bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world comparison of CPU and GPU implementations of SNPrank: a network analysis tool for GWAS
Authors: Davis Nicholas A. , Pandey Ahwan , McKinney B. A.
Published: November 2010

Motivation: Bioinformatics researchers have a variety of programming languages and architectures at their disposal, and recent advances in graphics processing unit (GPU) computing have added a promising new option. However, many performance comparisons inflate the actual advantages of GPU technology. In this study, we carry out a realistic performance evaluation of SNPrank, a network centrality algorithm that ranks single nucleotide polymorhisms (SNPs) based on their importance in the context of a phenotype-specific interaction network. Our goal is to identify the best computational engine for the SNPrank web application and to provide a variety of well-tested implementations of SNPrank for Bioinformaticists to integrate into their research.

Results: Using SNP data from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium genome-wide association study of Bipolar Disorder, we compare multiple SNPrank implementations, including Python, Matlab and Java as well as CPU versus GPU implementations. When compared with naïve, single-threaded CPU implementations, the GPU yields a large improvement in the execution time. However, with comparable effort, multi-threaded CPU implementations negate the apparent advantage of GPU implementations.

Availability: The SNPrank code is open source and available at http://insilico.utulsa.edu/snprank.

Contact:  brett.mckinney@gmail.com
Identification of protein complexes from co-immunoprecipitation data
Authors: Geva Guy , Sharan Roded
Published: November 2010

Motivation: Advanced technologies are producing large-scale protein–protein interaction data at an ever increasing pace. A fundamental challenge in analyzing these data is the inference of protein machineries. Previous methods for detecting protein complexes have been mainly based on analyzing binary protein–protein interaction data, ignoring the more involved co-complex relations obtained from co-immunoprecipitation experiments.

Results: Here, we devise a novel framework for protein complex detection from co-immunoprecipitation data. The framework aims at identifying sets of preys that significantly co-associate with the same set of baits. In application to an array of datasets from yeast, our method identifies thousands of protein complexes. Comparing these complexes to manually curated ones, we show that our method attains very high specificity and sensitivity levels (∼ 80%), outperforming current approaches for protein complex inference.

Availability: Supplementary information and the program are available at http://www.cs.tau.ac.il/~roded/CODEC/main.html.

Contact:  roded@post.tau.ac.il

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Advantages of deformation indices over systolic velocities in assessment of longitudinal systolic function in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction
Authors: Carluccio Erberto , Biagioli Paolo , Alunni Gianfranco , Murrone Adriano , Leonelli Valeria , Pantano Paola , Biscottini Emilia , Paulus Walter J. , Ambrosio Giuseppe
Published: November 2010

Aims

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) systolic velocities have been used to detect impaired systolic function in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction (HFnEF). However, many patients do not show alterations by this technique, and furthermore, myocardial systolic velocities can be affected by tethering, translation, and loading conditions. Thus, uncertainties remain about the detection of abnormal systolic function in HFnEF patients. The aim of this study was, therefore, to compare systolic velocities vs. TDI‐derived deformation indices for detection of possible abnormalities of systolic function in HFnEF patients, taking into account loading conditions.

Methods and results

We studied 40 patients with systolic heart failure (SHF: EF ≤40%), 47 HFnEF patients, and 50 controls (C). Systolic velocities of the mitral annulus (pulsed‐wave TDI) were measured at four sites and averaged; concomitantly, peak negative TDI‐derived strain and strain rate of the four walls were measured in apical, four‐, and two‐chamber views. Ejection fraction was 65 ± 6% in C, 62 ± 7% in HFnEF, and 29 ± 7% in SHF (P< 0.001 vs. both). In HFnEF patients, systolic velocities and peak negative global longitudinal strain rate and strain were higher than in SHF (P< 0.0001 for all), but lower than in C (P< 0.0001 for all). After controlling for age, left ventricular mass index, end‐diastolic volume index, and circumferential end‐systolic stress, differences between groups remained significant for deformation indices but not for TDI velocities. By velocity/strain–stress relationship analysis, peak global longitudinal strain was more sensitive than peak systolic motion in detecting systolic dysfunction in HFnEF patients (64 vs. 40%, P< 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients with HFnEF, TDI‐derived deformation indices may more accurately detect abnormal systolic function than myocardial velocities.
TOR and ageing: a complex pathway for a complex process
Authors: McCormick Mark A. , Tsai Shih-yin , Kennedy Brian K.
Published: November 2010

