bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of apoptosis by Bcl-2 cysteine oxidation in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Luanpitpong Sudjit , Chanvorachote Pithi , Stehlik Christian , Tse William , Callery Patrick S. , Wang Liying , Rojanasakul Yon
Published: January 2013

Hydrogen peroxide is a key mediator of oxidative stress known to be important in various cellular processes, including apoptosis. B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) is an oxidative stress–responsive protein and a key regulator of apoptosis; however, the underlying mechanisms of oxidative regulation of Bcl-2 are not well understood. The present study investigates the direct effect of H2O2on Bcl-2 cysteine oxidation as a potential mechanism of apoptosis regulation. Exposure of human lung epithelial cells to H2O2induces apoptosis concomitant with cysteine oxidation and down-regulation of Bcl-2. Inhibition of Bcl-2 oxidation by antioxidants or by site-directed mutagenesis of Bcl-2 at Cys-158 and Cys-229 abrogates the effects of H2O2on Bcl-2 and apoptosis. Immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopic studies show that Bcl-2 interacts with mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 [ERK1/2]) to suppress apoptosis and that this interaction is modulated by cysteine oxidation of Bcl-2. The H2O2-induced Bcl-2 cysteine oxidation interferes with Bcl-2 and ERK1/2 interaction. Mutation of the cysteine residues inhibits the disruption of Bcl-2–ERK complex, as well as the induction of apoptosis by H2O2. Taken together, these results demonstrate the critical role of Bcl-2 cysteine oxidation in the regulation of apoptosis through ERK signaling. This new finding reveals crucial redox regulatory mechanisms that control the antiapoptotic function of Bcl-2.
TORC1-regulated protein kinase Npr1 phosphorylates Orm to stimulate complex sphingolipid synthesis
Authors: Shimobayashi Mitsugu , Oppliger Wolfgang , Moes Suzette , Jenö Paul , Hall Michael N.
Published: January 2013

The evolutionarily conserved Orm1 and Orm2 proteins mediate sphingolipid homeostasis. However, the homologous Orm proteins and the signaling pathways modulating their phosphorylation and function are incompletely characterized. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of nutrient-sensitive target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) stimulates Orm phosphorylation and synthesis of complex sphingolipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. TORC1 inhibition activates the kinase Npr1 that directly phosphorylates and activates the Orm proteins. Npr1-phosphorylated Orm1 and Orm2 stimulate de novo synthesis of complex sphingolipids downstream of serine palmitoyltransferase. Complex sphingolipids in turn stimulate plasma membrane localization and activity of the nutrient scavenging general amino acid permease 1. Thus activation of Orm and complex sphingolipid synthesis upon TORC1 inhibition is a physiological response to starvation.
N-terminal acetylation of the yeast Derlin Der1 is essential for Hrd1 ubiquitin-ligase activity toward luminal ER substrates
Authors: Zattas Dimitrios , Adle David J. , Rubenstein Eric M. , Hochstrasser Mark
Published: January 2013

Two conserved ubiquitin ligases, Hrd1 and Doa10, mediate most endoplasmic reticulum–associated protein degradation (ERAD) in yeast. Degradation signals (degrons) recognized by these ubiquitin ligases remain poorly characterized. Doa10 recognizes the Deg1 degron from the MATα2 transcription factor. We previously found that deletion of the gene (NAT3) encoding the catalytic subunit of the NatB N-terminal acetyltransferase weakly stabilized a Deg1-fusion protein. By contrast, a recent analysis of several MATα2 derivatives suggested that N-terminal acetylation of these proteins by NatB was crucial for recognition by Doa10. We now analyze endogenous MATα2 degradation in cells lacking NatB and observe minimal perturbation relative to wild-type cells. However, NatB mutation strongly impairs degradation of ER-luminal Hrd1 substrates. This unexpected defect derives from a failure of Der1, a Hrd1 complex subunit, to be N-terminally acetylated in NatB mutant yeast. We retargeted Der1 to another acetyltransferase to show that it is the only ERAD factor requiring N-terminal acetylation. Preventing Der1 acetylation stimulates its proteolysis via the Hrd1 pathway, at least partially accounting for the ERAD defect observed in the absence of NatB. These results reveal an important role for N-terminal acetylation in controlling Hrd1 ligase activity toward a specific class of ERAD substrates.
Bayesian parentage analysis with systematic accountability of genotyping error, missing data and false matching
Authors: Christie Mark R. , Tennessen Jacob A. , Blouin Michael S.
Published: January 2013

Motivation: The goal of any parentage analysis is to identify as many parent–offspring relationships as possible, while minimizing incorrect assignments. Existing methods can achieve these ends, but they require additional information in the form of demographic data, thousands of markers and/or estimates of genotyping error rates. For many non-model systems, it is simply not practical, cost-effective or logistically feasible to obtain this information. Here, we develop a Bayesian parentage method that only requires the sampled genotypes to account for genotyping error, missing data and false matches.

