bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Variation amongArabidopsis thalianaAccessions for Transcriptome Response to Exogenous Salicylic Acid
Authors: van Leeuwen Hans , Kliebenstein Daniel J. , West Marilyn A.L. , Kim Kyunga , van Poecke Remco , Katagiri Fumiaki , Michelmore Richard W. , Doerge Rebecca W. , St.Clair Dina A.
Published: July 2007

Little is known about how gene expression variation within a given species controls phenotypic variation under different treatments or environments. Here, we surveyed the transcriptome response of seven diverse Arabidopsis thaliana accessions in response to two treatments: the presence and absence of exogenously applied salicylic acid (SA), an important signaling molecule in plant defense. A factorial experiment was conducted with three biological replicates per accession with and without applications of SA and sampled at three time points posttreatment. Transcript level data from Affymetrix ATH1 microarrays were analyzed on both per-gene and gene-network levels to detect expression level polymorphisms associated with SA response. Significant variation in transcript levels for response to SA was detected among the accessions, with relatively few genes responding similarly across all accessions and time points. Twenty-five of 54 defined gene networks identified from other microarray studies (pathogen-challenged Columbia [Col-0]) showed a significant response to SA in one or more accessions. A comparison of gene-network relationships in our data to the pathogen-challenged Col-0 data demonstrated a higher-order conservation of linkages between defense response gene networks. Cvi-1 and Mt-0 appeared to have globally different SA responsiveness in comparison to the other five accessions. Expression level polymorphisms for SA response were abundant at both individual gene and gene-network levels in the seven accessions, suggesting that natural variation for SA response is prevalent in Arabidopsis.
The Auxin-Regulated AP2/EREBP GenePUCHIIs Required for Morphogenesis in the Early Lateral Root Primordium ofArabidopsis
Authors: Hirota Atsuko , Kato Takehide , Fukaki Hidehiro , Aida Mitsuhiro , Tasaka Masao
Published: July 2007

Organ primordia develop from founder cells into organs due to coordinated patterns of cell division. How patterned cell division is regulated during organ formation, however, is not well understood. Here, we show that the PUCHI gene, which encodes a putative APETALA2/ethylene-responsive element binding protein transcription factor, is required for the coordinated pattern of cell divisions during lateral root formation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Recessive mutations in PUCHI disturbed cell division patterns in the lateral root primordium, resulting in swelling of the proximal region of lateral roots. PUCHI expression was initially detected in all of the cells in early lateral root primordia, and later it was restricted to the proximal region of the primordia. Stable expression of PUCHI required auxin-responsive elements in its promoter region, and exogenous auxin increased the level of PUCHI mRNA accumulation. These results suggest that PUCHI acts downstream of auxin signaling and that this gene contributes to lateral root morphogenesis through affecting the pattern of cell divisions during the early stages of primordium development.
Ethylene Upregulates Auxin Biosynthesis inArabidopsisSeedlings to Enhance Inhibition of Root Cell Elongation
Authors: Swarup Ranjan , Perry Paula , Hagenbeek Dik , Van Der Straeten Dominique , Beemster Gerrit T.S. , Sandberg Göran , Bhalerao Rishikesh , Ljung Karin , Bennett Malcolm J.
Published: July 2007

Ethylene represents an important regulatory signal for root development. Genetic studies in Arabidopsis thaliana have demonstrated that ethylene inhibition of root growth involves another hormone signal, auxin. This study investigated why auxin was required by ethylene to regulate root growth. We initially observed that ethylene positively controls auxin biosynthesis in the root apex. We subsequently demonstrated that ethylene-regulated root growth is dependent on (1) the transport of auxin from the root apex via the lateral root cap and (2) auxin responses occurring in multiple elongation zone tissues. Detailed growth studies revealed that the ability of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid to inhibit root cell elongation was significantly enhanced in the presence of auxin. We conclude that by upregulating auxin biosynthesis, ethylene facilitates its ability to inhibit root cell expansion.
Ethylene Regulates Root Growth through Effects on Auxin Biosynthesis and Transport-Dependent Auxin Distribution
Authors: Růžička Kamil , Ljung Karin , Vanneste Steffen , Podhorská Radka , Beeckman Tom , Friml Jiří , Benková Eva
Published: July 2007