Studies in invertebrate model organisms have led to a wealth of knowledge concerning the ageing process. But which of these discoveries will apply to ageing in humans? Recently, an assessment of the degree of conservation of ageing pathways between two of the leading invertebrate model organisms,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Caenorhabditis elegans
, was completed. The results (i) quantitatively indicated that pathways were conserved between evolutionarily disparate invertebrate species and (ii) emphasized the importance of the TOR kinase pathway in ageing. With recent findings that deletion of the mTOR substrate S6K1 or exposure of mice to the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin result in lifespan extension, mTOR signalling has become a major focus of ageing research. Here, we address downstream targets of mTOR signalling and their possible links to ageing. We also briefly cover other ageing genes identified by comparing worms and yeast, addressing the likelihood that their mammalian counterparts will affect longevity.
Pseudokineococcus lusitanus gen. nov., sp. nov., and reclassification of Kineococcus marinus Lee 2006 as Pseudokineococcus marinus comb. nov.
Authors: Jurado Valme , Laiz Leonila , Ortiz-Martinez Alberto , Groth Ingrid , Saiz-Jimenez Cesareo
Published: November 2010

A Gram-reaction-positive, motile, coccus-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain T2A-S27T, was isolated from a roof tile in Oporto (Portugal) and studied using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the novel isolate showed high similarity to that of Kineococcus marinus KST3-3T (97.8 % sequence similarity). Strain T2A-S27T showed lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with other members of the genus Kineococcus and members of the family Kineosporiaceae (<94 %). A phylogenetic tree, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain T2A-S27T formed a coherent clade with the type strain of K. marinus and Quadrisphaera granulorum. The isolate was characterized by the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-9(H2) as the predominant menaquinone and a polar lipid profile consisting of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The fatty acid profile was dominated by anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 76.9 mol%. The low level of DNA–DNA relatedness to K. marinus (46–47 %) and the results of the chemotaxonomic and physiological studies clearly distinguished strain T2A-S27T from recognized species of the genus Kineococcus. On the basis of its phylogenetic position and phenotypic traits, strain T2A-S27T ( = LMG 24148T  = CECT 7306T  = DSM 23768T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Kineosporiaceae, for which the name Pseudokineococcus lusitanus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The misclassified species K. marinus is transferred to the new genus as Pseudokineococcus marinus comb. nov. The type strain of Pseudokineococcus marinus is KST3-3T ( = KCCM 42250T  = NRRL B-24439T).
Halomonas stenophila sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium that produces sulphate exopolysaccharides with biological activity
Authors: Llamas Inmaculada , Béjar Victoria , Martínez-Checa Fernando , Martínez-Cánovas María José , Molina Ignacio , Quesada Emilia
Published: November 2010

We have undertaken a polyphasic taxonomic study of two halophilic, Gram-negative bacterial strains, N12T and B-100, that produce sulphated exopolysaccharides with biological activity. They were isolated from two different saline soil samples. Both strains grow at NaCl concentrations within the range 3–15 % (w/v) [optimum 5–10 % (w/v)], at 15–37 °C (optimum 20–32 °C) and at pH 6–8 (optimum pH 7–8). Their 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that they belong to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Their closest relative is Halomonas nitroreducens, to which our strains show maximum 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.7 % (N12T) and 98.3 % (B-100). Their DNA G+C contents are 61.9 and 63.8 mol%, respectively. The results of DNA–DNA hybridizations showed 43.9 % relatedness between strain N12T and H. nitroreducens CECT 7281T, 30.5 % between N12T and Halomonas ventosae CECT 5797T, 39.2 % between N12T and Halomonas fontilapidosi CECT 7341T, 46.3 % between N12T and Halomonas maura CECT 5298T, 52.9 % between N12T and Halomonas saccharevitans LMG 23976T, 51.3 % between N12T and Halomonas koreensis JCM 12237T and 100 % between strains N12T and B-100. The major fatty acids of strain N12T are C12 : 0 3-OH (5.42 %), C15 : 0 iso 2-OH/C16 : 1ω7c (17.37 %), C16 : 0 (21.62 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (49.19 %). The proposed name for the novel species is Halomonas stenophila sp. nov. Strain N12T ( = CECT 7744T  = LMG 25812T) is the type strain.
Bradyrhizobium lablabi sp. nov., isolated from effective nodules of Lablab purpureus and Arachis hypogaea
Authors: Chang Yue Li , Wang Jing Yu , Wang En Tao , Liu Hong Can , Sui Xin Hua , Chen Wen Xin
Published: November 2010