Results: Extensive testing with microsatellite and SNP datasets reveals that our Bayesian parentage method reliably controls for the number of false assignments, irrespective of the genotyping error rate. When the number of loci is limiting, our approach maximizes the number of correct assignments by accounting for the frequencies of shared alleles. Comparisons with exclusion and likelihood-based methods on an empirical salmon dataset revealed that our Bayesian method had the highest ratio of correct to incorrect assignments.

Availability: Our program SOLOMON is available as an R package from the CRAN website. SOLOMON comes with a fully functional graphical user interface, requiring no user knowledge about the R programming environment. In addition to performing Bayesian parentage analysis, SOLOMON includes Mendelian exclusion and a priori power analysis modules. Further information and user support can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/parentagemethods/.

Contact:  christim@science.oregonstate.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sensory Hyperalgesia is Characteristic of Nonspecific Arm Pain
Authors: Moloney Niamh , Hall Toby , Doody Catherine
Published: January 2013

Objectives:

Nonspecific arm pain (NSAP) is a common clinical entity, the pathophysiological mechanisms of which are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate sensory profiles in individuals with nonspecific arm pain compared with cervical radiculopathy and pain-free controls.

Methods:

Forty office workers with NSAP, 17 people with cervical radiculopathy, and 40 pain-free controls were assessed by means of quantitative sensory testing (thermal and vibration detection thresholds; thermal and pressure pain thresholds), tests for neural tissue sensitivity, and questionnaires. Between-group comparisons were conducted using Kruskal-Wallis tests. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine characteristic features in NSAP.

Results:

Both patient groups demonstrated cold and pressure pain sensitivity (P<0.003; P<0.05) and neural tissue sensitivity (P<0.001). The NSAP group also demonstrated heat pain sensitivity (P<0.001). Both patient groups demonstrated hypoaesthesia to vibration thresholds (P<0.05), whereas thermal hypoaesthesia was only evident in the cervical radiculopathy group (P<0.05). Exploratory factor analysis revealed pressure and thermal pain sensitivity as the key characteristics of this NSAP group.

Discussion:

Sensory profiles in NSAP and cervical radiculopathy differ. NSAP is characterized by widespread sensitivity to thermal and pressure pain in the absence of thermal hypoaesthesia, whereas cervical radiculopathy is characterized by the presence of thermal and vibratory hypoaesthesia as well as more localized cold and pressure pain sensitivity. The identification of widespread sensory hypersensitivity in NSAP has important implications for clinical decision making.
Association Between Opioid Use and Health Care Utilization as Measured by Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations Among Persons Living With HIV
Authors: Koeppe John , Lyda Karen , Armon Carl
Published: January 2013

Background:

Epidemiologic studies in the non–human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive population have shown greater health care utilization among persons with chronic non-cancer pain on opioid therapy. However, we are not aware of any similar data in the HIV positive population.

Methods:

We evaluated health care utilization, as measured by emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalizations, among persons with HIV and chronic pain seen at an academic medical center, during the calendar year 2005. We compared these outcomes between patients on chronic opioid therapy with those not on opioids.

Results:

In univariate models chronic opioid therapy was associated with both ER visits and hospitalization: ER visits odds ratio (OR)=2.18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-3.66), hospitalization OR=1.90 (95% CI, 1.03-3.51). After multivariate analyses only nonsignificant trends remain: ER visits OR=1.71 (95% CI, 0.95-3.08); hospitalization OR=1.28 (95% CI, 0.66-2.49).

Conclusions:

In our study HIV positive individuals with chronic pain were more likely to be seen in the ER and be hospitalized if they were on opioids. However, after controlling for other variables, the association with opioids no longer remained significant.
Strategies in Postoperative Analgesia in the Obese Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient
Authors: Porhomayon Jahan , Leissner Kay B. , El-Solh Ali A. , Nader Nader D.
Published: January 2013

Objective:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has become an epidemic worldwide, and OSA patients frequently present for surgery. Comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, gastrointestinal disorder, metabolic syndrome, chronic pain, delirium, and pulmonary disorder increase the perioperative risk for OSA patients.

