing organisations' marketing. Practitioners can adjust their marketing to the patterns of profitable activities revealed by this investigation. In particular, the new possibilities arising from IT‐based marketing are found to be not utilised by vendors who are already established in Russian markets.

Originality/value

The paper brings Russian markets into the academic discussion. Additionally, the use of association analysis for the evaluation of patterns of marketing activities and their success is introduced.
Measuring the economic and social impacts of local authority events
Authors: Wood Emma H.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

Local authorities use events and festivals within their region to help achieve a diverse range of economic and social objectives. However, the success of these events, which can take up a substantial amount of the tourism, leisure or arts and cultural budget is rarely assessed in a systematic and objective manner. This article describes the importance of measuring the impacts of such events

Design/methodology/approach

The methods for assessing the success of local authority events are trialled through the use of a case study involving two events organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Findings

An evaluation of the methods, after conducting the case study, indicates that the techniques produced robust data that was valuable in planning future events and in securing funding. The relative simplicity of the methods used will help to ensure that similar evaluations can be carried out in‐house for little cost for future public events.

Originality/value

This article sets out practical guidelines for undertaking the measurement and evaluation of some of the major impacts of local authority events. Similar methods can be used by other public sector organisations involved in hosting public events.
E‐commerce impact on Canadian public sector audit practice
Authors: Nikoloyuk Gerald M. , Marche Sunny , McNiven James
Published: February 2005

Purpose

This paper reports on the research conducted into the adaptations Canadian public sector auditors have made to the emergence of e‐commerce and e‐business in the delivery of public services.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of the literature was completed as a foundation for creating a semi‐structure interview questionnaire used in a series of interviews with audit executives from 20 audit organizations in Canada's public sectors.

Findings

The study found a distinct disconnect between what is reported in the literature and what has actually happened in practice. Practicing auditors do have a significant interest in the impact of e‐business on the audit profession specifically and on their client organizations generally. But there is significant disagreement about whether e‐business constitutes just another set of technologically mediated changes, not much different from the many others of the past 30 years, or whether e‐business is truly disruptive in nature. The consequence of this disagreement is difference in audit practice among constituencies and highly variable dependency on external expertise in favour of developing internal capacity.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to internal auditors of public sector organizations in Canada.

Practical implications

A key area for future research is the impact on e‐business on horizontality of management practice in the public sector and the need for more holistic audit interventions.

Originality/value

The paper identifies key differences between what is said in the literature and what is done on the ground. It identifies key lessons from audit experience related to evolving e‐government, including the management of new risks. The research is valuable to both researchers and practicing public sector audit executives alike.
Organizational learning theory in schools
Authors: Fauske Janice R. , Raybould Rebecca
Published: February 2005

Purpose

The paper's purposes are to establish organizational learning theory as evolving from the theoretical and empirical study of organizations and to build grounded theory explaining organizational learning in schools.

Design/methodology/approach

Implementation of instructional technology as a process of organizational learning was explored at an elementary school. Findings from qualitative data revealed determinants of organization learning discussed as grounded theory, building on the relationship between social psychology and structural systemic aspects of organizational theory.

Findings

Five elements influenced organizational learning: priority of the learning in the organization, consistency and breadth of information distribution, unpredictability or uncertainty, the ease of learning new routines (how to) and the difficulty of learning new conceptual frameworks (why).

Practical implications

Assessing the type of change (routine or conceptual) and the adequacy of information distribution can predict the ease of organizational change. Identifying existing beliefs or procedures that impede new learning can explain lack of progression, and prioritizing the learning through both words and action can facilitate the process.

Originality/value

The paper develops organizational learning theory in schools as contextual indicators and conditions with theoretical roots in the structural technical and social cognitive study of organizations.
Postscript: where have we been?
Authors: Greenfield William D.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

The paper shares observations on each article in this volume, concluding that educational administration has continued to evolve in the application of organizational theory to schools and universities. A very important but recent focus of several studies reviewed is the connections they illustrate between organizational characteristics and processes and teaching and learning. Suggestions for future inquiry conclude this article.

Design/methodology/approach

Articles are summarized briefly and the author offers a brief critical commentary on each.

Findings

Each of the studies is an excellent example of the power and utility of organizational theory and its applicability to educational organizations. There is a real sense of theoretical pluralism represented in this collection, and a focus on studying real problems of administrative and organizational practice.

