bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of mVps18p in Clustering, Fusion, and Intracellular Localization of Late Endocytic Organelles
Authors: Poupon Viviane , Stewart Abigail , Gray Sally R. , Piper Robert C. , Luzio J. Paul
Published: July 2003

Delivery of endocytosed macromolecules to mammalian cell lysosomes occurs by direct fusion of late endosomes with lysosomes, resulting in the formation of hybrid organelles from which lysosomes are reformed. The molecular mechanisms of this fusion are analogous to those of homotypic vacuole fusion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We report herein the major roles of the mammalian homolog of yeast Vps18p (mVps18p), a member of the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting complex. When overexpressed, mVps18p caused the clustering of late endosomes/lysosomes and the recruitment of other mammalian homologs of the homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting complex, plus Rab7-interacting lysosomal protein. The clusters were surrounded by components of the actin cytoskeleton, including actin, ezrin, and specific unconventional myosins. Overexpression of mVps18p also overcame the effect of wortmannin treatment, which inhibits membrane traffic out of late endocytic organelles and causes their swelling. Reduction of mVps18p by RNA interference caused lysosomes to disperse away from their juxtanuclear location. Thus, mVps18p plays a critical role in endosome/lysosome tethering, fusion, intracellular localization and in the reformation of lysosomes from hybrid organelles.
Cell Surface Orifices of Caveolae and Localization of Caveolin to the Necks of Caveolae in Adipocytes
Authors: Thorn Hans , Stenkula Karin G. , Karlsson Margareta , Örtegren Unn , Nystrom Fredrik H. , Gustavsson Johanna , Strålfors Peter
Published: July 2003

Caveolae are noncoated invaginations of the plasma membrane that form in the presence of the protein caveolin. Caveolae are found in most cells, but are especially abundant in adipocytes. By high-resolution electron microscopy of plasma membrane sheets the detailed structure of individual caveolae of primary rat adipocytes was examined. Caveolin-1 and -2 binding was restricted to the membrane proximal region, such as the ducts or necks attaching the caveolar bulb to the membrane. This was confirmed by transfection with myc-tagged caveolin-1 and -2. Essentially the same results were obtained with human fibroblasts. Hence caveolin does not form the caveolar bulb in these cells, but rather the neck and may thus act to retain the caveolar constituents, indicating how caveolin participates in the formation of caveolae. Caveolae, randomly distributed over the plasma membrane, were very heterogeneous, varying in size between 25 and 150 nm. There was about one million caveolae in an adipocyte, which increased the surface area of the plasma membrane by 50%. Half of the caveolae, those larger than 50 nm, had access to the outside of the cell via ducts and 20-nm orifices at the cell surface. The rest of the caveolae, those smaller than 50 nm, were not open to the cell exterior. Cholesterol depletion destroyed both caveolae and the cell surface orifices.
Regulation of Cdc2/Cyclin B Activation inXenopusEgg Extracts via Inhibitory Phosphorylation of Cdc25C Phosphatase by Ca2+/Calmodium-dependent Kinase II
Authors: Hutchins James R. A. , Dikovskaya Dina , Clarke Paul R.
Published: July 2003

Activation of Cdc2/cyclin B kinase and entry into mitosis requires dephosphorylation of inhibitory sites on Cdc2 by Cdc25 phosphatase. In vertebrates, Cdc25C is inhibited by phosphorylation at a single site targeted by the checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Cds1/Chk2 in response to DNA damage or replication arrest. In Xenopus early embryos, the inhibitory site on Cdc25C (S287) is also phosphorylated by a distinct protein kinase that may determine the intrinsic timing of the cell cycle. We show that S287-kinase activity is repressed in extracts of unfertilized Xenopus eggs arrested in M phase but is rapidly stimulated upon release into interphase by addition of Ca2+, which mimics fertilization. S287-kinase activity is not dependent on cyclin B degradation or inactivation of Cdc2/cyclin B kinase, indicating a direct mechanism of activation by Ca2+. Indeed, inhibitor studies identify the predominant S287-kinase as Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII phosphorylates Cdc25C efficiently on S287 in vitro and, like Chk1, is inhibited by 7-hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) and debromohymenialdisine, compounds that abrogate G2 arrest in somatic cells. CaMKII delays Cdc2/cyclin B activation via phosphorylation of Cdc25C at S287 in egg extracts, indicating that this pathway regulates the timing of mitosis during the early embryonic cell cycle.
Actin Polymerization in Macrophages in Response to Oxidized LDL and Apoptotic Cells: Role of 12/15-Lipoxygenase and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase
Authors: Miller Yury I. , Worrall Dorothy S. , Funk Colin D. , Feramisco James R. , Witztum Joseph L.
Published: July 2003