Five strains isolated from root nodules of Lablab purpureus and Arachis hypogaea grown in the Anhui and Sichuan provinces of China were classified as members of the genus Bradyrhizobium. These strains had identical 16S rRNA gene sequences which shared 99.48 %, 99.48 % and 99.22 % similarity with the most closely related strains of Bradyrhizobium jicamae PAC68T, Bradyrhizobium pachyrhizi PAC48T and Bradyrhizobium elkanii USDA 76T, respectively. A study using a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene RFLP, IGS-RFLP, BOX-PCR, comparative sequence analysis of the 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer (IGS) and the recA, atpD and glnII genes, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic tests, showed that the five strains clustered into a coherent group that differentiated them from all recognized species of the genus Bradyrhizobium. Sequencing of nifH and nodC genes and cross-nodulation tests showed that the representative strains CCBAU 23086T, CCBAU 23160 and CCBAU 61434, isolated from different plants, had identical nifH and nodC gene sequences and were all able to nodulate Lablab purpureus, Arachis hypogaea and Vigna unguiculata. Based upon these results, the name Bradyrhizobium lablabi sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species and strain CCBAU 23086T ( = LMG 25572T = HAMBI 3052T) is designated as the type strain. The DNA G+C mol% is 60.14 (T
m).
Molecular and morphological analysis of the family Calonymphidae with a description of Calonympha chia sp. nov., Snyderella kirbyi sp. nov., Snyderella swezyae sp. nov. and Snyderella yamini sp. nov.
Authors: Gile Gillian H. , James Erick R. , Scheffrahn Rudolf H. , Carpenter Kevin J. , Harper James T. , Keeling Patrick J.
Published: November 2010

Calonymphids are a group of multinucleate, multiflagellate protists belonging to the order Cristamonadida (Parabasalia) that are found exclusively in the hindgut of termites from the family Kalotermitidae. Despite their impressive morphological complexity and diversity, few species have been formally described and fewer still have been characterized at the molecular level. In this study, four novel species of calonymphids were isolated and characterized: Calonympha chia and Snyderella yamini spp. nov., from Neotermes castaneus and Calcaritermes nearcticus from Florida, USA, and Snyderella kirbyi and Snyderella swezyae, spp. nov., from Calcaritermes nigriceps and Cryptotermes cylindroceps from Colombia. Each of these species was distinguished from its congeners by residing in a distinct host and by differences at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses of small subunit (SSU) rDNA indicated that the genera Calonympha and Stephanonympha were probably not monophyletic, though the genus Snyderella, previously only represented by one sequence in molecular analyses, appeared with these new data to be monophyletic. This was in keeping with the traditional evolutionary view of the group in which the morphology of the genus Snyderella is considered to be derived, while that of the genus Stephanonympha is ancestral and therefore probably plesiomorphic.
Multilocus sequence analysis of phytopathogenic species of the genus Streptomyces
Authors: Labeda David P.
Published: November 2010

The identification and classification of species within the genus Streptomyces is difficult because there are presently 576 species with validly published names and this number increases every year. The value of multilocus sequence analysis applied to the systematics of Streptomyces species has been well demonstrated in several recently published papers. In this study the sequence fragments of four housekeeping genes, atpD, recA, rpoB and trpB, were determined for the type strains of 10 known phytopathogenic species of the genus Streptomyces, including Streptomyces scabiei, Streptomyces acidiscabies, Streptomyces europaeiscabiei, Streptomyces luridiscabiei, Streptomyces niveiscabiei, Streptomyces puniciscabiei, Streptomyces reticuliscabiei, Streptomyces stelliscabiei, Streptomyces turgidiscabies and Streptomyces ipomoeae, as well as six uncharacterized phytopathogenic Streptomyces isolates. The type strains of 52 other species, including 19 species observed to be phylogenetically closely related to these, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, were also included in the study. Phylogenetic analysis of single gene alignments and a concatenated four-gene alignment demonstrated that the phytopathogenic species are taxonomically distinct from each other in spite of high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and provided a tool for the identification of unknown putative phytopathogenic Streptomyces strains at the species level.
Methanosarcina horonobensis sp. nov., a methanogenic archaeon isolated from a deep subsurface Miocene formation
Authors: Shimizu Satoru , Upadhye Rahul , Ishijima Yoji , Naganuma Takeshi
Published: November 2010

