bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupling diverse routes of calcium entry to mitochondrial dysfunction and glutamate excitotoxicity
Authors: Stanika Ruslan I. , Pivovarova Natalia B. , Brantner Christine A. , Watts Charlotte A. , Winters Christine A. , Andrews S. Brian
Published: May 2009

Overactivation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) is a critical early step in glutamate-evoked excitotoxic injury of CNS neurons. Distinct NMDAR-coupled pathways specified by, for example, receptor location or subunit composition seem to govern glutamate-induced excitotoxic death, but there is much uncertainty concerning the underlying mechanisms of pathway selection. Here we ask whether, and if so how, route-specific vulnerability is coupled to Ca
2+
overload and mitochondrial dysfunction, which is also a known, central component of exitotoxic injury. In cultured hippocampal neurons, overactivation of only extrasynaptic NMDARs resulted in Ca
2+
entry strong enough to promote Ca
2+
overload, which subsequently leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Receptor composition per se appears not to be a primary factor for specifying signal coupling, as NR2B inhibition abolished Ca
2+
loading and was protective only in predominantly NR2B-expressing young neurons. In older neurons expressing comparable levels of NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDARs, amelioration of Ca
2+
overload required the inhibition of extrasynaptic receptors containing both NR2 subunits. Prosurvival synaptic stimuli also evoked Ca
2+
entry through both N2A- and NR2B-containing NMDARs, but, in contrast to excitotoxic activation of extrasynaptic NMDARs, produced only low-amplitude cytoplasmic Ca
2+
spikes and modest, nondamaging mitochondrial Ca
2+
accumulation. The results—showing that the various routes of excitotoxic Ca
2+
entry converge on a common pathway involving Ca
2+
overload-induced mitochondrial dysfunction—reconcile and unify many aspects of the “route-specific” and “calcium load-dependent” views of exitotoxic injury.
Monoterpenes in the glandular trichomes of tomato are synthesized from a neryl diphosphate precursor rather than geranyl diphosphate
Authors: Schilmiller Anthony L. , Schauvinhold Ines , Larson Matthew , Xu Richard , Charbonneau Amanda L. , Schmidt Adam , Wilkerson Curtis , Last Robert L. , Pichersky Eran
Published: June 2009

We identified a
cis
-prenyltransferase gene,
neryl diphosphate synthase 1
(
NDPS1
), that is expressed in cultivated tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
) cultivar M82 type VI glandular trichomes and encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of neryl diphosphate from isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate. mRNA for a terpene synthase gene,
phellandrene synthase 1
(
PHS1
), was also identified in these glands. It encodes an enzyme that uses neryl diphosphate to produce β-phellandrene as the major product as well as a variety of other monoterpenes. The profile of monoterpenes produced by PHS1 is identical with the monoterpenes found in type VI glands.
PHS1
and
NDPS1
map to chromosome 8, and the presence of a segment of chromosome 8 derived from
Solanum pennellii
LA0716 causes conversion from the M82 gland monoterpene pattern to that characteristic of LA0716 plants. The data indicate that, contrary to the textbook view of geranyl diphosphate as the “universal” substrate of monoterpene synthases, in tomato glands neryl diphosphate serves as a precursor for the synthesis of monoterpenes.
Re-Interpreting Modern Iran: Tribe and State in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Cronin Stephanie
Published: May 2009

For the nationalist elite of early Pahlavi Iran, the regime's military successes over tribal opposition, whether real or imagined, were welcomed and celebrated. These successes were interpreted as confirmation of their views of tribal power as hostile to modernity, archaic and outmoded, and of Riza Shah as the deliverer of Iran's national salvation. This conceptualization of the “tribal problem” had appeared in tandem with and as a product of modernist ideology in the late nineteenth century, acquired the backing of state power with the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, and endured until the revolution of 1979. It communicated itself, in diluted form, to Western scholarship, which has been largely content to depict Riza Shah's tribal policies as regrettably brutal, but an unavoidable stage in Iran's progress and “modernization.”

