bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HERMS, KOUROI AND THE POLITICAL ANATOMY OF ATHENS
Authors: QUINN JOSEPHINE CRAWLEY
Published: March 2007

During preparations for the ill-fated Sicilian expedition in 415 BC, Thucydides tells us, the Athenians woke up one morning to find that:

Of all the stone herms in the city of Athens (the square-cut type, which following local custom stand in great numbers in the doorways of private houses and shrines), most had their faces [προ´σωπα] mutilated during a single night. No one knew who the perpetrators were, but there was a search for them with large rewards out of public funds . . . They took the matter seriously; it looked like an omen for the voyage, and furthermore as though it had been done as part of a conspiracy for revolution and the overthrow of the democracy [δη´μου :kgr;αταλυ´σεωσ].

Some accused the flamboyant politician and general Alcibiades, ‘adducing as evidence the undemocratic licentiousness of his conduct in general’. Andocides emphasizes how seriously the matter was taken by the city authorities:

The boule, summoning the generals, ordered them to make an announcement that those of the Athenians who lived in the city should take their arms and go to the Agora, those within the Long Walls should go to the Theseion, those in Piraeus to the Hippodamian agora. As for the knights, a signal was to be given by trumpet before nightfall for them to go to the Anakeion; the boule was to go to the Acropolis and sleep there, the prytaneis in the Tholos.
Migration and World History: Reaching a New Frontier
Authors: Lucassen Leo
Published: March 2007

Migration history has made some major leaps forward in the last fifteen years or so. An important contribution was Leslie Page Moch's Moving Europeans, published in 1992, in which she weaves the latest insights in migration history into the general social and economic history of western Europe. Using Charles Tilly's typology of migration patterns and his ideas on the process of proletarianization since the sixteenth century, Moch skilfully integrates the experience of human mobility in the history of urbanization, labour relations, (proto)industrialization, demography, family history, and gender relations. Her state-of-the-art overview has been very influential, not least because it fundamentally criticizes the modernization paradigm of Wilbur Zelinsky and others, who assumed that only in the nineteenth century, as a result of industrialization and urbanization, migration became a significant phenomenon. Instead, she convincingly argues that migration was a structural aspect of human life. Since then many new studies have proved her point and refined her model.
Global Movements, Internal Migration, and the Importance of Institutions
Authors: Feldman David
Published: March 2007

In May 1928 The Watling Resident, a local newspaper directed at a readership among the inhabitants of a working-class estate created by the London County Council on the north-western outskirts of the city, published its first issue. It took the opportunity to represent what it saw as its readers' urgent and existential difficulties: “We have been torn up by the roots and rudely transplanted to foreign soil.” According to the newspaper, these painful feelings of displacement were voiced “over and over again” by people living on the new estate. These migrants and their mouthpiece spoke and wrote in terms that prefigure the pioneering historical work of Oscar Handlin or suggest they were of one mind with the Chicago School of sociology. In this light it is remarkable that these migrants were not recent arrivals from Poland, or even from Ireland or Scotland; rather they had moved to the estate from inner London, and more than half had previously lived a few miles away in the north London boroughs of St Pancras, Islington, Finsbury, and Paddington.
Localities of the Global: Asian Migrations between Slavery and Citizenship
Authors: Mazumdar Sucheta
Published: March 2007

Migration has been a central concern of many areas in the writing of European history, and even more so when dealing with the histories of the white settler colonies of North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In contrast, migration overseas constitutes a mere footnote (if it is mentioned at all) in densely populated China and India, where the total number of those who migrated out of the country in the last couple of centuries was a relatively small percentage of those who did not. In his thought-provoking and far-reaching essay, Adam McKeown challenges us to look beyond the normative model of “global” migration that focuses solely on European migration. Through innovative research and the compilation of range of data on China, India, central Asia, Japan, Siberia, south-east Asia that are seldom collated and analyzed together, McKeown demonstrates that Asian migration from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries was comparable in volume to the trans-oceanic migrations from Europe. The term “global” as the theme of McKeown's essay, used as an adjective, evocatively captures the migration patterns and circulations of the modern world. But the concept of global is also the definition of the process underlying the modern economic and political system that through its very logic of reproduction creates unequal and uneven terrains. My comments explore some aspects of this unequal terrain.
A comparison of the performance of four air quality models for the Southern Oxidants Study episode in July 1999
Authors: Bailey E. M. , Gautney L. L. , Kelsoe J. J. , Jacobs M. E. , Mao Q. , Condrey J. W. , Pun B. , Wu S.‐Y. , Seigneur C. , Douglas S. , Haney J. , Kumar N.
Published: March 2007

