bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Start up for growth: The localmed experience
Authors: Mandeville Scott L. , Bajor Jordan
Published: July 2007

Like many a start‐up company, LocalMed—a medical device manufacturer based in Palo Alto, California‐was born in the garage of its founder. But that is where the similarities with most start ups end. Nearly from day one, this company's visionary founders planned for the growth and future of their business in a highly organized and systematic manner. This strategy has enabled the firm to concentrate on producing a high‐quality product in a streamlined environment of efficiency.
The role of management intervention in the development of empowered work teams
Authors: Carroll Bob
Published: July 2007

Although most organizations realize the value of organizing employees into productive work teams, they also know that, in so doing, they cannot abdicate their responsibilities as managers and leaders. But what does this mean in terms of day‐to‐day managerial performance and strategy? As this case study shows, organizations reap the most benefits from empowered work teams not by expertly managing them, but by taking the time and making the effort to teach them to properly manage themselves.
The three dominant cultures of the workplace
Authors: Fisher James R.
Published: July 2007

Workplace culture has taken on a pivotal significance. Yet, it is too easily treated as though it were an interchangeable part in a machine. This has resulted in mass confusion, some bitterness, failed strategies, and misspent assets. Because workplace culture is slow to acknowledge, assimilate, and adapt to necessary changes, managers are often tempted to maintain the status quo, thereby causing little surface disruption—and leaving the organization vulnerable to the competition and incapable of meeting the challenges of the global market

This article illustrates how three dominant workplace cultures have evolved in the American workplace and offers a detailed picture of their content and character, along with the consequences of their development. It also suggests some steps that might ease the transition to a more appropriate workplace culture and urges senior managers to become more deeply involved in cultural change issues that relate to work, workers, and the new workplace.
Teams need more than enthusiasm to succeed
Authors: Gittler Adam
Published: July 2007

A month ago, Ron, Margaret, Paul, and John finished their team‐building skills training and were excited to begin cutting costs in their area. Their excitement gradually waned, however, and their production team coach became frustrated by his inability to secure the resources they needed; information, time to meet, engineering expertise, and management's attention. The plant manager had not told them how long the team would last, and they all silently wished the team would end the next day. They each earnestly wanted their team to succeed, so why couldn't it?
The rise and fall of Japanese productiuity
Authors: Arai Joji
Published: July 2007

Long considered a leader in productivity improvement and the techniques to spur competitive advantage, Japan of late has been suffering from the effects of a stagnant economy. In this insightful interview, Joli Arai, secretary general of the International Productivity Service in Washington, DC. details how Japan rose to economic prominence following World War II and the events that led to Japan's current economic woes. Despite his homeland's present‐day challenges, Arai believes in the viability of the Japanese productivity model, and he paints an optimistic picture of Japan's future in the burgeoning Asian market.
Improuving productivity and profitablility round the clock
Authors: Penkala Don
Published: July 2007

In most multishift operations, there is untapped potential for reducing costs, improving quality, and speeding throughput and delivery. The solution lies in aligning goals, developing cross‐shift teams, and improving organizational communications. This article outlines some strategies for improving round‐the‐clock performance while increasing job satisfaction for shift workers.
Creating a framework for successful reengineering
Authors: Smith Richard C.
Published: July 2007

In their quest for dramatic change, organizations often fail to lay the appropriate groundwork for ensuring long‐term quantifiable improvement. As this article shows, successful reengineering requires the careful development of a strategic context for change efforts that taps the power of an organization's unique culture, vision, mission, and leaders.
Streamlining editorial work processes to deliver twice the output in half the time
Authors: Warthrnan Mary S. , Duke Charies B.
Published: July 2007

Although reengineering techniques have been broadly applied to enhance manufacturing environments and improve customer relations in the service sector, little has been written about their potential for boosting productivity in small offices occupied with the performance of repetitive tasks. Employing work process analysis tools, personal computer technology, and a redesigned physical office layout, the staff of the international technical journal Surface Science reengineered their editorial work process. As a result, they reduced the operation of a 1,000 manuscripts‐per‐year office to a part‐time assignment for the editorial office supervisor and editor. In addition, they introduced measurements of customer satisfaction to ensure continuing improvement without sacrificing the quality of their publication.
Transforming the naval district washington into a self‐renewing organization
Authors: Connon Tracy D. , Naro Edward L. , McCabe Robert J.
Published: July 2007

In late 1993, the Naval District Washington (NDW) embarked on a transformational journey that would reshape a rigid hierarchy of semi‐independent departments into a self‐renewing organization. Breaking down organizational barriers, focusing planning efforts centrally, realigning and streamlining its structures, and implementing a robust quality training program were all challenges NDW faced in its efforts to succeed in an ever‐changing, customer‐focused environment. This article describes the background, strategy, and challenges of an organization that is moving proactively into the 21st century while preserving the best of its 200‐year tradition.
Zeroing in on critical busiress processes to stay ahead of the competion
Authors: Thompson Fred L.
Published: July 2007

