bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Client‐centred therapy for severe childhood abuse: A case study
Authors: Murphy David
Published: February 2009

Aims: This case study demonstrates the experience of client change in non‐directive client‐centred therapy for a client (‘Mac’) who had experienced severe and repeated childhood abuse within an institutional care setting and shows how complex post‐traumatic stress involving difficulties in identity, problems forming and maintaining non‐abusive interpersonal relationships were encountered within the therapy. Method: The data were taken from the detailed notes of 160 sessions of client‐centred therapy. Following detailed reading and re‐reading a phenomenological analysis of the data produced four emergent themes. Results: The four themes were labelled: post‐traumatic distress, acceptance and understanding, new meaning‐accurate symbolisation and growth and relationship. Conclusion: The findings suggest that following severe trauma the experience of being in a client‐centred therapeutic relationship was related to a reduction in post‐traumatic distress. In turn, new meaning was created through accurate symbolisation of previously denied and/or distorted traumatic experience. Additionally, the client displayed growth in the development of a small number of non‐abusive relationships that improved his quality of life. It is proposed that client‐centred therapy can help client adjustment to the consequences of severe and traumatic childhood abuse.
Long‐term collective assistance for the bereaved following a disaster: A Scandinavian approach
Authors: Dyregrov Atle , Straume Marianne , Sari Salli
Published: February 2009

Objective: This paper describes an approach where disaster‐bereaved families gather over three weekends to process and learn about grief together (a collective approach). Method: The article is based on experience related to several disasters in Norway and Finland, using a maritime disaster in which 16 persons lost their lives as a case example. Conclusions: This approach provides an opportunity to help numerous persons simultaneously. It facilitates support, communality and help within a group setting, provides access to self‐help methods and allows screening of those in need of further help. Three weekend gatherings were held during the first year following loss of family members. Using plenary sessions, small groups and rituals during weekends, important themes within normal grief reactions over time were addressed.
Searching for a new evidence base about repetitions. An exploratory survey of patients’ experiences of traumatic dreams before, during and after therapy
Authors: Gardner Sharon E. , Ørner Roderick J.
Published: February 2009

Objectives:Counselling trauma survivors typically involves addressing repetitive dreams of what happened. No consensus exists about effective responses to these evoked reactions. In part, this is attributable to a scarcity of studies on trauma survivors’ own dream experiences, types of dream work that promote change and patients’ perspectives on outcomes.Method:This was a retrospective, qualitative exploratory study of survivor's experiences of dreaming and dream work.Results:Before starting therapy dreams of trauma exacerbated adjustment difficulties by reinforcing debilitating fears. Therapeutic change occurred in association with developing dream narratives that were not emotionally overwhelming, collaborating with therapists in interpretation of dream material, jointly making links between repeating dream images and features of patients’ current day to day life that furnish reminders of the trauma. Dreams persisted at end of therapy but with reduced frequency having largely lost their capacity to evoke fear.Conclusion:The centrality of memory is emphasised in a new conceptualisation of persistent repetition phenomena that progresses our understanding of growth following adversity.
Vicarious traumatisation in practitioners who work with adult survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse: Literature review and directions for future research
Authors: Chouliara Zoë , Hutchison Craig , Karatzias Thanos
Published: February 2009

Primary objective: The authors sought to summarise and evaluate evidence regarding vicarious traumatisation (VT) in practitioners working with adult survivors of sexual violence and/or child sexual abuse (CSA). Methods and selection criteria: Relevant publications were identified from systematic literature searches of PubMed and PsycINFO. Studies were selected for inclusion if they examined vicarious traumatisation resulting from sexual violence and/or CSA work and were published in English between January 1990 and June 2008. Critical analysis and results: Ten studies met the criteria of the present review. In summary, VT levels in the field of sexual violence/CSA are high with negative effects, but do not appear to exceed those reported by professionals working with non‐sexual violence or with sexual offenders. Further investigation is needed into predisposing and mediating factors before clear conclusions can be drawn. Conclusions: Previous research has suffered a number of methodological limitations regarding definitions, sampling, comparison groups, support arrangements and measurement. These factors compromise not only the rigour and generalisability of findings but also our ability to define VT as a useful concept. These limitations are discussed and recommendations made for a future research agenda.
Seevolution: visualizing chromosome evolution
Authors: Esteban-Marcos Andrés , Darling Aaron E. , Ragan Mark A.
Published: February 2009

Summary: Genome evolution underpins all of biology, yet its principles can be difficult to communicate to the non-specialist. To facilitate broader understanding of genome evolution, we have designed an interactive 3D environment that enables visualization of diverse genome evolution processes. The system can intuitively and interactively animate mutation histories involving genome rearrangement, point mutation, recombination, insertion and deletion. Multiple organisms related by a phylogeny can be visualized simultaneously. As methods to infer evolutionary histories of genomes become increasingly complex, visualization of the evolutionary process will not only be useful for communication, but will also serve as an exploratory tool for discovering new patterns of genome evolution.

