bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of candidate cancer-causing genes in mouse brain tumors by retroviral tagging
Authors: Johansson Fredrik K. , Brodd Josefin , Eklöf Charlotta , Ferletta Maria , Hesselager Göran , Tiger Carl-Fredrik , Uhrbom Lene , Westermark Bengt
Published: July 2004

Murine retroviruses may cause malignant tumors in mice by insertional mutagenesis of host genes. The use of retroviral tagging as a means of identifying cancer-causing genes has, however, almost entirely been restricted to hematopoietic tumors. The aim of this study was to develop a system allowing for the retroviral tagging of candidate genes in malignant brain tumors. Mouse gliomas were induced by a recombinant Moloney murine leukemia virus encoding platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain. The underlying idea was that tumors evolve through a combination of PDGF-mediated autocrine growth stimulation and insertional mutagenesis of genes that cooperate with PDGF in gliomagenesis. Common insertion sites (loci that were tagged in more than one tumor) were identified by cloning and sequencing retroviral flanking segments, followed by
blast
searches of mouse genome databases. A number of candidate brain tumor loci (Btls) were identified. Several of these Btls correspond to known tumor-causing genes; these findings strongly support the underlying idea of our experimental approach. Other Btls harbor genes with a hitherto unproven role in transformation or oncogenesis. Our findings indicate that retroviral tagging with a growth factor-encoding virus may be a powerful means of identifying candidate tumor-causing genes in nonhematopoietic tumors.
Emigration of monocyte-derived cells from atherosclerotic lesions characterizes regressive, but not progressive, plaques
Authors: Llodrá Jaime , Angeli Véronique , Liu Jianhua , Trogan Eugene , Fisher Edward A. , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: July 2004

Some monocytes normally take up residence in tissues as sessile macrophages, but others differentiate into migratory cells resembling dendritic cells that emigrate to lymph nodes. In an
in vitro
model of a vessel wall, lipid mediators lysophosphatidic acid and platelet-activating factor, whose signals are implicated in promoting atherosclerosis, blocked conversion of monocytes into migratory cells and favored their retention in the subendothelium.
In vivo
studies revealed trafficking of monocyte-derived cells from atherosclerotic plaques during lesion regression, but little emigration was detected from progressive plaques. Thus, progression of atherosclerotic plaques may result not only from robust monocyte recruitment into arterial walls but also from reduced emigration of these cells from lesions.
TRIM5α mediates the postentry block to N-tropic murine leukemia viruses in human cells
Authors: Perron Michel J. , Stremlau Matthew , Song Byeongwoon , Ulm Wes , Mulligan Richard C. , Sodroski Joseph
Published: July 2004

Murine leukemia viruses (MLVs) have been classified as N-tropic (N-MLV) or B-tropic (B-MLV), depending on their ability to infect particular mouse strains. The early phase of N-MLV infection is blocked in the cells of several mammalian species, including humans. This block is mediated by a dominant host factor that targets the viral capsid soon after virus entry into the cell has been achieved. A similar block to HIV-1 in rhesus monkey cells is mediated by TRIM5α. Here we show that human TRIM5α is both necessary and sufficient for the restriction of N-MLV in human cells. Rhesus monkey TRIM5α, which potently blocks HIV-1 infection, exhibited only modest inhibition of N-MLV infection. B-MLV was resistant to the antiviral effects of both human and rhesus monkey TRIM5α; susceptibility to TRIM5α-mediated restriction was conferred by alteration of residue 110 of the B-MLV capsid protein to the amino acid found in the N-MLV capsid. Our results demonstrate that species-specific variation in TRIM5α governs its ability to block infection by diverse retroviruses.
Translocation of CD28 to lipid rafts and costimulation of IL-2
Authors: Sadra Ali , Cinek Tomas , Imboden John B.
Published: July 2004

Stimulation of the CD28 costimulatory receptor can lead to an increased surface lipid raft expression in T lymphocytes. Here, we demonstrate that CD28 itself is recruited to lipid rafts in both Jurkat and peripheral blood T lymphocytes. This recruitment of CD28 is triggered by engagement with either anti-CD28 mAbs or a natural ligand of CD28, B7.2 (CD86). All detectable tyrosine-phosphorylated CD28 is in the lipid raft fractions, as is all of the CD28 associated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, which is recruited to CD28 by tyrosine phosphorylation. Targeting the CD28 cytoplasmic domain to lipid rafts results in its tyrosine phosphorylation, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation of CD28 may occur after translocation to lipid rafts. Studies with Jurkat cells deficient in Lck and CD45 demonstrate that movement of CD28 into lipid rafts does not require Lck and CD45 and can occur despite reduction of CD28 tyrosine phosphorylation to below the levels of detection. Analysis of murine CD28 mutants reveals a correlation between translocation to lipid rafts and costimulation of IL-2 production. Taken together with the known importance of lipid rafts in T cell activation, these observations suggest that translocation to lipid rafts may play an important role in CD28 signaling.
Neutron crystallographic study on rubredoxin from
Pyrococcus furiosus
by BIX-3, a single-crystal diffractometer for biomacromolecules
Authors: Kurihara Kazuo , Tanaka Ichiro , Chatake Toshiyuki , Adams Michael W. W. , Jenney Francis E. , Moiseeva Natalia , Bau Robert , Niimura Nobuo
Published: July 2004