Formation of filamentous F-actin drives many cellular processes, including phagocytosis and cell spreading. We have recently reported that mouse macrophage 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) activity promotes F-actin formation in filopodia during phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) also stimulates robust F-actin formation and spreading of macrophages. However, unlike apoptotic cells, OxLDL did not cause specific translocation of 12/15-LO to the cell membrane, neither in macrophages nor in GFP-15LO–transfected COS-7 cells. Moreover, inhibition of 12/15-LO activity in macrophages by a specific inhibitor or by 12/15-LO gene disruption did not affect OxLDL-induced actin polymerization. Among LDL modifications modeling OxLDL, LDL modified by incubation with 15LO-overexpressing fibroblasts was as active in eliciting F-actin response as was OxLDL. This LDL modification is well known to produce minimally modified LDL (mmLDL), which is bioactive and carries lipid oxidation products similar to those produced by 12/15-LO catalysis. MmLDL activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and PI3K inhibitors abolished mmLDL-induced macrophage spreading. We hypothesize that OxLDL and mmLDL may contribute oxidized lipids to the macrophage cell membrane and thereby mimic intracellular 12/15-LO activity, which leads to uncontrolled actin polymerization and dramatic cytoskeletal changes in macrophages.
Critical Role of Src and SHP-2 in sst2 Somatostatin Receptor-mediated Activation of SHP-1 and Inhibition of Cell Proliferation
Authors: Ferjoux Geraldine , Lopez Frederic , Esteve Jean-Pierre , Ferrand Audrey , Vivier Eric , Vely Frederic , Saint-Laurent Nathalie , Pradayrol Lucien , Buscail Louis , Susini Christiane
Published: July 2003

The G protein-coupled sst2 somatostatin receptor acts as a negative cell growth regulator. Sst2 transmits antimitogenic signaling by recruiting and activating the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. We now identified Src and SHP-2 as sst2-associated molecules and demonstrated their role in sst2 signaling. Surface plasmon resonance and mutation analyses revealed that SHP-2 directly associated with phosphorylated tyrosine 228 and 312, which are located in sst2 ITIMs (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs). This interaction was required for somatostatin-induced SHP-1 recruitment and activation and consequent inhibition of cell proliferation. Src interacted with sst2 and somatostatin promoted a transient Gβγ-dependent Src activation concomitant with sst2 tyrosine hyperphosphorylation and SHP-2 activation. These steps were abrogated with catalytically inactive Src. Both catalytically inactive Src and SHP-2 mutants abolished somatostatin-induced SHP-1 activation and cell growth inhibition. Sst2–Src–SHP-2 complex formation was dynamic. Somatostatin further induced sst2 tyrosine dephosphorylation and complex dissociation accompanied by Src and SHP-2 inhibition. These steps were defective in cells expressing a catalytically inactive Src mutant. All these data suggest that Src acts upstream of SHP-2 in sst2 signaling and provide evidence for a functional role for Src and SHP-2 downstream of an inhibitory G protein-coupled receptor.
The WD-repeats of Net2p Interact with Dnm1p and Fis1p to Regulate Division of Mitochondria
Authors: Cerveny Kara L. , Jensen Robert E.
Published: July 2003

The Net2, Fis1, and Dnm1 proteins are required for the division of mitochondria in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Net2p has an amino-terminal region that contains predicted coiled-coil motifs and a carboxyl-terminal domain composed of WD-40 repeats. We found that the amino-terminal part of Net2p interacts with Fis1p, whereas the carboxyl-terminal region interacts with both Dnm1p and Fis1p. Overproduction of either domain of Net2p in yeast cells poisons mitochondrial fission, and the dominant-negative effect caused by the WD-repeats of Net2p is suppressed by increased levels of Dnm1p. Point mutations in the WD-region of Net2p or in the GTPase region of Dnm1p disrupt the normal Net2p-Dnm1p interaction, causing Net2p to lose its normal punctate distribution. Our results suggest that Dnm1p interacts with the WD-repeats of Net2p and in a GTP-dependent manner recruits Net2p to sites of mitochondrial division. Furthermore, our results indicate that Net2p is required for proper assembly of the mitochondrial fission components to regulate organelle division.
Inhibition of Translation and Induction of Apoptosis by Bunyaviral Nonstructural Proteins Bearing Sequence Similarity to Reaper
Authors: Colón-Ramos Daniel A. , Irusta Pablo M. , Gan Eugene C. , Olson Michael R. , Song Jaewhan , Morimoto Richard I. , Elliott Richard M. , Lombard Mark , Hollingsworth Robert , Hardwick J. Marie , Smith Gary K. , Kornbluth Sally
Published: July 2003