Yet this version of tribe–state relations is clearly an ideological construct rather than an historical analysis. The account which follows begins a re-evaluation of tribal politics in modern Iran, focusing especially on the Riza Shah decades when these politics were a site of intense conflict and where the nationalist template was most starkly delineated, and concludes by tracing and re-examining the evolution of the tribe–state dynamic in the decades of land reform and revolution.
The Russian Military Mission and the Birth of the Persian Cossack Brigade: 1879–1894
Authors: Rabi Uzi , Ter-Oganov Nugzar
Published: May 2009

Throughout the nineteenth century, the Qajar dynasty (1797–1925) of Iran engaged in a continuous process to build a regular army under the leadership and tutelage of professional European military missions. These continuous attempts at military reform and Europeanization reached a peak with the creation of the Persian Cossack Brigade (1879–1921) by the Russian military mission. This article focuses on the genesis of the Brigade and the Russian military mission, which followed some of the previously unsuccessful European military missions. The scholarly literature has paid little attention to the fitful beginnings of the Brigade. This article, however, deals with the early challenges faced by the Brigade during the period between 1879 and 1894, at the end of which it was on the verge of dissolution. The article tackles formative issues raised in under-explored Russian archival material and supplemented by Russian-language primary sources, as well as other relevant sources. It attempts to re-evaluate the origins of the Persian Cossack Brigade and provide a well-balanced portrait of the Brigade in light of the changing regional politics of the period.
The first T cell response to transmitted/founder virus contributes to the control of acute viremia in HIV-1 infection
Authors: Goonetilleke Nilu , Liu Michael K.P. , Salazar-Gonzalez Jesus F. , Ferrari Guido , Giorgi Elena , Ganusov Vitaly V. , Keele Brandon F. , Learn Gerald H. , Turnbull Emma L. , Salazar Maria G. , Weinhold Kent J. , Moore Stephen ,   CHAVI Clinical Core B, Letvin Norman , Haynes Barton F. , Cohen Myron S. , Hraber Peter , Bhattacharya Tanmoy , Borrow Persephone , Perelson Alan S. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Shaw George M. , Korber Bette T. , McMichael Andrew J.
Published: June 2009

Identification of the transmitted/founder virus makes possible, for the first time, a genome-wide analysis of host immune responses against the infecting HIV-1 proteome. A complete dissection was made of the primary HIV-1–specific T cell response induced in three acutely infected patients. Cellular assays, together with new algorithms which identify sites of positive selection in the virus genome, showed that primary HIV-1–specific T cells rapidly select escape mutations concurrent with falling virus load in acute infection. Kinetic analysis and mathematical modeling of virus immune escape showed that the contribution of CD8 T cell–mediated killing of productively infected cells was earlier and much greater than previously recognized and that it contributed to the initial decline of plasma virus in acute infection. After virus escape, these first T cell responses often rapidly waned, leaving or being succeeded by T cell responses to epitopes which escaped more slowly or were invariant. These latter responses are likely to be important in maintaining the already established virus set point. In addition to mutations selected by T cells, there were other selected regions that accrued mutations more gradually but were not associated with a T cell response. These included clusters of mutations in envelope that were targeted by NAbs, a few isolated sites that reverted to the consensus sequence, and bystander mutations in linkage with T cell–driven escape.
Nationalism and Ideology in an Anticonsumption Movement
Authors: Varman Rohit , Belk Russell W.
Published: June 2009

In this research we examine the role of the nationalist ideology of swadeshi in a contemporary anticonsumption movement and show that its deployment is linked to the experiences of colonialism, modernity, and globalization in India. Specifically, we offer a postcolonial understanding of reflexivity and nationalism in an anticonsumption movement opposing Coca-Cola in India. This helps us offer an interpretation of this consumer movement involving spatial politics, temporal heterogeneity, appropriation of existing ideology, the use of consumption in ideology, and attempts to bring together a disparate set of actors in the movement.
Using dynamics-based comparisons to predict nucleic acid binding sites in proteins: an application to OB-fold domains
Authors: Zen Andrea , de Chiara Cesira , Pastore Annalisa , Micheletti Cristian
Published: June 2009

