bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quit and Win Contests: A Social Marketing Success Story
Authors: Lavack Anne M. , Watson Lisa , Markwart Julie
Published: March 2007

Quit and Win contests are social marketing campaigns that have met with great success in achieving smoking cessation. They have been organized in over 80 countries around the world, have had over 2 million smokers participate, and have helped an estimated 150,000 smokers quit. Quit and Win contests work by offering prize incentives and a supportive environment to smokers who wish to quit smoking. This article examines the structural components of Quit and Win programs that make them successful social marketing campaigns, along with the measures used to determine their success. Recommendations are provided for increasing the success of Quit and Win programs in the future. This review also provides useful lessons for the development of other types of social marketing campaigns.
Anonymous Routing for Mobile Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Durresi Arjan , Paruchuri Vamsi , Durresi Mimoza , Barolli Leonard
Published: March 2007

Wireless Mobile Ad Hoc Networks are particularly vulnerable due to their fundamental characteristics such as an open medium, dynamic topology, distributed cooperation, and constrained capability. Location information of nodes can be critical in wireless ad hoc networks, especially in those deployed for military purposes. In this paper, we present two Protocols for anonymous routing to prevent location disclosure attacks. The Protocol for Anonymous Routing (PAR) guarantees absolute anonymity, which itself might cause problems as it would become hard to identify malicious and misbehaving nodes. PAR-Enhanced trades off some anonymity to enable detection of malicious and misbehaving nodes.
Anonymous survey on infectious diseases and related risk behaviour among Armenian prisoners and prison staff
Authors: Weilandt Caren , Stöver Heion , Eckert Josef , Grigoryan Gregor
Published: March 2007

The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in a representative sample of the Armenian male adult prison population has been determined and prisoners and staff were anonymously asked on risk behaviours (542 prisoners) and on knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards infectious diseases (348 staff members)
Prisoners’ knowledge about the sources of transmission of HIV is quite poor, most of the wrong answers relate to activities in the daily prison life. The acceptance of HIV‐infected inmates tends towards extremely negative attitudes. The reported rate of intravenous drug use was 13.3%, and 51% among those are current injectors. Of the ‘ever injectors’, between 15% and 30% reported high‐risk behaviour. Of particular interest was the fact that the self‐reported HIV test results did not correlate at all with the results of the saliva tests. In the study the prevalence of HIV was 2.4%, a rate which is 27 times higher than in the general population. The prevalence rate for hepatitis B among prisoners is 3.7% and for hepatitis C 23.8%. The most important risk factor for contracting an HCV infection was
drug use and the second, time spent in prison within the last 10 years, which is an independent risk factor. A substantial number of prison employees perceive their working condition as risky and themselves as at risk for TB, hepatitis B/C or HIV, but large groups had no idea about infection rates. Regarding HIV and hepatitis, knowledge is poor and patchy. While staff show quite good knowledge regarding the main transmission routes via blood and unprotected sex, a low level of knowledge becomes obvious when considering everyday‐life situations, which may cause fears in such a closed setting like prison. Standards including confidentiality and non‐segregation are not accepted in respect of HIV positive
prisoners. Here, attitudes range between ‘inclusion’ and ‘exclusion’, which might express uncertainty and insecurity about the risks HIV‐positive persons carry. The provision of sterile needles for tattooing and sterile syringes and needles for injecting drugs users to prevent the spread of infectious diseases are not agreed by the majority of prison staff.
Problems, needs and service provision related to stimulant use in European prisons
Authors: Decorte Tom
Published: March 2007

Objective. The objective of this study was to examine practices and policies in place for the provision of targeted prevention and treatment of cocaine and Amphetamine Type Stimulant (ATS) users in prison in nine European countries. Methodology. Across nine European member states (Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia, Sweden, Malta, Ireland and Portugal), interviews were conducted with ministerial representatives and professionals (i.e. service providers and security officials) working in prisons and a total of 16 focus groups with a total of 125 prisoners. Results. The use of stimulants in prison is associated with aggression and violence, financial problems, and psychological and physical problems in prisoners (depression, anxiety and psychological craving). Both security and healthcare staff in prison often feel ill‐equipped to deal with stimulant‐related problems, leading to a lack of equivalence of care for stimulant users in prison, therefore the variety and quality of drug services outside is not reflected sufficiently inside prison. There is a need for more specific product information and harm reduction material on stimulants, for clear guidelines for the management of acute stimulant intoxication and stimulant withdrawal, for structural adjustments to improve potential diagnosis of personality and psychiatric disorders, for more non‐pharmacological treatment strategies and more opportunities for prisoners to engage in purposeful activities.
Pitfalls of TB management in prisons, revisited
Authors: Reyes Hernán
Published: March 2007