Members of the California serogroup of bunyaviruses (family Bunyaviridae) are the leading cause of pediatric viral encephalitis in North America. Significant cell death is observed as part of the infection pathology. We now report that a Bunyaviral nonstructural protein termed NSs shows sequence similarity to Reaper, a proapoptotic protein from Drosophila. Although NSs proteins lack the Reaper N-terminal motif critical for IAP inhibition, they do retain other functions of Reaper that map to conserved C-terminal regions. Like Reaper, NSs proteins induce mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase activation in cell-free extracts and promote neuronal apoptosis and mortality in a mouse model. Independent of caspase activation, Bunyavirus NSs proteins also share with Reaper the ability to directly inhibit cellular protein translation. We have found that the shared capacity to inhibit translation and induce apoptosis resides in common sequence motifs present in both Reaper and NSs proteins. Data presented here suggest that NSs induce apoptosis through a mechanism similar to that used by Reaper, as both proteins bind to an apoptotic regulator called Scythe and can relieve Scythe inhibition of Hsp70. Thus, bunyavirus NSs proteins have multiple Reaper-like functions that likely contribute to viral pathogenesis by promoting cell death and/or inhibiting cellular translation.
Nuclear Pore Protein gp210 Is Essential for Viability in HeLa Cells andCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Cohen Merav , Feinstein Naomi , Wilson Katherine L. , Gruenbaum Yosef
Published: July 2003

Gp210 is an evolutionarily conserved membrane protein of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). We studied the phenotypes produced by RNAi-induced downregulation of gp210 in both human (HeLa) cells and Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. HeLa cell viability requires Gp210 activity. The dying cells accumulated clustered NPCs and aberrant membrane structures at the nuclear envelope, suggesting that gp210 is required directly or indirectly for nuclear pore formation and dilation as well as the anchoring or structural integrity of mature NPCs. Essential roles for gp210 were confirmed in C. elegans, where RNAi-induced reduction of gp210 caused embryonic lethality. The nuclear envelopes of embryos with reduced gp210 also had aberrant nuclear membrane structures and clustered NPCs, confirming that gp210 plays critical roles at the nuclear membrane through mechanisms that are conserved from nematodes to humans.
Specificity of Binding of the Plectin Actin-binding Domain to β4 Integrin
Authors: Litjens Sandy H.M. , Koster Jan , Kuikman Ingrid , van Wilpe Sandra , de Pereda José M. , Sonnenberg Arnoud
Published: July 2003

Plectin is a major component of the cytoskeleton and links the intermediate filament system to hemidesmosomes by binding to the integrin β4 subunit. Previously, a binding site for β4 was mapped on the actin-binding domain (ABD) of plectin and binding of β4 and F-actin to plectin was shown to be mutually exclusive. Here we show that only the ABDs of plectin and dystonin bind to β4, whereas those of other actin-binding proteins do not. Mutations of the ABD of plectin-1C show that Q131, R138, and N149 are critical for tight binding of the ABD to β4. These residues form a small cavity, occupied by a well-ordered water molecule in the crystal structure. The β4 binding pocket partly overlaps with the actin-binding sequence 2 (ABS2), previously shown to be essential for actin binding. Therefore, steric interference may render binding of β4 and F-actin to plectin mutually exclusive. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that the residues preceding the ABD in plectin-1A and -1C, although unable to mediate binding to β4 themselves, modulate the binding activity of the ABD for β4. These studies demonstrate the unique property of the plectin-ABD to bind to both F-actin and β4, and explain why several other ABD-containing proteins that are expressed in basal keratinocytes are not recruited into hemidesmosomes.
Response Latency Methodology for Survey Research: Measurement and Modeling Strategies
Authors: Mulligan Kenneth , Grant J. Tobin , Mockabee Stephen T. , Monson Joseph Quin
Published: July 2003

In public opinion research, response latency is a measure of attitude accessibility, which is the ease or swiftness with which an attitude comes to mind when a respondent is presented with a survey question. Attitude accessibility represents the strength of the association in memory between an attitude object and an evaluation of the object. Recent research shows that attitude accessibility, as measured by response latency, casts light on a wide range of phenomena of public opinion and political behavior. We discuss response latency methodology for survey research and advocate the use of latent response latency timers (which are invisible both to respondents and interviewers) as a low cost, low-maintenance alternative to traditional methods of measuring response latency in public opinion surveys. We show that with appropriate model specification latent response latency timers may provide a suitable alternative to the more complicated and expensive interviewer-activated timers.
Comparing Group and Subgroup Cohesion Scores: A Nonparametric Method with an Application to Brazil
Authors: Desposato Scott W.
Published: July 2003

This article builds a nonparametric method for inference from roll-call cohesion scores. Cohesion scores have been a staple of legislative studies since the publication of Rice's 1924 thesis. Unfortunately, little effort has been dedicated to understanding their statistical properties or relating them to existing models of legislative behavior. I show how a common use of cohesion scores, testing for distinct voting blocs, is severely biased toward Type I error, practically guaranteeing significant findings even when the null hypothesis is correct. I offer a nonparametric method—permutation analysis—that solves the bias problem and provides for simple and intuitive inference. I demonstrate with an examination of roll-call voting data from the Brazilian National Congress.
Causal Complexity and the Study of Politics
Authors: Braumoeller Bear F.
Published: July 2003

