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A persistent challenge in brewing is the efficient utilization of hop bitter acids, with about 50% of these compounds precipitating with trub during wort boiling. This study aims to uncover the correlation between the barley cultivar proteome and hop bitter acid utilization during wort boiling. Therefore, comparative experiments were conducted using two cultivars, Liga and Solist, with varying proteomes to identify specific proteins’ role in hop bitter acids precipitation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure hop bitter acid content, while liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to quantify and identify proteins. The 107 protein groups, particularly enzymes linked to barley metabolic defense mechanisms, exhibited significant differences between the two cultivars. Results revealed significantly lower α- and iso-α-acid content in wort produced from the barley cultivar Liga. This study highlights the critical role of the barley proteome in optimizing process efficiency by enhancing hop utilization through barley cultivar selection.

Background During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the critical view of safety is obtained through dissection of the gallbladder from the liver until there is anterior and posterior visualization of the cystic duct and cystic artery. This view is used to allow for proper identification of the cystic duct and artery that will be clipped and incised during the operation. Indocyanine green (ICG) can be used during the operation to directly visualize the biliary tract because of its excretion through the biliary system and elimination via the GI tract. Using a laparoscope capable of visualizing ICG allows for identification of bile duct anatomy to include: common hepatic bile duct, cystic duct, and aberrant, or accessory bile ducts. Additionally, visualization of the biliary structures using ICG prior to clipping and incision will allow for identification and prevention of missed biliary anatomy which could reduce incidence of bile leak, a known complication of cholecystectomies. We propose that visualization of the critical view of safety with ICG fluoroscopy be termed the critical view of safety plus.Purpose We hypothesized that using the critical view of safety plus method for laparoscopic cholecystectomy will yield better scores and increase the decision of the control surgeon to choose to cut and proceed with the operation when compared with the traditional critical view of safety.Research Design Comparision of operative photos of critical view of safety and critical view of safety plus which were randomized, double blinded, and graded by a single control surgeon.Study Sample Our study consisted of fifty patients of which 72% female (n = 36) and 28% male (n = 14). The ethnic background included 76% non-Hispanic (n = 38) and 24% Hispanic or of Latino/a origin (n = 12). The average age of our patient was 49 years old (range 20 to 93 years old). Inclusion criteria consisted of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy greater than or equal to 18 years old. Exclusion criteria included allergy to indocyanine dye or iodine and pregnancy.Analysis The scores were evaluated using Chi-squared and paired T-test analysis using MedCalc, MedCalc Sofware Ltd, Belgium.Results The decision to cut and proceed with the operation was chosen 29 times (58%) when viewing the critical view of safety plus vs 22 times (44%) with the critical view of safety (χ2= 65.822, p < 0.0001). The decision to proceed with further dissection to isolate the cystic duct viewing the critical view of safety plus was chosen 8 times (16%) vs 11 times (22%) with critical view of safety (χ2= 65.822, p < 0.0001) as shown in Fig. 2. The comparison of total scores with critical view of safety plus vs critical view of safety showed an average of 4.36 vs 4.04, p = 0.0733. The critical view of safety plus and critical view of safety individual criteria scores are: “two structures connected to the gallbladder” (average 1.54 vs 1.50, p = 0.598), “cystic plate clearance” (average 1.42 vs 1.28, p = 0.018), and “hepatocystic triangle clearance” (average 1.4 vs 1.26, p =0.0334).Conclusion We recommend routine use of ICG fluoroscopy to obtain the critical view of safety plus to allow for improved visualization of the biliary tree, identification of aberrant biliary anatomy, and the potential to reduce risk of bile duct injury.