The structure of a partially deuterated rubredoxin from the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Pyrococcus furiosus
, an organism that grows optimally at 100°C, was determined by using the neutron single-crystal diffractometer dedicated for biological macromolecules (BIX-3) at the JRR-3M reactor of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute. Data were collected at room temperature up to a resolution of 1.5 Å, and the completeness factor of the data set was 81.9%. The model contains 306 H and 50 D atoms. A total of 37 hydration water molecules were identified, with 15 having all three atoms fully located and the remaining D
2
O molecules partially defined. The model has been refined to final agreement factors of
R
= 18.6% and
R
free
= 21.7%. Several orientations of the O–D bonds of side chains, whose assignments from x-ray data were previously ambiguous, were clearly visible in the neutron structure. Although most backbone N–H bonds had undergone some degree of H/D exchange throughout the rubredoxin molecule, 5 H atom positions still had distinctly negative (H) peaks. The neutron Fourier maps clearly showed the details of an extensive set of H bonds involving the ND
3
+
terminus that may contribute to the unusual thermostability of this molecule.
Semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) induces apoptosis in lung and breast cancer, whereas VEGF
165
antagonizes this effect
Authors: Castro-Rivera Emely , Ran Sophia , Thorpe Philip , Minna John D.
Published: July 2004

Semaphorin 3B (SEMA3B) is a secreted member of the semaphorin family, important in axonal guidance. We and others have shown that SEMA3B can act as a tumor suppressor by inducing apoptosis either by reexpression in tumor cells or applied as a soluble ligand. The common method of inactivation of
SEMA3B
is by allele loss and tumor-acquired promoter methylation. We studied the mechanism of SEMA3B-induced tumor cell apoptosis and found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
165
significantly decreased the proapoptotic and antimitotic effect of transfected or secreted SEMA3B on lung and breast cancer cells. VEGF
165
binds to neuropilin, receptors for SEMA3B, and we found that SEMA3B competed for binding of
125
I-VEGF
165
to lung and breast cancer cells. We also found that small interfering RNA knockdown of tumor-produced VEGF-A or the use of an anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody (Ab) significantly inhibited tumor cell growth
in vitro
. By contrast, VEGF
121
, a VEGF variant that lacks binding to neuropilin (NP)-1 or NP-2 receptors, was not expressed in tumor cells and had no effect on SEMA3B growth-suppressing activities. In conclusion, we hypothesize that VEGF
165
, produced by tumor cells, acts as an autocrine survival factor and that SEMA3B mediates its tumor-suppressing effects, at least in part, by blocking this VEGF autocrine activity.
Detection of 91 potential conserved plant microRNAs in
Arabidopsis thaliana
and
Oryza sativa
identifies important target genes
Authors: Bonnet Eric , Wuyts Jan , Rouzé Pierre , Van de Peer Yves
Published: July 2004

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive class of tiny RNA molecules that regulate the expression of target genes by means of complementary base pair interactions. Although the first miRNAs were discovered in
Caenorhabditis elegans
, >300 miRNAs were recently documented in animals and plants, both by cloning methods and computational predictions. We present a genome-wide computational approach to detect miRNA genes in the
Arabidopsis thaliana
genome. Our method is based on the conservation of short sequences between the genomes of
Arabidopsis
and rice (
Oryza sativa
) and on properties of the secondary structure of the miRNA precursor. The method was fine-tuned to take into account plant-specific properties, such as the variable length of the miRNA precursor sequences. In total, 91 potential miRNA genes were identified, of which 58 had at least one nearly perfect match with an
Arabidopsis
mRNA, constituting the potential targets of those miRNAs. In addition to already known transcription factors involved in plant development, the targets also comprised genes involved in several other cellular processes, such as sulfur assimilation and ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. These findings considerably broaden the scope of miRNA functions in plants.
Alternate, virus-induced membrane rearrangements support positive-strand RNA virus genome replication
Authors: Schwartz Michael , Chen Jianbo , Lee Wai-Ming , Janda Michael , Ahlquist Paul
Published: July 2004