In plants, each developmental process integrates a network of signaling events that are regulated by different phytohormones, and interactions among hormonal pathways are essential to modulate their effect. Continuous growth of roots results from the postembryonic activity of cells within the root meristem that is controlled by the coordinated action of several phytohormones, including auxin and ethylene. Although their interaction has been studied intensively, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this interplay are unknown. We show that the effect of ethylene on root growth is largely mediated by the regulation of the auxin biosynthesis and transport-dependent local auxin distribution. Ethylene stimulates auxin biosynthesis and basipetal auxin transport toward the elongation zone, where it activates a local auxin response leading to inhibition of cell elongation. Consistently, in mutants affected in auxin perception or basipetal auxin transport, ethylene cannot activate the auxin response nor regulate the root growth. In addition, ethylene modulates the transcription of several components of the auxin transport machinery. Thus, ethylene achieves a local activation of the auxin signaling pathway and regulates root growth by both stimulating the auxin biosynthesis and by modulating the auxin transport machinery.
“Wilderness Thinking”: inside out approach to leadership development
Authors: Watson Sally , Vasilieva Elena
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on qualitative research conducted to evaluate the sustainability of learning derived from a novel leadership development process which involves a short period of retreat. The findings aim to provide evidence of the impact of an “inside outside” approach to leadership development on the performance of managers back in their organisations. The paper seeks to challenge the traditional approach to the outdoor management development favoured by trainers in the 1990s and offer an alternative learning method that ensures the transfer of practical outcomes to the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi‐structured survey was conducted with 50 senior leaders within two large UK corporations. The survey results were cross‐referenced with desk research to explore reflective approaches to leadership development in the UK and the USA. Participants' written reflections post‐retreat and one year later were used to supplement the findings. The target population included cohorts of leaders who had participated in a leadership development programme from 2003‐2006.

Findings

The paper finds that the process of retreat acts as a catalyst for both emotional and intellectual learning. Through the training the participants were able to access intuitive knowledge about themselves, their lives and the impact of their leadership on the organisation.

Practical implications

Links were established between the “inside out” approach of Wilderness Thinking and tangible outcomes back on their workplace. The practical changes initiated by leaders exposed to Wilderness Thinking counters the traditional challenge made to outdoor management development in the limited success with learning transfer to sponsoring organisations.

Originality/value

“Wilderness Thinking” represents a breakthrough in leadership training and development through a unique approach to the use of outdoors to personal change and learning transfer. The findings of the paper add to the debate about the role of outdoor management development in the development of leaders.
Discovery, difference, careers and change. Part 2: difference and careers
Authors: Eales‐White Rupert
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enable the reader to recognise that from each natural preference on the four Jungian dimensions flow opposite beliefs, behaviours and language; that difference initially is perceived negatively; and to provide strategies that will create real value from difference, improving their ability to manage relationships and enhancing their career prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines each preference on each of the four dimensions: extroverted or introverted preference for obtaining energy and focusing; practical or concept preference for gathering and using information; logical or harmony preference for taking decisions; and structured or flexible preference for operating in the outside world. It sets out the words and phrases used for each preference and proves that they are polar opposites. The paper highlights the importance of relationships to career prospects in large diverse organisations. It demonstrates that the most effective profile for career success in such organisations is ECLS. The study details how the use of the technique reflective listening enables the individual to calm down an angry boss and leave him/her with a perception of competence. The paper also indicates how, whatever the reader's profile, he/she can gain a competitive edge in career and relationship terms if he/she both follows a personal path to completeness in all the dimensions and develops empathy by adopting a matching strategy.

Findings

The paper finds that there is a difference in the dimensions results in difficult relationships with opposite profiles. In modern, large, diverse organisations, the ECLS profile has a competitive edge in career terms. This natural edge can be overturned by individuals who are prepared to pursue a personal path to completeness and use an effective empathetic approach to managing relationships.

Originality/value

The paper provides a demonstration of how the distribution of introverted and extroverted preferences in the chain of command can have a major impact on career prospects. It also shows how individuals, who use a positive approach to managing differences, can maximise relationship and career success, whereby they themselves follow the path to completeness in the four dimensions, and others adopt a strategy where they match the other person's (particularly the boss's) beliefs, behaviours and language.
The role of HR actors in knowledge networks
Authors: Zupan Nada , Kaše Robert
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to examine structural positions of individuals, especially HR actors (line managers and HR specialists) within relational networks for creating and sharing knowledge and to explore implications for designing and implementing HR practices in knowledge‐intensive firms (KIF).

Design/methodology/approach

This article used exploratory research design conducting a single case study of a KIF. Social network analysis (SNA) – network centrality measures and visualization tools – was used to examine the structural position of individuals.

