bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of kitting system in lean‐based assembly lines
Authors: Selcuk Kilic Huseyin , Bulent Durmusoglu Mehmet
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for designing the kitting system by determining the optimum values of the related design parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Main assembly feeding systems are explained with their advantages and disadvantages. Related literature is reviewed and gaps are determined. To fill the void and to be beneficial for real life lean assembly systems, the elements of the kitting system are explained in detail and a mathematical model minimizing the cost consisting of Work In Process (WIP) and number of workers for the design of a kitting system is developed. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the model.

Findings

This paper provides a mathematical model that provides the required design parameters for a kitting system such as the tour period, the number of workers and the quantities of the kits by minimizing WIP and labor costs.

Originality/value

The paper provides a mathematical model for the design of a kitting system.
Marketing planning and digital customer loyalty data in small business
Authors: Donnelly Christina , Simmons Geoff , Armstrong Gillian , Fearne Andrew
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Retailer loyalty card marketing intelligence presents actual customer purchasing preferences, competitor activities and performance. Typically, extant literature implies that larger firms with formal marketing planning approaches will be more able to leverage it, structured as it is within a formalized statistical format. Small business literature on the other hand emphasizes their more informal approach to marketing planning. The purpose of this paper is to consider, for the first time, the potential relationship between retailer loyalty card marketing intelligence and small business market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed which diagrammatically interprets how retailer loyalty card marketing intelligence can relate to small business market orientation. Propositions provide a basis for further discussion with applied and research implications.

Findings

A pertinent aspect of the conceptualization is the role of small business owner‐manager insight and intuition within an experiential learning context. A complementary relationship is posited in the leveraging of retailer loyalty card marketing intelligence to enhance small business market orientation, which with higher levels of entrepreneurship orientation can lead to positive organizational outcomes, such as facilitating more successful and informed engagement with larger suppliers.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the increasing pressure small businesses face in dealing with retailer loyalty card marketing intelligence. Generally, literature has yet to adequately address marketing planning implications for firms. The informal/formal tension when considering small businesses presents a particularly interesting area of conceptual development, integrating market orientation literature and also recent developments which point to interaction between market and entrepreneurship orientations. This paper therefore provides a basis for a new small business research agenda in an area which is highly topical and important, with a synthesis of the extant literature in developing a conceptualization and propositions. The conceptualization and propositions can facilitate the development of new research and thinking in this potentially fruitful area of future enquiry.
Measuring private labels brand equity: a consumer perspective
Authors: Cuneo Andres , Lopez Pilar , Jesus Yagüe Maria
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse whether private label brands (PLB) have been able to build brand equity throughout their development. Specifically, it aims to develop and test a measurement model that measures PLB brand equity across product lines.

Design/methodology/approach

A brand choice model is developed using a multinomial logit model and it is calibrated using a consumer panel database of two product lines of yoghurt from 8,000 Spanish households for a three‐year period.

Findings

Prior research has considered PLB as the unbranded alternative to manufacturer brands. In this research empirical evidence is provided that PLB have built brand equity throughout their development and that this equity varies across the different PLB offered in the market, and across product lines.

Practical implications

These findings offer valuable insights to retailers on how to manage PLB and to manufacturers on how to approach and compete against them.

Originality/value

The vast majority of academic research has not approached the PLB phenomenon from a branding perspective. This research constitutes a first attempt to measure brand equity on PLB. It measures PLB brand equity for each typology of PLB in the market.
The role of facilitators in project action learning implementation
Authors: Cao Rui , Bieng Chuah Kong , Chung Chau Yiu , Fai Kwong Kar , Yin Law Mo
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper addresses the importance of a more proactive role of organizational learning (OL) facilitators, learning motivation reinforcer, through a two‐part longitudinal study in a case company. The first part of this study aims to investigate and analyze some unexpected challenges in the project action learning‐driven (PAL) OL implementation in the case company, and the second part seeks to discuss an enhanced role of OL facilitators to cope with the new challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal case study supplemented with a series of carefully choreographed field research activities, e.g. interviews, on‐site observations, survey tests, was conducted to achieve the research purpose. In the first part of this study, the feedbacks regarding PAL implementation were collected from different PAL stakeholders to identify the problems and barriers that undermined the effectiveness of PAL implementation. In its second part, the proposed facilitator's interventions were introduced in the case company. The results were examined through a controlled group experiment conducted with an on‐going round of PAL implementation.

Findings

The study found that adverse changes in business circumstances and organizational restructurings could dampen staff's motivation toward organization's OL initiatives which would further reduce the OL effectiveness. To redress the situation, a set of facilitator's interventions was developed to reinforce OL members' learning motivation. Study results indicate that the proposed interventions can positively influence the learning motivation of the PAL members in the case company.

Practical implications

This paper describes the difficulties encountered in a real life OL journey and the role OL facilitators could take on to help overcome them. It provides empirical evidence of how the learning motivation and commitment of OL members can be positively influenced by OL facilitation.