Availability: The software is licensed under the GNU GPL and available for download from http://seevolution.org.

Contact:  aarondarling@ucdavis.edu
microPred: effective classification of pre-miRNAs for human miRNA gene prediction
Authors: Batuwita Rukshan , Palade Vasile
Published: February 2009

Motivation: In this article, we show that the classification of human precursor microRNA (pre-miRNAs) hairpins from both genome pseudo hairpins and other non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is a common and essential requirement for both comparative and non-comparative computational recognition of human miRNA genes. However, the existing computational methods do not address this issue completely or successfully. Here we present the development of an effective classifier system (named as microPred) for this classification problem by using appropriate machine learning techniques. Our approach includes the introduction of more representative datasets, extraction of new biologically relevant features, feature selection, handling of class imbalance problem in the datasets and extensive classifier performance evaluation via systematic cross-validation methods.

Results: Our microPred classifier yielded higher and, especially, much more reliable classification results in terms of both sensitivity (90.02%) and specificity (97.28%) than the exiting pre-miRNA classification methods. When validated with 6095 non-human animal pre-miRNAs and 139 virus pre-miRNAs from miRBase, microPred resulted in 92.71% (5651/6095) and 94.24% (131/139) recognition rates, respectively.

Availability: The microPred classifier, the datasets used, and the features extracted are freely available at http://web.comlab.ox.ac.uk/people/ManoharaRukshan.Batuwita/microPred.htm.

Contact:  manb@comlab.ox.ac.uk; vasile.palade@comlab.ox.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Theories and Management of Aging: Modern and Ayurveda Perspectives
Authors: Datta Hema Sharma , Mitra S. K. , Paramesh Rangesh , Patwardhan Bhushan
Published: February 2009

Aging is a complex phenomenon, a sum total of changes that occur in a living organism with the passage of time and lead to decreasing ability to survive stress, increasing functional impairment and growing probability of death. There are many theories of aging and skin remains the largest organ of the study. Skin aging is described as a consequence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The most common amongst visible signs of skin aging are wrinkles and there are various therapies including antiaging cosmeceuticals, sunscreens, chemical peeling, injectable agents, such as botox, fibrel, autologous fat grafting as also few surgical procedures have been used. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicine, describes aging with great details. This review provides modern and Ayurvedic perspectives on theories and management of aging.
Garlic Increases Antioxidant Levels in Diabetic and Hypertensive Rats Determined by a Modified Peroxidase Method
Authors: Drobiova Hana , Thomson Martha , Al-Qattan Khaled , Peltonen-Shalaby Riitta , Al-Amin Zainab , Ali Muslim
Published: February 2009

Oxidative damage by free radicals has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in diabetes and hypertension. In the present study, the total antioxidant status in diabetic and hypertensive rats before and after treatment with garlic (Allium sativum) was determined. The total serum antioxidants were measured by a modified method reported earlier by Miller and coworkers. The reproducibility of the assay was confirmed by determining standard curves for the known antioxidants: trolox (a stable analog of vitamin E), glutathione and vitamin C with interassay correlation coefficients (R2,
n = 10 in triplicate) of 0.9984, 0.9768 and 0.987, respectively, confirming the reliability and reproducibility of the assay. This assay was then used to determine total serum antioxidant levels of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats and two‐kidney one‐clip hypertensive rats both before and after 3 weeks of treatment with an aqueous extract of garlic (500 mg/kg IP daily). The serum antioxidant levels of rats after 3 weeks of treatment were significantly higher (P < .001) than the pretreatment levels in both diabetic and hypertensive rats. The increased serum antioxidant levels were paralleled by a decrease in serum glucose in the garlic‐treated diabetic rats and lowered systolic blood pressure in the garlic‐treated hypertensive rats. We conclude from our study that (i) total antioxidants can be measured by a simple, reproducible, reliable assay and (ii) the total antioxidant status can be significantly improved by treatment with garlic.
Contrasting effects of steroids and angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors in a mouse model of dystrophin‐deficient cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bauer Ralf , Straub Volker , Blain Alison , Bushby Kate , MacGowan Guy A.
Published: February 2009

Aims

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with progressive cardiomyopathy. Oral corticosteroids are the gold standard for the treatment of skeletal muscle weakness; however, the effects of steroids on cardiac function have not been prospectively studied. In addition, the early role of ACE‐inhibitors (ACE‐I) is controversial. We aimed to determine the effects of steroids and ACE‐I on development of left ventricular dysfunction in the mdx mouse, a model for dystrophin‐deficient cardiomyopathy.

