bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microsystem for the immunomagnetic detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Mujika M. , Arana S. , Castaño E. , Tijero M. , Vilares R. , Ruano‐López J. M. , Cruz A. , Sainz L. , Berganza J.
Published: May 2008

A hand held microsystem has been designed for the immunomagnetic detection and quantification of the pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food and clinical samples (see abstract figure). In this work a technology that facilitates the integration of 3D microfluidic networks with any microfabricated biosensor to manufacture a Lab On a Chip has been developed. With this aim, the design of the microfluidic circuitry, the sensing film optimization, the packaging needed to carry out the assays in a safe and straightforward way and, finally, the development of the biological protocols involved in the measurements have been completed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
One‐pot preparation of gold–elastomer nanocomposites using PDMS‐graft‐PEO copolymer micelles as nanoreactors
Authors: Hoppe C. E. , Rodríguez‐Abreu C. , Lazzari M. , López‐Quintela M. A. , Solans C.
Published: May 2008

PDMS/gold elastomeric nanocomposites were obtained in a one‐pot process based on the use of micelles of a random graft amphiphilic copolymer as reducing nanoreactors for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles within the elastomeric matrix. Optical characteristics of the nanocomposites were very dependent on the composition of the sample, which affected the size and aggregation level of the nanoparticles. Homogeneous dispersions of spherical nanoparticles were obtained for high copolymer/metal solution ratios and low copolymer concentrations. The optical clarity of the materials was retained after polymerization, which is fundamental for optical applications. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Size related transport mechanisms in hybrid metal–polymer nanowires
Authors: Gence L. , Callegari V. , Faniel S. , Vlad A. , Dutu C. , Melinte S. , Demoustier‐Champagne S. , Bayot V.
Published: May 2008

Electrical transport data for hybrid metal‐polypyrrole nanowires of various diameters are presented and analyzed. Measurements were performed on both multiple nanowires – embedded within polycarbonate templates – and single nanowires down to low temperature T = 4 K. All samples exhibit symmetrical and linear current–voltage (I –V) characteristics at room temperature. Below 77 K, all samples with diameters above 40 nm present nonlinear I–V characteristics and a zero‐current plateau at 4 K. The three‐dimensional Mott variable‐range‐hopping model provides a complete framework for the understanding of their behavior. In contrast, the transport mechanism changes for the 40 nm nanowire samples which exhibit a power‐law T ‐dependence of the resistance, indicative of the critical regime of disorder‐induced metal‐insulator transitions. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
First‐principle approach to the study of spin relaxation times of excited electrons in metals
Authors: Zhukov V. P. , Chulkov E. V. , Echenique P. M.
Published: May 2008

We have developed a first‐principle method of calculating the spin–lattice relaxation time of excited electrons in metals based on the GW approach incorporating spin–orbit coupling. We have studied the spin–lattice relaxation time and path in Al, Cu, Au, Nb and Ta. The spin–lattice relaxation time and path in Nb appear to be much less than in Al, Cu, Au. They are particularly small in Ta, in accord with strong spin–orbit coupling.

Comparing our results with experimental data on the impurity‐ and phonon‐induced spin relaxation times and path's, we find that at the energy about of 0.9 eV, which is typical for excited electrons in spin‐valve and magnetic‐tunnel transistors, the inelastic scattering accompanied by creation of electron–hole pairs is the dominating mechanism of spin–lattice relaxation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Supramolecular chemistry in two dimensions: self‐assembly and dynamic function
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko , Hill Jonathan P. , Wakayama Yutaka
Published: May 2008

Nanosciences and nanotechnologies using organic molecules rely strongly on bottom‐up fabrication. In particular, versatile methods for control of molecular arrangement at a solid surface, which would include the crucial self‐assembling processes of functional molecules in two‐dimensions, are anticipated. On the other hand, gas–liquid interfaces, such as the air–water interface, provide motional freedom for embedded molecules, leading to novel dynamic functions. We have recently focused on research involving molecular recognition, self‐assembly, and molecular patterning at solid surfaces and at the air–water interface. These research subjects can be collectively categorized as “supramolecular chemistry in two dimensions”. In this feature article, we will briefly outline our recent research activities in self‐assembly and dynamic functionality in two dimensions, including control of molecular arrangement at solid surfaces, two‐dimensional molecular patterning, and dynamic molecular recognition. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Formulation and properties' evaluation of PVC/(dioctyl phthalate)/(epoxidized rubber seed oil) plastigels
Authors: Balköse Devrim , Egbuchunam Theresa O. , Okieimen Felix E.
Published: May 2008