Originality/value

The authors believe such longitudinal case based OL research is rare and valuable to OL theorists and practitioners.
Protective capacity and absorptive capacity
Authors: Andersén Jim
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In order to understand the pros and cons of an open organization regarding the flow of knowledge between firms, this paper introduces the concept of “protective capacity”. The purpose of the paper is to elaborate the concept of “protective capacity” especially in relation to absorptive capacity, by presenting a number of propositions.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature on mainly interfirm relationships, absorptive capacity and resources‐based theory are reviewed and combined.

Findings

Protective capacity is defined as the “capacity to sustain, or to reduce the speed of depreciation of knowledge‐based resources by preventing knowledge from being identified, imitated, and/or acquired by direct or indirect competitors”. Owing to the strong moderating factor of organizational openness, it is argued that protective capacity is inversely related to absorptive capacity. A number of propositions that can explain and moderate the inverse relationship between protective capacity and absorptive capacity are elaborated and discussed. These propositions concern organizational openness, knowledge management practices, realized and potential absorptive capacity, and dyadic relationships.

Originality/value

Acquiring external knowledge is a key feature of knowledge management. In order for a firm to absorb external knowledge, it is generally argued that it has to be open towards the environment. However, according to resource‐based theory, firms have to safeguard their knowledge by, for example, having a secluded organization, thereby enhancing the uncertainty associated with tacit knowledge in order to sustain their competitive advantages. Whereas numerous studies have discussed the capacity to absorb knowledge, few studies have analyzed the capacity to protect knowledge.
Patterns of innovating networking in small firms
Authors: de Jong Jeroen P.J. , Hulsink Willem
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Small firms rely on a variety of network partners, and in various roles, to initiate and implement innovations. While past typologies of innovation networking were defined at the level of firms or industries, the purpose of this paper is to develop a typology at the level of innovation objects.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on survey data of 594 innovations in Dutch small firms, cluster analysis is applied to develop a typology of networking patterns for innovation in small firms.

Findings

In total, six patterns of innovation networking were identified: supplier‐based, customer‐based, informal‐based, bank/accountant‐based, science‐based and government‐based. The supplier‐based pattern is most dominant and characterized by modest and simple contributions from networking partners, while governments tend to be involved in innovations marked by voluminous and complex partner involvement. Validity of the typology is suggested by two findings: more voluminous and complex networking patterns are correlated with firms’ internal capabilities, and with the newness and competence requirements of innovations.

Originality/value

For practitioners the typology provides a more fine‐grained view on how innovations in small firms are developed. This includes the role of relatives and friends, bank and accountants, and remote partners such as governments – network partners which so far were not covered in typologies of innovation networking.
The past and future of time zone challenges
Authors: Carmel Erran
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the question asked by Buelen “What do we still need to learn about outsourcing across time zones?”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper serves as a response to the commentary by Erik Beulen in SOIJ Vol. 5 No. 1 titled “I'm working while they're sleeping: time zone separation challenges and solutions”.

Findings

The paper finds that we are still very much at the beginning of the “era of time zone dependent work.”

Originality/value

This futures analysis leads to the projection that many more individuals will be entering time zone dependent work. While technology may elevate some of the hardships of temporal separation, it will exacerbate others.
Are (male) leaders “feminine” enough?
Authors: Gartzia Leire , van Engen Marloes
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to further understanding concerning sex differences in leadership styles and to examine the mediating role of gender identity traits in these differences.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on previous research that has established that many aspects of leadership style positively related to leaders' effectiveness are associated with the female gender role. Consistent with this assumption, the authors examined a sample of 157 Spanish managers whether significant sex differences favouring women emerge in relevant leadership dimensions (i.e. individualized consideration, contingent reward and emotional intelligence) and whether gender identity traits may help to explain such differences.

Findings

Results show that male leaders' lower scores in individualized consideration, positive contingent reward and emotional intelligence are partly explained by their lower identification with expressive traits. Furthermore, results indicate that integration of counter‐stereotypical traits into the self positively relates to effectiveness in the sense of use of a wider range of leadership styles for both women and men.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could explore in more detail how sex differences in leadership styles are associated with gendered traits of identity in different countries, as well as whether a blend of masculine and feminine traits is predictive for a more multifaceted leadership style.

