bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide Acts as an Antioxidant and Delays Programmed Cell Death in Barley Aleurone Layers
Authors: Beligni Maria Veronica , Fath Angelika , Bethke Paul C. , Lamattina Lorenzo , Jones Russell L.
Published: October 2002

Nitric oxide (NO) is a freely diffusible, gaseous free radical and an important signaling molecule in animals. In plants, NO influences aspects of growth and development, and can affect plant responses to stress. In some cases, the effects of NO are the result of its interaction with reactive oxygen species (ROS). These interactions can be cytotoxic or protective. Because gibberellin (GA)-induced programmed cell death (PCD) in barley (Hordeum vulgare cv Himalaya) aleurone layers is mediated by ROS, we examined the effects of NO donors on PCD and ROS-metabolizing enzymes in this system. NO donors delay PCD in layers treated with GA, but do not inhibit metabolism in general, or the GA-induced synthesis and secretion of α-amylase. α-Amylase secretion is stimulated slightly by NO donors. The effects of NO donors are specific for NO, because they can be blocked completely by the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide. The antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene also slowed PCD, and these data support our hypothesis that NO is a protective antioxidant in aleurone cells. The amounts of CAT and SOD, two enzymes that metabolize ROS, are greatly reduced in aleurone layers treated with GA. Treatment with GA in the presence of NO donors delays the loss of CAT and SOD. We speculate that NO may be an endogenous modulator of PCD in barley aleurone cells.
Mitochondrial Alternative Oxidase Is Not a Critical Component of Plant Viral Resistance But May Play a Role in the Hypersensitive Response
Authors: Ordog Sandi H. , Higgins Verna J. , Vanlerberghe Greg C.
Published: October 2002

Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) with altered levels of mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) were used to examine the potential role of this electron transport chain protein in resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. We examined the effect of AOX expression on the salicylic acid-induced resistance in susceptible plants and the resistance responses of plants harboring the N-gene. A lack of AOX did not compromise the ability of salicylic acid treatment to heighten the resistance of susceptible plants. In plants with the N-gene, a lack of AOX did not compromise the ability of the hypersensitive response to restrict the virus or the ability of the plant to develop systemic acquired resistance. Overexpression of AOX did not heighten the resistance of susceptible plants, but did result in smaller hypersensitive response lesions, suggesting a link between mitochondrial function and this programmed cell death event. We conclude that AOX is not a critical component of the previously characterized salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive pathway important in viral resistance.
Two Novel Mitogen-Activated Protein Signaling Components, OsMEK1 and OsMAP1, Are Involved in a Moderate Low-Temperature Signaling Pathway in Rice
Authors: Wen Jiang-Qi , Oono Kiyoharu , Imai Ryozo
Published: October 2002

Rice (Oryza sativa) anther development is easily damaged by moderately low temperatures above 12°C. Subtractive screening of cDNA that accumulated in 12°C-treated anthers identified a cDNA clone, OsMEK1, encoding a protein with features characteristic of a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. The putative OsMEK1 protein shows 92% identity to the maize (Zea mays) MEK homolog, ZmMEK1. OsMEK1transcript levels were induced in rice anthers by 12°C treatment for 48 h. Similar OsMEK1 induction was observed in shoots and roots of seedlings that were treated at 12°C for up to 24 h. It is interesting that no induction of OsMEK1transcripts was observed in 4°C-treated seedlings. In contrast, ricelip19, encoding a bZIP protein possibly involved in low temperature signal transduction, was not induced by 12°C treatment but was induced by 4°C treatment. Among the three MAP kinase homologs cloned, only OsMAP1 displayed similar 12°C-specific induction pattern as OsMEK1. A yeast two-hybrid system revealed that OsMEK1 interacts with OsMAP1, but not with OsMAP2 and OsMAP3, suggesting that OsMEK1 and OsMAP1 probably function in the same signaling pathway. An in-gel assay of protein kinase activity revealed that a protein kinase (approximately 43 kD), which preferentially uses myelin basic protein as a substrate, was activated by 12°C treatment but not by 4°C treatment. Taken together, these results lead us to conclude that at least two signaling pathways for low temperature stress exist in rice, and that a MAP kinase pathway with OsMEK1 and OsMAP1 components is possibly involved in the signaling for the higher range low-temperature stress.
T-DNA-Associated Duplication/Translocations in Arabidopsis. Implications for Mutant Analysis and Functional Genomics
Authors: Tax Frans E. , Vernon Daniel M.
Published: October 2002

