bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geminin promotes neural fate acquisition of embryonic stem cells by maintaining chromatin in an accessible and hyperacetylated state
Authors: Yellajoshyula Dhananjay , Patterson Ethan S. , Elitt Matthew S. , Kroll Kristen L.
Published: February 2011

Formation of the complex vertebrate nervous system begins when pluripotent cells of the early embryo are directed to acquire a neural fate. Although cell intrinsic controls play an important role in this process, the molecular nature of this regulation is not well defined. Here we assessed the role for Geminin, a nuclear protein expressed in embryonic cells, during neural fate acquisition from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Whereas Geminin knockdown does not affect the ability of ES cells to maintain or exit pluripotency, we found that it significantly impairs their ability to acquire a neural fate. Conversely, Geminin overexpression promotes neural gene expression, even in the presence of growth factor signaling that antagonizes neural transcriptional responses. These data demonstrate that Geminin's activity contributes to mammalian neural cell fate acquisition. We investigated the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon and found that Geminin maintains a hyperacetylated and open chromatin conformation at neural genes. Interestingly, recombinant Geminin protein also rapidly alters chromatin acetylation and accessibility even when Geminin is combined with nuclear extract and chromatin in vitro. Together, these data support a role for Geminin as a cell intrinsic regulator of neural fate acquisition that promotes expression of neural genes by regulating chromatin accessibility and histone acetylation.
Intronic delay is essential for oscillatory expression in the segmentation clock
Authors: Takashima Yoshiki , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , González Aitor , Miyachi Hitoshi , Kageyama Ryoichiro
Published: February 2011

Proper timing of gene expression is essential for many biological events, but the molecular mechanisms that control timing remain largely unclear. It has been suggested that introns contribute to the timing mechanisms of gene expression, but this hypothesis has not been tested with natural genes. One of the best systems for examining the significance of introns is the oscillator network in the somite segmentation clock, because mathematical modeling predicted that oscillating expression depends on negative feedback with a delayed timing. The basic helix–loop–helix repressor gene
Hes7
is cyclically expressed in the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and regulates the somite segmentation. Here, we found that introns lead to an ∼19-min delay in the Hes7 gene expression, and mathematical modeling suggested that without such a delay, Hes7 oscillations would be abolished. To test this prediction, we generated mice carrying the
Hes7
locus whose introns were removed. In these mice, Hes7 expression did not oscillate but occurred steadily, leading to severe segmentation defects. These results indicate that introns are indeed required for Hes7 oscillations and point to the significance of intronic delays in dynamic gene expression.
Formation of high-field magnetic white dwarfs from common envelopes
Authors: Nordhaus Jason , Wellons Sarah , Spiegel David S. , Metzger Brian D. , Blackman Eric G.
Published: February 2011

The origin of highly magnetized white dwarfs has remained a mystery since their initial discovery. Recent observations indicate that the formation of high-field magnetic white dwarfs is intimately related to strong binary interactions during post-main-sequence phases of stellar evolution. If a low-mass companion, such as a planet, brown dwarf, or low-mass star, is engulfed by a post-main-sequence giant, gravitational torques in the envelope of the giant lead to a reduction of the companion’s orbit. Sufficiently low-mass companions in-spiral until they are shredded by the strong gravitational tides near the white dwarf core. Subsequent formation of a super-Eddington accretion disk from the disrupted companion inside a common envelope can dramatically amplify magnetic fields via a dynamo. Here, we show that these disk-generated fields are sufficiently strong to explain the observed range of magnetic field strengths for isolated, high-field magnetic white dwarfs. A higher-mass binary analogue may also contribute to the origin of magnetar fields.
Spectrally and spatially configurable superlenses for optoplasmonic nanocircuits
Authors: Boriskina Svetlana V. , Reinhard Björn M.
Published: February 2011

Energy transfer between photons and molecules and between neighboring molecules is ubiquitous in living nature, most prominently in photosynthesis. While energy transfer is efficiently utilized by living systems, its adoption to connect individual components in man-made plasmonic nanocircuits has been challenged by low transfer efficiencies that motivate the development of entirely new concepts for energy transfer. We introduce herein optoplasmonic superlenses that combine the capability of optical microcavities to insulate molecule-photon systems from decohering environmental effects with the superior light nanoconcentration properties of nanoantennas. The proposed structures provide significant enhancement of the emitter radiative rate and efficient long-range transfer of emitted photons followed by subsequent refocusing into nanoscale volumes accessible to near- and far-field detection. Optoplasmonic superlenses are versatile building blocks for optoplasmonic nanocircuits and can be used to construct “dark” single-molecule sensors, resonant amplifiers, nanoconcentrators, frequency multiplexers, demultiplexers, energy converters, and dynamical switches.
p31
comet
promotes disassembly of the mitotic checkpoint complex in an ATP-dependent process
Authors: Teichner Adar , Eytan Esther , Sitry-Shevah Danielle , Miniowitz-Shemtov Shirly , Dumin Elena , Gromis Jonathan , Hershko Avram
Published: February 2011

