bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculation of Franck–Condon factors including anharmonicity: Simulation of the C2H4+X̃B3u2←C2H4X̃Ag1 band in the photoelectron spectrum of ethylene
Authors: Luis Josep M. , Torrent-Sucarrat Miquel , Solà Miquel , Bishop David M. , Kirtman Bernard
Published: May 2005

Our new simple method for calculating accurate Franck–Condon factors including nondiagonal (i.e., mode-mode) anharmonic coupling is used to simulate the C2H4+X̃B3u2←C2H4X̃Ag1 band in the photoelectron spectrum. An improved vibrational basis set truncation algorithm, which permits very efficient computations, is employed. Because the torsional mode is highly anharmonic it is separated from the other modes and treated exactly. All other modes are treated through the second-order perturbation theory. The perturbation-theory corrections are significant and lead to a good agreement with experiment, although the separability assumption for torsion causes the C2D4 results to be not as good as those for C2H4. A variational formulation to overcome this circumstance, and deal with large anharmonicities in general, is suggested.
LAND-map, a linearized approach to nonadiabatic dynamics using the mapping formalism
Authors: Bonella S. , Coker D. F.
Published: May 2005

We present a new approach for calculating quantum time correlation functions for systems whose dynamics exhibits relevant nonadiabatic effects. The method involves partial linearization of the full quantum path-integral expression for the time correlation function written in the nonadiabatic mapping Hamiltonian formalism. Our analysis gives an algorithm which is both numerically efficient and accurate as we demonstrate in test calculations on the spin-boson model where we find results in good agreement with exact calculations. The accuracy of our new approach is comparable to that of calculations performed using other approximate methods over a relatively broad range of model parameters. However, our method converges relatively quickly when compared with most alternative schemes. These findings are very encouraging in view of the application of the new method for studying realistic nonadiabatic model problems in the condensed phase.
Rheological and structural studies of liquid decane, hexadecane, and tetracosane under planar elongational flow using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics simulations
Authors: Baig C. , Edwards B. J. , Keffer D. J. , Cochran H. D.
Published: May 2005

We report for the first time rheological and structural properties of liquid decane, hexadecane, and tetracosane using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics (NEMD) simulations under planar elongational flow (PEF). The underlying NEMD algorithm employed is the so-called p-SLLOD algorithm [C. Baig, B. J. Edwards, D. J. Keffer, and H. D. Cochran, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 114103 (2005)]. Two elongational viscosities are measured, and they are shown not to be equal to each other, indicating two independent viscometric functions in PEF. With an appropriate definition, it is observed that the two elongational viscosities converge to each other at very low elongation rates, i.e., in the Newtonian regime. For all three alkanes, tension-thinning behavior is observed. At high elongation rates, chains appear to be fully stretched. This is supported by the result of the mean-square end-to-end distance of chains ⟨Rete2⟩ and the mean-square radius of gyration of chains ⟨Rg2⟩, and further supported by the result of the intramolecular Lennard-Jones (LJ) potential energy. It is also observed that ⟨Rete2⟩ and ⟨Rg2⟩ show a different trend as a function of strain rate from those in shear flow: after reaching a plateau value, ⟨Rete2⟩ and ⟨Rg2⟩ are found to increase further as elongation rate increases. A minimum in the hydrostatic pressure is observed for hexadecane and tetracosane at about ε̇(mσ2∕ε)1∕2=0.02. This phenomenon is shown to be associated with the intermolecular LJ potential energy. The bond-bending and torsional energies display similar trends, but a different behavior is observed for the bond-stretching energy. An important observation common in these three bonded-intramolecular interactions is that all three modes are suppressed to a small value at high elongation rates. We conjecture that a liquid-crystal-like, nematic structure is present in these systems at high elongation rates, which is characterized by a strong chain alignment with a fully stretched conformation.
Linear theory for fast collisionless magnetic reconnection in the lower-hybrid frequency range
Authors: Jovanović D. , Shukla P. K.
Published: May 2005

A linear theory is presented for the interplay between the fast collisionless magnetic reconnection and the lower-hybrid waves that has been observed in recent computer simulations [J. F. Drake, M. Swisdak, C. Cattell et al., Science 299, 873 (2003)]. In plasma configurations with a strong guide field and anisotropic electron temperature, the electron dynamics is described within the framework of standard electron magnetohydrodynamic equations, accounting also for the effects of the electron polarization and ion motions in the presence of perpendicular electric fields. In the linear phase, we find two types of instabilities of a thin current sheet with steep edges, corresponding to its filamentation (or tearing) and bending. Using a surface-wave formalism for the perturbations whose wavelength is larger than the thickness of the current sheet, the corresponding growth rates are calculated as the contributions of singularities in the plasma dispersion function. These are governed by the electron inertia and the linear coupling of the reconnecting magnetic field with local plasma modes propagating in the perpendicular direction that are subject to the Buneman instability. The linear surface wave instability may be particularly important as a secondary instability, dissipating the thin current sheets that develop in the course of the fast reconnection in the shear-Alfvén and kinetic-Alfvén regimes, and providing the anomalous resistivity for the growth of magnetic islands beyond the shear-Alfvén and kinetic-Alfvén scales.
Stress evolution in GaAsN alloy films
Authors: Reason M. , Weng X. , Ye W. , Dettling D. , Hanson S. , Obeidi G. , Goldman R. S.
Published: May 2005

