bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fold-change detection and scalar symmetry of sensory input fields
Authors: Shoval Oren , Goentoro Lea , Hart Yuval , Mayo Avi , Sontag Eduardo , Alon Uri
Published: August 2010

Recent studies suggest that certain cellular sensory systems display fold-change detection (FCD): a response whose entire shape, including amplitude and duration, depends only on fold changes in input and not on absolute levels. Thus, a step change in input from, for example, level 1 to 2 gives precisely the same dynamical output as a step from level 2 to 4, because the steps have the same fold change. We ask what the benefit of FCD is and show that FCD is necessary and sufficient for sensory search to be independent of multiplying the input field by a scalar. Thus, the FCD search pattern depends only on the spatial profile of the input and not on its amplitude. Such scalar symmetry occurs in a wide range of sensory inputs, such as source strength multiplying diffusing/convecting chemical fields sensed in chemotaxis, ambient light multiplying the contrast field in vision, and protein concentrations multiplying the output in cellular signaling systems. Furthermore, we show that FCD entails two features found across sensory systems, exact adaptation and Weber's law, but that these two features are not sufficient for FCD. Finally, we present a wide class of mechanisms that have FCD, including certain nonlinear feedback and feed-forward loops. We find that bacterial chemotaxis displays feedback within the present class and hence, is expected to show FCD. This can explain experiments in which chemotaxis searches are insensitive to attractant source levels. This study, thus, suggests a connection between properties of biological sensory systems and scalar symmetry stemming from physical properties of their input fields.
Four-electron oxidation of
p
-hydroxylaminobenzoate to
p
-nitrobenzoate by a peroxodiferric complex in AurF from
Streptomyces thioluteus
Authors: Li Ning , Korboukh Victoria Korneeva , Krebs Carsten , Bollinger J. Martin
Published: August 2010

The nonheme di-iron oxygenase, AurF, converts
p
-aminobenzoate (Ar-NH
2
, where Ar = 4-carboxyphenyl) to
p
-nitrobenzoate (Ar-NO
2
) in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic, aureothin, by
Streptomyces thioluteus
. It has been reported that this net six-electron oxidation proceeds in three consecutive, two-electron steps, through
p
-hydroxylaminobenzoate (Ar-NHOH) and
p
-nitrosobenzoate (Ar-NO) intermediates, with each step requiring one equivalent of O
2
and two exogenous reducing equivalents. We recently demonstrated that a peroxodiiron(III/III) complex (peroxo-

-AurF) formed by addition of O
2
to the diiron(II/II) enzyme (

-AurF) effects the initial oxidation of Ar-NH
2
, generating a μ-(oxo)diiron(III/III) form of the enzyme (
μ
-oxo-

-AurF) and (presumably) Ar-NHOH. Here we show that peroxo-

-AurF also oxidizes Ar-NHOH. Unexpectedly, this reaction proceeds through to the Ar-NO
2
final product, a four-electron oxidation, and produces

-AurF, with which O
2
can combine to regenerate peroxo-

-AurF. Thus, conversion of Ar-NHOH to Ar-NO
2
requires only a single equivalent of O
2
and (starting from

-AurF or peroxo-

-AurF) is fully catalytic in the absence of exogenous reducing equivalents, by contrast to the published stoichiometry. This novel type of four-electron
N
-oxidation is likely also to occur in the reaction sequences of nitro-installing di-iron amine oxygenases in the biosyntheses of other natural products.
Notch signaling specifies prosensory domains via lateral induction in the developing mammalian inner ear
Authors: Hartman Byron H. , Reh Thomas A. , Bermingham-McDonogh Olivia
Published: August 2010

During inner ear morphogenesis, the process of prosensory specification defines the specific regions of the otic epithelium that will give rise to the six separate inner ear organs essential for hearing and balance. The mechanism of prosensory specification is not fully understood, but there is evidence that the Notch intercellular signaling pathway plays a critical role. The Notch ligand Jagged1 (Jag1) is expressed in the prosensory domains, and mutation of
Jag1
impairs sensory formation. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Notch in vitro during prosensory specification disrupts the prosensory process. Additionally, activation of Notch by cDNA electroporation in chick otocysts results in formation of ectopic sensory patches. Here we test whether Notch activity is sufficient for prosensory specification in the mouse, using a
Cre-/loxP
approach to conditionally activate the Notch pathway in nonsensory regions of the inner ear epithelia during different stages of otic vesicle morphogenesis. We find that broad ectopic activation of Notch at very early developmental stages causes induction of prosensory markers throughout the entire otic epithelium. At later stages of development, activation of Notch in nonsensory regions leads to induction of sensory patches that later differentiate to form complete ectopic sensory structures. Activation of Notch in isolated nonsensory cells results in lateral induction of Jag1 expression in neighboring cells and spreading of prosensory specification to the adjacent cells through an intercellular mechanism. These results support a model where activation of Notch and propagation through lateral induction promote prosensory character in specific regions of the developing otocyst.
Notch signaling is required for the generation of hair cells and supporting cells in the mammalian inner ear
Authors: Pan Wei , Jin Ying , Stanger Ben , Kiernan Amy E.
Published: August 2010

