bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Various Morphologic and Hemodynamic Carotid Plaque Characteristics on Neurological Events Onset and Deaths
Authors: Brajovic Milan D. , Markovic Nataša , Loncar Goran , Šekularac Nikola , Kordic Dejan , Despotovic Nebojša , Erceg Predrag , Donfrid Branislav , Stefanovic Zvezdan , Bajcetic Milica , Brajovic Ljiljana , Savic Živorad
Published: July 2009

A group of 72 patients with 111 asymptomatic carotid stenoses (ACS), mean age 65.42 ± 9.21, and a group of 36 patients with 58 symptomatic carotid stenoses (SCS), mean age 67.63 ± 8.79, were analyzed prospectively during a 3-year follow-up period. All patients underwent color duplex scan sonography (CDS), carotid arteriography, computed tomography (CT) scan, and neurological examination. The aim of the study was to analyze the correlation between echo plaque morphology (degree and plaque quality), local hemodynamic plaque characteristics, ischemic CT findings, and onset of new neurological events and deaths. The results analysis showed significantly more ACS in the group of 30–49% stenosis (p< 0.001), but significantly more SCS in the group of 70–89% (p< 0.0001) and ≥90% stenosis (p< 0.05). Fibrous plaque was more frequent in the ACS group (p< 0.001), while ulcerated and mixed plaques were more frequent in the SCS group (bothp< 0.0001). In the SCS group, a significantly higher frequency of increased peak systolic and end diastolic velocities was noted at the beginning and end of the study (bothp< 0.01), as well as for contralateral common (CCA) or internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion (p< 0.05 andp< 0.01, respectively), but reduced carotid blood flow volume (p< 0.05) only at the end of the study. In the ACS group, the best correlation with new neurological events and deaths was shown with positive CT findings, peak systolic flow velocity over 210 cm/sec, end diastolic flow velocity over 110 cm/sec, plaque stenosis ≥70%, plaque ulceration, mixed plaque (allp< 0.0001); stenosis ≥50% (p< 0.001); and reduced carotid blood flow volume (p< 0.05).
A Rare Case of Renal Gastrinoma
Authors: Katkoori Devendar , Samavedi Srinivas , Jorda Merce , Block Norman L . , Manoharan Murugesan
Published: July 2009

We present a rare case of renal gastrinoma. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of renal gastrinoma has been reported in the literature so far. An African American male was diagnosed with Zollinger Ellison syndrome at the age of 15 years, when he underwent surgery for peritonitis secondary to duodenal ulcer perforation. Further evaluation was deferred and proton pump inhibitors were prescribed. Later evaluation showed a left renal mass. Serum gastrin levels were 4,307 pg/ml. A CAT scan of the abdomen showed 4- x 4-cm heterogeneous solid mass in the interpolar region of the left kidney with central hypodensity. Somatostatin scintigraphy confirmed a receptor-positive mass in the same location. Nephrectomy was done and the tumor was diagnosed on histopathological examination as a gastrinoma. At 6-month follow-up, gastrin levels were 72 pg/ml. After a follow-up of 6 years, the patient has no recurrent symptoms.
Hypercholesterolemia and 3-Hydroxy 3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase Regulation during Ageing
Authors: Trapani Laura , Pallottini Valentina
Published: July 2009

We present here a brief description of the path that cholesterol covers from its intestinal absorption to its effect exerted on some enzyme regulation. Some mechanisms underlying hypercholesterolemia onset and, in particular, the role and the regulation of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) during adult life and during aging, have been described. In addition some pharmacological interventions to control proper HMGR regulation and, in turn, cholesterol homeostasis maintenance will be introduced.
Incisional Hernia Involving the Neobladder: Technical Considerations to Avoid Complications
Authors: Katkoori Devendar , Jayathillake Anuradha , Eldefrawy Ahmed , Manoharan Murugesan
Published: July 2009

The management of incisional hernia following radical cystectomy (RC) and neobladder diversion poses a special challenge. Mesh erosion into the neobladder is a potential complication of hernia repair in this setting. We describe our experience and steps to avoid this complication. Three patients developed incisional hernias following RC involving the neobladder. The incisional hernias were repaired by the same surgeon. A systematic dissection and repair of the hernias with an onlay dual-layer mesh (made of polyglactin and polypropylene) was carried out. The critical steps were placing the polyglactin side of the mesh deeper and positioning of an omental flap anterior to the neobladder. The omental flap adds a protective layer that prevents adhesions between the neobladder and abdominal wall, and prevents erosion of the mesh into the fragile neobladder wall. All of these patients had received two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to RC. The time duration from RC to the repair of hernia was 7, 42, and 54 months. No intraoperative injury to the neobladder or other complication was noted during hernia repair. The patients were followed after hernia repair for 20, 22, and 42 months with no recurrence, mesh erosion, or other complications. Careful understanding and attention to details of the technique can minimize the risk of complications, especially incisional hernia recurrence, injury to the neobladder, and erosion of mesh into the neobladder wall.
Sociability and social interaction on social networking websites
Authors: Keenan Andrew , Shiri Ali
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Social websites have become a major medium for social interaction. From Facebook to MySpace to emergent sites like Twitter, social websites are increasing exponentially in user numbers and unique visits every day. How do these websites encourage sociability? What features or design practices enable users to socialize with other users? The purpose of this paper is to explore sociability on the social web and details how different social websites encourage their users to interact.

