bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medullary Respiratory Neural Activity During Hypoxia in NREM and REM Sleep in the Cat
Authors: Lovering Andrew T. , Fraigne Jimmy J. , Dunin-Barkowski Witali L. , Vidruk Edward H. , Orem John M.
Published: September 2005

Intact unanesthetized cats hyperventilate in response to hypocapnic hypoxia in both wakefulness and sleep. This hyperventilation is caused by increases in diaphragmatic activity during inspiration and expiration. In this study, we recorded 120 medullary respiratory neurons during sleep in hypoxia. Our goal was to understand how these neurons change their activity to increase breathing efforts and frequency in response to hypoxia. We found that the response of medullary respiratory neurons to hypoxia was variable. While the activity of a small majority of inspiratory (58%) and expiratory (56%) neurons was increased in response to hypoxia, the activity of a small majority of preinspiratory (57%) neurons was decreased. Cells that were more active in hypoxia had discharge rates that averaged 183% (inspiratory decrementing), 154% (inspiratory augmenting), 155% (inspiratory), 230% (expiratory decrementing), 191% (expiratory augmenting), and 136% (expiratory) of the rates in normoxia. The response to hypoxia was similar in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and REM sleep. Additionally, changes in the profile of activity were observed in all cell types examined. These changes included advanced, prolonged, and abbreviated patterns of activity in response to hypoxia; for example, some inspiratory neurons prolonged their discharge into expiration during the postinspiratory period in hypoxia but not in normoxia. Although changes in activity of the inspiratory neurons could account for the increased breathing efforts and activity of the diaphragm observed during hypoxia, the mechanisms responsible for the change in respiratory rate were not revealed by our data.
Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors on Second-Order Baroreceptor Neurons Are Tonically Activated and Induce a Na+–Ca2+Exchange Current
Authors: Sekizawa Shin-ichi , Bonham Ann C.
Published: September 2005

The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is essential for coordinating baroreflex control of blood pressure. The baroreceptor sensory fibers make glutamatergic synapses onto second-order NTS neurons. Glutamate spillover activates Group II and III presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) on the baroreceptor central terminals to inhibit synaptic transmission, but the role of postsynaptic mGluRs is less understood. We used whole cell patch-clamping in anatomically identified second-order baroreceptor neurons in a brain stem slice to test whether Group I, II, and III mGluRs had postsynaptic effects at this first central synapse in the baroreceptor afferent pathway. The Group I agonist DHPG induced a depolarization and spiking that was mimicked by endogenous glutamate. Group I mGluR blockade prevented the depolarization and slightly hyperpolarized the neurons, suggesting a small tonic Group I mGluR activation. The DHPG-induced inward current consisted of voltage-dependent and -independent components; the former was blocked by TEA and the latter was blocked by replacing extracellular NaCl with LiCl or Tris-HCl. The DHPG current was potentiated in a Ca2+-free external solution and was diminished by intracellular dialysis with BAPTA and by perfusion with Na+–Ca2+exchanger blockers, KB-R7943 or 3′,4′-dichlorobenzamil. Intracellular dialysis with GDPβS or heparin and perfusion with the PLC inhibitor U-73122 or the Ca2+-calmodulin inhibitor W-7 significantly decreased the DHPG current. The data suggest that Group I mGluRs on baroreceptor neurons are functional; are activated by endogenous glutamate; and activate a Na+–Ca2+exchanger through G-protein, PLC, IP3, and Ca2+-calmodulin mechanisms to excite the cell, thus providing postsynaptic mechanisms to enhance or prolong baroreceptor signal transmission.
Seizure Suppression byshakB2, a Gap Junction Mutation inDrosophila
Authors: Song Juan , Tanouye Mark A.
Published: September 2005

Gap junction proteins mediate electrical synaptic transmission. In Drosophila, flies carrying null mutations in the shakB locus, such as shakB2, have behavioral and electrophysiological defects in the giant fiber (GF) system neurocircuit consistent with a loss of transmission at electrical synapses. The shakB2mutation also affects seizure susceptibility. Mutant flies are especially seizure-resistant and have a high threshold to evoked seizures. In addition, in some double mutant combinations with “epilepsy” mutations, shakB2appears to act as a seizure-suppressor mutation: shakB2restores seizure susceptibility to the wild-type range in the double mutant. In double mutant combinations, shakB2completely suppresses seizures caused by slamdance ( sda) , knockdown ( kdn), and jitterbug ( jbug) mutations. Seizures caused by easily shocked ( eas) and technical knockout ( tko) mutations are partially suppressed by shakB2. Seizures caused by bang-sensitive ( bas2) and bang- senseless ( bss1, bss2alleles) mutations are not suppressed by shakB2. These results show the use of Drosophila as a model system for studying the kinds of genetic interactions responsible for seizure susceptibility, bringing us closer to unraveling the complexity of seizure disorders in humans.
sn‐metrizable spaces and related matters
Authors: Luo Zhiming
Published: October 2005