Originality/value

While the papers discussed illustrate advances in thinking since the early days of the “theory movement”, there remains the critical task of theory development. All articles are a reminder of the importance and utility of theory, and the advantage of validated theory as a guide to practice. However, only a few are a reminder of the need for scholars to focus on theory development and, more specifically, of the need for theory development addressing real problems of educational organization and administrative practice. Such studies are vital to the future of organizational theory as a field of inquiry.
Natural convection in vertical, parallel‐plate channels with appended unheated entrances
Authors: Campo A. , Manca O. , Morrone B.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

To address the impact of adding insulated plate extensions at the entrance of an isoflux vertical parallel‐plate channel on the thermal performances of natural convection in air for these systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The model relies on the full elliptic conservation equations which are solved numerically in a composite three‐part computational domain by means of the finite‐volume method.

Findings

Results are reported in terms of wall temperatures, induced mass flow rates, as well as velocity and temperature profiles of the air for various thermal and geometric parameters. The wall temperatures increase when the extensions are appended at the inlet of the channel. Wall temperature profiles strongly depend on the Rayleigh number and the dependence of the heated channel aspect ratio is weaker than the extension ratio. Velocity and temperature profiles modify inside the heated channel due to the thermal development. In addition, correlation equations for main engineering quantities, such as the induced mass flow rate, average Nusselt number and dimensionless maximum wall temperature in terms of the channel Rayleigh number, channel aspect ratio and extension ratio are presented.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation has been carried out in the following ranges: 103‐105 for the Rayleigh number, 5.0‐15.0 for the channel aspect ratio and 1.0‐5.0 for the extension ratio. The hypotheses on which the present analysis is based are: two‐dimensional, laminar and steady‐state flow, constant thermophysical properties with the Boussinesq approximation.

Practical implications

Thermal design of heating systems in manufacturing processes, evaluation of heat convective coefficients and maximum attained wall temperatures.

Originality/value

Evaluation of the thermal and velocity fields and correlation equations for the Nusselt number and maximum dimensionless temperatures in natural convection in air for vertical channels. The paper is useful to thermal designers.
Using kaizen to improve graduate business school degree programs
Authors: Emiliani M.L.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

To illustrate the applicability of kaizen in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Kaizen process was used for ten courses contained in a part‐time executive MS degree program in management.

Findings

Kaizen was found to be an effective process for improving graduate business school courses and the value proposition for students.

Research limitations/implications

Further opportunity to quantitatively correlate kaizen results with student satisfaction.

Practical implications

Kaizen can help higher education institutions compete more effectively against both traditional non‐profit and newer for‐profit sources of higher education.

Originality/value

Presents insights, lessons learned, and critical reflections from the first known application of kaizen in higher education for this purpose.
Discovering significant and viable new businesses: have faith in strategic planning basics
Authors: Campbell Andrew
Published: February 2005

Purpose

Managers need research‐based guidance on how to find sources of new growth when their core business is maturing.

Design/methodology/approach

Authors shadowed managers responsible for finding and entering new businesses, interviewing them every three or four months for an average of two years. They surveyed over 100 corporate venturing units and corporate incubators and assembled a database of over 50 stories of companies that had successfully developed or acquired a significant new business. We interviewed managers in about half of these companies that had successfully diversified and we tested our emerging hypotheses against this database.

Findings

All research indicated that managers need to assess opportunities more strategically and be less activity driven. The authors concluded that managers were investing in too many projects, most of which had little chance of success.

Research limitations/implications

If research is reported on in the paper this section must be completed and should include suggestions for future research and any identified limitations in the research process.

Practical implications

Ashridge Strategic Management Centre has developed a screening tool – The New Businesses Traffic Lights to test opportunities before a business plan has been developed, alongside a business plan to assess the strategic logic for the proposal, or to an existing investment that is failing to meet its short‐term targets.

Originality/value

Applying the screen to the portfolio of new business investments in most companies will result in red lights for many projects. Not only can significant money be saved from the “new businesses” budget, but also extra resources can be focused on improving the core businesses.
Integral leadership: overcoming the paradox of growth
Authors: Putz Michael , Raynor Michael E.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

To make top management aware of the innovation paradox: their current success depends on doing and improving upon what they now do well, but their future success requires creating entirely new capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the authors is director of development at Cisco, a firm that acquires disruptive technology through it's M&A program. The other author is one of the world's leading authorities on innovation.

Findings

A critical element of the solution to the disruptive innovation dilemma lies in setting up an autonomous organization that can adopt radically different resources, processes and values.

Research limitations/implications

A subsequent article will detail the M&A search for firms with technology needed or disruptive innovation.

Practical implications

In a firm with no history of innovation disruption, executives must use their personal authority to create a strategy process that is more emergent than intentional, focus on customers that appear unattractive, and develop new capabilities.