Modeling systems that are designed to investigate tropospheric air quality concerns must address several issues simultaneously: ozone, particulate matter, deposition and visibility. These modeling systems consist of three components: meteorology, emissions and air quality. A simulation was conducted for the July 1999 Southern Oxidants Study to evaluate one such modeling system, Models‐3. Performance of the meteorological component, MM5, was evaluated against observations. Consistency of two emissions models, SMOKE and EPS 2.5, was evaluated by comparing their outputs. For comparison, the performance of CMAQ and three additional models (CMAQ‐MADRID 1, CMAQ‐MADRID 2, and REMSAD) was evaluated for the same time period. Nested simulations for a 32‐km and an 8‐km grid were conducted for CMAQ and CMAQ‐MADRID 1. Results for CMAQ‐MADRID 2 and REMSAD are available only for the 8‐km grid. Performance was evaluated for PM and its components, ozone and wet deposition. Differences in model performance for PM2.5 and its components were greatest for OC and total PM2.5; performance was more consistent for the other components. Model performance was generally better on the 32‐km grid than the 8‐km grid for PM2.5 and its components. R2 values ranged from 20 to 50% for NH4+ and EC and were lower for other PM2.5 components, indicating that the predictive capabilities of the models for PM2.5 are limited. Model performance for ozone met EPA guidance for MNB and MNE when a 60 ppb cutoff was used and was better on the 8‐km grid than on the 32‐km grid. Performance for wet deposition was good.
Slip rate of the Calico fault: Implications for geologic versus geodetic rate discrepancy in the Eastern California Shear Zone
Authors: Oskin Michael , Perg Lesley , Blumentritt Dylan , Mukhopadhyay Sujoy , Iriondo Alexander
Published: March 2007

Long‐term (105 years) fault slip rates test the scale of discrepancy between infrequent paleoseismicity and relatively rapid geodetic rates of dextral shear in the Eastern California Shear Zone (ECSZ). The Calico fault is one of a family of dextral faults that traverse the Mojave Desert portion of the ECSZ. Its slip rate is determined from matching and dating incised Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits and surfaces displaced by fault slip. A high‐resolution topographic base acquired via airborne laser swath mapping aids in identification and mapping of deformed geomorphic features. The oldest geomorphically preserved alluvial fan, unit B, is displaced 900 ± 200 m from its source at Sheep Springs Wash in the northern Rodman Mountains. This fan deposit contains the first preserved occurrence of basalt clasts derived from the Pipkin lava field and overlies Quaternary conglomerate deposits lacking these clasts. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of two flows from this field yields consistent ages of 770 ± 40 ka and 735 ± 9 ka. An age of 650 ± 100 ka is assigned to this fan deposit based on these ages and on the oldest cosmogenic 3He exposure date of 653 ± 20 ka on a basalt boulder from the surface of unit B. This assigned age and offset together yield a mid‐Pleistocene to present average slip rate of 1.4 ± 0.4 mm/yr. A younger fan surface, unit K, records 100 ± 10 m of dextral displacement and preserves original depositional morphology of its surface. Granitic boulders and pavement samples from this surface yield an average age of 56.4 ± 7.7 ka after taking into account minimal cosmogenic inheritance of granitic clasts. The displaced and dated K fans yield a slip rate of 1.8 ± 0.3 mm/yr. Distributed deformation of the region surrounding the fault trace, if active, could increase the overall displacement rate to 2.1 ± 0.5 mm/yr. Acceleration of slip rate from an average of 1.4 mm/yr prior to ∼50 ka to 1.8 mm/yr since ∼50 ka is possible, though a single time‐averaged slip rate of 1.6 ± 0.2 mm/yr satisfies the data. These rates are faster than any other paleoseismic or long‐term slip rate yet determined for other dextral faults in the Mojave Desert and imply that fault slip rates and earthquake productivity are heterogeneous across this portion of the ECSZ. Total displacement across the Calico fault diminishes northward as shear is distributed into folding and sinistral faults in the Calico Mountains. This pattern is consistent with an approximately threefold drop in geologic slip rate as the Calico fault steps over onto the Blackwater fault and demonstrates the significance of fault interaction for understanding the pattern of present‐day strain accumulation in the ECSZ.
Laboratory intercomparison of the formaldehyde absorption cross sections in the infrared (1660–1820 cm−1) and ultraviolet (300–360 nm) spectral regions
Authors: Gratien A. , Picquet‐Varrault B. , Orphal J. , Perraudin E. , Doussin J.‐F. , Flaud J.‐M.
Published: March 2007