We give a mapping theorem on sn‐metrizable spaces, discuss
relationships among spaces with point‐countable sn‐networks,
spaces with uniform sn‐networks, spaces with locally countable
sn‐networks, spaces with σ‐locally countable
sn‐networks, and sn‐metrizable spaces, and obtain some related results.
On some permutation polynomials over finite fields
Authors: Akbary Amir , Wang Qiang
Published: October 2005

Let p be prime, q = pm, and q − 1 = 7s. We completely describe
the permutation behavior of the binomial P(x) = xr(1 + xes) (1 ≤ e ≤ 6) over a finite field in terms of
the sequence {an} defined by the recurrence relation an = an−1 + 2an−2 − an−3 (n ≥ 3) with initial values a0 = 3, a1 = 1, and a2 = 5.
Src Homology 2–Containing Inositol 5′-Phosphatase 1 Negatively Regulates IFN-γ Production by Natural Killer Cells Stimulated with Antibody-Coated Tumor Cells and Interleukin-12
Authors: Parihar Robin , Trotta Rossana , Roda Julie M. , Ferketich Amy K. , Tridandapani Susheela , Caligiuri Michael A. , Carson William E.
Published: October 2005

We have previously shown that natural killer (NK) cells secrete a distinct profile of immunomodulatory cytokines in response to dual stimulation with antibody-coated tumor cells and interleukin-12 (IL-12). This NK cell cytokine response is dependent on synergistic signals mediated by the activating receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (FcγRIIIa) and the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R), both constitutively expressed on NK cells. The phosphatase Src homology 2–containing inositol 5′-phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) is known to exert inhibitory effects on Fc receptor (FcR) signaling via its enzymatic activity on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) products within many cells of the immune system, most notably mast cells, B cells, and monocytes. However, its activity in the context of FcR activation on NK cells has not been fully explored. The current study focused on the regulation of FcγRIIIa-induced NK cell cytokine production by SHIP1. Inhibitor studies showed that NK cell IFN-γ production following FcR stimulation in the presence of IL-12 depended, in part, on the downstream products of PI3-K. Overexpression of wild-type (WT) SHIP1, but not a catalytic-deficient mutant, via retroviral transfection of primary human NK cells, resulted in a >70% reduction of NK cell IFN-γ production in response to costimulation. In addition, NK cells from SHIP1−/− mice produced 10-fold greater amounts of IFN-γ following culture with antibody-coated tumor cells plus IL-12 compared with NK cells from WT mice. Further, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family member extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk; a downstream target of PI3-K) was significantly enhanced within SHIP1−/− NK cells compared with WT NK cells following costimulation. Pharmacologic inhibition of Erk activity, but not Jnk MAPK activity, led to significantly decreased IFN-γ production from both SHIP1−/− and WT NK cells under these conditions. These results are the first to show a physiologic role for SHIP1 in the regulation of NK cell cytokine production and implicate PI3-K in the induction of MAPK signal transduction following costimulation of NK cells via the FcR and the IL-12R.
A Novel Isoform of TUCAN Is Overexpressed in Human Cancer Tissues and Suppresses Both Caspase-8– and Caspase-9–Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Yamamoto Masaaki , Torigoe Toshihiko , Kamiguchi Kenjiro , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Nakanishi Katsuya , Nabeta Chika , Asanuma Hiroko , Tsuruma Tetsuhiro , Sato Takashi , Hata Fumitake , Ohmura Tousei , Yamaguchi Koji , Kurotaki Takehiro , Hirata Koichi , Sato Noriyuki
Published: October 2005

Caspase-associated recruitment domains (CARD) are protein-protein interaction modules found extensively in proteins that play important roles in apoptosis. One of the CARD-containing proteins, TUCAN (CARD8), was reported previously as an antiapoptotic protein with a molecular weight of 48 kDa, which was up-regulated in colon cancer cells. We identified a novel isoform of TUCAN with a molecular weight of 54 kDa. The new variant of TUCAN, termed TUCAN-54, was expressed in gastric, colon, and breast cancer tissues but was barely detected in normal noncancerous tissues, whereas 48-kDa TUCAN was detected in tumor tissues and noncancerous tissues. To know the function of TUCAN-54 in the apoptosis of cancer cells, TUCAN-54 was overexpressed in tumor cells by gene transfection. Its overexpression inhibited pro-caspase-9 activation, leading to the suppression of the cell death induced by a protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, or a chemotherapeutic reagent, etoposide (VP-16). In contrast, specific small interfering RNA–mediated suppression of TUCAN-54 expression in tumor cells increased the VP-16–induced cell death rate, indicating that expression of TUCAN-54 might be associated with chemoresistance of tumor cells. In addition, it inhibited caspase-8 activation as well, thereby suppressing Fas-induced cell death. It was revealed that Fas-associated death domain was physically associated with TUCAN-54 but not with 48-kDa TUCAN. Thus, TUCAN-54 might be a novel tumor-specific antiapoptotic molecule expressed in a variety of human cancer tissues, which might aggravate malignant potential of cancer cells, such as chemoresistance and immunoresistance.
Overexpressed β-Catenin Blocks Nitric Oxide–Induced Apoptosis in Colonic Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Hongying , MacNaughton Wallace K.
Published: October 2005