Theories that posit complex causation, or multiple causal paths, pervade the study of politics but have yet to find accurate statistical expression. To remedy this situation I derive new econometric procedures, Boolean probit and logit, based on the logic of complexity. The solution provides an answer to a puzzle in the rational deterrence literature: the divergence between theory and case-study findings, on the one hand, and the findings of quantitative studies, on the other, on the issue of the role of capabilities and willingness in the initiation of disputes. It also makes the case that different methodological traditions, rather than settling into “separate but equal” status, can instead inform and enrich one another.
Using Auxiliary Data to Estimate Selection Bias Models, with an Application to Interest Group Use of the Direct Initiative Process
Authors: Boehmke Frederick J.
Published: July 2003

Recent work in survey research has made progress in estimating models involving selection bias in a particularly difficult circumstance—all nonrespondents are unit nonresponders, meaning that no data are available for them. These models are reasonably successful in circumstances where the dependent variable of interest is continuous, but they are less practical empirically when it is latent and only discrete outcomes or choices are observed. I develop a method in this article to estimate these models that is much more practical in terms of estimation. The model uses a small amount of auxiliary information to estimate the selection equation parameters, which are then held fixed while estimating the equation of interest parameters in a maximum-likelihood setting. After presenting Monte Carlo analyses to support the model, I apply the technique to a substantive problem: Which interest groups are likely to to be involved in support of potential initiatives to achieve their policy goals?
Selection Bias in Comparative Research: The Case of Incomplete Data Sets
Authors: Hug Simon
Published: July 2003

Selection bias is an important but often neglected problem in comparative research. While comparative case studies pay some attention to this problem, this is less the case in broader cross-national studies, where this problem may appear through the way the data used are generated. The article discusses three examples: studies of the success of newly formed political parties, research on protest events, and recent work on ethnic conflict. In all cases the data at hand are likely to be afflicted by selection bias. Failing to take into consideration this problem leads to serious biases in the estimation of simple relationships. Empirical examples illustrate a possible solution (a variation of a Tobit model) to the problems in these cases. The article also discusses results of Monte Carlo simulations, illustrating under what conditions the proposed estimation procedures lead to improved results.
Replication with Attention to Numerical Accuracy
Authors: Altman Micah , McDonald Michael P.
Published: July 2003

Numerical issues matter in statistical analysis. Small errors occur when numbers are translated from paper and pencil into the binary world of computers. Surprisingly, these errors may be propagated and magnified through binary calculations, eventually producing statistical estimates far from the truth. In this replication and extension article, we look at one method of verifying the accuracy of statistical estimates by running these same data and models on multiple statistical packages. We find that for two published articles, Nagler (1994, American Journal of Political Science 38:230-255) and Alvarez and Brehm (1995, American Journal of Political Science 39:1055-1089), results are dependent on the statistical package used. In the course of our replications, we uncover other pitfalls that may prevent accurate replication, and make recommendations to ensure the ability for future researchers to replicate results.
Recruitment of Thr 319-phosphorylated Ndd1p to the FHA domain of Fkh2p requires Clbkinase activity: a mechanism for CLB cluster gene activation
Authors: Reynolds David , Shi Bu Jun , McLean Cameron , Katsis Frosa , Kemp Bruce , Dalton Stephen
Published: July 2003

Activation of the CLB gene cluster through the assembly of Mcm1p–Fkh2p complexes at target promoters is essential for mitotic entry and transition through M phase. We show that the activation of this mitotic transcriptional program is dependent on the recruitment of Ndd1p, a coactivator that performs its essential function by acting through Fkh2p. Although an essential gene,NDD1is dispensable in cells expressing a truncated form of Fkh2p lacking its C terminus. When phosphorylated on T319, Ndd1p is recruited to CLB cluster promoters by association with the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain of Fkh2p. Substitution of T319 for alanine significantly reduces recruitment of Ndd1p, resulting in loss of normal transcriptional regulation, severe impairment of cell growth, and a budding defect reminiscent of cells with a Cdk-Clbkinase deficiency. Finally, we show that phosphorylation of T319 and recruitment of Ndd1p toCLB2andSWI5promoters is dependent on Cdc28-Clbkinase activity. These data provide a model describing the activation of G2/M transcription through the phosphorylation of Ndd1p by Cdc28-Clb kinase activity.
Chromosome integrity inSaccharomyces cerevisiae: the interplay of DNA replication initiation factors, elongation factors, and origins
Authors: Huang Dongli , Koshland Douglas
Published: July 2003