Design/methodology/approach

Four social websites (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter) were examined from a user study perspective. After thoroughly participating on the websites, a series of observations were recorded from each experience. These experiences were then compared to understand the different approaches of each website.

Findings

Social websites use a number of different approaches to encourage sociability amongst their users. Facebook promotes privacy and representing “real world” networks in web environment, while MySpace promotes publicity and representing both real world and virtual networks in a web environment. Niche websites like LinkedIn and Twitter focus on more specific aspects of community and technology, respectively.

Originality/value

A comparison of different models of sociability does not yet exist. This study focuses specifically on what makes social websites “social.”
Call centres, quality of work life and HRM practices
Authors: Connell Julia , Hannif Zeenobiyah
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The paper seeks to determine whether and how the quality of working life (QWL) varies between call centres (CCs) in the in‐house/outsourced, public and private sectors and the implications of these findings on human resource management (HRM).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on findings derived through empirical qualitative case study research in two Australian CCs: Govtcall, an in‐house, public‐sector CC, and Salesplus, an outsourced, private‐sector CC. Quality of work life outcomes are determined through in‐depth interviews with CSOs, supervisors and managers, where a comparative approach is utilised.

Findings

The in‐house, public‐sector CC Govtcall emerges as being inferior in terms of job content, working hours and managerial/supervisory style and strategies. Conversely, Salesplus features a management model that is more akin to what would be expected in a CC operating under a professional service model.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was limited to two CCs; thus, the findings may not be representative of the wider CC context.

Practical implications

A productivity orientation and employee focus are not a mutually exclusive phenomenon. Union presence and public‐sector status do not guarantee better working conditions and higher QWL. Managerial styles and strategies have a significant impact on QWL in the CC context.

Originality/value

QWL is an under‐researched area where CCs are concerned. Similarly, much of the existing CC research is based on the private sector, despite the public sector emerging as a large user of CC operations.
Evaluating the prevalence of “envelope wages” in Europe
Authors: Williams Colin C.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the prevalence in Europe of a so far little discussed wage practice in which employers pay their declared employees two wages, one declared and the other an undeclared (“envelope”) wage.

Design/methodology/approach

To evaluate the pervasiveness of envelope wages in Europe, a 2007 Eurobarometer survey on undeclared work is reported involving 26,659 face‐to‐face interviews which included a section on whether employees are paid an additional envelope wage by their declared employer.

Findings

The finding is that one in 20 employees receive some of their wage from their employer as an undeclared “envelope wage” and on average this amounts to two‐fifths of their wage packet. This payment arrangement, however, is more prevalent in some businesses, places and populations than others. Smaller businesses and construction firms are more likely to pay envelope wages. Men, younger persons and the lower paid are more likely to receive such wages. And geographically, envelope wages are more common in East‐Central Europe, where such payments are more likely to be for regular employment hours, whilst in Continental Europe and Nordic countries envelope wages are less common and received more for overtime or extra work conducted.

Practical implications

Through an evaluation of its prevalence, this paper displays the need for action to tackle this illegitimate wage practice and briefly reviews a range of policy options and measures.

Originality/value

This is the first extensive evaluation of the commonality of envelope wages in Europe.
The insurance distribution systems and efficiency in the property‐casualty insurance industry
Authors: Park Jin , Lee Sukho , Bin Kang Han
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate coexistence of multiple distribution systems in property‐casualty (P/C) insurance industry in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Stochastic frontier analysis is used to measure cost and revenue efficiencies of P/C insurance companies utilizing different distribution systems.

Findings

Independent agent insurers are found to be cost inefficient compared to insurers with other distribution systems, but the independent agent insurers have better revenue efficiency compared to their long counterpart, the exclusive agent insurers. This study also documents that the direct writing system provides higher cost and revenue efficiencies than other distribution systems, although their efficiencies have been deteriorating during the same time period.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could examine whether the findings change by measuring efficiencies with a non‐parametric method, i.e. data envelopment analysis.