Findings

Line managers who are HR actors are centrally positioned within examined knowledge networks, while the HR specialist is not, which implies that the decentralized approach to HRM in KIF can be effective. Results also show that the more operational (instrumental) the information or knowledge flow is, the denser the knowledge networks.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides support for devolution of HRM to the line in KIF. It suggests that HRM could affect the process of knowledge creation and sharing by implementing HR practices through centrally positioned line managers. A limitation of the research is a single case study and observed intensity rather than quality of relations.

Practical implications

SNA appears to be an effective tool for mapping relationships in an organization. Centrally positioned HR actors (especially line managers involved in HRM) in knowledge networks are advantageous for HRM effectiveness only if obstacles to their effectiveness are properly managed. HR specialists should relate strongly to these actors to enable successful design and implementation of HR practices.

Originality/value

The paper applies SNA to the HRM field, thus expanding the traditional view of HRM into examining the position of HR actors in relational networks and exploring their role in effectively executing HR practices.
Knowledge sharing and firm innovation capability: an empirical study
Authors: Lin Hsiu‐Fen
Published: July 2007

Purpose– The study sets out to examine the influence of individual factors (enjoyment in helping others and knowledge self‐efficacy), organizational factors (top management support and organizational rewards) and technology factors (information and communication technology use) on knowledge sharing processes and whether more leads to superior firm innovation capability.Design/methodology/approach– Based on a survey of 172 employees from 50 large organizations in Taiwan, this study applies the structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate the research model.Findings– The results show that two individual factors (enjoyment in helping others and knowledge self‐efficacy) and one of the organizational factors (top management support) significantly influence knowledge‐sharing processes. The results also indicate that employee willingness to both donate and collect knowledge enable the firm to improve innovation capability.Research limitations/implications– Future research can examine how personal traits (such as age, level of education, and working experiences) and organizational characteristics (such as firm size and industry type) may moderate the relationships between knowledge enablers and processes.Practical implications– From a practical perspective, the relationships among knowledge‐sharing enablers, processes, and firm innovation capability may provide a clue regarding how firms can promote knowledge‐sharing culture to sustain their innovation performance.Originality/value– The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis, and simultaneously can be used to analyze relationships among knowledge‐sharing factors, including enablers, processes, and firm innovation capability. From a managerial perspective, this study identified several factors essential to successful knowledge sharing, and discussed the implications of these factors for developing organizational strategies that encourage and foster knowledge sharing.
Coaching leaders in middle and executive management: goals, performance, buy‐in
Authors: Bowles Stephen , Cunningham Christopher J.L. , De La Rosa Gabriel M. , Picano James
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This article aims to test the effectiveness of coaching for middle and executive level managers within a large recruiting organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants set goals to achieve during a 12‐month coaching programme. The sample consisted of middle managers (n=30) and executive managers (n=29) involved in US Army recruiting. Outcomes included measures of coached participants' achievement of quota and personal goals, and assessment on nine leader competencies and buy‐in over the one‐year coaching period.

Findings

Coached managers outperformed un‐coached, but experienced/incumbent counterparts. The strongest impact of coaching on performance was for middle managers and their subordinates (as opposed to executive managers). Both groups of participants demonstrated growth on some dimensions of recruiter‐leader competencies and achievement of self‐set goals.

Research limitations/implications

A small and nontraditional sample of military recruiters was used. Future researchers can build on the approach outlined here to more concretely evaluate the impact of their coaching efforts in other populations.

Practical implications

Coaching all recruiter managers could translate into a return on investment of several thousand additional recruits. In addition, the achievement of personally relevant goals with the help of coaching, the development of leader competencies indicates real benefit associated with this form of goal‐based coaching.

Originality/value

We offer one of the first empirical evaluations of the effectiveness of a goal‐based leader coaching intervention. Practitioners and researchers can benefit from this approach by using it to improve coaching effectiveness and demonstrate value to the clients they serve.
The impact of performance management on customers' expected logistics performance
Authors: Forslund Helena
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to describe state‐of‐the‐art practices for handling logistics performance management in dyadic relationships. Another objective is to explain the relationship between logistics performance management practices and customers' expected logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A logistics performance management model was developed and applied to 136 dyads of Swedish manufacturing companies and their most important suppliers. Two linked survey studies were conducted.