β-Catenin plays an important role in colonic tumorigenesis whereas inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide are elevated in colonic inflammation. Resistance of colonic epithelial cells to the induction of apoptosis may contribute to tumor development. Nitric oxide can stimulate apoptosis and, paradoxically, is implicated in the development of colon cancer. Our hypothesis was that β-catenin could increase the resistance of colonic cancer cells to nitric oxide–induced apoptotic cell death. Here we show, using a β-catenin overexpression system, that increased cytosolic β-catenin renders colonic epithelial cells more resistant to nitric oxide–induced apoptotic cell death, independently of nitric oxide–induced accumulation of p53. Furthermore, we show that this occurs through inhibition of nitric oxide–induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and by blocking both the nitric oxide–induced suppression of the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, and the phosphorylation of Akt. We contend that increased nitric oxide production, such as that which occurs in chronic colonic inflammation, may select the cells with oncogenic mutant β-catenin regulatory genes and contribute to human colonic carcinogenesis and tumor progression.
Explaining the Phenomenon of Nitrate Tolerance
Authors: Münzel Thomas , Daiber Andreas , Mülsch Alexander
Published: September 2005

During the last century, nitroglycerin has been the most commonly used antiischemic and antianginal agent. Unfortunately, after continuous application, its therapeutic efficacy rapidly vanishes. Neurohormonal activation of vasoconstrictor signals and intravascular volume expansion constitute early counter-regulatory responses (pseudotolerance), whereas long-term treatment induces intrinsic vascular changes, eg, a loss of nitrovasodilator-responsiveness (vascular tolerance). This is caused by increased vascular superoxide production and a supersensitivity to vasoconstrictors secondary to a tonic activation of protein kinase C. NADPH oxidase(s) and uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase have been proposed as superoxide sources. Superoxide and vascular NO rapidly form peroxynitrite, which aggravates tolerance by promoting NO synthase uncoupling and inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase and prostacyclin synthase. This oxidative stress concept may explain why radical scavengers and substances, which reduce oxidative stress indirectly, are able to relieve tolerance and endothelial dysfunction. Recent work has defined a new tolerance mechanism, ie, an inhibition of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that accomplishes bioactivation of nitroglycerin, and has identified mitochondria as an additional source of reactive oxygen species. Nitroglycerin-induced reactive oxygen species inhibit the bioactivation of nitroglycerin by thiol oxidation of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Both mechanisms, increased oxidative stress and impaired bioactivation of nitroglycerin, can be joined to provide a new concept for nitroglycerin tolerance and cross-tolerance. The consequences of these processes for the nitroglycerin downstream targets soluble guanylyl cyclase, cGMP-dependent protein kinase, cGMP-degrading phosphodiesterases, and toxic side effects contributing to endothelial dysfunction, such as inhibition of prostacyclin synthase, are discussed in this review.
Downscaling Precipitation and Temperature with Temporal Neural Networks
Authors: Coulibaly Paulin , Dibike Yonas B. , Anctil François
Published: September 2005

The issues of downscaling the outputs of a global climate model (GCM) to a scale that is appropriate to hydrological impact studies are investigated using a temporal neural network approach. The time-lagged feed-forward neural network (TLFN) is proposed for downscaling daily total precipitation and daily maximum and minimum temperature series for the Serpent River watershed in northern Quebec (Canada). The downscaling models are developed and validated using large-scale predictor variables derived from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis dataset. Atmospheric predictors such as specific humidity, wind velocity, and geopotential height are identified as the most relevant inputs to the downscaling models. The performance of the TLFN downscaling model is also compared to a statistical downscaling model (SDSM). The downscaling results suggest that the TLFN is an efficient method for downscaling both daily precipitation and temperature series. The best downscaling models were then applied to the outputs of the Canadian Global Climate Model (CGCM1), forced with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) IS92a scenario. Changes in average precipitation between the current and the future scenarios predicted by the TLFN are generally found to be smaller than those predicted by the SDSM model. Furthermore, application of the downscaled data for hydrologic impact analysis in the Serpent River resulted in an overall increasing trend in mean annual flow as well as earlier spring peak flow. The results also demonstrate the emphasis that should be given in identifying the appropriate downscaling tools for impact studies by showing how a future climate scenario downscaled with different downscaling methods could result in significantly different hydrologic impact simulation results for the same watershed.
Issues in Simulating the Annual Precipitation of a Semiarid Region in Central Spain
Authors: Hasler N. , Avissar R. , Liston G. E.
Published: September 2005