Practical implications

A start‐up insurer should consider a direct writing system, which is most cost and revenue efficient.

Originality/value

This paper investigates efficiencies of insurers by four different distribution systems and tracks efficiency changes of insurers over 12‐year periods.
Global optimization by V‐dense curves in topological vector spaces
Authors: Mora Gaspar
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve a global optimization problem raised from industry, named the M‐problem, posed in the space L1 of Lebesgue measurable functions of integrable absolute value.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the new concept of V‐dense curve (VDC), a generalization of that of α‐dense curve, to densify subsets of topological vector spaces not necessarily metrisable. It is proved that the feasible set of the M‐problem, namely the subset D of L1 of all probability functions, is densifiable by VDC provided that L1 to be endowed with the weak topology.

Findings

It is proved that the M‐problem, consisting of finding a probability function f of D associated to the mean life of an electronic devise that minimizes the expectation defined by a certain functional on L1, is not a well‐posed problem in D. Nevertheless, by virtue of the compactness, the M‐problem has solution on each weak VDC in D for arbitrary weak 0‐neighbourhood V, which allows to find an approximate probability function with arbitrary precision.

Originality/value

The paper has designed, by means of the VDC‐method, a convergent algorithm to find approximate solutions in ill‐posed global optimization problems when the feasible set is contained in a non‐metrisable topological vector space.
Solving integral equations of the first kind by decomposition method
Authors: Ngarasta Ngarkodje
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find methods for solving linear or non‐linear integral equations. The decomposition method may be applied, but a difficulty arises when it is applied to integral equations of the first kind which are not in canonical form. This paper aims to describe some techniques to obtain canonical form of Adomian decomposition method (ADM) for solving integral equations of the first kind.

Design/methodology/approach

Among various numerical methods for solving integral equations, the ADM has shown a good skill for determining the solutions as polynomial series forms. In this paper, some methods based on regularization, derivation or substitution techniques are presented to permit the application of ADM to integral equations of the first kind.

Findings

By using the three proposed methods the decomposition method can then be easily used to solve integral equations of the first kind. The three methods allow to obtain the canonical form and a solution to find using the ADM.

Research limitations/implications

The three methods provide the solution by the application of the decomposition method of George Adomian as extended by other researchers. All are efficient: the derivation and substitution techniques giving interesting results for linear and non‐linear equations of Volterra type; the regularization technique is also efficient for the equations of Fredholm type, but difficulties could arise from the calculations of the required series.

Practical implications

The research provides three efficient methods for solving integral equations of first kind.

Originality/value

The three methods illustrate the powerful use of the decomposition techniques pioneered by Adomian and a result of their applications may be applied for solving of functional equations of any kind. This paper shows some methods for applying the Adomian techniques to integral equations of the first kind.
New results on the approximate solution of the non‐linear partial derivative equation system of corona‐electrostatic separation
Authors: Caron Armand
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add precisions to a method, to demonstrate the convergence, to explain time and memory space complexities and new simulated results on a non‐linear partial derivative equation system governing corona‐electrostatic electric field for granular mixture separation.

Design/methodology/approach

The method converts the non‐linear partial derivative system into an iterative system of linear equations. Using the well‐known finite difference approximation, a numerical solution is computed very quickly.

Findings

The paper gives the truncated error and the approximation error to conclude to the convergence.

Originality/value

The paper shows the fast numerical solution leads to confidence in the numerical approximations for the comprehension of the phenomenon. Extends the corona‐electrostatic electric field for granular mixture separation to new geometries easily.
Requisite variety: more on Gaia
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to mention a set of suggestions for analysing the current financial crisis, but with reservations about the usefulness of one based on Ashby's principle of requisite variety. The reservations are supported by reference to a mechanism of chemotaxis in bacteria. A recent publication concerning the Gaia hypothesis and global warming is reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.

Findings

The significance of complexity, in government and management, is not disputed, but doubts are expressed about validity of laws that are purported to treat it quantitatively. A pessimistic view of world future is due to James Lovelock, the originator of the Gaia hypothesis, though there is some reason to believe he is more hopeful than is suggested in an interview.

Practical implications

The reservations about Ashby's treatment of complexity are essentially theoretical and do not negate findings based on its robust and imprecise application. Lovelock indicates a means of saving the Earth from disastrous climate change but has little hope that it will be implemented.

Originality/value

It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
Characterizing Cantorian sets by entropy‐like quantities
Authors: Karamanos Konstantinos
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the recognizability of Cantorian stochastic automata by generalized entropy‐like qualities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives a necessary entropy condition, valid for all sequences on the alphabet {0, 1} read by lumping and generated by a Cantorian stochastic automaton.