Sensorineural deafness and balance dysfunction are common impairments in humans frequently caused by defects in the sensory epithelium of the inner ear, composed of hair cells and supporting cells. Lineage studies have shown that hair cells and supporting cells arise from a common progenitor, but how these progenitors are generated remains unknown. Although various molecules have been implicated in the development of the sensory progenitors, none has been shown to be required for the specification of these progenitors in the mammalian inner ear. Here, using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we show that Jagged1 (JAG1)-mediated Notch signaling is both required and sufficient for the generation of the sensory progenitors. Specifically, we find that loss of JAG1 signaling leads to smaller sensory progenitor regions without initial effects on proliferation or cell death, indicating that JAG1 is involved in initial specification events. To further test whether Notch signaling is involved in specification of the sensory progenitors, we transiently expressed an activated form of the Notch1 receptor (NICD) using a combined Tet-On/Cre induction system in the mouse. NICD expression resulted in ectopic hair cells and supporting cells in the nonsensory regions of the cochlea and vestibule. These data indicate that Notch specifies sensory progenitors in the inner ear, and that induction of Notch may be important for regenerating or replacing hair cells and supporting cells in the mammalian inner ear.
Bioinspired optofluidic FRET lasers via DNA scaffolds
Authors: Sun Yuze , Shopova Siyka I. , Wu Chung-Shieh , Arnold Stephen , Fan Xudong
Published: August 2010

Optofluidic dye lasers hold great promise for adaptive photonic devices, compact and wavelength-tunable light sources, and micro total analysis systems. To date, however, nearly all those lasers are directly excited by tuning the pump laser into the gain medium absorption band. Here we demonstrate bioinspired optofluidic dye lasers excited by FRET, in which the donor-acceptor distance, ratio, and spatial configuration can be precisely controlled by DNA scaffolds. The characteristics of the FRET lasers such as spectrum, threshold, and energy conversion efficiency are reported. Through DNA scaffolds, nearly 100% energy transfer can be maintained regardless of the donor and acceptor concentration. As a result, efficient FRET lasing is achieved at an unusually low acceptor concentration of micromolar, over 1,000 times lower than that in conventional optofluidic dye lasers. The lasing threshold is on the order of μJ/mm
2
. Various DNA scaffold FRET lasers are demonstrated to illustrate vast possibilities in optofluidic laser designs. Our work opens a door to many researches and applications such as intracavity bio/chemical sensing, biocontrolled photonic devices, and biophysics.
Cortico-striatal connections predict control over speed and accuracy in perceptual decision making
Authors: Forstmann Birte U. , Anwander Alfred , Schäfer Andreas , Neumann Jane , Brown Scott , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan , Bogacz Rafal , Turner Robert
Published: August 2010

When people make decisions they often face opposing demands for response speed and response accuracy, a process likely mediated by response thresholds. According to the
striatal hypothesis
, people decrease response thresholds by increasing activation from cortex to striatum, releasing the brain from inhibition. According to the
STN hypothesis
, people decrease response thresholds by decreasing activation from cortex to subthalamic nucleus (STN); a decrease in STN activity is likewise thought to release the brain from inhibition and result in responses that are fast but error-prone. To test these hypotheses—both of which may be true—we conducted two experiments on perceptual decision making in which we used cues to vary the demands for speed vs. accuracy. In both experiments, behavioral data and mathematical model analyses confirmed that instruction from the cue selectively affected the setting of response thresholds. In the first experiment we used ultra-high-resolution 7T structural MRI to locate the STN precisely. We then used 3T structural MRI and probabilistic tractography to quantify the connectivity between the relevant brain areas. The results showed that participants who flexibly change response thresholds (as quantified by the mathematical model) have strong structural connections between presupplementary motor area and striatum. This result was confirmed in an independent second experiment. In general, these findings show that individual differences in elementary cognitive tasks are partly driven by structural differences in brain connectivity. Specifically, these findings support a cortico-striatal control account of how the brain implements adaptive switches between cautious and risky behavior.
Conserved RNaseII domain protein functions in cytoplasmic mRNA decay and suppresses Arabidopsis decapping mutant phenotypes
Authors: Zhang Weiping , Murphy Caroline , Sieburth Leslie E.
Published: August 2010