Epoxidized rubber seed oil (4.5% oxirane content, ERSO) was prepared by treating the oil with peracetic acid generated in situ by reacting glacial acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. The thermal behavior of the ERSO was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the epoxidized oil on the thermal stability of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) plastigels, formulated to contain dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer and various amounts of the epoxidized oil, was evaluated by using discoloration indices of the polymer samples degraded at 160°C for 30 min and thermogravimetry at a constant heating rate of 10°C/min up to 600°C. The thermal behavior of the ERSO was characterized by endothermic peaks at about 150°C, which were attributed to the formation of network structures via epoxide groups, and at temperatures above 300°C, which were due to the decomposition of the material. Up to 50% of the DOP plasticizer in the PVC plastisol formulation could be substituted by ERSO without a marked deleterious effect on the consistency of the plastigel formed. In the presence of the epoxidized oil, PVC plastigel samples showed a marked reduction in discoloration and the number of conjugated double bonds, as well as high temperatures for the attainment of specific extents of degradation. These results showed that the ERSO retarded/inhibited thermal dehydrochlorination and the formation of long (n > 6) polyene sequences in PVC plastigels. The plasticizer efficiency/permanence of ERSO in PVC/DOP plastigels was evaluated from mechanical properties' measurements, leaching/migration tests, and water vapor permeability studies. The results showed that a large proportion of DOP could be substituted by ERSO in a PVC plastisol formulation without deleterious effects on the properties of the plastigels. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Glucoside/(UV absorber) mixtures as photostabilizers for rigid PVC
Authors: Rabie S.T. , Nada A.A.
Published: May 2008

Mixtures of the UV absorbers (UVAs) 4‐hydroxybenxophenone, 2,4‐dihydroxybenzophenone, and phenyl salicylate with their corresponding glucosides were used as photostabilizers for rigid PVC under irradiation by a high‐pressure mercury lamp. The mixtures exhibited stabilizing effects that were strong and synergistic, as revealed by increased induction times for HCI evolution, decreased rates of dehydrochlorination, decreased weight losses, and reduced extents of discoloration. Maximum synergism was obtained by using a glucoside/UVA weight ratio of 50/50, but all weight ratios studied gave better stabilization than either the UVAs or the glucosides used alone. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Absence of the cotton dust/bract antigen in house dust, clean cotton fibers and cottonseed hulls and proteins
Authors: Sekul A. A. , Ory R. L.
Published: May 2008

Aqueous extracts of cotton dust and cotton bract induced the formation of antibodies in rabbits. The antisera cross‐reacted with both extracts as well as with extracts of stem, leaf, baled cotton, and gin trash. No reaction was obtained with extracts of cottonseed hulls, cottonseed proteins, noncontaminated cotton fibers, or house dust. None of the anitgens reacted with normal rabbit serum.
Hydrotropic action of a diacid
Authors: Cox J. M. , Friberg S. E.
Published: May 2008

An investigation to evaluate the mechanism of the hydrotropic action of a long chain diacid was made by determining the coassociation structures with a straight chain amphiphilic molecule of sufficient size to form long range order structures. The hydrotropic mechanism was found in the transition of a liquid crystalline struture to an isotropic solution. The mechanism was identical for aqueous solutions and water‐poor inverse micellar solutions.
An Analysis of the Formation and Failure Rates of Minority-Owned Firms
Authors: Ando Faith H.
Published: May 2008

This article primarily investigates the applicability of principles of industrial organization to an understanding of the formation and failure process of minority-owned firms. Among these principles are that formation will be high (and failure low) when a firm is located in a high growth industry, a high growth geographic locale, and an industry with low capital intensity and low concentration. The article also evaluates whether some of the hypotheses from the minority literature, such as the impact of SBA loans to minorities, also contribute to an explanation of the formation and failure process.
Why Should Black-Owned Businesses Hire Predominately Black Labor Forces?
Authors: Brown Lorenzo
Published: May 2008

In the past, black-owned businesses appear to have hired a predominately black labor force. This article questions if incentives exist for them to continue to do so in the future. Various discrimination incentives are discussed and largely dismissed. It is concluded that the qualifications for gaining access to set-aside contracts and subsidies do provide incentives for black-owned businesses to hire a predominately black labor force.
Race and Sex Differences in the Effects of Early Unemployment on Wages
Authors: Hills Stephen M.
Published: May 2008