The integrity of chromosomes during cell division is ensured by bothtrans-acting factors andcis-acting chromosomal sites. Failure of either these chromosome integrity determinants (CIDs) can cause chromosomes to be broken and subsequently misrepaired to form gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs). We developed a simple and rapid assay for GCRs, exploiting yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. We used this assay to screen a genome-wide pool of mutants for elevated rates of GCR. The analyses of these mutants define new CIDs (Orc3p, Orc5p, and Ycs4p) and new pathways required for chromosome integrity in DNA replication elongation (Dpb11p), DNA replication initiation (Orc3p and Orc5p), and mitotic condensation (Ycs4p). We show that the chromosome integrity function of Orc5p is associated with its ATP-binding motif and is distinct from its function in controlling the efficiency of initiation of DNA replication. Finally, we used our YAC assay to assess the interplay oftransandcisfactors in chromosome integrity. Increasing the number of origins on a YAC suppresses GCR formation in ourdpb11mutant but enhances it in ourorcmutants. This result provides potential insights into the counterbalancing selective pressures necessary for the evolution of origin density on chromosomes.
Mrc1 is a replication fork component whose phosphorylation in response to DNA replication stress activates Rad53
Authors: Osborn Alexander J. , Elledge Stephen J.
Published: July 2003

When DNA replication is stalled, a signal transduction pathway is activated that promotes the stability of stalled forks and resumption of DNA synthesis. In budding yeast, this pathway includes the kinases Mec1 and Rad53. Here we report that the Mediator protein Mrc1, which is required for normal DNA replication and for activation of Rad53, is present at replication forks. Mrc1 initially binds early-replicating sequences and moves along chromatin with the replication fork. Blocking initiation of DNA replication blocks Mrc1 loading onto origins, providing an explanation for why so many mutants in DNA replication show checkpoint defects. In the presence of replication blocks, we find that Mec1 is recruited to regions of stalled replication, where it encounters and presumably phosphorylates Mrc1. Mutation of the canonical Mec1 phosphorylation sites on Mrc1 prevents Mrc1 phosphorylation and blocks Rad53 activation, but does not alter Mrc1's role in DNA replication. Our results suggest a model whereby in response to DNA replication interference, the Mec1 kinase is recruited to sites of replication blocks and phosphorylates a component of the DNA replication complex, Mrc1, thereby setting up a solid-state Rad53 activation platform to initiate the checkpoint response.
Canonical Wnt signals are essential for homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium
Authors: Pinto Daniel , Gregorieff Alex , Begthel Harry , Clevers Hans
Published: July 2003

To assess the critical role of Wnt signals in intestinal crypts, we generated transgenic mice ectopically expressing Dickkopf1 (Dkk1), a secreted Wnt inhibitor. We find that epithelial proliferation is greatly reduced coincidentally with the loss of crypts. Although enterocyte differentiation appears unaffected, secretory cell lineages are largely absent. Disrupted intestinal homeostasis is reflected by an absence of nuclear β-catenin, inhibition of c-mycexpression, and subsequent up-regulation of p21CIP1/WAF1. Thus, our data are the first to establish a direct requirement for Wnt ligands in driving proliferation in the intestinal epithelium, and also define an unexpected role for Wnts in controlling secretory cell differentiation.
Learning for learning providers
Authors: Appleby Alex , Robson Andrew , Owen Jane
Published: July 2003

Presents the findings from a study of 48 Colleges of Further Education (FE) who have participated in a diagnostic benchmarking exercise using the learning probe methodology. Learning probe has been developed from the established service probe tool (developed originally by London Business School and IBM Consulting) to support colleges of FE in their pursuit of excellence. Examines five main areas of business practice and performance consisting of business leadership; service processes; people; performance management and business results. Goes on to highlight the key strengths of the FE sector and their main areas for improvement (as defined by the sample of participating colleges). Although there are a number of practice and performance areas that need attention in particular practices relating to service processes, the sample also identifies that a number of colleges demonstrate strengths in these same areas. These issues are discussed and compared with experiences and anecdotal evidence collated from working with the FE sector over a number of years. Additionally, a comparison is made with a separate, regional benchmarking exercise that considered a number of educational organisations. Using the findings, the paper suggests a way forward for colleges to use the information which has grown out of this research. It is intended that the database will continue to grow as an information resource as learning probe becomes more widely adopted within the FE sector.
Assessing reflective learning
Authors: Bourner Tom
Published: July 2003

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main problems in assessing reflective learning and to seek ways of tackling them. Lessons are sought from HE’s long engagement with critical thinking that can be transferred to reflective learning. A solution to the problems is offered that is based on a questioning approach to reflective learning. In so doing, the paper explores the nature of reflective learning and advances the idea that the distinction between “surface” and “deep” learning can be generalised to the domain of reflective learning. It concludes with some implications for the development of reflective learning.
Raising retention and achievement in work‐based learning
Authors: Smith Vikki
Published: July 2003

Work based learning has been subject to some negative press in recent times. Particular emphasis has been given to poor inspection reports within the sector. The Raising Quality and Achievement programme of the Learning and Skills Development Agency, funded by the Learning and Skills Council as part of a grant for a programme of research and development, provides a raft of support to help work‐based learning providers respond to such challenges. The RQA Development Projects are one such approach. All projects are action research and explore interventions and changes to current practice as a means of improving retention and achievement in work‐based learning. A total of 78 projects were funded for 2002‐2003. This article presents a number of projects, that are particularly innovative, as examples of how providers are looking to improve retention and/or achievement.
Experiential learning at the university level: a US case study
Authors: Garvin M.R. , Ramsier R.D.
Published: July 2003

