bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some are More Equal Than Others: Definitions of Disability in Social Policy and Discrimination Law in Europe
Authors: MABBETT DEBORAH
Published: March 2005

This article explores the relationship between anti-discrimination policy and existing social policies directed towards disabled people. It proposes a conception of ‘spheres’ of social policy, in which different spheres advance different dimensions of equality. Within each sphere, definitions of disability are based on relevant comparisons which determine who should be recognised as disabled for the purposes of the policy. Examples of definitions are given using material from a cross-national European project. Examples are also given where social policies provide for disabled people without defining a disability category. The implications of these findings for anti-discrimination policy are drawn out, and problems in defining disability for the purposes of ‘fourth generation’ equality rights are identified. It is suggested that there are limitations to the extent that equality policy can be founded on non-discrimination principles, and that a more substantive equality policy for disabled people needs to learn from debates and experiences within social policy.
The Arctic climate paradox: The recent decrease of the Arctic Oscillation
Authors: Overland J. E. , Wang M.
Published: March 2005

A current paradox is that many physical and biological indicators of Arctic change—summer sea‐ice extent, spring surface air temperature and cloud cover, and shifts in vegetation and other ecosystems—show nearly linear trends over the previous two and a half decades, while the Arctic Oscillation, a representative atmospheric circulation index often associated with Arctic change, has had a different, more episodic behavior, with a near‐neutral or negative phase for 6 of the last 9 years (1996–2004) following a positive phase (1989–1995). Stratospheric temperature anomalies over the Arctic, which serve as an index of the strength of the polar vortex, also show this episodic character. Model projections of Arctic temperature for 2010–2029 show model‐to‐model and region‐to‐region differences suggesting large variability in the future response of atmospheric circulation to external forcing. Thus internal processes in the western Arctic may have a larger role in shaping the present persistence of Arctic change than has been previously recognized.
Plasma transport from multicomponent approach
Authors: Lui A. T. Y. , Hori T. , Ueno G. , Mukai T.
Published: March 2005

Plasma measurements in the Earth's magnetotail have revealed occasional existence of multiple plasma components. In this work, we present the first quantitative comparison between single‐component and multicomponent approaches on the transport of mass and energy in the magnetotail with Geotail 3D plasma measurements. Two events are examined in detail, one during substorm expansion and the other during substorm recovery. It is found that the mass and energy transport from the plasma moment approach is usually underestimated for the dynamic hot plasma component. For the substorm expansion case, the bursty bulk flow event based on the moment approach is actually a case of a super‐Alfvénic‐speed beam passing through (BPT) a rather stationary plasma. This newly discovered BPT phenomenon should be distinguished from bursty bulk flow. Therefore, the multicomponent approach could provide a better insight than the moment approach on the actual dynamic situation.
Effects of biogenic silica dissolution on silicon cycling and export production
Authors: Fujii Masahiko , Chai Fei
Published: March 2005

Biogenic silica (bSiO2) dissolution plays an important role in the marine silicon cycle, diatom production and vertical export production. An ocean ecosystem model that incorporates dependency of bSiO2 dissolution on water temperature was used to examine the effects of bSiO2 dissolution on diatom production and bSiO2 export. Diatoms dominate with higher bSiO2 dissolution rates because of enhanced silicic acid supply for diatom production. Annual bSiO2 export does not change with bSiO2 dissolution rate, because of less bSiO2 production with lower rates and greater bSiO2 dissolution with higher rates. The ratio of bSiO2 export to production changes seasonally, with maximum in late spring. The contribution of spring diatom bloom to the annual bSiO2 export is 21–30%, smaller than observation‐based estimates. This suggests necessity for incorporating other factors controlling bSiO2 dissolution besides water temperature, such as difference in organic coating protections against bSiO2 dissolution between live and dead diatoms, in the model.
Storm time distributions of diffuse auroral electron energy and X‐ray flux: Comparison of drift‐loss simulations with observations
Authors: Chen Margaret W. , Schulz Michael , Anderson Phillip C. , Lu Gang , Germany G. , Wüest Martin
Published: March 2005