T-DNA insertion mutants have become a valuable resource for studies of gene function in Arabidopsis. In the course of both forward and reverse genetic projects, we have identified novel interchromosomal rearrangements in two Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion lines. Both rearrangements were unilateral translocations associated with the left borders of T-DNA inserts that exhibited normal Mendelian segregation. In one study, we characterized the embryo-defective88 mutation. Although emb88 had been mapped to chromosome I, molecular analysis of DNA adjacent to the T-DNA left border revealed sequence from chromosome V. Simple sequence length polymorphism mapping of the T-DNA insertion demonstrated that a >40-kbp region of chromosome V had inserted with the T-DNA into the emb88 locus on chromosome I. A similar scenario was observed with a prospective T-DNA knockout allele of the LIGHT-REGULATED RECEPTOR PROTEIN KINASE (LRRPK) gene. Whereas wild-type LRRPK is on lower chromosome IV, mapping of the T-DNA localized the disrupted LRRPKallele to chromosome V. In both these cases, the sequence of a single T-DNA-flanking region did not provide an accurate picture of DNA disruption because flanking sequences had duplicated and inserted, with the T-DNA, into other chromosomal locations. Our results indicate that T-DNA insertion lines—even those that exhibit straightforward genetic behavior—may contain an unexpectedly high frequency of rearrangements. Such duplication/translocations can interfere with reverse genetic analyses and provide misleading information about the molecular basis of mutant phenotypes. Simple mapping and polymerase chain reaction methods for detecting such rearrangements should be included as a standard step in T-DNA mutant analysis.
Purification and Biochemical Properties of Phytochromobilin Synthase from Etiolated Oat Seedlings
Authors: McDowell Michael T. , Lagarias J. Clark
Published: October 2002

Plant phytochromes are dependent on the covalent attachment of the linear tetrapyrrole chromophore phytochromobilin (PΦB) for photoactivity. In planta, biliverdin IXα (BV) is reduced by the plastid-localized, ferredoxin (Fd)-dependent enzyme PΦB synthase to yield 3Z-PΦB. Here, we describe the >50,000-fold purification of PΦB synthase from etioplasts from dark-grown oat (Avena sativa L. cv Garry) seedlings using traditional column chromatography and preparative electrophoresis. Thus, PΦB synthase is a very low abundance enzyme with a robust turnover rate. We estimate the turnover rate to be >100 s−1, which is similar to that of mammalian NAD(P)H-dependent BV reductase. Oat PΦB synthase is a monomer with a subunit mass of 29 kD. However, two distinct charged forms of the enzymes were identified by native isoelectric focusing. The ability of PΦB synthase to reduce BV is dependent on reduced 2Fe-2S Fds. A K  m for spinach (Spinacea oleracea) Fd was determined to be 3 to 4 μm. PΦB synthase has a high affinity for its bilin substrate, with a sub-micromolarK  m for BV.
Rapid Low Temperature-Induced Stomatal Closure Occurs in Cold-Tolerant Commelina communis Leaves But Not in Cold-Sensitive Tobacco Leaves, via a Mechanism That Involves Apoplastic Calcium But Not Abscisic Acid
Authors: Wilkinson Sally , Clephan Alison Lee , Davies William John
Published: October 2002

Commelina communis stomata closed within 1 h of transferring intact plants from 27°C to 7°C, whereas tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) stomata did not until the leaves wilted. Abscisic acid (ABA) did not mediate cold-induced C. communis stomatal closure: At low temperatures, bulk leaf ABA did not increase; ABA did not preferentially accumulate in the epidermis; its flux into detached leaves was lower; its release from isolated epidermis was not greater; and stomata in epidermal strips were less sensitive to exogenous ABA. Stomata of both species in epidermal strips on large volumes of cold KCl failed to close unless calcium was supplied. Therefore, the following cannot be triggers for cold-induced stomatal closure in C. communis: direct effects of temperature on guard or epidermal cells, long-distance signals, and effects of temperature on photosynthesis. Low temperature increased stomatal sensitivity to external CaCl2 by 50% inC. communis but only by 20% in tobacco. C. communis stomata were 300- to 1,000-fold more sensitive to calcium at low temperature than tobacco stomata, but tobacco epidermis only released 13.6-fold more calcium into bathing solutions thanC. communis. Stomata in C. communisepidermis incubated on ever-decreasing volumes of cold calcium-free KCl closed on the lowest volume (0.2 cm3) because the epidermal apoplast contained enough calcium to mediate closure if this was not over diluted. We propose that the basis of cold-induced stomatal closure exhibited by intact C. communis leaves is increased apoplastic calcium uptake by guard cells. Such responses do not occur in chill-sensitive tobacco leaves.
The Expression of Alternative Oxidase and Uncoupling Protein during Fruit Ripening in Mango
Authors: Considine Michael James , Daley Daniel Oliver , Whelan James
Published: October 2002