Youth unemployment is shown to have significant depressing effects on black long-run earnings over and above the loss in work experience which accompanies unemployment. Estimates were similar for men and women, showing that for each week of unemployment black youth incurred early in their work careers, wages were reduced by about one half a percentage point five years later. A six month bout with unemployment in 1979 was related to a 13 percent drop in wage rates five years later. For white youth, joblessness, but not unemployment per se, had a significant negative impact on subsequent wage rates.
Labor Market Segmentation and Relative Black/White Teenage Birth Rates
Authors: Mccrate Elaine
Published: May 2008

Teenage mothers typically have lower educational attainment than other women. Most observers have argued that this is a major reason for their greater risk of poverty. This article takes the opposite view: that circumstances associated with poverty contribute to a greater likelihood of teenage childbearing. In particular, poor educational quality and the chances of secondary sector employment are more common for black women, regardless of their age at first birth. Hence the payoffs to education may be quite low for these women, which may be the reason for early motherhood. This argument is presented in terms of segmented labor market theory. Data to support it is presented from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Other common explanations of teenage motherhood are critiqued.
Human Capital: A Critique
Authors: Steinberg Stephen , Darity William
Published: May 2008

The human capital approach increasingly has been absorbed within the folds of cultural determinism. The trend has been so pronounced that it prompted the organization of a session at the December 1984 American Economic Association meetings in Dallas, Texas, entitled “Human Capital and Culture: Analyses of Variations in Labor Market Performance.” The papers from that session are available in the May 1985 issue of the American Economic Review. One of the discussants for the session was Stephen Steinberg, a sociologist at Queens College. Steinberg was invited to comment on the presented papers for two major reasons—first, he had written an outstanding study that debunked many of the conventional linkages made between culture and ethnic achievement, The Ethnic Myth, and second, as a sociologist, he was expected to provide a perspective on the subject quite different from the rest of the panelists, all of whom were economists. In the midst of the coven of economists, Steinberg appeared well armed. He arrived with his own paper, a paper that went far beyond comments on the presented papers. Unfortunately, the current rules governing the inclusion of papers in the AEA proceedings prohibit publication of the discussants’ remarks. Fortunately, Steinberg graciously has consented to have the paper appear in the Review of Black Political Economy.
Transdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human fetal lung to hepatocyte‐like cells
Authors: Ling Lizhen , Ni Yanhong , Wang Qingling , Wang Hui , Hao Sha , Hu Yali , Jiang Wenqun , Hou Yayi
Published: May 2008

The great shortage of human hepatic cells makes it desirable to generate extrahepatic stem or precursor cells. In recent years, it has been reported that human multipotential mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells. The fetal lung is one of the largest organs containing many MSCs that can be easily obtained. Whether MSCs from fetal lung can differentiate into hepatocytes or bile duct cells is an important issue in basic medicine and clinical application. We isolated fetal lung cells, and expanded and analyzed them. At passage 4, their morphologic, immunophenotyping and cytokine secretions were similar to adult bone marrow‐derived MSCs. We conclude that these cells from fetal lung are MSCs, indicating that human fetal lung is an ideal source of hMSCs. hMSCs from fetal lung induced in special differentiation medium showed homogeneous and small polygonal endothelial‐like morphology, expressing weak mRNA, as well as Alb and AFP. This implies that hMSCs from fetal lung can differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells.
Properties of variational data assimilation for synthetic aperture radar wind retrieval
Authors: Choisnard Julien , Laroche Stéphane
Published: May 2008

The quality of marine wind vector retrieved from variational data assimilation (VAR) of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscatter observation is assessed. It is found that the observation is most sensitive to wind speed. The retrieved wind direction from VAR is largely influenced by background wind direction and most of the SAR observation variability is assigned to wind speed. Non‐linearity of the Geophysical Model Function (GMF) introduces wind speed bias, modulated by wind direction anisotropy (up‐downwind/crosswind difference). The examination of the background wind vector departure from observation reveals two regimes: a quasi‐linear response to wind direction for high background wind speed; and a rather monotonic response with two sharp transitions located at crosswind directions for low background wind speed. Information content of SAR observation is estimated using the entropy reduction approach, both analytically and from Monte‐Carlo simulations. Crosswind directions have the lowest information content and correspond to those where non‐linearity introduces largest discrepancies between analytic and Monte‐Carlo estimations. The linear approximation of the GMF needed in the incremental VAR formulation is examined. The retrieved winds using the incremental formulation are in good agreement with those using the non‐linear GMF. Monte‐Carlo simulations reveal specific situations, around sharp transitions at crosswind directions, where both linear and non‐linear VAR formulations may produce more noise than extract information form observations.
Intensification of preexisting auroral arc at substorm expansion phase onset: Wave‐like disruption during the first tens of seconds
Authors: Liang Jun , Donovan E. F. , Liu W. W. , Jackel B. , Syrjäsuo M. , Mende S. B. , Frey H. U. , Angelopoulos V. , Connors M.
Published: May 2008