Formaldehyde plays a key role in atmospheric photochemistry and is particularly important for the production of HOx species. For measuring atmospheric formaldehyde concentrations, both midinfrared and ultraviolet (UV) absorption techniques are used by ground‐, air‐ or satellite‐based instruments. In order to obtain accurate formaldehyde concentrations, the knowledge of the absorption cross sections is of utmost importance. In this study, we report the first laboratory intercomparison of the absorption coefficients of formaldehyde using simultaneous measurements in both spectral regions. The intercomparison shows good agreement between selected accurate UV spectra published previously and different infrared data. On the contrary, a rather large disagreement (about 20%) is observed when using other UV data sets, such as those recommended currently by the HITRAN database.
Rapid activation of CLOCK by Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase C mediates resetting of the mammalian circadian clock
Authors: Shim Hong Seok , Kim Hyunjung , Lee Jiwon , Son Gi Hoon , Cho Sehyung , Oh Tae H , Kang Sang Hyeon , Seen Dong‐Seung , Lee Kun Ho , Kim Kyungjin
Published: March 2007

In mammals, immediate‐early transcription of the Period 1 (Per1) gene is crucial for resetting the mammalian circadian clock. Here, we show that CLOCK is a real signalling molecule that mediates the serum‐evoked rapid induction of Per1 in fibroblasts through the Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Stimulation with serum rapidly induced nuclear translocation, heterodimerization and Ser/Thr phosphorylation of CLOCK just before the surge of Per1 transcription. Serum‐induced CLOCK phosphorylation was abolished by treatment with PKC inhibitors but not by other kinase inhibitors. Consistently, the interaction between CLOCK and PKC was markedly increased shortly after serum shock, and the Ca2+‐dependent PKC isoforms PKCα and PKCγ phosphorylated CLOCK in vitro. Furthermore, phorbol myristic acetate treatment triggered immediate‐early transcription of Per1 and also CLOCK phosphorylation, which were blocked by a Ca2+‐dependent PKC inhibitor. These findings indicate that CLOCK activation through the Ca2+‐dependent PKC pathway might have a substantial role in phase resetting of the circadian clock.
The Infrastructure of Experience and the Experience of Infrastructure: Meaning and Structure in Everyday Encounters with Space
Authors: Dourish Paul , Bell Genevieve
Published: March 2007

Although the current developments in ubiquitous and pervasive computing are driven largely by technological opportunities, they have radical implications not just for technology design but also for the ways in which we experience and interact with computation. In particular, the move of computation ‘off the desktop’ and into the world, whether embedded in the environment around us or carried or worn on our bodies, suggests that computation is beginning to manifest itself in new ways as an aspect of the everyday environment. One particularly interesting issue in this transformation is the move from a concern with virtual spaces to a concern with physical ones. Basically, once computation moves off the desktop, computer science suddenly has to be concerned with where it might have gone. Whereas computer science and human-computer interaction have previously been concerned with disembodied cognition, they must now look more directly at embodied action and bodily encounters between people and technology. In this paper, we explore some of the implications of the development of ubiquitous computing for encounters with space. We look on space here as infrastructure—not just a technological infrastructure, but an infrastructure through which we experience the world. Drawing on studies of both the practical organization of space and the cultural organization of space, we begin to explore the ways in which ubiquitous computing may condition, and be conditioned by, the social organization of everyday space.
Beneficial organisms as bioindicators for environmental sustainability in the grape industry in Australia
Authors: Thomson L. J. , Sharley D. J. , Hoffmann A. A.
Published: March 2007

Increased biodiversity is being promoted as an important aim for Australian agriculture, but the measurement of biodiversity is problematic and often not practical. An alternative involves the development of surrogate indicators for biodiversity on farms that have direct links to production. One group of organisms that may perform this function in vineyards is the beneficial invertebrates that have a direct impact on pest abundance. If we can identify the effects of common management practices on invertebrates that are important in the wine industry, we can identify target organisms whose presence suggests good and sustainable practice. Here we identify key invertebrates, both pests and natural enemies, in grape production, the effects of some management practices on these invertebrates, and suggest steps to develop these invertebrates into sustainability indicators for the viticulture industry.
Free-living mesostigmatic mites in Australia: their roles in biological control and bioindication
Authors: Beaulieu F. , Weeks A. R.
Published: March 2007

The taxonomy, biology and ecology of free-living mesostigmatic mites in Australia and their current and potential use in biological control and bioindication is reviewed. Most current research on free-living Mesostigmata in Australia focuses on species with an established role in the biocontrol of crop pests, such as members of the family Phytoseiidae. Three introduced species and at least seven native species of Phytoseiidae are presently used for the control of phytophagous mites in Australia. The introduced phytoseiids are mostly specific to spider mites and have been selected for resistance to some of the common pesticides. Native species provide the advantage of being generalist feeders and are capable of using alternative food in the absence of mite pests. Therefore they can persist more effectively in the environment and contribute to the control of several pests. The reduced and selective use of pesticides, accompanied by scouting services, has allowed the successful control of phytophagous mites by native species in several Australian tree crops, especially grapevine and citrus. In soils, Mesostigmata are extremely abundant, species-rich and play significant ecological roles. They feed on a broad range of invertebrates, including phytophagous pests that spend part or most of their lives on or in the soil or root systems. However, the majority of mesostigmatic mite species are unknown in Australia. Nevertheless, recent research indicates that many species are habitat-specific, and that they may be sensitive to agricultural practices and other land management systems. Mesostigmata have great potential for biological control of pests, and as indicators of soil quality and sustainable agricultural practices. However, the current paucity of research and information on the taxonomy, life-history and ecology of native species in natural and managed landscapes will continue to hinder their use in biological control and as bioindicators.
Activation of the subventricular zone in multiple sclerosis: Evidence for early glial progenitors
Authors: Nait-Oumesmar Brahim , Picard-Riera Nathalie , Kerninon Christophe , Decker Laurence , Seilhean Danielle , Höglinger Günter U. , Hirsch Etienne C. , Reynolds Richard , Baron-Van Evercooren Anne
Published: March 2007