The expression of alternative oxidase (Aox) and uncoupling proteins (Ucp) was investigated during ripening in mango (Mangifera indica) and compared with the expression of peroxisomal thiolase, a previously described ripening marker in mango. The multigene family for the Aox in mango was expressed differentially during ripening. Abundance of Aox message and protein both peaked at the ripe stage. Expression of the single gene for the Ucp peaked at the turning stage and the protein abundance peaked at the ripe stage. Proteins of the cytochrome chain peaked at the mature stage of ripening. The pattern of protein accumulation suggested that increases in cytochrome chain components played an important role in facilitating the climacteric burst of respiration and that the Aox and Ucp may play a role in post-climacteric senescent processes. Because both message and protein for the Aox and Ucp increased in a similar pattern, it suggests that their expression is not controlled in a reciprocal manner but may be active simultaneously.
Discrete Forms of Amylose Are Synthesized by Isoforms of GBSSI in Pea[W]
Authors: Edwards Anne , Vincken Jean-Paul , Suurs Luc C. J. M. , Visser Richard G. F. , Zeeman Sam , Smith Alison , Martin Cathie
Published: October 2002

Amyloses with distinct molecular masses are found in the starch of pea embryos compared with the starch of pea leaves. In pea embryos, a granule-bound starch synthase protein (GBSSIa) is required for the synthesis of a significant portion of the amylose. However, this protein seems to be insignificant in the synthesis of amylose in pea leaves. cDNA clones encoding a second isoform of GBSSI, GBSSIb, have been isolated from pea leaves. Comparison of GBSSIa and GBSSIb activities shows them to have distinct properties. These differences have been confirmed by the expression of GBSSIa and GBSSIb in the amylose-free mutant of potato. GBSSIa and GBSSIb make distinct forms of amylose that differ in their molecular mass. These differences in product specificity, coupled with differences in the tissues in which GBSSIa and GBSSIb are most active, explain the distinct forms of amylose found in different tissues of pea. The shorter form of amylose formed by GBSSIa confers less susceptibility to the retrogradation of starch pastes than the amylose formed by GBSSIb. The product specificity of GBSSIa could provide beneficial attributes to starches for food and nonfood uses.
In quest of an ideal library environment: the case of the main library, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad
Authors: Clarke Reginald
Published: October 2002

The background to the need for attention to library environment in terms of conservation, disaster planning and external environmental factors is explained. Measures adopted at the UWI Trinidad are discussed in relation to operation and maintenance of buildings and physical plant and the activities of an environmental unit. A workplace evaluation project is described and discussed and factors relating to air conditioning are examined.
The House of Otava
Authors: Glasgow Eric
Published: October 2002

Briefly discusses foreign language publishing in Finland and describes the history of the Helsinki publishing house of Otava since its foundation in 1891. The development of the firm in relation to Finnish nationalism is described and its major publishing achievements highlighted. Its more recent history and current situation are also outlined.
Enrolments in higher education: do economic incentives matter?
Authors: Lauer Charlotte
Published: October 2002

This article analyses the determinants of participation in higher education in Germany, with a particular focus on the role of expectations regarding the cost and the return of higher education. The results show that the enrolment probability is mainly influenced by social origin, even though it also depends on cost and return expectations. In particular, a high unemployment risk and a high expected wage premium seem to increase the enrolment probability, while a higher propensity of non‐ or part‐time employment decreases it. Moreover, extending the coverage of public financial support seems to be more efficient in increasing enrolments than raising the amount granted per beneficiary.
Control processes for total quality management and quality assurance
Authors: Jabnoun Naceur
Published: October 2002

While quality has been widely accepted as essential in today’s global competition, limited work has been conducted on the management processes that lead to it. This paper addresses the control processes in quality assurance and total quality management. The generic management control process is first presented and its deficiencies are highlighted. The paper then proposes control processes for quality assurance and total quality management. Finally, these two processes are compared.
Downsizing: employee threat or opportunity?
Authors: Dewettinck Koen , Buyens Dirk
Published: October 2002

This paper reports on a study of the employment implications of different downsizing approaches using 19 case studies of Belgian organizations recently confronted with downsizing. Based on the results of this empirical study, a two‐dimensional categorization model is developed. The first continuum of the model represents the timeframe (reactive to proactive) of downsizing strategies, while the second continuum represents the focus of reorientation practices towards the internal or external labour market. Based on this categorization scheme, the employment implications were explored. Further theoretical, managerial and governmental implications are also suggested.
Mandatory retirement: a constraint in transitions to retirement?
Authors: Gomez Rafael , Gunderson Morley , Luchak Andrew
Published: October 2002