With the deployment of the all‐sky imager array of the THEMIS mission, we were able to construct a preliminary database of auroral substorm expansion phase onsets, from which we have established a number of common features characterizing the first tens of seconds of the substorm auroral intensification. We find that the intensification occurs within ∼10 sec over an arc segment extending approximately 1 h MLT and featuring wave‐like formations distributed in longitude. The longitudinal wave number ranges between 100 and 300 such that the wavelength is comparable to the ion gyroradius in the central plasma sheet. The scale the intensification is about 10–30 sec. This study casts important observational constraints on substorm onset theories.
Comment: A new financial capitalism? Explaining the persistence of exit over voice in contemporary corporate governance
Authors: Jackson Gregory
Published: May 2008

Abstract The article ‘A New Finance Capitalism?’ raises an important paradox. Institutional investors are growing in size and the concentration of their stakes gives them potential influence over managers. Yet we observe an unexpected absence of shareholder activism and voice on the part of institutional investors in contemporary America. Concentration occurs without commitment. This comment further explores some reasons why today's largest investors seem resigned to or even to benefit from their relative passivity and preference of exit over voice. These reasons include conflicts of interest, market failures, lack of organizational capabilities, use of informal voice, and dependence of markets for corporate control. Corporate governance scholars have surprisingly little evidence on these topics, which suggest an important agenda for future research.
Motion of doped-polymer-cholesteric liquid crystal flakes in a direct-current electric field
Authors: Trajkovska Petkoska A. , Kosc T. Z. , Marshall K. L. , Hasman K. , Jacobs S. D.
Published: May 2008

The behavior of polymer cholesteric liquid crystal (PCLC) flakes suspended in silicone oil host fluids has been explored in the presence of a direct-current electric field. In addition to “neat” (undoped) flakes, the PCLC material was doped with either conductive, carbon-based particles or highly dielectric inorganic particles to modify the dielectric properties of the resulting PCLC flakes. Doping with conductive particles produced flakes with a net charge, and they exhibited either translational or rotational motion depending on both the distribution of dopant within the flake and the dielectric characteristics of the host fluid. Flakes doped with titania (TiO2) particles reoriented 90° when suspended in a host fluid with a differing dielectric permittivity.
Faradaic effects in all-organic transistors
Authors: Manohar Sanjeev K. , Fafadia Chintan , Saran Neerja , Rao Rashmi
Published: May 2008

Electrochemical (Faradaic) effects play an important role in the unusual field-effect phenomenon observed in an all-organic transistor-type device that use films of doped electronic polymers, such as polyaniline (emeraldine-HCl) and poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene polystyrene sulfonate, as the channel and gate. Small leakage currents through the dielectric are sufficient to affect reversible redox reactions in the polymer film in the active region of the device, i.e., where the channel and gate regions overlap. In the case of polyaniline, these redox reactions are accompanied by color changes corresponding to the different oxidation states of polyaniline that can be visually observed and also spectroscopically monitored.
Dynamics of the excitation of an upper hybrid wave by a rippled laser beam in magnetoplasma
Authors: Purohit Gunjan , Chauhan P. K. , Sharma R. P.
Published: May 2008

This paper presents the effects of a laser spike (superimposed on an intense laser beam) and a static magnetic field on the excitation of the upper hybrid wave (UHW) in a hot collisionless magnetoplasma, taking into account the relativistic nonlinearity. The laser beam is propagating perpendicular to the static magnetic field and has its electric vector polarized along the direction of the static magnetic field (ordinary mode). Analytical expressions for the growth rate of the ripple, the beam width of the rippled laser beam, and the UHW have been obtained. It is found that the coupling among the main laser beam, ripple, and UHW is strong. The ripple gets focused when the initial power of the laser beam is greater than the critical power for focusing. It has been shown that the presence of a laser spike affects significantly the growth rate and the dynamics of the UHW. In addition, it has been seen that the effect of changing the strength of the static magnetic field on the nonlinear coupling and on the dynamics of the excitation of the UHW is significant. The results are presented for typical laser plasma parameters.
Hydraulic flow through a channel contraction: Multiple steady states
Authors: Akers Benjamin , Bokhove Onno
Published: May 2008