We have investigated stress evolution in dilute nitride GaAs1−xNx alloy films grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. For coherently strained films (x<2.5%), a comparison of stresses measured via in situ wafer curvature measurements, with those determined from x-ray rocking curves using a linear interpolation of lattice parameter and elastic constants, suggests significant bowing of the elastic properties of GaAsN. The observed stress differences are used to quantify the composition-dependent elastic constant bowing parameters. For films with x>2.5%, in situ wafer curvature measurements reveal a signature for stress relaxation. Atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy measurements indicate that stress relaxation occurs by a combination of elastic relaxation via island formation and plastic relaxation associated with the formation of stacking faults.
Compact superradiant Čerenkov source
Authors: Owens I. J. , Brownell J. H.
Published: May 2005

An economical, coherent, and widely tunable source does not exist spanning the far-infrared electromagnetic spectral range of 50–1000μm in wavelength. The Čerenkov free-electron laser (CFEL) is a promising candidate. This report describes an experimental investigation of a compact CFEL driven by a high-quality low-energy electron beam. Čerenkov emission and strong gain but remarkably low output coupling were observed.
Influence of vapor transport equilibration on spectroscopic properties of Er:LiNbO3 crystal heavily codoped with MgO
Authors: Zhang De-Long , Wang Dun-Chun , Pun E. Y. B.
Published: May 2005

Z -cut MgO heavily codoped (6mol%) Er(0.4mol%):LiNbO3 crystals were thermally treated at 1110 and 1120°C over 100, 120, and 220h using vapor transport equilibration (VTE) technique. Visible and infrared-absorption and x-ray powder diffraction have been used to characterize their spectral, spectroscopic, and crystalline phase characteristics in comparison with the as-grown crystal. The experimental results show that VTE treatment results in the reduction of background absorption and 4–5-nm blueshift of the optical-absorption edge, qualitatively showing that these crystals have been brought closer to stoichiometric composition. The VTE procedure also results in remarkable Er3+ absorption changes. These spectroscopic changes imply that the VTE treatment may result in the formation of ErNbO4 precipitates in all VTE crystals. In addition, the VTE treatment also results in substantial spectral changes with respect to OH− absorption. These OH− spectral changes are explained from the viewpoint of VTE-induced site-occupancy alterations of intrinsic and extrinsic defects. Based upon the measured absorption spectra, the influences of VTE treatment on the Er3+ spectroscopic parameters were studied by using the Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory. The theoretical results show that VTE treatment has a little influence on the branch ratio, and a substantial influence on JO parameters and electron transition probability because of the phase transformation with respect to Er3+. The VTE treatment results in the increase of the JO parameters by more than 50% and theoretical radiative lifetime by 50%–120%.
n
-type to p-type crossover in quaternary BixSbyPbzSe3 single crystals
Authors: Kašparová J. , Drašar Č. , Krejčová A. , Beneš L. , Lošt’ák P. , Chen Wei , Zhou Zhenhua , Uher C.
Published: May 2005

We report on the preparation and some physical properties of a quaternary system based on Bi2Se3 codoped with Sb and Pb. Single-crystal samples were prepared using the Bridgman technique and were characterized by measurements of the lattice parameters, electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. Atomic emission spectroscopy was used to find the concentration profiles of Sb and Pb along the single-crystalline ingots. Progressive codoping of the Bi2Se3 crystal lattice with Sb and Pb leads to a crossover of the initially n-type conduction to that of the p type. It is assumed that both Sb and Pb enter the Bi sublattice. Physical properties as well as the change in the dominant carrier type are discussed.
Improved luminescence intensity and stability of nanocrystalline silicon due to the passivation of nonluminescent states
Authors: Sato Keisuke , Hirakuri Kenji
Published: May 2005