Issues associated with retirement in general, and phased transitions into retirement in particular, are taking on increased importance for a variety of reasons. Outlines those reasons, paying particular attention to the practice of mandatory retirement. Presents age dependency ratios for the OECD to highlight the importance of these issues in the context of an ageing and longer‐lived workforce relative to a smaller working age population. Then discusses the prevalence of mandatory retirement in Canada and the USA, and presents empirical evidence from Canada on variables associated with retiring because of mandatory retirement. The Canadian case is of particular interest, because mandatory retirement in Canada has generally not been banned, which is in marked contrast with the situation in the USA, where it has been banned as constituting age discrimination. The public and legal debate over the issue of mandatory retirement has also been extensive in Canada, and this debate may provide information for other countries dealing with the issue. Ends with an assessment of the extent to which mandatory retirement exerts a constraining influence on transitions into retirement. The essential argument is that its constraining impact is not as simple as it may initially appear. To the extent that mandatory retirement is an intricate part of the compensation and human resource function of firms, banning it can have important implications for those functions and, in turn, for transitions into retirement. The complexities of these issues and dramatically increasing old‐age dependency ratios will ensure that this is an area of growing importance for public policy and human resource management.
Labour market expectations of Swiss university students
Authors: Wolter Stefan C. , Zbinden André
Published: October 2002

Labour market expectations and especially wage expectations are important determinants for individual schooling decisions. However, research on individual expectations of students is scarce. The paper presents the Swiss results of a survey that was conducted in ten European countries. Its main findings are that point estimates of wages after graduation are close to actual wages, whereas the expectations of the wage gain in the first ten years of professional experience exceed the actual wage gains significantly. We find that rates of return to education that are calculated on the basis of individual wage and cost expectations as well as individual time preferences can be explained partially by the seniority of students, the self‐perception of their academic performance and their subjective job perspectives.
A plant’s technology emphasis and approach
Authors: McKone Kathleen E. , Schroeder Roger G.
Published: October 2002

While research has identified potential benefits of specific technology development practices, the literature has largely failed to identify the contextual issues that influence these practices. This paper explores the contextual differences of plants to better understand what types of companies place more emphasis on process technology and have a more disciplined approach to product development. We propose a theoretical framework for understanding the relationship between the context in which a plant operates and the process technology and the product development practices used within the plant. We test this framework using data from 163 plants to determine what types of companies are most likely to emphasize process technology and product development at the plant level. Our results indicate that environmental, organizational and strategic contextual factors are important to the technology practices of a plant.
Development of engineering structures for scheduling and control of aircraft maintenance
Authors: Samaranayake P. , Lewis G.S. , Woxvold E.R.A. , Toncich D.
Published: October 2002

This paper documents research and development that were undertaken as collaboration between the Industrial Research Institute of Swinburne University of Technology (IRIS), Armor Pty Ltd and QANTAS. The objective of the research was to investigate the application of a unitary software structure, composed of the critical path method (CPM), materials requirements planning (MRP) and production activity control (PAC) techniques, to the management of large‐scale maintenance activities (specifically aircraft maintenance). This structure had previously been applied to the manufacturing (i.e. assembly) process but the maintenance problem posed significant new challenges. First, there was the issue of generating a disassembly structure, and second, the reconciliation of demands arising from non‐serviceable components. This paper documents the implementation of the structure and the methods that were used to validate its functionality on a test‐case application (i.e. aircraft maintenance problem).
The influence of spiritual “meaning‐making” on career behavior
Authors: Lips‐Wiersma Marjolein
Published: October 2002

This paper presents the results of a participative psycho‐biographical study that investigated the effect of spirituality on career behavior. This study shows that spirituality influences career purpose, sense‐making and coherence. Spirituality was found to inspire four purposes of “developing and becoming self”, “unity with others”, “expressing self”, and “serving others”. Spirituality was also found to influence an ongoing process of sense‐making through discovering, prioritizing and balancing the four purposes over a lifespan, in response to ongoing tensions between “being” and “doing” as well as “self‐ versus other‐orientation”. Spirituality furthermore influences perceived career‐coherence as individuals align their careers with perceived spiritual orderings outside of themselves. The paper concludes with suggestions for practice and future research.
Global vs international involvement‐based segmentation
Authors: Aurifeille J‐M. , Quester P.G. , Lockshin L. , Spawton T.
Published: October 2002

Using a clusterwise regression analysis of French and Australian wine consumers, the authors explore the question of whether global marketers, who target the same segment around the world, are using a better strategy than international marketers who segment each national market and target the most attractive ones. Using involvement as a segmenting variable, several clusters were found, some warranting the global approach and others more suited for the nationally focused one. Based on the description of each segment, various strategic options appear to be open to retail marketers.
A proposed approach for modelling health‐care systems for understanding
Authors: Eldabi Tillal , Irani Zahir , Paul Ray J.
Published: October 2002