Findings

The paper finds that, on this basis, once can determine that a given sequence is not generated by Cantorian stochastic automata and reconstruct the automaton when the sequence is generated by a Cantorian stochastic automaton.

Originality/value

This paper derives a new diagnostic for Cantorian stochastic automata, which could find a direct application to biology, where there is a recent claim that the coding regions of chromosomes form Cantor sets.
Libraries without borders: navigating towards global understanding – a personal perspective on IFLA's 74th General Conference and Council in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Okiy Rose B.
Published: July 2009

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on the 74th General Conference and Council Meeting of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), which took place on August 10‐14, 2008 in Quebec, Canada. Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive report. Findings – The conference discussed libraries without borders: navigating towards global understanding. Originality/value – Will be of interest to library and information professionals.
National Seminar on Open Access on Textual and Multimedia Content: Bridging the Digital Divide: brief report
Authors: Gupta Pawan Kumar , Arora Jagdish
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a national seminar held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, on 29‐30 January 2009.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive report.

Findings

The national seminar focused on open access of textual and multimedia content looking at collaboration between two inter‐university centres of the University Grants Commission (UGC), INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network) Center in Ahmedabad and the Center for Educational Communication (CEC) in New Delhi.

Originality/value

It will be of interest to the library and information professionals especially to the media professionals across the country. It may also be helpful to the professionals of the Asian countries at some extend. A detailed version of this report published in the seminar website and it may also appear in the forthcoming INFLIBNET newsletter for the INFLIBNET members.
Developing inventories for satisfaction and Likert scales in a service environment
Authors: Braunsberger Karin , Gates Roger
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to produce up‐to‐date inventories for satisfaction and Likert scales that contain commonly used scale point descriptors and their respective mean scale values and standard deviations.

Design/methodology/approach

All data were collected online using the SSI Survey Spot Panel. This panel is national (USA) in scope. Thirty‐nine satisfaction items and 19 agreement items were tested on a random sample consisting of individuals 21‐65 years old.

Findings

The mean value and the standard deviation were calculated for each of these descriptors. Even though only six of the items that had been tested by Jones and Thurstone (1955) were included in the list of satisfaction scale descriptors, the semantic meanings of those six have changed very little over the years.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation might be that scale point descriptor inventories developed within the context of health insurance might not be valid in other service contexts.

Practical implications

Since the present study focuses on Likert and satisfaction scales which are frequently used in service environments, the major contribution of this study is to provide services marketers with quantitative measurement of the meanings of commonly used scale point descriptors. This permits the development of successive and/or equal interval scales and thus aids in the analyses of data sets. It will thus help service marketers to develop questionnaires that more accurately reflect actual consumer satisfaction and opinions.

Originality/value

The development of up‐to‐date inventories for satisfaction and Likert scales.
An empirical investigation of relationship development in professional business services
Authors: Karantinou Kalipso M. , Hogg Margaret K.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

Relationship development is presented as an optimal strategy across all sectors of economic activity, although relationships, and their appropriateness, vary by industry sector. In order to contribute to academic and managerial understanding of relationships in professional business services, this study aims to investigate the characteristics of relationship development in management consultancy.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection involved semi‐structured interviews with both consultants and clients and employed a multilevel perspective for the investigation of relationships.

Findings

The findings provide a more nuanced reading of relationships and relationship development. First, a distinction between within‐project and between‐projects relationships and the important strategic implications which flow from these two different types of relationships are identified. Second, a distinction between relationship‐seekers and relationship‐switchers, and the resource allocation decisions associated with managing these two different client groups are identified.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study based on a qualitative methodology and thus no claims are made about generalizability. The study primarily aimed to achieve a theoretical generalization. The emerging conceptualizations could be extended to and tested by other cases in future studies.

Practical implications

The study has implications for managers because of the insights it offers into the mechanisms for relationship development; the strategic value of relationships; what the clients have to say about relationships; and the elements that characterize successful long‐term relationships.

Originality/value

The study contributes to relationship management theory within services marketing by offering a more refined understanding of company‐client relationships, compared with the more generic interpretations of relationships which often characterize studies of relationship management.
The product innovation process of quick‐service restaurant chains
Authors: Ottenbacher Michael C. , Harrington Robert J.
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the innovation process activities described by quick‐service restaurant (QSR) managers and to compare it with an earlier QSR process model and with those used in other food service settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Six semi‐structured interviews with QSR chain executives in the USA were conducted to better understand the underlying factors and dimensions that describe successful innovation process practices.