Luminescence intensity and stability of nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) passivated with oxygen and hydrogen atoms have been studied by using electron-spin resonance and photoluminescence measurements. The oxygen-passivated nc-Si with low-density Pce′ centers (luminescent states) and high-density Pb centers (nonluminescent states) exhibited weak red luminescence. When the nc-Si surface was passivated with hydrogen atoms in addition to oxygen atoms using a hydrofluoric acid solution treatment, the intensity of red luminescence increased more than one order of magnitude with an increase of Pce′ centers and reduction of Pb centers on the surface. Furthermore, the red luminescence of nc-Si was very stable even after aging beyond one year, owing to the existence of only Pce′ centers and the absence of Pb centers. These results are a strong indication that the improved luminescence intensity and stability is due to the hydrogen and oxygen passivation of nonluminescent states.
Normal ordering and boundary conditions in open bosonic strings
Authors: Braga Nelson R. F. , Carrion Hector L. , Godinho Cresus F. L.
Published: May 2005

Boundary conditions play a nontrivial role in string theory. For instance, the rich structure of D-branes is generated by choosing appropriate combinations of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. Furthermore, when an antisymmetric background is present at the string end points (corresponding to mixed boundary conditions) space time becomes noncommutative there. We show here how to build up normal ordered products for bosonic string position operators that satisfy both equations of motion and open string boundary conditions at the quantum level. We also calculate the equal time commutator of these normal ordered products in the presence of an antisymmetric tensor background.
Adhesive contact modeling for sub-5-nm ultralow flying magnetic storage head-disk interfaces including roughness effects
Authors: Suh Allison Y. , Polycarpou Andreas A.
Published: May 2005

As the slider flying height decreases to sub-5-nm to obtain extremely high-density magnetic recordings of the order of 1Tbit∕in.2, problems of adhesion can cause catastrophic behavior at the magnetic recording head-disk interface (HDI). In the earlier part of the paper, a number of interfacial adhesive models were implemented for simplified HDI configurations (i.e., two flat parallel surfaces and a sphere on a flat surface). With the use of realistic HDI properties, individual adhesive force models, such as van der Waals and electrostatic forces, can provide initial approximations to the adhesive forces present during sub-5-nm flying. In the second part of the paper, realistic roughness conditions applicable to actual HDI’s were modeled using an improved Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov-based elastic-plastic rough surface adhesion model. Specifically, the proposed adhesion model accounts for roughness, the presence of molecularly thin lubricant, and includes electrostatic forces. Using experimentally measured roughness values from ultralow flying HDI’s (root-mean-square roughness of 0.65–1.62 nm), it was found that while the contact force is negligible for an interface with low roughness, the adhesive force dominates such interface. Moreover, the effect of roughness promotes adhesion at higher separations than if a two flat parallel surface configuration is considered. Prior to the onset of contact, the total adhesive force for an interface with low roughness is comparable to a two flat parallel surface approximation. However, the simple flat parallel surface approximation fails to predict the realistic onset of contact due to the exclusion of roughness.
Optical and electrical properties of heavily Mg-doped GaN upon (NH4)2Sx treatment
Authors: Lin Yow-Jon , Chu Yow-Lin , Huang Y. S. , Chang Hsing-Cheng
Published: May 2005

We have employed the photoluminescence (PL) and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) measurements to study the effects of (NH4)2Sx treatment on the optical and electrical properties of p-type GaN (p-GaN) in this study. From the PL and SPS measurements, it is suggested that the (MgGa–VN)2+ (MgGa:Ga vacancies occupied by Mg; VN:nitrogen vacancies) complexes near the p-GaN surface region were transformed into the (MgGa-SN)0 (SN:N vacancies occupied by S) complexes after (NH4)2Sx treatment, which resulted in the reduction of the ∼2.8-eV PL intensity and the increase of the hole concentration near the p-GaN surface region.
Thermal analysis of flip-chip packaged 280 nm nitride-based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes
Authors: Shatalov M. , Chitnis A. , Yadav P. , Hasan Md. F. , Khan J. , Adivarahan V. , Maruska H. P. , Sun W. H. , Khan M. Asif
Published: May 2005

This letter reports on a low thermal impedance flip-chip packaged deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes emitting at 280 nm featuring a finned heat sink. For a single 100μm×100μm device flip-chip packaged onto an AlN submount and mounted on a TO-66 header with attached finned heat sink, a total junction to ambient thermal impedance as low as 33°C∕W was obtained. Numerical simulations of the heat transfer show that the excessive value of effective thermal impedance is mostly limited by insufficient junction area.
Focusing by planoconcave lens using negative refraction
Authors: Vodo P. , Parimi P. V. , Lu W. T. , Sridhar S.
Published: May 2005

We demonstrate focusing of a plane microwave by a planoconcave lens fabricated from a photonic crystal having a negative refractive index and left-handed electromagnetic properties. An inverse experiment, in which a plane wave is produced from a source placed at the focal point of the lens, is also reported. A frequency-dependent negative refractive index, n(ω)<0 is obtained for the lens from the experimental data which match well with that determined from band structure calculations.
Nanoelectrospray ion generation for high-throughput mass spectrometry using a micromachined ultrasonic ejector array
Authors: Aderogba S. , Meacham J. M. , Degertekin F. L. , Fedorov A. G. , Fernandez F. M.
Published: May 2005