Discrete event simulation (DES) application is not as widely perceived as being useful for problem solving in the health‐care arena as in other application areas. Suggests that this might be due to the way DES is applied in health‐care modelling, as it follows a traditionally based‐on‐engineering approach. This may not be a problem in itself; however, health‐care systems are often complex in that they involve multiple decision‐makers and thus understanding and communication between the various stakeholders are potentially problematic. Thinks that problem understanding and efficient communication tools largely contribute to the solution; consequently, proposes a modelling approach to enhance stakeholder understanding and communication. The approach is based on participation of stakeholders; it is also iterative rather than step‐based. To demonstrate this approach, gives an example, aiming to show how this approach has been used successfully to facilitate the understanding process, concluding that involving stakeholders throughout not only helps them to understand their problem better, but also enables them to more fully appreciate the findings resulting from the model. This approach thus serves usefully to enrich the communication between the stakeholders.
Managing managed care: the enabling role of IS/IT
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nilmini , Lamb Roberta
Published: October 2002

In their conceptualization of the principal/agent relationship, Jensen and Meckling were not referring to a knowledge worker (KW) agent. Agency theory is extended to the context of a KW agent to identify a key role for IS/IT in facilitating the monitoring function. To test this, the dynamics of a critical principal‐KW agent relationship in the health‐care industry are investigated. It is demonstrated that IS/IT goes beyond just alleviating the agency problem to enabling the KW agent to perform “self‐monitoring”. The results are significant for health care, agency relationships and the use of IS/IT with knowledge workers.
South African state capacity and post‐apartheid economic reconstruction
Authors: Luiz John M.
Published: October 2002

The article examines the shift in the post‐apartheid government’s economic policy from its reconstruction and development programme to its growth, employment and redistribution policy. It argues that this move towards a more neo‐liberal paradigm reflects the growing reflection of the state’s incapacity. The paper reviews the delivery on promises made by the post‐apartheid government after the April 1994 elections and analyses the reasons for its lack of capacity. Lastly, it appraises the potential for a South African developmental state.
Salesperson’s procedural knowledge, experience and performance
Authors: Matsuo Makoto , Kusumi Takashi
Published: October 2002

The authors investigated the moderating effect of sales experience on the relationship between salespeople’s procedural knowledge and their performance, using a sample of 108 salespeople working at three car dealerships in Japan. Moderated regression analyses suggested that the more experience salespeople gain, the stronger the relationship between procedural knowledge and performance becomes. The results provide some support for the hypothesis that the sales experience moderates the relationship between procedural knowledge and performance, which is consistent with Anderson’s (1982, 1983) model and the ten‐year rule of necessary preparation in expertise research. The results also suggest that a high‐performing sales expert has customer‐oriented and active selling knowledge. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings in managing salespeople are discussed.
Brand Asset Management2: how businesses can profit from the power of brand
Authors: Davis Scott
Published: October 2002

What do the most powerful corporations in the world – Sony, Disney, Coca‐Cola, for example – have in common? Their success has been driven largely by the strength of their brands. As such, these and other successful organizations tend to manage their brands as key business assets that are a crucial underpinning to the overall corporate strategy. Scott Davis explains the rationale behind Brand Asset Management2 and explains how forward‐thinking businesses that expect to dominate their markets can put this approach to use in their own organizations.
Wine production as a service experience – the effects of service quality on wine sales
Authors: O’Neill Martin , Palmer Adrian , Charters Steven
Published: October 2002

This paper seeks to investigate the conceptualisation and measurement of the service quality construct and its relationship to behavioural intention through an application of the importance‐performance technique within the Australian wine tourism industry. Many winery operators invite customers to their winery and the quality of service during the visit can impact on future wine sales. Research undertaken among a sample of visitors to Australian vineyards showed that service process factors were more closely linked to wine purchase than tangible elements. The study also provides further support for the use of importance‐performance models of service quality, as this measure was found to be significantly related to two dimensions of behavioural intention.
The changing role of local government managers in a transitional economy
Authors: Wilson John , Gardner David , Kurganbaeva Gulmira , Sakharchuk Elena
Published: October 2002

States that public administration reform has been a global phenomenon over the last two decades, but that its justification, impact and effectiveness are strongly contested. Reveals that evidence across developed countries varies, but in developing countries conclusions are more difficult to arrive at. Examines the case of the Republic of Kazakhstan taking into account the views of local government. Concludes that, in the case of Kazakhstan there is considerable support for an enhanced, more autonomous role for local government.
Managerial perceptions of corporate social disclosure
Authors: O’Dwyer Brendan
Published: October 2002