We investigate the spatial structure of the electron diffuse aurora during the 19 October 1998 storm by comparing drift‐loss simulations with precipitating particle data and auroral images. Distributions of precipitating diffuse aurora during magnetic storms depend on variation of the magnetotail electron distributions, electron transport, and electron pitch‐angle scattering. In our simulations we compute the bounce‐averaged drift motion and precipitation of plasma sheet electrons in Dungey's model magnetosphere (dipole plus uniform southward Bz). We use the Assimilative Model of Ionospheric Electrodynamics (AMIE) electric field. We evaluate the precipitating energy flux and X‐ray energy at ionospheric altitude h = 127.4 km for two different scattering rate models: (1) strong diffusion everywhere and (2) an MLT‐dependent model scattering rate less than everywhere strong. We compare the simulated distributions of electron energy flux with those obtained from Dst‐binned averaged NOAA‐12 data and the Polar/Ultraviolet Imager (UVI). The simulated distributions of X‐ray flux are compared with Polar/Polar Ionospheric X‐ray Imaging Experiment (PIXIE) images. The comparisons reveal that pitch‐angle scattering clearly plays a crucial role in determining the spatial distribution of the precipitating electron energy flux. The simulated storm time energy flux with strong diffusion tends to be much more intense in the evening sector and much weaker near dawn than what is statistically observed. The most intense electron precipitation under strong diffusion will occur where the electron drift times from the plasma sheet are on the order of the electron lifetime against strong diffusion. On the other hand, the model and data comparison shows that MLT‐dependent scattering less than everywhere strong produces a more realistic electron diffuse aurora than with strong diffusion. Our study strongly suggests that wave scattering is weak in the postdusk sector (∼2200 MLT) and strong in the morning sector (∼0400 MLT), which seems to be in general agreement with statistical and storm time wave observations.
What is Interpersonal Behavior? A Post-Cartesian Approach to Problematic Interpersonal Patterns and Psychotherapy Process
Authors: Westerman Michael A.
Published: March 2005

Most efforts to learn about interpersonal behavior reflect a shared set of key commitments. These commitments, in turn, reflect the Cartesian framework with its split between person and world. Guided by the recent work of certain developmental psychologists interested in social interaction (e.g., Fogel, 1993 ; Kaye, 1985 ) and by an alternative philosophical perspective that regards the person's involvement in practical activities as fundamental ( Heidegger, 1962 ; Merleau-Ponty, 1962 ; Wittgenstein, 1958 ), the author maps out the participatory model of interpersonal behavior. According to this model, interpersonal behaviors are viewed as a person's contributions to doing something with other people. The author considers the model's implications for research by clinical psychologists on problematic behavior patterns in adults and psychotherapy process. The author also considers implications of rejecting the Cartesian framework for methodological concerns about the role of interpretation in research on interpersonal behavior.
Dimensions of Folk Psychiatry
Authors: Haslam Nick
Published: March 2005

This article presents a social-cognitive model of laypeople's thinking about mental disorder, dubbed “folk psychiatry.” The author proposes that there are 4 dimensions along which laypeople conceptualize mental disorders and that these dimensions have distinct cognitive underpinnings. Pathologizing represents the judgment that a form of behavior or experience is abnormal or deviant and reflects availability and simulation heuristics, internal attribution, and reification. Moralizing—the judgment that individuals are morally accountable for their abnormality—reflects a form of intentional explanation grounded in everyday folk psychology. Medicalizing represents the judgment that abnormality has a somatic basis and reflects an essentialist mode of thinking. Psychologizing—ascribing abnormality to psychological dysfunction—reflects an emergent form of mentalistic explanation that is neither essentialist nor intentional. Implications for psychiatric stigma and for cross-cultural variations in understandings of the psychiatric domain are discussed.
Perceived Uncontrollability and Unpredictability, Self-Regulation, and Sexual Revictimization
Authors: Marx Brian P. , Heidt Jennifer M. , Gold Sari D.
Published: March 2005

This article reviews the descriptive literature on sexual revictimization and the evidence for the theoretical models that have been formulated to explain this phenomenon. Also, a speculative account of sexual revictimization is presented. The proposed model emphasizes individuals’ attempts to influence or control the quality, frequency, intensity, or duration of fear and arousal associated with a history of uncontrollable and unpredictable childhood sexual abuse through the use of antecedent or response-focused emotion regulation processes. The various forms of emotion regulation may produce symptoms or behaviors that may signal vulnerability to sexual predators, result in impairment of the ability to properly process danger cues, and impede successful defensive behavior. Implications of the proposed model and future directions are discussed.
Superconducting quantum interference device measurements of dilute magnetic materials in biological samples
Authors: Hautot D. , Pankhurst Q. A. , Dobson J.
Published: March 2005

Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers are very high precision instruments: for example, the Quantum Design MPMS-7 instrument capable of measuring an absolute magnetization of ≈10−7to10−11emu (10−10to10−14Am2), corresponding to better than ≈1ng of magnetite, Fe3O4. However, in biological samples, such precision is rarely achieved. In the presence of ≈100mg of biological tissue there is a diamagnetic contribution of ≈−9×10−9emu∕Oe so that at 10kOe the measurement of 1ng of magnetite in 100mg of tissue has its precision reduced by a factor of 10, with a loss in accuracy of a factor of 2.5. The extra volume of the biological material also reduces accuracy, typically by ≈25%. We describe here a measurement protocol that increases the obtainable precision and improves accuracy by a factor of 5, and which limits the sample volume effects to ≈2%–3%. This then allows accurate measurement of magnetic biominerals in a biological/diamagnetic matrix. Details on how to prepare, mount, and accurately measure dilute magnetic samples are given. The improvement in data quality comes at the cost of extended measurement periods and slightly increased helium consumption.
Electrochemical approach for fabricating nanogap electrodes with well controllable separation
Authors: Chen Fang , Qing Quan , Ren Liang , Wu Zhongyun , Liu Zhongfan
Published: March 2005