Both transcription and RNA decay are critical for normal gene regulation. Arabidopsis mutants with defects in
VARICOSE
(
VCS
), a decapping complex scaffold protein, lack mRNA decapping and 5′-to-3′ decay. These mutants show either severe or suppressed phenotypes, depending on the Arabidopsis accession. Here, we show that the molecular basis for this variation is the
SUPPRESSOR OF VARICOSE
(
SOV
), a locus that encodes a conserved, cytoplasmically localized RRP44-like RNaseII-domain protein. In vivo RNA decay assays suggest that active forms of this protein carry out decay on mRNA substrates that overlap with those of the decapping complex. Members of this conserved gene family encode proteins lacking the PIN domain, suggesting that SOV is not a functional component of the RNA exosome.
Efficacy of geoengineering to limit 21st century sea-level rise
Authors: Moore J. C. , Jevrejeva S. , Grinsted A.
Published: August 2010

Geoengineering has been proposed as a feasible way of mitigating anthropogenic climate change, especially increasing global temperatures in the 21st century. The two main geoengineering options are limiting incoming solar radiation, or modifying the carbon cycle. Here we examine the impact of five geoengineering approaches on sea level; SO
2
aerosol injection into the stratosphere, mirrors in space, afforestation, biochar, and bioenergy with carbon sequestration. Sea level responds mainly at centennial time scales to temperature change, and has been largely driven by anthropogenic forcing since 1850. Making use a model of sea-level rise as a function of time-varying climate forcing factors (solar radiation, volcanism, and greenhouse gas emissions) we find that sea-level rise by 2100 will likely be 30 cm higher than 2000 levels despite all but the most aggressive geoengineering under all except the most stringent greenhouse gas emissions scenarios. The least risky and most desirable way of limiting sea-level rise is bioenergy with carbon sequestration. However aerosol injection or a space mirror system reducing insolation at an accelerating rate of 1 W m
-2
per decade from now to 2100 could limit or reduce sea levels. Aerosol injection delivering a constant 4 W m
-2
reduction in radiative forcing (similar to a 1991 Pinatubo eruption every 18 months) could delay sea-level rise by 40–80 years. Aerosol injection appears to fail cost-benefit analysis unless it can be maintained continuously, and damage caused by the climate response to the aerosols is less than about 0.6% Global World Product.
Defective membrane expression of the Na
+
-HCO
3
−
cotransporter NBCe1 is associated with familial migraine
Authors: Suzuki Masashi , Van Paesschen Wim , Stalmans Ingeborg , Horita Shoko , Yamada Hideomi , Bergmans Bruno A. , Legius Eric , Riant Florence , De Jonghe Peter , Li Yuehong , Sekine Takashi , Igarashi Takashi , Fujimoto Ichiro , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Shimadzu Mitsunobu , Shiohara Masaaki , Braverman Nancy , Al-Gazali Lihadh , Fujita Toshiro , Seki George
Published: August 2010

Homozygous mutations in
SLC4A4
, encoding the electrogenic Na
+
-HCO
3
−
cotransporter NBCe1, have been known to cause proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) and ocular abnormalities. In this study, we report two sisters with pRTA, ocular abnormalities, and hemiplegic migraine. Genetic analysis ruled out pathological mutations in the known genes for familial hemiplegic migraine, but identified a homozygous 65-bp deletion (Δ65bp) in the C terminus of NBCe1, corresponding to the codon change S982NfsX4. Several heterozygous members of this family also presented glaucoma and migraine with or without aura. Despite the normal electrogenic activity in
Xenopus
oocytes, the Δ65bp mutant showed almost no transport activity due to a predominant cytosolic retention in mammalian cells. Furthermore, coexpression experiments uncovered a dominant negative effect of the mutant through hetero-oligomer formation with wild-type NBCe1. Among other pRTA pedigrees with different NBCe1 mutations, we identified four additional homozygous patients with migraine. The immunohistological and functional analyses of these mutants demonstrate that the near total loss of NBCe1 activity in astrocytes can cause migraine potentially through dysregulation of synaptic pH.
Disruption of HDAC/CoREST/REST repressor by dnREST reduces genome silencing and increases virulence of herpes simplex virus
Authors: Du Te , Zhou Guoying , Khan Shaniya , Gu Haidong , Roizman Bernard
Published: August 2010