This paper interprets managerial perceptions of corporate social disclosure (CSD) presence and absence through the lens of organisational legitimacy theory. Evidence from in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 29 senior managers in 27 Irish public limited companies is presented. It is one of the few studies to use interview‐based evidence in attempts to understand the motivations for CSD and responds to calls for more empirical work of this nature in the CSD literature. The paper extends and interrogates the use of legitimacy theory to infer motivations for CSD by presenting a narrative which contemplates conceptions of legitimacy as both a process and a state while endeavouring to understand the motives for CSD. In this manner, the paper furnishes a more complex, complete, and critical story of the motives for CSD. The perspectives suggest that while CSD may occasionally form part of a legitimacy process, ultimately this is misguided as it is widely perceived as being incapable of supporting the achievement of a legitimacy state. Consequently, for many managers, the continued practice of CSD is deemed somewhat perplexing. The paper reflects on the implications of these findings for future CSD research and practice.
Reflections: Chaos in organizational change
Authors: Fitzgerald Laurie A. , van Eijnatten Frans M.
Published: October 2002

In this concluding article the guest editors take a reflective stand with respect to this special issue of the Journal of Organizational Change Management dedicated to exploring the ways in which Chaos is made applicable to and actionable in organizations. This summation chronicles a search for common ground as well as differences between the individual contributions. In addition, we respond to a number of issues we believe to be pertinent to the advancement of Chaos as a metapraxis of organizational change, concluding with a few suggestions for future research.
Leaving our fathers’ house
Authors: Zanetti Lisa A.
Published: October 2002

What does it mean to leave one’s father’s house? Archetypally, the father’s house represents the dominant content of a culture’s collective consciousness, as well as dominance in the form of tyranny and fear. There is little question that contemporary organizations remain edifices constructed in the image of the father’s house. This article is about articulating barriers to conscious femininity in organizational contexts, drawing on psychoanalytic theory and personal experience to explore some of the social and psychological structures that contribute to the repression of feminine attributes.
Market share: the conduit to future success?
Authors: O’Regan Nicholas
Published: October 2002

Market share is often used to describe the position and success of a firm in an industrial sector. While the impact of market share is not always reflected in a firm’s profitability or performance, many firms see it as an important organisational goal. Accordingly, it could be argued that market share influences the organisational thinking and strategic planning of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises. However, it is unclear how and to what extent? The analysis indicates that firms with an increased market share differ significantly from firms with a decreased or static market share on the emphasis given to a number of environmental factors. The analysis shows that firms with increased market share are likely to have higher performance and in particular achieve enhanced financial performance, greater customer retention and customer satisfaction. This applies to all firm sizes. To ensure competitive advantage, firms need to consider market share in conjunction with overall profits.
Recent developments in materials for use in protective clothing
Authors: Shishoo Roshan
Published: October 2002

This paper outlines the innovations in high functional and high performance fibres for applications in protective clothing, including fibres for flame and heat protection. It also describes some typical woven and non‐woven constructions for such applications. And presents the trends in producing smart textile materials, capable of interacting with human/environmental conditions.
The impact of knowledge types on the consumer search process
Authors: Mattila Anna S. , Wirtz Jochen
Published: October 2002

Previous research provides evidence for a conceptual distinction between self‐assessed and objective knowledge, and relatively little is known about the relationship between knowledge and information search. The current research provides empirical evidence for differentiating the two knowledge types. Furthermore, it suggests that the relative effects of the two types of knowledge on pre‐purchase information search depend on the type of information source. Consistent with prior research, this study shows that self‐assessed knowledge is strongly linked to the consumer’s use of personal sources of information, including internal memory searches and word‐of‐mouth communication. Conversely, objective knowledge seems to have a positive impact on the consumer’s motivation to seek external information (e.g. newspaper articles, mass media sources) about the service provider. Managerial implications for professional service providers are discussed
The real cost of making customers wait
Authors: Ittig Peter T.
Published: October 2002

This paper considers the problem of estimating the service capacity that should be provided in a situation in which additional capacity may result in greater demand. Difficulties with conventional approaches are discussed. It is shown to be possible to estimate optimal service capacity in a relatively convenient manner from transaction data in some situations. This procedure has pedagogical as well as practical uses.
A capacity management model in service industries
Authors: Adenso‐Díaz B. , González‐Torre Pilar , García Virginia
Published: October 2002

The problem of capacity management is one of the most difficult to tackle in business management; a situation which is aggravated in the majority of services, due to uncertain demand and personalized requirements, which make it difficult to plan and assign productive capacity. While overstaffing implies extra costs, insufficient capacity implies a lower level of attention to customer needs and therefore a lack of perceived quality. The present article tackles this problem, presenting a model that enables minimum staffing to be easily determined. By taking into account historical staffing data associated with quality data, minimum recommended workload is calculated as a function of the theoretical staff needed according to standard time. The model has been applied in two real cases.
Research trends in retailing – a comparative approach: Spain‐Europe‐USA
Authors: Frasquet Marta , Gil Irene , Mollá Alejandro , Vallet Teresa
Published: October 2002