In today's global marketplace, achieving superior performance from the key drivers of value creation for shareholders is critical to assuring long‐term growth and prosperity. This article discusses the impact that critical business processes have on achieving superior business performance and the benefits of having a workforce that knows where the company is headed and how it plans to get there. It also outlines a plan for ensuring maximum performance from a set of carefully defined critical business processes.
Using competitue intelligence to bolster customer satisfaction at douglas aircraft company
Authors: Margulies Bob
Published: July 2007

When faced with the prospect of dwindiling market share, companies need to examine how they stack up to the competition in the eyes of those who determine their long‐term fate‐their customers. Such competitive intelligence, however, is useful only if the company makes the effort to incorporate the data it obtains into subsequent investigations. At Douglas Aircaraft Company, managers used a series of survey questionnaires to measure customer satisfaction, assess company performace against the competition, and develop a game plan for improving key process areas and the survery instruments as well.
Using scenarios to beat out the competition
Authors: Fahey Liam
Published: July 2007

The purpose of strategy is to outmaneuver and outperform competitors, present and future. But all too often, organizations are caught off guard by their competitors' strategic initiatives, or they are surprised by a competitor's responses to their own strategic moves. Competitor scenarios offer a unique method of identifying and testing plausible competitor strategy alternatives. They also allow an organization to assess its responses to competitors' moves and select a strategy that is viable in a variety of competitive conditions. This article provides a number of distinct approaches to developing competitor scenarios and shows how a firm can fully understand the implications of issues identified in the scenarios it creates.
Speaking the language of empowerment: A tale of two teams
Authors: Carroll Bob
Published: July 2007

Can organizations use successful empowerment techniques developed on one team to accelerate the empowerment process of new teams? As this article shows, the answer is yes—if the right approach is used. Success lies in being able to explain advanced empowerment concepts in terms that novices can readily understand and appreciate.
Relying on the power of people at saturn
Authors: White Eleanor
Published: July 2007

Since its inception, the Saturn Corporation has served as an example of what partnership, teamwork, and principle‐centered leadership can accomplish in an organization that thoroughly understands and tries to apply those concepts. Dedicated to quality and productivity, the company believes that meeting the needs of people—customers, suppliers, team members, retailers, and the community—is the only route to long‐term growth and profitability in a global economy. Its experiences in achieving this goal can light the way for other companies that are struggling with releasing the reins of positional power and transitioning to a team‐oriented environment.
Aprimer in measuring outsourcing results
Authors: Anderson Merrill C.
Published: July 2007

Outsourcing of support work is reshaping the organizational landscape of U.S.‐based firms. The rationale for most of this outsourcing has been to lower fixed costs and improve the performance of those services. Although business leaders generally agree on the importance of measuring outsourcing results, little has been written on how best to do so. This article attempts to redress this gap in information by providing readers with some ideas on how to measure outsourcing results. A key point is that organizations must learn to utilize measurement as a way to improve the quality of the relationship between the customer and the vendor—not just the quality of service.
Champions for transition: Developing community‐based quality initiatives into learning networks
Authors: Dedeke A.
Published: July 2007

Designed to instill total quality management concepts at the community level, community‐based quality initiatives, also known as excellence councils, are becoming prevalent throughout North America. But what makes them effective, and what is needed for them to survive? In this article, the author points to his research to detail the importance of leadership from a champion during critical transition phases and outlines five key characteristics that the champion must possess to ensure the initiative's growth and success.
Increased throughput with rapid changeovers at tenneco
Authors: Klopsic Albert R. , Houser William F.
Published: July 2007

Is it possible to increase output by reducing changeover times on a quasi‐continuous process? Yes, say the employees and managers of one New Jersey production facility. As their experience shows, the key to productivity improvement lies not in investing in state‐of‐the‐art technology, but in identifying an efficient production methodology that taps the full potential of those machines and, more important, those who operate them.
Opening space for productivity
Authors: Owen Harrison
Published: July 2007

Developed 12 years ago, Open Space Technology is an approach to meeting management that enables groups of five‐to‐1,000 to organize themselves to solve complex issues. This article examines the genesis, application, and a few potential implications of this technique.
Improuing shop floor operations through production sequencing at EMC technology
Authors: Joy Louis W. , Smith Francis
Published: July 2007

Why is it that even with advanced information technology and engineering resources, a vast majority of manufacturing organizations express dissatisfaction with the priority and capacity planning and control systems that drive the shop floor?.

Since there is no standard method for planning and scheduling manufacturing, manufacturing professionals must evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the various shop floor management system alternatives, and select the appropriate application of each in the factory.