An electrochemical technique for fabricating nanogaps is proposed, which utilizes an in situ gap-impedance-tuning mechanism to realize precise control of gap separation. Nanogap electrodes with gap separation from tens of nanometer to sub 10 nm have been fabricated by combining conventional photolithography and this controlled electrodeposition technique. The gap separation can be tuned by changing monitoring parameters based on a homemade electrochemical setup, which provides high sensitivity and reproducibility. In addition, a possible mechanism for controlling gap separation at tens of nanometer level at present conditions was discussed.
Measurement of thermophysical properties in semi-infinite media by random heating and fractional model identification
Authors: Fudym Olivier , Battaglia Jean-Luc , Batsale Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2005

Transient hot probe methods are widely used for the measurement of thermal properties in semi-infinite media. In this article, the three-dimensional temperature impulse response of a rectangular probe is analyzed using an analytical solution based on the Green’s functions, such that two characteristic times relative to the asymptotic behaviors of the probe can be calculated. A strategy for the estimation of two uncorrelated properties is deduced from this approach. The identification technique, based on a fractional model approach, is optimized by applying a random input heat flux to the probe. This kind of random heating is shown to provide a frequency content in the range where both the thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity are uncorrelated. Some experimental results obtained with samples with well-known thermal properties are used to validate the proposed method.
Fast mega pixels video imaging of a toroidal plasma in KT5D device
Authors: Xu Min , Wang ZhiJiang , Lu RongHua , Sun Xiang , Wen YiZhi , Yu ChangXuan , Wan ShuDe , Liu WanDong , Wang Jun , Xiao DeLong , Yu Yi , Zhu ZhengHua , Hu LinYin
Published: March 2005

A direct imaging system, viewing visible light emission from plasmas tangentially or perpendicularly, has been set up on the KT5D toroidal device to monitor the real two-dimensional profiles of purely ECR generated plasmas. This system has a typical spatial resolution of 0.2mm (1280×1024pixels) when imaging the whole cross section. Interesting features of ECR plasmas have been found. Different from what classical theories have expected, a resonance layer with two or three bright spots, rather than an even vertical band, has been observed. In addition, images also indicate an intermittent splitting and drifting character of the plasmas.
Oxidation kinetics of ion-amorphized (0001) 6H–SiC: Competition between oxidation and recrystallization processes
Authors: Poggi A. , Parisini A. , Nipoti R. , Solmi S.
Published: March 2005

The wet oxidation of (0001) Si face 6H–SiC preamorphized by Ar+ implantation has been investigated in the temperature range between 750 and 950°C. Electron microscopy analysis has been performed to obtain information on the evolution of the amorphous layer during the oxidation process. The oxidation rate of the amorphous substrate is linear in time and assumes the value VOx(α)=3.8×107exp(−1.6∕kT)nm∕min. Due to the concomitant oxidation and recrystallization processes occurring at the two opposite faces of the amorphous layer, this expression is valid up to about 910°C for amorphous layer thickness of a few hundreds nanometer and processing time of a few tens of minutes. At higher temperatures, our oxidation data support the existence of a sudden increasing of the recrystallization that strongly reduces the time of surviving of the amorphous region and, consequently, the oxide thickness. The procedure to determine, for any fixed amorphous thickness, the most suitable experimental conditions giving rise to the maximum oxide thickness (i.e., the temperature at which corresponds the shortest oxidation time), preserving at the same time the flatness of the oxidized surface, is reported.
Levitation using microwave-induced plasmas
Authors: Exton R. J. , Popovic S. , Herring G. C. , Cooper M.
Published: March 2005

The levitation of objects above a microwave horn is demonstrated. High-power microwave pulses generate a low-temperature, diffuse plasma on the surface of the horn window. The thermal effect of the surface plasma brings about a localized increase in the pressure and results in a vertical flow of air, thus levitating the object.
Growth rate of silicon nanowires
Authors: Kikkawa J. , Ohno Y. , Takeda S.
Published: March 2005