This paper describes the evolution of research in retailing comparing three different geographic regions: Spain, Europe and the USA. Working on the basis of a bibliographic review of the academic research published between 1996 and 2000, together with a content analysis, the results of this study reveal a heterogeneous evolution in nine thematic areas related to the field of retailing. The differences are particularly noticeable when comparing those of Europe with those of the USA, and reveal different areas of interest over the last five years.
From intangibility to tangibility on service quality perceptions: a comparison study between consumers and service providers in four service industries
Authors: Santos Jessica
Published: October 2002

Intangibility is one of the distinctive characteristics of service. However, the literature also highlights “tangibles” as one of the basic service quality dimensions. Investigates the importance of tangibles and intangibles in perceptions of service quality as assessed by both customers and service providers. Selects four service industries to reflect a range from high to low levels of tangible components and degree of intangibility in both service process and output. Based on 400 telephone interviews with consumers, shows that the level of tangible components has a positive impact on the perceived importance of the tangible dimension in service quality. However, the second phase of this research, involving a qualitative study with managers in the studied industries, shows that the tangibles dimension is relatively neglected in service industries with high tangible involvement. Presents a model of tangibility and intangibility to aid managers in understanding customers’ perceptions, and to stimulate further research.
Subject benchmarking and the assessment of student learning
Authors: Yorke Mantz
Published: October 2002

This paper analyses the performance criteria and learning objectives contained in the first 22 QAA subject benchmark statements to be published and considers the implications for assessment. There is much variation in the amount of detail in the statements and there are also implicit performance criteria in the intended learning outcomes listed at the beginning of each. Statements are broad in character so their relationship with standards is loosely‐coupled and open to interpretation. It is argued that attempts to achieve a high degree of precision in specification are likely to prove counter‐productive. There is evidence of some lack of coherence within the benchmark statements and between the statements and the more recently published Level H descriptor in the National Qualifications Framework. Further, the relationship between assessment practice and the statements appears to be problematic. The value of benchmarking statements as an aid to professional conversation about standards would be greatly enhanced if subject communities, perhaps facilitated by Learning and Teaching Support Network subject centres and subject associations, can elaborate for themselves the meanings of words used in the statements of learning outcomes and performance criteria. This elaboration would be aided by the appraisal of exemplars of outcomes at various levels of performance.
Training students to become effective workplace team leaders
Authors: Thacker Rebecca A. , Yost Christine A.
Published: October 2002

Employers often comment on the lack of good team leadership skills exhibited by newly graduated business students. While an understanding of the factors that contribute to effective communication in workplace teams does exist, are we certain that the factors influencing quality of communication between student team leaders and team members are the same as the factors influencing quality of communication in workplace teams? To investigate this issue, students were surveyed. Results indicate that student team leaders mirror workplace team leaders in all but one important factor: the use of exchange as a tactic of influence. Use of supportive influence tactics and recognition that assertive tactics are not effective was consistent with workplace team leader tactics. As with workplace team leaders, trust was an important determinant with satisfaction with the team leader’s communication. Implications and suggestions for training students to become effective team members in the work world are discussed.
Knowledge management in public administration
Authors: Wiig Karl M.
Published: October 2002

Knowledge management (KM) plays important roles in public administration (PA). Each role serves specific constituencies and purposes and is implemented differently. Jointly, they build society’s intellectual capital (IC) to improve the effectiveness of public and private decision making and situation handling. Four public administration KM areas are considered: enhance decision making within public services; aid the public to participate effectively in public decision making; build competitive societal IC capabilities; and develop a knowledge‐competitive work force. Numerous KM approaches are adopted to serve these purposes. Most efforts address specific needs. Only few pursue broad, deliberate, and systematic KM. Examples of these approaches and perspectives are discussed. The premise for KM is that, among many factors, effective and intelligent behavior depends on having appropriate understanding in addition to being informed.
Stable self‐assembly of a protein engineering scaffold on gold surfaces
Authors: Terrettaz Samuel , Ulrich Wolf‐Peter , Vogel Horst , Hong Qi , Dover Lynn G. , Lakey Jeremy H.
Published: October 2002

The outer membrane protein OmpF from Escherichia coli is a member of a large family of β‐barrel membrane proteins. Some, like OmpF, are pore‐forming proteins whilse others are active transporters or enzymes. We have previously shown that the receptor‐binding domain (R‐domain) of the toxin colicin N binds with high affinity to OmpF reconstituted into tethered lipid bilayers on gold electrodes. The binding can be measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and ion channel blockage (impedance spectroscopy, IS). In this paper we report the use of a mutant OmpF‐E183C in which a single cysteine had been introduced on a short periplasmic turn. OmpF‐E183C binds directly to gold surfaces and creates high‐density protein layers by self‐assembly from detergent solution. When the gold surface is pretreated with β‐mercaptoethanol and thiolipids are added after the protein immobilisation step, the protein is shown, by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to retain its β‐rich structure. Furthermore, we could also measure R‐domain binding by SPR and IS, confirming the functional reconstitution of a self‐assembled membrane protein monolayer at the gold surface. Because these β‐barrel proteins are recognized protein engineering scaffolds, the method provides a generic method for the simple self‐assembly of protein interfaces from aqueous solution.
Crystal structures of a meta‐cleavage product hydrolase from Pseudomonas fluorescens IP01 (CumD) complexed with cleavage products
Authors: Fushinobu Shinya , Saku Takashi , Hidaka Masafumi , Jun So‐Young , Nojiri Hideaki , Yamane Hisakazu , Shoun Hirofumi , Omori Toshio , Wakagi Takayoshi
Published: October 2002