In multiple sclerosis (MS), oligodendrocyte and myelin destruction lead to demyelination with subsequent axonal loss. Experimental demyelination in rodents has highlighted the activation of the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the involvement of progenitor cells expressing the polysialylated form of neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) in the repair process. In this article, we studied the distribution of early PSA-NCAM
+
progenitors in the SVZ and MS lesions in human postmortem brains. Compared with controls, MS SVZ showed a 2- to 3-fold increase in cell density and proliferation, which correlated with enhanced numbers of PSA-NCAM
+
and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive (GFAP
+
) cells. PSA-NCAM
+
progenitors mainly were Sox9
+
, and a few expressed Sox10 and Olig2, markers of oligodendroglial specification. PSA-NCAM
+
progenitors expressing Sox10 and Olig2 also were detected in demyelinated MS lesions. In active and chronic active lesions, the number of PSA-NCAM
+
progenitors was 8-fold higher compared with chronic silent lesions, shadow plaques, and normal-appearing white matter. In active and chronic active lesions, PSA-NCAM
+
progenitors were more frequent in periventricular lesions (30–50%) than in lesions remote from the ventricular wall. These data indicate that, as in rodents, activation of gliogenesis in the SVZ occurs in MS and suggest the mobilization of SVZ-derived early glial progenitors to periventricular lesions, where they could give rise to oligodendrocyte precursors. These early glial progenitors could be a potential target for therapeutic strategies designed to promote myelin repair in MS.
Nature of hydrogen interactions with Ni(II) complexes containing cyclic phosphine ligands with pendant nitrogen bases
Authors: Wilson Aaron D. , Shoemaker R. K. , Miedaner A. , Muckerman J. T. , DuBois Daniel L. , DuBois M. Rakowski
Published: March 2007

Studies of the role of proton relays in molecular catalysts for the electrocatalytic production and oxidation of H
2
have been carried out. The electrochemical production of hydrogen from protonated DMF solutions catalyzed by [Ni(P
2
Ph
N
2
Ph
)
2
(CH
3
CN)](BF
4
)
2
, 3a (where P
2
Ph
N
2
Ph
is 1,3,5,7-tetraphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane), permits a limiting value of the H
2
production rate to be determined. The turnover frequency of 350 s
−1
establishes that the rate of H
2
production for the mononuclear nickel catalyst 3a is comparable to those observed for Ni-Fe hydrogenase enzymes. In the electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen catalyzed by [Ni(P
2
Cy
N
2
Bz
)
2
](BF
4
)
2
, 3b (where Cy is cyclohexyl and Bz is benzyl), the initial step is the reversible addition of hydrogen to 3b (
K
eq
= 190 atm
−1
at 25°C). The hydrogen addition product exists as three nearly isoenergetic isomers 4A–4C, which have been identified by a combination of one- and two-dimensional
1
H,
31
P, and
15
N NMR spectroscopies as Ni(0) complexes with a protonated amine in each cyclic ligand. The nature of the isomers, together with calculations, suggests a mode of hydrogen activation that involves a symmetrical interaction of a nickel dihydrogen ligand with two amine bases in the diphosphine ligands. Single deprotonation of 4 by an external base results in a rearrangement to [HNi(P
2
Cy
N
2
Bz
)
2
](BF
4
), 5, and this reaction is reversed by the addition of a proton to the nickel hydride complex. The small energy differences associated with significantly different distributions in electron density and protons within these molecules may contribute to their high catalytic activity.
Lipidomics reveals control of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
virulence lipids via metabolic coupling
Authors: Jain Madhulika , Petzold Christopher J. , Schelle Michael W. , Leavell Michael D. , Mougous Joseph D. , Bertozzi Carolyn R. , Leary Julie A. , Cox Jeffery S.
Published: March 2007