Accurate segregation of chromosomes in mitosis is ensured by a surveillance mechanism called the mitotic (or spindle assembly) checkpoint. It prevents sister chromatid separation until all chromosomes are correctly attached to the mitotic spindle through their kinetochores. The checkpoint acts by inhibiting the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), a ubiquitin ligase that targets for degradation securin, an inhibitor of anaphase initiation. The activity of APC/C is inhibited by a mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), composed of the APC/C activator Cdc20 bound to the checkpoint proteins MAD2, BubR1, and Bub3. When all kinetochores acquire bipolar attachment the checkpoint is inactivated, but the mechanisms of checkpoint inactivation are not understood. We have previously observed that hydrolyzable ATP is required for exit from checkpoint-arrested state. In this investigation we examined the possibility that ATP hydrolysis in exit from checkpoint is linked to the action of the Mad2-binding protein p31
comet
in this process. It is known that p31
comet
prevents the formation of a Mad2 dimer that it thought to be important for turning on the mitotic checkpoint. This explains how p31
comet
blocks the activation of the checkpoint but not how it promotes its inactivation. Using extracts from checkpoint-arrested cells and MCC isolated from such extracts, we now show that p31
comet
causes the disassembly of MCC and that this process requires β,γ-hydrolyzable ATP. Although p31
comet
binds to Mad2, it promotes the dissociation of Cdc20 from BubR1 in MCC.
Defective IL-10 signaling in hyper-IgE syndrome results in impaired generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells and induced regulatory T cells
Authors: Saito Masako , Nagasawa Masayuki , Takada Hidetoshi , Hara Toshiro , Tsuchiya Shigeru , Agematsu Kazunaga , Yamada Masafumi , Kawamura Nobuaki , Ariga Tadashi , Tsuge Ikuya , Nonoyama Shigeaki , Karasuyama Hajime , Minegishi Yoshiyuki
Published: February 2011

Hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent staphylococcal infections and atopic dermatitis associated with elevated serum IgE levels. Although defective differentiation of IL-17–producing CD4+ T cells (Th17) partly accounts for the susceptibility to staphylococcal skin abscesses and pneumonia, the pathogenesis of atopic manifestations in HIES still remains an enigma. In this study, we examined the differentiation and function of Th1, Th2, regulatory T cells (Treg cells), and dendritic cells (DCs) in HIES patients carrying either STAT3 or TYK2 mutations. Although the in vitro differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells and the number and function of Treg cells in the peripheral blood were normal in HIES patients with STAT3 mutations, primary and monocyte-derived DCs showed defective responses to IL-10 and thus failed to become tolerogenic. When treated with IL-10, patient DCs showed impaired up-regulation of inhibitory molecules on their surface, including PD-L1 and ILT-4, compared with control DCs. Moreover, IL-10–treated DCs from patients displayed impaired ability to induce the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells to FOXP3+ induced Treg cells (iTreg cells). These results suggest that the defective generation of IL-10–induced tolerogenic DCs and iTreg cells may contribute to inflammatory changes in HIES.
Dynamic variation in cycling of hematopoietic stem cells in steady state and inflammation
Authors: Takizawa Hitoshi , Regoes Roland R. , Boddupalli Chandra S. , Bonhoeffer Sebastian , Manz Markus G.
Published: February 2011

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain blood production. How often mouse HSCs divide and whether each HSC contributes simultaneously, sequentially, or repetitively to hematopoiesis remains to be determined. We track division of 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)–labeled HSC in vivo. We found that, in steady-state mice, bone marrow cells capable of reconstituting lifelong hematopoiesis are found within both fast-cycling (undergoing five or more divisions in 7 wk) and quiescent (undergoing zero divisions in 12–14 wk) lineage marker–negative c-Kit+ Sca-1+ populations. The contribution of each population to hematopoiesis can fluctuate with time, and cells with extensive proliferative history are prone to return to quiescence. Furthermore, injection of the bacterial component lipopolysaccharide increased the proliferation and self-renewal capacity of HSCs. These findings suggest a model in which all HSCs undergo dynamic and demand-adapted entry into and exit out of the cell cycle over time. This may facilitate a similar degree of turnover of the entire HSC pool at the end of life.
SpaCEM3: a software for biological module detection when data is incomplete, high dimensional and dependent
Authors: Vignes Matthieu , Blanchet Juliette , Leroux Damien , Forbes Florence
Published: February 2011

Summary: Among classical methods for module detection, SpaCEM3 provides ad hoc algorithms that were shown to be particularly well adapted to specific features of biological data: high-dimensionality, interactions between components (genes) and integrated treatment of missingness in observations. The software, currently in its version 2.0, is developed in C++ and can be used either via command line or with the GUI under Linux and Windows environments.