All positive-strand RNA [(+)RNA] viruses replicate their RNA on intracellular membranes, often in association with spherular invaginations of the target membrane. For brome mosaic virus, we previously showed that such spherules serve as compartments or mini-organelles for RNA replication and that their assembly, structure, and function have similarities to the replicative cores of retrovirus and double-stranded RNA virus virions. Some other (+)RNA viruses conduct RNA replication in association with individual or clustered double-membrane vesicles, appressed double membranes, or other structures whose possible relationships to the spherular invaginations are unclear. Here we show that modulating the relative levels and interactions of brome mosaic virus replication factors 1a and 2a polymerase (2a
pol
) shifted the membrane rearrangements associated with RNA replication from small invaginated spherules to large, karmellae-like, multilayer stacks of appressed double membranes that supported RNA replication as efficiently as spherules. Spherules were induced by expressing 1a, which has functional similarities to retrovirus virion protein Gag, or 1a plus low levels of 2a
pol
. Double-membrane layers were induced by 1a plus higher levels of 2a
pol
and were suppressed by deleting the major 1a-interacting domain from 2a
pol
. The stacked, double-membrane layers alternated with spaces that, like spherule interiors, were 50–60 nm wide, connected to the cytoplasm, and contained 1a and 2a
pol
. These and other results suggest that seemingly diverse membrane rearrangements associated with RNA replication by varied (+)RNA viruses may represent topologically and functionally related structures formed by similar protein–protein and protein–membrane interactions and interconverted by altering the balances among those interactions.
Genetic basis for the evolution of vertebrate mineralized tissue
Authors: Kawasaki Kazuhiko , Suzuki Tohru , Weiss Kenneth M.
Published: July 2004

Mineralized tissue is vital to many characteristic adaptive phenotypes in vertebrates. Three primary tissues, enamel (enameloid), dentin, and bone, are found in the body armor of ancient agnathans and mammalian teeth, suggesting that these two organs are homologous. Mammalian enamel forms on enamel-specific proteins such as amelogenin, whereas dentin and bone form on collagen and many acidic proteins, such as SPP1, coordinately regulate their mineralization. We previously reported that genes for three major enamel matrix proteins, five proteins necessary for dentin and bone formation, and milk caseins and salivary proteins arose from a single ancestor by tandem gene duplications and form the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) family. Gene structure and protein characteristics show that SCPP genes arose from the 5′ region of ancestralsparcl1(SPARC-like 1). Phylogenetic analysis onSPARCandSPARCL1suggests that the SCPP genes arose after the divergence of cartilaginous fish and bony fish, implying that early vertebrate mineralization did not use SCPPs and that SPARC may be critical for initial mineralization. Consistent with this inference, we identifiedSPP1in a teleost genome but failed to find any genes orthologous to mammalian enamel proteins. Based on these observations, we suggest a scenario for the evolution of vertebrate tissue mineralization, in which body armor initially formed on dermal collagen, which acted as a reinforcement of dermis. We also suggest that mammalian enamel is distinct from fish enameloid. Their similar nature as a hard structural overlay on exoskeleton and teeth is because of convergent evolution.
Watching the photosynthetic apparatus in native membranes
Authors: Scheuring Simon , Sturgis James N. , Prima Valerie , Bernadac Alain , Lévy Daniel , Rigaud Jean-Louis
Published: July 2004

Over the last 9 years, the structures of the various components of the bacterial photosynthetic apparatus or their homologues have been determined by x-ray crystallography to at least 4.8-Å resolution. Despite this wealth of structural information on the individual proteins, there remains an urgent need to examine the architecture of the photosynthetic apparatus in intact photosynthetic membranes. Information on the arrangement of the different complexes in a native system will help us to understand the processes that ensure the remarkably high quantum efficiency of the system. In this work we report images obtained with an atomic force microscope of native photosynthetic membranes from the bacterium
Rhodospirillum photometricum
. Several proteins can be seen and identified at molecular resolution, allowing the analysis and modeling of the lateral organization of multiple components of the photosynthetic apparatus within a native membrane. Analysis of the distribution of the complexes shows that their arrangement is far from random, with significant clustering both of antenna complexes and core complexes. The functional significance of the observed distribution is discussed.
Air levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after the World Trade Center disaster
Authors: Pleil Joachim D. , Vette Alan F. , Johnson Brent A. , Rappaport Stephen M.
Published: July 2004