Motivation: We have previously demonstrated that proteins may be aligned not only by sequence or structural homology, but also using their dynamical properties. Dynamics-based alignments are sensitive and powerful tools to compare even structurally dissimilar protein families. Here, we propose to use this method to predict protein regions involved in the binding of nucleic acids. We have used the OB-fold, a motif known to promote protein–nucleic acid interactions, to validate our approach.

Results: We have tested the method using this well-characterized nucleic acid binding family. Protein regions consensually involved in statistically significant dynamics-based alignments were found to correlate with nucleic acid binding regions. The validated scheme was next used as a tool to predict which regions of the AXH-domain representatives (a sub-family of the OB-fold for which no DNA/RNA complex is yet available) are putatively involved in binding nucleic acids. The method, therefore, is a promising general approach for predicting functional regions in protein families on the basis of comparative large-scale dynamics.

Availability: The software is available upon request from the authors, free of charge for academic users.

Contact:  michelet@sissa.it

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Classification of conservation laws of compressible isentropic fluid flow in
n
>1 spatial dimensions
Authors: Anco Stephen C. , Dar Amanullah
Published: June 2009

For the Euler equations governing compressible isentropic fluid flow with a barotropic equation of state (where pressure is a function only of the density), local conservation laws in
n
>1 spatial dimensions are fully classified in two primary cases of physical and analytical interest: (i) kinematic conserved densities that depend only on the fluid density and velocity, in addition to the time and space coordinates, and (ii) vorticity conserved densities that have an essential dependence on the curl of the fluid velocity. A main result of the classification in the kinematic case is that the only equation of state found to be distinguished by admitting extra
n
-dimensional conserved integrals, apart from mass, momentum, energy, angular momentum and Galilean momentum (which are admitted for all equations of state), is the well-known polytropic equation of state with a dimension-dependent exponent, γ=1+2/
n
. In the vorticity case, no distinguished equations of state are found to arise, and here the main result of the classification is that, in all even dimensions
n
≥2, a generalized version of Kelvin’s two-dimensional circulation theorem is obtained for a general equation of state.
A Role forArabidopsis PUCHIin Floral Meristem Identity and Bract Suppression
Authors: Karim Md. Rezaul , Hirota Atsuko , Kwiatkowska Dorota , Tasaka Masao , Aida Mitsuhiro
Published: May 2009

At the onset of flowering, the Arabidopsis thaliana primary inflorescence meristem starts to produce flower meristems on its flank. Determination of floral fate is associated with changes in the growth pattern and expression of meristem identity genes and suppression of a subtending leaf called a bract. Here, we show a role in floral fate determination and bract suppression for the PUCHI gene, an AP2/EREBP family gene that has previously been reported to play roles in lateral root morphogenesis. Mutations in PUCHI cause partial conversion of flowers to inflorescences, indicating that PUCHI is required for flower meristem identity. PUCHI is transiently expressed in the early flower meristem and accelerates meristem bulging while it prevents the growth of the bract primordium. The function of PUCHI in floral fate determination and bract suppression overlaps that of the BLADE-ON-PETIOLE1 (BOP1) and BOP2 genes, which encode a pair of redundant regulatory proteins involved in various developmental processes, including leaf morphogenesis and flower patterning. We also show that PUCHI acts together with BOP1 and BOP2 to promote expression of LEAFY and APETALA1, two central regulators of floral meristem identity. Expression patterns of the PUCHI and BOP genes point to a role in spatial control of flower-specific activation of these meristem identity genes.
FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL1 and FHY1-LIKE Associate with theArabidopsisTranscription Factors LAF1 and HFR1 to Transmit Phytochrome A Signals for Inhibition of Hypocotyl Elongation
Authors: Yang Seong Wook , Jang In-Cheol , Henriques Rossana , Chua Nam-Hai
Published: May 2009