Running regional climate models at a high resolution may improve their ability to simulate regional precipitation patterns, making them suitable for studying the impact of human-induced land-cover changes on hydrometeorology. The performance of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) run in the high-resolution climate mode (4-km grid mesh) has been tested over a small domain in a semiarid region in central Spain. Three 1-yr simulations representing dry, intermediate, and wet conditions were compared to observations collected in 35 rain gauges. The model captured general spatiotemporal features of precipitation, such as the timing of precipitation events and approximate location of storms. A high correlation (0.82) between monthly domain-averaged observed and modeled precipitation was obtained. However, the model had a systematic dry bias, averaging −0.29 mm day−1, equivalent to 26% of annual rainfall. The small domain size, chosen because of computational limits, induced strong lateral boundary forcing, which, combined with uncertainty in NCEP relative humidity fields, was a likely cause for this dry bias.
Trends and Variability in Snowmelt Runoff in the Western United States
Authors: McCabe Gregory J. , Clark Martyn P.
Published: September 2005

The timing of snowmelt runoff (SMR) for 84 rivers in the western United States is examined to understand the character of SMR variability and the climate processes that may be driving changes in SMR timing. Results indicate that the timing of SMR for many rivers in the western United States has shifted to earlier in the snowmelt season. This shift occurred as a step change during the mid-1980s in conjunction with a step increase in spring and early-summer atmospheric pressures and temperatures over the western United States. The cause of the step change has not yet been determined.
Validation and Error Characterization of the GPCP-1DD Precipitation Product over the Contiguous United States
Authors: McPhee James , Margulis Steven A.
Published: September 2005

A validation and error characterization study of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project, 1 degree daily (GPCP-1DD) precipitation product over the contiguous United States is presented. Daily precipitation estimates over a 1° grid are compared against aggregated precipitation values obtained from the forcing field of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (LDAS). LDAS daily values are consistent with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Climate Prediction Center (CPC) gauge-based daily precipitation product and hence are regarded as realistic ground-truth values with full coverage of the United States. Continuous and categorical measures of skill are presented, so that both the ability of GPCP-1DD to identify a precipitation event and its accuracy in determining cumulative precipitation amounts are evaluated. Daily values are aggregated into seasonal averages, and spatial averages are computed for five arbitrarily defined zones that cover most of the study area. Results show that in general there is good agreement between GPCP-1DD and LDAS values, except for areas where GPCP-1DD is unable to identify high-intensity events, particularly the Pacific coast north of parallel 40°N. Computation of continuous statistics shows that average bias is negligible in most areas of the United States except for humid regions north of parallel 40°N. However, the rmse statistics shows that differences in estimated precipitation for individual 1° cells can be significant, exceeding in most cases the magnitude of the average precipitation. Beyond the validation, the error characterization presented here can significantly enhance the utility of the GPCP-1DD product by providing necessary inputs for ensemble hydrologic modeling and forecasting.
Intercomparison of Rain Gauge, Radar, and Satellite-Based Precipitation Estimates with Emphasis on Hydrologic Forecasting
Authors: Yilmaz Koray K. , Hogue Terri S. , Hsu Kuo-lin , Sorooshian Soroosh , Gupta Hoshin V. , Wagener Thorsten
Published: September 2005

This study compares mean areal precipitation (MAP) estimates derived from three sources: an operational rain gauge network (MAPG), a radar/gauge multisensor product (MAPX), and the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN) satellite-based system (MAPS) for the time period from March 2000 to November 2003. The study area includes seven operational basins of varying size and location in the southeastern United States. The analysis indicates that agreements between the datasets vary considerably from basin to basin and also temporally within the basins. The analysis also includes evaluation of MAPS in comparison with MAPG for use in flow forecasting with a lumped hydrologic model [Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting Model (SAC-SMA)]. The latter evaluation investigates two different parameter sets, the first obtained using manual calibration on historical MAPG, and the second obtained using automatic calibration on both MAPS and MAPG, but over a shorter time period (23 months). Results indicate that the overall performance of the model simulations using MAPS depends on both the bias in the precipitation estimates and the size of the basins, with poorer performance in basins of smaller size (large bias between MAPG and MAPS) and better performance in larger basins (less bias between MAPG and MAPS). When using MAPS, calibration of the parameters significantly improved the model performance.
The Operational Eta Model Precipitation and Surface Hydrologic Cycle of the Columbia and Colorado Basins
Authors: Luo Yan , Berbery Ernesto H. , Mitchell Kenneth E.
Published: September 2005

The surface hydrology of the United States’ western basins is investigated using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction operational Eta Model forecasts. During recent years the model has been subject to changes and upgrades that positively affected its performance. These effects on the surface hydrologic cycle are discussed by analyzing the period June 1995–May 2003. Prior to the model assessment, three gauge-based precipitation analyses that are potential sources of model validation are appraised. A fairly large disparity between the gridded precipitation analyses is found in the long-term area averages over the Columbia basin (∼23% difference) and over the Colorado basin (∼12% difference). These discrepancies are due to the type of analysis scheme employed and whether an orographic correction was applied.