The catastrophic collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001, created an immense dust cloud followed by fires that emitted soot into the air of New York City (NYC) well into December. The subsequent cleanup used diesel equipment that further polluted the air until the following June. The particulate air pollutants contained mutagenic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). By using an assay developed for archived samples of fine particles, we measured nine PAHs in 243 samples collected at or near Ground Zero from September 23, 2001, to March 27, 2002. Based on temporal trends of individual PAH levels, we differentiated between fire and diesel sources and predicted PAH levels between 3 and 200 d after the disaster. Predicted PAH air concentrations on September 14, 2001, ranged from 1.3 to 15 ng/m
3
; these values are among the highest reported from outdoor sources. We infer that these high initial air concentrations resulted from fires that rapidly diminished over 100 d. Diesel sources predominated for the next 100 d, during which time PAH levels declined slowly to background values. Because elevated PAH levels were transient, any elevation in cancer risk from PAH exposure should be very small among nonoccupationally exposed residents of NYC. However, the high initial levels of PAHs may be associated with reproductive effects observed in the offspring of women who were (or became) pregnant shortly after September 11, 2001. Because no PAH-specific air sampling was conducted, this work provides the only systematic measurements, to our knowledge, of ambient PAHs after the WTC disaster.
Metastatic cancer DNA phenotype identified in normal tissues surrounding metastasizing prostate carcinomas
Authors: Malins Donald C. , Gilman Naomi K. , Green Virginia M. , Wheeler Thomas M. , Barker Edward A. , Vinson Mark A. , Sayeeduddin Mohammad , Hellström Karl Erik , Anderson Katie M.
Published: July 2004

Fourier transform-infrared statistical models have the proven ability to identify subtle structural changes in DNA at various stages of tumor development. Using these models, we show evidence for a metastatic cancer DNA phenotype in histologically normal prostate tissues surrounding metastasizing tumors. Strikingly, the DNA base and backbone structures of the metastatic phenotype are indistinguishable from those of the metastasizing prostate tumors but distinctly different from the structure recently reported for the primary cancer DNA phenotype. These findings suggest that the DNA structure linked to the development of metastasis is preordained in progenitor cells relatively early in multistep tumorigenesis. The substantial structural differences found between the primary and metastatic cancer DNA phenotypes suggest that each evolves through a separate pathway. The metastatic phenotype is potentially an early predictor of metastatic disease. Interventions that inhibit its formation would be expected to also inhibit the development of metastatic tumors.
EC_oligos: automated and whole-genome primer design for exons within one or between two genomes
Authors: Liu Shaolin , Tinker Nicholas A. , Molnar Stephen J. , Mather Diane E.
Published: July 2004

Summary: EC_oligos designs oligonucleotides (oligos) from exons of annotated genomic sequence information. It can automatically and rapidly select oligos that are conserved between two sets of sequence data, and can pair up oligos for use as PCR primers. It can do this on a whole-genome scale and according to user-defined criteria.

Availability: The source code, executable program and user manual are available at ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk/pub/software/dos/EC_oligos/.
SelSim: a program to simulate population genetic data with natural selection and recombination
Authors: Spencer Chris C. A. , Coop Graham
Published: July 2004

Summary: SelSim is a program for Monte Carlo simulation of DNA polymorphism data for a recombining region within which a single bi-allelic site has experienced natural selection. SelSim allows simulation from either a fully stochastic model of, or deterministic approximations to, natural selection within a coalescent framework. A number of different mutation models are available for simulating surrounding neutral variation. The package enables a detailed exploration of the effects of different models and strengths of selection on patterns of diversity. This provides a tool for the statistical analysis of both empirical data and methods designed to detect natural selection.

Availability:  http://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/mathgen/software.html

Supplementary information:  http://www.stats.ox.ac.uk/mathgen/software.html
Microarray Data Analysis Toolbox (MDAT): for normalization, adjustment and analysis of gene expression data
Authors: Knowlton Nicholas , Dozmorov Igor M. , Centola Michael
Published: July 2004

Summary: We introduce a novel Matlab toolbox for microarray data analysis. This toolbox uses normalization based upon a normally distributed background and differential gene expression based on five statistical measures. The objects in this toolbox are open source and can be implemented to suit your application.

Availability: MDAT v1.0 is a Matlab toolbox and requires Matlab to run. MDAT is freely available at http://microarray.omrf.org/publications/2004/knowlton/MDAT.zip
ORFcurator: molecular curation of genes and gene clusters in prokaryotic organisms
Authors: Rosenfeld Jeffrey A. , Sarkar Indra N. , Planet Paul J. , Figurski David H. , DeSalle Rob
Published: July 2004

Summary: The ability to detect clusters of functionally related genes in multiple microbial genomes has enormous potential for enhancing studies on gene function and microbial evolution. The staggering amount of new genome sequence data presents a largely untapped resource for gene cluster discovery. To date, gene cluster analysis has not been fully automated, and one must rely on manual, tedious and time-consuming manipulation of sequences. To facilitate accurate and rapid identification of conserved gene clusters, we developed a database-driven web application, called ORFcurator. We used ORFcurator to find clusters containing any genes similar to those of the 14-gene Widespread Colonization Island of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. From 126 genomes, ORFcurator identified all 73 clusters previously determined by manual searching.

Availability: ORFcurator and all associated scripts are freely available as supplementary information.