Discusses the authors’ approach to experiential learning in a two‐semester “engineering physics” course at a large metropolitan university in the USA. A student‐centered methodology stressing teamwork while incorporating individual creativity is used in an interdisciplinary course setting. Students practice transferable skills relevant to today’s technological workplace. Discusses the methodology and lessons learned in the context of higher education in the USA and abroad.
An empirical study of older workers’ attitudes towards the retirement experience
Authors: Lim Vivien K.G.
Published: July 2003

This study examined the attitudes of older workers towards work and retirement, retirement planning and their willingness to continue working after retirement and to undergo retraining. Data were collected via questionnaire surveys. Respondents consisted of 204 individuals aged 40 and above who attended courses at a local institute of labor studies. Findings suggested that work occupied a salient part of the respondents’ lives. In general, respondents also held rather ambivalent attitudes with regard to the prospect of retirement, i.e. while they did not view retirement negatively, they were nevertheless anxious about certain aspects of retirement. Results also suggested that majority of respondents preferred to remain employed in some ways even after they have officially retired from the workforce, i.e. partial rather than full retirement was preferred. Implications of findings for organizations and policy makers were discussed.
Towards a TQM‐driven HR performance evaluation: an empirical study
Authors: Soltani Ebrahim
Published: July 2003

Reports findings from a research designed to investigate the main issues of the current human resource (HR) performance evaluation systems in over 150 UK‐based quality‐focused organisations. The study identified the main characteristics of HR performance evaluation systems currently conducting in total quality management (TQM)‐based organisations. The research approach consisted of a questionnaire survey in a sample of cross‐section organisations in different economic sectors with enough experience of quality management to reflect the widest possible range of characteristics in the HR performance evaluation practices. The survey results provide the most recent details of the performance appraisal systems currently conducting in TQM organisations and their effectiveness in improving and achieving TQM objectives. Also discusses implications of these findings for HR performance evaluation system in general, and a quality‐driven HR performance evaluation in particular.
Self and supervisor ratings of performance
Authors: Mohyeldin Tahir Suliman Abubakr
Published: July 2003

This paper aims at exploring the relationship between self‐rated performance and immediate‐supervisor rated performance in the United Arab Emirates. A sample of 1,285 participants‐ employees and managers‐ were surveyed using self‐administered questionnaire. The results revealed a clear gap between employees’ perceptions of their performance and their managers’ perceptions. The implications of the results for both managers and researchers are also discussed in the paper.
Comparative work organisation, managerial hierarchies and occupational classification
Authors: Vernon Guy
Published: July 2003

Gauges of the extent of the managerial hierarchy drawn from occupational classifications appear to promise a comprehensive and precise overview of cross‐national comparative developments in work organisation. This paper considers the plausibility of the national historical shifts apparent from such gauges, and explores their comparative relation to alternative indications of work organisation, focusing on the experience of eleven advanced industrialised nations in the post‐war period. It shows that whilst it is clear that in the cases of some nations such gauges meaningfully express at least the comparative extent of managerial hierarchies, it is equally clear that for other nations they do not. The paper concludes that occupational classifications are no basis for inferences about comparative developments in the extent of managerial hierarchies, still less work organisation.
Raising the rate
Authors: Sachdev Sanjiv
Published: July 2003

Examines the issue of uprating the minimum wage. Argues that this issue is nearly as important as the level of the minimum wage, but one that has been relatively neglected. Maintains that Britain lacks an adequate uprating mechanism and outlines some consequences of this. Argues that increases in the UK have had an erratic pattern that may be related to the electoral cycle. Drawing upon experience in the USA, argues that the lack of an adequate mechanism may lead to: avoidable and intense political lobbying; greater instability and uncertainty for low paying firms; and unfairness to those on or near minimum wages, who are then held captive to the vagaries of the political process to maintain the value of their incomes. Considers the possible form of any uprating mechanism with an overview of the US and French experience. Argues that any uprating mechanism must not only maintain the value of the minimum wage in relation to inflation but also to those of more highly paid workers.
Changing an organisation’s culture: correlates of success and failure
Authors: Smith Martin E.
Published: July 2003

Summarizes 59 organisational change efforts that had culture change as an objective. Culture change was a common type of organisational change and usually occurred in combination with other types of change. The success rate for culture change was low. Success was more likely when the sponsors were perceived to be mid‐level rather than senior executives. Culture change was most often undertaken because of competition and customer issues. Statistical data were most often cited to describe successful culture change while unsuccessful change efforts were usually described by opinions. Success correlated most highly with the variables that reflected stakeholder management, manageability of the project, project staffing, sponsorship and progress monitoring. Failure correlated most strongly with ineffective leadership and the clash with the existing culture. Success factors and barriers for cultural change resembled the profile for other types of organizational change. Ends with recommendations for managing cultural change.
Facilitating organizational change: a test of leadership strategies
Authors: Holt Daniel T. , Self Dennis R. , Thal Alfred E. , Lo Steven W.
Published: July 2003