The basin-averaged Eta Model precipitation forecasts correlate well with the observations at monthly time scales and, after 1999, show a small bias. Over the Columbia basin, the model precipitation bias is typically positive. This bias is significantly smaller with respect to orographically corrected precipitation analyses, indicating that the model’s large-scale precipitation processes respond reasonably well to orographic effects, though manifesting a higher bias during the cool season. Over the Colorado basin, the model precipitation bias is typically negative, and notably more so with respect to 1) the orographically corrected precipitation analyses and 2) the warm season, indicating shortfalls in the convection scheme over arid high mountains.

The mean fields of the hydrological variables in the Eta Model are in qualitative agreement with those from the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) macroscale hydrologic model at regional-to-large scales. As expected, the largest differences are found near mountains and the western coastline. While the mean fields of precipitation, evaporation, runoff, and normalized soil moisture are in general agreement, important differences arise in their mean annual cycle over the two basins: snowmelt in the Eta Model precedes that of VIC by 2 months, and this phase shift is also reflected in the other variables. In the last 3–4 yr of the study period, notable improvements are evident in the quality of the model’s precipitation forecast and in the reduction of the residual term of the surface water balance, suggesting that at least similar (or better) quality will be found in studies based on NCEP’s recently completed Eta Model–based North American regional reanalysis.
Multiscale Variability of the River Runoff System in China and Its Long-Term Link to Precipitation and Sea Surface Temperature
Authors: Xue Yongkang , Ji Jinjun , Sun Shufen , Wu Guoxiong , Lau K-M. , Poccard Isabelle , Kang Hyun-Suk , Zhang Renhe , Schaake John C. , Zhang Jian Yun , Jiao Yanjun
Published: September 2005

This is an exploratory study to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics of east China’s (EC) river runoff and their relationship with precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) at the continental scale. Monthly mean data from 72 runoff stations and 160 precipitation stations in EC, covering a period between 1951 and 1983, are used for this study. The station river runoff data have been spatially interpolated onto 1° grid boxes as runoff depth based on an extracted drainage network. Comparing runoff depth with precipitation shows that seasonal variation in runoff is consistent with the development of the summer monsoon, including the delayed response of runoff in several subregions. The dominant spatial scales and temporal patterns of summer runoff and precipitation are studied with empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis and wavelet analyses. The analyses show interannual, biennial, and longer-term variations in the EOF modes. South–north dipole anomaly patterns for the first two runoff EOF’s spatial distributions have been identified. The first/second runoff principal components (PCs) are highly correlated with the second/first precipitation PCs, respectively. The summer runoff’s EOF PCs also show significant correlations with the multivariate El Niño–Southern Oscillation index (MEI) of the summer and winter months, while the summer precipitation PCs do not. Statistic analysis shows that EOF1 of runoff and EOF2 of precipitation are related to El Niño, while EOF2 of runoff and EOF1 of precipitation are related to a dipole SST anomaly over the northwestern Pacific. The interdecadal relationship between summer runoff, precipitation, and SST variability is further studied by singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis. Pronounced warming (SST) and drying (runoff) trends in first SVD PCs have been identified. These SVDs are used to reconstruct a decadal anomaly pattern, which produces flooding in part of the Chang Jiang River basin and dryness in the northern EC, consistent with observations.
Validation of GOES-Based Insolation Estimates Using Data from the U.S. Climate Reference Network
Authors: Otkin Jason A. , Anderson Martha C. , Mecikalski John R. , Diak George R.
Published: September 2005

Reliable procedures that accurately map surface insolation over large domains at high spatial and temporal resolution are a great benefit for making the predictions of potential and actual evapotranspiration that are required by a variety of hydrological and agricultural applications. Here, estimates of hourly and daily integrated insolation at 20-km resolution, based on Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) visible imagery are compared to pyranometer measurements made at 11 sites in the U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN) over a continuous 15-month period. Such a comprehensive survey is necessary in order to examine the accuracy of the satellite insolation estimates over a diverse range of seasons and land surface types. The relatively simple physical model of insolation that is tested here yields good results, with seasonally averaged model errors of 62 (19%) and 15 (10%) W m−2 for hourly and daily-averaged insolation, respectively, including both clear- and cloudy-sky conditions. This level of accuracy is comparable, or superior, to results that have been obtained with more complex models of atmospheric radiative transfer. Model performance can be improved in the future by addressing a small elevation-related bias in the physical model, which is likely the result of inaccurate model precipitable water inputs or cloud-height assessments.
Introduction to the Special Issue. 'Connectivity' in Merging Organizations: Beyond Traditional Cultural Perspectives
Authors: Angwin Duncan , Vaara Eero
Published: September 2005