Ultrasonic electrospray ionization (ESI) for high-throughput mass spectrometry is demonstrated using a silicon micromachined microarray. The device uses a micromachined ultrasonic atomizer operating in the 900kHz–2.5MHz range for droplet generation and a metal electrode in the fluid cavity for ionization. Since the atomization and ionization processes are separated, the ultrasonic ESI source shows the potential for operation at low voltages with a wide range of solvents in contrast with conventional capillary ESI technology. This is demonstrated using the ultrasonic ESI microarray to obtain the mass spectrum of a 10μM reserpine sample on a time of flight mass spectrometer with 197:1 signal-to-noise ratio at an ionization potential of 200V.
Photoluminescence of Ag-doped ZnSe nanowires synthesized by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Zhang X. T. , Ip K. M. , Li Quan , Hark S. K.
Published: May 2005

Photoluminescence of Ag-doped ZnSe nanowires synthesized by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition is investigated in the temperature range from 10to300K. Ag impurities were introduced into the ZnSe nanowires during the growing process. Some dominating Ag-related centers are found. Especially, the strong zero-phonon bound exciton luminescence with energy near 2.747eV is attributed to a neutral AgZn acceptor complex. This is because the emission peak at the same energy is observed only in the photoluminescence spectrum of the Ag-doped bulk ZnSe. A new luminescence peak at 2.842eV is attributed to the recombination of excitons bound to ionized acceptors (I2h) in the hexagonal phase of ZnSe nanowires. The physical origins of the emissions are briefly discussed.
Galectin-4 and sulfatides in apical membrane trafficking in enterocyte-like cells
Authors: Delacour Delphine , Gouyer Valérie , Zanetta Jean-Pierre , Drobecq Hervé , Leteurtre Emmanuelle , Grard Georges , Moreau-Hannedouche Odile , Maes Emmanuel , Pons Alexandre , André Sabine , Le Bivic André , Gabius Hans Joachim , Manninen Aki , Simons Kai , Huet Guillemette
Published: May 2005

We have previously reported that 1-benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-d-galactopyranoside (GalNAcα-O-bn), an inhibitor of glycosylation, perturbed apical biosynthetic trafficking in polarized HT-29 cells suggesting an involvement of a lectin-based mechanism. Here, we have identified galectin-4 as one of the major components of detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) isolated from HT-29 5M12 cells. Galectin-4 was also found in post-Golgi carrier vesicles. The functional role of galectin-4 in polarized trafficking in HT-29 5M12 cells was studied by using a retrovirus-mediated RNA interference. In galectin-4–depleted HT-29 5M12 cells apical membrane markers accumulated intracellularly. In contrast, basolateral membrane markers were not affected. Moreover, galectin-4 depletion altered the DRM association characteristics of apical proteins. Sulfatides with long chain-hydroxylated fatty acids, which were also enriched in DRMs, were identified as high-affinity ligands for galectin-4. Together, our data propose that interaction between galectin-4 and sulfatides plays a functional role in the clustering of lipid rafts for apical delivery.
Spatial distribution and functional significance of activated vinculin in living cells
Authors: Chen Hui , Cohen Daniel M. , Choudhury Dilshad M. , Kioka Noriyuki , Craig Susan W.
Published: May 2005

Conformational change is believed to be important to vinculin's function at sites of cell adhesion. However, nothing is known about vinculin's conformation in living cells. Using a Forster resonance energy transfer probe that reports on changes in vinculin's conformation, we find that vinculin is in the actin-binding conformation in a peripheral band of adhesive puncta in spreading cells. However, in fully spread cells with established polarity, vinculin's conformation is variable at focal adhesions. Time-lapse imaging reveals a gradient of conformational change that precedes loss of vinculin from focal adhesions in retracting regions. At stable or protruding regions, recruitment of vinculin is not necessarily coupled to the actin-binding conformation. However, a different measure of vinculin conformation, the recruitment of vinexin β by activated vinculin, shows that autoinhibition of endogenous vinculin is relaxed at focal adhesions. Beyond providing direct evidence that vinculin is activated at focal adhesions, this study shows that the specific functional conformation correlates with regional cellular dynamics.
Agrin mediates a rapid switch from electrical coupling to chemical neurotransmission during synaptogenesis
Authors: Martin Agnès O. , Alonso Gérard , Guérineau Nathalie C.
Published: May 2005