Findings

For new QSR menu innovations, the development teams follow a structured approach to reduce the likelihood of failure due to issues such as poor consumer demand or implementation. QSR screen new food innovations approximately five times during the development process. Furthermore, today's QSR innovation process integrates more sophisticated market research technology and a post‐audit is carried out after the new food concept has been launched. In comparison with studies of Michelin‐starred chefs QSR development teams use an approach that is much more explicitly structured as a whole due to the larger scale roll‐out as well as greater cross‐functional and regional differences to consider in the QSR setting.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in only one country and on a small sample. Based on an analysis of the findings, the innovation development process of QSR can be broken down into 13 main steps. Compared with earlier hospitality innovation studies, the process in this setting includes multiple screenings for high‐risk innovations, and greater emphasis on operational and training issues.

Originality/value

The study expands the scope of hospitality innovation research and the findings have important implications not only for QSR settings but also for other restaurant segments, and for other hospitality service endeavours.
Drivers of job satisfaction as related to work performance in Macao casino hotels
Authors: Gu Zheng , Chi Sen Siu Ricardo
Published: July 2009

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine the relationship between work performance and job satisfaction in Macao's casino hotels and to attempt to determine how job satisfaction may be enhanced to improve work performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among Macao casino hotels' employees to collect data on work performance and job satisfaction. Coefficients of correlations were computed to determine the relationship between the two. Job satisfaction drivers were identified through backward stepwise regression analysis.

Findings

Mediocre interpersonal skills are the major weakness of the labor force and job satisfaction is significantly correlated with job performance. Training opportunities, salaries and benefits, and support from colleagues and superiors are significant drivers of job satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The paper used convenience sampling and the survey was not exhaustive to include all possible job satisfaction drivers. Also, social desirability bias may exist in the employee survey. Future research should use probability sampling, if possible, and include more potential job satisfaction variables to find out how employee job satisfaction may be maximized. Furthermore, a study based on customer survey is desired for examining Macao casino workforce performance. While the findings are applicable to Macao casino hotels, they do provide evidence from the gaming industry to support the theory on job satisfaction drivers. The findings may also carry important implications for gaming jurisdictions with low incomes such as those in East Europe and Southeast Asia.

Practical implications

The study provides an assessment of the Macao casino hotel workers' performance and job satisfaction and offers useful insights on how work performance and job satisfaction may be improved. On‐the‐job training is proposed for the industry to boost job satisfaction and work performance.

Originality/value

Labor force performance has been a concern for the Macao gaming industry but has been thinly researched. The paper identifies problems in work performance as related to job satisfaction and proposes solutions. The identified solutions should help improve job satisfaction and workforce performance for Macao casino hotels.
Cluster‐based diffusion: aggregate and disaggregate level modeling
Authors: Kumar Yogendra , Sarkar Runa , Swami Sanjeev
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a modeling approach for aggregate and disaggregate level models for cluster‐based diffusion of a new technology. The aggregate approach refers to the diffusion modeling of a product at the overall population level, while the disaggregate approach refers to the diffusion process at the individual entity level.

Design/methodology/approach

The pattern of diffusion of a new technology in a representative two‐cluster situation is studied. In the aggregate level modeling, a diffusion model is developed in which potential adopters of both clusters learn about the new technology from each other. This is done by a Lotka‐Volterra type of dynamical system of equations. Then, to focus on relatively micro‐level phenomena, such as different propensities of imitation and innovation of firms within a cluster, an agent‐based disaggregate model for cluster‐based diffusion of technology is proposed. In these disaggregate models, the effects of heterogeneity and the inter‐cluster and intra‐cluster distances between the agents are captured.

Findings

The results highlight two major points: first, both aggregate and disaggregate models are in agreement with each other, and second, both of the models exhibit a form similar to the Bass model. Thus, consistent with the general theme of why the Bass model fits without decision variables, it is found that the Bass model, when extended appropriately, can be expected to work well also in the cluster‐based technology diffusion situation.

Practical implications

This modeling approach can be applied to the modeling of those situations in which heterogeneous industrial units are present in geographical clusters. It can also be applied in the related contexts such as diffusion of practices (e.g. quality certifications) within a multi‐divisional organization or across various networked clusters.