This editorial provides an introduction to the themes of this special issue on ‘connectivity’ in merging organizations. The growing impact of mergers and acquisitions on organizations, industries and economies has generated substantial research interest in the ensuing change processes from strategic, human resource and cultural perspectives. However, this research has focused on certain perspectives and failed to interrogate others. In the case of the cultural perspective, researchers have tended to focus on cultural differences between merging firms and how these differences may be bridged. This focus has provided important insights into the dynamics of these processes, but at the same time has constrained our appreciation of the richness of connectivity between organizations and their contexts as well as clouded our efforts in developing new concepts and angles for research. Through the focus of the special issue on connectivity, the strengths and limitations of the cultural paradigm in M&A research will be debated and a research agenda for the future suggested.
Expatriation as a Bridge Over Troubled Water: A Knowledge-Based Perspective Applied to Cross-Border Acquisitions
Authors: Hébert Louis , Very Philippe , Beamish Paul W.
Published: September 2005

Do expatriate managers fulfil the role of ‘value-seeking connectors’ in cross-border acquisitions? Building from the organizational knowledge and the MNC literature, this paper focuses on the use of expatriate managers for transferring experience-based knowledge within the MNC and its impact on the survival of acquired subsidiaries. Using a sample of cross-border acquisitions by Japanese MNCs, we analysed the impact of expatriate managers on the relationship between the acquirer’s industry, host country and acquisition experience and the survival of the acquired subsidiary. Results show that the contribution of expatriation to the acquired firm’s survival varies considerably depending on the type of experience considered. In fact, connectivity through expatriation is costly and only when appropriately sent abroad do expatriate managers build an effective bridge over the troubled water that characterizes the challenging post-acquisition integration.
Facilitating Acquisition Integration Through Deep-Level Cultural Learning Interventions: A Longitudinal Field Experiment
Authors: Schweiger David M. , Goulet Philip K.
Published: September 2005

In this exploratory study we argue that achieving an effective employee mindset toward acquisition may be less a process of limiting acquisitions to firms with more similar cultures than it is an ability to manage cultural differences through cultural learning. This study is the first to systematically and empirically examine cultural learning interventions as they apply to the post-acquisition integration process. The longitudinal results from a field experiment across three pairs of matched plants indicate that cultural distance between employees from combining firms can be bridged during the early stages of the integration process. Deep-level cultural learning interventions were found to develop constructive employee perceptions and attitudes that are believed to enhance performance in acquisitions requiring human integration to achieve synergies.
The Integration Journey: An Attention-Based View of the Merger and Acquisition Integration Process
Authors: Yu Jisun , Engleman Rhonda M. , Van de Ven Andrew H.
Published: September 2005

This paper reports findings from an eight-year ethnographic study of the integration process in a large healthcare system formed in a 1994 merger. We examine the post-merger integration process by analyzing the relative amounts of time that senior managers in one unit of this organization spent discussing various integration topics and issues in their bi-weekly meetings from 1995 to 2002. We also describe the different patterns observed when managers addressed topics in their meetings related to internal unit integration versus integration with other parts of the organization. Finally, we identify a vicious cycle of repeated conflicts in how organizational members made sense of issues that emerged during the post-merger integration journey.
Psychophysiological responsivity to Indian instrumental music
Authors: Gupta Uma , Gupta B. S.
Published: September 2005

The effects of rāga Desi-Todi played on a flute by a renowned Indian musician, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, were examined on three physiological (alpha EEG frequency, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate) and three psychological (depression, state and trait anxiety, and four components of anxiety: somatic, cognitive, behavioral and affective) assessments. The postgraduate male university students served as subjects. The subjects listened to instrumental music (without lyrics) for 30 minutes a day for 20 days. A pre- and post-treatment procedure was adopted for recording physiological and psychological assessments. The results showed that the instrumental music led to a significant increase in the alpha EEG frequency and a significant decrease in the scores on depression, state and trait anxiety, and the four components of anxiety; the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, however, remained unaffected.
Emotional ratings of music excerpts in the western art music repertoire and their self-organization in the Kohonen neural network
Authors: Kallinen Kari
Published: September 2005