Methods and results

Orally administered captopril or prednisolone was given for 8 weeks to 16‐week‐old, male mdx mice. In vivo pressure–volume loops, fibrosis, in vivo myocyte sarcolemmal injury, and cytokine expression were assessed in treated and untreated mdx mice and age‐matched controls. Untreated mdx mice showed compensated cardiomyopathy with reduced myocardial contractility, patchy myocardial fibrosis but preserved stroke volume. Captopril treatment resulted in indirect myocardial effects of reduced afterload and direct effects of increased contractility. Prednisolone caused acute sarcolemmal injury, increased expression of myocardial TNF alpha and fibrosis, resulting in left ventricular dilatation and diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusion

In a mouse model of dystrophin‐deficient cardiomyopathy, ACE‐I produced haemodynamic benefit, whereas steroids accelerated progression of cardiomyopathy. Although mouse models may not entirely replicate the human condition, comprehensive monitoring of cardiac function with these therapies is essential.
A generalization of the three-stage model for advice using the precautionary approach in fisheries, to apply broadly to ecosystem properties and pressures
Authors: Rice Jake C.
Published: February 2009

Rice, J. C. 2009. A generalization of the three-stage model for advice using the precautionary approach in fisheries, to apply broadly to ecosystem properties and pressures. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 433–444. The six assumptions of the three-stage model for fisheries advice using a precautionary approach are itemized. The general applicability of each is considered for use with any indicator of ecosystem status, or human pressure on the ecosystem indicator, rather than just spawning-stock biomass (SSB) and fishing mortality. The framework is fully generalizable, at least conceptually, without requiring additional assumptions or extensions that are less plausible than the assumptions already made in fisheries applications. However, application of the three-stage framework in fisheries hinges on the existence of some relationship between stock productivity and SSB as the basis for selecting a limit reference point and positioning a precautionary reference point. Three types of relationship can exist in fisheries data, and the framework has strategies for dealing with each. In an ecosystem application, the notion of a relationship between productivity and the amount of an ecosystem feature is sometimes appropriate, but sometimes the response variable may be resilience of the feature to perturbation or its ability to serve some ecosystem function as a function of the extent of the feature. The generalized framework accommodates all three types of response in five functional relationships, each of which can allow locating a candidate limit reference point.
Using the EM algorithm to age fish eggs
Authors: Murta Alberto G. , Vendrell Catarina
Published: February 2009

Murta, A. G., and Vendrell, C. 2009. Using the EM algorithm to age fish eggs. -- ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 607–616. We describe an application of the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of the distribution of ages in fish egg samples. To compare this method with another one based on a non-linear regression of age as a function of development stage and water temperature, which is also suitable for asynchronous spawners, we applied both to simulated and real datasets. The estimates of egg abundance-at-age obtained with the traditional method were biased upwards, compared with estimates obtained with the proposed EM algorithm. The EM method also provided the most accurate and precise estimates, in terms of fitting an exponential-decay, egg-mortality model and the back-calculation of the time of spawning for two datasets used as examples. Besides the ageing of fish eggs, the method described here can be used for any analysis involving the fitting of multinomial models to age and stage classified data, such as the ageing of post-ovulatory follicles.
A piggyBac transposon-based genome-wide library of insertionally mutated Blm-deficient murine ES cells
Authors: Wang Wei , Bradley Allan , Huang Yue
Published: February 2009

