bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFICIENT MODULAR IMPLEMENTATION OF BRANCH‐AND‐BOUND ALGORITHMS*
Authors: Johnson Roger V.
Published: June 2007

This paper demonstrates how branch‐and‐bound algorithms can be modularized to obtain implementation efficiencies. For the manager, this advantage can be used to obtain faster implementation of algorithm results; for the scientist, it allows efficiencies in the construction of similar algorithms with different search and addressing structures for the purpose of testing to find a preferred algorithm. The demonstration in part is achieved by showing how the computer code of a central module of logic can be transported between different algorithms that have the same search strategy. Modularizations of three common searches (the best‐bound search and two variants of the last‐in‐first‐out search) with two addressing methods are detailed and contrasted. Using four assembly line balancing algorithms as examples, modularization is demonstrated and the search and addressing methods are contrasted. The application potential of modularization is broad and includes linear programming‐based integer programming. Benefits and disadvantages of modularization are discussed. Computational results demonstrate the viability of the method.
“COMPANY FORECAST ACCURACY FOR EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING MODELS OF EARNINGS‐PER‐SHARE DATA FOR FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING”: A COMMENT
Authors: Dickinson John P.
Published: June 2007

The practice of abandoning all but the most accurate among a set of alternative forecasting methods is shown to result in the loss of potentially useful information. The particular case of two forecasts is considered in detail. It is demonstrated practically that the inclusion of even a relatively poor forecasting method can enhance a superior one significantly.
INSTRUCTING OPERATIONS DESIGN: AN EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH
Authors: Gagnon Roger J.
Published: June 2007

Teaching an operations design course has major pedagogical challenges. (1) The design topics—output, process, facility, and work design—are necessarily taught sequentially, yet the decisions are integrative. (2) Instruction must be generic to service or product producers. (3) Discussing output design is difficult since students typically have had no exposure to the “product language” of engineering graphics. (4) No text is available which examines in sufficient depth all the operations design decisions. (5) Cases necessarily depict historical situations—process technologies and economic data—while operations managers must plan future directions for their productive systems. (6) While the commercial world contains fresh information and data, students are inexperienced in obtaining knowledge from the real world. (7) While the course presents an operations management perspective, students must recognize the information, data, and cooperation necessary from the other functional areas to successfully complete the operations design.

To help overcome these seven pedagogical challenges, the students in the undergraduate and graduate operation design courses complete a comprehensive feasibility study for a new product or service and the entire productive system.
Waiting Line Effects in Analytical Maintenance Float Policy
Authors: Madu Christian N. , Georgantzas Nicholas C.
Published: June 2007

The equipment failure distributions commonly identified in practice pose great difficulties in the establishment of sound maintenance total float policy. Some of the existing analytical constructs utilize the reliability ratio of the equipment in operations in order to bypass the obstacles and arrive at applicable solutions. In this paper we give a summary of these theoretical models. In addition, we provide insight by testing the significance of factors utilized in maintenance total float determination. The paper examines the effect of the assumption made by the analytical model of no waiting time for repair. Our test showed that there is no statistically significant difference between the analytical model and simulation when waiting is allowed for the normal and uniform distributions. The analytical model thus offers some advantage in its use to estimate maintenance float due to its simplicity. When failure distribution is an exponential, Erlang‐2 or lognormal, the assumption of no waiting time for repair must be kept in order to use the analytical model.
Heuristic Optimization of Physical Data Bases: Using a Generic and Abstract Design Model*
Authors: Palvia Prashant
Published: June 2007

Designing efficient physical data bases is a complex activity, involving the consideration of a large number of factors. Mathematical programming‐based optimization models for physical design make many simplifying assumptions; thus, their applicability is limited. In this article, we show that heuristic algorithms can be successfully used in the development of very good, physical data base designs. Two heuristic optimization algorithms are proposed in the context of a generic and abstract model for physical design. One algorithm is based on generic principles of heuristic optimization. The other is based on capturing and using problem‐specific information in the heuristics. The goodness of the algorithms is demonstrated over a wide range of problems and factor values.
A Unified Approach to Hedging Interest Rate Risk with Financial Futures*
Authors: Hilliard Jimmy E.
Published: June 2007

There is abundant literature on the use of financial futures to reduce interest rate risk. While many applications have been developed and evaluated in the literature, little has been done to provide a simple, mathematical model unifying the disparate types of hedges. The purpose of this paper is to provide such a unifying framework. Under idealized conditions, an equation is developed giving a perfect hedge solution for arbitrary choice of planning horizon, existing or planned cash market position, and asset/liability mix. The paper is pedagogic in nature.
Optimum Conservative Price Increase Decisions in a Competitive Market
Authors: Mesak Hani I. , Clelland Richard C.
Published: June 2007

