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The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of temperature and action time on the extraction rate of carbohydrates of Jerusalem artichoke concentrate powder and inactivation of inulin during boiling and sterilization.

Water suspension of Jerusalem artichoke concentrate (5g/100ml) at 25, 50 and 100^○C was tested after 5, 15, 30 and 60min to determine the content of inulin, glucose, fructose and sucrose and evaluate the extraction rate. The stability of inulin was studied after boiling and sterilization at 120^○C during 1, 2 and 3h. The extraction rate was evaluated by Fourier‐Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy as well.

It was shown that extraction of soluble carbohydrates – fructose, glucose, sucrose and inulin, from water suspension of Jerusalem artichoke concentrate was practically completed in 5min at 25^○C. The extraction rate was not significantly influenced by temperatures lower than 100^○C. Inulin was stable during boiling for 1h but sterilization for 1h caused significant losses. Infrared spectral analysis of soluble and insoluble fractions showed that inulin was practically fully extracted.

The paper shows that inulin can be easily extracted from Jerusalem artichoke concentrate powder even at 25^○C and it maintains for 60min at temperatures up to 100^○C, nevertheless boiling or sterilization at higher temperatures for longer time causes significant loses of inulin and consequently the functional quality of Jerusalem artichoke powder. These results must be taken into account when applying inulin concentrates as functional food components.

The aim of this study is to find out the appropriate fermentation conditions of Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) based media to obtain light beverage containing inulin.

JAP water suspension or filtrate were used for preparation of growth media with or without enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin for fermentation by Zymomonas mobilis 113 “S” or Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

If enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin was not used significantly higher amount of inulin (7.42 per cent) was unconverted by Z. mobilis than by S. cerevisiae (2.22 per cent) while the ethanol concentration was much higher (2.86 per cent) after S. cerevisiae fermentation than after Z. mobilis fermentation (1.21 per cent). Considerably more ethanol was produced by Z. mobilis during co‐fermentation with Fructozyme L of JAP suspension filtrate (5.98 per cent) and suspension (4.96 per cent). Analyses of volatile components of fermentation broths showed that for production of inulin containing light beverages the best was Z. mobilis fermentation of JAP water suspension or filtrate without enzymatic treatment. FT–IR spectroscopy can be used as a quick semi‐quantitative method for evaluation of inulin content.

JAP – containing not only inulin but all tuber ingredients, was used as a media for ethanol fermentations by Z. mobilis 113 “S” or S. cerevisiae with or without hydrolysis of inulin. It was shown that Z. mobilis fermentation broths containing 7.42 per cent of inulin can be used as beverage with prebiotic‐dietary fibre benefits. The taste of this product can be regulated by appropriate fermentation conditions and the concentration of fructose and ethanol.

To address the safety concerns generated by truck crashes occurred in big cities, this paper analyzes the zip code tabulation area (ZCTA)-based truck crash frequency across four temporal intervals – morning (6:00–10:00), mid-day (10:00–15:00), afternoon (15:00–19:00), and night (19:00–6:00) in New York City in 2010. A multivariate conditional autoregressive count model is used to recognize both spatial and temporal dependences. The results prove the presence of spatial and temporal dependencies for truck crashes that occurred in neighboring areas. Built environment attributes such as various types of business establishment density and traffic volume for different types of vehicles, which are important factors to consider for crashes occurred in an urban setting, are also examined in the study.

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the visibility and effectiveness of responsible drinking campaigns used for the sale of the product “beer” (on labels and commercials) on a sample of university students at the University of Pisa to verify whether a preventive “education” on the issue of the effects of alcohol consumption is suitable to improve the perception of responsible communication.

A focus group methodology was used. Three interviews were conducted with 21 university students. The interview protocol was divided into three sections and ten guiding questions were prepared to conduct the focus groups.

The study shows the weak effectiveness of responsible communication promoted by brewers, even though the sample knew aspects related to responsible communication and the adverse health effects of alcohol. Most respondents failed to remember the existence of responsibility messages placed on beverage labels, except as a result of visual stimuli, a sign that preventive education can play a role in message recognition. Commercials seem to have a more significant impact when associated with the dangers of drunk driving. However, promoting consumer awareness campaigns continues to be perceived as contradictory.

This study presents the results of qualitative research that focuses on university students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the most recent responsible communication campaigns conducted by brewers. The research is significant in assessing the effectiveness of communication tools, providing theoretical and industrial implications for improving the understanding of the phenomenon and the effectiveness of responsible messages.

The excessive consumption of alcohol in numerous countries in the world, combined with the progressively younger age of the consumers, made it necessary for companies to use instruments of communication aimed at the development of consumption responsibility, so as to prevent reckless behaviour and the health risks thereto associated. The purpose of this paper is to assess the visibility and effectiveness of responsible consumption messages used for the sale of the product “beer” (on packaging and in advertisements); the study used a sample audience made up of teenagers and young adults from southern Italy.

The methodology used was that of the focus group. Three interview sessions were conducted, one dedicated to teenagers, age 16–17 years, and two dedicated to young adult panels, age 20–24 years. A ten-question questionnaire was designed prior to the conduction of the focus groups, and it was used in all the sessions.

The study shows the weak efficacy of the “drink responsibly” communication campaigns carried out by beer manufacturers. The totality of the interviewees failed to remember the existence of the “drink responsibly” messages and, even after supplementary visual stimulation, they were mostly disinterested, defining the fact that companies from the alcoholic drinks industry carry out consumption awareness campaigns as an out-and-out nonsensical contradiction.