Originality/value

The findings are discussed in terms of how a gender perspective may help to better understand leadership effectiveness in contemporary organizations, especially in the case of male leaders.
Measurement of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins using a novel thyroid stimulating hormone receptor–guanine nucleotide-binding protein, (GNAS) fusion bioassay
Authors: Pierce M , Sandrock R , Gillespie G , Meikle A W
Published: July 2012

Hyperthyroidism, defined by overproduction of thyroid hormones, has a 2–3% prevalence in the population. The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. A diagnostic biomarker for Graves' disease is the presence of immunoglobulins which bind to, and stimulate, the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). We hypothesized that the ectopically expressed TSHR gene in a thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay could be engineered to increase the accumulation of the GPCR pathway second messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP), the molecule measured in the assay as a marker for pathway activation. An ectopically expressing TSHR-mutant guanine nucleotide-binding protein, (GNAS) Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell clone was constructed using standard molecular biology techniques. After incubation of the new clone with sera containing various levels of TSI, GPCR pathway activation was then quantified by measuring cAMP accumulation in the clone. The clone, together with a NaCl-free cell assay buffer containing 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG)6000, was tested against 56 Graves' patients, 27 toxic thyroid nodule patients and 119 normal patients. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, when comparing normal with Graves' sera, the assay yielded a sensitivity of 93%, a specificity of 99% and an efficiency of 98%. Total complex precision (within-run, across runs and across days), presented as a percentage coefficient of variation, was found to be 7·8, 8·7 and 7·6% for low, medium and high TSI responding serum, respectively. We conclude that the performance of the new TSI assay provides sensitive detection of TSI, allowing for accurate, early detection of Graves' disease.
Traditional shifting agriculture: tracking forest carbon stock and biodiversity through time in western Panama
Authors: Pelletier Johanne , Codjia Claude , Potvin Catherine
Published: July 2012

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) requires developing countries to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and removals from forests in a manner that is robust, transparent, and as accurate as possible. Although shifting cultivation is a dominant practice in several developing countries, there is still very limited information available on how to monitor this land‐use practice for REDD+ as little is known about the areas of shifting cultivation or the net carbon balance. In this study, we propose and test a methodology to monitor the effect of the shifting cultivation on above‐ground carbon stocks. We combine multiyear remote sensing information, taken from a 12‐year period, with an in‐depth community forest carbon stock inventory in Palo Seco Forest Reserve, western Panama. Using remote sensing, we were able to separate four forest classes expressing different forest‐use intensity and time‐since‐intervention, which demonstrate expected trends in above‐ground carbon stocks. The addition of different interventions observed over time is shown to be a good predictor, with remote sensing variables explaining 64.2% of the variation in forest carbon stocks in cultivated landscapes. Multitemporal and multispectral medium‐resolution satellite imagery is shown to be adequate for tracking land‐use dynamics of the agriculture‐fallow cycle. The results also indicate that, over time, shifting cultivation has a transitory effect on forest carbon stocks in the study area. This is due to the rapid recovery of forest carbon stocks, which results in limited net emissions. Finally, community participation yielded important additional benefits to measuring carbon stocks, including transparency and the valorization of local knowledge for biodiversity monitoring. Our study provides important inputs regarding shifting cultivation, which should be taken into consideration when national forest monitoring systems are created, given the context of REDD+ safeguards.
Autonomy and procedural justice in strategic systems planning
Authors: Mirchandani Dinesh A. , Lederer Albert L.
Published: July 2012

Job characteristics and procedural justice theories offer an avenue through which to better understand the effectiveness of the strategic planning of decision support and other information systems in the subsidiaries of multinational firms. The first theory suggests that greater autonomy leads to greater perceptions of fair treatment, and the second suggests that perceptions of fair treatment lead to greater commitment and performance. A postal survey of 130 chief information officers of the US subsidiaries of multinational firms collected data to test hypotheses based on the theory.

Data analysis using partial least squares tested a high‐level model and a decomposed model. The high‐level model revealed that a second order strategic systems planning (SSP) autonomy construct predicted the perceptions of procedural justice, procedural justice predicted a second order SSP construct, and the SSP construct predicted SSP effectiveness. The decomposed model showed that autonomy in the especially creative strategy conception phase of planning predicted procedural justice. Procedural justice predicted all of the phases of SSP, while the strategy selection phase alone led to planning effectiveness.

These findings underscore the impact of the autonomy to be creative and of the sense of fair treatment, both within the context of limited autonomy for the choice of the strategy. They highlight the impact of the choice of the strategy in contrast to other planning phases, and perhaps most importantly, they argue for local control of the planning process.
Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by juvenile hormone in honey bee males (Apis mellifera L.)
Authors: Sasaki K. , Akasaka S. , Mezawa R. , Shimada K. , Maekawa K.
Published: July 2012