A methanogenic organism, designated strain HB-1T, from the domain Archaea was isolated from groundwater sampled from a subsurface Miocene formation located in Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan. The strain grew on methanol, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, dimethylsulfide and acetate but not on monomethylamine, H2/CO2, formate, 2-propanol, 2-butanol or cyclopentanol. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile, irregular cocci that were 1.4–2.9 µm in diameter and occurred singly or in pairs. The strain grew at 20–42 °C (optimum 37 °C), at pH 6.0–7.75 (optimum pH 7.0–7.25) and in 0–0.35 M NaCl (optimum 0.1 M). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strain was a member of the genus Methanosarcina but that it clearly differed from all recognized species of this genus (93.1–97.9 % sequence similarity). The phenotypic and phylogenetic features of strain HB-1T indicate that it represents a novel species of the genus Methanosarcina, for which the name Methanosarcina horonobensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB-1T ( = DSM 21571T  = JCM 15518T  = NBRC 102577T).
Reclassification of Lactobacillus catenaformis (Eggerth 1935) Moore and Holdeman 1970 and Lactobacillus vitulinus Sharpe et al. 1973 as Eggerthia catenaformis gen. nov., comb. nov. and Kandleria vitulina gen. nov., comb. nov., respectively
Authors: Salvetti Elisa , Felis Giovanna E. , Dellaglio Franco , Castioni Anna , Torriani Sandra , Lawson Paul A.
Published: November 2010

The development of molecular tools and in particular the use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing has had a profound effect on the taxonomy of many bacterial groups. Gram-positive organisms that encompass the generaLactobacillusandClostridiumwithin theFirmicutesare examples of taxa that have undergone major revisions based on phylogenetic information. A consequence of these reorganizations is that a number of organisms are now recognized as being misclassified. Previous studies have demonstrated thatLactobacillus catenaformisandLactobacillus vitulinusare phylogenetically unrelated toLactobacillus sensu stricto, being placed within theClostridiarRNA cluster XVII. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data presented, it is proposed thatL.catenaformisandL.vitulinusbe reclassified in two new genera, named respectivelyEggerthiagen. nov., with the type speciesEggerthia catenaformisgen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain DSM 20559T = ATCC 25536T = CCUG 48174T = CIP 104817T = JCM 1121T) andKandleriagen. nov., with the type speciesKandleria vitulinagen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain LMG 18931T = ATCC 27783T = CCUG 32236T = DSM 20405T = JCM 1143T).
The diversity management approach: new implications for gender policies in Italy
Authors: De Vita Luisa
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper, starting from research conducted on the implementations of gender policy in six Italian regions, aims to explore the limits of the actual strategies and ask some questions on the possibility to enter some principles of the diversity management (DM) approach in the Italian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research was conducted through a textual analysis of the Regional Operative Plain, and some interviews with the different stakeholders involved in the planning and implementations of the policies.

Findings

Starting from the characteristics of the regional policies, the research provides some indication of levels of applicability of the DM in the Italian context in terms of both definition and execution of the interventions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presented has important implications for the field of equality and diversity in Mediterranean countries, but the research is based only on institutional policies and not on the organizational measures, so researchers are encouraged to deepen the organizational practices.

Originality/value

This paper aims to reduce the gap in the current literature that often does not consider the necessity of studying the detailed rules of defining and implementing policies in close relation with the characteristics of enterprises and institutions.
Workplace challenges in corporate America: differences in black and white
Authors: Witt Smith Janice , Joseph Stephanie E.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This article aims to provide a qualitative analysis of the diversity management challenges of professionals in corporate America. A specific focus is on the differential outcomes of women and ethnic minorities and their equal employment opportunities in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examined the workplace experiences of 42 African‐American and Caucasian men and women in corporate America. Semi‐structured interviews were held to discover diversity management issues unique to these groups.

Findings

It was found that challenges supported a priori assertions of organizational culture, discrimination/stereotyping, and human capital investments. Each of these challenges impacted members in qualitatively different ways that may account for the variability in work experiences and outcomes. While there were some consistent themes, the findings demonstrated significant within race and between gender differences.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative studies provide in‐depth information and a deeper understanding about phenomena which allows one to capture general themes that can be obscured in survey research. The intersection of race and gender provides unique findings that should be considered in future research. The use of self‐reported perceptual data without triangulation can limit the generalizability of the study but does provide a view in the language and emotion of the individual who is sharing his/her workplace experience.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that diversity management practices need to consider race, gender, as well as multiple group memberships (e.g. African‐American women) which reveals unique issues to be addressed within organizational contexts. There are also differences within race, by gender, in the ways that individuals experience the workplace. The findings provide insight for managers to aid in diversity management and retention.

Social implications

Race is socially constructed and has a political rather than biological basis for determining it. Racial categories in one country which limit an individual's power, influence, freedom, and clout may be very different than categories in another country or political context. Because race is socially constructed, individuals may increase or lose power, privilege, influence and status as they move from one sociopolitical context/power structure in one country to another.