This paper outlines a systematic procedure for a firm's price increase decisions in a competitive market. Following a conservative approach, a previously published competitive pricing model is extended and used to address the question of where, when, and by how much prices should be raised. In its present form, the approach is useful for low priced, frequently purchased products.
A Comparative Analysis of the Relative Effectiveness of Four Dynamic Lot‐Sizing Techniques on Return on Investment
Authors: Jordan Paul C.
Published: June 2007

The relative performance of dynamic lot‐sizing techniques has been of considerable interest to researchers in recent years. While research has addressed performance in terms of cost‐effectiveness, researchers have not determined the impact of dynamic lot‐sizing techniques on return on investment (ROI) as it applies to finished goods' schedules. The purpose of this research is to explore the relative performance of four dynamic lot‐sizing techniques with regard to ROI, namely the Wagner‐Whitin, Incremental Part Period, Silver‐Meal, and Groff techniques. Computer graphics are employed to analyze the relative ROI effectiveness.
The Airline Discount Fare Allocation Problem
Authors: Pfeifer Phillip E.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a useful extension of the well‐known, single‐period inventory or newsboy problem. Given a fixed number of identical seats available on a scheduled airline flight, what percentage should be offered for early sale at a predetermined discount fare and what percentage reserved for later sale at a higher full fare? This two‐tiered pricing strategy with early discount pricing might be appropriate in any situation in which the price sensitivity of the inventoried items decreases as the end of the period approaches. Similar to the newsboy problem solution, the decision rule that maximizes expected profit is expressed as a simple function of the percentage difference in the two fares and two carefully defined probabilities.
A Theory of Production Competence*
Authors: Cleveland Gary , Schroeder Roger G. , Anderson John C.
Published: June 2007

Production competence is an enigmatic functional phenomenon. What is it? Can it be measured? Does it affect business performance? The literature barely touches on these issues. If competence is defined as a variable rather than a fixed attribute, it can be measured by how well manufacturing's strengths and weaknesses complement the priorities of the business strategy. Since performance is a measure of how well that strategy works, there should be a definable relationship between competence and performance. This study proposes just such a relationship and promotes production competence as the theoretical link between production process and business strategy.
Impact of Information Systems (IS) Steering Committees on IS Planning*
Authors: Gupta Yash P. , Raghunathan T. S.
Published: June 2007

One of the most efficient ways to manage the information systems function is to introduce steering committees. It has been suggested that one of the foremost benefits of a steering committee is that it can improve the information systems planning efforts of an organization. However, there is very little empirical evidence in the literature that deals with how such committees affect planning. This study investigates the impact of steering committees on three phases of information systems planning: strategic planning, systems planning, and implementation of planning. The greatest impact of steering committees appears to be the strategic planning phase, while a lesser effect is observed in the systems planning and implementation of planning phases.
Comparison of the Effects of Specific and General Performance Standards on Performance Appraisal Decisions*
Authors: Huber Vandra L.
Published: June 2007

This study compares specific and general performance standards as managerial decision aids. Sixty‐four federal government comptrollers familiar with performance standards as a basis for judging performance evaluated five performance profiles and then assigned performance ratings. These profiles varied in levels of objective performance, prior performance, and the order in which they were evaluated. The results show that the specificity of performance standards moderates the relationship between objective and rated performance, with specific standards resulting in more accurate ratings than general standards. While objective performance was the most important determinant of performance rating, the gender of the rater, the order of evaluation, and prior performance ratings biased judgments in the general but not the specific performance standard condition. Specific performance standards are concluded to be useful decision aids that minimize performance rating bias and have potential as evaluation tools for groups, profit centers, organizations, and technology innovations.
A Consistency Test for AHP Decision Makers
Authors: Lane Eric F. , Verdini William A.
Published: June 2007

Saaty's analytic hierarchy process assessed attribute importance by soliciting decision makers' (DM) importance ratios to compute weights. Saaty suggested a decision rule for accepting DM judgments based on a consistency measure derived from the DM's importance ratios. This paper investigates the distribution of random inconsistency and decision rule implications. Stricter consistency requirements for three‐ and four‐attribute criteria matrices are suggested.
Two‐Level Hierarchical Transportation Networks: A New Set of Problems and Practical Applications*
Authors: Singhal Jaya
Published: June 2007

This paper defines and solves a set of new problems for two‐level hierarchical transportation networks. Given a set of points, the objective is to find the path of a primary link such that a weighted sum of the lengths of the perpendiculars from each point to the primary link and the distance between the feet of the two extreme perpendiculars is minimized. The perpendiculars are the connecting or secondary links and the primary link could be a straight line or a curve. The paper provides an algorithm and computational results for the case in which the primary link is a straight line. Implementation approaches are also discussed.
Preference‐Order Recursion for Finding Relevant Pure, Admissible and Optimal Statistical Decision Functions*
Authors: Moskowitz Herbert , Wallenius Jyrki
Published: June 2007