Supplementary information:  http://www.genomecurator.org/ORFcurator/
GeneNetwork: an interactive tool for reconstruction of genetic networks using microarray data
Authors: Wu Chia-Chin , Huang Hsuan-Cheng , Juan Hsueh-Fen , Chen Shui-Tein
Published: July 2004

Summary: Inferring genetic network architecture from time series data generated from high-throughput experimental technologies, such as cDNA microarray, can help us to understand the system behavior of living organisms. We have developed an interactive tool, GeneNetwork, which provides four reverse engineering models and three data interpolation approaches to infer relationships between genes. GeneNetwork enables a user to readily reconstruct genetic networks based on microarray data without having intimate knowledge of the mathematical models. A simple graphical user interface enables rapid, intuitive mapping and analysis of the reconstructed network allowing biologists to explore gene relationships at the system level.

Availability: Download from http://genenetwork.sbl.bc.sinica.edu.tw/

Supplementary information: Supplement documentation of algorithms for the four approaches is downloadable at the above location.
Multiple terminologies: an obstacle to information retrieval
Authors: McCulloch Emma
Published: July 2004

An issue currently at the forefront of digital library research is the prevalence of disparate terminologies and the associated limitations imposed on user searching. It is thought that semantic interoperability is achievable by improving the compatibility between terminologies and classification schemes, enabling users to search multiple resources simultaneously and improve retrieval effectiveness through the use of associated terms drawn from several schemes. This column considers the terminology issue before outlining various proposed methods of tackling it, with a particular focus on terminology mapping.
From reference library to information service: services in danger
Authors: Duckett Bob
Published: July 2004

For over a century, a reference department, or separate reference library, was a standard feature of public libraries. Now, reference departments are being replaced by information services of various kinds and reference librarians have become an endangered species. But an information service is not a reference library. While much has been gained, much, also, has been lost. Six elements of traditional reference work are highlighted as under threat, or worse. Such losses are impoverishing our services and standing.
The changing face of India (2): knowledge management for digital preservation
Authors: Nikam Khaiser , Ganesh A.C. , Tamizhchelvan M.
Published: July 2004

Previously, the authors have indicated how the use of information and communications technology in India has encouraged rural development: the promotion oft digital libraries, e‐business, e‐learning and e‐governance have been effective ways of starting to bridge the digital divide in the sub‐continent. This follow‐up paper outlines traditional collections of significant cultural material in India which, once national information technology and knowledge management strategies are fully achieved, could form part of a digitally preserved national heritage collection.
The American Juvenile Collection: a historical study
Authors: O’Neill Uhl Jean
Published: July 2004

The American Juvenile Collection, beginning in 1976 and continually growing, is an important Children's Literature Research Collection. It contains juvenile fiction, poetry, fairy tales and folktales published in the USA between 1910 and 1960, a unique period in publishing due largely to sociological factors. This 6,000‐volume special collection, largely first editions, is distinctive and invaluable to both researchers and juvenile literature enthusiasts. This paper describes the inception, development, and current function of this collection, housed at the C.W. Post Campus Library, Long Island University.
Developing a consortial shared approval plan for monographs
Authors: Warner Curl Margo , Zeoli Michael
Published: July 2004

The libraries of the four CONSORT Colleges (Denison University, Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University, and The College of Wooster) are working together to build a broader collection of library materials with less duplication. One mechanism has been the creation of a shared approval plan, developed in partnership with their approval plan vendor, YBP Library Services. Both the libraries and the vendor faced opportunities and challenges in developing a plan that would be easy to implement, accommodate the various internal selection and acquisitions procedures, maximize the use of vendor services, and support the project goal. The lessons learned and the methodologies developed by this experimental project provide a promising model for monographic cooperative collection projects in a consortial setting.
Collection development in California Indian tribal libraries
Authors: Peterson Elizabeth
Published: July 2004

The tribal library is a community center that serves the unique information needs of a Native American community. A tribal library can be a kind of public library for the community, an education and literacy center, as well as an archive that records and preserves the heritage of a tribe. However, tribal libraries typically struggle with inadequate and unstable funding, and in California are often denied the benefits of resource‐sharing agreements within library networks. Tribal library collection development also presents special challenges in terms of identifying, locating and acquiring the materials most needed. This paper provides guidelines for selection of materials, suggestions for sources of Native American materials with an emphasis on California Indians, as well as selected titles for California tribal libraries.
Recent lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender fiction for teens: are Canadian public libraries providing adequate collections?
Authors: Hilton Boon Michele , Howard Vivian
Published: July 2004