In contrast to its well-established actions as an organizer of synaptic differentiation at the neuromuscular junction, the proteoglycan agrin is still in search of a function in the nervous system. Here, we report an entirely unanticipated role for agrin in the dual modulation of electrical and chemical intercellular communication that occurs during the critical period of synapse formation. When applied at the developing splanchnic nerve–chromaffin cell cholinergic synapse in rat adrenal acute slices, agrin rapidly modified cell-to-cell communication mechanisms. Specifically, it led to decreased gap junction–mediated electrical coupling that preceded an increase in nicotinic synaptic transmission. This developmental switch from predominantly electrical to chemical communication was fully operational within one hour and depended on the activation of Src family–related tyrosine kinases. Hence, agrin may play a pivotal role in synaptogenesis in promoting a rapid switch between electrical coupling and synaptic neurotransmission.
MCAK associates with the tips of polymerizing microtubules
Authors: Moore Ayana T. , Rankin Kathleen E. , von Dassow George , Peris Leticia , Wagenbach Michael , Ovechkina Yulia , Andrieux Annie , Job Didier , Wordeman Linda
Published: May 2005

MCAK is a member of the kinesin-13 family of microtubule (MT)-depolymerizing kinesins. We show that the potent MT depolymerizer MCAK tracks (treadmills) with the tips of polymerizing MTs in living cells. Tip tracking of MCAK is inhibited by phosphorylation and is dependent on the extreme COOH-terminal tail of MCAK. Tip tracking is not essential for MCAK's MT-depolymerizing activity. We propose that tip tracking is a mechanism by which MCAK is preferentially localized to regions of the cell that modulate the plus ends of MTs.
Kinesin-1 mediates translocation of the meiotic spindle to the oocyte cortex through KCA-1, a novel cargo adapter
Authors: Yang Hsin-ya , Mains Paul E. , McNally Francis J.
Published: May 2005

In animals, female meiotic spindles are attached to the egg cortex in a perpendicular orientation at anaphase to allow the selective disposal of three haploid chromosome sets into polar bodies. We have identified a complex of interacting Caenorhabditis elegans proteins that are involved in the earliest step in asymmetric positioning of anastral meiotic spindles, translocation to the cortex. This complex is composed of the kinesin-1 heavy chain orthologue, UNC-116, the kinesin light chain orthologues, KLC-1 and -2, and a novel cargo adaptor, KCA-1. Depletion of any of these subunits by RNA interference resulted in meiosis I metaphase spindles that remained stationary at a position several micrometers from the cell cortex during the time when wild-type spindles translocated to the cortex. After this prolonged stationary period, unc-116(RNAi) spindles moved to the cortex through a partially redundant mechanism that is dependent on the anaphase-promoting complex. This study thus reveals two sequential mechanisms for translocating anastral spindles to the oocyte cortex.
Promotion of importin α–mediated nuclear import by the phosphorylation-dependent binding of cargo protein to 14-3-3
Authors: Faul Christian , Hüttelmaier Stefan , Oh Jun , Hachet Virginie , Singer Robert H. , Mundel Peter
Published: May 2005

14-3-3 proteins are phosphoserine/threonine-binding proteins that play important roles in many regulatory processes, including intracellular protein targeting. 14-3-3 proteins can anchor target proteins in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus or can mediate their nuclear export. So far, no role for 14-3-3 in mediating nuclear import has been described. There is also mounting evidence that nuclear import is regulated by the phosphorylation of cargo proteins, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Myopodin is a dual-compartment, actin-bundling protein that functions as a tumor suppressor in human bladder cancer. In muscle cells, myopodin redistributes between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in a differentiation-dependent and stress-induced fashion. We show that importin α binding and the subsequent nuclear import of myopodin are regulated by the serine/threonine phosphorylation-dependent binding of myopodin to 14-3-3. These results establish a novel paradigm for the promotion of nuclear import by 14-3-3 binding. They provide a molecular explanation for the phosphorylation-dependent nuclear import of nuclear localization signal-containing cargo proteins.
Regulation of phototransduction responsiveness and retinal degeneration by a phospholipase D–generated signaling lipid
Authors: LaLonde Mary M. , Janssens Hilde , Rosenbaum Erica , Choi Seok-Yong , Gergen J. Peter , Colley Nansi J. , Stark William S. , Frohman Michael A.
Published: May 2005

Drosophila melanogaster phototransduction proceeds via a phospholipase C (PLC)–triggered cascade of phosphatidylinositol (PI) lipid modifications, many steps of which remain undefined. We describe the involvement of the lipid phosphatidic acid and the enzyme that generates it, phospholipase D (Pld), in this process. Pldnull flies exhibit decreased light sensitivity as well as a heightened susceptibility to retinal degeneration. Pld overexpression rescues flies lacking PLC from light-induced, metarhodopsin-mediated degeneration and restores visual signaling in flies lacking the PI transfer protein, which is a key player in the replenishment of the PI 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) substrate used by PLC to transduce light stimuli into neurological signals. Altogether, these findings suggest that Pld facilitates phototransduction by maintaining adequate levels of PIP2 and by protecting the visual system from metarhodopsin-induced, low light degeneration.
The taxonomic feedback loop: symbiosis of morphology and molecules
Authors: Page Timothy J , Choy Satish C , Hughes Jane M
Published: May 2005