Suggestions for basic emotional music excerpts in the western art music repertoire were collected through a survey that was sent to about 500 music professionals. A total of 78 music excerpts were then tested in the listening experiments 1 ( n = 44) and 2 ( n = 55), considering emotional quality and intensity, and the topological organization of the music excerpts in the basic emotion dimensions (i.e. joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust) was examined using Kohonen’s neural network. The results suggest that, in general, the basic emotions can be considered as distinct emotional dimensions in music. Joy and sadness seem to be easier to express and recognize than fear, anger and surprise. The participants’ level of music education or other background factors had no effect on emotional or intensity judgments. The results also suggest that the emotional connotations in modern music are not so well established as in music that is more tonal (i.e. Baroque, Classical, and Romantic).
Musical identities of professional jazz musicians: a focus group investigation
Authors: Macdonald Raymond , Wilson Graeme
Published: September 2005

Views about jazz, and being a jazz musician, were gathered from current Scottish practitioners. Jazz is a uniquely interactive creative practice, dependent on shared practices and meanings. These are inseparable from social and cultural contexts; however, research on musicians’ views has been concentrated on individuals in the USA. This study therefore uses focus group interviewing to access group musical identities in the UK. Reflexive issues of the research procedure are also addressed. Maintaining swing feel and a balance of collective and individual practices emerged as important. Eclectic professional practice created a demanding lifestyle; in this context, the group aspect of jazz is integral to related musical identities. Diverse discourses highlighted the constructed nature of these identities; focus groups are thus a useful method for this field. Consideration of the interview circumstances suggests how these function, and has implications for subsequent research.
The meaning of music in the lives of older people: a qualitative study
Authors: Hays Terrence , Minichiello Victor
Published: September 2005

This qualitative study describes the experience of music and focuses on the emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual well-being roles that music plays in the lives of older people. In-depth interviews were used to explore the meaning, importance and function of music for 52 older Australians living in the community aged 60 years and older. The findings revealed that music provides people with ways of understanding and developing their self-identity; connecting with others; maintaining well-being; and experiencing and expressing spirituality. The results show how music contributes to positive ageing by providing ways for people to maintain positive self-esteem, feel competent, independent, and avoid feelings of isolation or loneliness. The study highlights the need to be better informed about how music can facilitate and sustain older people’s well-being.
ICT Skills for Information Professionals in Developing Countries: perspectives from a study of the electronic information environment in Nigeria
Authors: Ashcroft Linda , Watts Chris
Published: September 2005

Changes in the provision of information brought about through the emergence of electronic information resources have created subsequent changes in the skills needed by information professionals. Information professionals are now expected to be aware of and capable of using emerging information communication technologies, as well as having essential communication skills. Professional bodies, such as CILIP in the UK and the ALA in the US, recognize the importance of continuing professional development in order to keep skills and expertise up-to-date for all aspects of work. The necessity of ICT skills has a clear impact on reference service professionals, with the emergence of digital reference services. A research project carried out at Liverpool John Moores University into the provision of electronic information in Nigeria identified a significant skills gap amongst information professionals. Collaboration and strategic management of resources may be key to alleviating this problem.
The British Library and E-Learning
Authors: Brindley Lynne
Published: September 2005

Provides an overview of the British Library’s approach to e-learning, and describes how the Library’s online learning resources are being used by different groups of learners. It also touches on some of the challenges of delivering a widely accessible learning programme, and raises questions which the new possibilities offered by e-learning pose for national libraries.
Democracy Building Activities in the Swedish Riksdag: the role of a parliamentary library
Authors: Brundin Margareta
Published: September 2005

Describes the activities of a new office created by the Parliament of Sweden (the Riksdag) with the objective of contributing actively to increasing the public’s — and especially young people’s — knowledge of and interest in the Riksdag and its work. The Riksdag Library contributes to satisfy the need among the public for accurate and easily accessible information about the work and decisions of the Riksdag with its open-door policy, regional activities and training of librarians from all over Sweden.
Librarians and Basic Education Teachers in the Context of ‘Digital Literacy’
Authors: Ferreiro Emilia
Published: September 2005

The paper looks critically at the notion of ‘digital literacy’. Literacy is not a static notion. Literacy requirements change across time and places. Nowadays ICTs have introduced radical changes in the way of producing and disseminating texts. However, they did not change the conceptual nature of the literacy process. The relationship between elementary school and the introduction of new technologies is explored, leading to the conclusion that it is too risky to bent on computers only to improve literacy results. Even in the most developed countries they are underused. Suggestion is made on the particular role that librarians can play to make a more effective use of ICTs in educational contexts, as librarians have already adopted these technologies as a common and effective tool while teachers are reluctant to use them.
NGOs, ICTs and Information Dissemination in Asia and Oceania
Authors: Reade-Fong Elizabeth , Gorman Gary E.
Published: September 2005

Focusing on the situation in Asia and Oceania, this paper looks at the way in which NGOs utilize information, and to some extent ICTs, for sustainable capacity building. It is hypothesized that communication strategies that take into account the social nature of access, recognize the interaction between face-to-face and online communications, and combine Internet use with a broad range of other new and old media provide the best opportunities for sustainable development initiatives through the use of ICT. This issue is addressed through a series of questions: What are the barriers to ICT adoption, and how might its potential be realized? What is an appropriate mix of ICT-based information dissemination and traditional print-based information? How do different cultures react when information is accessed remotely rather than face-to-face? How well do NGOs collaborate with one another in sharing development-related information? What are some of the facilitators and barriers to more effective collaboration?
Citations and Links as a Measure of Effectiveness of Online LIS Journals
Authors: Smith Alastair G.
Published: September 2005