Almost 10 years ago, attention was drawn to the many pitfalls involved in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) in prison settings, based on field experience from the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) (Coninx et al., 1995). Since that time, the ICRC has continued working in the field of TB in prisons, either directly or by supporting the local programmes in different countries. Further experience gained since then has, if anything, confirmed and reinforced the worries caused by the specific problems posed both by the prison environment and by “prisoner‐patients” for the treatment of TB. Medical staff working in prisons need to be familiar with these issues if tuberculosis is to be managed and treated successfully. With the menace of drug‐resistant TB no longer merely a marginal problem but arguably becoming a direct menace to public health, it becomes all the more important to be aware of these pitfalls. This paper addresses the following: * why prison settings are especially difficult for TB detection and management; * why prisoners can be particularly difficult patients; * how different resistant strains of TB are produced or enhanced in prisons; * added difficulties in treating MDR‐TB in prisoners; and * how and why the association of TB and HIV complicate TB, and MDR‐TB, treatment in prisons even further. The photographs and additional illustrations are from the author’s collection. Permission was obtained from all persons photographed for reproduction.
Can health inequalities be addressed? An assessment of Prisoner Health Services in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Eckstein Garry , Levy Michael , Butler Tony
Published: March 2007

The poor health of prisoners was highlighted in the results of two comprehensive health surveys conducted with prisoners in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
The capacity of a dedicated service to address the health needs of prisoners was tested through analysis of the health of two prisoner cohorts: a continuously serving cohort, and a cohort of prisoners who had been incarcerated and released during the period of interest, 1996‐2001. It appears that mental health services best addressed the needs of a stable prisoner population. Short‐stay prisoners do not gain any degree of benefit. Primary health and drug and alcohol services address the needs of prisoners less effectively, irrespective of their duration of stay. Women’s health was very poor on all measures that were assessed. With the exception of mental illness, the health inequalities that prisoners experience are not addressed by existing prisoner health services. This may be due to the magnitude of the burden of ill health among prisoners, or due to inadequate resources ‐ or some combination of both. While these results should not be taken as supportive of coercive institutionalisation (i.e. imprisonment) as a therapeutic option, there may be benefit in more humane and compassionate institutions for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. The results highlight the potential for prisoner health service providers in redressing years of health neglect and the low levels of service utilisation by this group while in the communi
Interference between cues of the same outcome depends on the causal interpretation of the events
Authors: Cobos Pedro L. , López Francisco J. , Luque David
Published: March 2007

In an interference-between-cues design, the expression of a learned Cue A ↠ Outcome 1 association has been shown to be impaired if another cue, B, is separately paired with the same outcome in a second learning phase. In the present study, we assessed whether this interference effect is mediated by participants’ previous causal knowledge. This was achieved by having participants learn in a diagnostic situation in Experiment 1a, and then by manipulating the causal order of the learning task in Experiments 1b and 2. If participants use their previous causal knowledge during the learning process, interference should only be observed in the diagnostic situation because only there we have a common cause (Outcome 1) of two disjoint effects, namely cues A and B. Consistent with this prediction, interference between cues was only found in Experiment 1a and in the diagnostic conditions of Experiments 1b and 2.
Inferences about unobserved causes in human contingency learning
Authors: Hagmayer York , Waldmann Michael R.
Published: March 2007

Estimates of the causal efficacy of an event need to take into account the possible presence and influence of other unobserved causes that might have contributed to the occurrence of the effect. Current theoretical approaches deal differently with this problem. Associative theories assume that at least one unobserved cause is always present. In contrast, causal Bayes net theories (including Power PC theory) hypothesize that unobserved causes may be present or absent. These theories generally assume independence of different causes of the same event, which greatly simplifies modelling learning and inference. In two experiments participants were requested to learn about the causal relation between a single cause and an effect by observing their co-occurrence (Experiment 1) or by actively intervening in the cause (Experiment 2). Participants’ assumptions about the presence of an unobserved cause were assessed either after each learning trial or at the end of the learning phase. The results show an interesting dissociation. Whereas there was a tendency to assume interdependence of the causes in the online judgements during learning, the final judgements tended to be more in the direction of an independence assumption. Possible explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.
Clinical Symptomatology and Paranasal Sinus Involvement With Nasal Septal Perforation
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: March 2007

Objective: Determine the symptom manifestations, clinical impact, and incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with newly diagnosed nasal septal perforation.