A preference‐order recursion algorithm for obtaining a relevant subset of pure, admissible (non‐dominated, efficient) decision functions which converges towards an optimal solution in statistical decision problems is proposed. The procedure permits a decision maker to interactively express strong binary preferences for partial decision functions at each stage of the recursion, from which an imprecise probability and/or utility function is imputed and used as one of several pruning mechanisms to obtain a reduced relevant subset of admissible decision functions or to converge on an optimal one. The computational and measurement burden is thereby mitigated significantly, for example, by not requiring explicit or full probability and utility information from the decision maker. The algorithm is applicable to both linear and nonlinear utility functions. The results of behavioral and computational experimentation show that the approach is viable, efficient, and robust.
Interactive Effects of Major Response Facilitators
Authors: Bruvold Norman T. , Comer James M. , Rospert Ann M.
Published: June 2007

Practitioners and researchers have long been interested in achieving the highest response rate within resource constraints on their mailed surveys. Achieving this high response rate typically has required the selection of the right mix of response‐facilitating techniques. The selection decisions were generally made under the assumption that the response‐facilitating techniques act independently of one another. The authors have examined the validity of this independence assumption by identifying the major response facilitators in use and then analyzing the results of 531 independent mail survey studies. The authors conclude that major facilitators do not function independently. In fact, it was found that significant joint action interactive effects on response rates do exist. Practitioners and researchers who are faced with the survey design decisions of choosing response facilitators can receive assistance by reviewing the results of this diverse collection of reported experiences.
Some Analytical Results for a Two‐Product Newsboy Problem
Authors: Li Jing , Lau Hon‐Shiang , Lau Amy Hing‐Ling
Published: June 2007

A recent Decision Sciences paper considered maximizing the probability of achieving a profit target in a two‐product newsboy problem. Numerical solutions to this problem revealed some intriguing properties, but the authors were unable to analytically explain many of their results. This paper presents an analytical solution procedure to this problem for the case of uniformly distributed demands. The analytical structure reveals more intriguing properties and these properties are proven and explained.
Insignificant Betas and the Efficacy of the Sharpe Diagonal Model for Portfolio Selection*
Authors: Frankfurter George M. , Lamoureux Christopher G.
Published: June 2007

When both practitioners and theorists apply Sharpe's diagonal model [15] to simplify the portfolio selection problem, they assume that the entire covariation structure of each stock (i.e., with all other stocks) is captured in that stock's covariance with the market (or β). Furthermore, it is well known that the selection algorithm itself has a marked tendency to select stocks with the lowest βs, ceteris paribus. When a stock's β is statistically indistinguishable from zero, it is an empirical issue whether the market model is (a) less appropriate for that particular stock relative to those with statistically significant βs; or is (b) a viable model in that the covariance of this stock's rate‐of‐return with all other stocks' rates‐of‐return vanishes. The objective of this paper is to distinguish empirically between (a) and (b), and to propose a heuristic which will improve the ex‐post performance of the diagonal model. The possible benefits of this heuristic are also demonstrated in a rigorous statistical framework.
A Note on Determining Optimal Selling Price and Lot Size Under All‐Unit Quantity Discounts
Authors: Burwell Timothy H. , Dave Dinesh S. , Fitzpatrick Kathy E. , Roy Melvin R.
Published: June 2007

A recent study conducted by Abad [1] described a method of determining the optimal price and lot size when the supplier offers all‐unit quantity discounts. The author developed a procedure using centralized and decentralized approaches. According to the author's suggestion, further study is necessary to determine if the decentralized approach always provides an optimal solution. In the present study, an attempt is made to investigate the uniformity between the centralized and decentralized approaches and to verify whether the decentralized approach always yields optimal solutions.
A Unique Solution for the Nucleolus in Accounting Allocations*
Authors: Barton Thomas L.
Published: June 2007

The nucleolus method has been suggested in the literature as a means for accounting decision makers to allocate joint costs in situations where entities share a common resource. The nucleolus has the advantage, vis‐à‐vis other methods, of maximizing the benefit to the least‐well‐off entity or groups of entities, and therefore reducing the possibility that one or more entities may desire to withdraw from the sharing arrangement. The nucleolus is basically a linear programming model. Because of its formulation, the nucleolus may yield multiple optimal solutions. No reformulation of the nucleolus seems to exist to overcome this problem