Availability: The SpaCEM3 software, a documentation and datasets are available from http://spacem3.gforge.inria.fr/.

Contact:  matthieu.vignes@toulouse.inra.fr; SpaCEM3-help@lists.gforge.inria.fr
Synergistic effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on the metabolic scope and activity in a shallow-water coastal decapod (Metapenaeus joyneri; Crustacea: Penaeidae)
Authors: Dissanayake Awantha , Ishimatsu Atsushi
Published: February 2011

Dissanayake, A., and Ishimatsu, A. 2011. Synergistic effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on the metabolic scope and activity in a shallow-water coastal decapod (Metapenaeus joyneri; Crustacea: Penaeidae). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1147–1154. The physical drivers of climate change (increased CO2; hypercapnia and temperature) are causing increasing warming of the earth's oceans, elevating oceanic CO2 concentrations, and acidity. Elucidating possible climate change impacts on marine biota is of paramount importance, because generally, invertebrates are more sensitive to hypercapnia than fish. This study addresses impacts of synergistic factors; hypercapnia and temperature on osmoregulation, acid–base balance, and resting and active metabolism (assessed as oxygen consumption rates) and behavioural performance in a model nektonic crustacean. Metapenaeus joyneri exposed to both hypercapnia (1 kPa) at two temperatures (15 and 20°C) demonstrated significant physiological effects, i.e. new regulatory set points (lower haemolymph osmolality and higher pH, i.e. alkalosis) and reduced metabolic scope (MS), compared with control individuals (normocapnia, 0.04 kPa). Behavioural effects included a significant 30% reduction in swimming ability and may be the result of reduced MS (i.e. difference between active and routine metabolism). Synergistic factors may cause organisms to shift energy utilization towards up-regulation of maintenance functions (i.e. osmoregulatory ability) resulting in a decrease in both aerobic scope and energy-demanding activities. Laboratory-derived evidence elucidating the impacts in key model groups is of paramount importance, if we are to improve our knowledge of physiological effects of synergistic climate change factors.
Distribution of Total, Water‐Unextractable, and Water‐Extractable Arabinoxylans in Wheat Flour Mill Streams
Authors: Ramseyer Daniel D. , Bettge Arthur D. , Morris Craig F.
Published: February 2011

ABSTRCT

Arabinoxylans are a minor but important constituent in wheat that affects bread quality, foam stability, batter viscosity, and sugar snap cookie diameter. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution of arabinoxylans in flour mill streams to better formulate flour blends. Thirty‐one genetically pure grain lots representing six wheat classifications common to the western U.S. were milled on a Miag Multomat pilot mill, and 10 flour mill streams were collected from each. A two‐way ANOVA indicated that mill streams were a greater source of variation compared to grain lots for total arabinoxylans (TAX), water‐unextractable arabinoxylans (WUAX), and water‐extractable arabinoxylans (WEAX). TAX and WUAX were highly correlated with ash at r = 0.94 and r = 0.94, respectively; while the correlation for WEAX and ash decreased in magnitude at r = 0.60. However, the 5th middlings mill streams exhibited disparity between TAX and ash content as well as between WUAX and ash content. This may indicate that TAX and WUAX in mill streams are not always the result of bran contamination. Cumulative extraction curves for TAX, WUAX and WEAX revealed increasing gradients of arabinoxylans parallel to extraction rate. Therefore, arabinoxylans may be an indicator of flour refinement.
Quality of Fats in Cookies as Affected by Storage and Addition of Oat Flakes
Authors: Zbikowska Anna , Rutkowska Jarosława
Published: February 2011