Cultured mouse or human embryonic stem (ES) cells provide access to all of the genes required to elaborate the fundamental components and physiological systems of a mammalian cell. Chemical or insertional mutagenesis of Blm-deficient mouse ES cells can be used to generate genome-wide libraries of homozygous mutant ES cells, which are the substrates for conducting phenotype-driven loss-of-function genetic screens. However, the existing insertional mutation libraries are limited by incomplete genomic coverage. In this study, we have explored the use of piggyBac (PB) transposon-mediated mutagenesis to extend the genomic coverage of mutation libraries in Blm-deficient ES cells. A library composed of 14,000 individual gene-trap clones was generated and a recessive genetic screen conducted to identify cells with defects in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Independent mutations in all known genes of the pathway Msh2, Msh6, Pms2, and Mlh1 were recovered in these screens. The genomic coverage in this library confirms its utility as a new genetic resource for conducting recessive genetic screens in mammalian cells.
Rubisco Oligomers Composed of Linked Small and Large Subunits Assemble in Tobacco Plastids and Have Higher Affinities for CO2 and O2
Authors: Whitney Spencer Michael , Kane Heather Jean , Houtz Robert L. , Sharwood Robert Edward
Published: February 2009

Manipulation of Rubisco within higher plants is complicated by the different genomic locations of the large (L; rbcL) and small (S; RbcS) subunit genes. Although rbcL can be accurately modified by plastome transformation, directed genetic manipulation of the multiple nuclear-encoded RbcS genes is more challenging. Here we demonstrate the viability of linking the S and L subunits of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Rubisco using a flexible 40-amino acid tether. By replacing the rbcL in tobacco plastids with an artificial gene coding for a S40L fusion peptide, we found that the fusions readily assemble into catalytic (S40L)8 and (S40L)16 oligomers that are devoid of unlinked S subunits. While there was little or no change in CO2/O2 specificity or carboxylation rate of the Rubisco oligomers, their K  ms for CO2 and O2 were reduced 10% to 20% and 45%, respectively. In young maturing leaves of the plastome transformants (called ANtS40L), the S40L-Rubisco levels were approximately 20% that of wild-type controls despite turnover of the S40L-Rubisco oligomers being only slightly enhanced relative to wild type. The reduced Rubisco content in ANtS40L leaves is partly attributed to problems with folding and assembly of the S40L peptides in tobacco plastids that relegate approximately 30% to 50% of the S40L pool to the insoluble protein fraction. Leaf CO2-assimilation rates in ANtS40L at varying pCO2 corresponded with the kinetics and reduced content of the Rubisco oligomers. This fusion strategy provides a novel platform to begin simultaneously engineering Rubisco L and S subunits in tobacco plastids.
Zea mays Annexins Modulate Cytosolic Free Ca2+ and Generate a Ca2+-Permeable Conductance
Authors: Laohavisit Anuphon , Mortimer Jennifer C. , Demidchik Vadim , Coxon Katy M. , Stancombe Matthew A. , Macpherson Neil , Brownlee Colin , Hofmann Andreas , Webb Alex A.R. , Miedema Henk , Battey Nicholas H. , Davies Julia M.
Published: February 2009

Regulation of reactive oxygen species and cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]cyt) is central to plant function. Annexins are small proteins capable of Ca2+-dependent membrane binding or membrane insertion. They possess structural motifs that could support both peroxidase activity and calcium transport. Here, a Zea mays annexin preparation caused increases in [Ca2+]cyt when added to protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana roots expressing aequorin. The pharmacological profile was consistent with annexin activation (at the extracellular plasma membrane face) of Arabidopsis Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channels. Secreted annexins could therefore modulate Ca2+ influx. As maize annexins occur in the cytosol and plasma membrane, they were incorporated at the intracellular face of lipid bilayers designed to mimic the plasma membrane. Here, they generated an instantaneously activating Ca2+-permeable conductance at mildly acidic pH that was sensitive to verapamil and Gd3+ and had a Ca2+-to-K+ permeability ratio of 0.36. These results suggest that cytosolic annexins create a Ca2+ influx pathway directly, particularly during stress responses involving acidosis. A maize annexin preparation also demonstrated in vitro peroxidase activity that appeared independent of heme association. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that plant annexins create Ca2+-permeable transport pathways, regulate [Ca2+]cyt, and may function as peroxidases in vitro.
Realising benefits in primary healthcare infrastructures
Authors: Sapountzis Stelios , Yates Kathryn , Kagioglou Mike , Aouad Ghassan
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to focus on the requirements to manage change, tangible and intangible benefits in a joint approach to deliver outputs on time, to quality and cost without failing to realise the benefits of the change. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the need for benefits‐driven programme/project management as well as the importance of identifying the stakeholders' level of involvement and contribution throughout the process, and manage their expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used is based on an action research approach, combining findings from a literature review and case studies within UK's primary healthcare sector.

Findings

Findings demonstrate development of a Benefits Realisation (BeReal) approach in healthcare through looking at case studies taking place within UK's primary and acute healthcare sector.