The minimum total propensity to disrupt (MTPD) is suggested as an extension of the nucleolus to identify unique values for allocations with multiple solutions. The MTPD, while exhibiting deficiencies as a stand‐alone method, is similar in overall objective to the nucleolus and its mathematical function possesses a unique minimum. It is therefore the logical method for identifying a unique nucleolus solution. The use of the MTPD extension is critically examined through a representative application.
Knowledge Representation and Reasoning in a Real‐Time Operational Control System: The Shipboard Piloting Expert System (SPES)*
Authors: Grabowski Martha , Sanborn Steve
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a knowledge representation approach and reasoning implementation in a real‐time knowledge‐based control system (KBCS) for navigating ships in restricted waters. This shipboard piloting expert system (SPES) is being developed as an intelligent node in Sperry Marine's ExxBridge integrated ship's bridge system (IBS) for Exxon Shipping Company tankers. The SPES is intended to provide decision support to ships' navigation officers while piloting large vessels in restricted waters, and to reduce the information overload under which they labor, by incorporating local, transit‐specific, and shiphandling knowledge, and by providing requisite decision support in a timely fashion. As such, the system provides decision support to (1) senior ships' pilots training junior pilots; (2) ships' masters training junior deck officers in the essentials of good piloting and shiphandling; and (3) watchstanding deck officers utilizing the system's on‐line reminder and assist capabilities, or off‐line simulation and contingency planning functionality.
An Application of Markov Chain Analysis to the Game of Squash*
Authors: Broadie Mark , Joneja Dev
Published: June 2007

If the score in a squash game is tied late in the game, one player has a choice of how many additional points (from a prespecified set of possibilities) are to be played to determine the winner. This paper constructs a Markov chain model of the situation and solves for the optimal strategy. Expressions for the optimal strategy are obtained with a symbolic algebra computer package. Results are given for both international and American scoring systems. The model and analysis are very suitable for educational purposes. The resulting Markov chain is small enough that it can be easily presented in a classroom setting, yet the model is sufficiently complex that algebraic manipulation is nearly hopeless. The final results illustrate the power of the combination of mathematical and computer modeling applied to a problem of practical interest.
The Impact of Poor Performance on Risk‐Taking Attitudes: A Longitudinal Study with a PLS Causal Modeling Approach
Authors: Lee Don Y.
Published: June 2007

This article addresses some important issues in risk‐return, or mean‐variance, research. Much of the research in this tradition has used Kahneman and Tversky's prospect theory to explain Bowman's proposition that “troubled firms” prefer and seek risk. Unfortunately, two key constructs in prospect theory, reference point and risk attitude, have not been applied in risk‐return research in ways consistent with prospect theory. The author examines a series of inconsistencies in the use of prospect theory in risk‐return research to date and suggests remedies. A proposed approach using a longitudinal research design at the individual‐firm level is applied in an empirical test of the Bowman hypothesis with data from brewing firms in the United States. The findings strongly support the Bowman hypothesis.
An Empirical Study of the Impact of Just‐in‐Time Task Scope Versus Just‐in‐Time Workflow Integration on Organizational Design
Authors: Germain Richard , Dröge Cornelia
Published: June 2007

The research tests a theory of JIT as a technology having task scope versus workflow integration dimensions. The results show that JIT task scope predicts JIT workflow integration, and that only the former is associated with organizational designs that are more specialized, decentralized, integrated, and reliant on formal performance measurement control. The findings imply that organizational structure does not necessarily follow from workflow structure. Rather, both organizational structure and workflow structure follow from the knowledge capital that JIT task scope represents.
Interorganizational Collaborative Forecasting and Replenishment Systems and Supply Chain Implications
Authors: Raghunathan Srinivasan
Published: June 2007

Collaborative Forecasting and Replenishment (CFAR) is a new interorganizational system that enables retailers and manufacturers to forecast demand and schedule production jointly. The capabilities of CFAR exceed those of the traditional EDI because CFAR allows exchange of complex decision support models and manufacturer/retailer strategies. The proponents of CFAR claim that the fastest way for retailers and manufacturers to slash inventory costs and product shortages is by coordinating their decisions. The impact of CFAR on the supply chain using a model consisting of a manufacturer selling its product through two independent identical retailers is analyzed. The model assumes that the manufacturer doesn't face capacity constraints, the demand is stationary, and retailer prices are constant over time; the shortages are backordered at the manufacturer and retailers to isolate the effects of information sharing in CFAR. The most significant findings relate to the increase in the cost incurred by the nonparticipant in CFAR, the increase in the manufacturer's cost of serving the nonparticipant if the participant can obtain delivery guarantees in return for demand information sharing, and the incentives of the players to move towards universal retailer participation in CFAR. The findings are explained using the risk structure faced by the players in the supply chain. The managerial implications of the impact of CFAR on the supply chain structure are also discussed.
An Evolutionary Algorithm for Sequencing Production on a Paced Assembly Line
Authors: Sumichrast Robert T. , Oxenrider Keith A. , Clayton Edward R.
Published: June 2007

A new sequencing method for mixed‐model assembly lines is developed and tested. This method, called the Evolutionary Production Sequencer (EPS) is designed to maximize production on an assembly line. The performance of EPS is evaluated using three measures: minimum cycle time necessary to achieve 100% completion without rework, percent of items completed without rework for a given cycle time, and sequence “smoothness.” The first two of these measures are based on a simulated production system. Characteristics of the system, such as assembly line station length, assembly time and cycle time, are varied to better gauge the performance of EPS. More fundamental variation is studied by modeling two production systems. In one set of tests, the system consists of an assembly line in isolation (i.e., a single‐level system). In another set of tests, the production system consists of the assembly line and the fabrication system supplying components to the line (i.e., a two‐level system). Sequence smoothness is measured by the mean absolute deviation (MAD) between actual component usage and the ideal usage at each point in the production sequence.