Changes in fats extracted from cookies stored for three or five weeks and containing different levels of oat flakes (10, 20, 30%) were investigated. The fats used for baking differed in fatty acid (FA) composition and contained 17.6–57.6% saturated (SFA), 0.8–46.8% trans FA (TFA), and 0.6–6.6% polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). Oat flakes were steam stabilized and were in the middle of their shelf‐life. Oat flakes contained 9.5% lipids in which linoleic acid (C 18:2 9c 12c) predominated, amounting to 42.7%. Increasing the content of oat flakes and the storage time of cookies resulted in increased values of primary and secondary fat oxidation products. Highest increases in PV values were found in cookies stored for three or five weeks, especially with a high content of oat flakes (30%). Secondary lipid oxidation products measured by AnV values increased with the time of storage. Highest increases in hydrolytic and oxidation products were associated with higher content (6.6%) of PUFA in utilized fats. Regarding the degree of oxidation, it appears safe to add as much as 30% of oat flakes to cookies when the storage time does not exceed three weeks.
Proposal of Bisgaardia hudsonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and an additional genomospecies, isolated from seals, as new members of the family Pasteurellaceae
Authors: Foster G. , Higgins R. , Leclair D. , Korczak B. M. , Mikaelian I. , Patterson I. A. P. , Kuhnert P.
Published: February 2011

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on eight Gram-negative-staining, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from seals. Biochemical and physiological studies showed identical profiles for all of the isolates and indicated that they were related to the family Pasteurellaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the organism represented a distinct cluster with two sublines within the family Pasteurellaceae with <96 % sequence similarity to any recognized species. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) including rpoB, infB and recN genes further confirmed these findings with the eight isolates forming a genus-like cluster with two branches. Genome relatedness as deduced from recN gene sequences suggested that the isolates represented a new genus with two species. On the basis of the results of the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic criteria, it is proposed that these bacteria from seals are classified as Bisgaardia hudsonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (the type species) and Bisgaardia genomospecies 1. The G+C content of the DNA was 39.5 mol%. The type strain of Bisgaardia hudsonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is M327/99/2T ( = CCUG 43067T = NCTC 13475T = 98-D-690BT) and the reference strain of Bisgaardia genomospecies 1 is M1765/96/5 ( = CCUG 59551 = NCTC 13474).
Molecular Analysis of a Family of Arabidopsis Genes Related to Galacturonosyltransferases
Authors: Kong Yingzhen , Zhou Gongke , Yin Yanbin , Xu Ying , Pattathil Sivakumar , Hahn Michael G.
Published: February 2011

We are studying a Galacturonosyltransferase-Like (GATL) gene family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that was identified bioinformatically as being closely related to a group of 15 genes (Galacturonosyltransferase1 [GAUT1] to -15), one of which (GAUT1) has been shown to encode a functional galacturonosyltransferase. Here, we describe the phylogeny, gene structure, evolutionary history, genomic organization, protein topology, and expression pattern of this gene family in Arabidopsis. Expression studies (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) demonstrate that all 10 AtGATL genes are transcribed, albeit to varying degrees, in Arabidopsis tissues. Promoter::β-glucuronidase expression studies show that individual AtGATL gene family members have both overlapping and unique expression patterns. Nine of the 10 AtGATL genes are expressed in all major plant organs, although not always in all cell types of those organs. AtGATL4 expression appears to be confined to pollen grains. Most of the AtGATL genes are expressed strongly in vascular tissue in both the stem and hypocotyl. Subcellular localization studies of several GATL proteins using yellow fluorescent protein tagging provide evidence supporting the Golgi localization of these proteins. Plants carrying T-DNA insertions in three AtGATL genes (atgatl3, atgatl6, and atgatl9) have reduced amounts of GalA in their stem cell walls. The xylose content increased in atgatl3 and atgatl6 stem walls. Glycome profiling of cell wall fractions from these mutants using a toolkit of diverse plant glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies showed that the mutations affect both pectins and hemicelluloses and alter overall wall structure, as indicated by altered epitope extractability patterns. The data presented suggest that the AtGATL genes encode proteins involved in cell wall biosynthesis, but their precise roles in wall biosynthesis remain to be substantiated.
Pithy Protection: Nicotiana attenuata’s Jasmonic Acid-Mediated Defenses Are Required to Resist Stem-Boring Weevil Larvae
Authors: Diezel Celia , Kessler Danny , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: February 2011