This inductive research provides a deeper understanding of the digital transformation of retail supply chains and its underlying impact on supply chain strategy and operational structure. In this context, we develop a conceptual framework of digital retail supply chains to identify the key elements and their interactions. We offer a theoretically derived explanation of the ecosystem characterization of digital supply chains and show how retail supply chains fit this characterization. The supply chain ecosystem provides retail firms a way to strategize an organizational outlook that enables digitization of conventional supply chain processes. We find that emerging digital supply chains harness corporate digital awareness to operate within an ecosystem that iteratively guides the digital transformation process. The subsequent analysis highlights a digital transformation process that incorporates real‐time reporting, speed of discovery/action, visibility across the enterprise, and flexibility to react to environmental changes. Consequently, these contributing elements enable executional flexibility that is the hallmark of digital supply chains. We conclude by theorizing relevant research propositions that describe relational connections among the constituent elements of the digital supply chain framework and offer avenues for future research.

Beer inevitably changes over time: the colour will darken, haze may form, and stale flavours develop, while others fade. The challenge of maintaining the fresh flavour quality of beer (over a typical 9‐12 month storage period) is generally the determining factor of a beer's shelf‐life for brewers, as opposed to colloidal or microbiological stability. Fortunately, as early as the brewhouse, oxidative degradation can ‐ to a certain extent ‐ be controlled, enabling the shelf‐life to be increased. This review considers the general issues of oxidative stability, mechanisms of ageing, ways of quantifying staleness and staling potential, and current practical approaches to prevent oxidative beer ageing. Emphasis is placed on the catalytic role of iron, copper and manganese on oxidation during brewing and storage; and how the removal and/or inhibition of these prooxidative transition metal ions leads to prolonged beer (flavour) stability.

Use of non‐conventional yeasts are increasingly seen as a option for the production of low and alcohol‐free beers. In this study, the application of four non‐conventional yeasts ‐ Kazachstania servazzii, Kluyevoromyces marxianus, Pichia fermentansand Torulaspora delbrueckii, originally isolated from sourdough cultures, for cold contact fermentations was assessed by screening their ability to reduce wort aldehydes at a fermentation temperature of 1.0 ± 0.5°C. Of the evaluated yeasts, Torulaspora delbrueckiiwas found to be most promising, being capable of the removal of wort‐derived aldehyde off‐flavours, while being sufficiently sensitive to low temperatures to limit the formation of ethanol. Despite the different alcohol by volume (0.07% vs. 0.28%), the beers produced via cold contact fermentation at 10L scale with T. delbrueckiiand a reference lager yeast strain were similar, with no major differences found after sensory analysis. The results suggest that T. delbrueckiicould be used in cold contact fermentation to produce non‐alcoholic beers with alcohol content at, or close to, 0%. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of the Institute of Brewingpublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

Retail firms have developed new product and service offerings to meet the changing needs of omnichannel customers. While, prior research has documented these offerings in detail, little is yet known about how retail firms can best adapt different aspects of their organizations to the new omnichannel environment. We specifically focus on the intra‐firm changes that affected the role of the firm's supply chain organization and its interactions with other business entities within the retail enterprise. This paper provides an in‐depth understanding of the new business processes, organizational structures, governance mechanisms and customer interactions; collectively described as the retail business model (BM). Drawing on the tenets of BM theory, we present findings from a qualitative study of 15 leading U.S. omnichannel retailers to identify key elements of the new retail BM, develop a conceptual framework of the BM innovation process, and highlight the pivotal role of the supply chain organization in helping firms adapt and implement the omnichannel strategy. We conclude by developing research propositions to articulate the connections among different elements of the BM innovation process and how firms can institutionalize this process to respond to the everchanging retail business environment.

In the context of surgical education reform, the integration of residency programs represents a significant milestone. Concerns about potential disruptions to patient care metrics amid these changes necessitate empirical investigation.