At EMC Technology, Inc., management was able to meet the demands of its customers by employing production sequencing, a priority and capacity planning and control system that integrates the best of material requirements planning, kanban, finite scheduling, and demand‐based flow techniques.
Deueloping and maintaining core expertise in the midst of change
Authors: Swanson Richard A. , Holton Elwood F.
Published: July 2007

The contemporary management literature speaks powerfully about the struggle organizations are having in connecting their leadership roles and organizational systems to intellectual capital and workplace expertise of individual contributors—the fuel of an organization. This case study supports two core ideas that have been proven to work. First, it demonstrates the connection between business strategy and the development of process‐referenced expertise in individual employees. Second, it goes beyond the traditional job and task analysis model and into a contemporary and more comprehensive business performance improvement model.
A decade of euolution in a refinery laboratory
Authors: Hartshorn Kay , Burg Richard
Published: July 2007

Getting people engaged in and excited about their work in today's uncertain environment is one of management's greatest challenges. By making courageous decisions and through constancy of purpose, the leaders of the laboratory at the Chevron El Segundo Refinery created a place in which people really do enjoy their work. This article details the laboratory's experience over the past decade in creating an open, caring, and productive environment.
Deueloping custom manufacturing supply chain capabilities
Authors: Oleson John D.
Published: July 2007

Building agility into the supply chain does not occur without significant planning and effort. In this excerpt from a new book on agility, the author explores the issue of providing capability to the processes, products, markets, and supply chains that will make companies more responsive to unexpected change.
Improuing supply chain performance by using order fulfillment metrics
Authors: Johnson M. Eric , Davis Tom
Published: July 2007

In the past, companies hoping to impress customers on delivery responsiveness did so by allowing inventories to bloat. Today the costs of holding inventory, especially in high‐technology markets, prohibit that behavior. Companies must now provide good service while maintaining low inventories. Thus, managers must carefully measure and manage their two conflicting objectives: service and inventory. The challenge is to improve customer delivery service and reduce inventories simultaneously. Such results can be achieved through thoughtful supply chain management.
Putting commitment to work through short‐cycle kaizen
Authors: Heard Ed
Published: July 2007

Continuous improvement is all the rage in the world of manufacturing. A few programs get incremental results so fast that improvement looks continuous. Others, however, yield little because they put systems and people under a constant state of tension, demanding ever‐better results without providing improvement tools or education. Successful programs rely on repeated, rapid but very systematic, methodology‐based, crossfunctional attacks on bite‐size plant floor targets. When the goal is continuous improvement, short‐cycle kaizen is the gift that keeps on giving, but it is not free. Its price is measured not in dollars, but in the self‐discipline it takes to conquer old habits, learn new methodologies, and rigorously adhere to new improvement protocols. Forget your old kaizen paradigm. This is a whole new ball game, and it's played by different rules.
Reducing patient‐flow cycle time in the emergency room of an inner‐city hospital
Authors: Olivero Gerald , Kopelman Richard E.
Published: July 2007

After five years of intensively studying its patient‐flow processes, an inner‐city hospital still had an unacceptably long patient‐flow cycle time. Finally, an ad hoc cross‐functional team took actions that reduced the average cycle time of 18.1 hours to 9.4 hours. This 48 percent reduction in cycle time corresponded to a 92.5 percent increase in productivity. Concomitantly, the estimated 4.1‐week payback period amounted to an annual return on investment of 1,271 percent. Here is how the hospital achieved such dramatic improvements.
Checking in under marriott's first ten program
Authors: Knight Emily , Amsler Gordon M.
Published: July 2007

What can a hotel do to better serve its customers? One answer to that question, the Marriott Hotel Corporation discovered, was speed up the check‐in procedure. In response to that finding, Marriott developed the First Ten program, which streamlines check‐in so that waiting time is virtually eliminated. As outlined in this article, the program has not only improved operational efficiency, but also boosted customer satisfaction.
Understanding the impact of a corporate buyout
Authors: Rieley James B. , Leahy Charles
Published: July 2007

The impact of corporate buyout can be measured several ways: by a change in cultural norms, by employee productivity, or by financial performance. Each of these measurements has an impact on the others. This case study details the consequences of a buyout—how changes in the norms of an organization's culture affected employee productivity and financial performance during a 12‐month period.
Designing an organization to support those WHO do the work
Authors: Carroll Bob
Published: July 2007

Self‐managed teams often fail because their overall organizations—typically traditional command‐and‐control hierarchies—are not designed to support them. In such an environment, underlying assumptions and structures sooner or later work against the teams. Because such organizations are so ingrained in our culture, it is often difficult for them to recognize the fact that they are the problem. Yes, difficult, but, as this article explains, not impossible. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
King without a castle: How local managers can manage change in a pan‐European environment
Authors: Bertels Thomas , Broadbridge John
Published: July 2007