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
synthesizes specific polyketide lipids that interact with the host and are required for virulence. Using a mass spectrometric approach to simultaneously monitor hundreds of lipids, we discovered that the size and abundance of two lipid virulence factors, phthiocerol dimycocerosate (PDIM) and sulfolipid-1 (SL-1), are controlled by the availability of a common precursor, methyl malonyl CoA (MMCoA). Consistent with this view, increased levels of MMCoA led to increased abundance and mass of both PDIM and SL-1. Furthermore, perturbation of MMCoA metabolism attenuated pathogen replication in mice. Importantly, we detected increased PDIM synthesis in bacteria growing within host tissues and in bacteria grown in culture on odd-chain fatty acids. Because
M. tuberculosis
catabolizes host lipids to grow during infection, we propose that growth of
M. tuberculosis
on fatty acids
in vivo
leads to increased flux of MMCoA through lipid biosynthetic pathways, resulting in increased virulence lipid synthesis. Our results suggest that the shift to host lipid catabolism during infection allows for increased virulence lipid anabolism by the bacterium.
Antiviral and immunoregulatory activities of IFN-γ depend on constitutively expressed IL-1α
Authors: Hurgin Vladimir , Novick Daniela , Werman Ariel , Dinarello Charles A. , Rubinstein Menachem
Published: March 2007

IFN-γ induces its immunoregulatory activities by activating genes mainly through the Jak-STAT signaling pathway. Here we show that what was considered to be intrinsic IFN-γ activities depend largely on the basal level of NF-κB, which is maintained by constitutively expressed IL-1α. The IL-1 receptor antagonist and antibodies to IL-1α, but not to IL-1β, inhibited the antiviral activity of IFN-γ by 90%, whereas no inhibition of type I IFN activity was observed. Similarly, the induction of many genes by IFN-γ, includingHLA-DR,ICAM-1,IL-18BP, and genes mediating its antiviral activity, greatly depended on basal IL-1α. Furthermore, IFN-γ induced serum IL-18 binding protein in wild-type mice but not in IL-1α/β double-deficient mice. Thus, constitutively expressed IL-1α is critical for numerous IFN-γ activities.
Improvement of corrosion protection properties of calcareous deposits on carbon steel by pulse cathodic protection in artificial sea water
Authors: Zamanzade Mohammad , Shahrabi Taghi , Yazdian Ali
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the influence of pulsed cathodic protection on calcareous deposit formation on structures submerged in the synthetic sea water.

Design/methodology/approach

Chronoamperometric and CHF methods have been used to evaluate the influence of pulsed cathodic protection on decreasing the required cathodic current for protection and also decreasing the surface coverage. The morphology of the formed deposits was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Chemical analyses of the formed deposits were performed using energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer and X‐ray diffraction.

Findings

It was observed that pulse frequency influenced both the structure and the composition of the deposits. The most compact aragonite layer was obtained at high frequencies and at a high off‐time. It was clearly shown that by applying currents with less than 100 Hz frequency, the deposits formed on the sample involved CaCO3 (aragonite) and Mg(OH)2 (brucite). However, the kinetics of deposits formed when applying pulse current have been improved, compared to deposits formed by conventional cathodic protection. The reason is that large electrode overpotential favors nucleation through a decrease in the energy of nucleus formation. On the other hand, by intensive decrease of surface potential, repulsion of aggressive anions such as SO42− and Cl− occurs. These anions inhibit the formation of aragonite deposits.

Research limitations/implications

In order to have a better investigation of electrodeposition processes in the shorter time, the use of more advanced techniques and analysis methods such as XPS is recommended. Furthermore, EHD techniques could be used for measurements of thickness of the layers.

Practical implications

The pulsed cathodic protection method is a relatively new method for the protection of buried and submerged structures. Recently, many researches have investigated that the influence of this technique on increasing the throwing power, decreasing interference effects on neighboring structures and increasing the uniformity of current distribution under cathodic protection.

Originality/value

Very little attention has been paid in the past to the effect of pulsed CP on deposit formation. The present paper, therefore, contributes useful understanding of the mechanism and advantages of such deposits in improving the effectiveness and lowering the operational cost of cathodic protection in use on offshore structures.
Effect of the inhibitor structure on the corrosion and hydrogen permeation of iron
Authors: Rodríguez M.I. , Réquiz R. , Ng H. , Jorge G.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between the 3D molecular structure of two non‐planar amines (tribenzylamine – TBA, and N,N‐dibenzylaniline – DBA) and their corrosion and hydrogen permeation inhibition efficiencies for iron in H2SO4 solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Potentiodynamic polarization and bipolar hydrogen permeation techniques were used to evaluate the inhibition efficiencies of the investigated amines, which were selected according to their structural differences, which were limited to only one substituent. As a result, a simplified 3D model was used to correlate the molecular structures with the experimental results.

Findings

Both amines are good cathodic corrosion inhibitors; however, the DBA displays low hydrogen permeation inhibition efficiency, in contrast to the TBA. These efficiencies can be ascribed to the sole structural difference between the compounds, which determines their spatial geometry in the adsorbed states.