Methods: A consecutive series of adult patients with nasal septal perforation were prospectively studied at the time of endoscopic diagnosis with the rhinosinusitis symptom inventory (RSI) and sinus computed tomography (CT). Patients' symptoms in the RSI symptom domains were computed. From the CT scan, septal perforation size and Lund scores were obtained. A separate (control) cohort of patients with CRS without septal perforation was matched to these patients for age, sex, and Lund score. RSI symptom domain comparisons were conducted between groups to determine the additional symptom burden conferred by septal perforation.

Results: Thirty‐three patients with septal perforation were enrolled (mean age, 48.2 yr; 69.7% female). Mean perforation size was 1.9 (SD, 2.1) cm2. The mean Lund score was 5.8 (SD, 5.3); 16 (57.1%) patients met radiographic criteria for a concurrent diagnoses of CRS. Patients with septal perforation reported significant nasal and facial symptom domain scores (56.8 and 47.0, respectively [range, 0–100]). Oropharyngeal and systemic symptoms were less severe (29.7 and 34.7, respectively). However, after comparison with the matched control patients, no statistically significant differences were identified in sinonasal symptoms between patients with and without septal perforation (all P > .131).

Conclusions: Concurrent CRS may frequently accompany nasal septal perforation and may require appropriate treatment along with the perforation itself. The presence of septal perforation does not appear to significantly augment symptom severity in CRS.
Concentration and Distribution of Hyaluronic Acid in Human Vocal Folds
Authors: Lebl Mariana Dantas Aumond , Martins João Roberto Maciel , Nader Helena Bonciani , Simões Manuel de Jesus , De Biase Noemi
Published: March 2007

Objective/Hypothesis: To evaluate the concentration and distribution of hyaluronic acid (HA) in human adult vocal folds.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Methods: Histologic samples of the anterior, middle, and posterior regions of the vocal folds were studied to determine the tissue distribution of HA. The HA was traced with hyaluronan‐binding proteins (HAPB) from bovine cartilage. Chemical bonds were detected through the avidin‐biotin immunoperoxidase method. A control with the specific Streptomyces hyalurolyticus hyaluronidase was conducted to avoid false‐positive results. The concentration levels of HA were determined through a fluorescence‐based assay method with the same HAPB and europium‐labeled streptavidin.

Results: Women presented higher HA concentrations than men in every studied region of the vocal folds and overall HA concentration levels twice as higher. In regard to the distribution of HA, the macula flavae and the vocal fold intermediate and deep layers presented marked staining, with moderate staining around the vessels, on the gland capsules, and the connective tissue surrounding the vocal fold muscular fibers.

Conclusions: HA is diffusely distributed along the vocal folds; the profuse amounts of HA observed in the female vocal folds may be related to impact absorption, acting as a protective factor against the characteristic high vibration frequency.
Outcome Measurement for Patients Receiving Hearing Aid Services
Authors: Cook Jodi A. , Hawkins David B.
Published: March 2007

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe a useful patient report outcome measure for a hearing aid program that can be completed annually, with limited staff resources, and can be used to document performance excellence.

Study Design and Methods: The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI‐HA) questionnaire was mailed to all patients receiving new hearing aids and rehabilitative services during a 1 year period at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). The data were analyzed to assess outcomes.

Results: Overall, patients reported a high level of satisfaction and an improved quality of life. The results compared favorably with published norms and with the previous year's results.

Conclusion: The IOI‐HA was implemented easily with little incremental cost. An annual project such as the one described can be used to demonstrate to administrators, patients, and payers that the clinic's rehabilitative hearing aid services have positive outcomes and that program quality is being monitored.
An Alternate Approach for Surgical Dressing of Bone‐Anchored Hearing Aid Abutment Sites
Authors: Falcone Michael T. , Labadie Robert F.
Published: March 2007

Objective: To present an alternative surgical dressing for bone‐anchored hearing aid (BAHA) abutment sites, comparing it with the manufacturer's recommended “healing cap” in terms of split thickness skin graft (STSG) survival.

Study Design and Setting: A retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent unilateral BAHA implantation at a tertiary referral center. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the surgical dressing for the BAHA abutment site. Group 1 had a “healing cap” dressing, and group 2 had a bolster dressing. STSG survival was evaluated.

Results: Between May 2002 and July 2006, 30 patients underwent BAHA implantation. Seven patients received the “healing cap” dressing, and 23 patients received the bolster dressing. There was 100% STSG survival in the bolster dressing group and 71% skin graft survival in the healing cap group (P = .048).