As more companies become pan‐European, taking advantage of potential cost savings and growth opportunities, local management's role becomes increasingly difficult. Being part of a large organization has always had its pros and cons, but to manage change locally and remain pan‐European poses several challenges to local management. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On a relation between pressure‐based schemes and central schemes for hyperbolic conservation laws
Authors: Evje Steinar , Flåtten Tore , Friis Helmer André
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this article is to explain in more detail some ideas used recently by the authors to construct a class of hybrid explicit–implicit schemes for solving the two‐fluid model relevant for well and pipe flow simulations (Evje and Flåtten, SIAM J Sci Comput 26 (2005), 1449–1484; Evje and Flåtten, ESIAM: Math Mod Num Anal 39 (2005), 253–274; Evje and Flåtten, J Sci Comput, to appear). We here propose a framework which allows us to implement these ideas for a general system of hyperbolic conservation laws ut + f(u)x = 0. Main ingredients in this construction are (i) a splitting f(u) = g(u) + h(u) of the given flux function f; (ii) a corresponding decomposition of the original set of equations into two subsystems, one set of equations associated with the g flux, another with the h flux; (iii) inclusion of a set of flux evolution equations associated with the flux component h.

We demonstrate that a sound and consistent discretization of this extended system gives rise to a class of central schemes which contains as a special case, corresponding to the splitting g = h = $1 \over 2$f, the FORCE scheme studied by Toro (Toro, Riemann Solvers and Numerical Methods for Fluid Dynamics, Springer‐Verlag, Berlin, 1999). This justifies referring to the proposed class as eXtended FORCE (X‐FORCE). We discuss basic properties of the X‐FORCE class for nonlinear scalar conservation laws. By exploiting that the X‐FORCE schemes can be interpreted through Riemann solutions, we construct higher order X‐FORCE schemes by closely following along the line of the nonstaggered NT scheme presented in (Jiang et al., SIAM J Num Anal 35 (1998), 2147–2168). Characteristic behavior of various X‐FORCE schemes is demonstrated through calculation of numerical examples. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2008
Reaction of melamine phosphate with pentaerythritol and its products for flame retardation of polypropylene
Authors: Chen Yinghong , Wang Qi
Published: July 2007

Due to being halogen‐free, non‐toxic, non‐erosive and environmentally friendly, melamine‐based flame retardants are attracting more and more attention. As a melamine‐based intumescent flame retardant, in this study the melamine salt of pentaerythritol phosphate (MPP) was prepared from melamine phosphate (MP) and pentaerythritol (PER). The reaction of MP with PER was then systematically investigated. The reaction product MPP was utilized to flame‐retard polypropylene (PP). FT‐IR, TGA and DSC were used to characterize MPP and also to investigate the reaction of MP and PER in depth. The experimental results show that MPP has good thermal stability and matched decomposition temperature with that of PP, making it suitable for flame retarding of PP. Also, MPP is melting‐blendable due to its softening during the heating process. The structure of MPP at a MP:PER molar ratio of 2.0 was confirmed as the same to that of the product synthesized from phosphorus oxychloride, pentaerythritol and melamine. The reaction of MP with PER was greatly influenced by the MP:PER proportion, reaction temperature and reaction time, rather than the physical state of PER, and the reaction mechanism of MP with PER was proposed. The prepared flame‐retarded polypropylene composite with 35 wt% intumescent flame‐retardant MPP has a flame retarding level of 3.2 mm UL 94 V‐0, tensile strength 27.0 MPa, Young's modulus 2442 MPa and Izod notched impact strength 3.8 kJ/m2. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A proteomic approach towards the Hsp90‐dependent ubiquitinylated proteome
Authors: Falsone S. Fabio , Gesslbauer Bernd , Rek Angelika , Kungl Andreas J.
Published: July 2007

Since many Hsp90 client proteins are key players in tumour pathways, the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of Hsp90‐substrates as a consequence of pharmacologically inhibiting Hsp90 represents an innovative approach for cancer therapy. We therefore identified Hsp90‐binding proteins which accumulated as ubiquityl‐tagged aggregates in the detergent insoluble fraction of HeLa cells as a consequence of simultaneously inhibiting Hsp90 and the proteasome. 2‐DE followed by nanoLC‐MS/MS of trypsinised protein spots provided the Hsp90‐dependent ubiquitylated proteome which was finally annotated and functionally classified. The overall picture thus obtained emphasised the well‐established role of Hsp90 in stabilising proteins involved in gene transcription and signal transduction. It also provided a novel Hsp90‐related link to metabolic pathways as the inhibition of Hsp90 caused the ubiquitylation of a significant amount of metabolic enzymes. These findings serve to support cumulating indications which attribute Hsp90 to diverse stabilising functions beyond signal transduction and gene transcription.
Global cooling: Cold acclimation and the expression of soluble proteins in carp skeletal muscle
Authors: McLean Lynn , Young Iain S. , Doherty Mary K. , Robertson Duncan H. L. , Cossins Andrew R. , Gracey Andrew Y. , Beynon Robert J. , Whitfield Phillip D.
Published: July 2007