Methods:

This is a narrative review of the impact of sedative and analgesic therapy on the intraoperative and postoperative course of an obese OSA patient.

Results:

An understanding of postoperative complications related to OSA and drug interactions in the context of opioid and nonopioid selection may benefit pain practitioner and patients equally.

Conclusions:

Management of acute postoperative pain in OSA patient remains complex. A comprehensive strategy is needed to reduce the complications and adverse events related to administration of analgesics and anesthetics.
Predicting Prognostic Factors in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture Versus Topiramate Treatment in Patients With Chronic Migraine
Authors: Yang Chun-Pai , Chang Ming-Hong , Li Tsai-Chung , Hsieh Ching-Liang , Hwang Kai-Lin , Chang Hen-Hong
Published: January 2013

Background:

This study aimed to identify predictive factors of outcome in patients with chronic migraine (CM) treated with acupuncture or topiramate in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods:

Sixty-six consecutive CM patients were treated with either acupuncture (n=33) or topiramate (n=33) in a 12-week period. Data on potential predictive factors were collected at baseline, and secondary data analysis was performed to identify factors associated with treatment response. Treatment prognosis was defined as the change in mean number of moderate/severe headache days per 4 weeks from the 4-week baseline periods.

Results:

The median change in mean number of moderate/severe headache days per 4 weeks for patients with higher baseline headache days (>20 d) was significantly greater than that for lower baseline headache days (≤20 d) (median±interquartile range: −12±2 vs. −10±1 d, P=0.01) in acupuncture group. There was a greater change in mean number of moderate/severe headache days per 4 weeks for high moderate/severe headache days (>20 d) than in low days (≤20 d) (−12±1 vs. −10±2 d, P=0.015) in acupuncture group. patients with throbbing symptoms had better prognosis with acupuncture than those without throbbing (−12±2 vs. −9.5±2.5 d, P=0.004). Higher score (>5 points) in the general expectations for improvement predicted better response in both treatment groups (>5 vs. ≤5 points: −12±2 vs. −9±2 d for acupuncture group; −10±3 vs. −7±4 d for topiramate group; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Some variables can predict outcome in acupuncture or topiramate treatment of CM patients. Identifying predictors of prognosis of both treatments for CM may help improve outcomes in future work.
Recent developments in human immunodeficiency virus-1 latency research
Authors: Chan Chi Ngai , Dietrich Isabelle , Hosie Margaret J. , Willett Brian J.
Published: January 2013

Almost 30 years after its initial discovery, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) remains incurable and the virus persists due to reservoirs of latently infected CD4+memory T-cells and sanctuary sites within the infected individual where drug penetration is poor. Reactivating latent viruses has been a key strategy to completely eliminate the virus from the host, but many difficulties and unanswered questions remain. In this review, the latest developments in HIV-persistence and latency research are presented.
A mutation ‘hot spot’ in the Schmallenberg virus M segment
Authors: Fischer Melina , Hoffmann Bernd , Goller Katja V. , Höper Dirk , Wernike Kerstin , Beer Martin
Published: January 2013

In the autumn of 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup, was identified by metagenomic analysis in Germany. SBV has since been detected in ruminants all over Europe, and investigations on phylogenetic relationships, clinical signs and epidemiology have been conducted. However, until now, only comparative sequence analysis of SBV genome segments with other species of the Simbu serogroup have been performed, and detailed data on the S and M segments, relevant for virus–host-cell interaction, have been missing. In this study, we investigated the S- and M-segment sequences obtained from 24 SBV-positive field samples from sheep, cattle and a goat collected from all over Germany. The results obtained indicated that the overall genome variability of SBV is neither regionally nor host species dependent. Nevertheless, we characterized for the first time a region of high sequence variability (a mutation ‘hot spot’) within the glycoprotein Gc encoded by the M segment.
Identification of a movement protein of Mirafiori lettuce big-vein ophiovirus
Authors: Hiraguri Akihiro , Ueki Shoko , Kondo Hideki , Nomiyama Koji , Shimizu Takumi , Ichiki-Uehara Tamaki , Omura Toshihiro , Sasaki Nobumitsu , Nyunoya Hiroshi , Sasaya Takahide
Published: January 2013