Among the five phytochromes in Arabidopsis thaliana, phytochrome A (phyA) plays a major role in seedling deetiolation. Mutant analyses have identified more than 10 positive components acting downstream of phyA to inhibit hypocotyl elongation. However, their sites of action and their hierarchical relationships are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the genetic and molecular relationship between two homologous proteins, FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL1 (FHY1) and FHY1-LIKE (FHL), and two transcription factors, LONG AFTER FAR-RED LIGHT1 (LAF1) and LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR-RED1 (HFR1). Analyses of double and triple mutants showed that LAF1, a myb factor, and HFR1, a basic helix-loop-helix factor, independently transmit phyA signals downstream of FHY1 and FHL. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that phyA, FHY1, FHL, LAF1, and HFR1 are components of protein complexes in vivo. In vitro pull-down assays demonstrated direct interactions between partner proteins with the N-terminal region of FHY1, as well as that of FHL, interacting with the LAF1 N-terminal portion and the HFR1 C-terminal region. These results suggest that, in addition to assisting phyA nuclear accumulation, FHY1 and FHL are required to assemble photoreceptor/transcription factor complexes for phyA signaling.
(E)-Methyl 2-[(2S,3S,12bR)-3-ethyl-8-methoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]-3-methoxyacrylate ethanol solvate
Authors: Carvalho Paulo , Furr III Edward B. , McCurdy Christopher
Published: May 2009

In the title compound, C23H30N2O4·C2H6O, the indole derivative has four fused rings, forming an indolo[2-3a]quinolizine system, in which one six-membered ring is directly connected to the indole unit and has a distorted chair conformation. The fourth ring is also a six-membered ring, depicting a regular chair conformation. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by N—H...O and O—H...N interactions, forming aC(7) chain.
1,3-Dihydroxy-2-methoxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone fromRennellia ellipticaKorth.
Authors: Ismail Nor Hadiani , Osman Che Puteh , Ahmad Rohaya , Awang Khalijah , Ng Seik Weng
Published: May 2009

The title compound, C16H12O5, common name: lucidin ω-methyl ether, exists as a planar molecule (r.m.s. deviation = 0.04 Å). Within the molecule, the 1-hydroxy group forms a hydrogen bond to the adjacent carbonyl O atom, and the 3-hydroxy group forms a hydrogen bond to the adjacent methoxy O atom. The methoxy O atom is disordered over two positions of equal occupancy.
3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Zhao Pu-Su , Wang Xian , Guo Huan-Mei , Jian Fang-Fang
Published: May 2009

The title compound, C16H13FO2, was prepared from 4-methoxyhypnone and 4-fluorobenzophenone by Claisen–Schmidt condensation. All the bond lengths and bond angles are in normal ranges. The dihedral angle formed by the two benzene rings is 33.49 (2)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions.
(1β,2α,3α,7α,11α,13β)-1,3,7,11-Tetraacetoxy-2,13-bis(benzyloxy)-21-methyl-19,21-secohetisan-19-al hemihydrate
Authors: Chen Feng-Zheng , Xiang Qing-Xiang , Zhang Yuan-Qin , Xiong Jun-Ru
Published: May 2009

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C43H46NO13·0.5H2O, the molecule assumes a U-shaped conformation, the terminal benzene rings being approximately parallel and partially overlapped with each other. The molecule contains eight alicyclic and heterocyclic rings. The cyclohexane rings adopt chair conformations, the other three six-membered carbocyclic rings form a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane system with a boat conformation for each six-membered ring, the six-membered heterocyclic ring has a chair conformation and both of the five-membered rings have envelope conformations. The solvent water molecule links with the organic moleculeviaclassic O—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure.
2-(Benzenesulfonamido)pyridinium perchlorate
Authors: Li Xun , Xie Dan , Xiao Zhi-Hong , Li Chang-Zhu
Published: May 2009