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) has a well‐developed capacity to modify muscle properties in response to changes in temperature. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning this phenotypic response at the protein level may provide fundamental insights into the molecular basis of adaptive processes in skeletal muscle. In this study, common carp were subjected to a cooling regimen and soluble extracts of muscle homogenates were separated by 1‐D SDS‐PAGE and 2‐DE. Proteins were identified using MALDI‐TOF‐MS and de novo peptide sequencing using LC‐MS/MS. The 2‐D gel was populated with numerous protein spots that were fragments of all three muscle isoforms (M1, M2 and M3) of carp creatine kinase (CK). The accumulation of the CK fragments was enhanced when the carp were cooled to 10°C. The protein changes observed in the skeletal muscle of carp subjected to cold acclimation were compared to changes described in a previous transcript analysis study. Genes encoding CK isoforms were downregulated and the genes encoding key proteins of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway were upregulated. These findings are consistent with a specific cold‐induced enhancement of proteolysis of CK.
Response to clozapine following failure to respond to olanzapine
Authors: A Osborne Sarah , C Munro Janet , M Stephenson Caroline , B Chaudhry Imran , W Kerwin Robert
Published: July 2007

Although clozapine is the gold‐standard treatment for treatment‐resistant schizophrenia, research shows that its use is commonly delayed, as it is often perceived as a ‘last‐ resort’ treatment.In this small naturalistic study,the authors describe how patients failing to respond to olanzapine may show significant clinical improvement when treated with clozapine. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
How CBT may improve social functioning in schizophrenia
Authors: Turkington Douglas , Bryant Caroline
Published: July 2007

Improvement in social functioning is the key to recovery in schizophrenia.Here,the authors discuss how cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may help improve social functioning and therefore complement drug treatment in people with schizophrenia. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Proteomics analysis of serous fluids and effusions: Pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal
Authors: Tyan Yu‐Chang , Liao Pao‐Chi
Published: July 2007

Serous body fluids are normally present in small amounts in the cavities lined by serous membranes, and effusions are the term usually used to represent an excess of these fluids. Thus, any changes in the effusions may accurately reflect various pathological processes. In this review, we will introduce the present status of effusion analysis. Proteomics allows the global study of protein expression and offers a comprehensive view to analyze effusion proteins at a system level. It deals with the study of proteins, their structures, localizations, PTM, functions, and interactions with other proteins. This paper reviews the variety of analytical methods that have been used for the analysis of effusions. The proteins expressed in effusions, which have been identified by proteomics methods are discussed.
Mining the low molecular weight proteome of blood
Authors: Drake Richard R. , Cazares Lisa , Semmes O. John
Published: July 2007

Serum and plasma are composed of highly complex protein/peptide mixtures resulting from the systemic monitoring of every biological process in a living organism. Some of these sentinel changes are extremely short‐lived while others produce more stable by‐products. In addition, since biological events occur simultaneously and with overlapping physiological demands, separating the desired ones from “background” changes is an exceptional challenge. In this review, we outline a definition of the “low molecular weight proteome” as a valuable subcomponent of the blood proteome. We make a case that this derivative proteome is as information rich and equally complex as the parent proteome. We discuss some of the technical challenges in the analysis of the low molecular weight proteome with an emphasis on MS‐based analytical approaches. With specific example of several reported methodologies we attempt to frame the current state‐of‐the‐art in study design as a guide to future efforts.
Impact of preanalytical variables on the analysis of biological fluids in proteomic studies
Authors: Ferguson Roisean E. , Hochstrasser Denis F. , Banks Rosamonde E.
Published: July 2007

Although proteomic technologies have been enthusiastically embraced in the field of biomarker discovery and particularly with biological fluids, it is increasingly being recognized that pre‐analytical effects, i.e. those occurring prior to the point of actual sample analysis and including factors such as sample processing and storage, can exert marked influences on the results obtained. Such effects have been recognized already for specific analytes in clinical chemistry, but with the increasing sensitivity and resolution of the newer technologies, such effects are potentially even more marked. The challenge of translating initial findings into clinical application requires such issues to be addressed at a very early stage in study design and this paper reviews the current knowledge of the potential impact of pre‐analytical factors on proteomic studies of biological fluids.
Molecular dynamics simulations from putative transition states of α‐spectrin SH3 domain
Authors: Periole Xavier , Vendruscolo Michele , Mark Alan E.
Published: July 2007

A series of molecular dynamics simulations in explicit solvent were started from nine structural models of the transition state of the SH3 domain of α‐spectrin, which were generated by Lindorff‐Larsen et al. (Nat Struct Mol Biol 2004;11:443–449) using molecular dynamics simulations in which experimental Φ ‐ values were incorporated as restraints. Two of the nine models were simulated 10 times for 200 ns and the remaining models simulated two times for 200 ns. Complete folding was observed in one case, while in the other simulations partial folding or unfolding events were observed, which were characterized by a regularization of elements of secondary structure. These results are consistent with recent experimental evidence that the folding of SH3 domains involves low populated intermediate states. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of protein secondary structure content for the twilight zone sequences
Authors: Homaeian Leila , Kurgan Lukasz A. , Ruan Jishou , Cios Krzysztof J. , Chen Ke
Published: July 2007