In nonneuronal cells, herpes simplex virus 1 overcomes host defenses, replicates, and ultimately kills the infected cell. Among the host defenses suppressed by the virus is a repressor complex whose key components are histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 or 2, RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), corepressor of REST (CoREST), and lysine-specific demethylase (LSD) 1. In neurons innervating cells at the portal of entry into the body, the virus establishes a “latent” infection in which viral DNA is silenced with the exception of a family of genes. The question posed here is whether the virus hijacks this repressor complex to silence itself in neurons during the latent state. To test this hypothesis, we inserted into the wild-type virus genome a wild-type REST [recombinant (R) 111], a dominant-negative REST (dnREST) lacking the N- and C-terminal repressor domains (R112), or an insertion control consisting of tandem repeats of stop codons (R113). The recombinant virus R112 carrying the dnREST replicated better and was more virulent than the wild-type parent or the other recombinant viruses when administered by the corneal or i.p. routes. Moreover, in contrast to other recombinants, corneal route inoculation by R112 recombinant virus resulted in higher DNA copy numbers, higher levels of infectious virus in eye, trigeminal ganglion, or brain, and virtually complete destruction of trigeminal ganglia in mice that may ultimately succumb to infection. These results support an earlier conclusion that the HDAC/CoREST/REST/LSD1 repressor complex is a significant component of the host innate immunity and are consistent with the hypothesis that HSV-1 hijacks the repressor to silence itself during latent infection.
Getting around the reproduction problems of colored graphs
Authors: Bohm Thomas
Published: August 2010

This paper highlights the reproduction problems of colored graphs in grayscale/black and white contexts. It suggests remedies and improvements to the common design and presentation of graphs. The paper also shows the benefits of using a graphic communication/information designer.
Measurements of beam ion loss from the Compact Helical System
Authors: Darrow D.S. , Isobe M. , Kondo Takashi , Sasao M.
Published: August 2010

Neutral beam ion loss from the Compact Helical System (CHS) has been measured with a scintillator-type probe. The total loss to the probe as well as the pitch angle and gyroradius distributions of that loss have been measured as various plasma parameters were scanned. Three classes of beam ion losses were observed at the probe position: passing ions with pitch angles within 10° of those of transition orbits, ions on transition orbits (as would be expected from these orbits, which have large deviations from their starting flux surfaces) and ions on trapped orbits, typically 15° or more from transition orbits. Some orbit calculations in this magnetic geometry have been performed in order to understand the characteristics of the loss. Simulation of the detector signal based upon the following of orbits from realistic beam deposition profiles is not able to reproduce the pitch angle distribution of the losses measured. Consequently it is conjectured that internal plasma processes induce their loss.
Academic General Practice Training in the UK-what is it All about?
Authors: Taylor Clare , Irving Greg
Published: August 2010

Academic GPs have made significant contributions to the care of many millions of patients through research in primary care populations. They have also been instrumental in the development of community-based undergraduate medical education. Here, we explore what academic GP training involves and why all associates in training should have an interest in research and teaching.
Common Symptoms in Pregnancy
Authors: Whitehouse Katharine
Published: August 2010

Women may self-present or be referred to you by their midwife with a range of pregnancy symptoms; these are common complaints relating to pregnancy itself rather than any underlying disease. They rarely signify pathology but can cause significant distress for women. Therefore, it is important to provide reassurance and constructive advice tailored to the individual woman's needs. It is necessary to be aware of treatment options, reassurance required and relevant pathologies to exclude.
Mannheimia caviae sp. nov., isolated from epidemic conjunctivitis and otitis media in guinea pigs
Authors: Christensen H. , Bojesen A. M. , Bisgaard M.
Published: August 2010

Strains T138021-75T, Pg19 and Pg20 (taxon 25 of Bisgaard) were isolated from guinea pigs and characterized. Strains T138021-75T and Pg20 showed identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and were distantly related to the published strain P224 with the highest 16S rRNA similarity of 98.6 %. These two strains showed 97.8 % sequence similarity with the type strain and other strains of Mannheimia glucosida and 97.3 % similarity with the type strain of Mannheimia varigena, but <97 % similarity with all other type strains of the genus Mannheimia, including Mannheimia haemolytica (96.9 %). Phylogenetic analysis of rpoB gene sequences showed that strain P224 had a distant position (89.9 % gene sequence similarity) compared with the three other strains (T138021-75T, Pg20 and Pg19), which had identical gene sequences. These three novel strains also shared identical recN gene sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the recN gene sequences showed a close relationship between the three novel strains and strain P224. The DNA–DNA reassociation value between strain T138021-75T and P224 was 81.6 % and 40.3 % between strain T138021-75T and the type strain of M. glucosida. Based on the DNA–DNA reassociation data, strain T138021-75T belonged to a separate species that was closely related to strain P224. Strain P224 differed from strains T138021-75T, Pg20 and Pg19 in the following phenotypic characteristics: activity of ornithine carboxylase, hydrolysis of glycosides, and acid formation from maltose, dextrin, melibiose and raffinose, as well as reactions for α-galactosidase and β-xylosidase. Whole genome similarity calculations based on recN gene sequences showed that strains T138021-75T and P224 were related at the species level (0.932), whereas 16S rRNA and partial rpoB gene sequence comparisons showed a more divergent position of strain P224 compared with the novel strains, including a different host of isolation. The results showed that the three strains of taxon 25 represent a novel species for which the name Mannheimia caviae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, T138021-75T ( = CCUG 59995T = DSM 23207T) was isolated from purulent conjunctivitis in guinea pigs. Previous publications have documented both ubiquinones and demethylmenaquinone to be present in the type strain. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain has been found to be 41.4 mol% (T
m).
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter G26 Is Required for Male Fertility and Pollen Exine Formation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Quilichini Teagen D. , Friedmann Michael C. , Samuels A. Lacey , Douglas Carl J.
Published: August 2010