The performance of EPS is compared to those of well‐known assembly line sequencing techniques developed by Miltenburg (1989), Okamura and Yamashina (1979), and Yano and Rachamadugu (1991). EPS performed very well under all test conditions when the criterion of success was either minimum cycle time necessary to achieve 100% production without rework or percent of items completed without rework for a given cycle time. When MAD was the criterion of success, EPS was found inferior to the Miltenburg heuristic but better than the other two production‐oriented techniques.
The Impact of Imperfect Processes on Production Run Times
Authors: Boone Tonya , Ganeshan Ram , Guo Yuanming , Ord J. Keith
Published: June 2007

This paper investigates the interaction between the economics of production and imperfections in the production process. Specifically, this paper is the first to devise a model in an attempt to provide managers with guidelines to choose the appropriate production run times to buffer against both the production of defective items and stoppages occurring due to machine breakdowns. In addition to providing several structural properties of the model, we show that a manager will always incur a cost penalty when (s)he uses the results of two oft‐cited models‐the EMQ (Economic Order/Manufacturing Quantity) and the NR‐E (No‐Resumption, Exponential machine breakdown)‐to determine production run times.
Information Technology Acceptance by Individual Professionals: A Model Comparison Approach*
Authors: Chau Patrick Y. K. , Hu Paul Jen‐Hwa
Published: June 2007

The proliferation of innovative and exciting information technology applications that target individual “professionals” has made the examination or re‐examination of existing technology acceptance theories and models in a “professional” setting increasingly important. The current research represents a conceptual replication of several previous model comparison studies. The particular models under investigation are the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and a decomposed TPB model, potentially adequate in the targeted healthcare professional setting. These models are empirically examined and compared, using the responses to a survey on telemedicine technology acceptance collected from more than 400 physicians practicing in public tertiary hospitals in Hong Kong. Results of the study highlight several plausible limitations of TAM and TPB in explaining or predicting technology acceptance by individual professionals. In addition, findings from the study also suggest that instruments that have been developed and repeatedly tested in previous studies involving end users and business managers in ordinary business settings may not be equally valid in a professional setting. Several implications for technology acceptance/adoption research and technology management practices are discussed.
Expression of dicarbonyl/l‐xylulose reductase (DCXR) in human skin and melanocytic lesions: morphological studies supporting cell adhesion function of DCXR
Authors: Cho‐Vega Jeong Hee , Vega Francisco , Schwartz Mary R. , Prieto Victor G.
Published: June 2007

Background:  It has been proposed that dicarbonyl/l‐xylulose reductase (DCXR) is increased in prostate cancer. Also, when compared with normal skin, a virtual northern blot shows increased expression of DCXR in melanomas.

Methods:  We investigated DCXR expression in a tissue microarray, with 20 benign and 33 malignant melanocytic lesions and possible colocalization of DCXR with cell adhesion molecules using double immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy in normal human skin.

Results:  Most nevi expressed DCXR in the cytoplasmic membrane, but some melanomas (20–30%) showed loss of membranous expression with inappropriate cytoplasmic or nuclear expression. Perinuclear Golgi expression was found in primary (14%) and metastatic (32%) melanomas showing dishesive growth pattern. Overall, the intensity of expression was stronger in nevi compared with melanomas (p < 0.005). In normal skin, DCXR was colocalized with E‐cadherin and β‐catenin at the intercellular membranes of keratinocytes and with CD31 at the intercellular junctions of endothelial cells. DCXR was localized in the cytoplasmic membrane of normal melanocytes.

Conclusions:  These findings indicate that decreased membranous expression of DCXR with altered subcellular localization appears to be associated with malignant progression of melanocytic lesions. We show for the first time the expression of DCXR in normal keratinocytes, melanocytes and endothelial cells.
Sarcoidal granulomatous tenosynovitis of the hands occurring in an organ transplant patient
Authors: Carlson J. Andrew , Wei‐Lee Hung , Kutzner Heinz , Jones David M. , Tobin Ellis
Published: June 2007