Originality/value

The authors propose that to achieve renewal via disruptive innovation that CEOs must become integral leaders, who learn to go beyond trade offs between constituencies within a set of constraints and see the necessity of changing the constraints themselves.
Analysing textual data in international marketing research
Authors: Sinkovics Rudolf R. , Penz Elfriede , Ghauri Pervez N.
Published: February 2005

Purpose

To provide guidance for the formalised analysis of qualitative data and observations, to raise awareness about systematic analysis and illustrate promising avenues for the application of qualitative methodologies in international marketing research.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptually, the nature of qualitative research, globalisation and its implications for the research landscape, text‐data as a source for international research and equivalence issues in international qualitative research are discussed. The methodology section applies these concepts and analysis challenges to a real‐world example using N*Vivo software.

Findings

A 14‐step analytic design is developed, introducing procedures of data analysis and interpretation which help to formalise qualitative research of textual data.

Research limitations/implications

The use of software programs (e.g. N*Vivo) helps to substantiate the analysis and interpretation process of textual data.

Practical implications

Step‐by‐step guidance on performing qualitative analysis of textual data and documenting findings.

Originality/value

The paper is valuable for researchers and practitioners looking for guidance in analysing and interpreting textual data from interviews. Specific support is given for N*Vivo software and its application.
Integrated BOM and routing generator for variety synchronization in assembly‐to‐order production
Authors: Du Jun , Jiao Yuan‐Yuan , Jiao Jianxin
Published: February 2005

Purpose

Traditional production management systems are often designed to support manufacturing based on a limited number of product variants. With the emerging trend of producing customized products to meet diverse customer needs, the number of product variants increases exponentially in mass customization. In a situation of assembly‐to‐order production, production planning and control involve not only product variety, but also process variety. It is imperative to synchronize product and process variety in a coherent manner.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses integrated product and production data management for assembly‐to‐order production. An integrated BOM and routing generator is proposed for the purpose of unifying BOM and assembly‐planning data in order to accommodate a wide range of product variability and production variations.

Findings

An integrated BOM and routing generator excels in variety synchronization for assembly‐to‐order production planning.

Research limitations/implications

Variety synchronization opens many opportunities for research into mass customization production. It is important to deal with not only the results of high variety production but also the causes of process variations.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology is applicable to manage high variety production like mass customization.

Originality/value

The paper proposes the variety synchronization issue in mass customization. An object‐oriented methodology is applied to manage variety of BOMs and variety of routings.
The Generalized Composite Commodity Theorem and Food Demand Estimation
Authors: Reed Albert J. , Levedahl J. William , Hallahan Charles
Published: January 2005

This article reports tests of aggregation over consumer food products and estimates of aggregate food demand elasticities. Evidence that food demand variables follow unit root processes leads us to build on and simplify existing tests of the Generalized Composite Commodity Theorem. We compute food demand elasticities using a method of cointegration that is shown to apply to a convenient but nonlinear functional form. Estimates are based on consumer reported expenditure data rather than commercial disappearance data.
A Varying Coefficient Approach to Global Flexibility in Demand Analysis: A Semiparametric Approximation
Authors: Sarmiento Camilo
Published: January 2005

To reduce dimensionality issues, this article derives a globally flexible demand system that can be estimated non‐parametrically with a specially devised temporal kernel. Statistical and economic results from a meat demand application underscores the usefulness of a temporal kernel in globally approximating an integrable demand system.
Share Tenancy, Ownership Structure, and Prevented Planting Claims in Crop Insurance
Authors: Rejesus Roderick M. , Escalante Cesar L. , Lovell Ashley C.
Published: January 2005

A conceptual model based on opportunity cost and expected utility principles establishes linkages between the likelihood of prevented planting claims in crop insurance and existing share leasing arrangements/internal farm business structures. Results of heteroskedastic probit estimation procedures indicate that simpler internal business structures and more dominant farmer‐tenant leasing position can increase the probability of submitting a prevented planting claim.
University Life Science Programs and Agricultural Biotechnology
Authors: Xia Yin , Buccola Steven
Published: January 2005

We examine sources of productivity in bioscience research and graduate training in U.S. universities. For this purpose, we first identify the scientific publications cited on agricultural biotechnology patents, and then trace the citations back to the universities producing the cited research. Insight is thus gained into the university investments that demonstrably influence useful technology. Life‐science budget allocations substantially affect both graduate education and technology‐relevant science. Graduate training shows decreasing returns to budget scale, while productive research shows decreasing returns in the short run but increasing returns in the long run. Training is a weak substitute for research, while research is a moderate complement to training.
Slippage in the Conservation Reserve Program or Spurious Correlation? A Comment
Authors: Roberts Michael J. , Bucholtz Shawn
Published: January 2005