The highly resistant biopolymer, sporopollenin, gives the outer wall (exine) of spores and pollen grains their unparalleled strength, shielding these structures from terrestrial stresses. Despite a limited understanding of the composition of sporopollenin, it appears that the synthesis of sporopollenin occurs in the tapetum and requires the transport of one or more sporopollenin constituents to the surface of developing microspores. Here, we describe ABCG26, a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, which is required for pollen exine formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). abcg26 mutants are severely reduced in fertility, with most siliques failing to produce seeds by self-fertilization and mature anthers failing to release pollen. Transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed an absence of an exine wall on abcg26-1 mutant microspores. Phenotypic abnormalities in pollen wall formation were first apparent in early uninucleate microspores as a lack of exine formation and sporopollenin deposition. Additionally, the highest levels of ABCG26 mRNA were in the tapetum, during early pollen wall formation, sporopollenin biosynthesis, and sporopollenin deposition. Accumulations resembling the trilamellar lipidic coils in the abcg11 and abcg12 mutants defective in cuticular wax export were observed in the anther locules of abcg26 mutants. A yellow fluorescent protein-ABCG26 protein was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. Our results show that ABCG26 plays a critical role in exine formation and pollen development and are consistent with a model by which ABCG26 transports sporopollenin precursors across the tapetum plasma membrane into the locule for polymerization on developing microspore walls.
Ordinary image retrieval in a multilingual context
Authors: Ménard Elaine
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine image retrieval within two different contexts: a monolingual context where the language of the query is the same as the indexing language and a multilingual context where the language of the query is different from the indexing language. The study also aims to compare two different approaches for the indexing of ordinary images representing common objects: traditional image indexing with the use of a controlled vocabulary and free image indexing using uncontrolled vocabulary.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses three data collection methods. An analysis of the indexing terms was employed in order to examine the multiplicity of term types assigned to images. A simulation of the retrieval process involving a set of 30 images was performed with 60 participants. The quantification of the retrieval performance of each indexing approach was based on the usability measures, that is, effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of the user. Finally, a questionnaire was used to gather information on searcher satisfaction during and after the retrieval process.

Findings

The results of this research are twofold. The analysis of indexing terms associated with all the 3,950 images provides a comprehensive description of the characteristics of the four non‐combined indexing forms used for the study. Also, the retrieval simulation results offers information about the relative performance of the six indexing forms (combined and non‐combined) in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency (temporal and human) and the image searcher's satisfaction.

Originality/value

The findings of the study suggest that, in the near future, the information systems could benefit from allowing an increased coexistence of controlled vocabularies and uncontrolled vocabularies, resulting from collaborative image tagging, for example, and giving the users the possibility to dynamically participate in the image‐indexing process, in a more user‐centred way.
Excavating grey literature
Authors: Vlachidis Andreas , Binding Ceri , Tudhope Douglas , May Keith
Published: August 2010

Purpose

This paper sets out to discuss the use of information extraction (IE), a natural language‐processing (NLP) technique to assist “rich” semantic indexing of diverse archaeological text resources. The focus of the research is to direct a semantic‐aware “rich” indexing of diverse natural language resources with properties capable of satisfying information retrieval from online publications and datasets associated with the Semantic Technologies for Archaeological Resources (STAR) project.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes use of the English Heritage extension (CRM‐EH) of the standard core ontology in cultural heritage, CIDOC CRM, and exploitation of domain thesauri resources for driving and enhancing an Ontology‐Oriented Information Extraction process. The process of semantic indexing is based on a rule‐based Information Extraction technique, which is facilitated by the General Architecture of Text Engineering (GATE) toolkit and expressed by Java Annotation Pattern Engine (JAPE) rules.

Findings

Initial results suggest that the combination of information extraction with knowledge resources and standard conceptual models is capable of supporting semantic‐aware term indexing. Additional efforts are required for further exploitation of the technique and adoption of formal evaluation methods for assessing the performance of the method in measurable terms.

Originality/value

The value of the paper lies in the semantic indexing of 535 unpublished online documents often referred to as “Grey Literature”, from the Archaeological Data Service OASIS corpus (Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS), with respect to the CRM ontological concepts E49.Time Appellation and P19.Physical Object.
Organising music for movies
Authors: Inskip Charles , MacFarlane Andy , Rafferty Pauline
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and discuss the classification of commercial popular music when large digital collections are organised for use in films.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of systems are investigated and their organization is discussed, focusing on an analysis of the metadata used by the systems and choices given to the end‐user to construct a query. The indexing of the music is compared with a check‐list of music facets which has been derived from recent musicological literature on semiotic analysis of popular music. These facets include aspects of communication, cultural and musical expression, codes and competences.