Folivory is the best studied plant-herbivore interaction, but it is unclear whether the signaling and resistance traits important for the defense of leaves are also important for other plant parts. Larvae of the tobacco stem weevil, Trichobaris mucorea, burrow into stems of Nicotiana attenuata and feed on the pith. Transgenic N. attenuata lines silenced in signaling and foliar defense traits were evaluated in a 2-year field study for resistance against attack by naturally occurring T. mucorea larva. Plants silenced in early jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis (antisense [as]-lipoxygenase3 [lox3]; inverted repeat [ir]-allene oxide cyclase), JA perception (as-coronatine insensitive1), proteinase inhibitors (ir-pi), and nicotine (ir-putrescine methyl-transferase) direct defenses and lignin (ir-cad) biosynthesis were infested more frequently than wild-type plants. Plants unable to emit C6 aldehydes (as-hpl) had lower infestation rates, while plants silenced in late steps in JA biosynthesis (ir-acyl-coenzyme A oxidase, ir-opr) and silenced in diterpene glycoside production (ir-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase) did not differ from wild type. Pith choice assays revealed that ir-putrescine methyl-transferase, ir-coronatine insensitive1, and ir-lox3 pith, which all had diminished nicotine levels, were preferred by larvae compared to wild-type pith. The lack of preference for ir-lox2 and ir-cad piths, suggest that oviposition attraction and vascular defense, rather than pith palatability accounts for the higher attack rates observed for these plants. We conclude that traits that influence a plant’s apparency, stem hardness, and pith direct defenses all contribute to resistance against this herbivore whose attack can be devastating to N. attenuata’s fitness.
Knowledge sharing in emerging economies
Authors: Burke M.E.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

One of the new factors in Eastern European countries (and there is an acknowledgement that this aspect is displayed in other countries too) is this concept of freely sharing information, i.e. the concept of what is known in knowledge management (KM) literature of “Knowledge Sharing”. Sharing only takes place where there is trust and where there is a shared feeling of ownership of goals. The reasons behind the tendency to share are based on the kind of interpersonal relations between co‐workers inherent within the organization and the effects of social relationships within organizational teams. Strengthening the social relationships between individuals in the team is crucial in motivating team members to share knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to add to the understanding of how KM impacts on an small‐ to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) and create a framework of best practice of KM in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

New research is currently investigating the concept of “sharing social relationships” and one of the aims of the project is to investigate the barriers to sharing information in a particular type of business – that of the (SME) in order to form a comparative study. The results of the study will be used to from a model of “information sharing best practice” for SME which are setting up or using KM systems. The paper will examine the barriers to sharing in two newly emerging economies (Poland and Hungary) and one relatively established economy (the UK). At the time of writing, the work with Poland and Hungary has been completed and this paper gives the initial results from the Hungarian study.

Findings

The findings are complex and varied but in the case of the Hungarian results there is a clear energy, enthusiasm and commitment to knowledge sharing in order to ensure the success of the business.

Research limitations/implications

Emerging economies are by their nature changing economies and so this work forms a snapshot of life at a particular moment in time.

Practical implications

The paper shows that there is a need for an increase in training, and that government support is helpful and enabling.

Originality/value

Knowledge sharing is important and the study described in the paper will allow cross comparisons between different countries. It is intended that a model of best practice will be one of the outcomes of the project.
Capturing Caribbean publications: the beneficial role of the regional ISBN agency
Authors: Brathwaite Tamara
Published: February 2011

Purpose

Across the Caribbean Sea, the regional International Standard Book Number (ISBN) agency headquartered at the Documentation Centre at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana manages the distribution of ISBNs in the Caribbean Area. The purpose of this paper is to look at the role of the Documentation Centre and the benefits of the regional ISBN agency in managing the group code, 976, to the Caribbean region. This paper will illustrate book publishing challenges in the region, explain the use of ISBNs, describe the role of the regional agency in administering ISBNs in the region and as such, note the benefits of this role in making Caribbean information internationally accessible.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a detailed look at the purpose of the ISBN number and the role of the Documentation Centre at CARICOM in serving the needs of members of the book‐publishing industry of the Caribbean through a view of the work of the Documentation Centre and a review of the literature.

Findings

The paper enumerates the benefits of having a regional ISBN agency in the Caribbean area at a library thereby improving access to Caribbean titles by decision makers; the paper illustrates that the regional ISBN agency at CARICOM is ensuring that ISBN publishing standards are adhered to in the region thereby speaking an international language that facilitates information sharing via standardized book numbering.

Practical implications

The paper reports on the role of the Documentation Centre in managing ISBNs in the Caribbean region, and as such should be of interest to the ISBN community both locally and internationally.

Originality/value

The work of the Documentation Centre has not been publicised within the region or even internationally, this research paper provides an opportunity to highlight this service.
Information is social: information literacy in context
Authors: Hoyer Jennifer
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss traditional conceptions of information literacy as created within an academic context to address information needs within this context. It seeks to present alternative realities of information use outside the academic sector, and to suggest that information literacy instruction within academia does not go far enough in preparing students for the information society beyond university. The aim is then to follow this by discussion of appropriate information literacy models to prepare young people for information use in a variety of workplace environments.

Design/methodology/approach

As an example of the application of appropriate information literacy models for successful workplace information use, the Edmonton Social Planning Council youth internship program is examined through a case study of two successful internship projects.