Originality/value

This research provides an additional lens through which to examine the workplace experiences of women and minorities to aid managers in deriving the maximum benefit in a diverse, well‐qualified labor force.
Gender differences in entrepreneurial attitudes
Authors: Sánchez Cañizares Sandra Ma , Fuentes García Fernando J.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The main objective of this article is to analyse, in depth, the role of gender differences among potential entrepreneurs, their psycho‐sociological traits and the incentives and principal obstacles women encounter when initiating a business activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted in this study focuses on university students as a fundamental source of potential future entrepreneurs. The fieldwork is based on a sample of 1,400 students at the University of Córdoba (Spain).

Findings

The results suggest that women are less prone to initiate entrepreneurial activity and that fear of failure is a major obstacle to setting up a company. Furthermore, gender attributes were correlated to a higher probability of embarking on a venture of this type in the future.

Practical implications

The Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) considers research in this area to be crucial for understanding the economic and social phenomenon of growing female entrepreneurship due to its enormous potential for innovation and job creation. Programmes to promote entrepreneurial activity must take into account differences between men and women in terms of their perceptions and entrepreneurial culture.

Originality/value

Research into the gender perspective of entrepreneurial intention is key to gaining deeper insight into the economic and social phenomenon of female entrepreneurship. This study focuses on education, namely the elements that influence the entrepreneurial attitudes and culture of young people and the differences in perception between women and men.
US employment discrimination cases: does race/gender matter?
Authors: Honoree Andre , Terpstra David , Friedl Jonn
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the diversity of the US federal judiciary has an influence on case outcomes in employment discrimination cases. Specifically, this paper investigates if the gender and race of both judges and plaintiffs result in significantly different employment case outcomes in the US district court system.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 657 federal employment discrimination cases from the last decade were analyzed utilizing chi square analysis testing combinatory and interaction effects of race and gender.

Findings

The results intimate that the demographic characteristics of judges and plaintiffs do have an effect on case outcomes. Specifically that different combinatory types and interactions of judges and plaintiffs are associated with different case outcomes.

Practical implications

These results could be useful to potential litigants in employment discrimination cases to assist employees and employers alike in the determination of their chances for success in the courtroom. Judges may also benefit from more information on possible biases and take steps to guard against being influenced by them.

Social implications

Such research focuses more attention on the fundamental principle of the American judicial system of fair and equal treatment for all. Furthermore, some findings have implications for the demographic composition of the US Supreme Court and other judiciary bodies where decisions are arrived at by a group.

Originality/value

Little to no research has examined the possible differences in case outcomes associated with different combinatory types of both judges and plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases.
The mental health treatment team: are men or women better team players?
Authors: Meliou Elina , Maroudas Leonidas , Goulas Konstantinos , Chelidonis George
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Collaboration among professionals is essential for effective patient care, but gender stereotyping and discrimination practices in the health care environment may hinder effective teamwork. This study aims to investigate professional attitudes toward teamwork in a psychiatric setting with a particular emphasis on gender. The paper examines gender differences in attitudes among all professionals on a team and identifies gender differences among professionals within the same speciality, with particular attention to doctors and nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in the mental health hospital of Attiki, Greece. In total, 151 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals completed a self‐reported questionnaire.

Findings

The paper finds that females appear to be more receptive to teamwork: all doctors have similarities in their attitudes toward teamwork, but females reported stronger agreement on the values and culture of the team. Several differences appeared in male and female nurses' attitudes toward teamwork. The stereotype of nursing as a female occupation was found to affect male nurses' job satisfaction and decision‐making process, creating a barrier to effective collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The sample had few subgroups and self‐reporting questionnaires may not reflect participants' attitudes in real situations.

Originality/value

The study describes important aspects of gender stereotyping in the health care environment and adds to the literature on professional teamwork and communication.
Virtual grid‐based front tracking method
Authors: Zhang Yuning
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to clarify the advantages of the virtual grid‐based (VGB) front tracking method developed for two‐phase bubble flows in comparison with currently used grid‐based and grid‐free methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for using two test cases to demonstrate the advantages of this VGB approach for front tracking.