Dopamine (DA) and juvenile hormone (JH) are multifunctional regulators of behaviour in social insects, with distinct effects across species and even between different dominance positions within the same species. We examined the effects of JH on the brain dopaminergic system in honey bee males to investigate the potential relationship between JH and DA within Apis mellifera. Both DA content and the expression of three DA receptor genes (Amdop1, Amdop2 and Amdop3) increased in the male honey bee brain from day 4 to day 8 after emergence. Treatment of 4‐day‐old males with a JH analogue (methoprene, JHA) enhanced brain DA levels. Brain expression of Amdop1 was also enhanced by JHA but not by a DA receptor agonist 2‐amino 6,7‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7‐ADTN), indicating that Amdop1 up‐regulation was not mediated by increased DA receptor stimulation. Furthermore, Amdop1 expression was still enhanced when JHA was co‐applied with the DA receptor antagonist cis‐(Z)‐flupenthixol. Expression levels of Amdop2 and Amdop3 were not altered by JHA, 6,7‐ADTN or by JHA plus the DA receptor antagonist. Regulation of the brain dopaminergic system by JH, as observed in solitary species, is conserved in male honey bees but not in female honey bees and other advanced eusocial insects.
Recolonization after habitat restoration leads to decreased genetic variation in populations of a terrestrial orchid
Authors: VANDEPITTE K. , GRISTINA A. S. , DE HERT K. , MEEKERS T. , ROLDÁN‐RUIZ I. , HONNAY O.
Published: July 2012

Colonization is crucial to habitat restoration projects that rely on the spontaneous regeneration of the original vegetation. However, as a previously declining plant species spreads again, the likelihood of founder effects increases through recurrent population founding and associated serial bottlenecks. We related Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers genetic variation and fitness to colonization history for all extant populations of the outcrossing terrestrial orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata in an isolated coastal dune complex. Around 1970, D. incarnata suffered a severe bottleneck yet ultimately persisted and gradually spread throughout the spatially segregated dune slacks, aided by the restoration of an open vegetation. Genetic assignment demonstrated dispersal to vacant sites from few nearby extant populations and very limited inflow from outside the spatially isolated reserve. Results further indicated that recurrent founding from few local sources resulted in the loss of genetic diversity and promoted genetic divergence (FST = 0.35) among populations, but did not influence population fitness. The few source populations initially available and the limited inflow of genes from outside the study reserve, as a consequence of habitat degradation and spatial isolation, may have magnified the genetic effects of recurrent population founding.
Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) induced by Leishmania infection of human dendritic cells
Authors: DONOVAN M. J. , TRIPATHI V. , FAVILA M. A. , GERACI N. S. , LANGE M. C. , BALLHORN W. , McDOWELL M. A.
Published: July 2012

Dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal role in regulating immunity, establishing immunologically privileged tissue microenvironments and maintaining homoeostasis. It is becoming increasingly clear that one key mechanism that mediates many DC functions is production of the immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO). For pathogens that cause chronic infection, exploitation of host DCs is a solution to establish and persist within a host. Leishmania parasites cause a range of clinical manifestations, all involving chronic infection, and are proficient at avoiding immune responses. We demonstrate here that infection of human myeloid‐derived DC with L. major and L. donovani induces IDO expression using a mechanism that involves autocrine or paracrine stimulation with a DC‐secreted factor. Leishmania‐induced IDO suppresses allogeneic and tetanus toxoid–specific lymphocyte proliferation, an inhibition that is reversed with the IDO inhibitor, 1‐methyl tryptophan (1‐MT). Furthermore, IDO expression by human DC does not require live Leishmania infection, as parasite lysates also up‐regulate IDO mRNA production. Our data suggest that one mechanism Leishmania parasites utilize to circumvent immune clearance may be to promote the induction of IDO among host DC within the infection microenvironment.
Climate‐driven cyclicity in an Early Cretaceous synrift lacustrine series (Aguilón sub‐basin, NE Spain)
Authors: Soria Ana R. , Muñoz Arsenio , Liesa Carlos L. , Luzón Aránzazu , Meléndez Alfonso , Meléndez M. Nieves
Published: July 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 407–416, 2012

Lacustrine sedimentation is very sensitive to climate changes and its cyclicity analysis allows a better quantitation of the time of sedimentation than other methods. Climate and tectonic influence on sedimentation in a synrift basin is interpreted from the spectral analysis of a 49‐m‐thick series, which includes 88 deepening–shallowing lacustrine cycles. The interpreted position of the different facies with respect to the palaeolake shoreline and the depth of deposition are used as input for spectral analysis. To recognise a clear climate signal, it was necessary to eliminate the thicker cycles from the analysis. Results show power spectrum maxima (confidence level >99%) at 199, 47 and 15 cm. The first two are interpreted as representing short eccentricity and precession cycles respectively. The 88 deepening–shallowing cycles thus would reflect the influence of precession. Thicker cycles reflect short episodes with a significant increase of accommodation space due to synsedimentary tectonics.
Evolutionary reshuffling in the Errantivirus lineage Elbe within the Beta vulgaris genome
Authors: Wollrab Cora , Heitkam Tony , Holtgräwe Daniela , Weisshaar Bernd , Minoche André E. , Dohm Juliane C. , Himmelbauer Heinz , Schmidt Thomas
Published: July 2012