We have measured the growth rate of silicon nanowires (SiNWs), which were grown at temperatures between 365 and 495 °C via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism. We grew SiNWs using gold as catalysts and monosilane (SiH4) as a vapor phase reactant. Observing SiNWs by means of transmission electron microscopy, we have found that SiNWs with smaller diameters grow slower than those with larger ones, and the critical diameter at which growth stops completely exists. We have estimated the critical diameter of SiNWs to be about 2 nm. We have also measured the temperature dependence of the growth rate of SiNWs and estimated the activation energy of the growth of SiNWs to be 230kJ∕mol.
Self-aligned carbon nanotube transistors with charge transfer doping
Authors: Chen Jia , Klinke Christian , Afzali Ali , Avouris Phaedon
Published: March 2005

This letter reports a charge transfer p-doping scheme which utilizes one-electron oxidizing molecules to obtain stable, unipolar carbon nanotube transistors with a self-aligned gate structure. This doping scheme allows one to improve carrier injection, tune the threshold voltage Vth, and enhance the device performance in both the “ON-” and “OFF-” transistor states. Specifically, the nanotube transistor is converted from ambipolar to unipolar, the device drive current is increased by 2–3 orders of magnitude, the device OFF current is suppressed and an excellent Ion∕Ioff ratio of 106 is obtained. The important role played by metal–nanotube contacts modification through charge transfer is demonstrated.
Genetic analysis reveals the complex structure of HIV-1 transmission within defined risk groups
Authors: Hué Stéphane , Pillay Deenan , Clewley Jonathan P. , Pybus Oliver G.
Published: March 2005

We explored the epidemic history of HIV-1 subtype B in the United Kingdom by using statistical methods that infer the population history of pathogens from sampled gene sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1
pol
gene sequences from Britain showed at least six large transmission chains, indicating a genetically variable, but epidemiologically homogeneous, epidemic among men having sex with men. Through coalescent-based analysis, we showed that these chains arose through separate introductions of subtype B strains into the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s. After an initial period of exponential growth, the rate of spread generally slowed in the early 1990s, which is more likely to correlate with behavior change than with reduced infectiousness resulting from highly active antiretroviral therapy. Our results provide insights into the complexity of HIV-1 epidemics that must be considered when developing HIV monitoring and prevention initiatives.
Italy and the politics of European defence: playing by the logic of multi-level networks
Authors: Foradori Paolo , Rosa Paolo
Published: March 2005

The article looks at the role of Italy in the decision-making arena of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), analysing the initiatives it put in place to address and influence the construction of a common defence. The article aims to explain the ability or inability of Italy to build up a consensus around its proposals. By studying two initiatives in the field of European defence and security, it seeks to determine the factors which resulted in the differing outcomes of Italian actions at the European level.
The family, honour and gender in Sicily: models and new research
Authors: Fazio Ida
Published: March 2005

This article shows how the latest research into Sicily's social and economic history calls into question certain well-established interpretations of the history of the family and its structures, the paradigm of Mediterranean honour, and the theory of familism. This new appraisal also highlights the major significance of the history of women and gender identity.
A small surface hydrophobic stripe in the coiled-coil domain of type I keratins mediates tetramer stability
Authors: Bernot Kelsie M. , Lee Chang-Hun , Coulombe Pierre A.
Published: March 2005

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are fibrous polymers encoded by a large family of differentially expressed genes that provide crucial structural support in the cytoplasm and nucleus in higher eukaryotes. The mechanisms involved in bringing together ∼16 elongated coiled-coil dimers to form an IF are poorly defined. Available evidence suggests that tetramer subunits play a key role during IF assembly and regulation. Through molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis, we document a hitherto unnoticed hydrophobic stripe exposed at the surface of coiled-coil keratin heterodimers that contributes to the extraordinary stability of heterotetramers. The inability of K16 to form urea-stable tetramers in vitro correlates with an increase in its turnover rate in vivo. The data presented support a specific conformation for the assembly competent IF tetramer, provide a molecular basis for their differential stability in vitro, and point to the physiological relevance associated with this property in vivo.
Interleukin-7 is necessary to maintain the B cell potential in common lymphoid progenitors
Authors: Dias Sheila , Silva Hamilton , Cumano Ana , Vieira Paulo
Published: March 2005

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) promotes survival and expansion of lymphoid precursors. We show here that, in addition, IL-7 has a fundamental role, as early as the stage of the multipotent (B/T/NK) common lymphoid progenitor (CLP), in maintaining the B cell differentiation program open. CLPs generated in the absence of IL-7 have normal T/NK differentiation potential, but severely impaired B potential. Accordingly, CLPs from IL-7–deficient mice express lower amounts of early B cell factor (EBF) and Pax5 than wild-type CLPs, but similar amounts of GATA-3. Importantly, induced overexpression of EBF is sufficient to restore the B potential in these cells. These results indicate that IL-7 directs commitment of CLPs by modulating EBF expression. This is the first example of a cytokine influencing lymphoid lineage commitment in multipotent progenitors and highlights the relevance of the expression of a functional IL-7 receptor at the CLP stage.
A fraction from Escherichia coli with anti-Aspergillus properties
Authors: Yadav V , Mandhan R , Dabur Rajesh , Chhillar A K , Gupta J , Sharma G L
Published: March 2005