Here, we relate the ongoing taxonomic story of a species complex of problematic, cryptic Australian freshwater shrimp (Atyidae;
Caridina
) to highlight the relative strength and utility of different taxonomic methods in assessing species boundaries. We used popular ‘DNA barcode’ gene fragments cytochrome
c
oxidase 1 and 16S ribosomal DNA. We then assessed the morphological attributes of these specimens and developed an identification key to complement the molecular results, and conclude that, despite occasionally strident arguments in favour of either molecular or morphological taxonomy, the two are inseparably linked and form parts of a greater whole.
Organ-Specific Expression of Arabidopsis Genome during Development
Authors: Ma Ligeng , Sun Ning , Liu Xigang , Jiao Yuling , Zhao Hongyu , Deng Xing Wang
Published: May 2005

The development of complex eukaryotic organisms can be viewed as the selective expression of distinct fractions of the genome in different organs or tissue types in response to developmental and environmental cues. Here, we generated a genome expression atlas of 18 organ or tissue types representing the life cycle of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We showed that each organ or tissue type had a defining genome expression pattern and that the degree to which organs share expression profiles is highly correlated with the biological relationship of organ types. Further, distinct fractions of the genome exhibited expression changes in response to environmental light among the three seedling organs, despite the fact that they share the same photoperception and transduction systems. A significant fraction of the genes in the Arabidopsis genome is organized into chromatin domains exhibiting coregulated expression patterns in response to developmental or environmental signals. The knowledge of organ-specific expression patterns and their response to the changing environment provides a foundation for dissecting the molecular processes underlying development.
Plant Protein Annotation in the UniProt Knowledgebase
Authors: Schneider Michel , Bairoch Amos , Wu Cathy H. , Apweiler Rolf
Published: May 2005

The Swiss-Prot, TrEMBL, Protein Information Resource (PIR), and DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) protein database activities have united to form the Universal Protein Resource (UniProt) Consortium. UniProt presents three database layers: the UniProt Archive, the UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB), and the UniProt Reference Clusters. The UniProtKB consists of two sections: UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot (fully manually curated entries) and UniProtKB/TrEMBL (automated annotation, classification and extensive cross-references). New releases are published fortnightly. A specific Plant Proteome Annotation Program (http://www.expasy.org/sprot/ppap/) was initiated to cope with the increasing amount of data produced by the complete sequencing of plant genomes. Through UniProt, our aim is to provide the scientific community with a single, centralized, authoritative resource for protein sequences and functional information that will allow the plant community to fully explore and utilize the wealth of information available for both plant and nonplant model organisms.
Growing leaders
Authors: Hurt Andrew Christopher , Homan Scott Robert
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To show the focus of leadership development training practices in recent times.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published (1992‐2004) works, which aim to provide a practical look rather than theoretical advice on leadership development training practices, is reviewed. Sources are used to provide real‐life examples of how leadership development training is currently being conducted.

Findings

The article identifies from the literature six primary areas key to leadership development. For each section, a review of the current literature and justification of why organizations need to start training based on these new methods are presented. Additionally, real‐world examples are provided which show the “how to” or applied benefit of the new training method. The six primary areas are: connecting leadership to business goals, providing realistic training, gaining top management support, making trainees accountable for their training, training based on specific organizational goals, and leaders developing other leaders.

Originality/value

This article fulfils the need of many training practitioners who seek to identify new ways of conducting leadership development training by offering practical advice and real‐world examples of successful techniques.
How chief executives learn and what behaviour factors distinguish them from other people
Authors: Beamish Gerry
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To research how chief executives learn and what behavioural characteristics distinguish them from other managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a personality profile (DISC) and structured interviews to compare the behaviours of a sample of chief executives from the public service with a sample from the private sectors in Northern Ireland.

Findings

The research found three distinguishing characteristics of chief executives and challenged stereotypes of differences between the public and private sector and between male and female chief executives.

Research limitations/implications

There were no historic data to compare findings to indicate whether the behaviours highlighted were intrinsic or learned. Neither were the data differentiated by age nor was there any indication of how successful chief executives were. Future research might also look at differences between successful and less successful chief executives or look at other categories of leaders. An extremely interesting field might be to look at political leaders and compare their profiles with the chief executives.

Practical implications

The research challenges some of the basis for core competency approaches to development and reinforces the argument for action‐based approaches.