We have investigated shallow water flows through a channel with a contraction by experimental and theoretical means. The horizontal channel consists of a sluice gate and an upstream channel of constant width b0 ending in a linear contraction of minimum width bc. Experimentally, we observe upstream steady and moving bores/shocks, and oblique waves in the contraction, as single and multiple (steady) states, as well as a steady reservoir with a complex hydraulic jump in the contraction occurring in a small section of the bc∕b0 and Froude number parameter plane. One-dimensional hydraulic theory provides a comprehensive leading-order approximation, in which a turbulent frictional parametrization is used to achieve quantitative agreement. An analytical and numerical analysis is given for two-dimensional supercritical shallow water flows. It shows that the one-dimensional hydraulic analysis for inviscid flows away from hydraulic jumps holds surprisingly well, even though the two-dimensional oblique hydraulic jump patterns can show large variations across the contraction channel.
Sequence effects on the forced translocation of heteropolymers through a small channel
Authors: Gauthier Michel G. , Slater Gary W.
Published: May 2008

By using a recently developed Monte Carlo algorithm and an exact numerical method, we calculate the translocation probability and the average translocation time for charged heterogeneous polymers driven through a nanopore by an external electric field. The heteropolymer chains are composed of two types of monomers (A and B) which differ only in terms of their electric charge. We present an exhaustive study of chains composed of eight monomers by calculating the average translocation time associated with the 256 possible arrangements for various ratios of the monomer charges (λA∕λB) and electric field intensities E. We find that each sequence leads to a unique value of the translocation probability and time. We also show that the distribution of translocation times is strongly dependent on the two forces felt by the monomers (∼λAE and ∼λBE). Finally, we present results that highlight the effect of having repetitive patterns by studying the translocation times of various block copolymer structures for a very long chain composed of N=218 monomers (all with the same number of A and B monomers).
Improved electrical properties of wafer-bonded p-GaAs/n-InP interfaces with sulfide passivation
Authors: Nakayama Keisuke , Tanabe Katsuaki , Atwater Harry A.
Published: May 2008

Sulfide-passivated GaAs and InP wafers were directly bonded to explore the efficiency of sulfide passivation on the bonded interfacial properties. We find that the bonded GaAs/InP interfaces after sulfide passivation contain sulfur atoms and a decreased amount of oxide species relative to the pairs bonded after conventional acid treatment; however, the residual sulfur atoms have no effect on the bonding strength. The electrical properties of the bonded p-GaAs/n-InP heterojunctions were studied for different acceptor concentrations in p-GaAs. A reduced interfacial trap state density enhances the tunnel current flow across the depletion layer in the sulfide-passivated case. A directly bonded tunnel diode with a heavily doped p-GaAs/n-InP heterojunction was achieved when the wafers were sulfide passivated and then bonded at temperatures as low as 300 °C. This sulfide-passivated tunnel diode can be used for fabrication of lattice-mismatched multijunction solar cells in which subcells are integrated via direct bonding.
Investigations of valanimycin biosynthesis: Elucidation of the role of seryl-tRNA
Authors: Garg Ram P. , Qian Xuelei L. , Alemany Lawrence B. , Moran Sean , Parry Ronald J.
Published: May 2008

The antibiotic valanimycin is a naturally occurring azoxy compound produced by
Streptomyces viridifaciens
MG456-hF10. Precursor incorporation experiments showed that valanimycin is derived from
l
-valine and
l
-serine via the intermediacy of isobutylamine and isobutylhydroxylamine. Enzymatic and genetic investigations led to the cloning and sequencing of the valanimycin biosynthetic gene cluster, which was found to contain 14 genes. A novel feature of the valanimycin biosynthetic gene cluster is the presence of a gene (
vlmL
) that encodes a class II seryl-tRNA synthetase. Previous studies suggested that the role of this enzyme is to provide seryl-tRNA for the valanimycin biosynthetic pathway. Here, we report the results of investigations to elucidate the role of seryl-tRNA in valanimycin biosynthesis. A combination of enzymatic and chemical studies has revealed that the VlmA protein encoded by the valanimycin biosynthetic gene cluster catalyzes the transfer of the seryl residue from seryl-tRNA to the hydroxyl group of isobutylhydroxylamine to produce the ester
O
-seryl-isobutylhydroxylamine. These findings provide an example of the involvement of an aminoacyl-tRNA in an antibiotic biosynthetic pathway.
Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptom Severity Associated with Tobacco Use?
Authors: Upadhyaya Himanshu P. , Carpenter Matthew J.
Published: May 2008