Findings

A state‐of‐the‐art description of the activities in logistics performance management is provided, addressing the following questions in dyadic relationships: how often are expectations updated? Who is the customer's contact person? What is the contract situation? Which actor (customer or supplier) formulates performance targets, and who measures logistics performance? Some of these issues' relationships to customers' expected logistics performance were verified.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution of the paper is mainly descriptive. A logistics performance management model together with descriptions of how the various activities are executed in dyadic relationships is presented. It is also explanatory, showing that some of these practices influence customers' expected logistics performance.

Practical implications

This study provides knowledge of the impact of contact persons and contracts on customers' expected logistics performance, which could increase the possibilities for the supplier to meet customers' expectations. The importance of a collaborative discussion on performance management is emphasized.

Originality/value

Dyadic research approaches are rarely performed in logistics research. Studies highlighting the link between logistics performance measurement and logistics performance are also few. This paper will hopefully remedy this neglected area.
The impact of owner/managers' mentality on financial performance of SMEs in Japan
Authors: De Zoysa Anura , Kanthi Herath Siriyama
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to empirically test the impact of owner/managers' mentality on enterprise performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A mail questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of SMEs in Japan. The questionnaire was mailed to the chief executive of each of the 1,523 firms selected for the survey. The total number of usable responses received was 367, giving a response rate of 24.1 per cent.

Findings

The overall results of the study show that when owner/managers of SMEs are more entrepreneurial minded in the introductory and decline stages of growth, their performance tends to be higher, and the same is true for the growth and maturity stages when they are more administrative minded.

Research limitations/implications

Since this research was unique in several respects and the survey was confined to only 367 SMEs in a single country it would be useful to replicate it using larger samples under different country settings.

Practical implications

The research reveals that an enterprise will be better off at the introductory stage if its managers become more entrepreneurial minded through factors such as ambition, enterprising spirit, intuition and innovation. However, as the firm grows managers need to devote more attention to administration.

Originality/value

It provides far reaching implications for managers for achieving higher performance in different stages of a firm's growth.
Team roles and team performance in defence acquisition
Authors: Blenkinsop Neil , Maddison Annie
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the extent to which Belbin's team role theories are relevant and can be used to predict performance in the context of the Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) responsible for acquisition within the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of seven IPTs across the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) completed Belbin's (1981) manual 8 Role Self Perception Inventory in order to determine their team role preferences. A team performance survey, developed by Barbara Senior in 2005, was then used to determine perceived process performance. The relationship between these two variables was examined in detail.

Findings

The results provide support to the proposition that Belbin's Team Role Theory is relevant in MoD acquisition. Certain team roles are more predominant in certain functional roles within IPTs and this duplication could have a negative impact on performance, given Belbin's assertion that “balanced” teams will perform better than “unbalanced”. The difficulties in objectively assessing team role balance (both narratively and statistically) are discussed in detail.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst a representative sample of IPTs was investigated, a longitudinal study of a more extensive sample is required to substantiate these initial findings.

Practical implications

Belbin's Team Role Theory provides a cost effective means of potentially improving performance in defence acquisition.

Originality/value

While there have been some unpublished studies into functional roles in MoD teams, there is a research lacuna with regard to the examination of team roles as a factor influencing performance in defence acquisition.
Effects of personal values on customer satisfaction
Authors: Bloemer Josee , Dekker David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

Different authors suggest that personal values (as opposed to economic values of objects) are important antecedents of service satisfaction. This paper seeks to investigate empirically two specific processes that relate personal values to satisfaction with (financial) services (the value percept disparity model and the (value) disconfirmation model).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper generalizes both models into a new value disparity‐disconfirmation model, providing testable conditions to evaluate and compare the validity of the original models. The paper specifies the model in terms of hierarchical linear models and assesses their empirical fit with data on 18 bank branches.

Findings

The results of the study best support the value disconfirmation model. Furthermore, the paper shows that in the research's setting of a financial service provider the external dimension of values is more instrumental in predicting satisfaction than the internal dimension.

Research limitations/implications

Since only a single service setting has been studied and a limited number of values have been focused on at one particular moment in time, the authors are hesitant to generalize the results beyond the scope of this study.