Research limitations/implications

It may be difficult to find non‐planar organic inhibitors for iron in acidic solutions with the desired structural differences and a suitable solubility for further investigations.

Originality/value

The proposed approach allows a systematic analysis and an unambiguous correlation between the molecular structure and the protectiveness of prospective organic inhibitors.
Using the repertory grid and laddering technique to determine the user's evaluative model of search engines
Authors: Crudge Sarah E. , Johnson Frances C.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore a method for the determination of users' representations of search engines, formed during their interaction with these systems. Determines the extent to which these elicited “mental models” indicate the system aspects of importance to the user and from this their evaluative view of these tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The repertory grid technique is used to elicit a set of constructs that define facets within the mental model of an individual. A related technique of laddering then considers each of the user's constructs to determine the reasons for its importance within the user's mental model.

Findings

The model derived from the qualitative data comprises three hierarchical strata and conveys the interrelations between basic system description, evaluative description, and the key evaluations of ease, efficiency, effort and effectiveness. Two additional layers relating to the perceived process and the experience of emotion are also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Ten participants is considered to be optimum for obtaining constructs in a repertory grid, but limits the findings to the context of the user group and the systems used in this study.

Originality/value

The methodology has not previously been used to determine mental models of search engines and from these to understand users' evaluative view of systems. The resulting model of key evaluations with the conjunctions of procedural elements suggests a framework for further research to evaluate search engines from the user perspective.
The Global SMP Fitness Framework
Authors: Smith Jonathan A. , Rayment John J.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Although there is a growing emphasis on the importance of spirituality in the workplace, the majority of calls for leaders to consider the spiritual dimension fail to offer assistance in a meaningful way, and in a language to which leaders can relate, with the challenges of doing this. The purpose of this paper is to offer leaders practical guidance. After providing a summary of the reasons for a leader to examine spirituality in the workplace, questions are highlighted which look at how to nurture the spiritual dimension in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have developed a holistic framework, and use this to guide leaders through the complexities of working with the spiritual phenomenon. They draw on their experience as leaders and on Smith's research with leaders of organisations, and his PhD, which explored the possibility of a greater spiritual focus within the UK police.

Findings

Eight key questions for leaders are identified as the route through the complexities of this topic. The authors share their thoughts and the research evidence related to these questions and, while there are no easy answers, these questions can be used by the reader to help them decide for themselves what to do in the context of their own organisation.

Practical implications

There are many calls for leaders to embrace the spiritual dimension in their leadership role, and many explanations as to why they should do this. However, there are a number of practical issues to be considered if this is to be done effectively, and the majority of calls do not examine these questions. This paper addresses this need and identifies the important practical questions that leaders will need to consider.

Originality/value

The paper's unique contribution is to offer a framework that incorporates the spiritual dimension into a holistic approach, and guides leaders on all the areas to consider in this approach. The eight questions identified are original and provocative and encourage leaders to consider the practical issues of nurturing spirituality in the workplace. The framework and questions also offer an excellent structure on which future research can be built.
Electronic signatures for copyright in the UK: a solution to the “holy grail” of document delivery
Authors: Titley Graham
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to show that an electronic signature for copyright can be achieved in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The article outlines, as a case study, the drivers for change that influenced the revisiting of the issue of electronic signatures for copyright by the University of Plymouth (UoP), how that signature has been achieved, and how the process has improved the document delivery service through the establishment of an electronic “request‐to‐delivery” service.

Findings

The article finds that significant improvements in the ability of document delivery services to provide a fast and efficient service, with regard to the delivery of article copy requests, can be made through the utilisation of modern computing technology, current UK legislation, and the alternative delivery methods offered by suppliers, particularly the British Library.

Practical implications

This article demonstrates that an electronic signature is achievable and that significant improvements can be made in document delivery services as a result, both in terms of request turn around times and in the ability to offer the same standard of service to all users, regardless of their current geographic location.

Originality/value

Aside from a brief mention in an article published in 2004 by Stephen Prowse, no UK library has openly admitted to using electronic signatures for copyright. This is the first article to describe one University's systems architecture and processes that have enabled an electronic signature for copyright to be achieved and presents evidence that the time spent investigating and delivering an electronic request‐to‐delivery service has a real value – a substantial improvement in document delivery to all users, regardless of where they are based.
Australian resource sharing: did ILL benchmarking make a difference?
Authors: Missingham Roxanne , Moreno Margarita
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the national interlibrary loan and document delivery (ILL/DD) benchmarking study undertaken by Australian libraries in 2001 and evaluates its impact. It outlines the nature and scope of ILL/DD in Australia, including research into the significance of this library activity to researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation was undertaken through a survey including detailed statistical information from libraries in all sectors. Additional analysis is done using statistics from university libraries and the national interlibrary lending system.