A sample of 339 employees embroiled in a major organizational change completed a survey that was designed to explore how specific change messages (e.g. appropriateness, valence, and management support) and change facilitation strategies (participation and training) relate to the perceptions of the change benefits and quality of information conveyed. Results indicated that appropriateness and extrinsic valence were strong predictors of perceptions of change benefits while supervisor support and extrinsic valence most influenced perceptions of information quality. Results further indicated that participation and training were related to perceptions of information quality. However, contrary to our expectations, participation was inversely related to the benefits of the change. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for practitioners and researchers.
How can we make sense of leadership in the 21st century?
Authors: Higgs Malcolm
Published: July 2003

Explores the development of thinking on leadership and places it in the context of the dominant discourses of the period in which studies were conducted. Argues that if a “sense making” paradigm is adopted. it becomes feasible to identify a model of leadership, which is relevant to the context of complexity and change facing organisations in the early twenty‐first century. The model emerges when the measure of effectiveness is changed from organisational success to the impact of the leader on followers and on building of capability. The argument for such a shift is underpinned by the movement of dominant organisational logic from a Weberian rational/analytical one to a logic which acknowledges emotional considerations. Within the leadership arena it has been proposed that emotional intelligence is a major factor underpinning success. Presents data from recent research, which empirically demonstrates linkages between emotional intelligence and leadership. These findings are examined in conjunction with the “Emergent model”.
Predictors of employees’ perceptions of knowledge sharing cultures
Authors: Connelly Catherine E. , Kevin Kelloway E.
Published: July 2003

This study investigated whether organizational factors such as employees’ perceptions of management’s support for knowledge sharing, their perceptions of the organization’s social interaction culture, the organization’s size, and the organization’s available knowledge sharing technology, as well as whether individual factors such as age, gender, and organizational tenure had a significant impact on employees’ perceptions of a knowledge sharing culture. New measures to assess employees’ perceptions of management’s support for knowledge sharing, their perceptions of the organization’s social interaction culture, and the perceived knowledge sharing culture were developed. We found that perceptions of management’s support for knowledge sharing, and perceptions of a positive social interaction culture were both significant predictors of a perceived knowledge sharing culture. In addition, gender was a significant moderator: female participants required a more positive social interaction culture before they would perceive a knowledge sharing culture as positive as that perceived by their male counterparts.
An overview of the journal literature on communication disorders
Authors: Shpilko Inna
Published: July 2003

This article aggregates and reviews the disparate information needed to assess journal literature related to communication disorders both directly and peripherally. An extensive analysis was performed using a list of 40 journals on communication disorders derived from a review of selected libraries’ journal collections, and then compared to entries in respected indexes and bibliographies covering this discipline. The result of this analysis is a list providing comprehensive information including scope and coverage, publisher information, indexing/abstracting data, and online availability for those 40 journals. In addition, a survey was conducted among communication disorders faculty in the City University of New York (CUNY) to investigate which professional journals are used regularly for current awareness and for clinical/research information. The information presented in this article should be of interest to faculty, students and practitioners in this area, as well as subject librarians responsible for collection development.
Distance education: basic resources guide
Authors: Wang Chengzhi , Liu Zao
Published: July 2003

The past two decades have witnessed the rapid developments in distance education. Though debates surrounding issues related to distance education have yet abated, more and more institutions, entrepreneurs, educators, and learners embrace distance education with the aid of improved information technologies. The present guide introduces the historical development, major theories, and leading agencies and organizations associated with the discipline. Furthermore, it provides an annotated selection of resources including periodicals, books and monographs, and Internet sites. Though emphasis is placed on representative resources and information of distance education of the USA, important international resources are also analytically introduced.
Addressing the digital divide through collection development
Authors: Salinas Romelia
Published: July 2003

This paper discusses how libraries have and can address the digital divide through collection development. It provides specific examples of services and/or programs that have been implemented with this objective in mind. Since the term “digital divide” is often debated, a working definition is presented. The definition includes various components, each of which are discussed in relation to libraries. The paper also provides an overview of how collection development has changed in general through the emergence of digital technology. The importance of partnership among various institutions of society is stressed if the divide is to be properly addressed.
Selecting materials: a review of print and online resources
Authors: Agee Jim
Published: July 2003

Selection is the heart of good library collection building. This article reviews a variety of print and online sources of materials in an attempt to acquaint librarians with new selection tools. Traditional print sources, such as publisher’s catalogues and monthly magazines, are discussed as part of the larger attempt to locate both core and specialized materials. Private and association online sites are reviewed. In addition, three sites for literature that are freely available in digital format are reviewed for their content. While these sources represent only a sampling from the plethora of those available, the scope of these reviewed sources may encourage new ways of thinking about locating relevant materials efficiently.
Selecting and acquiring library materials in languages other than English: establishing non‐English collections for public, school and academic libraries
Authors: Henczel Sue
Published: July 2003