Practical implications

Employee values are clearly associated with customer satisfaction. In fact, irrespective of their own values, customers do not seem to appreciate it when employees have values that differ from their own. Moreover, external values are more important than internal values in explaining satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper is an empirical test of which model (the value percept disparity model or the value disconfirmation model) is better in explaining customer satisfaction, thereby providing conceptual clarity, theoretical parsimony and practical implications of the impact of personal values on satisfaction.
Time for a change: new approaches for a new generation of library users
Authors: Sadeh Tamar
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer some insight into changes that are occurring in the expectations and behaviour of researchers seeking scholarly information and the ways in which libraries and vendors are addressing these changes in light of the availability of Web 2.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates current trends in information seeking, defines and describes factors that contribute to an up‐to‐date, user‐centric library experience, and examines the movement of vendors and libraries toward such a library experience.

Findings

The paper identifies aspects of new library interfaces that attempt to satisfy the needs of today's information seekers and describes a new approach for creating a user experience layer for library collections. The Primo® discovery and delivery system from Ex Libris serves as an example of a library interface that was designed in light of this new approach.

Originality/value

As more organisations become concerned about the decreasing use of their library collections, this paper suggests ways in which libraries can adapt to the changing user expectations and maintain the relevance of their collections and services for today's information seekers.
Universidad del Bío‐Bío and California State University, San Marcos
Authors: Chu Melanie
Published: July 2007

Purpose

A comparative case study of two academic libraries in two continents aims to investigate reasons behind similarities and differences between Universidad del Bío‐Bío (UBB) in Concepción, Chile, and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data and interview transcripts are analyzed in the paper to provide insight into characteristics of academic libraries in an international context.

Findings

The paper finds that, while institutional age, student population size, and number of librarians are comparable, the services, usage, and collections at each library are distinct.

Originality/value

There are few international comparative case studies of academic libraries.
Social networking in libraries
Authors: Topper Elisa F.
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact that social networking has had on public and academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a literature review and commentary on the topic of social networking.

Findings

The paper finds that libraries will have to reach users in their preferred methods of communication.

Originality/value

The paper shows the value of planning ahead for the future and the ways patrons are accessing information.
IFLA Presidential Meeting 2007‐2009 – “Libraries on the Agenda!”
Authors: Koren Marian
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a flavour of the content of the first IFLA Presidential Meeting 2007‐2009 held in Berlin, Germany in January 2007.

Design/methodology/approach

An outline description of the issues, content and participants of this conference is presented in the paper.

Findings

The paper finds that the meeting ended with the declaration on free access to information, reaffirmed by participants from 26 countries.

Originality/value

The paper provides a brief conference report of value to library and information professionals on exploring ways to make libraries more visible in society.
The developing environment for strategy formation in the smaller local authority
Authors: Dereli Cynthia
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build on a previous study of strategy in the public sector by Dereli in 2003. In the intervening period the environmental factors influencing local government's approach to strategy have changed considerably, particularly with the government's changed emphasis from best value to comprehensive performance assessment as its methodology for assessing local authorities. The impact of CPA on strategy formation in local authorities is the central focus of this study. The starting point for the research is the question of whether the tension between top‐down and bottom‐up strategy formation which was evident in the earlier study has disappeared, increased or been replaced by other tensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved semi‐structured interviews with Chief Executive Officers and middle managers in three smaller local authorities in England.

Findings

The research found that living with a top‐down/bottom‐up tension in the creation of strategy is almost a norm, but that there is also evidence of a further tension between strategy making and performance management, from which flow some concerns about the future of strategy in local government.

Research limitations/implications

The paper records the views of local government officers, as key participants in the processes of strategy formation in their authorities as valuable evidence in a changing local government scene. The research acknowledges the external factors creating the new set of tensions in local government, which are examined here. It does not seek to examine the relative diachronic impact of these external factors, a piece of work which could usefully explore further the relation between pressures from the centre and local strategy directions.

Originality/value

In the present public sector context, where major reforms are on the horizon, the paper records a snapshot of opinion from key participants in strategy formation in three smaller local authorities.
Enhancing the quality and consistency of undergraduate dissertation assessment
Authors: Pathirage Chaminda , Haigh Richard , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Baldry David
Published: July 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to examine methods that can be used to enhance the quality and consistency of dissertation assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a review of literature on quality, consistency and criteria of dissertation assessment to highlight the current practices in higher education. A case study approach was followed to pilot a range of assessment approaches and criteria in an attempt to measure and ultimately improve assessment consistency within the case study school's dissertation module on undergraduate programmes.