Background Approximately 10% of intraoperative cholangiograms identify choledocholithiasis (CDL), stones in the common bile duct. Choledocholithiasis management options include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) followed by ERCP (LC + ERCP), cholecystectomy with open common bile duct exploration, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LC + LCBDE). The goal of these interventions is to clear the obstruction from CDL.Methods Patients from a single-center community hospital undergoing LC with intraoperative cholangiogram (LC + IOC) progressing to LC + LCBDE from July 2020 to August 2022 were evaluated for hospital length of stay (LOS), operative times, and complications. These were compared to the prior standard practice of pre/post-operative ERCP.Results The results were evaluated using ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls, and chi square analysis. In comparison of LC + CBDE to ERCP + cholecystectomy, LOS was reduced (1.8 vs 4.6 days P< .0001). No difference in LOS between LC + IOC and LC + CBDE (1.4 vs 1.8 days, P> .05) was found. No difference in complication rates was found. Mean operative time differed between LC + IOC and LC + CBDE (63 vs 113 minutes, P< .0001). Fifty-five attempts of LC + CBDE were performed with only 10 requiring post-operative ERCP.Discussion Since implementation of LC + CBDE, there has been reduced LOS without increasing complication rates. Operative times are increased with LC + CBDE but offset by reduced LOS, additional anesthesia events, and procedures. Our institution will continue to pursue LC + CBDE when indicated with efforts to improve resource allocation.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is performed by using endoscopic suctioning to reduce the volume of the stomach by plicating the greater curvature with an endoscopic suturing device or stapler. This allows for the endoscopist to perform an elective outpatient weight loss procedure. We will describe a single case of post-procedure day zero complication involving ESG resulting in ischemia, perforation, and peritonitis; what was discovered intra-operatively; and our operative management.

Background Amyand hernias are rare as they represent 0.5% of all hernias. An Amyand hernia that is discovered due to acute appendicitis is even rarer, accounting for approximately 0.11% of cases. Furthermore, appendiceal neoplasms are infrequently encountered in only 0.7–1.7% of appendectomy specimens.Purpose This paper presents the case of an 85 year-old man presenting with acute appendicitis located within an amyand hernia as well as a serrated adenoma noted on final pathology.Conclusions An Amyand hernia is a rare diagnosis. We proceeded with laparoscopic appendectomy and interval inguinal hernia repair. Pathology should be reviewed for all patients and proper follow up ensured for all incidental findings.

The Finnish farmhouse ale sahti is unique in that it is fermented with baking, rather than brewing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The custom of maintaining farmhouse yeast cultures is however no longer practiced in Finland, and much yeast derived diversity in sahti beers has presumably been lost as a consequence. Here, the brewing potential of a number of sourdough derived strains was tested with respect to a number of different fermentation traits. Seven strains originally isolated from Finnish or Italian sourdough cultures were used to ferment high gravity sahti wort (20°P), and fermentation performance together with production of volatile compounds were assessed and compared with a reference baking yeast. Strains differed in terms of fermentation rate, yield, yeast viability and beer flavour profile. All were maltotriose positive, but utilisation varied so that alcohol yield could be greater or lower than that of the reference strain, with values ranging from 6.6 to 7.9% (v/v). Production of aroma compounds was also variable so that it was possible to identify strains producing high levels of esters and those with lower production, which could be used to emphasise flavours originating from raw materials. All strains generated 4‐vinyl guaiacol and so would be suitable for other beers where this is a part of the normal flavour profile. Results suggest that sourdough isolates of S. cerevisiaeare suitable for sahti production, but could also be applied to other beer styles as a way to differentiate products. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of the Institute of Brewing published byJohn Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is associated with significant morbidity (ventilator days, ICU days, and cost) and mortality increase in trauma patients. Multidrug-resistant strains of causative VAP pathogens are becoming increasingly common. Aerosolized antibiotics achieve high alveolar concentrations and provide valuable adjuncts in the treatment of VAP. This study examined the impact of aerosolized antibiotics in the treatment of VAP in trauma patients. Patients with either Acinetobacter baumannii or Pseudomonas aeruginosa VAP over 10 years treated with aerosolized antibiotics (cases) were stratified by age, severity of shock, and injury severity. A frequency-matched (by causative pathogen) control group treated without aerosolized antibiotics was used for comparison. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors for the use of aerosolized antibiotics. One hundred twenty VAP episodes were identified in 100 patients. Microbiologic resolution was achieved in all patients treated with aerosolized antibiotics. There was no difference in mortality (14.5% vs 15.7%, P= 0.87) and no antibiotic-related complications in either group. Multivariable logistic regression identified VAP persistence and relapse as independent predictors for the use of aerosolized antibiotics. Combined with systemic therapy, aerosolized antibiotics broaden the spectrum of therapy. They are valuable adjuncts with minimal risk of antibiotic resistance and/or systemic complications.

As powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) becomes a more mature field, system configurations are gradually moving away from the classic single heat source, layer-by-layer system configurations towards unconventional system configurations that offer higher throughput. Higher throughput systems allow PBF systems to be considered for a larger variety of industrial applications. However, the inclusion of multiple heat sources, or beams, also increases the complexity of the control schemes needed. For multi-beam systems with overlapping fields of view, the distribution of workload, or load balancing, across these beams directly affects the total print time for a build. Additionally, the probability of any beam failing in a multi-beam system increases with the number of beams. While manual methods of load balancing and dealing with beam failures are reasonable for current generation multi-beam systems, as system configurations become more complex, manual methods will become prohibitively inefficient. This paper introduces two different ways to load balance multi-beam systems of various configuration types, regardless of their complexity, which are highly performant. A consequence of this performance is the enablement of on-the-fly load balancing in the event a beam fails, thus improving system robustness.

Hop bitter acids are used in the brewing industry to give beer bitterness. However, much of this bitterness is lost during processing, specifically during the wort boiling step. One of the major causes might be the interaction with protein–protein complexes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the role of hop bitter acids in protein aggregate formation using a proteomic approach. The effect of hop addition on protein composition was analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry/MS (LC-MS/MS), and further analyses were performed to characterize the wort before and after boiling. Addition of hop bitter acids yielded a change in wort protein profiles, and hop bitter acids were found to bind primarily to less abundant proteins which are not related to beer quality traits, such as foam or haze. Wort protein aggregate profiles were revealed, and findings from this study suggested the precipitation of particular proteins in the aggregates during boiling when hops were added.

Interest in multi-axis additive manufacturing has grown significantly in recent years due to associated benefits that range from improved quality to support for greater geometric complexity. A method of 5-axis Laser Hot-Wire Directed Energy Deposition is developed and demonstrated in this study using an 8-axis industrial robot, comprised of a 6-axis serial link robot and a 2 degree‐of‐freedom positioner. Coordinated 5-axis motion is used to print Ti-6Al-4V objects predominantly through build plate rotation. Methods of slicing and toolpath generation are presented, including the use of an alternating toolpath direction philosophy and the manipulation of the CAD model surface normal vectors for determining the required build plate tilt angles for maintaining consistent deposition orientations relative to gravity. Another objective of the study was to determine the limits of conventional slicing and layer height control techniques for printing geometries with significant unsupported overhangs. A comparison is made between the behavior of normal and conformal bead alignment in this regard, and the performance of the layer height controller is reported as it relates to process stability and the limits of printing overhang geometries. Unsupported overhangs were successfully printed at 35° without build plate tilt and 45° with build plate tilt. Toolpath velocity and net-shape printing performance are reported as well, with 3D scans of the printed surfaces used for net-shape characterization. In all, the printing of three geometries is presented, including the overhang geometry, a 5-axis toolpath geometry, and a large-scale, multi-bead demonstrator part, which exceeded 500 mm in height and weighed 44 kg (97 lbs).

Two-sided friction stir riveting (FSR) by extrusion is an innovative process developed to rapidly, efficiently, and securely join dissimilar materials. This process extends a previously developed one sided friction stir extrusion process to create a strong and robust joint by producing a continuous, rivet-like structure through a preformed hole in one of the materials with a simultaneous, two-sided friction stir spot weld. The two-sided FSR by extrusion process securely joins the dissimilar materials together and effectively locks them in place without the use of any separate materials or fasteners. In this paper we demonstrate the process by joining aluminum to steel and illustrate its potential application to automotive and aerospace manufacturing processes.