For libraries to provide and maintain collections that meet the needs of their diverse community groups, expertise must be developed in sourcing, evaluating, selecting, acquiring, cataloguing and processing in an ever‐growing range of languages. A unique partnership in Melbourne, Australia, provides the combined expertise of a bookseller and a cataloguing agency to provide shelf‐ready library materials in over 60 languages. Non‐English collections can be established, developed and managed to meet the needs of both the library and the communities they serve. Expert selection and acquisition goes beyond language and relies on knowledge and understanding of the relevant social, political, religious and cultural issues. The creation of catalogue records to support the collections requires expert language, transliteration and translation skills. By combining the selection and acquisition skills with the language and cataloguing skills, libraries are now able to provide an equitable service to all client groups.
Service recovery at a financial institution
Authors: Puga Leal Rogério , Lopes Pereira Zulema
Published: July 2003

Empirical research on quality improvement in service organisations has been growing in recent years but it still lags behind the developments observed in manufacturing. It has been generally recognised that more research is needed in the field, especially with regard to the application of quantitative methods that can help managers in the decision‐making process. Results of research carried out in a bank are presented, focusing the main aspects of the service recovery process after a complaint has occurred. A specific methodology is proposed to analyse the failures and corresponding complaints in service delivery, with the ultimate goal of articulating internal and external measures of performance. The methodology provides a better knowledge of the impact caused by operational factors (internal measures) on customer perceptions (external measures), so that management actions can then be taken accordingly.
ISO 9000‐based quality assurance approaches and their relationship with strategic analysis
Authors: Martínez Fuentes Clara , Balbastre Benavent Francisco , Escribá Moreno M.A. , González Cruz T.F. , Pardo del Val M.
Published: July 2003

Many organisations use the ISO 9000 series as a reference framework to establish their quality assurance system. In doing so, most of them overlook the process of interpreting and adapting these standards to their own characteristics and capabilities. As a result, there is a misunderstanding with respect to the objectives of the standards. The correct implementation of the ISO 9000 series requires a preliminary analysis that facilitates the adaptation of them to the particular circumstances of a company. Therefore, this paper pays attention to the relationship existing between ISO 9000 implementation and the use of strategic diagnosis tools. The employment of such tools could be studied as an important facilitator for the ISO 9000 implementation process. However, this is not the aim of this research. Instead, the aim is threefold. First, the article analyses the use of strategic diagnosis tools by ISO 9000‐certified companies before and after the implementation process. Second, it examines how aspects relative to the management of processes, the organisational structure, and the relationship with suppliers and customers, are going to determine the quality approach resulting from the ISO 9000 implementation. Finally, the paper aims to analyse the influence of the development of strategic diagnosis activities, prior to the implementation, on the quality approach adopted by firms.
The quality of information
Authors: Lillrank Paul
Published: July 2003

The primary concern of quality improvement in professional services is not the input‐output conversion, but the information that enables and controls action. The quality of information, however, remains a vaguely defined concept. Actionable information is here defined as meaning derived from data and context with a knowledge function. Standard definitions of quality are elaborated to make them applicable to information: closed system technical quality and open system negotiated quality are postulated as ideal types. This construct is used to define information quality and suggest guidelines for methodology development.
Safety management system registration in the shipping industry
Authors: Pun Kit‐Fai , Yam Richard C.M. , Lewis Winston G.
Published: July 2003

Shipping is perhaps the most internationally recognized of all the world's great industries – and one of the most dangerous. It has always been accepted that the best way of improving safety at sea is by developing international regulations that are followed by most shipping nations. Since 1993, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the International Safety Management (ISM) Code as a minimum statutory requirement for ship operating companies to establish, implement and maintain their safety management systems (SMS). This paper compares the ISM Code with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 quality management system and the OHSAS 18001:1999 Occupational Health and Safety Standards. It reviews the SMS registration process and discusses the problems and difficulties commonly faced by ship operating companies in the process. A 15‐step implementation strategy for SMS registration is presented. The model provides ship operating companies with a practical reference to manage the SMS registration in compliance with the statutory requirements of the IMO.
Imprecise reliability of cold standby systems
Authors: Utkin Lev V.
Published: July 2003

Most methods of reliability analysis of cold standby systems assume that the precise probability distributions of the component times to failure are available. However, this assumption may be unreasonable in a wide scope of cases (software, human‐machine systems). Therefore, the imprecise reliability models of cold standby systems are proposed in the paper. These models suppose that arbitrary probability distributions of the component time to failure are possible and they are restricted only by available information in the form of lower and upper probabilities of some events. It is shown how the reliability assessments may vary with a type of available information. The impact of the independence condition on reliability of systems is studied. Numerical examples illustrate the proposed models.