Findings

The results from the test runs show a ten times higher calculation accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited test runs, the VGB approach may not fit some other applications. Researchers are encouraged to further develop and test this new approach.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for further development of a comprehensive approach for front tracking and data communications between the front and computational grid.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how the front tracking can be made more accurate and reliable.
Identification of structural damage in buildings using iterative procedure and regularisation method
Authors: Chen Hua‐Peng , Bicanic Nenad
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to identify both the location and severity of damage in complex framed buildings using limited noisy vibration measurements. The study aims to directly adopt incomplete measured mode shapes in structural damage identification and effectively reduce the influence of measurement errors on predictions of structural damage.

Design/methodology/approach

Damage indicators are properly chosen to reflect both the location and severity of damage in framed buildings at element level for braces and at critical point level for beams and columns. Basic equations for an iterative solution procedure are provided to be solved for the chosen damage indicators. The Tikhonov regularisation method incorporating the L‐curve criterion for determining the regularisation parameter is employed to produce stable and robust solutions for damage indicators.

Findings

The proposed method can correctly assess the quantification of structural damage at specific locations in complex framed buildings using only limited information on modal data measurements with errors, without requiring mode shape expansion techniques or model reduction processes.

Research limitations/implications

Further work may be needed to improve the accuracy of inverse predictions for very small structural damage from noisy measurements.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of reliable techniques for rapid and on‐line damage assessment and health monitoring of framed buildings.

Originality/value

The paper offers a practical approach and procedure for correctly detecting structural damage and assessing structural condition from limited noisy vibration measurements.
Optimization of plastic injection molding process by dual response surface method with non‐linear programming
Authors: Chen Wu‐Lin , Huang Chin‐Yin , Hung Chi‐Wei
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find the optimal values of process parameters in injection molding when both warpage and shrinkage are minimized.

Design/methodology/approach

In finding the optimal values, advantages of finite element software, Moldflow, and dual response surface method (dual RSM) combined with the nonlinear programming technique by Lingo are exploited. Considering the nine process parameters, injection time, injection pressure, packing pressure, packing time, cooling time, coolant temperature, mold‐open time, melting temperature and mold surface temperature, a series of mold analyses are performed to exploit the warpage and shrinkage data. In the analyses, warpage is considered the primary response, whereas shrinkage is the secondary response.

Findings

The results indicate that dual RSM combined with the nonlinear programming technique can outperform the Taguchi's optimization method. The optimal process values are also confirmed by re‐running experiments on Moldflow. Additionally, an auxiliary dual RSM model is proposed to search for a better result based on the given findings by dual RSM at the cost of running extra experiments. Based on dual RSM, a multiple objective optimization for the whole plastic product is finally suggested to integrate the dual RSM models that are developed for the individual nodes or edges.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new method to find the optimal process for plastic injection molding.
Multi‐physics simulation of friction stir welding process
Authors: Hamilton Robert , MacKenzie Donald , Li Hongjun
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The friction stir welding (FSW) process comprises several highly coupled (and non‐linear) physical phenomena: large plastic deformation, material flow transportation, mechanical stirring of the tool, tool‐workpiece surface interaction, dynamic structural evolution, heat generation from friction and plastic deformation. This paper aims to present an advanced finite element (FE) model encapsulating this complex behaviour and various aspects associated with the FE model such as contact modelling, material model and meshing techniques are to be discussed in detail.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical model is continuum solid mechanics‐based, fully thermo‐mechanically coupled and has successfully simulated the FSW process including plunging, dwelling and welding stages.

Findings

The development of several field variables are quantified by the model: temperature, stress, strain. Material movement is visualized by defining tracer particles at the locations of interest. The numerically computed material flow patterns are in very good agreement with the general findings from experiments.

Originality/value

The model is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the most advanced simulation of FSW published in the literature.
Auditor and non‐mentor supervisor relationships
Authors: Miller Cathleen L. , Siegel Philip H. , Reinstein Alan
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the effects of mentoring and organizational justice on auditors' relationships with their non‐mentor supervisors. While having a mentor should cause higher quality protégé auditors and their non‐mentor supervisor relationships, organizational justice perceptions should mediate this mentoring association. Thus, having a mentor should see higher procedural justice perceptions, which, in turn, should result in higher quality relationships between protégés and their non‐mentor supervisors.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 95 audit professionals shows that protégés report higher quality auditor‐supervisor relationships than do non‐protégés; however, having a mentor does not appear to be the determining factor.

Findings

Building on a prior study of Siegel et al., the paper finds that auditor attitudes towards the job (job satisfaction) and the firm (job commitment) eliminate the association between mentoring and quality of auditor‐supervisor relationships. Procedural justice, but not distributive justice, perceptions also mediate the relationship between job satisfaction and quality of auditor‐supervisor relationships. Procedural justice perceptions produce higher quality auditor‐supervisor relationships with non‐mentor supervisors.