Originality/value

Provides data for the debate on how one can best design and plan the selection and development of senior executives.
Developing effective behaviour
Authors: Kearsley Michael A.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To provide a summary of self‐help texts and ideas drawn from a range of self‐help and “how to” books.

Design/methodology/approach

Material subdivided into the ten most common (agreed) ideas for self‐improvement.

Findings

The advice is sound (common sense?) but applying it is not easy.

Research limitations/implications

The material used is often subjective and anecdotal.

Practical implications

If readers apply the principles they will experience direct benefits.

Originality/value

That there is a consistency of advice from all sorts of sources as to how to be more effective, whatever the task that confronts one.
What's a manager to do?
Authors: Trinka James A.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This article seeks to examine numerous surveys on employee performance and leadership effectiveness and to reveal common themes and implications for managers interested in dramatically improved employee productivity and retention. All of these surveys are to study successful leaders and home in on the characteristics that differentiate them from the rest. Focusing on success creates positive energy by recognizing and appreciating what is working, which seems to produce greater engagement and momentum for change.

Design/methodology/approach

A wide range of possible managerial activities was evaluated and those that add little value were eliminated. Revealed were a few recommendations for time‐oppressed managers and organizations to undertake that have the greatest impact on improving both leadership effectiveness and employee productivity.

Findings

Specifically, the evidence supports the establishment of a performance‐management‐based organizational culture, although not from a command and control perspective, but from one that involves a coaching environment and conscious attempts at continuous dialogue within work teams to achieve a balance between driving for results and interpersonal skills.

Originality/value

The article identified that managers who undertake activities related to this approach have a much better chance of achieving “breakthrough” employee performance improvements, leading to “breakthrough” results for the organization.
Journal interaction
Authors: Faber Frandsen Tove
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Citation analysis is widely used as an evaluation method within sciences. The purpose of this paper is to use citation analyses to add insight into the interaction between economics journals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a method of citation analysis using multiple linear regressions on both cited and citing economics journals. The proposed method controls for the different characteristics of the journals as well as for their degree of interaction.

Findings

The paper shows some of the hidden structures within the science of economics that are determinants for the results from citation analysis. The analysis indicates several underlying factors within citation patterns in economics that should be accounted for when doing citation analysis for evaluation purposes. A journal is to a large extent self‐supplying with citations but, when this is extracted from the data, journals are dependent on similar journals – with respect to sub‐discipline, geography and JIF – to supply citations.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis in this paper includes only a sub‐set of the journals of the science of economics and other sciences may exhibit other patterns and thus other underlying factors.

Practical implications

In an evaluation that takes place across a wide board of sciences an analysis of both cited and citing journals may help to determine which factors should be taken into account in the evaluation.

Originality/value

This type of analysis enables one to analyse some of the characteristics that separate the sciences.
Electronic thesis development at Cranfield University
Authors: Bevan Simon J.
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To describe the issues involved in the introduction of mandatory submission of electronic theses at Cranfield University.

Design/methodology/approach

Background information on how the availability of e‐theses has developed at Cranfield University is provided along with discussions and advice on issues such as the choice of software, thesis submission workflow and timeframes, particularly in relation to the publication of thesis‐related articles. It also looks at metadata issues as well as both retrieval and usage of electronic theses. Finally it describes how the service has expanded from e‐theses to other types of material and to the development and expansion of an institutional repository for Cranfield.

Findings

It is shown that there are a number of issues that will need to be addressed from the points of view of librarians, academic staff and registry staff and that one effective method of managing the process is to set up a working group with all stakeholders in the process. There is a clear need for administrative procedures to be discussed in detail and a recognition that the time involved in changing regulations may be significant.

Practical implications

It is clear that most of the issues that have arisen at Cranfield as outlined in the paper will be mirrored at other institutions that are considering the same changes, and so those institutions looking at the area of e‐thesis submission may gain some useful insights.

Originality/value

This paper provides useful advice on the issues that will arise as institutions go through the process of introducing the mandatory submission of electronic theses.
Pallet conveyor now smarter and slimmer
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: May 2005

Purpose – Describes how one company addressed the need for a pallet conveyor innovation which would achieve a number of goals such as reduced maintenance, operating noise, physical cross section and improve the ability to integrate into an assembly or manufacturing application. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the approach and technology applied to develop a smart conveyor that meets the project objectives. Findings – Applying new lower cost electronic controls, individual zone drive motors and sensors to a traditional product can dramatically improve the feature benefit package. Research limitations/implications – This paper provides guidance in the design of smart manufacturing and material handling related equipments. Practical implications – Innovative conveyors can still move the product while providing many cost of ownership benefits. Originality/value – Highlights how applying new thinking or thinking outside the box to a traditional product can achieve many user benefits.
Environmental protection and quick assembly feature at autumn shows
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper highlights new automated assembly system components introduced in late 2004. Products meet new levels of environmental protection and offer features for quicker assembly system design and commissioning.