LTR retrotransposons and retroviruses are closely related. Although a viral envelope gene is found in some LTR retrotransposons and all retroviruses, only the latter show infectivity. The identification of Ty3‐gypsy‐like retrotransposons possessing putative envelope‐like open reading frames blurred the taxonomical borders and led to the establishment of the Errantivirus, Metavirus and Chromovirus genera within the Metaviridae. Only a few plant Errantiviruses have been described, and their evolutionary history is not well understood. In this study, we investigated 27 retroelements of four abundant Elbe retrotransposon families belonging to the Errantiviruses in Beta vulgaris (sugar beet). Retroelements of the Elbe lineage integrated between 0.02 and 5.59 million years ago, and show family‐specific variations in autonomy and degree of rearrangements: while Elbe3 members are highly fragmented, often truncated and present in a high number of solo LTRs, Elbe2 members are mainly autonomous. We observed extensive reshuffling of structural motifs across families, leading to the formation of new retrotransposon families. Elbe retrotransposons harbor a typical envelope‐like gene, often encoding transmembrane domains. During the course of Elbe evolution, the additional open reading frames have been strongly modified or independently acquired. Taken together, the Elbe lineage serves as retrotransposon model reflecting the various stages in Errantivirus evolution, and allows a detailed analysis of retrotransposon family formation.
A new HLA‐B*40:186 allele identified by sequence‐based typing in a Korean individual
Authors: Kim S. Y. , Shin K.‐H. , Yoon C. E. , Kwon O. J. , Kim H. H.
Published: July 2012

The new allele B*40:186 shows a one nucleotide substitution compared with B*40:01:02 at codon 56 (GGG → AGG) resulting in coding change, Gly to Arg.
Pocketcheck: updating the HLA class I peptide specificity roadmap
Authors: Huyton T. , Ladas N. , Schumacher H. , Blasczyk R. , Bade‐Doeding C.
Published: July 2012

The structural determination of peptide:HLA (human leucocyte antigen) class I complexes by X‐ray crystallography has provided valuable information for understanding how peptides bind to individual HLA class I molecules and how this may influence the immune response. We compared 101 crystal structures of 9‐mer peptide:HLA class I complexes available in the protein data bank (PDB) by performing a contact analysis using the Contact Map Analysis webserver http://ligin.weizmann.ac.il/cma. An InterSystems Caché ‘post‐relational’ database containing residue position, amino acid (AA) and buried surface that contact a particular peptide position was then created allowing data comparison for all the structures (Pocketcheck). The analysis illustrates that the HLA class I residues 24, 45, 63 and 67 show high contact frequencies to both the p1 and/or p2 position of bound peptides, indicating that they might influence the nature of a peptide anchor. To determine the influence of these residues we utilized soluble HLA technology and mass spectrometry to analyze peptides derived from HLA‐B*44:06 since it differs from the previously described allele B*44:02 by seven AA exchanges located in the alpha 1 domain (residues 24, 32, 41, 45, 63, 67 and 80). HLA‐B*44:06 features an anchor motif of P or A at p2 and Y or W at the C‐terminal. Additionally B*44:06‐derived peptides feature an auxiliary anchor motif at p1, comprising D or E. Our results illustrate that structural analysis can provide valuable information to understand allogenicity and provides a further step towards intelligent HLA mismatching.
Effects of feeding a high omega‐3 fatty acids diet in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis
Authors: Moreau M. , Troncy E. , del Castillo J. R. E. , Bédard C. , Gauvin D. , Lussier B.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this randomized, placebo‐controlled and double‐blinded trial was to compare the effect of a veterinary therapeutic diet (VTD) rich in omega‐3 fatty acids (omega‐3) from fish origin to a regular diet used as control (CTR) over a period of 13 weeks in dogs afflicted by naturally occurring osteoarthritis (OA). Thirty privately owned dogs were selected. Dogs had lameness confirmed by an orthopaedic examination, had stifle/hip OA and had locomotor disability based on the peak of the vertically oriented ground reaction force (PVF) measured using a force platform. At Baseline, all owners were asked to determine 2–5 activities of daily living that were the most impaired. Activities were scores (0–4) in accordance with severity using case‐specific outcome measures (CSOM). The PVF was also measured. Dogs (15/group) were then randomly assigned to receive either the CTR or the VTD. The CSOM was completed twice weekly. The recording of PVF was repeated at Week 7 and 13. The VTD‐fed dogs showed a significantly higher PVF at Week 7 (p < 0.001) and at Week 13 (p < 0.001) when compared to Baseline. From Baseline to Week 13, VTD‐fed dogs had a mean (± SD) change in PVF recording of 3.5 ± 6.8% of body weight (%BW) compared with 0.5 ± 6.1%BW (p = 0.211) in CTR‐fed dogs. This change in primary outcome was consistent with an effect size of 0.5. Conversely, dogs fed the CTR did not show significant change in PVF measurements. At the end of the study, the CSOM was significantly decreased (p = 0.047) only in VTD fed dogs. In lame OA dogs, a VTD that contains high level of omega‐3 from fish origin improved the locomotor disability and the performance in activities of daily living. Such nutritional approach appears interesting for the management of OA.
Decreased serum carnitine is independently correlated with increased tissue accumulation levels of advanced glycation end products in haemodialysis patients
Authors: ADACHI TAKEKI , FUKAMI KEI , YAMAGISHI SHO‐ICHI , KAIDA YUSUKE , ANDO RYOTARO , SAKAI KAZUKO , ADACHI HISASHI , OTSUKA AKI , UEDA SEIJI , SUGI KENZO , OKUDA SEIYA
Published: July 2012