Research limitations/implications

The framework development is based on theoretical evidence and further research is needed to test and validate its robustness.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the application of benefits realisation and management in developing and delivering primary healthcare facilities.
On locational preferences for privacy in hospital wards
Authors: Alalouch Chaham , Aspinall Peter , Smith Harry
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore preference for privacy among people with different demographic and cultural backgrounds. In particular the study aims to investigate the effect of age, gender, previous experience of space and cultural background on people's chosen spatial location for privacy in multi‐bed wards.

Design/methodology/approach

A group of 79 subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire on privacy and to select preferred and disliked locations on plans of hospital wards. Spatial data were provided by space syntax analysis (VGA). Possible subgroups in the data were investigated by tests of difference and latent class analysis applied to those spatial attributes which appeared to be relevant to people's preferences on locations for privacy.

Findings

The results show that privacy regulation encompasses universal and specific aspects across cultures, age, gender and previous experience of space. Specifically, the results suggest a universal preference for spatial location of privacy across culture, age and gender and a specific significant difference for spatial location of privacy as a result of previous spatial experience. In addition, the VGA integration measure was found to be a highly significant discriminator between preferred and disliked locations for privacy.

Research limitations/implications

There are two particular limitations requiring further study. First, the study investigated only one facet of privacy, i.e. spatial location. More investigation is required to explore the inter‐relationships between spatial location and other facets of privacy, primarily that of intervisibility. Second, only two broader cultures (European and Arabic) were considered.

Practical limitations

Ideally it would have been of benefit if a greater number of the people sampled had had direct experience of hospital wards.

Originality/value

At a general level the study supports the notion that there are universal and specific aspects to privacy. At a specific level the research links physical aspects of spatial location (i.e. visibility graph analysis measures) into this discussion.
Integrated healthcare facilities maintenance management model: case studies
Authors: Lavy Sarel , Shohet Igal M.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Increasing demand for healthcare services world‐wide creates continuous requirements to reduce expenditures on “non‐core” activities, such as maintenance and operations. At the same time, owners, users, and clients of healthcare expect a high level of built‐facilities performance and minimized risks. The objective of this research is to develop an integrated facilities management (FM) model for healthcare facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study analysis of an Israeli acute care hospital, in which the integrated healthcare facilities management model (IHFMM) was implemented, and the findings were examined and evaluated three years later. The case studies investigated the effectiveness of the developed model in terms of maintenance and performance management. The robustness of the model was also examined by applying sensitivity analyses to its parameters.

Findings

Both of the case studies show significant results in predicting FM‐related aspects, such as the level of performance and the required maintenance budgets. The findings reveal a high correlation between the two phases of the case studies in terms of financial outcomes and performance predictions.

Originality/value

The core of the model is based on the strength of identified effects of certain parameters, such as maintenance expenditure and actual service life, on the performance and maintenance of healthcare facilities. The proposed IHFMM addresses two core topics of FM: maintenance and performance, for strategic FM decision making.
Re‐engineering of the meal logistics in a sheltered house for elderly people
Authors: Aalto Leena , Saari Arto
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The goal of this study is to perform an economic comparison of alternative service concepts designed to improve the productivity of nursing care in a refurbishment project of selected sheltered housing facility.

Design/methodology/approach

Four different service development options were identified for the dining and kitchen facilities: the dining facilities were either decentralised or centralised, and the meals were prepared on site or brought in from outside.

Findings

The form of dining model chosen affected the operating costs more than the spatial costs. The biggest differences in operating costs were attributable to the meal price and to the costs of transferring disabled residents to the dining area. The study showed that the option which had the lowest spatial costs surprisingly had the highest total costs. This was the option in which the meals were conveyed to the decentralised dining rooms located on the different floors by the food supplier. The total costs of this option were 50 per cent higher than the total costs of the decentralised option with on‐site cooking facilities. The centralised dining option with externalised food service had considerably lower renovation costs but 15 per cent higher total costs than the lowest cost option (decentralised dining option with own kitchen).

Originality/value

The paper provides a practical model for taking into account not only remodelling costs but also operating costs in total cost calculations of the remodelling process.
The impacts of the built environment on health outcomes
Authors: Codinhoto Ricardo , Tzortzopoulos Patricia , Kagioglou Mike , Aouad Ghassan , Cooper Rachel
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework that categorises the features and characteristics of the built environment that impact on health outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was carried out. A total of 1,163 abstracts were assessed, leading to 92 papers being reviewed.