Mirafiori lettuce big-vein virus (MiLBVV) is a member of the genus Ophiovirus, which is a segmented negative-stranded RNA virus. In microprojectile bombardment experiments to identify a movement protein (MP) gene of ophioviruses that can trans-complement intercellular movement of an MP-deficient heterologous virus, a plasmid containing an infectious clone of a tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) derivative expressing the GFP was co-bombarded with plasmids containing one of three genes from MiLBVV RNAs 1, 2 and 4 onto Nicotiana benthamiana. Intercellular movement of the movement-defective ToMV was restored by co-expression of the 55 kDa protein gene, but not with the two other genes. Transient expression in epidermal cells of N. benthamiana and onion showed that the 55 kDa protein with GFP was localized on the plasmodesmata. The 55 kDa protein encoded in the MiLBVV RNA2 can function as an MP of the virus. This report is the first to describe an ophiovirus MP.
Disease Resistance Gene-Induced Growth Inhibition Is Enhanced byrcd1Independent of Defense Activation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Ying , Du Baijuan , Qian Jun , Zou Baohong , Hua Jian
Published: January 2013

Activation of plant immune responses is often associated with an inhibition of plant growth. The molecular mechanisms underlying this fitness cost are unknown. Here, we utilize the autoimmune response mutant suppressor of npr1, constitutive1 (snc1) resulting from an activated form of the Disease Resistance (R) gene to dissect the genetic component mediating growth inhibition in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The radical-induced cell death1 (rcd1) mutant defective in responses to reactive oxygen species (ROS) was isolated as an enhancer of the snc1 mutant in growth inhibition but not in defense response activation. Similarly, the vitamin C2 (vtc2) and vtc3 mutants defective in ROS detoxification enhanced the growth defects of snc1. Thus, perturbation of ROS status by R gene activation is responsible for the growth inhibition, and this effect is independent of defense response activation. This was further supported by the partial rescue of growth defects of rcd1 snc1 by the respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (rbohD) and rbohF mutations compromising the generation of ROS burst. Collectively, these findings indicate that perturbation of ROS homeostasis contributes to the fitness cost independent of defense activation.
Contractual relationships in the Hungarian milk sector
Authors: Zoltán Bakucs Lajos , Fertő Imre , Szabó Gábor G.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse farmers' contracting choice in the Hungarian milk sector, employing transaction cost economics framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors focus on some key determinants of farmers' contracting choices using milk producer survey data. Different semi parametric and semi non parametric discrete choice models are applied to investigate the type of contracts, duration, number of contractors, incentives provided in the contract and business history of farmers and buyers.

Findings

Main results confirm that contract‐specific investment is a strong predictor explaining contract choice and contract design. Although trust is an important factor, the authors' estimations however report some counterintuitive results. Farm size is also significantly associated with contracts and contractual arrangements. Vulnerability to opportunistic behaviour also depends on partner change switching costs and farmers' bargaining power.

Originality/value

This is a recent study that investigates the role of contracts between producers and processors, significantly contributing to the limited literature on contractual relationships in transition agricultures.
Determinants of WTP for Prosecco wine
Authors: Thiene Mara , Galletto Luigi , Scarpa Riccardo , Boatto Vasco
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Under investigation is Prosecco wine, a sparkling white wine from North‐East Italy. Information collection on consumer perceptions is particularly relevant when developing market strategies for wine, especially so when local production and certification of origin play an important role in the wine market of a given district, as in the case at hand. Investigating and characterizing the structure of preference heterogeneity become crucial steps in every successful marketing strategy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the sources of systematic differences in consumer preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the effect of inclusion of answers to attitudinal questions in a latent class regression model of stated willingness to pay (WTP) for this specialty wine. These additional variables were included in the membership equations to investigate whether they could be of help in the identification of latent classes. The individual specific WTPs from the sampled respondents were then derived from the best fitting model and examined for consistency.

Findings

The use of answers to attitudinal question in the latent class regression model is found to improve model fit, thereby helping in the identification of latent classes. The best performing model obtained makes use of both attitudinal scores and socio‐economic covariates identifying five latent classes. A reasonable pattern of differences in WTP for Prosecco between CDO and TGI types were derived from this model.

Originality/value

The approach appears informative and promising: attitudes emerge as important ancillary indicators of taste differences for specialty wines. This might be of interest per se and of practical use in market segmentation. If future research shows that these variables can be of use in other contexts, it is quite possible that more attitudinal questions will be routinely incorporated in structural latent class hedonic models.
Use of cybercafé for internet access by the students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria
Authors: Rachael Aladeniyi Fasa , Kehinde Fasae Joseph
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the use of cybercafé for internet access by students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Using descriptive design, 382 copies of a structured questionnaire were administered to students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, who were using the institution cybercafé as at the time of the study.