Findings

This paper highlights the main findings of the literature and the case study phases. Outcomes of two dissertation assessment exercises, a workshop organised among dissertation assessors and an analysis of previous years' dissertation assessment results from a case study school are outlined. Findings from two dissertation assessment exercises revealed wide variation in the assessment of dissertations by the school's assessors. Hence, a dissertation workshop was organised to disseminate the results and to discuss the implications for the school's assessment practice, which identified several initiatives to enhance the quality and consistency of assessment.

Originality/value

The need to ensure quality, consistency and improved criteria of assessment is particularly emphasised within modules where assessment is through one substantial piece of work such as a dissertation. This study highlighted the many challenges that a Programme Leader faces when devising an assessment strategy for a dissertation module.
Sharing knowledge: contextualising socio‐technical thinking and practice
Authors: Søndergaard Susanne , Kerr Micky , Clegg Chris
Published: July 2007

Purpose– The purpose of this research is to present the empirical findings from a case study in knowledge sharing with the aim of understanding knowledge sharing in a strategic context through a socio‐technical approach.Design/methodology/approach– Knowledge sharing facilitators and barriers were examined in a UK owned multinational engineering organisation. A total of 20 semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using a combination of matrix and template analysis.Findings– The paper highlights leadership, organisational, and individual factors that are perceived to impact knowledge sharing. Furthermore, three sub‐factors: trust, individual motivation and geographical location, are discussed as double‐edged factors, i.e. their impact on knowledge sharing is complex in that they may act as both barriers and enablers.Research limitations/implications– The main limitation of this study is that it is conducted in a single organisational context. A second case study is currently being analysed to explore knowledge sharing in a different context within the same organisation.Practical implications– A balanced approach to knowledge management practices is emphasised where both technical and social aspects are taken into account.Originality/value– This paper provides important contributions. First, it emphasises the impact of strategic change on knowledge sharing as one aspect of the organisational knowledge management. Second, it frames knowledge sharing within a socio‐technical approach. Third, it provides us with empirical evidence through our use of case study in an organisational setting.
Antecedents and management of conflict
Authors: Wang Guofeng , Jing Runtian , Klossek Andreas
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, job stress, and cognitive and affective conflict faced by Chinese top managers and how this conflict is resolved over multiple rounds of conflict situations.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed and submitted to Chinese top managers of firms located in Sichuan Province, PRC. Besides Likert‐type questions concerning demographic characteristics, job stress, and both types of conflict, contextual anchorage method was used to let top managers rank the conflict resolution styles they would prefer for solving a given situation of conflict.

Findings

Data were submitted to hierarchical regression analysis. It was found that age is in negative relation with job stress and that the higher the education level of top managers, the more cognitive conflict they will experience. In turn, the more cognitive conflict, the more affective conflict will be experienced. In addition, it was found that job stress is in positive association with cognitive conflict. Finally and most importantly, the findings indicated that Chinese top managers are inclined to using integrating to handle conflict. This seems to be generally inconsistent with traditional Chinese culture.

Originality/value

The paper accounted for respective calls that proposed to focus on the antecedent conditions of cognitive and affective conflict. Therefore, a framework containing important antecedent factors of conflict was proposed. As a first attempt, it integrated the relationship between job stress and conflict. Most importantly, and also as a first attempt, however, this study sought to identify the conflict resolution styles Chinese top managers applied over multiple rounds of conflict situations, whereas findings additionally differentiate between affective and cognitive types of conflict.
Cognitive source and clothing retail
Authors: Guercini Simone , Ranfagni Silvia
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of market knowledge embodied in sales outlet management and in particular to investigate in a static way the role of cognitive sources in relation, to the structural characters of the retail enterprise and its sales outlet on the one hand (the latter understood as a commercial product), and to performance (expressed as revenue achieved by the sales outlet) on the other hand.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey and the results presented in the paper were carried out by administering a structured questionnaire to a sample of over 800 sales outlets located in the historical town centres of Florence and Prato and surrounding areas. This method analyzed the relations between the structural characters of the retail enterprise and the sales outlet, and also the relations with cognitive sources expressed in terms of activities, enterprise behaviour and performance. The theoretical model of reference tested is based on the relation between structural character, behaviour and performance.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates the presence of an association between cognitive sources and sales outlet performance values in the sample analysed. In particular a relation was observed between performance and event organizing and relative level of perception, and also between performance and importance attributed to the satisfaction questionnaire. This phenomenon can be interpreted as a tendency towards qualitative growth of the sales outlet, associated with awareness of the need to resort to alternative and complementary cognitive sources in order to become more competitive.