Findings

In addition to bibliographic detail, descriptive metadata are used to organise music in these systems. Genre, subject and mood are used widely; some musical facets also appear. The extent to which attempts are being made to reflect these facets in the organization of these systems is discussed. A number of recommendations are made which may help to improve this process.

Originality/value

The paper discusses an area of creative music search which has not previously been investigated in any depth and makes recommendations based on findings and the literature which may be used in the development of commercial systems as well as making a contribution to the literature.
Research on difficult‐cut‐material in cutting with application of water vapor as coolant and lubricant
Authors: Junyan Liu , Rongdi Han , Yang Wang
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Green machining is becoming increasingly more popular due to concern regarding the safety of the environment and human health. The important implementation of stricter Environmental Protection Agency regulations associated with the use of ample amount of coolants and lubricants has led to this study on a new green machining technology with application of water vapor as coolants and lubricants in cutting Ni‐based superalloys and titanium alloy Ti‐6Al‐4V with uncoated carbide inserts (ISO Type K10). The purpose of this paper is to show that machining technology with application of water vapour could be an economical and environmentally compatible lubrication technique for machining difficult‐cut‐materials.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the effect of water vapor applications in machining difficult‐cut‐materials have been investigated in detail, the cutting force, the chip deformation coefficient, the rake face wear and the width of tool flank land VB have been examined and analyzed, and a new green cutting technology is researched to machining Ni base superalloys and Ti‐6Al‐4V difficult‐cut‐materials.

Findings

The cutting force of machining Ni base superalloys and Ti‐6Al‐4V was affected by direct water vapor application, being lower than dry cutting and wet machining for all machining conditions; the Λh is the smallest with applications of water vapor as coolants and lubricants compared to dry cutting, pure water and oil water emulsion conditions the tool life extended by about six times than dry cutting, about four times than oil water emulsions at low cutting speed (νc<100 m/min), and about two‐four times than dry cutting, about two‐three time than oil water emulsions at higher cutting speed (νc>100 m/min) during machining Ti‐6Al‐4V with application of water vapor direct into the cutting zone.

Originality/value

The green cutting technology which applies water vapor as coolants and lubricants advocates a new method for machining difficult‐cut‐materials (Ni base superalloys and Ti‐6Al‐4V) without any environment pollution and operator health problem because the cutting force and chip deformation coefficient are reduced, the tool life is extended, and the tool flank wear can be decreased with applications of water vapor as coolants and lubricants to alleviate the adhering and diffusion wear compared to wet cutting and dry cutting.
Antiwear additives as retarding agents of elements with ceramic coatings wear
Authors: Ozimina Dariusz , Madej Monika , Styp‐Rekowski Michał
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the appropriate conditions for the chemical deposition of Ni‐P‐Al2O3 composite coatings, deposited on metalic matrix.

Design/methodology/approach

Auto catalytic reduction of Ni in nickel sulfate and sodium hypophosphate bath, including 10 percent volume fractions of nanodispersive Al2O3 particles is treated in the alloy steel 100Cr6. The wear resistance and friction coefficient of the coatings are determined using tester T‐01M, a ball‐disc tester for mitigated solid friction conditions, in model lubricants: oil bases, oil bases with antiwear additives AW.

Findings

The analysis of the properties of the Ni‐P‐Al2O3 deposits confirms that the presence of the dispersion phase of aluminium oxide determines the coating wearability.

Practical implications

The paper presents some indications of proper selection of antiwear coating generation methods (their parameters and conditions).

Originality/value

Investigations show that tribocatalytic effect of nickel coatings influence the intensity of antiwear layers generation in zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP) tribochemical interaction in model lubricants and that tribochemical, adsorption, and reaction‐diffusion effect of ZDDP, decided on great effectiveness of generated antiwear surface layers, which was confirmed by the results of tribological investigation.
Perceptions of organizational attractiveness
Authors: Nadler Joel T. , Cundiff Nicole L. , Lowery Meghan R. , Jackson Stacy
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Past research on flextime programs often treat work schedule flexibility as a homogeneous construct. The purpose of this paper is to empirically demonstrate the relationship between different flexible work schedules and employee perceptions of organizational attractiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (n = 655) reviewed a scenario with work schedule flexibility manipulated into one of eight consecutively more flexible schedules. Participants then rated the job offer within the scenario on organizational attractiveness.

Findings

The study found significant differences in organizational attractiveness based on the eight types of work schedule flexibility. The study's results supported categorizing flextime programs as heterogeneous constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The study utilized scenarios reducing generalization to work situations. Participants were college students with a limited work experience and may have viewed organizational attractiveness based on expectations, not on experiences. Future studies should examine workforce populations and also examine different work schedule flexibility programs' effects on absenteeism and productivity.