Analyzes selected Canadian public libraries' holdings of young adult fiction with gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender content published between 1998 and 2002 in order to measure access to such fiction and to determine whether any evidence of bias on the part of selectors exists. Identifies 35 titles published between 1998 and 2002, a slight decrease from the previous five‐year period. These titles attracted 34 percent fewer reviews per title as compared to a randomly selected control group of non‐lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender fiction for teens (LGBT) titles. On average, in the nine Canadian public libraries studied, significantly fewer copies of each LGBT title were held, as compared to the list of control titles. Without further investigation, the paper could not conclude whether this difference constitutes evidence of significant bias on the part of selectors. However, the data do show that certain libraries are significantly more likely to purchase the control titles that the LGBT titles, and that access to these titles varies according to one's location in Canada.
Progressing the rights to light debate – Part 1: a review of current practice
Authors: Chynoweth Paul
Published: July 2004

This study introduces a series of articles which respond to Pitts' call for a debate into current rights to light practice. It summarises relevant areas of law as well as current measurement and valuation practices in this area. Describes the Waldram methodology, grumble point, fifty‐fifty rule and the concept of equivalent first zone loss. It also shows how these concepts are used to determine the amount of damages payable where a right to light has been infringed and calls for others to contribute to the debate proposed by Pitts.
Electrical properties of Portland cement, with the addition of polypropylene fibres – regarding durability
Authors: Richardson A.E.
Published: July 2004

This paper makes a comparison between the electrical properties of cement grout with and without monofilament polypropylene fibre additions. The findings show a small, but significant difference between the electrolytic transport properties of cement grout with monofilament polypropylene fibre additions when compared to grout without fibre additions. The grout with fibre additions suggests a reduced probability of water and ion transmission, due to higher measured resistivity, which will result in enhanced durability and lower life cycle costs. Durability of reinforced concrete structures, is known to be closely linked to the water permeability of the concrete matrix. This potential trend for enhanced durability can be added to the other benefits of using monofilament polypropylene fibre in concrete, such as low absorption, freeze/thaw resistance, fire resistance and micro reinforcement.
Analysing the intangible benefits of work space
Authors: Nenonen Suvi
Published: July 2004

Social work space is emerging as a major avenue for sharing knowledge and the creation of social capital. Social space and physical space needs to be in balance. Virtual space must also be included in this mix. The physical work environment can support the new sense of place and space in the knowledge work. This paper discusses how to use tangible assets to make intangible social space perform better. In this paper the problem is approached by analysing the balance between physical, social and virtual space. The method used is based on “type” analysis, which uses the structure of a four‐quadrant model based on twin axis for the knowledge production circle. The focus is on the space needed in different phases of creating knowledge. The results of the pilot test show that work environments tend to support explicit knowledge sharing but fail to support tacit knowledge exchange.
Relating building attributes to end user's needs: “the owners‐designers‐end users” equation
Authors: Kaya Sezgin
Published: July 2004

This paper reports on the results of a research conducted in 2002 on two owner‐occupied purpose‐built office buildings with similar concerns on how to make the buildings and facilities work for the organisation in its life cycle. The research focused on the two different approaches to demand‐supply‐end user chain from two companies and investigated innovative processes by which client organisations (also owners) consider robust solutions of employee performance and user manageability. Using the case study material, processes by which the owners and designers or facilities managers translate user needs into operational performance requirements were appraised. The project investigated aspects of building‐in‐use, with walk‐through evaluation and workshops to draw out lessons and conclusions for clients, facilities managers and designers.
The innovative workplace: an analytical model focusing on the relationship between spatial and organisational issues
Authors: Lindahl Göran A.
Published: July 2004

This paper presents a research based analytical model that supports the planning of workspace and to contribute to the discussion on how to achieve efficient work places. The research behind this paper aims to develop knowledge regarding the planning and design of work places. Through literature studies, case study research and action research projects the paper considers in what way spatial issues matter in organisations. By relating the various aspects of the analytical model it is possible to illustrate how focus and perspectives change during organisational and workspace changes. A need for new professional roles and processes for workplace design is noted. It is argued that the relationship between the organisation and the workspace should be a continuous process of design. The paper contributes to the process of workspace planning by giving a new insight into the traditional aspects of work environmental issues and metaphoric/symbolic qualities. This is useful for external consultants and facilities managers alike.
Facilities management in South East Asia
Authors: Moore Mike , Finch Edward
Published: July 2004

The purpose of this paper is to provide an insight into the growth stage of facilities management (FM) in the South East Asia region. A questionnaire study of local and international firms operating in South East Asia was used. South East Asia needs to open up to change, particularly with respect to parity in issues of global competition in FM standards. This study is based on a limited sample size using a self‐reporting methodology. Further research is needed to further investigate the findings. This paper addresses a unique insight into the contrasting approach to FM in the South East Asia region.
Developing economy banking: the case of Islamic banks
Authors: Ghannadian Farhad F. , Goswami Gautam
Published: July 2004