The products of various strains of Escherichia coli (BL21, DH5α, HB101 and XL Blue) were investigated for antimycotic properties using pathogenic isolates of Aspergillus. Co-culture experiments revealed that E. coli strains exhibited variable activity against Aspergillus fumigatus. The lysates prepared from DH5α, HB101 and XL Blue strains of E. coli showed inhibitory activity against A. fumigatus in the protein concentration range of 62.50 to 250.00 μg ml−1. The highest activity was seen in the lysate of BL21, which inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus completely at a concentration of 31.25 μg protein ml−1. The MIC of BL21 lysate against Aspergillus niger was found to be 62.50 μg ml−1. The in vitro toxicity of BL21 lysate was evaluated using a haemolytic assay. A BL21 lysate protein concentration of 1250.00 μg ml−1 was found to be nontoxic to human erythrocytes. The standard drug amphotericin B lysed 100 % of erythrocytes at a concentration of 37.50 μg ml−1. SDS-PAGE showed the presence of at least 15 major proteins in the lysate of BL21. Ion-exchange chromatography resolved the BL21 lysate into five fractions and fraction III was found to be endowed with anti-Aspergillus properties. The MIC of this fraction was found to be 3.90 μg ml−1. Further work on the purification of the active molecule and its characterization is in progress.
Evaluation of the EVIGENE VRE Detection kit for detection of vanA and vanB genes in vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Authors: Kilic Abdullah , Baysallar Mehmet , Bahar Gul , Kucukkaraaslan Ayten , Cilli Feriha , Doganci Levent
Published: March 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the EVIGENE VRE Detection kit and compare it with PCR, considered the gold standard for detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The correlation between the MIC values of vancomycin and teicoplanin using the epsilon test was also determined. In the EVIGENE VRE Detection kit, DNA probes specific for bacterial target DNA sequences are bound to microwell plates. A hundred and ten VRE (104 Enterococcus faecium and six Enterococcus faecalis) and 45 vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium were tested. All VRE strains were found to be positive for the vanA genotype using the EVIGENE VRE Detection kit. All results obtained with the EVIGENE VRE Detection kit were confirmed by PCR. MIC results for the strains also correlated highly with the PCR and kit results. The EVIGENE VRE Detection kit should be used in preference to other methods for detecting resistance genes in all strains, since it is less time-consuming, does not require the handling of hazardous chemicals and has the same specificity as PCR.
Evaluation of an in-house-developed PCR for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in Indian children
Authors: Kulkarni S P , Jaleel M A , Kadival G V
Published: March 2005

Early and rapid detection of the causative organism is necessary in tuberculosis, particularly tuberculous meningitis, as the disease affects mainly children and if untreated or improperly treated can cause severe central nervous system disorders and can often be fatal. An in-house-developed PCR technique was developed for the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosisDNA, in which the target for amplification was a 340 bp nucleotide sequence located within the 38 kDa protein gene. The test can detect as small an amount of DNA as 10 fg, which is equivalent to two to three organisms, and is highly specific. Amplified product was detected by ethidium bromide staining after electrophoresis and Southern hybridization. Evaluation of test sensitivity and specificity was carried out using acid-fast bacilli-positive sputum samples from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and an equal number of non-tuberculosis patient samples as negative controls. In a double-masked study 30 cerebrospinal fluid samples from tuberculous meningitis patients and 30 samples from non-tuberculous meningitis patients were investigated. Out of the 30 samples 22 were positive by ethidium bromide-stained gel electrophoresis and 27 gave positive results by Southern hybridization. All of the 30 control samples showed negative results. The sensitivity of this PCR was 90 % and specificity, 100 %.
Induction of inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in J774.2 cells and murine macrophages by lipoteichoic acid and related cell wall antigens from Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Jones Karen J , Perris Alan D , Vernallis Ann B , Worthington Tony , Lambert Peter A , Elliott Tom SJ
Published: March 2005