Findings

This youth internship program provides young people with skills that are highly relevant to their information environment outside the academic sector. It provides them with a framework for interacting with information that can be applied in any academic or non‐academic setting in which they find themselves.

Practical implications

The program described could serve as inspiration for other public, private or nonprofit organizations to collaborate on similar initiatives. It also serves to remind academic librarians of core information best practices that must be conveyed through library instruction if students are to become good information citizens.

Originality/value

While information literacy instruction receives much attention in the academic sphere, it is necessary to take a broader view of information use throughout the lifetime of information users and the instruction required to prepare students adequately. The paper focuses on these issues.
Inside the iPod, outside the classroom
Authors: Mikkelsen Susan , Davidson Sara
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how librarians at UC Merced developed an iPod Touch Video Library Tour to replace in‐person instruction for freshman library orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

Librarians developed and marketed the iPod Touch Video Library Tour, collaborated with Writing faculty to promote and measure the effectiveness of instruction, then collected and analyzed student assignment scores and survey assessment data to evaluate the project.

Findings

Post‐tour assessment data from student assignments suggest that the iPod Touch Video Library Tour is successfully introducing new students to the space, services and resources of the library. Post‐tour comments from students and faculty also indicate that they consider the tour an effective means of being introduced to the library.

Practical implications

Faced with increasing teaching workloads, instruction librarians can benefit from developing asynchronous instruction objects such as podcasts/vodcasts. Asynchronous teaching allows the time shifting of instruction activities, offers scalability, and optimizes assessment. Students often value the freedom to receive instruction when it is most convenient for them.

Originality/value

This paper offers practical information that will assist academic libraries in developing and justifying asynchronous instruction alternatives for traditional face‐to‐face library classroom sessions. Assessment data presented supports the effectiveness of asynchronous instruction through podcasting with popular iPod technology.
Assessing the reliability and validity of locally developed information literacy test items
Authors: Mery Yvonne , Newby Jill , Peng Ke
Published: February 2011

Purpose

With a call for increased accountability for student learning across higher education, it is becoming more important for academic libraries to show their value to the greater university community with the use of quantitative data. This paper seeks to describe the development of an information literacy test at the University of Arizona to measure student learning in an online credit course. In order to measure the impact of an online course, a test that was statistically valid, and reliable was created by local librarians.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology involved administering test items to undergraduate students enrolled in an online information literacy course and applying both classical test theory and item response theory models to evaluate the validity and reliability of test items. This study included the longitudinal and cross‐sectional development of test items for pre and post‐testing across different student groups. Over the course of two semesters, 125 items were developed and administered to over 1,400 students.

Findings

The creation of test of items and the process of making test items reliable and valid is discussed in detail. Items were checked for construct validity with the use of a national standardized test of information literacy (SAILS). Locally developed items were found to have a higher than average reliability rating.

Practical implications

The process described here offers a method for librarians without a background in assessment to develop their own statistically valid and reliable instrument.

Originality/value

One of the unique features of this research design was the correlation of SAILS items with local items to test for validity. Although SAILS items have been used by many libraries in the past, they have not been used to create new test items. The use of the original SAILS test items is a valuable resource for instruction librarians developing items locally.
Virtual reference/query log pairs: a window onto user need
Authors: Collard Scott , Whatley Kara
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate users' virtual reference queries in concert with their search histories to better understand user needs and motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper initially examines one semester of data, including both search histories and user questions, from a database platform virtual reference service. These data were used to develop categories of frequently occurring search problems. One year of further data (n=90) is then coded and analyzed with these categories for problems exhibited in search histories and user questions.

Findings

It was found that one‐third of users display a misunderstanding of what content they could expect to find in library databases. Users treated the databases examined as a one‐stop shop for their daily information needs. There was a positive correlation between number of databases simultaneously searched and number of searches users performed before seeking help. Additionally, it was found that users recognize when they have problems with search strategy, but they are disproportionally concerned with term selection as the cause of their trouble rather than other problems with search mechanics (i.e. Boolean operators.)

Practical implications

The results of this study illustrate commonalities in users' expectations of what they may search for, find, or do in a database. It shows what tends to lead users to seek help with their searching, exposes how the systems can lead users astray, and illustrates basic misunderstandings of what content can be found in library databases.

Originality/value

This study is the first virtual reference study that examines users' search histories in concert with their reference queries.
Meditation, learning, organizational innovation and performance
Authors: Ho Li‐An
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This study attempts to investigate: the effect of meditation experience on employees' self‐directed learning (SDL) readiness and organizational innovative (OI) ability as well as organizational performance (OP); and the relationships among SDL, OI, and OP.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study of 15 technological companies (n=412) in Taiwan is conducted, utilizing the collected survey data to test the relationships among the three dimensions.