By 2003, there was a total of 176 Islamic banks around the globe with their total assets close to $147 billion. This article shows that this form of specialized banking may help in promoting growth in these developing economies. During the transition phase of a developing growth economy to a full fledged market based economy many structural changes are required in its financial institutions, especially since the role of a financial intermediary in supplying funds to growing new industries is crucial. At the same time, the potential for destabilization resulting from improper resource allocation, due to either faulty risk assessment or the design of the contract, could be significant. Also, this article examines the implementation of an Islamic banking system and how Islamic banks can provide liquidity and aid in the money creation process through offering transactions accounts with compensation for inflation to risk‐avoiding depositors.
Determinants of household food security
Authors: Iram Uzma , Butt Muhammad S.
Published: July 2004

Food security is a broad concept, encompassing issues related to the nature, quality, and security of the food supply as well as issues of food access. The world has been facing a paradox of widespread food insecurity and malnutrition amid net food surpluses. Increased food supplies do not automatically enhance access to food by the poorer groups of society. Food security measures alone may have a limited effect on the nutritional well being of individuals, unless the reinforcing detrimental linkages between food insecurity, disease, poor sanitation and inadequate education are addressed. Current theory holds that good nutrition for pre‐schoolers depends on household food security, an adequate health environment, and adequate maternal and childcare. Pakistan is a low‐income developing country with a per capita income of US$443, one of the lowest in the world. Pakistan is not a food insecure country. It generally has the economic ability to import the required food. This paper considers the main features of determinants of food security in Pakistan, particularly household economy assessment, and looks at what conclusions can realistically be drawn out of analysis when conducted within a conceptual framework.
Fiscal and monetary multipliers under imperfect competition
Authors: Yannelis Demetrius C.
Published: July 2004

A simple IS‐LM model under imperfect competition and increasing returns is examined. It is shown that when firms maximize profits the values of the fiscal and monetary policy multipliers are smaller than their respective ones under perfect competition. If firms follow a cost‐plus pricing rule, then the values of the multipliers increase but they are still less than their corresponding ones under perfect competition. In both cases the values of the multipliers approach those in the standard IS‐LM model as the mark‐up factor tends to infinity.
Ethics and economic theory
Authors: Alam Choudhury Masudul , Ziaul Hoque Mohammad
Published: July 2004

The theme of micro‐foundation of economic theory has not been adequately addressed. This is true even of those who pioneered the area of micro‐foundation of macro‐economics. The great missing link in economic theory, both of micro‐economics and macro‐economics, is the inability to methodologically integrate ethical and moral values through preference mapping. This missing methodology disables the study of institutions, policy formulation and normative statements of structural transformation. On the other hand, such issues are once again haunting the human race in the murky and troubled global relations today – from capitalism to war to governance. This paper addresses the preference mapping and embedding of ethical and moral issues as endogenous dynamics in economic theory. The approach is rigorous and methodological.
New service development: a network perspective
Authors: Syson Fiona , Perks Helen
Published: July 2004

This paper generates a network perspective of the development of new services. Service development within a network environment is at an early stage of understanding and has received little attention. The authors contribute to greater understanding of the new service development process by conceptually developing and integrating two themes: the development of new services and the innovation process within networks, rooted in the study of industrial networks. The conceptual discussion is further strengthened by a case study of network‐based new service development in the financial services sector.
Critical service quality encounters on the Web: an exploratory study
Authors: Sweeney Jillian C. , Lapp Wade
Published: July 2004

Following the proliferation of e‐commerce and the Internet, there has been increasing interest in the evaluation of Web sites. However, most research on service quality evaluation has focused on people‐based services, rather than technologically‐based services. Specifically there is a paucity of research addressing service quality offered through Web sites. This paper addresses this issue by exploring critical factors in Web site service quality perceptions, using the critical incident technique. The paper further evaluates whether the same factors contribute to high and low quality perceptions. Additionally, the paper investigates the effect of the customer's search behavior while visiting the Web site (goal directed or experiential) on service quality perceptions. Implications for managers are addressed.
A marketing‐relevant framework for understanding service worker productivity
Authors: Dobni Dawn
Published: July 2004

This paper presents a framework for understanding and analyzing the productivity of service workers. Based on findings in the multidisciplinary literature, it provides a working model for services managers that: recognizes that the definition of productivity may vary across service jobs, acknowledges that there are different levers for maximizing productivity in different contexts, and indicates that managing productivity needs to be viewed as a task for marketing, not just the organization's internal functions. The purview and implications of each component of the framework are discussed, together with some marketing‐based suggestions for productivity improvement.
Accounting and theology, an introduction
Authors: McPhail Ken , Gorringe Tim , Gray Rob
Published: July 2004

Presents an introduction to the articles in “Theological perspectives in accounting”, a special issue with the objectives of exploring whether a theological take on accounting is possible and if so, beginning an investigation into the insights that might be gained from a Judeo‐Christian reading of accounting in particular. Briefly outlines the initial motivations in undertaking the editorship of this special issue.
Accounting, love and justice
Authors: McKernan John Francis , Kosmala MacLullich Katarzyna
Published: July 2004