Staphylococcus epidermidiscauses infections associated with medical devices including central venous catheters, orthopaedic prosthetic joints and artificial heart valves. This coagulase-negative staphylococcus produces a conventional cellular lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and also releases a short-glycerophosphate-chain-length form of LTA (previously termed lipid S) into the medium during growth. The relative pro-inflammatory activities of cellular and short-chain-length exocellular LTA were investigated in comparison with peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid fromS. epidermidisand LPS fromEscherichia coliO111. The ability of these components to stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and nitric oxide was investigated in a murine macrophage-like cell line (J774.2), and in peritoneal and splenic macrophages. On a weight-for-weight basis the short-chain-length exocellular LTA was the most active of theS. epidermidisproducts, stimulating significant amounts of each of the inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide, although it was approximately 100-fold less active than LPS fromE. coli. By comparison the full-chain-length cellular LTA and peptidoglycan were less active and the wall teichoic acid had no activity. As an exocellular product potentially released fromS. epidermidisbiofilms, the short-chain-length exocellular LTA may act as the prime mediator of the host inflammatory response to device-related infection by this organism and act as the Gram-positive equivalent of LPS in Gram-negative sepsis. The understanding of the role of short-chain-length exocellular LTA in Gram-positive sepsis may lead to improved treatment strategies.
To proliferate or to die: role of Id3 in cell cycle progression and survival of neural crest progenitors
Authors: Kee Yun , Bronner-Fraser Marianne
Published: March 2005

The neural crest is a unique population of mitotically active, multipotent progenitors that arise at the vertebrate neural plate border. Here, we show that the helix-loop-helix transcriptional regulator Id3 has a novel role in cell cycle progression and survival of neural crest progenitors in Xenopus. Id3 is localized at the neural plate border during gastrulation and neurulation, overlapping the domain of neural crest induction. Morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated depletion of Id3 results in the absence of neural crest precursors and a resultant loss of neural crest derivatives. This appears to be mediated by cell cycle inhibition followed by cell death of the neural crest progenitor pool, rather than a cell fate switch. Conversely, overexpression of Id3 increases cell proliferation and results in expansion of the neural crest domain. Our data suggest that Id3 functions by a novel mechanism, independent of cell fate determination, to mediate the decision of neural crest precursors to proliferate or die.
Education and training for digital librarians
Authors: Bawden David , Vilar Polona , Zabukovec Vlasta
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To determine and compare approaches to the education and training of librarians for work in digital libraries. More precisely, to identify – in general terms, rather than specifically – the important competencies required by information professionals in creating and managing digital libraries, and in facilitating their use, and to assess how these competencies are treated in LIS education and training, and therefore how the capacities of the information professions are being developed.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature analysis of the skill sets required by librarians working with digital materials. Evaluation of formal education and of professional development programmes in the UK and in Slovenia, to assess how these needs are being met.

Findings

Both formal education and continuing development training are adapting to cover aspects of the digital library environment, both in the UK and in Slovenia. This is happening as part of the normal process of the redesign of degree programmes and of training courses. Digital library skills and knowledge – embodying conceptual, semantic, syntactic and technical aspects – are being included in existing courses, for the most part, rather than in entities labelled “digital library”. This approach has strengths and also weaknesses. While there is some agreement on core topics, there is much variation in how they are presented, and in the relative importance given to them.

Research limitations/implications

Based on comparison of education and training programmes in two countries, the UK and Slovenia.

Practical implications

Recommendations for curricula are made.

Originality/value

Provides an insight into education and training needs in a developing and important area.
Online cultural heritage exhibitions: a survey of information retrieval features
Authors: Li Liew Chern
Published: March 2005

Purpose

What kinds of online cultural heritage exhibitions are now available on the internet? How far have these cultural heritage institutions voyaged in terms of harnessing the power of information and communication technology and the interactivity of multimedia systems to exhibit cultural heritage resources? This study aims to highlight the major initiatives and developments across libraries, archives and museums, and to provide an overview of the characteristics and features of current major initiatives – specifically of the objectives and purposes of the exhibitions, their contents, the available information retrieval (search and browse facilities) and interactive features. Design/methodology/approach – Reports the findings of a personal investigation of 15 online exhibitions, conducted between February and June 2004. Findings – A number of key characteristics of the information retrieval features of the surveyed online exhibition sites are identified. Research limitations/implications – This is by no means a comprehensive or all‐inclusive survey of all relevant initiatives. It is meant to be an exploratory study of the current landscape and architecture of major cultural heritage online exhibitions available on the web. Changes in the online exhibitions after June 2004 are not reflected in this paper.

Originality/value

Based on the findings of this survey, major areas of research that would improve the features of online exhibition systems are indicated.
Additives depletion and engine oil condition – a case study
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Mishra N.M. , Mukherjee P.S.
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To study and estimate changes of various properties upon use of engine oil by different methods.Design/methodology/approach – By viscosity measurement, pH measurement, Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopic analysis and UV‐Visible (Ultraviolet and visible rays) spectroscopic analysis.Findings – Some specific changes in additives of the oil upon use could be traced.Practical implications – Correct choice for additives for a particular use may enhance the oil life and also protect the engine from damage.Originality/value – The findings may be important to the lube oil producers and the users.
What if you build it, and they keep coming and coming and coming?
Authors: Starkweather Wendy , Marks Kenneth
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To provide an overview of building use in Lied Library at UNLV from the Library's opening in 2001 through early 2004 and to provide and update on the implications of the ramifications of that use for staff and users.