Originality/value

For a homogenous population, the Bass model has been used extensively to predict the sales of newly introduced consumer durables. In comparison, little attention has been given to the modeling of the technology adoption by the industrial units present in disparate groups, called clusters. The major contribution of this paper is to propose a framework for cluster‐based diffusion of technological products, and then to present an analysis of that framework using two different methodologies.
Effective assimilation of intra‐technology spillover as a key to sustainable functionality
Authors: Takahashi Toru , Saiki Tomoko , Shin Jae‐Ho , Ouchi Noritomo , Watanabe Chihiro , Tou Yuji
Published: July 2009

Purpose

A virtuous cycle between effective utilization of external resources and functionality development can be constructed. Given that the timely emergence of new functionality in an efficient way is crucial to a firm's competitive strategy in an era of mega‐competition, construction of such a virtuous cycle is a key element with regard to a firm's technopreneurial strategy. The purpose of this paper is to identify a trigger for such a virtuous cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical comparative analysis taking copying machines development trajectories in Canon and Ricoh and the patent data analysis were conducted.

Findings

Cumulative learning from preceding relevant technology development is found to stimulate intra‐technology spillover. Timely intra‐technology spillover from preceding innovation plays a triggering role.

Practical implications

Attempting a broad and comprehensive learning exercise should be strongly encouraged for the effective utilization of external resources for innovation. Fruitful effects of learning should be pursued to the hybrid management of technology fusing indigenous strength and the effects of the comprehensive learning.

Originality/value

Aiming at identifying the trigger emerging a virtuous cycle between effective utilization of external resources and functionality development, core technologies instilled in the copying machines just short of the emergence of functionality development were investigated. In order to anticipate thorough capturing of all dimensions of color technologies utilized for the emergence of new functionality development through indigenous development as well as utilization of externally developed technologies, F‐term retrieval of patent registration data was attempted.
Analysis of interaction among the enablers of agility in supply chain
Authors: Pandey V.C. , Garg Suresh
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key supply chain variables, on which the practitioner should focus, to make supply chains of manufacturing enterprises more agile. Further, these variables are structured to determine their interactive behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive structural modeling (ISM)‐based approach has been employed to model the agility variables of supply chains. These variables have been categorized into five levels based on their driving power and dependence.

Findings

The paper identifies various enablers used by researchers and practitioners for flexibility, integration and responsiveness to customers needs. ISM is used to establish mutual relationships among these enablers and to prepare a hierarchy‐based model.

Practical implications

The index of enablers, based on driving power and dependency provides useful insights to supply chain managers in identifying strategic variables having high driving power and effective use of these can help in achieving the corporate goals.

Originality/value

By presenting enablers in the form of hierarchy using ISM and ranking them into various driving power and dependent categories, this paper is an attempt to develop insights related to agile supply chains in the Indian context.
Event‐based conceptual modeling
Authors: Bækgaard Lars
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to obtain insight into, and provide practical advice for, event‐based conceptual modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes a set of event concepts and uses the results to formulate a conceptual event model that is used to identify guidelines for creation of dynamic process models and static information models.

Findings

The paper characterizes events as short‐duration processes that have participants, consequences, and properties, and that may be modeled in terms of information structures. The conceptual event model is used to characterize a variety of event concepts and it is used to illustrate how events can be used to integrate dynamic modeling of processes and static modeling of information structures.

Originality/value

The results are unique in the sense that no other general event concept has been used to unify a similar broad variety of seemingly incompatible event concepts. The general event concept can be used to improve dynamic and static modeling.
Building on the Canadian approach to resolve the stalemate on the trade and environment agenda in the World Trade Organization
Authors: Dagne Teshager
Published: July 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the competing views on the link between trade and environment in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and come up with a proposal that better clarifies the scope of legality of environmentally motivated unilateral trade measures in the multilateral trading system.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a doctrinal approach to legal research in providing an exegesis on the various efforts towards the integration of trade and environment in the WTO framework.

Findings

Employing the theory of transnational social justice as its analytical tool, the paper suggests that a state contemplating the use of environmentally motivated unilateral trade measures first extend positive measures to the communities in other states that are affected by the purported measure. Accordingly, it argues that unilateral trade measures are allowed in the system only as a last resort and only if their application runs congruent to the values and objectives recognized by the system.

Originality/value

It is hoped that the discussion and proposition in this paper will contribute to the discourse on the clarification of the status of environmentally motivated unilateral trade measures in the WTO.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis on screening for colorectal neoplasm and management of colorectal cancer in Asia
Authors: TSOI K. K. F. , NG S. S. M. , LEUNG M. C. M. , SUNG J. J. Y.
Published: July 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 28, 353–363

Background  Faecal occult blood testing (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) and colonoscopy are recommended for subjects above 50 years of age for screening for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Aim  To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of FOBT, FS and colonoscopy on the basis of disease prevalence, compliance rate and cost of screening procedures in Asian countries.