The survey draws attention to the perception by young audiences of the more recent “drink responsibly” communication campaigns carried out by beer manufacturers, aiming at encouraging a more responsible attitude to alcohol consumption. There still are not many such inquests aimed at determining the response of young people to the use of slogans and commercials connected to responsible drinking in the literature; therefore, this study aimed at filling this gap. In fact, the authors believe this study is important for assessing the effectiveness of such instruments for achieving greater responsibility in the use of alcoholic drinks, so as to develop better awareness in the ranks of youths. Among the new communication strategies that were proposed to the participants, there were video commercials containing responsible consumption messages and the new prohibition marks placed directly on the product labels.

Upstream social marketers advocate implementing effective public policies to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of advertising harmful products. This study aims to explore how alcohol ad content restrictions (as practised in some countries where ads may only convey factual information and objective properties of alcohol products) versus non-regulated advertising affect consumers’ product perceptions, attitude towards the ad and desire to drink. This study also examines how such restrictions influence the noticeability of text health warnings in ads (signalling alcohol-related risks) depending on their prominence.

A multi-method study was used to increase the validity of results. An online quantitative survey (n = 348) and an eye-tracking study (n = 184) were conducted on young French people (15–30). The eye-tracking method is particularly relevant for objectively measuring visual attention.

Results show that content restrictions on alcohol advertising reduce ad appeal and desire to drink. A more prominent format enhanced attentional processing of the text warning, whereas none of the tested ad contents influenced its noticeability.

This study assesses scientific evidence of the effect on alcohol ad content regulations adopted by some countries and provides arguments for upstream social marketers to inform and influence policymakers.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first multi-method study that assesses the effect of regulated vs non-regulated alcohol ads in terms of persuasion and of text warning visibility.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze, within the consumer socialization theory framework, the influence of three socialization agents (parents, peers and advertising as part of media content) over alcohol consumption intentions among young people, differentiating between underage and overage individuals.

Structured interviews were performed in both high schools and a university to analyze the hypothesized model.

The results show that both positive and negative expectancies towards the perceived consequences of consuming alcohol are the main antecedents of consumption intention. Moreover, all three considered agents have either a direct and indirect effect on those expectancies; and advertising plays a more important role on underage audience intentions to consume alcohol.

The findings demonstrate that consumption intention among adolescents and young adults is affected by parents, peers and advertising. However, each social agent has a differential effect on young people.

This research highlights the importance of strict regulation (or even restriction) on alcoholic advertising to reduce the effect on youth.

The paper develops a comprehensive model to explain some (of the many) relationships underlying alcohol consumption among young people.

Deutsche Bahn AG (Deutsche Bahn hereafter) was the former German railroad monopolist until deregulation in 1996. It was a well-known company that operated in worldwide markets for transport and logistics at the time of the case (late 2013). The case “Deutsche Bahn AG: a former monopoly off track?” focuses on the opportunities and challenges faced by Deutsche Bahn with regard to its position in the German individual transportation market. On the one hand, Deutsche Bahn is facing external problems. Increasing competition in short- and long-distance traffic threatens its strong business position. The competition emerged from a growing long-distance bus market and the increase in private railway companies. During the last few years before 2013, Deutsche Bahn has lost several public tenders for individual passenger travel in Germany. On the other hand, Deutsche Bahn has internal problems that endanger its image as a service company. A lack of service quality and the technical condition of its trains has led to rising numbers of customer complaints. In addition, staffing and punctuality problems have exacerbated the situation. One of the main technical issues the company faces is that ordered trains have not been delivered on time. Given the focus on Deutsche Bahn’s domestic challenges, its international business activities are tackled only briefly. While regulatory and political events have an impact on Deutsche Bahn, these are not the main subjects of the case.

This case has been written from public sources. Consequently, no company release is provided. None of the information has been disguised in any way.

The case is intended for use in a 90-minute strategic management class attended by students at the end of their undergraduate studies or in postgraduate study. Although the case relates to issues in strategic management, the special regulatory environment and some of the issues covered could make the case a useful complement in other classes as well, such as classes in supply chain management (procurement) or the management of public companies. Therefore, students should have basic knowledge in developing strategies, management, marketing, human resource management, and finance.

Strategic Analysis and Strategic Management, Railroad Logistics, Deregulation of a former Monopoly, Stakeholder Theory.

Grounded in Media System Dependency theory, this work investigates the impact of new media on political efficacy. It suggests that dependence on online resources affects people’s perceptions about the democratic potential of the Internet. Using structural equation modeling, the study tests the relationship between political attitudes and the perceived utility of the Web. The analysis employs measures that take into consideration the facilitating role of communication technologies. Results indicate that online political efficacy is associated with individual views about the comprehensiveness and credibility of new media. Efficacy is also linked to the perceived ability of online tools to aid the maintenance of ideologically homogenous social networks. The intensity of Internet dependency relations is found to be predicted by the perceived comprehensiveness – but not credibility – of online news.

This paper reports the results of a 1992 City of Tacoma, Washington study of police values which was designed to test similar research conducted by Milton Rokeach in 1971. Our data support the hypothesis that individual value systems are more important than occupational socialization in understanding police selection and behavior. Value patterns not only were consistent over time, but also reflected a pattern of conservative beliefs. This work suggests that any attempt to reform or improve police community relations must begin with the restructuring of recruiting practices and the re‐socialization of police practitioners.