Design/methodology/approach

Use and visitation statistics are highlighted and factors associated with the use, such as overall design, policy changes, new services and resources as well as campus context are presented.

Findings

The experiences at UNLV's Lied Library indicate that the concept of “library as place” still matters; that an awe‐inspiring and esthetically pleasing design can produce a very functional building and that still matters; that continually evolving user‐focused services still matter; and that, for the library to continue to matter in the lives of its users, it must continue to adapt to its campus context, to collaborate successfully with campus partners and to respond effectively to the constantly changing context of information delivery and knowledge promotion.

Practical implications

It is important that librarians working in new libraries take time to review the successes and possible unintended consequences or shortcomings that result from their building projects, to identify the toll that success may take, and to appreciate the value and necessity of continued evolution even in a new building.

Originality/value

The observations presented may prove useful to librarians preparing for and assessing post‐move‐in experiences in their new libraries. Practical tips on preparing for and handling national and international visitors are also provided and suggestions for future action are given.
Lied Library @ four years: technology never stands still
Authors: Vaughan Jason
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To relate challenges associated with maintaining the technology involved in a modern, major academic research library.

Design/methodology/approach

Experiences from the past four years are categorized and discussed as they relate to information technology maintenance, enhancement, and future development. The narrative includes specific detailed examples, while maintaining a wide overall view, given the vast scope of what constitutes “information technology”.

Findings

Looking back at knowledge gained from four years of operating a new academic library, one can understand that technology is constantly evolving, creating numerous challenges. Such challenges include maintaining and enhancing existing systems and services, as well as introducing new systems and services. Associated with all such activities are a myriad challenges such as technology, funding, security, and overall resource management.

Practical implications

The findings serve to remind practitioners and administrators of the varied, complex, and expensive nature of maintaining a comprehensive information technology environment. Several concrete examples offer ideas that may aid with topics such as facility design planning and major project management.

Originality/value

This paper serves as a current case study useful for institutions considering a major library expansion or planning construction of a new major library, and also serves as a useful executive summary (with supporting specific examples) detailing the complex tasks associated with maintaining and enhancing information technology resources.
Copyright in the networked world: author's rights
Authors: Seadle Michael
Published: March 2005

Purpose

This column looks at which rights matter, how to retain them, and which journal publishers already cooperate.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses the requirements of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access, and examines the Creative Commons licences, the SPARC addendum, the project RoMEO list publishers' copyright policies, and the Emerald Journal Article Record form.

Findings

If retaining rights to works in order to provide open access is a key part of the solution to the crisis in scholarly publishing, then significant progress has taken place.

Practical implications

It remains to be seen whether having authors retain the right to provide open access will, over time, bring down journal costs. Enough publishers have cooperated that an opportunity now exists for repositories to begin to show what they can (or cannot) accomplish.

Originality/value

It remains to be seen whether having authors retain the right to provide open access will, over time, bring down journal costs.
Discourse as strategic coping resource: managing the interface between “home” and “work”
Authors: Tietze Susanne
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To provide insight into the consequences of telework from the perspective of the teleworker and the household. The paper discusses the consequences of telework for the formulation of identities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on empirical work, which comprises home visits to teleworkers and therefore includes observational data and interview data. The data are analysed following a particular framework, which is views discourse as a “strategic resource” and draws on the vocabulary of performativity and connectivity to investigate why some “discursive acts” take successfully while others fail.

Findings

It is shown that teleworkers and their households need to engage in strategies to protect and reconfirm their respective identities. This is achieved through the enactment of regulatory as well as self‐regulatory (identity) acts.

Originality/value

The paper is located in the household of teleworkers and therefore, includes this less well researched perspective. The linking of the conceptual framework (strategic resource) with the location of the study in the household in order to investigate the theme “identity” is an innovative feature, which shows that (internal) self‐regulatory identity acts are equally or even more important than (external) regulatory acts.
The implementation of the TQM philosophy in Poland
Authors: Bugdol Marek
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present an overview of various total quality management (TQM) issues in Poland's business organizations and the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the role of the Polish Quality Award Committee in promoting the idea of TQM. Presents the results of survey research on the implementation of TQM in Polish companies. Presents a critical analysis of the results and formulates conclusions based on the author' experience gained while working in the Polish Quality Award Committee at the National Chamber of Economy.