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays farmers about $2 billion per year to retire cropland under ten‐ to fifteen‐year contracts. Recent research by Wu found that slippage—an unintended stimulus of new plantings—offsets some of CRP's environmental benefits. Wu does not account for the endogeneity of CRP enrollments. Furthermore, the data used by Wu cannot be used to estimate slippage arising from a price feedback effect. We replicate Wu's findings, demonstrate the possible presence of spurious correlation, and construct new estimates with corrections for endogeneity and other econometric problems. We find no convincing evidence of slippage.
Slippage Effects of the Conservation Reserve Program: Reply
Authors: Wu JunJie
Published: January 2005

Given that the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) costs taxpayers $2 billion per year and remains the largest conservation program in U.S. history, Roberts and Bucholtz are to be commended for revisiting the slippage issue. However, their central point that regional variation in CRP acreage is endogenous is inconsistent with CRP implementation rules and data. Thus, it is not surprising that the null hypothesis of exogeneity cannot be rejected by statistical tests.
Minimum wage impacts on youth employment transitions, 1993–1999
Authors: Campolieti Michele , Fang Tony , Gunderson Morley
Published: January 2005

Abstract.  The longitudinal nature of the Master File of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID) for the period 1993–9, enables comparing transitions from employment to non‐employment for individuals affected by minimum wage changes with appropriate comparison groups not affected by minimum wages. This is based on the large number (24) of minimum wage changes that have occurred across the different provincial jurisdictions in Canada over the 1990s. The results indicate that the minimum wage increases have increased the transition from employment to non‐employment of employed low‐wage youths, who are at‐risk of being affected by a minimum wage increase, by around 6 percentage points (ranging from 4 to 8 percentage points). These disemployment effects in turn imply ‘minimum wage’ elasticities of about −0.4 (ranging from −0.3 to −0.5).
The evolution of job stability in Canada: trends and comparisons with U.S. results
Authors: Heisz Andrew
Published: January 2005

Abstract.  Using data from the 1976–2001 Canadian Labour Force Survey, we examine the stability of currently held jobs and find no period‐long drop in job stability. However, job stability declined across the 1980s and rose across the 1990s for workers with less than one year of tenure. When 1987 and 1995 are compared, it can be seen that job stability was steady in Canada but fell slightly in the United States, with the difference concentrated among medium tenured workers. We suggest that this difference was due to a slower recovery in Canada in the 1990s, which caused Canadian workers to be less mobile. JEL classification: J63
An analysis of the MFN clause under asymmetries of cost and market structure
Authors: Saggi Kamal , Yildiz Halis Murat
Published: January 2005

Abstract.  We conduct a welfare comparison of MFN and tariff discrimination in an oligopoly model of trade between two exporting countries and one importing country. While MFN dominates tariff discrimination from a world welfare perspective when exporting countries are asymmetric with respect to either cost or market structure, such need not be the case when both types of asymmetries co‐exist. In particular, when high‐cost exporters are merged and the cost disadvantage of the merged unit relative to competing firms is of intermediate magnitude, tariff discrimination can be welfare preferred to MFN (even when the average tariff is actually lower under MFN). JEL classification: F13, F12
Firm behaviour and market access in a Free Trade Area with rules of origin
Authors: Ju Jiandong , Krishna Kala
Published: January 2005

Abstract.  We study a Free Trade Area with Rules of Origin and show that there are two distinct regimes. Comparative statics results for the two regimes are exact opposites and a regime switch occurs when ROO become restrictive enough. Consequently, imports into the FTA of the intermediate good first fall and then rise while the opposite pattern occurs for imports of the final good and for the price of the domestic input. We also show that tighter ROO have opposite effects on the well‐being of final versus intermediate good producers and producers inside versus outside the FTA. JEL classification: F13, F15.
A “Jekyll and Hyde” Within
Authors: McNamara Patrick , McLaren Deirdre , Smith Dana , Brown Ariel , Stickgold Robert
Published: February 2005

We hypothesized that representations of social interactions in REM and non-REM (NREM) dreams would reflect differing regional brain activation patterns associated with the two sleep states, and that levels of aggressive interactions would be higher in REM than in NREM dreams. One hundred REM, 100 NREM, and 100 wake reports were collected in the home from 8 men and 7 women using the Nightcap sleep-wake mentation-monitoring system and scored for number and variety of social interactions. We found that (a) social interactions were more likely to be depicted in dream than in wake reports, (b) aggressive social interactions were more characteristic of REM than NREM or wake reports, and (c) dreamer-initiated friendliness was more characteristic of NREM than REM reports. We conclude that processing of, or simulations about, selected social interactions is preferentially performed while “off-line” during the dream state, with the REM state specializing in simulation of aggressive interactions and the NREM state specializing in simulation of friendly interactions.
Associating Unseen Events
Authors: Silberman Yaron , Miikkulainen Risto , Bentin Shlomo
Published: February 2005