Secondary protein structure carries information about local structural arrangements, which include three major conformations: α‐helices, β‐strands, and coils. Significant majority of successful methods for prediction of the secondary structure is based on multiple sequence alignment. However, multiple alignment fails to provide accurate results when a sequence comes from the twilight zone, that is, it is characterized by low (<30%) homology. To this end, we propose a novel method for prediction of secondary structure content through comprehensive sequence representation, called PSSC‐core. The method uses a multiple linear regression model and introduces a comprehensive feature‐based sequence representation to predict amount of helices and strands for sequences from the twilight zone. The PSSC‐core method was tested and compared with two other state‐of‐the‐art prediction methods on a set of 2187 twilight zone sequences. The results indicate that our method provides better predictions for both helix and strand content. The PSSC‐core is shown to provide statistically significantly betterresults when compared with the competing methods, reducing the prediction error by 5–7% for helix and 7–9% for strand content predictions. The proposed feature‐based sequence representation uses a comprehensive set of physicochemical properties that are custom‐designed for each of the helix and strand content predictions. It includes composition and composition moment vectors, frequency of tetra‐peptides associated with helical and strand conformations, various property‐based groups like exchange groups, chemical groups of the side chains and hydrophobic group, auto‐correlations based on hydrophobicity, side‐chain masses, hydropathy, and conformational patterns for β‐sheets. The PSSC‐core method provides an alternative for predicting the secondary structure content that can be used to validate and constrain results of other structure prediction methods. At the same time, it also provides useful insight into design of successful protein sequence representations that can be used in developing new methods related to prediction of different aspects of the secondary protein structure. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dipole–Dipole Interaction of Substitutional Impurity Molecules in Crystals
Authors: Kamenogradskii N. E. , Konobeev Yu. V.
Published: July 2007

A theory is given of effective dipole—dipole interactions between two identical substitutional guest molecules at large intermolecular distance. An interaction theory for interstitial impurity molecules was developed in [3]. A two‐level scheme for the guest and host molecules is assumed. Local field corrections are discussed. It is shown that the dipole—dipole interaction of the guest molecules in a crystal is the interaction of the effective dipole moments. The values of such effective dipole moments differ from their values in vacuum by a factor which is expressed both by the dielectric constant at the impurity transition frequency and the microscopic characteristics of the medium.
Effect of the Superconducting Transition on the Creep in Lead
Authors: Soldatov V. P. , Startsev V. I. , Vainblat T. I.
Published: July 2007

The effect of the superconducting transition on the velocity of creep in lead has been investigated and found to increase sharply at the transition to the superconducting state. The value of the jump of creep velocity depends on the sample purity. The magnetic field does not effect the creep velocity. The possible causes (change of interaction between electrons and dislocations, change of barriers determining the mobility of dislocations at the superconducting transition) of the effect observed are discussed.
Evidence for a Defect Conversion Mechanism in Copper
Authors: Thompson D. O. , Buck O.
Published: July 2007

The effects of γ‐ray irradiation upon the internal friction and Young's modulus of copper have been measured in the temperature range from 81 to 241 °K. It is found that there exists a pronounced minimum in the rate at which defects arrive at dislocations in the vicinity of 170 to 180 °K. This minimum is discussed and its significance in terms of the two predominant radiation damage models is considered.
Trigonal Boracites — A New Type of Ferroelectric and Ferromagnetoelectric that Allows no 180° Electric Polarization Reversal
Authors: Schmid H.
Published: July 2007

The space group of the trigonal phase of the FeCl, FeBr, FeI, CoCl, and ZnCl boracites is established as C. Ferroelectricity is evidenced by domain switching. High coercive fields at room temperature (up to 800 kV/cm) are found. Polarization‐microscopical studies show that the polarization vector is not reversible by 180° but can jump only from, e.g., [111] to [111], [111], or [111], etc., in accord with crystal structure and group theoretical symmetry considerations. Two twinning “laws” are observed: a) head—head (tail—tail) domains with {110}cub as composition plane and b) head—tail domains with {100}cub as composition plane. The domain structure and the relevant twinning operations are discussed. The onset of ferromagnetism at low temperature in FeCl, FeBr, FeI, and CoCl boracites leads to ferromagnetoelectricity. In the case of CoCl boracite the ferromagentoelectric point group is m.
On the Analysis of the Force on a Moving Dislocation
Authors: Malén K.
Published: July 2007