Methods  A hypothetical population of 100 000 persons aged 50 undergoes either FOBT annually, FS every 5 years or colonoscopy every 10 years until the age of 80 years. Patients with positive FOBT or polyp in FS are offered colonoscopy. Surveillance colonoscopy is repeated every 3 years. The treatment cost of CRC, including surgery and chemotherapy, was evaluated. A Markov model was used to compare the cost‐effectiveness of different screening strategies.

Results  Assuming a compliance rate of 90%, colonoscopy, FS and FOBT can reduce CRC incidence by 54.1%, 37.1% and 29.3% respectively. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for FOBT (US$6222 per life‐year saved) is lower than FS (US$8044 per life‐year saved) and colonoscopy (US$7211 per life‐year saved). When the compliance rate drops to 50% and 30%, FOBT still has the lowest ICER.

Conclusion  FOBT is cost‐effective compared to FS or colonoscopy for CRC screening in average‐risk individuals aged from 50 to 80 years.
Predictors of response to exemestane as primary endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer
Authors: Yamashita Hiroko , Takahashi Satoru , Ito Yukashi , Yamashita Toshinari , Ando Yoshiaki , Toyama Tatsuya , Sugiura Hiroshi , Yoshimoto Nobuyasu , Kobayashi Shunzo , Fujii Yoshitaka , Iwase Hirotaka
Published: July 2009

Endocrine therapy is the most important treatment of choice for estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer. Potential mechanisms for resistance to endocrine therapy involve ER‐coregulatory proteins and cross‐talk between ER and other growth factor–signaling networks. However, the factors and pathways responsible for endocrine therapy resistance, particularly resistance to aromatase inhibitors, have not been clearly established. Sixteen postmenopausal patients with ERα‐positive primary breast cancer were treated daily with 25 mg of exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor) for 6 months. Expressions of ERα, ERβ, progesterone receptor (PgR), androgen receptor (AR), amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1), aromatase, epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2, Ki67, cyclin D1, p53, Bcl2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat5), and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5), and phosphorylations of ERα serine (Ser) 118, ERα Ser167, Akt Ser473, and p44/42 MAPK threonine (Thr) 202/tyrosine (Tyr) 204, were examined by immunohistochemistry on pretreatment tumor biopsies and post‐treatment surgical specimens. Analyses were made to test for correlations with response to exemestane. Of the 16 patients, seven responded and nine retained stable disease. High‐level expression of AIB1 and phosphorylation of Akt Ser473 were significantly associated with a better response to exemestane, suggesting that these factors could be considered as predictors of exemestane response. Expressions of ERα, ERβ, PgR, aromatase, Ki67, cyclin D1, and p53, and phosphorylations of ERα Ser118, ERα Ser167, and p44/42 MAPK Thr202/Tyr204, were decreased, whereas expressions of Stat5 and IGFBP5 were increased in post‐treatment specimens compared to the values in pretreatment biopsies. Thus, the analysis of factors involved in the estrogen‐dependent growth‐signaling pathways may be useful in identifying patients responsive to exemestane. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Anatomy of the seaward steps and seaward termination of the Brent clastic wedge
Authors: Mjøs Rune
Published: July 2009

The northward and seaward outbuilding of the Middle Jurassic Brent delta in the Northern North Sea, comprising from the base and upwards Rannoch, Etive and Lower–Middle Ness Formations, displays a stacking pattern of coastal facies tracts described as ‘steps and rises’. Each ‘step and rise’ is formed in response to stratigraphic base‐level (A/S ratio) changes and defines high‐frequency cycles within the Brent Group. During a decreasing A/S ratio regime shoreface progradation dominated and formed the wave–storm‐dominated Rannoch facies tract with a rather flat shoreface trajectory curve resembling a step. A succeeding change to an increasing A/S ratio regime led to a transgression and stratigraphic rise (step‐up) due to aggradation of tidal bay and lagoonal–barrier complexes (Etive facies tract) on top of the previous deposited shoreface. This pattern was formed both due to sediment volume partitioning comprising spatial displacement of depocentres through time and facies differentiation involving changes in coastal geomorphology and dominant deposited facies tract. In the northern areas, where the Brent seaward stepping and the entire Brent clastic wedge terminates seaward, a vertical stack of Etive and Rannoch facies tracts occurs. The Rannoch facies tract has the northernmost extension and the termination of the Brent clastic wedge comprises a vertical stack of shoreface and shelf deposits. The aggradational nature of the tidal bay–barrier sandstone complex of the Etive facies tract explains the seaward thinning from 30 to 40 m to zero sandstone thickness within a short distance (a few kilometres). Facies tract mapping, architectural relationships and mass balance considerations do not indicate that the Etive facies tract was formed due to ‘forced regression’ or ‘lowstand’ developments. Instead, the basal surface of the Etive facies tract was probably formed by transgressive erosion. The embayments created by the transgression were filled by aggradational tidal bay and barrier complex deposition of the Etive facies tract.