Several studies report a strong link between ADHD and tobacco use; however, the nature of this relationship is not entirely clear. We examined the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and tobacco use within a sample of college students. Although tobacco use was the main focus, we also examined alcohol and marijuana use. We examined the association between the number of ADHD symptoms endorsed (severity), and tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use in a convenience sample of 334 college students in the southeastern United States. Survey data were based on the annual Core Alcohol and Drug Survey for substance use, and the Current Symptom Scale (CSS) for ADHD, conduct disorder (CD), and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) symptoms. Among ever users of a substance, the number (severity) of current ADHD symptoms, including inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, were significantly associated with the frequency of tobacco and marijuana use in the past month and past year, as well as to the frequency of alcohol use in the past month. The results suggest that the number of ADHD symptoms is proportionally associated with tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use.
Translation from nonautonomous type IAP retrotransposon is a critical determinant of transposition activity: Implication for retrotransposon-mediated genome evolution
Authors: Saito Ei-suke , Keng Vincent W. , Takeda Junji , Horie Kyoji
Published: May 2008

Retrotransposons constitute a major component of the genome and their proliferation significantly impacts genome evolution. Retrotransposons can propagate autonomously or nonautonomously. Nonautonomous type transposition occurs through trans-complementation by autonomous type retrotransposons. While autonomous type retrotransposons have been studied extensively, the translation products from nonautonomous type retrotransposons are not well characterized. In a previous study, we isolated both autonomous and nonautonomous type intracisternal A particle (IAP) elements from the mouse genome and established a tissue culture assay to examine trans-complementation of nonautonomous type IAP element. Using this system in the present study, we determined an active role for the translation product from nonautonomous type IAP element. Point mutations that either eliminated or truncated the IAP protein were introduced and their effects on trans-complementation were examined. Trans-complementation efficiency correlated with the expression of nonautonomous type IAP protein. The effect of nonautonomous type IAP protein was observed only when it was provided in cis, suggesting an interaction of nonautonomous type IAP protein and its transcript immediately after transcription. Interaction of autonomous and nonautonomous type IAP proteins was demonstrated by immunostaining and coimmunoprecipitation assay. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which nonautonomous type IAP protein associates with its transcript, recruits autonomous type IAP protein, and promotes the assembly of transposition competent IAP particle. The active role of the nonautonomous type IAP protein revealed in this study may provide a new insight into retrotransposon proliferation within the genome.
Centres of calculation and unruly colonists: the colonial library in Singapore and its users, 1874‐1900
Authors: Luyt Brendan
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how the library management of the Raffles Library and Museum (the former name of the National Library of Singapore) positioned the library in relation to the wider colonial society of which it was a part. More widely, the aim is to explore the role of libraries within a colonial setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of historical research using archival materials.

Findings

The paper finds that the Raffles Library and Museum responded to the needs of two kinds of users: the potentially wayward colonist in need of “wholesome” recreation and the scientist/scholar involved in making Singapore a regional centre for the production of colonial knowledge.

Originality/value

While knowledge‐producing institutions such as botanical gardens, zoological parks, museums of natural and human history, as well as anthropological and geographical societies now feature prominently in discussions of British colonialism, the colonial library has been overlooked. This paper represents a start at bringing the colonial library into focus as an institutional node designed to sustain colonial endeavors.
Introduction to a special issue on digital libraries and the semantic web: context, applications and research
Authors: Macgregor George
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to introduce the papers in the special issue which explores some of the potential, opportunities and challenges to be found in greater library and information science alignment with semantic web developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a general review of the papers in the issue.

Findings

For many digital libraries or cultural institutions, the semantic web offers an opportunity to better expose valuable digital resources pertaining to research, culture or history, using common standards and technologies in a collaborative and “joined up” way. The papers in this issue “paint a rainbow”, exploring the issues through elements of case studies, reviews research and conceptual expositions and viewpoints.

Originality/value

The article emphasises how the practical implications of semantic web research or developments for digital libraries and repositories is important for LIS professionals.
Faceted infrastructure for semantic digital libraries
Authors: Prasad A.R.D. , Madalli Devika P.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to argue that digital library retrieval should be based on semantic representations and propose a semantic infrastructure for digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken is formal model based on subject representation for digital libraries.

Findings

Search engines and search techniques have fallen short of user expectations as they do not give context based retrieval. Deploying semantic web technologies would lead to efficient and more precise representation of digital library content and hence better retrieval. Though digital libraries often have metadata of information resources which can be accessed through OAI‐PMH, much remains to be accomplished in making digital libraries semantic web compliant. This paper presents a semantic infrastructure for digital libraries, that will go a long way in providing them and web based information services with products highly customised to users needs.

Research limitations/implications

Here only a model for semantic infrastructure is proposed. This model is proposed after studying current user‐centric, top‐down models adopted in digital library service architectures.