Diacetyl is normally considered to be an off-flavor in lager beer, and its removal prolongs the overall brewing process. Here, the effects of fermentation temperature (9, 12, and 15°C), initial wort pH (4.8, 5.1, and 5.3), and wort free amino nitrogen (FAN) content (222, 252, 287, and 366 ppm) on diacetyl formation and removal in lager beer fermentations were studied in order to develop an enhanced model for predicting fermentation progress (alcohol content, biomass, and pH) and diacetyl concentration. The relationships between model coefficients, temperature, pH, and FAN were calculated, and models predicted fermentation and diacetyl profiles with a good fit (overall relative mean square error less than 10.1%). The model was validated, and also applied to a larger-scale fermentation involving a different wort and yeast strain by adjusting model coefficients. The model can be used for predicting diacetyl concentrations and for brewing process parameter optimization in industrial fermentations.

Friction stir spot welding is performed on thin plates of an aluminum alloy. This paper presents the results on how the number of tool rotations affects the quality of the resulting spot weld. Different combinations of rotation rate and dwell time are investigated. A linear relationship was found to exist between the number of tool rotations completed during the spot weld and the resulting tensile shear strength. Spot welds that only completed 10 rotations were 177% stronger than those created at 50 tool rotations. The energy generated during the welding operation was quantified and also found to have a linear relationship with tensile shear strength. A modified open-loop position control system is proposed that monitors and limits the energy generated during friction stir spot welding by adjusting the dwell time.

When controlling friction stir welding, effort must be given to maintaining proper tool shoulder contact with the workpiece in order to achieve consolidation of the parent materials. Axial force control has been used prior with some success. The research presented in this article examines the controlling of welding torque as an alternative to force control. A mathematical model of welding torque was enhanced for the design and study of convex shoulder profiles. Focus was placed on linearizing the response between plunge depth and torque. The model predicted that a spherical profiled shoulder was preferred for a more linear response. In conjunction with the spherical shoulder, a closed-loop torque controller was implemented and its performance evaluated. Welding torque for feedback control was sensed indirectly through the spindle motor current using a commercially available clamp-on current meter. The system produced 1/4 in (6 mm) bead-on-plate welds that were 10 ft (3 m) in length. Over the course of the welds, the torque controller responded to workpiece elevation changes of 1/8 in (3 mm) and 1/4 in (6 mm). Results show that the tool maintained a near constant plunge depth into the workpiece as the tool traversed along the workpiece. It was concluded that the presented method of torque control is a reliable and less complex alternative to axial force control of friction stir welding.

A rotating anvil similar to a pinless friction stir welding (FSW) tool can be applied to friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of thin metal plates. FSSW is a solid-state joining process that is currently being used by automotive manufacturers as an alternative to rivets and traditional resistance spot welding. The principal detractor of this process is the keyhole left by pin extraction, which can be detrimental to the weld strength. A pinless tool can be used to eliminate the keyhole. However, this approach is limited to joining thin sheet (≤1mm). Using a rotating anvil with the FSSW process permits the joining of thicker cross sections, improves the mechanical strength of the spot weld and reduces the reaction forces on the spot welding frame. A numerical model of the process, tensile shear tests and macrosection analysis are used to evaluate the spot welds.

The article focuses on the use of technology like closed-circuit television (CCTV) and surveillance system in motion pictures by Jacques Tati in 1967 and by Stanley Kubrick in 1968, which transformed the cinema. It criticizes the science fiction films including "2001: A Space Odyssey" directed by Stanley Kubrick and "Playtime" directed by Jacques Tati. It also explores the film's plot, the depiction of scenes with the help of technology and the style of the directors.

AbstractGovernance is a major area of study that has attracted an increasing level of attention within the privately held small business and family firm domains. This paper uses research frameworks from several financial and management disciplines to enable the identification and analysis of difficulties arising from making simplistic assertions based on large firm considerations about the benefits and prescriptions for good governance activities in family firms. These difficulties exist primarily because governance in most family firms is driven by a different set of structures and processes from those that apply to large firms. While the theoretical perspectives of the large firm governance literature may hold in family firms, the prescriptions need to be viewed with a different outcome in mind. This paper takes a summative approach as a precursor to establishing empirical approaches to evaluation. The analysis indicates the variety of contextual variations that must be considered in determing an appropriate framework of structures and processes.