Findings

There is a considerable amount of evidence linking healthcare environments to patients' health outcomes, despite the lack of clarity in relation to cause‐effect relationships.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a theoretical framework linking different built environment characteristics to health outcomes. This framework provides a structure to group causal effects according to their relation with design features, materials and ambient properties, art and aesthetic aspects and use of the built environment.
The meaning of working among professional employees in Germany, Poland and Russia
Authors: Kuchinke K. Peter , Ardichvili Alexandre , Borchert Margret , Rozanski Andrzej
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of an empirical study of the meaning of working, individual level work outcomes, and job and career satisfaction, among professional level employees in business organizations in Russia, Poland, and Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework for the study was based on the work by England and colleagues. The sample (n=638) included professional level employees in the medium and large manufacturing and service organizations in the three countries. Correlations, discriminant function analysis, and multiple regressions were used to answer research questions regarding the relationship between the study variables and to determine country differences.

Findings

Results indicate different patterns and levels of work centrality, desired work outcomes, work role identification, and job and career satisfaction among the three countries. A significant difference was found between work values in Russia, on the one hand, and Germany and Poland, on the other. Gender differences in meaning of work patterns were found among Russian respondents. Job and career satisfaction was related to different combinations of demographic and work meaning variables.

Practical implications

For human resource development (HRD) and training and development (T&D) professionals working in multinational companies and/or with customers/suppliers in these three countries, the findings imply the need to take into account the similarities and differences in individual meaning of working variables when designing and implementing organization development and training interventions.

Originality/value

Despite the central role of working for individuals and the central role of the work values construct for the professional fields of training and HRD, research on meaning of working has been sparse in the academic literature. Thus, the study can contribute to a fuller understanding of experience of work and its implications for the theory and practice of training and human resource development.
Successful IT start‐ups' HRD practices: four cases in South Korea
Authors: Cho Yonjoo , McLean Gary N.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify South Korea's successful IT start‐ups' HRD practices to determine whether there are steps that must be taken to maintain their HRD expertise for continued growth.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach employing four fast‐growing IT start‐up cases was undertaken based on semi‐structured interviews with HR managers and CEOs, supported by site visit observations and archival sources.

Findings

The emergent themes resulting from an analysis of the four cases are adjusting to changing markets (globalization), the founder effect, workforce development, organizational culture, and challenges. These case studies show the importance of organizational culture for IT start‐ups' continued growth.

Research limitations/implications

Although the paper employed multiple cases for comparison, through focusing on only four cases, the results are contextualized and, thus, are limited in generalization.

Practical implications

The fast‐growing IT firms should carefully choose HRD practices to manage and develop their talent because these practices may shape the firms' innovative organizational culture, which, in turn, affects the firm's continued growth.

Originality/value

These case studies contribute to research on South Korea's IT start‐ups by detailing how HRD practices have supported the success of the four IT start‐ups over the past ten years. The paper adds qualitative details to previous studies' quantitative analysis of start‐ups.
Reminiscences and reflections
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a personal view of Professor John Rose. The organisational skill of the late Professor John Rose is illustrated by reminiscences, and his choice of Thales Press as the name of his publishing house is shown to be apposite. An aspect of his “statement of mission” for World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics and Kybernetes is considered in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

The presentation is partly anecdotal but also serious concerns are expressed about current developments in cybernetics.

Findings

The drive and organisational skill of John Rose will be sadly missed.

Practical implications

Rose's insistence on soundness of approach is important though arguably slightly misdirected. Attention is drawn to an important development in psychophysics of vision.

Originality/value

The reminiscences and views are the author's own.
Fuzzy systems and cybernetics
Authors: Virgil Negoita Constantin
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thought and discourse toward postmodernism and its less known roots.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses the relationship between postmodernism and the development of the fuzzy sets theory, in the 1970s.

Findings

The paper points out how Kybernetes, under the leadership of Dr J Rose, was the first international journal to accept papers in this new field.

Originality/value

An interesting personal recollection and summary of 30 years of the topic of fuzzy systems.
Performance management, the nature of regulation and the CyberSyn project
Authors: Espejo R.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify both regulatory processes in enterprises and the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in their improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of the paper is conceptual development and case study.

Findings

It appears that ICTs will permit increasingly to measure the complexity of organisational processes.

Practical implications

The paper illustrates the nature of complexity based accounting systems for enterprises.