Originality/value

This paper gives a generic model for building semantic infrastructure for digital libraries. Faceted ontologies for digital libraries is just one approach. But the same may be adopted by groups working with different approaches in building ontologies to realise efficient retrieval in digital libraries.
Library and information science education in Rwanda
Authors: Wakhungu Olaka Musa
Published: May 2008

Purpose

To provide an overview of library and information science education in Rwanda.

Design/methodology/approach

Description mainly through personal experience.

Findings

The history of library manpower development in Rwanda has been turbulent. Establishing the first ever formal library and information science program has had many challenges. However, graduates from the program are slowly and steadily changing the library landscape in Rwanda.

Originality/value

Library and information science education in Rwanda has not been well documented and particularly challenges in faced in establishing a formal library and information science program.
Operational restructuring: reviving an ailing business
Authors: Lin Beixin , Lee Zu‐Hsu , Gibbs Lance G.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

When firms are dealing with negative earnings and/or economic downturns, operational restructuring is often initiated as a rescue tool. Some firms recover and prevail, while the others fail to survive and are subsequently delisted from stock exchange. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that are significantly associated with the delisting risk of restructuring firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on a sample of firms with negative earnings that undertook restructuring during the 2001 economic recession. Logistic regression estimation is used to examine the delisting risk of these firms following the restructuring.

Findings

The paper finds that delisting risk increases when firms undertake repetitive restructurings, massive workforce reduction, and large‐scale asset downsizing. Firms with high levels of debt and failure to cut costs and/or narrowing its focus on core competencies are also more likely to delist.

Practical implications

By analyzing and synthesizing the information from empirical data and business experience, this paper provides a guide for managers to effectively plan and implement a restructuring program to improve performance amid an economic downturn.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the survivability or delisting risk of a poorly performing firm undergoing restructuring amid an economic recession.
Implementing 5S within a Japanese context: an integrated management system
Authors: Gapp Rod , Fisher Ron , Kobayashi Kaoru
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Building on previous studies of the managerial application and development of the 5S concept (5S), this research aims to identify and present key concepts of 5S from a Japanese management perspective. These findings link 5S to aspects of Japanese management approach, which are aligned to an integrated management system rather than a simple management tool or technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from Japanese companies that use 5S as a core management approach and use their organisational web sites to disseminate information in regard to this practise. The data were examined by the use of computer‐aided lexical analysis (Leximancer), which provided an insight into the nature of 5S within the original Japanese context.

Findings

The research found several key concepts behind the Japanese approach to 5S management. These findings demonstrate the importance of both the technical (visible) and philosophical (invisible) approaches required for each of the 5S components and are discussed in a managerial rather than cultural framework.

Practical implications

The findings are important both theoretically and practically as they provide insight into the meaning and logic, applied to the application of the 5S management approach within its original environmental context.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the paper is derived from the holistic understanding of the application of 5S and its use as a problem‐solving intervention at the system or process level; a necessary initiating point within lean management philosophies. 5S within the context identified is the strategic platform for the managerial decisions required for the development of an integrated management system.
Theories, concepts and the Rugby World Cup: using management to understand sport
Authors: Adcroft Andy , Teckman Jon
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to consider the versatility of management theory by testing it in a non‐management context, in this case sport in general and the Rugby World Cup in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a theoretical discussion of performance and competitiveness into a conceptual model before using that model to analyse and discuss the causes of success and failure in the Rugby World Cup.

Findings

Understanding the outcome of sporting contests is a complex activity. In the examples discussed, success or failure is the product of both the internal characteristics of the contestants and the external conditions of the contest itself. The findings of the research are robust in their reliability and validity.

Originality/value

Originality lies in a number of areas. Theory is used to develop an original conceptual model and it is then tested in an original context. The value of the paper lies as much in the investigations it opens up as in the debates it closes.
Decision magnitude of impact and strategic decision‐making process output
Authors: Nooraie Mahmood
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of the rationality of the strategic decision‐making process between decision magnitude of impact and the quality of the decision process output.

Design/methodology/approach

From analysis of alternative research approaches, a field survey seems to be the most appropriate methodological choice. This is a field study of real strategic decision‐making process rather than an artificial setting. The questionnaire consists of items measuring the variables of primary interest; namely the independent, mediator, and dependent variables. The study was conducted in Pinang, Malaysia, involving small, medium, and large‐sized private manufacturing firms. To test and eliminate ambiguous or biased items and to improve the format, both for ease of understanding and to facilitate data analysis, a pilot study was conducted by computing Cronbach's reliability alpha.

Findings

The results of regression analysis indicate that the decision magnitude of impact is significantly associated with the level of rationality in the decision‐making process. The results of hierarchical regression analyses indicate that the extent of rationality in the decision‐making process is able to significantly change the total variations in the decision‐ making quality explained by magnitude of impact.