Findings

The paper finds that the benchmarking study and activities undertaken to implement the findings of the study have improved the turnaround time and the operation of ILL/DD in Australia both for libraries and users. All sectors reduced delivery time by up to 50 per cent, creating much more effective access for users to the Australian distributed collection.

Originality/value

This is the first formal evaluation of a national benchmarking project and demonstrates that by working on the performance of libraries from a national approach significant improvements can be made in effectiveness and efficiency. It provides a model that could be used to evaluate other benchmarking studies. As it is the first formal evaluation of a national benchmarking study it has high originality.
Designing natural gas utility hedge programs with call options
Authors: Cita John , Kwak Soojong , Lien Donald
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To evaluate various hedge programs designed to minimize the risk of an extreme monthly gas bill subject to a pre‐determined hedge program budget.Design/methodology/approach – Historical data were collected on natural gas spot and futures prices. Also, theoretical options prices were calculated. These data were then applied to derive the risk associated with extreme bills under different hedge strategies.Findings – In every instance, having a price cap hedge program is better for core customers of a utility company than not having a hedge program.Research limitations/implications – The better hedge performance is based on historical data. It may not apply to future scenarios. Also, the theoretical options prices may need refinements.Practical implications – Any utility company should seriously consider a price cap hedge program to protect its core customers. The exact program design will likely change but the basic principles and methods described in this paper are directly applicable.Originality/value – This paper provide/guidelines for a utility company to design its hedge programs for the benefits of core customers. Currently, there is no such guideline available and there is no study evaluating these hedge programs. This paper provides a first attempt.
Eliminating the incentive to “let it ride”
Authors: Balakrishnan Anand , Clark John M. , Salter Sean P.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Many energy firms currently compensate their risk managers with bonuses based on their ability to outperform a budget benchmark. This creates the incentive for a manager to “let it ride” (LIR) when prices move adversely to the benchmark, thus exposing the firm to further adverse movements. The purpose of this paper is to present an alternative compensation model based on the adherence to a risk control system utilizing value at risk (VaR). The model is designed to reward the risk manager for staying within the prescribed risk limits, which effectively rewards the manager for taking actions that decrease the deviation from the budget benchmark.Design/methodology/approach – The days within limits (DWL) compensation model is developed with a demonstration of how it works through an illustrative example.Findings – The DWL method of measuring risk and compensating risk managers effectively reduces the potential conflicts of interest from the LIR mentality by establishing strict rules for the risk manager and providing a compensation structure that rewards the manager's ability to stay within the prescribed risk limits.Practical implications – These results should be of great interest to the managers of energy traders as well as to investors in firms participating in energy risk management. Clearly, it is important for energy firms to structure the compensation incentives of its traders such that they act in the best interests of the firm and its investors.Originality/value – This paper develops a compensation model for energy risk managers based on the number of days their DWL remains below their prescribed VR limit.
Executive stock options and dynamic risk‐taking incentives
Authors: Garvey Gerald T. , Mawani Amin
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present theory and empirical evidence on whether changes in leverage are systematically associated with changes in the CEO's risk incentives over time.Design/methodology/approach – A model is developed to explain the dynamic relationship between leverage and managers’ risk incentives, and empirically tested with data on executive stock option grants. The model relies on the observation that the risk sensitivity of a call option does not monotonically increase or decrease in the value of the underlying stock.Findings – It is found that changes in the CEO's risk incentives are not systematically correlated with changes in the firm's leverage over time.Research limitations/implications – The near‐universal practice of setting option exercise prices near the prevailing stock price at the date of grant effectively undoes most of the effects of financial leverage, and therefore executives’ incentives to take equity risk are not correlated with firm leverage.Practical implications – For reasonable parameter values, this risk incentive‐maximizing stock price lies very close to the option's exercise price. This finding provides evidence that stock options plans granted approximately at‐the‐money encourage maximum risk‐taking by managers in a dynamic setting.Originality/value – This paper develops theory and evidence to explain why executive stock options are usually granted at‐the‐money.
Studies on synergistic effect of UV absorbers and hindered amine light stabilisers
Authors: Shenoy M.A. , Marathe Y.D.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

Coatings are subject to photoaging during their lifetime. Ultraviolet radiations absorbing additives (UVAs) and hindered amine light stabilisers (HALS) often are added to improve their performance. To improve performance of coatings, it is important to use optimum quantity of such additives.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, hydroxyl‐terminated polyester was synthesised and then crosslinked using isophoronediisocyanate. These clear coats were then stabilised with various additives such as Tinuvin 1130, 123 and 292. The synergistic effect of these additives was also studied. The optical properties of coatings such as yellowness, whiteness and gloss of coatings were studied after exposing these coatings to various environments such as QUV weathering, direct UV and xenon arc.