Practical implications

The study suggested that work schedule flexibility affects future employees' perceptions of organizational attractiveness. Attracting high‐quality employees is in the best interests of organizations and the effects of a flexible work schedule may begin before employees are hired.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that different work schedule flexibility schedules, often labeled “flextime,” are perceived differently regarding organizational attractiveness. The paper further supports the notion that work schedule flexibility is a complex construct that cannot be examined using one broad term.
Introducing environmental concern in manufacturing strategies
Authors: Johansson Glenn , Winroth Mats
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Concern for environmental issues has entered the agenda in many companies within the manufacturing industry. The purpose of this paper is to analyse implications for the decision criteria when environmental issues are introduced into manufacturing strategy. Furthermore, the purpose is to present a framework illustrating how concern for environmental issues affects the manufacturing strategy formulation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of literature on environmentally conscious manufacturing and literature on manufacturing strategy. These two fields of research are merged in the analysis.

Findings

The analysis shows that concern for environmental issues may lead to a number of potential implications for the decision criteria. These implications may, in turn, affect the manufacturing strategy formulation process. A framework is presented that illustrates the interrelationships between the drivers for environmental concern, effects for the competitive priorities, implications for the decision criteria, and how it may affect the manufacturing strategy formulation process.

Research limitations/implications

Inclusion of environmental issues potentially complicates the manufacturing strategy formulation process. This implies a need for further studies on the challenges companies face in the strategy formulation process.

Practical implications

The implications for the decision criteria and the framework presented in the paper may encourage companies to prepare for inclusion of environmental concern in the manufacturing strategy formulation process.

Originality/value

Manufacturing strategy has not traditionally included concern for environmental issues. The paper adopts a novel approach in which research findings on environmental concern are integrated with literature on manufacturing strategy.
Leader behavior: gatekeeper to voluntary upward feedback
Authors: Kilburn Brandon , Cates Tommy
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of leader behaviors on follower attitudes and intentions toward providing voluntary upward feedback to their leader.

Design/methodology/approach

This experimental study exposed subjects to one of three different descriptions depicting a relationship‐oriented leader, a task‐oriented leader, or a leader who displays a high level of task and relationship behaviors. Surveys assessing both follower attitudes and intentions toward voluntary upward feedback were administered based on pre‐existing scales that were modified for the study.

Findings

As hypothesized, a leader displaying a high level of relationship orientation did foster significantly higher attitude scores. In contrast, perceptions of a leader displaying high task orientation in conjunction with a high relationship orientation were not found to significantly differ from a high relationship‐oriented leader. Finally, the results of the study indicate that positive attitudes toward providing voluntary upward feedback are likely to result in positive intentions to actually provide this feedback.

Originality/value

The paper's findings indicate that leaders who emphasize relationships with followers may increase followers' propensity to provide voluntary upward feedback. Leaders may utilize these findings to alter behaviors in order to promote greater amounts of voluntary feedback from followers. Potentially beneficial behaviors are addressed in the paper.
The gratuitous form of acceptance as the pathway to the resolution of substance abuse (Acceptance)
Authors: Cook David H.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the second of two articles about substance abuse and the discussion of acceptance as a two‐pronged description of human thinking, with the primary care physician the intended audience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is about the presumption of acceptance as an enabler of the learned addiction‐oriented life style.

Findings

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Status Report, there are about 2 billion people consuming alcoholic beverages worldwide, with about 76.3 million diagnosed as having alcohol use disorders.

Research limitations/implications

The approach in the article differs from that taken in the discussion of relapse, where substance abuse is presented as a subset of addictive‐oriented thinking with respect to a defined group of persons. Here, there are two parallel tracks, with neither limited to any definable subgroup of a population. The first is a continuation of the focus on substance abuse as a subset of addictive‐oriented thinking. The second, however, has addictive‐oriented thinking as the superset of the learned addiction‐oriented life style.

Social implications

The potential pool of need in the paper is the 2 billion people as the superset of addiction‐oriented living, on this view of relapse and acceptance as the “why” of substance abuse, as a subset of addictive‐oriented thinking.

Originality/value

While the paper is in line with the WHO's position that substance abuse is the most serious health problem globally, the advocated approach to the resolution of addiction is the efficiency of the relationship between the primary care physician and the patient.
Danish libraries in WorldCat – and ordering facilities to ten Danish libraries
Authors: Brink Helle , Andresen Leif
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the Danish agreement with OCLC's WorldCat and the perspectives for international cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the Danish ILL cooperation, the project and WorldCat as a case study of international cooperation which will increase the effectiveness of the international ILL service.

Findings

Cooperation with an international organization works better when coordinated nationally.