Research limitations/implications

The complex nature of strategic decision‐making process as a research topic places limitations on this study, particularly in the area of sample selection and data availability and collection. The major sample selection at the manufacturing firms is difficult because a firm's perception in terms of strategic decisions may not be the same, thus it is not easy to ascertain relevant sample characteristics.

Practical implications

Findings of this study indicate that a better quality decision is achieved through a rational process. Thus, organizations should encourage greater use of rationality in the decision‐making process, especially when the decision that is going to be made has more impact on the various parts of the organization or it is a strategic decision.

Originality/value

This study is believed to be the first to test the mediating impact of rationality of the strategic decision‐making process. This study was carried out among Malaysian manufacturing firms, and therefore comparison of its results to the findings in other countries may suggest the influence of other factors such as ideology, belief, and culture on strategic decision‐making processes. This in turn may open up a promising avenue for future research.
Multiple‐objective bidding strategy using goal programming technique
Authors: Tan Yongtao , Shen Liyin , Lu Weisheng , Shen Qiping
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a solution that allows a contractor to present its maximum competitiveness in meeting the multiple objectives defined by a project client in bidding for a contract.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying goal programming (GP) technique, this paper presents an alternative quantitative method for assisting a contractor to find out its own most competitive strategy in bidding for construction contracts where multiple selection criteria are adopted. A goal programming optimal bidding strategy (GP‐OBS) model is introduced to help a contractor generate an optimal resources allocation solution. A hypothetical example is used to show the procedures of using the model GP‐OBS.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that the GP technique can help contractors in producing an optimal bidding strategy which enables the contractor to present his/her maximum competitiveness in implementing project multiple objectives.

Originality/value

The solution from the model helps contractors to decide the optimal level of resources to be consumed within the resource limitations. The model GP‐OBS provides a new approach in assessing contractor overall competitiveness.
Digraph‐based reliability assessment of a tribo‐pair
Authors: Sharma B. , Gandhi O.P.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Most of the mechanical systems consist of common tribo components such as gear, bearing, seal, pump, etc. During operation, the failure of such a component may lead to failure of the system or any other components depending on the system structure or its connections. The transformation of functional quantities or parameters within and various components make these vulnerable to failures and breakdowns. The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of a tribo‐pair during operation based on the operational parameters which takes into account the deviation in functional objective and considers the component structure explicitly.

Design/methodology/approach

Failure representation using digraph models have mainly been limited to chemical systems and processes but have been applied to a limited extent to mechanical systems. Researchers have considered the operating parameters such as pressure, temperature; feed rate, flow, etc. as the input/output operational parameter for failure cause identification of tribo mechanical system. However, these are not true in case of components like gear, bearing, etc. Therefore, this methodology has been refined in this paper, and is extended to a tribo‐pair by considering its functions along with operating parameters for reliability assessment. The tribo‐pair considered for the development of model is a gear pair, which is a common and important example of mechanical components.

Findings

Understanding of the failure modes helps the designer in identifying the root cause of failure and the operational parameters whose increase/decrease affects the functional objective. Consideration of the input and output parameters and their interrelations are used to develop input‐output model of a gear pair called gear pair model. This requires consideration of the input and output parameters, which are based on the gear pair functionality. These parameters have been identified. Four input parameters; five output parameters and one condition monitoring parameter are considered to model the gear pair. In addition to input and output parameters condition monitoring parameters are also considered to develop the gear pair model.

Originality/value

Reliability assessment of a tribo‐pair during operation will help the practicing engineers to take corrective action and minimize the occurrence of undesired failure symptom during operation. The decrease in possibility of undesired failure symptom will enhance the reliability of mechanical system.
Teaching HE students with emotional and behavioural difficulties
Authors: Taylor M.J. , Baskett M. , Duffy S. , Wren C.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of the types of adjustments appropriate to university teaching practices for students with emotional and behavioural difficulties in the UK higher education (HE) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study in a UK university was undertaken over a two‐year period.

Findings

A variety of types of adjustments may be necessary for UK university students with emotional and behavioural difficulties including adjustments to pastoral care, teaching and assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The case study focussed on only three students with emotional and behavioural difficulties. However, given that the number of students entering UK universities with such difficulties is increasing, the results of this research can hopefully inform the teaching of future students.

Practical implications

This paper addresses what UK university teaching staff may need to do to support students with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Originality/value

Although research has been conducted into the teaching of individuals with emotional and behavioural difficulties in schools, little if any research has been undertaken regarding teaching such students at university level.