Conclusion: A traditional bolster dressing had improved STSG survival as compared with the manufacturer's recommended “healing cap.” Additional benefits of a bolster are that it is maintenance free, well suited for noncompliant patients, and inexpensive.
Congenital Cholesteatoma: Risk Factors for Residual Disease and Retraction Pockets—A Report on 117 Cases
Authors: Lazard Diane S. , Roger Gilles , Denoyelle Françoise , Chauvin Pierre , Garabédian Erea‐Noel
Published: March 2007

Objectives: To define predictors of residuals and retraction pockets (RP) in children operated on for congenital cholesteatoma (CC).

Design and Setting: Retrospective review (1996–2005), academic center.

Patients: One hundred seventeen patients treated for CC corresponding to modified Derlacki's criteria were included (median age, 6.5 yr). No case of RP at time of diagnosis, with a mean follow‐up of 2.5 years after last surgery.

Main Outcome Measures: Clinical and surgical data influencing outcome. Multivariate analysis.

Results: Two groups were defined after CC removal: group I (12 cases), no second look required and no case of subsequent re‐intervention; group II (105 cases), planned second look always performed (mean delay, 12.1 mo), no difference of sex ratio (M/F = 2). Group I patients were younger than in group II (3.3 vs. 5.9 yr, P < .001). All of them had a normal contralateral eardrum and a disclosure of CC by routine examination (vs. 19% in group II, P < .001). In group I, the mass occupied one or two anterior quadrants (41.6% and 58.4%, respectively) versus more than two quadrants in 46.6% in group II. Residuals and RP rates were 41% and 15%, respectively (only in group II). Predictors for residuals were atticotomy (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–6.7) and destruction of stapes (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7–10.5). Predictors for RP were eustachian tube extension (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.7–26.8) and nonreconstructed atticotomy (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.1–30.9).

Conclusions: Young children with small CC had no recurrences. Residuals were more frequent in case of atticotomy and stapes destruction. RP occurred especially in cases of eustachian tube extension and if cartilage tympanoplasty was not performed. Tympanic and canal wall reinforcement should be considered in extensive CC.
Rethinking Nasal Osteotomies: An Anatomic Approach
Authors: Cochran C Spencer , Ducic Yadranko , DeFatta Robert J.
Published: March 2007

Objectives: To review our experience with our anatomic (medial, transverse, and lateral) nasal osteotomy technique for correcting the asymmetric bony nasal vault in esthetic and functional rhinoplasty.

Methods: All patients undergoing anatomic nasal osteotomy technique by the senior author (y.d.) from August 1997 to August 2005 with a minimum follow‐up of 6 months were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative photographs and clinical examination were analyzed to determine restoration of a symmetric bony nasal vault configuration.

Results: A total of 322 patients met the inclusion criteria. Percent of patients who had favorable results with restoration of a symmetric bony nasal vault configuration was 98.1%. Six (1.9%) patients required revision surgery at the level of the nasal bones with repeat osteotomies or dorsal rasping. All six of these patients had favorable outcomes after revision surgery.

Conclusions: The anatomic nasal osteotomy technique represents an effective, simple, and logical approach for correcting asymmetric bony nasal vault.
Quantifying the Physiology of Laryngotracheal Stenosis: Changes in Pulmonary Dynamics in Response to Graded Extrathoracic Resistive Loading
Authors: Nouraei S A. Reza , Winterborn Claire , Nouraei S Mahmoud , Giussani Dino A. , Murphy Kevin , Howard David J. , Sandhu Guri S.
Published: March 2007

Objectives/Hypothesis: A model of airway obstruction was developed to study the impact of changes in airway resistance on ventilatory mechanics. This was used to derive quantitative indices of airway obstruction to aid in the objective diagnosis and physiological monitoring of adult patients with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS).

Methods: Six airway resistors, the characteristics of which mirrored the selective impediment to inspiratory airflow that occurs in patients with LTS, were created and calibrated. Maximum‐effort flow‐volume loops were obtained from 15 volunteers with resistors placed in series with the spirometer. Diagnostic and monitoring performances of various flow‐volume indices were assessed with receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) and analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively. Promising indices were further evaluated in patients with LTS.

Results: Experimentally, the ratio of expiratory and inspiratory flows at midvital capacity (MEF50/MIF50) and peak expiratory to inspiratory flow ratio (PEF/PIF) had diagnostic sensitivities of 87% and 89%, respectively. The best index, both experimentally and clinically, was the ratio of area under the expiratory and inspiratory curves (ratio of integrals), with experimental and clinical sensitivities of 97% and 100%, respectively. A clinical specificity of 95%, and area under the curve of 0.965 were achieved for this index. Both PEF/PIF and the ratio of integrals could identify step changes in airway resistance greater than 10 cmH2O · sec · L−1 (P < .05; ANOVA).