Aim:  There is accumulating evidence that advanced glycation end products (AGE) play a role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with haemodialysis (HD). Carnitine deficiency is frequently observed in HD patients, which may also contribute to CVD. In this study, we examined whether carnitine deficiency was independently associated with increased tissue accumulation levels of AGE in HD patients.

Methods:  One hundred and twenty‐nine HD patients underwent determinations of blood chemistries including serum level of carnitine. Tissue AGE levels were evaluated by measuring skin autofluorescence with an AGE‐reader.

Results:  Serum carnitine levels were significantly lower, while skin AGE levels were significantly higher in HD patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). In univariate analysis, β2‐microglobulin (β2‐MG) and carnitine (inversely) were correlated with skin AGE levels. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that carnitine levels were one of the independent determinants of skin AGE levels (P = 0.024). When β2‐MG‐adjusted skin AGE levels were stratified by serum carnitine levels, a statistical significance and dose‐response relationship were observed (P = 0.043). Furthermore, skin AGE levels were one of the independent determinants of serum carnitine levels as well (P = 0.012).

Conclusion:  The present study demonstrated that decreased carnitine levels were independently associated with increased skin AGE levels in HD patients. Since carnitine is reported to inhibit the formation of AGE in vitro, our study suggests that supplementation of carnitine may be a therapeutic target for preventing the accumulation of tissue AGE and subsequently reducing the risk of CVD in HD patients.
α‐Actinin‐4 is involved in the process by which dexamethasone protects actin cytoskeleton stabilization from adriamycin‐induced podocyte injury
Authors: LIU HAIMEI , GAO XIA , XU HONG , FENG CHUN , KUANG XINYU , LI ZENGXIA , ZHA XILIANG
Published: July 2012

Aim:  Glucocorticoid therapy has been used in childhood nephrotic syndrome since the 1950s, where the characteristic change is effacement of the actin‐rich foot process of glomerular podocytes. Recent studies have shown that glucocorticoids, in addition to their general immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory effects, have a direct effect on podocytes, regulate some apoptotic factors, and increase the stability of actin filaments. However, the precise mechanism(s) underlying the protective effects of glucocorticoids on podocytes remain unclear. It is known that adriamycin (ADR) can induce podocyte foot process effacement and trigger massive proteinuria in rodent models. However, few reports have examined the direct role of ADR in podocyte actin rearrangement in vitro. In this study, we investigated how ADR directly induced podocyte actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and further analyzed how dexamethasone prevented such injury.

Methods:  We used confocal microscopy to assess podocyte actin rearrangement. Western blot analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were performed to measure the protein and mRNA levels of α‐actinin‐4.

Results:  We demonstrated that there was a time‐dependent ADR‐induced podocyte actin rearrangement with less than 12 h of ADR treatment in cultured podocytes. Dexamethasone could protect podocytes from ADR‐induced injury and also stabilize the expression of α‐actinin‐4.

Conclusion:  This study showed that dexamethasone had direct effects on podocytes: α‐actinin‐4 may be one of the potential target molecules.
Percutaneous core biopsy of small renal mass lesions: a diagnostic tool to better stratify patients for surgical intervention
Authors: Menogue Stuart R. , O'Brien Beverley A. , Brown Alexandra L. , Cohen Ronald J.
Published: July 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Biopsy of incidentally detected small renal masses is a safe and accurate method of determining benign from malignant lesions. Renal biopsy identifies over one quarter of cases as benign; however, one in five biopsy procedures results in insufficient material for a diagnosis.

The study contributes an additional 268 renal biopsy cases to the literature and further assesses the accuracy of biopsy and its ability to reduce the number of patients undergoing radical surgery for benign lesions. The results of lesions managed conservatively with follow‐up are also presented. Furthermore, the study identifies an improved diagnostic trend for needle core biopsies over the period.

OBJECTIVES

To further validate the safety and diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous core biopsy in small renal masses ([SRMs]≤4 cm) in response to the rising prevalence of renal ‘incidentalomas’.

To determine the value of percutaneous core biopsy in its ability to influence the choice of intervention or surveillance for the management of SRMs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected data on the incidence of benign, malignant and non‐diagnostic samples from 268 SRM (clinical T1a) biopsies performed at our institution between 1998 and 2009.

The diagnostic accuracy of biopsy in small renal lesions was examined in cases proceeding to nephrectomy.

Follow‐up on the remaining non‐surgical cases was performed.