The seaward stepping, lower Brent Group, shows similarities to outcrop analogues of the Cretaceous, Mesa Verde Group in the Western Interior Seaway and the Palaeogene, Battfjellet Formation on Spitsbergen, supporting a model with facies differentiation within high‐frequency cycles, and that the large‐scale stratigraphic development is controlled by the stacking of these cycles.
Acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia (AMKL) and transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) in Down syndrome: a multi‐step model of myeloid leukaemogenesis
Authors: Roy Anindita , Roberts Irene , Norton Alice , Vyas Paresh
Published: July 2009

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a marked increase in susceptibility to Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukaemia (DS‐AMKL) and the closely linked neonatal preleukaemic syndrome, Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder (DS‐TMD). The distinct stages of DS‐TMD and DS‐AMKL provide an excellent tractable model to study leukaemogenesis. This review focuses on recent studies describing clinical, haematological and biological features of DS‐AMKL and DS‐TMD. The findings from these studies suggest that mutations in the key haemopoietic regulator GATA1 (GATA binding protein 1) in DS‐AMKL and DS‐TMD may be useful in diagnosis and assessing minimal residual disease. These findings raise the possibility of population‐based screening strategies for DS‐TMD and the development of treatment to eliminate the preleukaemic TMD clone to prevent DS‐AMKL. Advances in our understanding of perturbed haemopoiesis in DS, the role of GATA1 and of cooperating mutations are also discussed. These findings have implications for leukaemia biology more broadly given the frequency of acquired trisomy in other human leukaemias.
Detection of gene copy number aberrations in mantle cell lymphoma by a single quantitative multiplex PCR assay: clinicopathological relevance and prognosis value
Authors: Jardin Fabrice , Picquenot Jean‐Michel , Parmentier Françoise , Ruminy Philippe , Cornic Marie , Penther Dominique , Bertrand Philippe , Lanic Hélène , Cassuto Ophélie , Humbrecht Catherine , Lemasle Emilie , Wautier Agathe , Bastard Christian , Tilly Hervé
Published: July 2009

The t(11;14)(q13;q32) is the hallmark of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Additional genetic alterations occur in the majority of cases. This study aimed to design a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine the incidence and relevance of recurrent gene copy number aberrations in this disease. Forty‐two MCL cases with frozen‐ or paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissues were selected. Three different quantitative Multiplex PCR of Short Fluorescent Fragments (QMPSF) assays were designed to simultaneously analyse eight genes (CDKN2A, RB1, ATM, CDK2, TP53, MYC, CDKN1B, MDM2), to analyse the 9p21 locus (CDKN2A/CDKN2B) and FFPE tissues. Gains of MYC, CDK2, CDKN1B, and MDM2 were observed in 10% of cases. Losses of RB1, CDKN2A, ATM or TP53 were observed in 38%, 31%, 24% and 10% of cases, respectively. Analysis of the 9p21 locus indicated that, in most cases, tumours displayed a complete inactivation of p14ARF/p15INK4B/p16INK4A. CDKN2A and MYC aberrations were associated with a high MCL international prognostic index (MIPI). CDK2/MDM2 gains and CDKN2A/TP53 losses correlated with an unfavourable outcome. PCR experiments with frozen and FFPE‐tissues indicated that our approach is valid in a routine diagnostic setting, providing a powerful tool that could be used for patient stratification in combination with MIPI in future clinical trials.
Von Willebrand factor protects the Ca2+‐dependent structure of the factor VIII light chain
Authors: Takeyama Masahiro , Nogami Keiji , Okuda Masahiro , Shima Midori
Published: July 2009

We have recently reported that cation‐exchange iminodiacetate resin completely inactivated factor VIII (FVIII) by direct deprivation of metal ions, predominantly Ca2+, from its molecules, and that von Willebrand factor (VWF) protected FVIII antigen from resin‐induced degradation. The present study was further developed to investigate this mechanism. Western blotting analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay showed that the antigenic structure of the FVIII light chain, especially the C2 domain, was completely impaired by the resin, whilst that of the heavy chain was little affected. However, the complex formation with VWF protected the C2 domain from the resin‐induced degradation. The resin‐treated C2 domain failed to interact with VWF and phospholipid. Furthermore, the addition of Ca2+ competitively blocked the resin‐induced impairment of the C2 domain structure. These results demonstrate that VWF protects the Ca2+‐dependent conformational structure of the FVIII light chain, especially the C2 domain, and may indicate that the C2 domain contains the Ca2+‐binding site(s).