Conclusions: Flow‐volume testing is simple and noninvasive and can be used to quantify the diagnosis and physiological monitoring of patients with LTS. The ratio of areas under the expiratory and inspiratory curves appears to be the optimal index for this purpose.
The Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Pulse Therapy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double‐Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Westerlaken Boris O. , de Kleine Emile , van der Laan Bernard , Albers Frans
Published: March 2007

Objectives: The etiology and treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is still unclear. The anti‐inflammatory effect of corticosteroids is thought to play an important part in the recovery from ISSHL. We aimed to determine whether a more powerful anti‐inflammatory technique using pulse therapy is effective in the treatment of ISSHL.

Methods: In a randomized, prospective, double‐blind, multicenter clinical trial, we recruited 81 patients with ISSHL. Patients were randomly allocated to pulse therapy (300 mg dexamethasone for 3 consecutive days followed by 4 days of placebo) or control treatment (prednisone 70 mg per day tapered in steps of 10 mg per day to 0 mg). The primary outcome was hearing recovery as measured by pure‐tone audiometry and speech audiometry after 12 months. Secondary outcomes were subjective parameters such as hearing recovery, tinnitus, vertigo, and a pressure sensation in the ear.

Results: The overall improvement in pure‐tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores was not significantly better in patients who were given dexamethasone than those who were given standard prednisone. Hearing improved from 71 dB HL to 36 dB HL in the dexamethasone group and from 75 dB HL to 42 dB HL in the prednisone group. Speech discrimination scores of 100% were achieved by 64% of dexamethasone‐treated patients and by 57% of the prednisone group.

Conclusion: Pulse therapy is equally effective and safe as standard‐dose prednisone. Pulse therapy suppresses both humoral and cellular immune responses and therefore has a wider anti‐inflammatory effect.
Olfaction and Olfactory Epithelium in Mice Treated With Zinc Gluconate
Authors: Slotnick Burton , Sanguino Angelica , Husband Scott , Marquino Gregory , Silberberg Alan
Published: March 2007

Objective: We assessed whether a nasal spray containing zinc gluconate (ZG) compromises the integrity of olfactory epithelium and olfactory function.

Methods: Axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase from olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulb was studied in 2‐ to 21‐day survival mice given intranasal injections of 2, 8, or 50 μL of ZG (approximately 4, 15, and 94 times the equivalent recommended human dose). Other similarly treated mice were tested using precision olfactometry to detect and discriminate odors.

Results: Anatomic changes were graded as a function of dose and survival time. Two microliter injections had no discernable effect. While the 50 μL volume produced substantial deafferentation of input to the olfactory bulb in short‐survival cases. Nearly complete restitution of input occurred within 3 weeks. At each volume and survival time, zinc sulfate (ZS) had a greater effect. Behaviorally, 2 μL and 8 μL ZG‐treated mice and those given multiple injections of 2 μL ZG performed as well as controls, whereas those given 50 μL were hyposmic but not anosmic. ZS‐treated mice performed more poorly, and those injected with 50 μL were anosmic for the first 8 to 10 test days.

Conclusions: A massive dose of a ZG nasal spray did cause a transient disruption of the olfactory epithelium and compromised olfaction. More moderate volumes, even those far in excess of a recommended dose, were largely without effect on odor detection and discrimination tasks. These outcomes fail to support the claims from recent clinical case reports that use of a ZG‐containing nasal spray can produce anosmia.
Fatty acid profile of coconut oil in relation to nut maturity and season in selected cultivars/hybrids
Authors: Azeez Shamina
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The objective of this work is to study the fatty acid profile of coconut oil in the kernel in relation to maturity of the nut and season of fertilization in five selected varieties of coconut.

Design/methodology/approach

The coconut oil from the popular cultivars/hybrids were studied in post‐monsoon, pre‐monsoon and monsoon seasons at 7, 8, 10 and 12 months after fertilization.

Findings

Nuts that fertilized in the post monsoon season were found to have higher oil contents. Of the five varieties, COD×WCT had lesser amounts of caprylic, capric and lauric acids and greater amounts of the long chain fatty acids. Though significant differences were observed in fatty acid concentrations in nuts differing in their variety and season of tagging, the trend remained the same.

Originality/value

The study helps to ensure the safety of the usage of coconut oil as dietary oil, from the nature of fatty acids present.
Library Review: The librarian and the art of reading
Authors: Blackburn R.H.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Written in 1944, the purpose of this paper is to assess the librarian's increasing responsibilities and influences in the light of new educational plans.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a personal viewpoint on the subject of “the librarian and the art of reading”.