In the title compound, C11H11N2O2S+·ClO4−, the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyridinium rings is 87.33 (10)°. An intramolecular N—H...O interaction, with an S=O-bonded O atom as receptor, occurs in the cation. In the crystal structure, ion pairs occur, being linked by strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The perchlorate anion plays a further role in the molecular packing by accepting several weak C—H...O interactions.
3-(10-Chloro-9-anthryl)-5-[3-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenoxymethyl]isoxazole
Authors: Li Juan , Xi Hailing , Zhang Jianming
Published: May 2009

In the title molecule, C27H18ClNO3, the anthracene mean plane forms dihedral angles of 67.43 (2) and 15.75 (3)° with the isoxazole and benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal structure, C—H...π interactions link molecules into centrosymmetric dimers, which are further linked by weak intermolecular C—H...N hydrogen bonds into ribbons propagating in the [110] direction.
4-Nitrobenzyl 2-chloroacetate
Authors: Zhu Kai , Wang Yan-Hua , Liu Hui , Han Ping-Fang , Wei Ping
Published: May 2009

In the molecule of the title compound, C9H8ClNO4, the nearly planar acetate moiety [maximum deviation = 0.015 (3) Å for an O atom] is oriented with respect to the plane of the aromatic ring at a dihedral angle of 73.03 (3)°. In the crystal structure, intermolecular C—H...O interactions link molecules into a network. π–π contacts between benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 4.000 (1) Å] may further stabilize the structure.
2′-Methylpyrazolo[4′,3′:16,17]androst-5-en-3β-ol
Authors: Zheng Hu-ling , Xia Peng , Chen Ying
Published: May 2009

In the title compound, C21H30N2O, there are five fused rings. TheAandCrings adopt chair conformations, ringBadopts an 8β,9α-half-chair conformation and ringDadopts a 14α-envelope conformation. The pyrazole ring is planar. Intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds [H...N = 1.88 (5) Å] help to stabilize the crystal structure. The absolute structure was deduced from those of the starting materials.
1-[2-(Benzylamino)-4-pyridyl]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethane-1,2-dione
Authors: Jahns Hartmut , Koch Pierre , Schollmeyer Dieter , Laufer Stefan
Published: May 2009

The crystal structure of the title compound, C20H15FN2O2, contains two crystallographically independent molecules, which are related by a pseudo-inversion center and linked into dimersviaintermolecular N—H...N hydrogen bonds. The 4-fluorophenyl ring of moleculeAmakes dihedral angles of 17.17 (16) and 62.25 (15)°, respectively, with the phenyl and pyridine rings. The 4-fluorophenyl ring of moleculeBmakes dihedral angles of 8.50 (16) and 64.59 (15)°, respectively, with the phenyl and pyridine rings. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring and the phenyl ring of moleculeA[60.97 (15)°] is bigger than in moleculeB[59.49 (15)°]. The dihedral angle between the two pyridine rings is 1.37 (14)° and between the two phenyl rings is 3.64 (16)°.
Intangible liabilities: beyond models of intellectual assets
Authors: Garcia‐Parra Mercedes , Simo Pep , Sallan Jose M. , Mundet Juan
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Most models of intellectual capital measurment equal intellectual capital with intellectual assets. Nevertheless, companies sometimes must incur liabilities to make intellectual assets truly actionable. This fact suggests the existence of intangible liabilities. The aim of this paper is to refine the methods of assessment of intellectual capital by refining and extending the concept of intangible liabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper consists of a literature review of prior conceptualisations of intangible liabilities, and an empirical exploration of the employer‐employee relationships that can originate intangible liabilities.