The objective of this study is to develop a dimensionless parameter which can be used to estimate the amount of volumetric wear, a friction stir welding tool will experience in joining a metal matrix composite. Metal matrix composites are strong, lightweight materials consisting of a metal matrix (often an aluminum alloy) reinforced with ceramic particles or fibers. This study derives a dimensionless number based on three major process variables in friction stir welding: rotation speed, traverse speed, and length of weld. This number is correlated with wear data collected from experiments in which a steel friction stir welding tool was used to join Al 359/SiC/20p. The use of the dimensionless number as a classifier for tool condition is also evaluated.

AbstractThe axiom that workers with a disability are less productive is not tenable. It is exposed by the results reported here as a myth. In this paper we outline from a practitioner perspective the benefits to be gained by employing people often regarded as poor employees because of a disability. The paper initially presents a range of normative suggestions in support of the proposition that employees with disabilities are not detrimental to a small firm and indeed offer more positive benefits than negative outcomes. We then confirm the validity of the suggestion – that people with disabilities may make better workers – by outlining research findings that support that proposition. These suggestions may impact on employment policies; researchers are encouraged to challenge the assumptions we make and provide more concrete evidence to support or refute our suggestions. Enhanced employment of workers with a disability can and will create a more diversified, harmonious and productive workforce where sustainable business, sustainable ecology and sustainable human relations are indivisible components of the same necessity.

The aim of this study was to determine the transcriptomic response of Saccharomyces pastorianusto environmental change during brewery propagation. Utilization of amino acids and fermentable carbohydrates during fullscale brewery propagation was compared with the simultaneous changes occurring in the yeast transcriptome. Results showed that transcription profiles fell within one of four groups, and the greatest changes occurred within the first 8 hr following inoculation. Nutrient uptake was at its greatest during this period, and many genes involved in the utilization of amino acids and carbohydrates were activated. There was also a significant derepression response following monosaccharide exhaustion. A number of stress-response genes were activated following inoculation, indicating a possible osmotic stress response. Nutrient limitation did not appear to initiate a significant stress response but did activate genes involved in pseudohyphal growth and meiosis, despite the fact that neither biological process occurs in the strain utilized. The first hours after inoculation into propagation wort were particularly active with respect to nutrient utilization and transcriptional change. It is likely that this period was particularly stressful for yeast cells, although there was no evidence of viability loss, and it may be concluded that yeast cells can cope with this level of stress, possibly aided by the dynamic response of the transcriptome.

The article focuses on the documentary film "The Prisoner, Or: How I Planned To Kill Tony Blair," by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein highlighting documentaries films about Iraq and the September 11 spectator. It states that American audiences seem averse about documentary war films, and majority has not heard of prisoner humiliation and abuse in Abu Ghraib Prison. It adds that the film allows the post-9/11 viewer to numb or offer a cinema-inspired response to torture or murder. It also discusses the predicament of documentary and feature films about Iraq which is how to replace the real images of pain and suffering that reportedly has not swayed the American public.

Amino acid utilization by yeast during brewer's wort fermentation influences both the fermentation performance and flavor profile of the finished product. To better understand the relationship between the yeast cell and wort amino acid composition, oligonucleotide microarrays were employed to measure the changes in transcription of genes associated with amino acid uptake and utilization during industrial-scale fermentation. Amino acid permeases with narrow specificity for amino acids had the lowest transcription values at the beginning of fermentation (when amino acids were replete), suggesting nitrogen catabolite repression, whereas relatively high transcription at the beginning of fermentation was confined to genes encoding permeases with broad substrate specificity. Nine genes involved in amino acid catabolism demonstrated significant changes in transcription, with most having the highest activity at 60 hr. Exceptions were PUT1,encoding proline oxidase, and CHA1,encoding L-serine deaminase, both with peak transcription at the beginning of fermentation. The only gene demonstrating increased activity in the final stages of fermentation was the threonine aldolase-encoding gene GLY1—a result that could explain the atypical low uptake of threonine. The majority of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis had maximal expression at low amino acid concentrations, with notable exceptions being genes involved in central nitrogen metabolism and synthesis of glutamine (GLN1and LYS9) and glutamate (GDH1)—a result that was consistent with the early depletion of glutamine from the wort and supported by the fact that these genes are regulated by nitrogen catabolite response-related transcription factors.