Findings

It is vital that librarians should stress more and more the creative art of reading and point to the dangers of both superficial reading and of over‐indulgence.

Originality/value

The paper emphasises the great influence that libraries, as centres of learning, can have on a community.
On reading “The librarian and the art of reading”
Authors: Poulter Alan
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on an editorial from an earlier issue, entitled “The librarian and the art of reading”.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical review of the argument presented in the original editorial.

Findings

The concept of the “art of reading” (essentially critical thinking about text) proposed in the original editorial has held up well, especially when its historical context (World War Two) is appreciated.

Practical implications

This article would be of interest to anyone working in libraries who is interested in the promotion of reading and why we read.

Originality/value

Analyses a challenging concept – the “art of reading” (essentially critical thinking about text).
Managing a professional library and information science journal in Africa
Authors: Omekwu Charles O.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss issues, innovations and imperatives related to the management of professional library and information science (LIS) journals in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The strategy adopted was to preface the concerns about the quality of journals from Africa and then synthesize managerial issues that must be resolved to enhance quality. The next approach was to draw up a ten‐step plan of innovative ways to enhance the quality of (LIS) journals in Africa. Finally, the paper discusses eight critical imperatives related to effective management of African LIS journals.

Findings

The major concerns are that the continent's LIS journals are substandard, suffer high mortality and hardly appear regularly. Issues to be addressed to stem this tide of affairs include increased subscription spread, revenue base and the development of scholarly content. The paper argues that African LIS journals will continue to die young if innovative strategies are not injected to rejuvenate them.

Practical implications

The developments in the foreground indicate a better and brighter future for African professional LIS journals. African LIS journal managers must work towards financial independence, introduce or continue the review process, design scholarly content and strive for international competitiveness.

Originality/value

Probably the most comprehensive articulation of the challenges and opportunities facing LIS journal publishing in Africa.
Orthogonal array design for minimizing loss of vitamin B9 in bread
Authors: Shadpour Hamed , Kim Jae‐Kuk , Chen Jifeng
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study and minimize loss of vitamin B9 in bread during warming protocol.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, warming intensity, warming time, warming device, and bread storage method were selected as the most effective factors on B9 loss in bread. The variation of B9 in bread and its loss were studied with orthogonal array design (OAD) using the L9 optimization matrix.

Findings

With a calculated per cent of contribution (P%) of error of 0.38 per cent and according to the analysis of variance, ANOVA, of the fluorescence data, 86 per cent of B9 was saved by using toaster as the warming device, a bread warming temperature of <200○F and a warming time of <10min. Fluorescence method evaluated warming intensity and warming device as the most powerful factors affecting the B9 concentration in bread with corresponding P% of 42.28 per cent and 41.72 per cent, respectively.

Practical implications

In conclusion, heat destroyed significant portion of B9 in bread during daily warming protocols, and the suggested optimized parameters obtained in this work significantly minimized this loss.

Originality/value

The OAD can be used to effectively evaluate effective parameters on food science investigations.
Never the twain shall meet? The customer‐oriented bureaucracy and equal employment opportunity in service work
Authors: Knox Angela
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Although equal employment opportunity (EEO) legislation was introduced in Australia two decades ago, women's position in the labour market has not improved markedly. This paper seeks to understand the reasons for women's lack of progress by examining the processes that underpin the (gendered) division of labour in the hotel sector using the analytical framework of customer‐oriented bureaucracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is qualitative in nature, consisting of case studies within the Australian luxury hotel industry. The concept of customer‐oriented bureaucracy is applied as a lens for interpreting the data.

Findings

The findings suggest that gender segregation is established and maintained, at least in part, by the dual pressures of customer orientation and bureaucracy. In addition, however, the results highlight the importance of supply‐related factors. Thus, the concept of customer‐oriented bureaucracy, in its current form, only partially accounts for gender segregation. Policy regarding EEO in Australian firms requires re‐thinking if more substantive and lasting changes are to be achieved by women.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative nature of the research may limit its “power” and generalisability. Future research could incorporate a quantitative analysis of gender segregation and EEO in Australian workplaces.

Practical implications

EEO policy responses in Australia should be sharpened in order to more effectively reflect and redress the factors contributing to women's disadvantaged position.