Six years after kidney‐pancreas transplant, a 47‐year‐old white man developed multiple subcutaneous and tenosynovial nodules of hands and wrists, limiting mobility. Biopsy of multiple nodules showed fibrosing, sarcoidal granulomas, some of which contained pigmented material. Microbiology, immunohistochemistry, scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis and polymerase chain reaction assays failed to show any infectious agents or foreign material. There was no historical, clinical or laboratory evidence of systemic sarcoidosis. It is not known whether the donor had sarcoidosis. Despite empiric antimycobacterial therapy and ongoing immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids, mycophenolate, cyclosporine), the man has progressively developed more nodules, limiting hand function. Sarcoidosis occurring in non‐donor tisssue post‐transplantation is an exceedingly rare complication of transplantation. We discuss this case and review the literature on sarcoidal tenosynovitis and sarcoidosis occurring post‐transplantation.
Cutaneous manifestations of Wegener’s granulomatosis: a clinicopathologic study of 17 patients and correlation to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status
Authors: Comfere Nneka I. , Macaron Nada C. , Gibson Lawrence E.
Published: June 2007

Background:  Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic vasculitis, can be associated with cutaneous signs and symptoms before, during or after the diagnosis of systemic disease.

Methods:  We reviewed clinical and histologic features of cutaneous lesions from 17 patients with WG. The temporal relationship between development of cutaneous symptoms and onset of systemic disease was determined, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) status of the patients was also established.

Results:  In six patients, systemic and cutaneous disease developed concurrently. In eight patients, cutaneous disease developed after patients received the diagnosis of systemic disease. In three patients, cutaneous disease preceded systemic disease. Cytoplasmic ANCA or proteinase‐3‐ANCA [c‐ANCA/proteinase 3 (PR3)‐ANCA] serologic test results were negative for one patient when cutaneous disease developed, and one patient had c‐ANCA/PR3‐ANCA seroconversion a year before systemic disease developed. Histopathologic features of cutaneous WG were not limited to leukocytoclastic vasculitis; they also included acneiform perifollicular and dermal granulomatous inflammation and palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous inflammation.

Conclusions:  Patients with WG can present initially with cutaneous symptoms. Histopathologic patterns vary, but leukocytoclastic vasculitis is most commonly noted. Patients with WG and skin lesions are likely to have positive c‐ANCA/PR3‐ANCA serologic test results.
Subcutaneous ossifying lipoma: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Val‐Bernal J. Fernando , Val Daniel , Garijo M. Francisca , Vega Alfonso , González‐Vela M. Carmen
Published: June 2007

Background:  Lipomas can undergo a variety of changes, one of which is ossification. Ossifying lipoma (OL), independent of bone tissue, is rare. No case has been reported with this heading in the dermatopathological literature.

Case Report:  A 73‐year‐old woman was referred for a subcutaneous mass on the left scapular region that had been present for more than 22 years.

Results:  The lesion was an OL measuring 8 cm and weighing 75 g. Only 25 cases of OL have been described in soft tissues. Including the present report, locations in order of frequency are the head and neck area (11 cases), the limbs (9 cases) and the trunk (6 cases). Average patient age is 50.9 years (range, 17–81 years). History is measured in years (mean, more than 6 years). Average tumor size is 7.1 cm (range, 0.8–20 cm). The adipose component is usually predominant and the mature bone tissue is irregular in distribution. Bone spicules are surrounded by fibrous tissue bands. Chondrous structures are found in 46.2% of tumors. No recurrences have been reported.

Conclusions:  OL is rare but has a characteristic gross, radiological and histological appearance. It has the same prognosis as simple lipoma. Excision is the treatment to be chosen.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum‐like fibers in the inflamed skin of patients without pseudoxanthoma elasticum
Authors: Bowen Anneli R. , Götting Christian , LeBoit Philip E. , McCalmont Timothy H.
Published: June 2007

Background:  Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder leading to characteristic calcified elastic fibers in skin, eyes and vasculature. PXE‐like fibers have not been described in inflammatory skin disease in the absence of other signs of PXE.

Methods:  The histopathology of inflamed skin from 13 patients that contained PXE‐like fibers but lacked clinical evidence of PXE were studied. Six of these and six comparison specimens from known patients with PXE were subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of exons 24 and 28 of the PXE‐associated gene ABCC6. This genetic analysis employed a novel assay utilizing paraffin‐embedded tissue.

Results:  Incidental PXE‐like fibers were found in patients without clinical suspicion of PXE in lesional tissue showing lipodermatosclerosis, granuloma annulare, lichen sclerosus, morphea profunda, erythema nodosum, septal panniculitis, basal cell carcinoma and fibrosing dermatitis. Two patients with PXE‐like fibers but without clinical findings of PXE were heterozygous for a PXE‐associated ABCC6 sequence alteration.

Conclusions:  This pilot study shows elastic fibers similar to those of PXE in the lesional skin of patients with a variety of inflammatory skin diseases in the absence of clinical evidence of PXE; and some of these patients harbor changes in ABCC6.
Spindle cell hemangioma: report of a case presenting in the oral cavity
Authors: Sheehan Michael , Roumpf Sheila O. , Summerlin Don‐John , Billings Steven D.
Published: June 2007

Background:  Spindle cell hemangioma, formerly termed spindle cell hemangioendothelioma, is an uncommon benign vascular tumor. Presentation in the oral cavity is rare with only two previously reported cases.