This paper analyses what is seen as a crisis of authority in financial reporting. It considers the view that an element of authority may be restored to accounting through communicative reason. The paper argues that the justice‐oriented rationality of traditional, Habermasian, communicative ethics is incapable of providing a solid foundation for the re‐authorisation of financial reporting. The paper argues that a more adequate foundation might be found in an enlarged communicative ethics that allows space to the other of justice‐oriented reason. The inspiration for the enlargement is found in Ricoeur's analysis of narrative, his exploration of its role in the figuration of identity, and in his biblical hermeneutics which reveals the necessity of an active dialectic of love and justice.
Accounting and liberation theology
Authors: Gallhofer Sonja , Haslam Jim
Published: July 2004

Critical social analysis seeks, amongst other things, to delineate and foster more emancipatory types of discipline and practice. In so doing, it appropriately turns to and can come to be informed and influenced by a broad range of subject areas and empirical focuses, including some that substantially parallel its own emancipatory project. The concern of this article is to explore the case of liberation theology as a social discipline and practice, including as a practice attending to the spiritual and theological. The article's intervention is consistent with the inspirational and insightful character of the theological and reflection upon religious beliefs and values. The concern is to reflect upon the possibilities and potentialities of analysis for accounting. The article explores the sense in which a review of liberation theology can provide critical researchers concerned to locate and promote a more emancipatory accounting with new insights and inspiration.
Objects and the production of technological forms of life
Authors: Lowe Alan
Published: July 2004

Objects are produced within, and simultaneously affect, the process of organizing as a consequence of their interaction within social collectives. This paper discusses the impact and influences of the growth of post‐social relations, between human and technological objects, on social and organisational arrangements. The paper presents a discussion largely at the conceptual level and draws from a variety of literatures, including the burgeoning sociology of science literature. The discussion in this paper is based on a view that posits the growth of intimate links with epistemic objects within organisations and society. Organising through networks of post‐social relations increasingly comes to affect the manner in which differing groups of organisational participants, and particularly various categories of knowledge workers, experience time and spatial arrangements within organisations.
Transitional and quasi‐objects in organization studies
Authors: Carr Adrian , Downs Alexis
Published: July 2004

It is proposed to examine how these two different models of human relations – that of Winnicott and Serres – illuminate features of contemporary organizational life. With these models, one can view recent scandals in the USA, specifically the implosion of the energy firm, Enron. Previous accounts of Enron emphasize the manipulations of income and accounting irregularities; however, it is suggested that the accounting manipulations illuminate features of human relations within and outside the economic firm. As a case study, Enron provides a good example of how the object theories of Winnicott and Serres illuminate aspects of behavior in our contemporary organizations and address problems of postmodernity. Andrew Fastow, former CFO of Enron, is the postmodern subject with pathological splitting behavior. Enron is the playground where Fastow played with quasi‐objects among other postmodern subjects. Enron is also the site where the circulation of quasi‐objects in the form of SPEs suddenly ceased.
Linkages and entrainment
Authors: Letiche Hugo , Hagemeijer Rouven E.
Published: July 2004

Entrainment is a theory of causality wherein different but proximate actants are tied to one another in complementary rhythms. Entrainment proposes a naturalism of interrelatedness. Manuel DeLanda has explored the logic of social entrainment. Opposing assumptions are found in Actor Network Theory. ANT merges the sociology of knowledge and an analysis of power into a theory of pragmatic causality. Social causality is in ANT (micro‐) politically constructed. The goal of this paper is to examine entrainment as a generative theory of social construction wherein linkages of ideas, persons, actions, events and objects, unlike in ANT's translation are not saturated by (principles of) social power. Illustrations of how entrainment and ANT hold up in practice are provided.
Parasite logic
Authors: Brown Steven D.
Published: July 2004

Through the use of the concept of the parasite, a new way of thinking about communication and our sociality is presented. Communication can be seen as the mutual effort of excluding the unwanted third, that is the noise, the parasite. Sociality is to be conceived of as the circulation of a general equivalent (the quasi‐object) that functions as a marker of subjectivity.
Match your merger integration strategy and leadership style to your merger type
Authors: Lind Barbara , Stevens John
Published: July 2004

For any manager planning the integration of two businesses after a merger/acquisition, this article provides a methodology you can use to customize your approach. To be successful, the leaders must match their decisions and behaviors to the type of merger they are managing. Leadership style and actions do make a difference. Many “dos and don’ts” are cited. Successfully merging companies, especially those where people and relationships are all important, calls for a more thoughtful, creative and differentiated approach to integration. In contrast, a fast, decisive and highly directive (even autocratic) approach works best in situations where the two entities make similar products or share many customer segments.