Various derivations of an “equation of motion” for a dislocation seem to be contradictory. It is the aim of this paper to show how the various conclusions regarding the Lorentz force on a dislocation have arisen. It is found that an interpretation of the “equation of motion” needs a careful consideration of constraints imposed by the physical model of the dislocation and of the external condition imposed by the actual physical situation.
Intensity Relations in Laue Case Reflections of Perfect Crystals Containing Nearly Monochromatic Lattice Vibrations
Authors: Köhler R. , Möhling W. , Peibst H.
Published: July 2007

A dynamical theory for the intensity relation of Laue case X‐ray reflections in the presence of nearly monochromatic lattice vibrations is developed. The results are compared with intensities diffracted from vibrating cadmium sulphide crystals excited by the acousto‐electric effect. A good agreement is obtained so that a useful method can be proposed for the measurement of vibration amplitudes.
Franz‐Keldysh Effect and Hot Electron Effects in the Interband Absorption of Semiconductors in an External Electric Field
Authors: Enderlein R.
Published: July 2007

Starting from the generalized Kubo formula in the presence of an external electric field an expression for the electronic dielectric tensor of a semiconductor is obtained. The influence of a special type of non‐stationarity of the distribution function on the dielectric tensor is considered. For a two‐band model the imaginary part of the dielectric tensor is calculated explicitly considering both the Franz‐Keldysh effect and the hot electron effects. The relative influence of both effects is discussed.
On the Theory of Light Absorption by Antiferrodielectrics in the Frequency Range of Double Electronic Excitations of Molecules (Ions)
Authors: Petrov E. G. , Loktev V. M. , Gaididei Yu. B.
Published: July 2007

The band and bound states of double electronic excitations of antiferrodielectrics are considered; from the equation for Green's function the excitation spectrum of an anti‐ferrodielectric under creation of two electronic excitations in a crystal is obtained. The absorption spectrum of a molecular antiferrodielectric, of solid α‐oxygen, is considered as an example in the frequency range of double electronic 1Δg + 1Δg, 1Σ + 1Δg, 1Σ + 1Σ transitions.
Magnetization Distribution in a Ferromagnetic Thin Film by the Method of Statistical Green Functions
Authors: Onyszkiewicz Z.
Published: July 2007

The method of double‐time statistical Green functions is used to obtain the magnetization distribution in a ferromagnetic thin film. To solve the difference equations of motion for the Fourier transform of the Green function, the perturbation method is applied. Corrections to the magnon energy are obtained resulting from a stricter than hitherto treatment of the non‐uniform magnetization distribution in the film. Moreover, the present distribution differs considerably from those obtained by others recurring to the Green function method but resembles that derived from the molecular field method.
Neutron Diffraction Study of γ‐FeOOH
Authors: Oleś A. , Szytuła A. , Wanic A.
Published: July 2007

Results of the study of γ‐FeOOH structure by means of neutron diffraction and Mössbauer effect are discussed. The positions of the ions are determined. The hydrogen ion occupies a central position between two oxygen ions separated from one another by 2.70 Å. The Néel temperature determined from magnetic susceptibility is 50 °K. A model of antiferromagnetic ordering of the magnetic moments is suggested.
Pressure Variation of Mössbauer Fraction for an Impurity Atom
Authors: Nandwani S. S. , Puri S. P.
Published: July 2007

The variation of “Mossbauer fraction”, f, with pressure of Fe57 embedded as a dilute impurity in Ti, V, Ni, Cu, Mo, Pd, W, and Pt host lattices has been calculated by incorporating both the force constant change and the mass change at the site of the impurity. Comparison of the calculations with available experimental values of the slope gives definite evidence for the change of the force constant q′/q. The value of q′/q thus obtained is in agreement with that obtained from the variation of f with temperature for Fe in Cu, but not for Fe in V.
The Interaction of Impurity Centres with the Surroundings and Quasi‐Line Spectra
Authors: Kizel V. A. , Sapozhnikov M. N.
Published: July 2007

The temperature dependence of the integral intensities and the positions and half‐width of the lines in the quasi‐line spectra of 3,4‐benzopyrene, naphthantrone, and dibenzoperopyrene in n‐paraffin matrices are measured and the temperature dependence of the quantum yield of the luminescence is investigated as well. It is shown that with increasing temperature the lines were broadened and shifted and that the integral intensity of the lines decreases slowly. However, it is established that the fall of the integral intensity is not due to a decrease of the probability of the zero‐phonon transition, but is due to a decrease of the quantum yield of the luminescence. — It is shown that the absence of any noticeable change of probability of the zero‐phonon transition in the temperature range 77 to 200 °K is a result of the weak coupling of the impurity with the crystal. The experimental data are interpreted from the point of view of the theory of the spectra of impurity centres in crystals.
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Interbranch Scattering Observed near a Dislocation Line in X‐Ray Topography
Authors: Authier A. , Balibar F. , Epelboin Y.
Published: July 2007