RESULTS

SRMs (≤4 cm, clinical T1a) constituted 59% of all renal lesions diagnosed; 80% of these biopsies were diagnostic and 20% were non‐diagnostic.

Of the diagnostic samples, 74% were malignant and 26% were benign.

Thirty‐three percent (17 of the initial 52) non‐diagnostic samples underwent re‐biopsy, with 94% yielding a histological diagnosis on repeat sampling.

Fifty‐eight percent of our diagnostic masses underwent nephrectomy, returning a renal biopsy accuracy rate of 100% for identifying lesions as benign or malignant.

Of the 98 observed masses, 49% were benign, 28% malignant and 23% were non‐diagnostic. In 63% of these cases, size remained stable in the follow‐up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous core biopsy continues to provide an accurate and safe tool for preoperative tissue diagnosis of SRMs and should be offered to patients before considering surgical intervention.

With regard to both benign and malignant T1a renal lesions, in select patient groups, those electing to undergo observation may expect favourable short‐ to medium‐term outcomes.
NEW FORMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW IN THE AGE OF THIRD‐PARTY GOVERNMENT
Authors: BENISH AVISHAI , LEVI‐FAUR DAVID
Published: July 2012

This article explores the democratic values underlying public services when they are outsourced. Building on Rosenbloom and Piotrowski's (2005a, 2005b) framework, we examine whether and how administrative law norms – that serve as central democratic governance and accountability mechanisms in the administrative state – are extended to the new (private) frontline service providers. Through a study of the regulation of the privatized welfare‐to‐work programme in Wisconsin, we find that new forms of administrative law are evolving in third‐party government. These forms differ from administrative law as it usually applies to public agencies in several important aspects. The findings highlight the active role of legislative and administrative mechanisms in the promotion of these new forms of administrative law; and they shed light on the transformations that administrative law norms undergo in the age of third‐party government.
Testing for parameter constancy in non‐Gaussian time series
Authors: Han Lu , McCabe Brendan
Published: July 2012

This paper investigates testing for parameter constancy in models for non‐Gaussian time series. Models for discrete valued count time series are investigated as well as more general models with autoregressive conditional expectations. Both sup‐tests andCUSUMprocedures are suggested depending on the complexity of the model being used. The asymptotic distribution of theCUSUMtest is derived for a general class of conditional autoregressive models.
Analysing the Institutional Logic of Late DRG Adopters
Authors: Kantola Hannele , JÄrvinen Janne
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  This study investigates how institutional logics that are prevalent in an organizational field influence change in management accounting. More precisely, we examine the institutional logics of late DRG adopters through which organizations attempt to address the pressures imposed by the institutional field of health care. Specific attention is also paid to the way in which organizations operate at different institutional levels and what kinds of interrelationships exist between these levels. Such developments may at least partially explain why the implementation and adoption of DRG–based accounting systems in Finnish health care took almost twenty years.
Budgetary Accounting in National Governments: Anglo versus American Accounting
Authors: Jones Rowan
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  This paper offers an understanding of the US federal budgeting and accounting system, in context. The system is unique among the major Anglophone countries, in being both cash‐based and obligation‐based, thereby providing what can be termed a polar opposite case to an accrual‐based system, the technicalities of which the paper explains. The paper uses, as a comparator, the UK government's cash‐based and accrual‐based system, also in context. This shows that the US system is primarily a system of control by the legislature, whereas the UK's is primarily one of control by the executive. The paper analyses the long history of institutions of the US federal government defending the obligation basis in the face of accrual‐based assaults; the obligation basis has remained resilient.
The Main Determinants of the Use of the Cost Accounting System in Portuguese Local Government
Authors: Carvalho João Baptista Da Costa , Gomes Patrícia S. , José Fernandes Maria
Published: July 2012

Abstract: This paper explores the main determinants of the use of the cost accounting system (CAS) in Portuguese local government (PLG). Regression analysis is used to study the fit of a model of accounting changes in PLG, focused on cost accounting systems oriented to activities and outputs. Based on survey data gathered from PLG, we have found that the use of information in decision‐making and external reporting is still a mirage. We obtain evidence about the influence of the internal organizational context (especially the lack of support and difficulties in the CAS implementation) in the use for internal purposes, while the institutional environment (like external pressures to implement the CAS) appears to be more deterministic of the external use. Results strengthen the function of external reporting to legitimate the organization's activities to external stakeholders. On the other hand, some control variables (like political competition, usefulness and experience) also evidence some explanatory power in the model. Some mixed results were found that appeal to further research in the future. Our empirical results contribute to understand the importance of interconnecting the contingency and institutional approaches to gain a clear picture of cost accounting changes in the public sector.
Long‐term outcome in pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy
Authors: BOK LEVINUS A , HALBERTSMA FEICO J , HOUTERMAN SASKIA , WEVERS RON A , VREESWIJK CHARLOTTE , JAKOBS CORNELIS , STRUYS EDUARD , VAN DER HOEVEN JOHAN H , SIVAL DEBORAH A , WILLEMSEN MICHÈL A
Published: July 2012

Aim  The long‐term outcome of the Dutch pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy cohort and correlations between patient characteristics and follow‐up data were retrospectively studied.