Findings

The results showed that the coatings stabilised with combination of additives performed better than the unstabilised coatings as well as single additive coatings. A synergism was observed when using a combination of the UVAs and HALS.

Research limitations/implications

The additives used were found to be compatible with the binder systems under study and was not found to be universally compatible with all resins.

Practical implications

UV degradation is a major concern in coatings both aesthetically and functionally. This study aimed at optimising the concentrations of UV stabilisers in order to increase the effective life time of exterior coatings.

Originality/value

UV stabilisers are routinely used in coatings for exterior applications. However, our aim was to optimise the concentrations of these additives in the coating so as to reduce the cost while keeping the performance of the coatings unaffected. By studying the synergy of the additives, we have also optimised their concentrations to further increase the life of the coatings.
The effect of boron‐doped on capacity of carbon cathode of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Ma S.R. , Huang Z.H. , Li C.B. , Yang G.X. , Wang C.
Published: March 2007

Purpose

To focus on the development of negative materials with a large Li ion capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

All calculations were performed using the Own N‐layered Integrated molecular Orbital and molecular Mechanics method with Becke 3‐parameter, Lee, Yang, Parr for high‐level treatment and with the universal force field for low‐level treatment.

Findings

It was found that boron substitution created an electron acceptor level in a lower energy region than that for the pristine carbon. So that the Li absorption energy for the boron‐substituted cluster was much larger than that for the pristine carbon. Moreover, with the increase of the concentration of boron, adsorption energy increased considerably all cases.

Research limitations/implications

Two Li ions in the centre of the model were considered. Li ions of quantity 4, 6, 8, etc. could also be considered.

Practical implications

The method developed provided a simple and practical solution to development of negative materials with a large Li ion capacity.

Originality/value

The finding that with the increase of the concentration of boron, adsorption energy increased considerably in all cases.
Framing and overflowing of public sector accountability innovations
Authors: Christensen Mark , Skærbæk Peter
Published: March 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explain why public sector performance reporting that emphasises external accountability may turn out differently from the official stated aims.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a comparative case method, two different accountability innovations are examined using framing and overflowing ideas.

Findings

The accountability reports became bureaucratic communications between the reporting and central agencies. The reports were transformed because the performance reporting produced a number of overflows and reduced the importance of broad audiences (e.g. citizens). These overflows resulted from the central agency reformers' preoccupation with cost cutting opportunities and the reporting agencies' presumption of the reformers' real purpose. In the resulting interactions, the accountability purpose ended up being mostly reduced to disclosure of traditional input and output measures and some insignificant stories designed to avoid public criticism of the accountability reform but also to hinder others in identifying objects for cost cutting.

Research limitations/implications

To conduct international comparative research is logistically challenging, but provides the best chances of understanding the systemic aspects of accountability reforms that contribute to the reforms' observable and perplexing outcomes. Ideally, it would be interesting to study such reforms over their full lives; however, they may be longer than the researchers' careers.

Practical implications

Accountability purposes are disturbed by classical cost cutting thinking. Thus, despite many ostensibly good ideas of creating transparency for the public, other stronger forces may severely hinder such accountability developments. Concepts of framing and overflowing may be used to better understand the outcomes of accountability innovations; this can be extended beyond the public sector.

Originality/value

Provides useful information on why public sector performance reporting that emphasises external accountability may turn out differently from the official stated aims.
Photographs and accountability: cracking the codes of an NGO
Authors: Davison Jane
Published: March 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate an analytical model for interpreting photographs in accountability statements from Barthes' celebrated theoretical work on photography, La chambre claire; to offer a study of the communication of accountability by an NGO through the first detailed analysis, within accountability literature, of one photograph.

Design/methodology/approach

The study establishes a conceptual framework for examining photography based on La chambre claire's contrast of rational codes (Studium) with intuitive elements (Punctum). An application of the framework is provided in considering the heterogeneity and accountability of NGOs through an examination of the Oxfam Annual Review 2003/2004 front cover photograph.

Findings

The framework is enlightening: the photograph's Studium reflects the complexity of Oxfam's dual engagement in the corporate and charitable sectors, and the developed and developing worlds; its Punctum arouses sentiment and compassion.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides a model which may be applied to the wealth of photographs produced by contemporary organizations; the framework encompasses promotional images as well as photographic art, and is well suited to figurative photography. It is limited regarding photographs of a hybrid or abstract nature.

Practical implications

The analysis is of interest to accounting researchers, practitioners, trainees, auditors and any user of accounting and accountability statements. It illuminates the way in which photographs highlight, complement and supplement information more traditionally communicated in numbers and words.

Originality/value

The paper adds to research into NGOs; augments theoretical work on photographs in accountability literature; and expands the empirical literature on the interpretation of photographs in accounting and accountability statements.