Originality/value

While customer‐oriented bureaucracy is a useful model for understanding gender segregation, the findings presented illustrate that it has limitations. These may be addressed by extending the concept and incorporating supply‐related issues, affected by employee preferences. The shortcomings of Australia's EEO legislation are also highlighted.
Cross‐cultural differences in survey response patterns
Authors: Dolnicar Sara , Grün Bettina
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The existence of variable response styles represents a major threat to the correct interpretation of market research findings. In international marketing, this threat is further increased due to samples of respondents from different cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this paper is to extend the investigation of differences in cross‐cultural response styles by studying full response patterns instead of extreme values, quantify the extent of the potential mistake of not accounting for cross‐cultural differences in response behaviour and present a simple way of testing whether or not data sets from various cultural backgrounds can be used without correcting for cross‐cultural response styles.

Design/methodology/approach

Two independent data sets are used. Extreme response style (ERS) scores are compared by testing for equality of proportions. Respondents' answer patterns are partitioned using the k‐means algorithm, the resulting differences between cultures tested using a Fisher's exact test for count data. The extent of inter‐cultural difference in responses is assessed using ANOVA.

Findings

Asian and Australian respondents differ significantly in ERS and full response patterns. Differences in cross‐cultural response patterns account for up to 6 per cent of the variance in the data, thus representing a significant potential source for misinterpretation in cross‐cultural studies.

Practical implications

International market researchers using samples including respondents from more than one cultural background have to be aware of the potential source of misinterpretation caused by cross‐cultural differences in response patterns. A simple ANOVA‐based procedure allows researchers to determine whether data can be used in its uncorrected form.

Originality/value

The paper investigates cross‐cultural response styles for new groups of respondents (Australian vs Asian), extends the study from the investigation of extreme values to full response patterns and gives market researchers in the international marketing context an indication of how high the level of potential misinterpretation can be and presents a simple means of checking how necessary it is to account for cross‐cultural differences in response behaviour.
Market orientation, international business relationships and perceived export performance
Authors: Racela Olimpia C. , Chaikittisilpa Chawit , Thoumrungroje Amonrat
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims at investigating and uncovering the potential effect of exporters' market orientation upon international business relationship with particular emphases on cooperation, dependence, and relationship distance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study using a mail survey among Thai exporting firms in various industries. The final sample size was comprised of 388 strategic business units (SBU's) from 279 Thai export firms in over eight industries. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling by means of AMOS 4.01.

Findings

Exporters' market orientation enhances the cooperation between the exporters and their major overseas distributor while minimizing their dependence and relationship distance. In addition, export performance is higher with greater exporter cooperation and lower relationship distance. Interestingly, the influence of exporter dependence on export performance varied among industry groups.

Practical implications

This study extends the domain of market orientation in international contexts by illustrating and empirically testing how exporters' market orientation serve as an antecedent to the development of business‐to‐business relationships, which ultimately enhances export performance. To business practitioners, this research pinpoints a particular challenge faced by exporters in managing their relationships with their overseas distributors in order to achieve better performance. Our findings show that market orientation plays a crucial role in developing and nurturing cooperative efforts with overseas distributors. As a result, exporters and their overseas distributors are recommended not only to form cooperative norms that are critical to joint marketing decisions and actions, but also aim to establish and maintain mutual dependence for their superior performance enhancement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to marketing and international business literature and provides insights to exporters by investigating the relationships among market orientation, behavioral aspects of business relationships and export performance. It also provides some evidence that market orientation practices are beneficial in enhancing cross‐cultural relationships, which have been given limited attention in previous literature.
Analysis of reliability and availability of serial processes of plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant
Authors: Gupta Pawan , Lal Arvind Kumar , Sharma Rajendra Kumar , Singh Jai
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compute reliability, availability, and mean time before failure of the process of a plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant consisting of a (K, N) system for various choices of failure and repair rates of sub‐systems. This plant consists of eight sub‐systems.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper the Chapman‐Kolmogorov differential equations are formed using mnemonic rule from the transition diagram of the plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant. The governing differential equations are solved using matrix method in order to find the reliability of the system with the help of MATLAB software. The same system of differential equations is solved numerically using Runge‐Kutta fourth order method to validate the results obtain by MATLAB.

Findings

The findings in the paper are an analysis of reliability, availability and mean time before failure of plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant has been carried out.

Practical implications

This paper proposes matrix calculus method using MATLAB software to find out the reliability of the plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant. This approach can be implemented to find reliability of other manufacturing plants as well.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the management of the plastic‐pipe manufacturing plant 's sensitive sub‐system is important to improve its performance.
A popular DVD collection in an academic library
Authors: Dimmock Nora
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper was written to aid academic libraries that may be considering adding collections of popular culture items to their collections. The Multimedia Center at the University of Rochester's River Campus Libraries partnered with students to establish a popular DVD collection in 2001. Changes in acquisitions, cataloging, processing, shelving, and access were required. A review of the current literature helps make a compelling story for why these items add value to the libraries' collections and how they contribute to the educational mission of the university.