Findings

The results show that: the employees' meditation experience significantly and positively influenced employees' SDL readiness, companies' OI capability and OP; and the study found that SDL has a direct and significant impact on OI, and that OI has direct and significant influences on OP.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of the present study is constrained by: the existence of possible biases of the participants; the variations of length, type, and form of meditation demonstrated by the employees in these high tech companies; and the fact that local data collection in Taiwan may present different cultural characteristics which may be quite different from those in other areas or countries. Managerial implications are presented at the end of the work.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that SDL can only impact organizational innovation through employees openness to a challenge, inquisitive nature, self‐understanding, and acceptance of responsibility for learning. Such finding implies better OI capability under such conditions, thus organizations may encourage employees to take risks or accept new opportunities through various incentives, such as monetary rewards or public recognitions. More specifically, the present study discovers that while administration innovation is the most important element influencing an organization's financial performance, market innovation is the key component in an organization's market performance.

Social implications

The present study discovers that meditation experience positively affects SDL readiness, and OI ability and performance. The finding implies spiritual practice improves individual capability (i.e. in learning), as well as organizational capability (i.e. in innovativeness), which consequently enhances the outcomes of organizations.

Originality/value

Existing studies prove the benefits of meditation on both spiritual enlightenment and clinical psychology. Existing research documents that meditation practice helps relieve pain, improves physical health, reduces stress, and supports relaxation. No direct evidence shows the effect of meditation on SDL and OI, and only some evidence supporting the influence of meditation on OP. Nevertheless, the finding on the effect of the meditation experience in a work setting adds values to the current literature.
Discriminatory zoning in colonial Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Lawrence W.C.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to argue that racially discriminatory zoning in Colonial Hong Kong could have been a form of protectionism driven by economic considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper was based on a review of the relevant ordinances, literature, and public information, notably data obtained from the Land Registry and telephone directories.

Findings

This paper reveals that many writings on racial matters in Hong Kong were not a correct interpretation or presentation of facts. It shows that after the repeal of the discriminatory laws in 1946, an increasing number of people, both Chinese and European, were living in the Peak district. Besides, Chinese were found to be acquiring land even under the discriminatory law for Barker Road during the mid‐1920s and became, after 1946, the majority landlords by the mid‐1970s. This testifies to the argument that the Chinese could compete economically with Europeans for prime residential premises in Hong Kong.

Research limitations/implications

This paper lends further support to the Lawrence‐Marco proposition raised in Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design by Lai and Yu, which regards segregation zoning as a means to reduce the effective demand of an economically resourceful social group.

Practical implications

This paper shows how title documents for land and telephone directories can be used to measure the degree of racial segregation.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to systematically re‐interpret English literature on racially discriminatory zoning in Hong Kong's Peak area using reliable public information from Crown Leases and telephone directories.
The interactive role of performance appraisal reactions and regular feedback
Authors: Kuvaas Bård
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between performance appraisal (PA) reactions and employee outcomes in terms of affective organizational commitment and work performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the results of a cross‐sectional survey of 803 employees from three organizations located in Norway. The survey was conducted in 2005.

Findings

The findings reveal that perceived helpfulness of PA was directly related to affective commitment. The relationship between perceived helpfulness of PA and work performance was significant only for employees reporting high levels of perceived regular feedback.

Research limitations/implications

The two most important limitations, which are discussed in more detail at the end of the paper, are the cross‐sectional nature of the study and the reliance on self‐reported questionnaire data.

Practical implications

The positive relationship between PA reactions and affective organizational commitment highlights the importance of positive PA reactions. At the same time, the relationship between PA reactions and work performance was moderated by regular feedback, which suggests that formal PA cannot compensate for low levels of regular feedback.

Implication for further research

Future studies could apply longitudinal research designs and supervisor‐ or peer‐ratings of work performance.

Originality/value

The finding of a positive relationship between PA reactions and work performance only for employees who experience that they receive high levels of regular or day‐to‐day feedback.
The interaction of self‐monitoring and organizational position on perceived effort
Authors: Bryant Damon U. , Mitcham Michelle , Araiza Adalberto R. , Man Leung Wing
Published: February 2011

Purpose

This study aims to investigate self‐monitoring as a moderator of the relationship between organizational position and perceptions of individual effort.

Design/methodology/approach.

A total of 133 students were randomly assigned to organizations of 12‐15 members. Each organization completed three projects in 14 weeks. Each student served in one position: management or non‐management. Participants also rated the effort of organizational members and then responded to items on the Self‐monitoring Scale.