In prior work, we developed a computational model of how episodic associations between words are formed. Simulating associative learning, the model indicated that strongly associated semantically unrelated words facilitate the episodic association of other exemplars included in their semantic neighborhoods. This prediction was supported empirically by the present study. First, the incidental formation of strong associations between unrelated words, such as dog and table, improved cued recall of weak associations formed incidentally between semantic neighbors, like cat and chair. Second, deciding that two words were semantically unrelated was facilitated by forming strong associations between other words in their respective semantic neighborhoods, even if the tested pair was not presented at study. Together with the computational model, the present results demonstrate that forming episodic associations between words can implicitly mediate the association of other exemplars from the same semantic categories and reveal a mechanism by which the semantic system contributes to the formation of new episodic associations.
Two chorismate mutase genes from the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: HUANG GUOZHONG , DONG RUIHUA , ALLEN REX , DAVIS ERIC L. , BAUM THOMAS J. , HUSSEY RICHARD S.
Published: February 2005

Parasitism genes encoding secretory proteins expressed in the oesophageal glands of phytoparasitic nematodes play critical roles in nematode invasion of host plants, establishment of feeding sites and suppression of host defences. Two chorismate mutase (CM) genes potentially having a role in one or more of these processes were identified from a Meloidogyne incognita oesophageal gland‐cell subtractive cDNA library. These M. incognita enzymes (designated as MI‐CM‐1 and MI‐CM‐2) with amino‐terminal signal peptides, were significantly similar to chorismate mutases in M. javanica and bacteria. The complementation of an Escherichia coli CM‐deficient mutant by the expression of Mi‐cm‐1 or Mi‐cm‐2 confirmed their CM activity. In‐situ mRNA hybridization showed that the transcripts of Mi‐cm‐1 and Mi‐cm‐2 accumulated specifically in the two subventral oesophageal gland cells of M. incognita. RT‐PCR analysis confirmed that their transcript abundances were high in the early parasitic juvenile stages, and low (Mi‐cm‐1) or undetectable (Mi‐cm‐2) in later parasitic stages of the nematode. Southern blot analysis revealed that these CM genes were members of a small multigene family in Meloidogyne species. The widespread presence of CMs in the specialized sedentary endoparasitic nematode species suggests that this multifunctional enzyme may be a key factor in modulating plant parasitism.
Beet poleroviruses: close friends or distant relatives?
Authors: STEVENS MARK , FREEMAN BENJAMIN , LIU HSING‐YEH , HERRBACH ETIENNE , LEMAIRE OLIVIER
Published: February 2005

Taxonomy:  There are three members of the genus Polerovirus (family Luteoviridae) that induce yellowing of sugar beet: Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV), Beet chlorosis virus (BChV) and Beet western yellows virus‐USA (BWYV‐USA, Fig. 1). Non‐beet‐infecting isolates of BWYV found particularly within Europe have now been re‐named Turnip yellows virus (TuYV). Species‐specific antibodies are unavailable, but the viruses can be distinguished by RT‐PCR using primers specifically designed to the 5′ end of their respective genomes.

Taxonomy and genome organization of members of the Luteoviridae family as adopted by ICTV (Mayo, 2002). The term ‘Beet Polerovirus’ indicates virus species (in bold type) that induce yellowing of sugar beet. Schematic diagrams of genome organization of the three Luteoviridae genera are shown.

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Physical properties:  The isometric virus particles are approximately 26 nm in diameter and the genome consists of a single strand of positive sense RNA that utilizes almost all known plant virus gene expression strategies (initiation bypass, translational frameshifting and readthrough, synthesis of subgenomic RNA and proteolytic processing).

Host range:   Many members of the Chenopodiaceae are susceptible, including commercial crops of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), red beet and spinach. Experimental hosts include Montia perfoliata, Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana.

Symptoms:  Sugar beet infected with beet poleroviruses show patches of chlorosis on the older leaves 4–6 weeks post‐infection; these areas expand until the whole leaf becomes yellow and older leaves then tend to thicken and become brittle.

Transmission:  Beet poleroviruses are transmitted in a persistent (circulative, non‐propagative) manner by several different aphid species, Myzus persicae being the most important vector.