Research limitations/implications

These first results are not absolute, but will be subjected in forthcoming research to verification and in‐depth examination.

Practical implications

The paper proposes an interpretive model that could be adopted by managers to improve the use of market knowledge in outlet management.

Originality/value

This paper presents a valid model that will be interesting to both managers and academic researchers.
Home sewers' satisfaction with fit of apparel patterns
Authors: LaBat Karen , Salusso Carol , Rhee Jongeun
Published: July 2007

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore home sewers' satisfaction with the fit of garments made from home sewing patterns and to provide useful information to the home sewing industry to improve products and services for the target consumer.

Design/methodology/approach

Home sewers attending home sewing expos in the states of Minnesota and Washington were surveyed to determine satisfaction with fit of home sewing patterns and to determine factors that may affect satisfaction with the patterns.

Findings

The results clearly indicate that these respondents were frustrated with the fit of home sewing patterns and that their efforts to adjust patterns for better fit were typically not successful.

Research limitations/implications

The limited sample does not allow generalization, but may lend some insight into problems the home sewing pattern industry may have in attracting and maintaining customer loyalty.

Originality/value

Although there are many studies demonstrating consumer dissatisfaction with the fit of ready‐to‐wear apparel, few studies have focused specifically on the home sewing pattern industry. This industry could benefit from further understanding of its customer base.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in tobacco chewing‐mediated oral cancer by differential display–polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Nagpal J. K. , Das B. R.
Published: July 2007

Background  Identification of changes in gene expression that occur in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), after sufficient characterization, may yield novel molecular markers that may be useful in the diagnosis and disease management of oral cancer.

Materials and methods  We used differential display–polymerase chain reaction (DD‐PCR) to study critically the global gene expression profile of the oral tumour versus normal epithelium. The differential expression of fished out cDNA were confirmed by Northern blot and reverse transcription‐PCR. The differentially expressed cDNA were cloned, sequenced and matched for homology in the GenBank database.

Results  We identified 13 cDNA that showed differential expression. Out of these we selected four cDNA showing consistent reproducibility. One of the cDNA expressed exclusively in tumour had a homology to DEK, a putative oncogene, and is linked to leukaemia, various cancers, HIV infection and several autoimmune disorders. Another cDNA expressed only in tumour had homology to sorcin protein. Sorcin is a 22‐kDa calcium‐binding protein and is associated with drug resistance in various cell lines. Apparently, sorcin expression might be responsible for drug resistance of OSCC and poor prognosis. Another cDNA showing 10 times overexpression in cheek tumour as compared to normal had homology to CDK6 gene. Hence, it seems from our results that CDK6 is dysregulated during oral carcinogenesis. The fourth cDNA was overexpressed in normal as compared to cheek tumour, but did not show any match in BLAST search.

Conclusions  We conclude that there is an enormous significance of these differentially expressed cDNA in oral cancer progression as they can serve as cancer markers to be used for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
Confocal laser scanning microscopy: using cuticular autofluorescence for high resolution morphological imaging in small crustaceans
Authors: MICHELS J.
Published: July 2007

The utility of cuticular autofluorescence for the visualization of copepod morphology by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was examined. Resulting maximum intensity projections give very accurate information on morphology and show even diminutive structures such as small setae in detail. Furthermore, CLSM enables recognition of internal structures and differences in material composition. Optical sections in all layers and along all axes of the specimens can be obtained by CLSM. The facile and rapid preparation method bears no risk of artefacts or damage occurring to the preparations and the visualized specimens can be used for later analyses allowing for the investigation of irreplaceable type specimens or parts of them. These features make CLSM a very effective tool for both taxonomical and ecological studies in small crustaceans; however, the maximum thickness of the specimens is limited to a few hundred micrometers. Three‐dimensional models based on CLSM image stacks allow observation of the preparations from all angles and can permit, improve and speed up studies on functional morphology. The visualization method described has a strong potential to become a future standard technique in aquatic biology due to its advantages over conventional light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Light-Stimulated Bacterial Production and Amino Acid Assimilation by Cyanobacteria and Other Microbes in the North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Michelou Vanessa K. , Cottrell Matthew T. , Kirchman David L.
Published: July 2007