Findings

Persons in management were rated as giving more effort than persons in non‐management. Self‐monitoring moderated the relationship between organizational position and perceptions of effort. Organizational members perceived high self‐monitors (HSMs) in management as giving more effort than HSMs in non‐management. In contrast, there was no difference in perceived effort of low self‐monitors (LSMs) across positions.

Research limitations/implications

By using students instead of actual employees working in project teams, the results may not generalize to all organizations. Because job performance is a multidimensional construct, findings may have limited application to very specific aspects of contextual performance.

Originality/value

These findings provide support for self‐monitoring as a moderator of organizational position and performance. This helps to reconcile debate about predicting behavior for cross‐situationally consistent LSMs and cross‐situationally variable HSMs. Implications for performance appraisals and differential prediction of criteria are discussed.
Social motives polarity and its impact on knowledge sharing
Authors: Sabetzadeh Farzad , Tsui Eric
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look into the impact of important social motives on knowledge‐sharing behavior in a collaborative environment and how people might react to each of these motives.

Design/methodology/approach

The applied methodology used in this paper is based on an online survey and statistical hypothesis developed for each of the motives with different comparison means under two circumstances.

Findings

The paper exhibits the different impact of each of the motives over the sharing behaviour in collaborative platforms. Despite general beliefs, although many motives might not have a very significant impact under normal behavioral circumstances that is based on either an agreement or disagreement level, all of those tested motives show a positive tendency when tested on the neutral (Dilemma) position.

Research limitations/implications

This study has examined a small and generalized group of people for social networking analysis with a limited number of motivational factors tested. Future research can extend the findings on a greater scale and/or examination of more diverse motives.

Originality/value

This study tries to change the presumptions about the collaboration‐sharing behaviours and motives and how social environment can behave differently under the same circumstances on a business‐oriented platform. The study also suggests how the findings can be applied to leverage social collaboration more efficiently to enhance knowledge sharing for business purposes.
Do traditional measures of economic performance really satisfy the needs of citizens for a better society?
Authors: Floyd David
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a reasoned critique of traditional measurements of wellbeing in society and offer alternative measurements for the increasingly more global economy of today.

Design/methodology/approach

Theories of growth and measurement are analyzed.

Findings

Traditional growth measures leave out many important factors which are increasingly more important to citizens including health, education and whether improvements in wellbeing can continue in the longer term.

Originality/value

Limitations of the concept of growth with regards to the desires of citizens are highlighted in this paper.
Human needs and utility maximization
Authors: Freeman Katherine B.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide alternatives to the economic man image of human behavior and incorporate these alternative images which are based on motivational needs into utility analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirically derived psychological variables define the individual's personality type in terms of an altruistic or non‐altruistic orientation. These variables are incorporated into the individual's utility function, and an analysis is made of utility maximization based on human needs.

Findings

Behavioral and motivational characteristics of individuals are relatively constant and are a function of the underlying personality traits of the individuals. Empirical support is offered for these characteristics, they are incorporated into the individual's utility function, and an analysis if performed on the interactions between individuals.

Originality/value

This paper not only goes beyond the economic man image of human behavior to analyze altruistic and selfish behavior but also analyzes the utility functions of both potential donors and recipients.
Meeting human need through consumption, work, and leisure
Authors: O'Boyle Edward J.
Published: February 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a perspective on need that derives from a personalism which is grounded in Catholic social thought and runs counter to the individualism of mainstream economics, focusing on need in the context of three economic activities: consumption, work, and leisure.

Design/methodology/approach

Three strands of Christian personalism emerged in twentieth‐century Europe: in Paris, Munich, and Lublin. The author's comments derive from the Lublin strand.

Findings

Mainstream economics regards consumption as satisfying human material wants. Need is disregarded except when poverty is addressed. Personalist economics insists that there are needs of the human spirit which are addressed through consumption. Personalist economics views work as having two effects. First, by producing goods and services it provides income to purchase those goods and services. Second, it provides opportunities to associate with others in the workplace, and to apply creative talents and energies. Mainstream economics regards the first but not the second as within the domain of the discipline. Mainstream economics defines leisure negatively as time spent not working. Personalist economics sees it positively as an activity crucial to personal development.

Originality/value

The reader is asked to consider two questions. Will economic theory continue to be constructed on an economic agent who is represented by the passive and predictable homo economicus of mainstream economics that is based on the individualism of the seventeenth‐to‐eighteenth century enlightenment? Or, will it turn to the active and unpredictable acting person of personalist economics based on a personalism that emerged in the twentieth century?