Depictions of Jews in the Edwardian fiction of Saki (Hector Hugh Munro, 1870–1916) have been overlooked or condemned out-of-hand. Yet what is usually stark anti-semitism in Saki's fiction turns, in ‘The Unrest-Cure’, on its purveyor and audience, satirising anti-Jewish feelings in Munro's bourgeois world. Saki exposes a dark lining in the golden idyll of Edwardian rural England while subverting the Jewish cabal stereotype. But as Munro and Saki blur into a strident, jingoistic voice with the approach of war, there is a return to the unironic, overt anti-semitism of earlier stories, culminating in the reactionary, anti-cosmopolitan attacks of When William Came(1913).

A large sample of small firms was longitudinally surveyed to investigate the rationality of revenue forecasts made within such firms. The analysis helps to address the dearth of research investigating owner/managers' forecasts of growth in firms and their degree of accuracy. Contrary to conventional expectations, the results do not support the contention that forecasts made by the managers of small firms are optimistic. Although systematic overestimation was not found, managers did tend to make forecasts that were generally too extreme, and tended to overextrapolate previous growth. These results are consistent with propositions that overconfidence biases and representative heuristics influence the revenue forecasts made in small firms.

AbstractSerial entrepreneurs are business owner-operators who commence, operate and dispose of a number of business ventures. Whilst most entrepreneurial activity is related to one specific venture, serial entrepreneurs progressively “work through” a variety of different enterprises over time. Although the existence of such continuous or habitual entrepreneurs has been occasionally noted, little is presently known about the nature of such enterprising individuals and their firms. This paper draws on responses by 199 micro-small firms in New South Wales, Australia, to construct a more detailed picture of serial entrepreneurs. It examines the background and characteristics of these owner-operators, some aspects of their current operations, and whether the businesses of these serial entrepreneurs are more likely to grow than other entrepreneurial ventures.The results indicate that serial entrepreneurs tend to be male, relatively well educated, aged between 30–49, and Australian-born. Many (just under half) come from a family with a prior background in business ownership. A third of them concurrently operate another business, and the majority have a strong growth orientation. Testing of data between serial and other entrepreneurs revealed some statistically significant differences between the two cohorts. Compared to other entrepreneurs, serial entrepreneurs are more likely to concurrently operate another business; less likely to operate their current venture as a home-based enterprise; and more likely to want to expand their business in future. Serial entrepreneurs, when compared to other entrepreneurs, also tend to be slightly older, are more likely to be male, and are more inclined to buy a business as a going concern.

The article focuses on the presence of political reality in television and Hollywood Cinema in the U.S. According to a theory by Laura Mulvey, cinema has been greatly influenced by the patriarchal society. She explained that, films are product of ones skill and satisfying manipulation of visual pleasure. It is through participation in the power of the viewer that the filmmaker could indirectly possess the viewer's desire and pleasure as to its type of films. Moreover, the cinema is not only an instrument of the patriarchal society but it has also contributed to the images of violence, suffering, and the political complex in the society.