Research limitations/implications

Using mediation regression techniques instead of the more stringent path analysis and using self‐reported survey data that derives a method variance could affect the generalizability of our results. Future research can correct these limitations.

Practical implications

The paper finds that while merely having a mentor need not improve relationships, mentoring programs can still greatly improve auditor‐supervisor relationships.

Originality/value

The paper includes implications for developing effective mentoring programs for CPA firms.
Do audit delays affect client retention?
Authors: Mande Vivek , Son Myungsoo
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether lengthy audit delays lead to auditor changes in the subsequent year. The paper hypothesizes that a lengthy interaction between clients and their auditors reflects high audit risk factors relating to management integrity, internal controls, and the financial reporting process. It argues that auditors are more likely to drop clients with long audit delays because they would like to avoid these types of audit risks.

Design/methodology/approach

Using logistic regressions, the paper first tests whether a lengthy audit delay leads to an auditor change. It then examines whether as audit delays increase, auditor changes are more likely to be downward than lateral.

Findings

The results support the hypothesis that Big N auditor‐client realignments occur following long audit delays. Further, as the length of the delay increases, the paper finds that there are more downward changes.

Research limitations/implications

An implication of our study is that a long audit delay represents a publicly observed proxy for the presence of audit risk factors that lead to an auditor change.

Practical implications

This study suggests that all else constant, investors should consider a lengthy audit delay as indicating that there has been deterioration in the quality of the client‐auditor interaction. An audit delay also presents an observable proxy for successor auditors to consider while evaluating risks associated with a new client.

Originality/value

The results of our study increase our understanding of how Big N auditors manage their client portfolios to mitigate their exposure to risk factors.
The asymmetric relationship between corporate environmental responsibility and earnings management
Authors: Heltzer Wendy
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between earnings management (EM) and subsamples of corporate environmental responsibility (CER).

Design/methodology/approach

KLD data are used to generate subsamples of environmental “strengths” and “concerns”. Differences in EM are studied across subsamples, using discretionary accruals to proxy for EM. The samples consist of 2,171 US firms.

Findings

Firms with at least one environmental strength do not exhibit statistically different levels of EM, relative to environmentally neutral firms, while firms with at least one environmental concern do exhibit statistically greater EM (greater income‐increasing discretionary accruals), relative to other sample firms. Further, firms with multiple environmental concerns exhibit greater EM than firms with a single environmental concern. These findings do not support the political cost hypothesis per the CER/EM literature, but they do support the institutional hypothesis (in the case of environmental strengths) and myopia avoidance hypothesis (in the case of environmental concerns) per the broader corporate social responsibility (CSR)/EM literature.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to US firms; results may not be transferable to other countries. KLD data are binary, and thus may not capture the full array of CER.

Practical implications

The findings may aid interested parties in detecting EM.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new testing environment for theoretical frameworks established in the CER/EM and CSR/EM literatures. Additionally, the findings differ across subsamples, suggesting that the relationship between CER and EM is asymmetric.
Artificially intelligent conversational agents in libraries
Authors: Rubin Victoria L. , Chen Yimin , Thorimbert Lynne Marie
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Conversational agents are natural language interaction interfaces designed to simulate conversation with a real person. This paper seeks to investigate current development and applications of these systems worldwide, while focusing on their availability in Canadian libraries. It aims to argue that it is both timely and conceivable for Canadian libraries to consider adopting conversational agents to enhance – not replace – face‐to‐face human interaction. Potential users include library web site tour guides, automated virtual reference and readers' advisory librarians, and virtual story‐tellers. To provide background and justification for this argument, the paper seeks to review agents from classic implementations to state‐of‐the‐art prototypes: how they interact with users, produce language, and control conversational behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The web sites of the 20 largest Canadian libraries were surveyed to assess the extent to which specific language‐related technologies are offered in Canada, including conversational agents. An exemplified taxonomy of four pragmatic purposes that conversational agents currently serve outside libraries – educational, informational, assistive, and socially interactive – is proposed and translated into library settings.

Findings

As of early 2010, artificially intelligent conversational systems have been found to be virtually non‐existent in Canadian libraries, while other innovative technologies proliferate (e.g. social media tools). These findings motivate the need for a broader awareness and discussion within the LIS community of these systems' applicability and potential for library purposes.