Findings

The findings revealed that 75 percent of the male students make use of the cybercafé compared with their female colleagues, while the majority strongly agreed that they use it for research purposes. Google and Yahoo were the leading search engines used to explore resources, while the students acquired internet search knowledge and skills through teaching themselves followed by computer training programmes. It was also discovered that irregular electricity supply was the leading problem faced while using the cybercafé by the students, among others.

Originality/value

The paper contains an extensive study on the use of cybercafé in an academic environment in Nigeria, which will help in improving the internet access of students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Interlinking educational resources and the web of data
Authors: Dietze Stefan , Sanchez‐Alonso Salvador , Ebner Hannes , Qing Yu Hong , Giordano Daniela , Marenzi Ivana , Pereira Nunes Bernardo
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Research in the area of technology‐enhanced learning (TEL) throughout the last decade has largely focused on sharing and reusing educational resources and data. This effort has led to a fragmented landscape of competing metadata schemas, or interface mechanisms. More recently, semantic technologies were taken into account to improve interoperability. The linked data approach has emerged as the de facto standard for sharing data on the web. To this end, it is obvious that the application of linked data principles offers a large potential to solve interoperability issues in the field of TEL. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, approaches are surveyed that are aimed towards a vision of linked education, i.e. education which exploits educational web data. It particularly considers the exploitation of the wealth of already existing TEL data on the web by allowing its exposure as linked data and by taking into account automated enrichment and interlinking techniques to provide rich and well‐interlinked data for the educational domain.

Findings

So far web‐scale integration of educational resources is not facilitated, mainly due to the lack of take‐up of shared principles, datasets and schemas. However, linked data principles increasingly are recognized by the TEL community. The paper provides a structured assessment and classification of existing challenges and approaches, serving as potential guideline for researchers and practitioners in the field.

Originality/value

Being one of the first comprehensive surveys on the topic of linked data for education, the paper has the potential to become a widely recognized reference publication in the area.
SemCiR
Authors: Zarrinkalam Fattane , Kahani Mohsen
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel citation recommendation system that inputs a text and recommends publications that should be cited by it. Its goal is to help researchers in finding related works. Further, this paper seeks to explore the effect of using relational features in addition to textual features on the quality of recommended citations.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to propose a novel citation recommendation system, first a new relational similarity measure is proposed for calculating the relatedness of two publications. Then, a recommendation algorithm is presented that uses both relational and textual features to compute the semantic distances of publications of a bibliographic dataset from the input text.

Findings

The evaluation of the proposed system shows that combining relational features with textual features leads to better recommendations, in comparison with relying only on the textual features. It also demonstrates that citation context plays an important role among textual features. In addition, it is concluded that different relational features have different contributions to the proposed similarity measure.

Originality/value

A new citation recommendation system is proposed which uses a novel semantic distance measure. This measure is based on textual similarities and a new relational similarity concept. The other contribution of this paper is that it sheds more light on the importance of citation context in citation recommendation, by providing more evidences through analysis of the results. In addition, a genetic algorithm is developed for assigning weights to the relational features in the similarity measure.
Fully flexible assembly systems (F‐FAS): a new concept in flexible automation
Authors: Rosati Giulio , Faccio Maurizio , Carli Andrea , Rossi Aldo
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Flexible automated assembly is an emerging need in several industries. The purpose of this paper is to address the introduction of an innovative concept in flexible assembly: the fully flexible assembly system (F‐FAS).

Design/methodology/approach

After an analysis of the state of the art, the authors describe the proposed F‐FAS, from a layout, constitutional elements, functioning principles and working cycle point of view. Second, the authors compare the traditional FAS and the manual assembly system versus the proposed F‐FAS according to their throughput and unit production costs, deriving a convenience map as a function of the number of components used in assembly and of the efficiency of the F‐FAS. Finally, using a prototype work cell developed at the Robotics Laboratory of University of Padua, the authors validate the F‐FAS concept.