Methods:  We report a case of spindle cell hemangioma that presented as an asymptomatic mass of the buccal mucosa in a 44‐year‐old man.

Results:  The tumor was a well‐circumscribed vascular proliferation of spindled to epithelioid endothelial cells. Tumor cells with intracytoplasmic vascular lumens were present in several areas. Larger, ectatic, thin‐walled vessels lined by a single layer of flattened endothelial cells were evident at the periphery and focally in more cellular areas. The tumor was positive for CD31 and CD34.

Conclusions:  Spindle cell hemangioma rarely presents in the oral cavity and needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral cavity vascular tumors to avoid misdiagnosis as a more aggressive vascular tumor.
Effects of an Anti‐TNF‐α Monoclonal Antibody, Administered Throughout Pregnancy and Lactation, on the Development of the Macaque Immune System
Authors: Martin Pauline L. , Oneda Satoru , Treacy George
Published: June 2007

Problem  The use of anti‐TNF‐α therapies during pregnancy and lactation on the development of the neonatal immune system has not been fully established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment of macaques with an anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibody (golimumab) during pregnancy and lactation would result in defects in the developing immune system.

Method of study  Pregnant macaques were treated with golimumab during pregnancy and lactation. Immune system development was evaluated by histopathology, lymphocyte subset analysis and functional challenging of the infant immune system (humoral immune response to KLH and TTX, and DTH skin reaction).

Results  In utero and postnatal exposure to golimumab had no effect on T and B cell populations in blood and lymphoid tissues and did not impair the ability of the infants to mount an immune response to antigen challenge.

Conclusion  Treatment of pregnant macaques with golimumab throughout pregnancy and lactation did not affect the development and maturation of the immune system in the offspring.
CEO Duality and Firm Performance during China's Institutional Transitions
Authors: Peng Mike W. , Zhang Shujun , Li Xinchun
Published: June 2007

Does CEO duality – the practice of one person serving both as a firm's CEO and board chair – contribute to or inhibit firm performance? Agency theory suggests that CEO duality is bad for performance because it compromises the monitoring and control of the CEO. Stewardship theory, in contrast, argues that CEO duality may be good for performance due to the unity of command it presents. The empirical evidence, largely from developed economies, is largely inconclusive. This article joins the debate by extending empirical work to the largely unexplored context of institutional transitions. Our findings, based on an archival database covering 403 publicly listed firms and 1,202 company-years in China, offer stronger support for stewardship theory and relatively little support for agency theory. Finally, we also call for a contingency perspective to specify the nature of conditions such as resource scarcity and environmental dynamism under which CEO duality may be especially valuable.
When the Facts Get in the Way of a Story
Authors: Goldacre Ben
Published: June 2007

Earlier this year the Royal Statistical Society announced the results of its first-ever competition for journalists. Rules were simple: the written or broadcast piece had to be on a statistical theme, aimed at the general public, and it had to have appeared during 2006. From a field of nearly 50 entries, the winner, judged by a panel of statisticians, Members of Parliament and others, was this piece by Guardian writer Ben Goldacre. It first appeared in his “Bad Science” column in The Guardian on April 1st, 2006. Significance, part of whose role is also to spread knowledge of statistics to a wider audience, is proud to reproduce it here.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population
Authors: Javor J. , Bucova M. , Ferencik S. , Grosse‐Wilde H. , Buc M.
Published: June 2007

Cytokines are molecules that control and modulate the activities of numerous target cells via binding to specific receptors. The observed differences in the cytokine production among individuals can be, at least partially, explained by gene polymorphisms. Several cytokine gene polymorphisms have been identified to play a role in susceptibility to various diseases, including autoimmune, infectious, allergic or cardiovascular diseases.

The aim of the current study was to determine allele and genotype frequencies of 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population and to compare them with data available from six populations from Central and Southern Europe. A polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers was used to genotype polymorphisms within genes encoding IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1R, IL‐1RA, IL‐4Rα, IL‐12, IFN‐γ, TGF‐β, TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6 and IL‐10 in a sample of 140 unrelated Slovak subjects.

The allelic distribution of all polymorphisms in the Slovak population was very close to that in the geographically and historically closest populations in Central Europe — the Czech and the Polish. However, several differences were found between the Slovak and four populations from Southern Europe. The obtained data represent a basis for further studies on association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with some diseases.
Influences of MxA gene –88 G/T and IFN‐gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of hepatitis B virus infection in an endemic area
Authors: Peng X. M. , Lei R. X. , Gu L. , Ma H. H. , Xie Q. F. , Gao Z. L.
Published: June 2007

The influence of human genetics on the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be diminished in endemic areas because infection at a young age predisposes to chronic HBV infection. The present study aimed to address this issue through the determination of the influences of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of myxovirus resistence‐1 (MxA) –88 G/T and interferon (IFN)‐gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of HBV infection in endemic regions.