The psychostimulant medications methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMP), available in various ratios or enantiopure formulations of their respective active dextrorotary isomers, constitute the majority of agents used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Substantial interindividual variability occurs in their pharmacokinetics and tolerability. Little is known regarding the potential role of drug transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in psychostimulant pharmacokinetics and response. Therefore, experiments were carried out in P-gp knockout (KO) mice versus wild-type (WT) mice after intraperitoneal dosing (2.5 mg/kg) of d-MPH or (3.0 mg/kg) of d-AMP. After the administration of each psychostimulant, locomotor activity was assessed at 30-min intervals for 2 h. Total brain-to-plasma drug concentration ratios were determined at 10-, 30-, and 80-min postdosing time-points. The results showed no statistically supported genotypic difference in d-AMP-induced locomotor activity stimulation or in brain-to-plasma ratio of d-AMP. As for d-MPH, the P-gp KO mice had 33% higher brain concentrations (p < 0.05) and 67.5% higher brain-to-plasma ratios (p < 0.01) than WT controls at the 10-min postdosing timepoint. However, in spite of elevated brain concentrations, d-MPH-induced locomotor activity increase was attenuated for P-gp compared with that for WT mice. These data indicate that P-gp has no apparent effect on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of d-AMP. In addition, d-MPH is a relatively weak P-gp substrate, and its entry into the brain may be limited by P-gp. Furthermore, the mechanism by which d-MPH-induced locomotor activity was attenuated in P-gp KO mice remains to be elucidated.

AbstractThis paper assesses core innovation activity among SMEs within different levels of cluster development. The aim of the paper, using empirical data from the Australian wine industry, is to demonstrate that innovation levels and activity intensift as an industry cluster develops. By dividing wine clusters into ‘innovative’ (highly developed) and ‘organised’ (less developed) models, the paper uses selected core indicators of innovation activity to explore levels of integration within each model. This integration is examined in the context of Porter ‘s theory of ‘competitive advantage’, with implications for SMEs in particular, and lessons for industry clusters in general.

AbstractThere has been significant research on the factors that lead to small business success, growth, and failure. These factors can generally be described as relating to the ability and competence of the business owner/manager, the opportunity presented, and the willingness of the owner to pursue the opportunity. Differences are likely to arise in these factors in different regional areas. This study examines the financial management practices and perceptions of tradespeople in the building industry in Queensland and compares findings from a relatively large regional centre with businesses from Brisbane, the State capital of Queensland. This comparison seeks to determine if there are differences in attitudes and practices in the financial management of firms and individuals in these two areas.This study is based on data collected using a self-administered questionnaire completed by participants in a financial management training workshop before they had undertaken the training. This paper analyses responses to questions on financial management practices as well as firm and individual factors. Results of the analysis indicate that there are significant differences in both attitudes and practices of business owners and employees in the industry. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

AbstractResearch into the non-farm and small enterprise activities of women in rural, regional and remote areas of Australasia is virtually non-existent. Accordingly, this paper reports on the findings of interviews with 75 women small business operators in rural, regional and remote areas of Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales and a small section of provincial New Zealand who were mainly running non-farm businesses. The research was an outcome of a national study of women in small to medium sized enterprises (Still & Walker, 20023), and had the objective of ascertaining similarities and differences between the characteristics of women and their businesses in outback Australasia and the already established profiles of women and their businesses in urban locations. All participants responded to a questionnaire and an interview, the structure of which followed the contents of the national survey. Data was collected between March 2003 and October 2004.The results revealed similarities between the characteristics of the operator and her business in both urban and rural and remote regions in terms of both size and the service nature of the business. Differences arose from many of the regional women using the business as a strategic vehicle for diversification of income sources, their focus on local and regional services and their interest in exporting. The significance of these women to their local and regional communities was also more easily discernible than in urban areas, with many taking a leading role in a diverse range of activities – a finding also found by Houghton and Strong (2004). The study needs further research into a wider range of the women’s activities in their communities and the opportunities and difficulties they face in being enterprising women in the outback.

AbstractThe dominant forms of enterprise in Australian regions are, not surprisingly, small firms. But does regional location lead to these firms having specific attributes that are associated with the resource and competitive environment of regional locations?In this paper, theories of strategic competitiveness are used as the building blocks for alternative models of the regional firm. These models are used to develop a typology of firms that attempts to explain the fit between a small firm and its regional location. The standard theories based on “industry organization”, “resources”, and “dynamic capabilities” explain much of the variation observed in the case studies, however a more complete coverage of the regional effects on the nature of firm organization and strategy are provided by introducing “evolutionary” and “infrastructure” based paradigms. The typology is illustrated and discussed, using findings from a qualitative, case-based study of small, Western Victorian firms.