Examines the use of citation counts and web links to evaluate online LIS journals. The Journal Impact Factor, a traditional metric for comparing journals, is based on the citation counts of a journal over a specified period of time, compared with the citable articles published in the journal. The Web Impact Factor (WIF) has been proposed as an equivalent metric for websites. The WIF is broadly defined as the ratio of links made to a site, compared to the number of information units (e.g. pages) at the site. The study compares the WIFs of a sample of online LIS journal websites with their conventional citation counts. Links to online journals are often considered to be equivalent to citations, but there are significant differences. Provides indications of how effective the online medium is for communicating LIS research and offers guidance for LIS authors and journal editors to help them make effective use of online journals.
A Voyage Through the Norwegian Library Landscape and Some Challenges on the Horizon
Authors: Indergaard Leikny Haga
Published: September 2005

Norway has a well-developed library system and can point to increased activity in recent years. Norwegian libraries have adapted themselves to meet the needs of their users in our modern, network society. The libraries are digital and offer their services across administrative boundaries. Virtual library services have been developed as a supplement to the physical library, thereby contributing to an increased use of resources and higher quality across the whole range of services. The aim is to offer members of the public good library services throughout the country, regardless of their place of residence and the resources of their local library. Libraries are part of a joint network forming a local, regional and national structure. A strategic survey is now under way in order to develop this network further and to guard against any deterioration. There is a clear need for coordination at national, regional and local levels in order to ensure a seamless library service.
The Nordic Countries: cultural and library cooperation
Authors: Langeland Asbjørn
Published: September 2005

Denmark, Norway and Sweden form the region of Scandinavia, but they are also a part of the Nordic region, ‘Norden’, which consists of five countries and three autonomous areas. The Nordic countries established the Nordic Council, an organized cooperation on the parliamentary level, in 1952. Under the umbrella of ‘Norden’ there are a great number of institutions, committees and institutional bodies, many of them in the cultural field. The Nordic Literature and Library Committee (NORDBOK) supports various projects and initiatives aimed at promoting Nordic literature and gives translation grants for a considerable number of books each year. The library aspect of the committee’s work is directed towards the public library sector. At the top of the Nordic agenda in 2005 is the question of language. Eight languages are spoken in the region, but there is a Nordic linguistic community based on the three Scandinavian languages. The Nordic linguistic community provides a foundation for cultural cooperation and a necessary platform for collaboration in many other fields.
Library Development in the Electronic Environment: Iceland 2005
Authors: Hannesdóttir Sigrún Klara
Published: September 2005

Icelandic culture is fi rmly based in the native language and literary traditions, which are very much alive, although the population is less than 300,000. Icelanders publish more books per capita than any other country, literacy rate is high, and access to the Internet is almost universal. Modern libraries are increasingly offering electronic services along with services from printed sources. Every Internet user has access to one union catalogue, Gegnir, which covers the holdings of all types of libraries. Nation-wide licences have been signed with vendors of electronic information, providing unlimited access to 34 databases and 8000 full text scientific journals. Icelandic websites are collected according to new deposit legislation and old Icelandic print and manuscripts are being digitized and placed on the Internet. New governmental information policy supports the role of libraries in the information society.
The Manuscript and the Internet: digital repatriation of cultural heritage
Authors: Boserup Ivan
Published: September 2005

Three recent cross-national projects of digitizing displaced cultural heritage material are presented. It is argued that libraries and archives that have among their holdings unique cultural heritage material from other cultures should dedicate appropriate resources to the presentation of these materials on the Internet, not only involving local librarians and archivists but also the most pertinent international university scholars, who are invited to contribute with their expertise, so that such websites serve the most relevant scholarly and educative purposes.
How do Politicians and Central Decision-Makers View Public Libraries? The case of Norway
Authors: Audunson Ragnar
Published: September 2005

This article is based on qualitative intervirews with members of the Norwegian Parliament and central decision makers on how they perceive and evaluate the role of public libraries. Public libraries are viewed very positively among the politicians. They tend, however, to restrict the role of libraries to promoting the literary canon and the cultural heritage through book lending and to support education at all levels. The library’s role in promoting democracy and social equality is not very central in the politicians’ perception. Surprisjngly enough, neither is the Archives, Libraries and Museums authority perspective, only a short period after Parliament decided to reorganize the library sector according to this perspective. IFLA is invisible to the members of Parliament shortly before the IFLA-conference is going to take place in Oslo, heavily supported by public funds.