One hundred adult patients with self‐limiting HBV infection (positive for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc) and 340 adult patients with persistent HBV infection were recruited from southern China, an endemic area with an HBsAg carrier rate of 17.8%. SNPs of MxA –88 G/T and interferon (IFN)‐gamma +874 A/T were typed using a protocol based on competitively differentiated polymerase chain reaction. A highly significant difference in the distribution of MxA –88 G/T was observed between those with persistent and self‐limiting HBV infections. The latter displayed a lower frequency of the GG genotype (41.0% vs. 52.9%, P = 0.036) and a higher frequency of the TT genotype (16.0% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.000), compared to patients with persistent infection. These differences were not gender‐ or age‐specific. However, a significant distribution difference of IFN‐gamma +874 A/T was not observed. Between two groups of patients, respectively, the distribution frequencies of the AA genotype (65.0% vs. 72.8%, P = 0.139) and the TT genotype (2.0% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.894) were found. These results suggest that MxA gene –88 G/T and IFN‐gamma +874 A/T behave differently in endemic HBV infections. Further study is necessary to clarify the influences of human genetics on endemic HBV infections.
HLA analysis of Sri Lankan Sinhalese predicts North Indian origin
Authors: Malavige G. N. , Rostron T. , Seneviratne S. L. , Fernando S. , Sivayogan S. , Wijewickrama A. , Ogg G. S.
Published: June 2007

The origin of the Sinhalese population of Sri Lanka is debated. We subtyped HLA‐A*02 in 101 Sinhalese and observed a preponderance of the rare allele HLA‐A*0211 which was similar to reported frequencies in northern India. Taken with low‐resolution typing for the remaining A, B, C, DR and DQ alleles, these data suggest a North Indian origin for the Sri Lankan Sinhalese.
EFFECT OF PROCESSING ON SOME CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF PISTACHIO NUTS
Authors: LUH B. S. , WONG W. S. , EL‐SHIMI N. E.
Published: June 2007

The effect of processing on changes in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids in pistaschio nuts during blanching, drying and roasting was monitored. Blanching in hot water led to some loss in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids. Roasting further decreased the availability of the constituents. The magnitude of loss of the constituents was in the following order: blanching > roasting > drying. The composition profile of each of the constituents was analyzed. There was variation in the distribution of fatty acids among the raw and processed nuts. Unsaturated fatty acids were more susceptible to changes during processing. The combined loss of oleic and linoleic acids amounted to 22.29% of that present in the raw nuts. Fructose, glucose, sucrose and raffinose were shown to be present in the nuts. The loss of sucrose was higher than the monosaccharides during processing. Glutamic acid, leucine, proline 56.50% of the amino acids present, and blanching, drying and roasting successively caused losses in the availability of these amino acids.

The effect of processing on nutritional values has been a subject of concern to consumers and food processors. The present investigation reveals that the loss in various components in the nuts deserves more attention.
MEASURING EVAPOTRANSPIRATION FROM VEGETATION‐FILLED PRAIRIE POTHOLES IN NORTH DAKOTA1
Authors: Eisenlohr Wm. S.
Published: June 2007

Abstract Many prairie potholes in North Dakota are filled with emergent aquatic vegetation. The paper describes briefly how evapotranspiration losses were determined for such potholes using a mass‐transfer equation in which the coefficient was evaluated by means of a water budget. Vegetation, by its presence, reduces evaporation below the normal from a free water surface so much that the total seasonal (May ‐ October) evapotranspiration loss is less than the normal evaporation loss from a pothole clear of vegetation.
A SIMPLE APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF FISHES1
Authors: Shirer Hampton W. , Cairns John , Taller William T.
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT A sizeable body of information has accumulated which indicates that waste disposal concentrations which merely permit survival of aquatic organisms may not permit them to function properly. Aquatic resource management groups and fisheries personnel are beginning to realize that temporary survival of fish and other aquatic organisms is really meaningless if they have aberrant behavior patterns, fail to reproduce, have poor growth rates, or are not able to function properly in other respects. However, most means of assessing sublethal effects require chronic exposures to the test material and use techniques that often require considerable expenditures for equipment, space, and personnel. In addition it is frequently desirable to have some quick assessment of the biological effects of various compounds before embarking on lengthy tests to determine whether the possibility exists of functional damage when fish undergo prolonged exposure to sublethal concentrations. The apparatus described in this paper furnishes a quick, relatively inexpensive assessment of the movement patterns of fishes and the suggestion is made that changes in activity may reflect deeper physiological stress.