Method  Fourteen patients recruited from a national reference laboratory were included (four males, 10 females, from 11 families; median age at assessment 6y; range 2y 6mo–16y). The following data were retrieved: sex; age at seizure onset; age at the start of pyridoxine therapy; level of urinary alpha‐aminoadipic semialdehyde; antiquitin mutations; developmental milestones; evaluation of neurocognitive functioning and school career; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) assessments.

Results  Pyridoxine was started antenatally in two children, in the first week of life in five, in the first month of life in three, or after the first month of life (range 2.5–8mo) in four. No child was physically disabled; however, only five walked at 2 years of age. Mental development was delayed in most: median IQ or developmental index was 72 (SD 19). Pyridoxine monotherapy controlled seizures in 10 of 14 children, whereas four needed additional antiepileptic drugs. Seizure persistence, antiepileptic drugs (other than pyridoxine), EEG background, and epileptiform activity were not associated with outcome. On neonatal MRI, structural and white matter abnormalities occurred in five of eight children; on follow‐up, the number of abnormal MRIs was increased. Delayed initiation of pyridoxine medication and corpus callosum abnormalities were significantly associated with unfavourable neurodevelopmental outcome, but normal follow‐up imaging did not predict a good outcome.

Interpretation  Outcome of patients with pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy remains poor. Individual outcome cannot be predicted by the evaluated characteristics. We suggest that collaborated research in structured settings could help to improve treatment strategies and outcome for pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy.
U.S. International Equity Investment
Authors: AMMER JOHN , HOLLAND SARA B. , SMITH DAVID C. , WARNOCK FRANCIS E.
Published: July 2012

Using a comprehensive data set of all U.S. investment in foreign equities, we find that the single most important determinant of the amount of U.S. investment a foreign firm receives is whether the firm cross‐lists on a U.S. exchange. Correcting for selection biases, cross‐listing leads to a doubling (or more) in U.S. investment, an impact greater than all other factors combined. Much of this increased U.S. investment is purchased in the foreign market, implying that the cross‐listing effect reflects something more fundamental about a firm than easier acquisition of its securities. We also demonstrate that cross‐listing is an important determinant of U.S. international investment at the country level and describe easy‐to‐implement methods for including a cross‐listing variable as an endogenous control.
Strategy Selection, Surrogation, and Strategic Performance Measurement Systems
Authors: CHOI JONGWOON (WILLIE) , HECHT GARY W. , TAYLER WILLIAM B.
Published: July 2012

Strategic performance measurement systems operationalize firm strategy with a set of performance measures. A consequence of such alignment is the tendency for managers to lose sight of the strategic construct(s) the measures are intended to represent, and subsequently act as though the measures are the constructs of interest, a phenomenon referred to as surrogation. We investigate how involvement in strategy selection affects managers’ propensity to exhibit surrogation. We predict and find that strategy selection reduces surrogation. Surprisingly, we do not find that engaging in strategy deliberation, a key process underlying strategy selection, reduces surrogation. Thus, managers’ involvement in the actual choice of strategy appears to be both a necessary and sufficient condition to mitigate surrogation. Our paper broadens understanding of factors that influence surrogation, such as the effects of different aspects of managers’ strategic involvement and buy‐in. Further, by documenting how managers behave within (as opposed to simply with) strategic performance measurement systems, we highlight the potential for managers to endogenously influence the effectiveness of such systems.
Effect of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the desizing and subsequent colour fading process of cotton denim fabric
Authors: Kan Chi W , Yuen Chun W M
Published: July 2012

In this article, the performance of atmospheric pressure plasma treatment in the desizing of grey cotton denim fabric followed by an enzymatic colour fading process was studied. Four atmospheric pressure plasma processing parameters, namely, treatment time, ignition power, reactive gas (oxygen) concentration and jet distance were considered for desizing. In order to investigate the optimum conditions (based on weight change) for atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, an orthogonal array testing strategy was used. The optimum conditions for atmospheric pressure plasma treatment in this study were: treatment time, 5 s/mm; ignition power, 160 W; oxygen concentration, 1%; and jet distance, 3 mm. The level of importance of atmospheric pressure plasma processing parameters based on the orthogonal array testing strategy analysis was in the order: jet distance > ignition power > oxygen concentration > treatment time, and the effect of each processing factor is also discussed. In addition, the desizing effect induced by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment was compared with conventional enzyme desizing treatment. The resultant performance properties were also compared. After conducting desizing with atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, the cotton denim fabric was subjected to an enzymatic colour fading process. The colour fading effect was found to be more significant when compared with the conventional enzymatic colour fading process.