We examined the contribution of photoheterotrophic microbes—those capable of light-mediated assimilation of organic compounds—to bacterial production and amino acid assimilation along a transect from Florida to Iceland from 28 May to 9 July 2005. Bacterial production (leucine incorporation at a 20 nM final concentration) was on average 30% higher in light than in dark-incubated samples, but the effect varied greatly (3% to 60%). To further characterize this light effect, we examined the abundance of potential photoheterotrophs and measured their contribution to bacterial production and amino acid assimilation (0.5 nM addition) using flow cytometry.
Prochlorococcus
and
Synechococcus
were abundant in surface waters where light-dependent leucine incorporation was observed, whereas aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria were abundant but did not correlate with the light effect. The per-cell assimilation rates of
Prochlorococcus
and
Synechococcus
were comparable to or higher than those of other prokaryotes, especially in the light. Picoeukaryotes also took up leucine (20 nM) and other amino acids (0.5 nM), but rates normalized to biovolume were much lower than those of prokaryotes.
Prochlorococcus
was responsible for 80% of light-stimulated bacterial production and amino acid assimilation in surface waters south of the Azores, while
Synechococcus
accounted for on average 12% of total assimilation. However, nearly 40% of the light-stimulated leucine assimilation was not accounted for by these groups, suggesting that assimilation by other microbes is also affected by light. Our results clarify the contribution of cyanobacteria to photoheterotrophy and highlight the potential role of other photoheterotrophs in biomass production and dissolved-organic-matter assimilation.
Isolation of Polymer-Degrading Bacteria and Characterization of the Hindgut Bacterial Community from the Detritus-Feeding Larvae of
Tipula abdominalis
(Diptera: Tipulidae)
Authors: Cook Dana M. , DeCrescenzo Henriksen Emily , Upchurch Rima , Peterson Joy B. Doran
Published: July 2007

The
Tipula abdominalis
larval hindgut microbial community presumably facilitates digestion of the lignocellulosic diet. The microbial community was investigated through characterization of bacterial isolates and analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. This initial study revealed novel bacteria and provides a framework for future studies of this symbiosis.
Persistence of Caliciviruses in Artificially Contaminated Oysters during Depuration
Authors: Ueki You , Shoji Mika , Suto Atsushi , Tanabe Toru , Okimura Yoko , Kikuchi Yoshihiko , Saito Noriyuki , Sano Daisuke , Omura Tatsuo
Published: July 2007

The fate of calicivirus in oysters in a 10-day depuration was assessed. The norovirus gene was persistently detected from artificially contaminated oysters during the depuration, whereas feline calicivirus in oysters was promptly eliminated. The prolonged observation of norovirus in oysters implies the existence of a selective retention mechanism for norovirus within oysters.
Substrate Specificity-Conferring Regions of the Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Adenylation Domains Involved in Albicidin Pathotoxin Biosynthesis Are Highly Conserved within the SpeciesXanthomonas albilineans
Authors: Renier Adeline , Vivien Eric , Cociancich Stéphane , Letourmy Philippe , Perrier Xavier , Rott Philippe C. , Royer Monique
Published: July 2007

Albicidin is a pathotoxin produced byXanthomonas albilineans, a xylem-invading pathogen that causes leaf scald disease of sugarcane. Albicidin is synthesized by a nonribosomal pathway via modular polyketide synthase and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) megasynthases, and NRPS adenylation (A) domains are responsible for the recognition and activation of specific amino acid substrates. DNA fragments (0.5 kb) encoding the regions responsible for the substrate specificities of six albicidin NRPS A domains from 16 strains ofX. albilineansrepresenting the known diversity of this pathogen were amplified and sequenced. Polymorphism analysis of these DNA fragments at different levels (DNA, protein, and NRPS signature) showed that these pathogenicity loci were highly conserved. The conservation of these loci most likely reflects purifying selective pressure, as revealed by a comparison with the variability of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of two housekeeping genes (atpDandefp) ofX. albilineans. Nevertheless, the 16 strains ofX. albilineanswere differentiated into several groups by a phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences corresponding to the NRPS A domains. One of these groups was representative of the genetic diversity previously found within the pathogen by random fragment length polymorphism and amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses. This group, which differed by three single synonymous nucleotide mutations, contained only four strains ofX. albilineansthat were all involved in outbreaks of sugarcane leaf scald. The amount of albicidin produced in vitro in agar and liquid media varied among the 16 strains ofX. albilineans. However, no relationship among the amount of albicidin produced in vitro and the pathotypes and genetic diversity of the pathogen was found. The NRPS loci contributing to the synthesis of the primary structure of albicidin apparently are not involved in the observed pathogenicity differences among strains ofX. albilineans.