Findings

The analysis of the literature on the subject and the results of empirical research allow the formulation of conclusions. It turns out that most Polish companies implement the TQM philosophy under the influence of the positive results of the functioning quality management systems based on ISO standards. The influence of cultural and social factors cannot be underestimated. The further development of the TQM philosophy should be related to the development of knowledge in the field of human resources management. The promotional and didactic activities of the Polish Quality Award Committee and Polish universities influence positively the functioning and development of TQM. Some Polish companies try to combine TQM with other management methods, e.g. reengineering.

Practical implications

The practical aspects comprise these conclusions which are related to the barriers to the implementation of TQM. The knowledge of such barriers and their character can be advantageous for managers in the process of decision making.

Originality/value

The paper is the first holistic survey of TQM in Polish companies. It may constitute a basis for further research and scholarly analysis.
Corporate ethics in TQM: management versus employee expectations and perceptions
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg
Published: March 2005

Purpose

The objective of this research is to develop and describe a conceptual framework of corporate ethics in total quality management (TQM).

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a summarised in‐depth and longitudinal case illustration. The summarised case describes corporate ethics in an intra‐corporate relationship.

Findings

TQM requires human resources and failing to care for them will affect accordingly the success of TQM. The case description illustrates the evolution of management versus employee expectations and perceptions of corporate ethics. It has an emphasis on the human resources of a company that strives towards TQM. As the quality of corporate ethics decreases the outcome of TQM is also affected (i.e. directly or indirectly). The case is initialised in an atmosphere of management and employee optimism and positivism of corporate ethics, which is a requisite from both parties in order to ensure prosperous TQM. The successive change towards pessimism and negativism of corporate ethics in the intra‐corporate relationship concludes the in‐depth case description.

Research limitations/implications

Four parameters of corporate ethics are used to incorporate corporate ethics into TQM, namely management versus employee expectations and perceptions. Internal corporate quality management should always be regarded as dependent upon the achieved equilibrium between management and employee perceptions. It is also dependent upon the derived equilibrium between management and employee previous expectations.

Practical implications

An important insight of this research is that TQM requires the continuous attention to the management versus employee expectations and perceptions inherent in corporate ethics of internal business operations. Furthermore, corporate ethics is complementary to business ethics.

Originality/value

The case description has shown that TQM may be running well and accomplishing the hard goals. However, TQM is not only about figures, profits and costs. It is also a business approach that should penetrate all activities inside and outside that are related to the company, including the soft issues.
The identification and application of knowledge capital within small firms
Authors: Keogh William , Mulvie Angela , Cooper Sarah
Published: March 2005

Purpose

Research has shown that employers in small businesses may not provide, or fund, off‐the‐job training for reasons including that they believe that no training was considered necessary in their business. The research reported in this paper aims to focus on a study of software‐related companies that form part of an important sector for potential growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This article reports findings from a study of 20 software related small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). The overall purpose of the research was to establish a model whereby companies within the cluster could identify the training and development needs of their employees, and also of their management team(s). Interviews were held with owner managers and senior staff, and a training needs analysis was conducted in each organisation.

Findings

A number of factors were hindering the development of managerial talent in the sample. These included their small size, a lack of resources and availability of personnel for release to undertake development programmes as well as a shortage of specialist human resource management (HRM) expertise.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in the field of strategic human resource development in SMEs. However, the identification, understanding and development of knowledge capital are vital to compete within international markets and the knowledge economy. The approach suggested by the research provides a framework for improvement by identifying requirements for a “toolkit” that meets the needs of organisations and bridges the gap within the existing literature and empirical evidence.
Cultural determinants of competitiveness within SMEs
Authors: Ritchie Bob , Brindley Clare
Published: March 2005

Purpose

To develop a contingency framework that will assist in overcoming the concerns expressed about the ability to integrate and generalise findings from research studies into entrepreneurship and small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary framework is developed as a contribution towards fulfilling the need for a means of connecting often, diverse studies into SMEs and entrepreneurship. The framework is evaluated initially in terms of previous studies in the field and subsequently employing results from the authors' own cross‐national empirical studies involving ethnic, gender and cultural barriers to engaging in entrepreneurship.

Findings

The results from a series of empirical studies of experienced managers and aspiring managers are presented. The nature of the cultural differences and the implications for future research and policy making are evaluated. Issues such as the motivating and de‐motivating factors associated with establishing and managing an SME are highlighted.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are used to initiate the development and formulation of a contingency framework of entrepreneurship, which identifies cultural factors and differences as significant contingency variables.

Practical implications

The importance of recognising the impact of cultural and gender differences on the development and application of policies and practices designed to stimulate and sustain entrepreneurship and enterprise is highlighted. This theoretical contribution should lead to more robust policy development.

Originality/value

The development of a contingency framework which addresses differences in the contextual circumstances in differing countries or regions in terms of culture, gender and ethnicity. Providing support for this framework based on the review of relevant literature and empirical evidence.