Originality/value

This paper is intended for reflective information professionals who seek a greater understanding of the issues related to adopting conversational agents in libraries, as this topic is scarcely covered in the LIS literature. The pros and cons are discussed, and insights offered into perceptions of intelligence (artificial or not) as well as the fundamentally social nature of human‐computer interaction.
Alleviating physical space constraints using virtual space?
Authors: Cocciolo Anthony
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether virtual space can be used to alleviate physical space constraints for group collaboration in an urban academic library environment. Specifically, this paper looks to uncover whether library users will turn to library‐provided virtual space when there is a scarcity of physical space.

Design/methodology/approach

This project discusses the design of the physical and virtual environment, and then measures the use of this environment quantitatively over a 47‐month period (2005‐2009).

Findings

Results indicate that physical spaces for group collaboration are in very high demand, whereas virtual ones are not. A scarcity of physical collaboration spaces does not lead users to library‐provided virtual space, but rather to work around the scarcity in the physical world.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the value of the library as a gathering place and the ways in which virtual collaboration space cannot easily take the place of physical collaboration space.
Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) in library research
Authors: Wade Bishop Bradley , Mandel Lauren H.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to measure and analyze library services and establish future directions for this research area.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviews the library literature using GIS. The study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases, Library Literature and Information Full Text and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services.

Findings

This review of the literature reveals research using GIS as a tool in two ways: to analyze service area populations, including facility site location and other service and resource decision making; and to manage facilities, including in‐library use and occupancy of library study space.

Practical implications

The findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that may be confusing for the novice, but beneficial to the field. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit library services by generating maps to convey more information than tables and text alone and by allowing spatial analysis of library services inside the library as well as in a library's service areas.

Originality/value

The paper provides future directions for an emerging research area and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners.
Information literacy barriers: language use and social structure
Authors: Lin Peyina
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to examine barriers to information literacy (IL), including: language use, social structures, and the neutrality‐advocacy dilemma.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper critical analysis is used to discuss: effect of language used on audience reach; cognitive locus assumptions in IL standards and oversight on structural factors; opportunities for libraries to overcome IL barriers. Arguments are substantiated with theories and research from sociology, psychology, and education.

Findings

Effective diffusion of IL depends on using common language and being relevant to learners. However, knowledge differences between librarians and the public can make finding common language challenging. Additionally, by assuming information illiteracy in people, the term may convey negative‐evaluation, which may negatively affect learners' sense of competence and motivation for learning, and result in ineffective learning. Extracurricular/civic activities in schools are rich settings for effective learning, but structural factors, often overlooked by proponents of IL, constrain students' opportunities for civic participation. Fortunately, the library provides a sense of relatedness to students and has the potential to support conditions for effective learning in civic contexts.

Research limitations/implications

Propositions have not been empirically tested in IL contexts.

Practical implications

The paper proposes ways to address barriers to information literacy and calls for empirical research.

Social implications

The paper legitimizes librarians to play advocacy roles for students' civic engagement.

Originality/value

No literature in information literacy examines in‐depth the effects of its language choice and cognitive locus on audience reach. This paper integrates theories from sociology, psychology, and education, to argue how language choice and social structures constrain IL attainment and proposes ways to address those barriers.
Making web content accessible for the deaf via sign language
Authors: Möbus Lisa
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to show the special needs of deaf people to have a barrier‐free access to the internet and its services and benefit from it. It aims to give explanations why deaf people need sign language on the web as a replacement for acoustic and written content and to present today's solutions to realize it.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparison and confrontation of today's research on the topic, influenced by the author's opinion.

Findings

Deaf people need sign language on the web to have full access to acoustic and written content. Sign‐language‐videos with human interpreters are today's common solution. There is a lot of research and projects with avatar‐technologies to overcome the limits of sign‐language‐videos, but the possibilities of this solution are still restricted.

Social implications

This paper seeks to draw attention to the special need of deaf people, their restrictions in reading and writing and why sign language is the crucial factor to include deaf people in the information society.

Originality/value

This paper confronts the actual solutions of the topic and shows their advantages and limits.
Overcoming the information gap
Authors: Tatomir Jennifer , Durrance Joan C.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address problems associated with the accessibility of academic library databases.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates 32 databases and measures their accessibility to users of adaptive technology.

Findings

Based on the results of this study, 72 percent of the evaluated databases were rated as marginally accessible or inaccessible, reflecting a low level of compliance to federal web accessibility legislation and international web accessibility standards. To measure database accessibility to adaptive technology users, this study operationalized accessibility into ten component parts as the Tatomir Accessibility Checklist (TAC) and tested each database on each component.

Originality/value

Findings of this study can be used both by those who purchase and manage databases in libraries to identify the most accessible databases and by designers of the databases to improve specific features.