Findings

Results of the research indicate that the concept of full‐flexibility can be exploited to bring automation to a domain where traditional FAS are not competitive versus manual assembly. In fact, the F‐FAS outperforms both traditional FAS and manual assembly, in terms of unit direct production costs, when the size of the batch is small, the number of components used in assembly is large and the efficiency of the F‐FAS is reasonably high. The F‐FAS prototype demonstrated the possibility of working, for certain conditions (models/components/production mix), in the F‐FAS convenience area, highlighting the achievable cost reduction versus traditional assembly systems.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study lies in the F‐FAS concept, its performances in terms of flexibility, compactness, throughput and unit direct production costs. A prototype work cell validated the concept and demonstrated its viability versus traditional assembly systems, thanks to convenience analysis.
A review of virtual reality and haptics for product assembly (part 1): rigid parts
Authors: Xia PingJun , Lopes António M. , Restivo Maria Teresa
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Virtual reality (VR) for product assembly has been studied for more than 20 years but its practical application in industry is still very much in its infancy. Haptics is a new and important interaction method for VR and a strong and growing research area, however, it still remains a virtually unknown concept for industrial application.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a comprehensive survey of VR and haptics for product assembly, from rigid parts to soft cables.

Findings

Some new ideas and research progresses in recent years are especially investigated. First the concepts and classifications of virtual assembly are introduced and the different virtual environment systems for product assembly are discussed. Then the major research groups, typical systems and major research issues are explored in detail, treating rigid parts and soft cables separately. Lastly, the barriers preventing successful application of virtual assembly are discussed and future research directions are also summarized.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview and analysis of VR and haptics for product assembly, including both rigid parts and soft cables.
Intelligent disassembly planning: a review on its fundamental methodology
Authors: Wang Hui , Xiang Dong , Rong Yiming , Zhang Linxuan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the fundamental methodology and its development of intelligent disassembly planning research.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief introduction, this paper first discusses the fundamental problems associated with disassembly planning and analysis. And then considers the role of intelligent optimization methods in the disassembly planning field. This is followed by a summary and conclusion.

Findings

Many advances have been made in computerized intelligent disassembly planning research, which is a natural evolutionary result of both traditional solving methodology and much research effort over past two decades. But as yet, some fundamental limitations are also rooted in this computational model‐based methodology.

Originality/value

The paper provides a fundamental review on the development of computerized intelligent disassembly planning research.
Identifying sources of variation in horizontal stabilizer assembly using finite element analysis and principal component analysis
Authors: Wang Hua , Ding Xin
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to identify sources of variation in horizontal stabilizer assembly using FEA (finite element analysis) and PCA (principal component analysis).

Design/methodology/approach

The horizontal stabilizer is assembled by long and thin‐walled deformable aluminum components. Part‐to‐part assembly of these compliant components regularly causes difficulties associated with dimensional variations. Finite element modeling and PCA are employed to predict the propagation of variation from edge to horizontal stabilizer.

Findings

The variation analysis combined with pattern fitting method is demonstrated in a case study of the horizontal stabilizer assembly system and good performance is obtained. The results have shown that the FEA and PCA method has the capability of predicting, to an acceptable degree of accuracy, the overall geometrical variations propagation of the edges and trailing edge.

Originality/value

The results of this research will enhance the understanding of the compliant components deformation in assembly, and help to systematically improve the precision control efficiency in civil aircraft assembly.
Investigating the awareness and ability of medical students in using electronic resources of the integrated digital library portal of Iran
Authors: Nemati Anaraki Leila , Babalhavaeji Fahimeh
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The present paper aims to compare the awareness and ability of medical students in using the electronic resources of the Integrated Digital Library (IDL) portal of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research involves a comparative applied survey. The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire circulated among 300 medical students sampled from three major Iranian universities. A stratified random sampling method was used. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, average and so on) have been used to analyze the data using the Microsoft Excel software.

Findings

The awareness and utilization level of students in the three universities were lower than the average and those who are not aware of the existence of the IDL portal used general search engines to meet their information needs. The respondents admitted that their lack of awareness about the IDL was their most significant problem. Among the investigated universities, students of Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) used the End Note, Elsevier, Thomson, Scopus and Proquest databases most. All the students expressed the effect of the IDL on the academic activities as much as 64 percent in Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), 72 percent in Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) and 66 percent in Shahid Beheshti Medical University (SBMU). The mean scores for utilization of searching strategies were 2.43, 2.89 and 2.87, respectively, for IUMS, TUMS and SBMU.