Originality/value

This paper offers an original approach to relate organisational processes, ICTs and performance.
Business cybernetics – provocation number two
Authors: Potocan Vojko , Mulej Matjaz
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a more holistic definition and basic guidelines for implementation of specific cybernetics dealing with business systems (BSs) from the viewpoint of managing them. The paper aims to consider three problems: how to develop a general methodology of requisitely holistic thinking for business cybernetics (BC) and its application; how to consider the attributes of BC (e.g. all attributes of BC and their generalization in BSs); and how to recognize and define relations between attributes of BC and their synergies.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, qualitative analysis on the basis of the cybernetics (e.g. especially general cybernetics), BC (different) systems theories, and dialectical systems theory is applied.

Findings

BC is shown to be a specific cybernetic dealing with BSs from viewpoint of managing/impacting on them. Thus, BC is trying to complete previous cognitions about possible approaches for managing/impacting on BSs. It covers the basic, information, and managerial processes, their interdependences, the resulting interaction and synergies. In addition, BC is also trying to make room for consideration of the general, group‐specific, and individual parts of attributes of BSs. BC itself is based on the concept of the Dialectical Systems Theory that the law of requisite holism is met by dialectical system which creates synergetic networks of all essential kinds of cybernetics.

Research limitations/implications

Research is limited to three hypotheses and qualitative analysis in desk research. Practical experience is considered implicitly.

Practical implications

Authors falsifying the practice of prevailing general approach to researching and understanding of management in BSs (as an area of human activity with specific characteristics) from cybernetics viewpoint. This paper suggests a more specifically created and target‐oriented approach for cybernetic understanding and researching of BSs.

Originality/value

The available literature does not provide for a similar concept and/or model of specific cybernetics dealing with BSs from the viewpoint of managing BSs or their impact.
A systemic approach to innovation: the interactive innovation model
Authors: Johannessen Jon‐Arild
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of innovation for firm competitiveness from a systemic point of view, and to review recent literature about the interactive innovation model.

Design/methodology/approach

The research question posed in this paper is: what critical innovation factors hinder/promote innovation activity in the individual company? The paper is intentionally closed into a particular field of literature, i.e. the interactive innovation model.

Findings

It was found that the research policy implications of the interactive model will be that the emphasis on research must turn more towards relations between elements generating innovation systems at various system levels. Many methods must be applied in the same research project or research model.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates what critical innovation factors hinder/promote innovation activity in the individual company.
Cybernetical physics Part I: “Feynman's paradox” and its implications
Authors: Fidelman Uri
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Feynman's claim that a positron is an electron moving backwards in time implies a paradox. The purpose of this paper (Part I of II) is to prevent the contradiction in physics due to this paradox.

Design/methodology/approach

Both physical considerations and neuropsychological considerations are applied.

Findings

The physical considerations imply that assuming multidimensionality of time prevents Feynman's paradox and additional physical paradoxes. This multidimensionality in explained by neuropsychological considerations.

Practical implications

A suggested method of obtaining unlimited quantity of clean energy based on the principle of annihilating matter and antimatter is presented in Part II.

Originality/value

This theory is entirely new. Its approach is different from that of other approaches to the multidimensionality of time.
Aspects of a cluster research strategy: systemics applied to the study of clusters
Authors: Jensen Sven‐Are , Johannessen Jon‐Arild , Olsen Bjørn
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the question: how can we study clusters from a systemic perspective?

Design/methodology/approach

First, clusters are discussed from a strategic point of view, then it is determined what is meant by a systemic perspective. In part two of the paper systemics applied to the study of clusters is discussed. In the last part of the paper a systemic research strategy for the study of clusters is discussed.

Findings

The paper produces a research strategy based on three main entities: composition, environment and structure.

Originality/value

The paper develops a systemic research strategy for the study of innovation based in clusters.
Pansystems traffics, logistics and knowledge rediscovery
Authors: Zhou Xiaolu , Xie Ruhe , Zhang Xizhou , Wang Cheng , Wu Xuemou
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop pansystems‐styled traffics, logistics and knowledge rediscovery. The core logoi are the generalized resources//F* and their circulation//C*. The research presents a new outlook to mathematics, physics, traffic, communication, logistics, KD, internet, computer, translation, simulation, information, life‐systems, logic or reasoning, memory or storage, process, transaction, finance, education, inherent, topology, evolution, etc. and then certain mechanism among them and related mutuality can be unveiled.