Design/methodology/approach

Changes that were made to provide improved access to a high circulation collection are discussed. Current literature on popular culture collections in academic libraries, media literacy, and the unique creation of knowledge by the current generation of college students is used to provide a basis for supporting these incongruous collections.

Findings

The generation of students who have grown up with the internet use media for the creation of knowledge. The distinction between scholarly material and popular material may be a library construct and inhibit the creation of new texts.

Practical implications

Academic libraries that are attempting to establish collections of popular culture items such as DVDs can examine the solutions that the Multimedia Center staff used to overcome barriers to access and circulation, including the philosophical barrier imposed by an institutional bias against popular culture items.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in that it not only examines the technical details needed to successfully integrate a high‐circulation, easily browsed DVD collection into an academic library setting, it also examines the reasons why these collections are essential to the educational mission of the modern university.
Brand strategies of Western MNCs as drivers of globalization in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Schuh Arnold
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how selected fast‐moving consumer goods markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have developed since the opening of CEE and what market structures have emerged since then. Particular attention is paid to the role of Western multinational corporations (MNCs) as drivers of globalization in this market‐reshaping process.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on household panel data the dissemination of international brands is analyzed in four product categories and four countries of the region. In addition, the question of whether the level of economic development of countries or the product character has an impact on the penetration levels of international brand is examined.

Findings

The outcomes of this retrospective study furnish evidence for the globalization of fast‐moving consumer goods markets in CEE. Although the level of diffusion of international brands varies by product category and country, the strong influence of Western MNCs in the shaping of market structures can be documented. The findings also mirror the predominantly‐employed marketing and brand strategies of foreign MNCs in CEE, namely internationally‐integrated as well as multi‐tier brand strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The data provides only a snapshot of the situation in selected consumer goods markets in the region. In order to obtain a fuller picture of the extent of market globalization, the market share of international brands should be complemented by additional data on purchase and usage behavior.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the current discussion of the market globalization thesis.
A cross‐cultural comparison of self‐service technology use
Authors: Nilsson Daniel
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to investigate cross‐cultural variations in the demographics of consumers using self‐service technologies (SSTs).

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were randomly distributed to individuals in Sweden and Estonia to analyze their SST usage and demographic characteristics. Sweden and Estonia were chosen because of their cultural differences – Sweden represents an established Western European market, whereas Estonia, a former Soviet republic, is considered an emerging market.

Findings

Data analysis revealed that the demographics of Swedish and Estonian SST users are quite different. Swedish users are demographically heterogeneous, whereas Estonian users can be segmented according to age, gender, education, and income.

Research limitations/implications

A larger study conducted in several cultures would add to our knowledge of a culture's influence on an individual's SST usage.

Practical implications

As this study shows, business models used in Western markets may not be applicable to emerging markets because of cultural differences. Therefore, it is important that Western firms intending to expand into emerging markets must become aware of cultural differences.

Originality/value

Because the world economy is becoming increasingly cross‐cultural, it is imperative to conduct international consumer research to further the understanding of SST usage from a global perspective. This paper provides a thorough examination of which, if any, demographical segments of consumers use SSTs and if the demographics of users vary amongst different cultures.
Measuring consumer satisfaction with consumer protection agencies: some insights from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al‐Ghamdi Salem M. , Sadiq Sohail M. , Al‐Khaldi Abdulaziz
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of consumer protection agencies. In the light of growing importance of consumerism in developing countries, the paper measures the level of satisfaction with the performance provided by five different consumer protection agencies, in a chosen country, Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Saudi Arabia. Based on a model developed for this study, the paper uses empirical research to determine customers' satisfaction with consumer protection agencies.

Findings

Results based on testing of hypotheses indicate that overall satisfaction is primarily derived from the objectives and roles played by consumer protection agencies. Results reveal that consumers assign different levels of importance to various dimensions when evaluating satisfaction with consumer protection agencies in Saudi Arabia.

Research limitations/implications

Limited sample size and the generalization of results for the entire Kingdom although the sample has been confined to the eastern province region are the limitations of this study.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have implications on the manner in which consumer protection agencies in Saudi Arabia must operate. Besides, findings of this study have also implications for business operating in Saudi Arabia.

Originality/value

This study makes a valuable contribution given the fact that there is a dearth of empirical studies covering the measurement of consumer satisfaction role played by consumer protection agencies in Saudi Arabia.