Originality/value

A few attempts have been made to investigate the awareness, use and research ability of students in universities but this is the first of its kind to compare universities within the Integrated Digital Library. The paper will be useful for those in decision‐making roles and provides insight for the people responsible for IT application. It is hoped that this paper will assist administrators of the university libraries in developing a more complete understanding of students' electronic information needs and barriers.
Customer relationship management in electronic environment
Authors: Jamali Reza , Moshabaki Asghar , Aramoon Hajar , Alimohammadi Akbar
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Internet and electronic networks tend to be used to provide customers with services and to facilitate understanding of common variable demands by which many organizations may increase services' quality from the customers' point of view. In addition, e‐libraries, though in some ways run for noncommercial goals, have been faced with great attention from customers, which makes them maintain and develop their services. The authors have come to a conclusion that the only way to increased financial benefits is through better service. Organizations as a part of the domestic information community therefore, have turned to implementation of new methods such as management of customer relationships. This paper aims to develop a valid and reliable method for evaluating and measuring the management relationship level with customers in e‐libraries. In addition, the research tries to find how successful Yazd University Libraries has been to meet students' expectations, as a guideline to take steps toward improving its services.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted among 381 e‐library services users in Yazd University, using a questionnaire comprised of 78 items. Moreover, exploratory factor analysis was used to classify the CRM attributes into latent “CRM factors”. Finally, the study measures the gap between users' expectations and perceptions about each CRM factor at Yazd University.

Findings

The paper found only 37 of 78 items suitable enough to be used for CRM measurement in e‐libraries. Results of factor analyzing show that there are three main factors in e‐libraries' CRM; two of them may need revision for improvement in meeting students' demands.

Originality/value

The concept of customer relationship management assessment and improvement is relatively new among e‐institutions especially libraries, and there is a lack of studies focusing of CRM in the digital world. This is the first study of its kind to survey the CRM scale in digital libraries. In addition, the study provides useful insights and guidance for managers to measure and improve CRM system toward improving customer satisfaction.
Using benefits management to link knowledge management to business objectives
Authors: Pina Paulo , Romão Mario , Oliveira Mírian
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Identifying and tracking how knowledge management (KM) impacts on organizational performance represents a gap in the research. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the applicability of adopting a benefits management (BM) approach in order to identify KM benefits and elicit their contribution to the achievement of business objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study was carried out in a systems and information technology firm in Portugal. The data were collected using interviews and documental analysis. The data were subjected to content analysis.

Findings

BM can strengthen KM, not only by identifying the benefits, but also by aiding the process of organizational change required to achieve those benefits, considering the investment objectives, the necessary transformations and the allocation of responsibilities, among other aspects.

Research limitations/implications

This research was based on a single case study. The findings cannot be generalized.

Practical implications

Because it can be used to identify the role of KM in the achievement of the business objectives, the BM approach may be of use to managers who need to identify and explain the benefits of KM.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is that it uses the benefits management approach to link knowledge management to business objectives.
Towards the development of a cloud‐based communication technologies assessment tool
Authors: Qumer Gill Asif , Bunker Deborah
Published: January 2013

Purpose

In distributed adaptive development environments (DADE), a primary concern is that of human communication and knowledge sharing among developers. Developers' task performance will be enhanced when their task needs are aligned with the communication media or technology capabilities of the development environment. What are actual communication needs of developers; and how do we enable developers to self‐assess and select appropriate communication technology for their tasks in the DADE. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and present research based on the developers' needs for communication technologies in the context of DADE.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied an exploratory qualitative research method to investigate, analyze and integrate survey information sourced from 40 developers, to identify their communication technology needs and, based on this information, the authors then set up a practical tool – communication technologies assessment tool (CTAT) to assist developers in the self‐assessment and selection of appropriate communication technologies for their DADE; and also to share this assessment knowledge with other developers or teams located in various DADEs.

Findings

The results of this research suggest that an effective CTAT should be an integral part of the DADE; and a DADE should have a “single source of information” in order to avoid possible communication inconsistencies and ambiguities.

Originality/value

The study results and the resultant CTAT may help developers to make informed choices about the assessment and selection of appropriate communication tools but it may also help communication tools and technology service providers to develop and improve their communication tools based on the identified developers' communication needs.
Board compensation, holdings and mutual fund expense ratios
Authors: Fricke Eric
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how board compensation and holdings are related to mutual fund expense ratios. Previous studies find that compensation and expense ratios are positively correlated and argue that this relationship is potential evidence of rent sharing, whereby excessively compensated boards fail to negotiate with fund managers for lower shareholder fees.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a dataset of US open‐end mutual funds, the author examines how geographic‐based salary data, director profession, director fund holdings and fund returns might explain the relationship between compensation and fees.