Design/methodology/approach

Attended various trade shows and contacted key vendors for information on product introductions.

Findings

Vendors are addressing more and more application needs with features like more compact components, more features, innovative materials and new answers to system design and application problems.

Research limitations/implications

Not all the new products which may have been introduced have been covered.

Practical implications

Users and systems integrators can find new component answers to previously troubling requirements of automated assembly system design and commissioning.

Originality/value

Highlights new assembly system component offerings that may be real problem solutions for system designs and integrators who previously considered products to not fully address their requirements.
Exploring the perceptions of knowledge management systems
Authors: Xu Jun , Quaddus Mohammed
Published: May 2005

Purpose

Diffusion (spread in usage) of knowledge management systems (KMSs) depends on a number of factors. Among them perceptions of KMS, including perceived usefulness/benefits, perceived user‐friendliness, perceived voluntary use and subject norms are significant factors. This paper aims to investigate the factors impacting the diffusion (spread and sustained use) of KMSs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first presents an integrated model of the diffusion of KMSs arising from a comprehensive literature review and qualitative field study. An empirical pilot study was then undertaken to test the model through a questionnaire‐based survey.

Findings

The pilot study had some interesting findings – results similar to those found in the literature – which are presented in detail.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the information on KMS by providing results from an empirical pilot study and suggesting future research directions.
A six‐stage model for the effective diffusion of knowledge management systems
Authors: Xu Jun , Quaddus Mohammed
Published: May 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the diffusion process of Knowledge management systems (KMSs). Specifically, to identify the sequence of stages of the process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a six‐stage model of the KMS diffusion process. It then provides an empirical test of the sequence of steps in the KMS diffusion process in Australia. Structural equation modelling using LISREL is used as the analytical tool for the empirical test.

Findings

The results show that all the hypotheses related to the sequence of the KMS diffusion process are significant. This is an important and significant finding. It clearly demonstrates how KMS adoption and diffusion should be planned in Australian organizations.

Originality/value

The research identifies six stages of KMS diffusion based on the results from selected Australian companies: initiation, adoption, pilot implementation, organic growth, organizational implementation, and sustained use/diffusion of KMS.
A reality‐based guide to KMS diffusion
Authors: Xu Jun , Quaddus Mohammed
Published: May 2005

Purpose

To summarise the findings from research in adopting and diffusing knowledge management systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a summary of the study findings and a discussion of these.

Findings

The findings explain the adoption and diffusion of a KMS in an organization. These include: perceived usefulness has a positive relationship with an organization embarking on a KMS; people's decision to accept and use a KMS is directly determined by perceived user‐friendliness and perceived voluntariness; and the KMS diffusion process takes place in six stages.

Research limitations/implications

This study tested the entire research model. In the future, parts of the model could be extracted and investigated in detail.

Practical implications

The results have significant implications for managerial practices, including the need for a KMS; the cost of a KMS; significant factors of KMS adoption and diffusion; end‐user focus and involving people in the KMS; and organizational adjustment to embrace the KMS.

Originality/value

The study develops and tests a comprehensive model of KMS adoption and diffusion.
Statistical thinking and its role for industrial engineers and managers in the 21st century
Authors: Makrymichalos Miltiadis , Antony Jiju , Antony Frenie , Kumar Maneesh
Published: May 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the vital linkage between six sigma and statistical thinking. The paper also explains the key characteristics required for statistical thinking and some of the common barriers in the implementation of the key principles of statistical thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of the paper have been achieved in several ways. The paper provides the key principles of statistical thinking and then discusses the possible reasons for lack of statistical thinking in modern organizations. The paper then illustrates the linkage between the statistical principles and six sigma. The tools and techniques of six sigma used within statistical thinking are also highlighted in the paper.

Findings

The key findings of this work include the relationship between the two key powerful methodologies: six sigma and statistical thinking, reasons for lack of applications of statistical thinking in organizations, the future role of managers and engineers in companies with regard to statistical thinking era and the commonalities in the application of tools and techniques between these two methodologies.

Research limitations/implications

The paper needs more justification through surveys and case examples and this will be the future step of this study. In fact, one of the co‐authors is currently conducting a survey in the UK organizations to investigate the relationship between statistical thinking and six sigma.

Practical implications

The paper is very practical in nature and it does yield a great value to those people who are currently embarking on six sigma program, especially at senior manager and executive levels.

Originality/value

Very little is published in the field of statistical thinking in the UK academic world. In fact, there is a cognitive gap in this field and this paper certainly forms a good platform for further research that will enable to bridge the gap.