In the highly distorted regions surrounding a dislocation line the approximation of geometrical optics for the propagation of X‐rays is no more valid; diffraction phenomena then occur and give rise to the splitting of the wave fields incident upon these regions. The position of the points where these newly created wave fields originate and their direction of propagation are given theoretically. An experimental evidence of these new created wave fields is given using a double crystal spectrograph.
63Cu NMR in Elastically Deformed Copper Foils of Cubic Texture
Authors: Tompa K. , Tóth F. , Nagy E.
Published: July 2007

The 63Cu NMR spectrum parameters are, within the experimental accuracy, the same for the undeformed as for the in the 〈100〉av direction up to the elastic limit stretched copper foil of cubic texture. Our results with the application of the Sholl and Béal‐Monod and Kohn theories of the quadrupole effect in metals give an upper limit for the enhancement factor α ≦ 25.
The Effect of Non‐Linear Cohesive Stresses on the Stress Distributions around a Crack Tip
Authors: Schmidt V. , Woltersdorf J.
Published: July 2007

Stresses around the tip of a Barenblatt crack are calculated. The effect of non‐linear cohesive stresses behind the crack tip is taken into account in a linear elastic crack model consisting of special arrangements of edge dislocations. The cohesive stress distribution calculated, as well as the corresponding non‐linear stress—displacement relation agree with existing qualitative expectations. Within a region of radius d (where d presumably is 6 a < d < 30 a; a lattice constant) stresses and displacements should decrease more slowly with increasing distance as in the case of a Griffith crack. The distribution of the principal stress lines is discussed.
Mössbauer Study of Properties and Phase Transitions of GexSn1−xTe
Authors: Rigamonti A. , Petrini G.
Published: July 2007

Results of a Mössbauer study of 119Sn in Ge0.1Sn0.9Te and Ge0.3Sn0.7Te are reported and discussed. The effective Debye temperatures for recoilless absorption are about 160 and 180 °K, respectively. From the isomer shifts a percentage of covalent character in the bonding of at least 47 could be deduced. A marked decreasing of the recoilless fraction has been observed near the transition from the cubic to the rhombohedral structure: it has been explained theoretically on the assumption of a critical lowering in the phonon frequencies; a possible q and temperature dependence of the anomalous branch has been derived indirectly. Finally an increasing in the half‐width of the Mössbauer line has been observed on cooling in the rhombohedral phase and it was attributed to the appearance of a quadrupole interaction.
Hydrostatic Pressure Coefficients and Deformation Potentials for II–VI Compounds
Authors: Cerdeira F. , Dewitt J. S. , Rössler U. , Cardona M.
Published: July 2007

Calculations of the pressure coefficients of the gaps and spin—orbit splittings at the Γ and L Brillouin zone points have been performed for cubic ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, and CdTe using the KKR method. Special emphasis was placed on the determination of the pressure coefficients of spin—orbit splittings. These coefficients were found to be considerably smaller than those predicted from the wave function renormalization due to the change of volume. We also calculated pressure coefficients and deformation potentials for the smallest gaps of hexagonal ZnO, ZnS, CdS, and CdSe. The results of the calculations are compared with experimental data.
Interband optical transitions in disordered semiconductors
Authors: Bonch‐Bruevich V. L.
Published: July 2007

The interband absorption coefficient is calculated for the frequency range, ω, below the threshold value (“optical tail”). The tail is attributed to the influence of the random force field present in a disordered system. Two cases are considered: that of the “smooth” random field possessing a correlation function which is continuous and differentiable as many times as needed and that of the Coulomb field produced, for example, by randomly distributed charged centres. In both cases an exponential optical tail is obtained for a sample which is in a certain sense nearly intrinsic: In α ∼ – (Δ – ħ ω)/ω, where Δ is the band gap that would have been observed without fluctuations of the force field and ω is some characteristic energy. The tail is correlated with the density of states tail but does not reproduce it, the latter being Gaussian in the same energy range. In the most interesting case the formation of an optical tail is due to quantum effects in contrast to the density of states tail which may be obtained in a purely classical approximation as well. In the Coulombic case an explicit form of the dependence of ω on impurity concentration n is obtained ω ∼ n2/5. This seems to be in agreement with the experimental data available.
Magnetic susceptibility anomaly in nearly equiatomic MnNi alloys
Authors: Pál L. , Tarnóczi T. , Konczos G.
Published: July 2007

The crystallographic and magnetic properties of nearly equiatomic nickel–manganese alloys have been investigated by X‐ray and neutron diffraction techniques as well as by classical susceptibility measurements. It has been found that the antiferromagnetic–paramagnetic phase transition takes place in most of the cases as a result of the θ → β allotropic transformation. It has been observed that the temperature dependence of the susceptibility in alloys containing somewhat more than 50% nickel is strongly influenced by an external magnetic field. Samples cooled down slowly in a magnetic field of several kOe have a room temperature susceptibility three to four times higher than before the heat treatment. The increased susceptibility shows an unidirectional anisotropy which is explained by the non‐equal distribution of the excess nickel atoms between the two manganese sublattices.