Findings

The results provide additional support for potential rent sharing between fund managers and directors and are robust to alternative measures of director compensation, fund sales loads, director holdings and fund returns.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited by the sample size and the lack of time series data of the hand‐collected dataset. Data are collected from 598 funds in the year 2003.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that mutual fund expense ratios may be affected by potential agency costs.

Social implications

Mutual fund regulatory focus has been predominantly focused on the independence of board chairmen, but this study shows that compensation may also be a significant contributor to fund governance.

Originality/value

This study is unique in its recent focus on fund expense ratios and board compensation and examining potential explanations for this relationship.
Value versus growth in dynamic equity investing
Authors: Blazenko George W. , Fu Yufen
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The value‐premium is the empirical observation that “value” stocks (low market/book) have higher returns than “growth” stocks (high market/book). The purpose of this paper is to propose a new explanation for the value‐premium that the authors call the limits to growth hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

To guide the testing, a dynamic equity valuation model was used that has the property that profitability increases risk for value firms in anticipation of future growth‐leverage, whereas, profitability “covers” the capital expenditure costs of growth, which decreases risk for growth firms. Because the authors interpret dividends as a corporate response to growth‐limits, they test for this predicted differential relation between profitability and risk for value versus growth stocks with the returns of profitable dividend‐paying firms.

Findings

It is found that profitability increases returns to a greater extent for dividend‐paying value firms compared to dividend‐paying growth firms, which is consistent with a differential relation between profitability and risk. At the same time, it is also found that growth firms have lower returns than value firms.

Originality/value

The authors use the limits‐to‐growth hypothesis to explain why profitability can either increase or decrease risk. High‐profitability dividend‐paying growth firms have lower returns than low‐profitability dividend‐paying value firms. This value‐premium is consistent with the argument that high profitability “covers” the capital expenditure costs of growth, which decreases risk and, thus, returns. At the same time, profitability increases returns to a greater extent for value stocks compared to growth stocks, which is consistent with the hypothesis that profitability increases risk for value firms in anticipation of future growth‐leverage.
Coping with service failures
Authors: Tsarenko Yelena , Strizhakova Yuliya
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This study seeks to draw on the theories of personality to investigate antecedents and outcomes of consumer coping in instances of service failure. Specifically, the authors focus on the effects of emotional intelligence and self‐efficacy on three coping strategies – active, expressive, and denial. The authors further investigate the effects of coping strategies on consumer intention to complain.

Design/methodology/approach

An online panel of 252 respondents representative of the Australian population participated in this study. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze data and test hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Emotional intelligence has a positive association with active and expressive coping strategies but a negative relationship with denial. Expressive coping leads to greater complaining, whereas denial decreases it. Furthermore, consumer self‐efficacy mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and active coping strategy. In contrast, the effect of self‐efficacy on expressive strategy is negative.

Research limitations/implications

This study is the first step in investigating relationships between consumer emotional intelligence, self‐efficacy and coping. The authors also investigate which coping strategies facilitate or hinder consumers' decisions to complain. Future research should extend the model to incorporate service provider responses to gain a better understanding of the customer coping process in service failures.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the theory of consumer coping by bridging the current research gap and focusing on antecedents and outcomes of coping. This study advances knowledge of consumer coping by examining consumer emotional intelligence and self‐efficacy as antecedents of coping strategies. Complaining behaviour is examined as an extension of coping strategies.
An eye opener, but mostly for others
Authors: Eriksson Tinghög Mimmi
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study is to examine the rarely heard opinions of participants in alcohol educations – in this case, employees at three workplaces. What opinions were found in relation to the initiative, its content and effects, and what are the underlying notions from which these opinions derive?

Design/methodology/approach

The study material consisted of ten group interviews and questionnaire responses (n:298) with both fixed and open response alternatives. The data were analysed using thematic analysis and frequency tables.

Findings

The alcohol educations appear to be perceived as legitimate and relatively unproblematic. Most opinions focused on the basic approaches used in alcohol education programmes at a more general level; there should be no lecturing and no moralizing and the content and lecturer should be trustworthy. One important finding is that education programmes like these are perceived as being useful, but mostly for others. These opinions appeared to be associated with two overarching themes in particular: paternalism and beneficence.

Originality/value

The results of the study provide some idea of the value placed on education programmes of this kind from the perspective of the participants. Alcohol education programmes are perceived as being important and justified since they produce benefits for others, for those at risk. If the education programme is presented as being health promotive rather than risk reducing it is more likely to be perceived as relating to everyone, not only “the others”. The results may be of relevance for those planning and performing many types of health education programmes.