Originality/value

The Danish agreement with OCLC covers both main activities: ILL and cataloguing – creation and use of bibliographic data.
Success factors for the future of information centres, commercial and public libraries: a study from Germany
Authors: Seidler‐de Alwis Ragna , Fühles‐Ubach Simone
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify success factors in commercial and public libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on research carried out in various commercial and public libraries and information centres in Germany.

Findings

The development of the internet and end user empowerment in searching threatens the role of conventional librarians and information professionals. A number of suggestions are made as to how they can reposition themselves for this radically changed environment.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies in English of German commercial libraries. The suggestions for repositioning will also be of interest to document supply librarians in particular.
Implications of new public management and modernization on control
Authors: Palermo Ofelia A. , Cohen Laurie , Loan‐Clarke John , Mellahi Kamel
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of new public management and modernization reform policies on control in the probation service.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes interpretivist, qualitative approach. It is based on ethnographic data, collected over a one‐year period in an English regional probation service. In the course of the fieldwork, 45 employees were interviewed. Data were also collected through participant observation and analysis of formal documents.

Findings

The paper suggests that new public management and modernization reform policies are interpreted by organizational actors as control mechanismsper se.

Originality/value

Findings can be relevant for understanding the “control” side of the reform policies in the public sector. To date those policies have been mainly considered as driven by change rather than by control.
A framework of supply chain orientation
Authors: Esper Terry L. , Clifford Defee C. , Mentzer John T.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The concept of supply chain orientation (SCO) has been described in multiple ways in previous research. The purpose of this paper is to integrate previous descriptions and further develop the structural element of SCO including the areas of organizational design, human resources, information technology, and organizational measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is used to identify previous descriptions of SCO and present a framework to more completely describe the concept.

Findings

SCO cannot be understood without incorporating both a firm's strategic intention to compete via supply chain capabilities and the firm's internal structural elements.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual study undertaken to develop a comprehensive framework incorporating SCO concepts. Although the framework is developed from the existing literature, further research is necessary to test the extended view of the concept.

Practical implications

The paper provides a template for understanding a firm's current SCO, and may be a useful roadmap for firms wishing to develop a greater SCO.

Originality/value

Little research has been published surrounding the concept of SCO. The paper integrates previous descriptions by incorporating both strategic and structural views, and by explaining the antecedent elements internal to the firm that are required to form a SCO.
Career aspects of convention and exhibition professionals in Asia
Authors: Ladkin Adele , Weber Karin
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The study examines the career motivations, paths and challenges of convention and exhibition (C&E) industry professionals in Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews the key literature relating to life and work history research, career profiles and human capital, which is followed by a discussion of findings of an online survey of C&E industry professionals in Asia.

Findings

Findings indicate that there is no specific career route/path into the industry, with experience being generated in a wide variety of sectors, and primarily gained in management, sales and marketing roles. Professionals show a high level of career commitment and face a variety of challenges relating to environmental, customer and job demands.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from industry professionals from four South‐East Asian destinations only, thus it is important not to generalize study findings to Asia. Practical implications are discussed in relation to career development and employee retention, specifically in view of the variety of entry points into the industry, potential for job mobility, and challenges to motivate and retain a committed workforce composed of different generations.

Originality/value

Appropriately educated and trained labor is essential for the success of the rapidly growing C&E industry. Yet, despite the recognized value of superior staff and the wealth of employment opportunities, there is little understanding of careers in the C&E sector to date. The research addresses this gap in the research.
Environmental sustainability in the third‐party logistics (3PL) industry
Authors: Lieb Kristin J. , Lieb Robert C.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the extent to which large third‐party logistics (3PL) companies have committed themselves to environmental sustainability goals. It also aims to examine the sustainability initiatives undertaken by those companies and the impact of those initiatives on the 3PL and their customers. Finally, the research seeks to examine the impact of the global recession of 2008‐2009 not only on the commitment of the 3PL to their sustainability goals but also on how the recession impacted 3PL customer interest in such goals.

Design/methodology/approach

The data upon which this paper is based was generated in two annual surveys of the chief executive officers of 40 large 3PL companies operating in North America, Europe, and the Asia‐Pacific region. These surveys were conducted in 2008 and 2009 and were part of a long‐term series of annual surveys that began in 1994.

Findings

The findings indicate that nearly all of the companies involved in the surveys have made substantial commitments to environmental sustainability goals during the past several years and that they have launched a broad range of related projects that have had quite positive impacts on those companies. Despite the recession, none of the 3PL scaled back their commitment to those goals; in fact, many launched new sustainability projects during that period. 3PL customers have also shown increasing interest in the environmental sustainability capabilities of the 3PL.

Originality/value

The paper effort represents the first large‐scale effort to document the commitment of large 3PL to environmental sustainability goals.