Design/methodology/approach

A flexible combination of philosophy, mathematics and technology is embodied. The paper is an application of pansystems methodology to approach the following topics: pansystems resource, circulation: traffics, logistics and KD; pansystems variational principle and pan‐circulation; pansystems logistics; pansystems network, supply chain and bullwhip effect; pansystems innovation and knowledge rediscovery.

Findings

All of the topics concerned are reduced to the actualization of pansystems variational OR and classification‐repetition‐PanOR, which possess a transfield nature.

Originality/value

This paper provides the framework and concretion principles of pansystems research on traffics, logistics, supply chain, bullwhip effect, innovation and related applications, and presents a new world outlook, which leads to some new comprehension to KD and WHF* , SEM* .
The early years: some comments on the origins and concepts of cybernetics
Authors: Rose J.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role and importance of the ideas of Norbert Wiener, the father of cybernetics in the context of the information revolution.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyzes criticisms and objections in some detail and draws conclusions.

Findings

Shows how Wiener saw the need for an interdisciplinary science.

Originality/value

This review paper, originally written in 1994, sketches ideas underlying the origins of cybernetics and outlines the aims of this interdisciplinary science.
The problem of technological barriers
Authors: Rose J.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give an insight into the thinking of the 1960s and at a time when subsequent advances and developments could not easily have been predicated with any degree of certainty. Provides an analysis and summary of “new concepts” of cybernetics and discusses their implications.

Design/methodology/approach

By presenting the essentials of this prize‐winning essay, considerations can be given to science and technology, the technological time lag; the status of technologists; industrial and academic research; the interaction of technologies; the cybernetic revolution; education and the environmental barrier; professional obsolescence; and the purpose of education.

Findings

This analysis and summary puts into perspective the historical background of the development of cybernetics and the 1960s concept of “general systems”, encountered by author.

Originality/value

Pays tribute to the foresight of Dr Rose at one of the most challenging periods in the development of these fields. The republication of these ideas in 2000 emphasised the accuracy of this predications of the 1960s.
The 20th anniversary tribute to Professor Rose
Authors: Rudall Brian H.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Dr Rose's paper which presented his views of the cybernetic revolution; education and the environmental barrier; and the purpose of education.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces the concepts held by systemists and cyberneticians in the late 1960s. Sections of the original publication by Dr Rose are included.

Findings

Places in an historical context the concepts of the cyberneticians and systemists – of that time and re‐emphasizes their role in forming present day thinking.

Originality/value

Forms part of the tributes paid to the role of Dr Rose and his contribution to these areas of research and development. The original paper discussed was republished in 1991 as a 20th Anniversary tribute to the founding editor of the journal Kybernetes.
The financial crisis
Authors: Andrew Alex M.
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a message from Professor Stuart Umpleby to the CYBCOM discussion group.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.

Findings

Four links are followed up and discussed. The first refers to the reflexivity theory of Soros, the second to distinct epistemologies within cybernetics, and the other two specifically to means of global regulation.

Practical implications

There should be implications for both economic and ecological regulation.

Originality/value

It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
From memory to digital record
Authors: Barratt Nick
Published: February 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to add a personal commentary on the trends of the archiving industry over the last four years; examine the impact of the internet on archives and archiving activity amongst user groups; and look at applications that could be shaped to match these trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The information in this paper is based on the author's own experiences and from the author's perspective as a media researcher, trained historian and former archive employee.

Findings

The paper shows that the internet has introduced new challenges to historians and archivists, whose roles are changing rapidly. This can be seen as daunting, intimidating and something to be resisted, but in reality there is a unique opportunity for the historical and archival community to break with its past, embrace the new user trends and find a new place at the heart of cultural activity by supporting offsite and online initiatives. The role of the historian will evolve to encompass an interpretation of contemporary and recent evidence, often user generated, as one moves from paper record keeping and document creation to a digital and online world.

Originality/value

The paper provides a discussion on the changing roles of professional historians and archivists in the twenty‐first century, as the internet makes archived documentation and personal heritage more widely available on the worldwide web.
Managing records, making knowledge and good governance
Authors: Harries Stephen
Published: February 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to stimulate debate on the future development of records management, especially in the public sector, in the context of challenges from modernisation of government and from social and cultural changes emerging from internet developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses relevant concepts of knowledge, records and public sector change, and attempts a high‐level synthesis.

Findings

The paper proposes a framework for characterising a social dimension to records management, relating records with knowledge communities and processes, and for mapping a records/knowledge dynamic in the policy‐to‐delivery process.

Originality/value

The paper integrates recent experience with electronic records management with developments in government policy delivery and programme development.