2‐Hydroxy‐6‐oxo‐7‐methylocta‐2,4‐dienoate hydrolase (CumD) from Pseudomonas fluorescens IP01 hydrolyzes a meta‐cleavage product generated in the cumene (isopropylbenzene) degradation pathway. The crystal structures of the inactive S103A mutant of the CumD enzyme complexed with isobutyrate and acetate ions were determined at 1.6 and 2.0 Å resolution, respectively. The isobutyrate and acetate ions were located at the same position in the active site, and occupied the site for a part of the hydrolysis product with CumD, which has the key determinant group for the substrate specificity of related hydrolases. One of the oxygen atoms of the carboxyl group of the isobutyrate ion was hydrogen bonded with a water molecule and His252. Another oxygen atom of the carboxyl group was situated in an oxyanion hole formed by the two main‐chain N atoms. The isopropyl group of the isobutyric acid was recognized by the side‐chains of the hydrophobic residues. The substrate‐binding pocket of CumD was long, and the inhibition constants of various organic acids corresponded well to it. In comparison with the structure of BphD from Rhodococcus sp. RHA1, the structural basis for the substrate specificity of related hydrolases, is revealed.
Structural characterization of the N‐terminal autoregulatory sequence of phenylalanine hydroxylase
Authors: Horne James , Jennings Ian G. , Teh Trazel , Gooley Paul R. , Kobe Bostjan
Published: October 2002

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) is activated by its substrate phenylalanine, and through phosphorylation by cAMP‐dependent protein kinase at Ser16 in the N‐terminal autoregulatory sequence of the enzyme. The crystal structures of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of the enzyme showed that, in the absence of phenylalanine, in both cases the N‐terminal 18 residues including the phosphorylation site contained no interpretable electron density. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to characterize this N‐terminal region of the molecule in different stages of the regulatory pathway. A number of sharp resonances are observed in PAH with an intact N‐terminal region, but no sharp resonances are present in a truncation mutant lacking the N‐terminal 29 residues. The N‐terminal sequence therefore represents a mobile flexible region of the molecule. The resonances become weaker after the addition of phenylalanine, indicating a loss of mobility. The peptides corresponding to residues 2–20 of PAH have different structural characteristics in the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms, with the former showing increased secondary structure. Our results support the model whereby upon phenylalanine binding, the mobile N‐terminal 18 residues of PAH associate with the folded core of the molecule; phosphorylation may facilitate this interaction.
Static γ‐motoneurones couple group Ia and II afferents of single muscle spindles in anaesthetised and decerebrate cats
Authors: Gladden M. H. , Matsuzaki H.
Published: October 2002

Ideas about the functions of static γ‐motoneurones are based on the responses of primary and secondary endings to electrical stimulation of single static γ‐axons, usually at high frequencies. We compared these effects with the actions of spontaneously active γ‐motoneurones. In anaesthetised cats, afferents and efferents were recorded in intramuscular nerve branches to single muscle spindles. The occurrence of γ‐spikes, identified by a spike shape recognition system, was linked to video‐taped contractions of type‐identified intrafusal fibres in the dissected muscle spindles. When some static γ‐motoneurones were active at low frequency (< 15 Hz) they coupled the firing of group Ia and II afferents. Activity of other static γ‐motoneurones which tensed the intrafusal fibres appeared to enhance this effect. Under these conditions the secondary ending responded at shorter latency than the primary ending. In another series of experiments on decerebrate cats, responses of primary and secondary endings of single muscle spindles to activation of γ‐motoneurones by natural stimuli were compared with their responses to electrical stimulation of single γ‐axons supplying the same spindle. Electrical stimulation mimicked the natural actions of γ‐motoneurones on either the primary or the secondary ending, but not on both together. However, γ‐activity evoked by natural stimuli coupled the firing of afferents with the muscle at constant length, and also when it was stretched. Analysis showed that the timing and tightness of this coupling determined the degree of summation of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by each afferent in α‐motoneurones and interneurones contacted by terminals of both endings, and thus the degree of facilitation of reflex actions of group II afferents.