Findings

The results of the empirical research show that a non‐fulfilment of perceived obligations by the company might cause organisational members to refrain from deploying their organisational knowledge in organisational processes. Thus, these obligations can be conceptualised as intangible liabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The research has only explored intangible liabilities related to organisational members. Future research should explore the intangible liabilities that an organisation can incur with other constituencies, e.g. suppliers and clients.

Practical implications

Managers can improve their models of intellectual capital measurement taking into account not only the intangible assets, but also the intangible liabilities. Taking into account intangible liabilities should bring awareness of the conditions that might hinder the deployment of organisational knowledge.

Originality/value

The study brings a more refined, theoretically‐ and empirically‐based conceptualisation of intangible liabilities than those provided so far, aiding to develop a more robust theory of intellectual capital measurement.
Understanding the learning tactics of college students and their relationship to leadership
Authors: Posner Barry Z.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This research aims to extend the generalizability of previous studies, using managerial samples, by investigating the tactics college students employ to learn and how this relates to their own behavior as leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

College students were surveyed regarding their typical tactics for learning, using Dalton's Learning Tactics Inventory, along with the extent to which they engaged in various leadership practices, using Kouzes and Posner's Student Leadership Practices Inventory.

Findings

Students who are more actively engaged in any of the various learning tactics (feelings, thinking, accessing others, and action), or all of them (versatility), subsequently report greater engagement across the range of leadership practices as well as transformational leadership.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is drawn from college students, on a single campus, from a single discipline and in their first year of study and, while successfully holding these variables constant, may be unrepresentative of other student populations. The use of a student population may limit generalizability to managerial and/or professional populations. However, the hypotheses and methodology follow previous studies with managerial samples and serve to extend the validity of the learning and leadership relationships investigated. Future studies should add assessments of the effectiveness of leaders.

Originality/value

Leadership skills can be developed through a number of learning tactics and strategies, rather than from a single perspective; but the greater the range of learning strategies utilized, the more comfortable students feel engaging in various leadership behaviors. Leadership development is a learning process in itself.
Coopers Brewery: heritage and innovation within a family firm
Authors: Byrom John , Lehman Kim
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The Australian brewing sector has been subject to ever‐increasing concentration over recent years. Yet one firm, Coopers Brewery of South Australia, has managed to expand its market share in a highly competitive trading environment. This paper aims to consider how Coopers, one of the few family firms “of stature” in that sector, has succeeded.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case‐study approach to illustrate the various factors which have contributed to the firm's success. Fieldwork took place at Coopers' headquarters in Adelaide and secondary data sources are also drawn upon.

Findings

With fifth‐generation family members in charge at the company, Coopers has been able to distinguish itself from its main competitors in the sector, two multinational conglomerates with a combined market share of around 90 per cent. Coupled with investment in production facilities, the case‐study firm's expansion into new domestic and international markets has proved to be profitable. Part of Coopers' success lies in the niche marketing strategies it has employed – strategies which emphasise the company's unique products and stress their history and traditions. The concept of the extended family is highlighted through the company's approach to its consumers and staff members. Philanthropic activities also enhance the company's reputation in the community at large.

Practical implications

For managers, the case provides clear indications of the various successful niche marketing strategies which a family business in the brewing sector has adopted.

Originality/value

The case provides evidence of how one company has been able to draw on its traditions whilst at the same time maintaining its relevance to the market.
“I give you some, and then you give me some”: automated ILL of end‐user requests via the Danish National Union catalogue
Authors: Petersen Anders‐Henrik , Lose Rikke , Einarsdottir Elva
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the efforts, methods and results of the automation of end‐user loan requests in the Danish union catalogue “bibliotek.dk” (library.dk).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains the implementation of automation of end‐user requests and explains why it is necessary.

Findings

The implications for the user interface are explained, as well as the technical solution and the consequences for the participating libraries and for the end‐users.

Originality/value

The paper will be of interest to all librarians who are supplying end‐users with library material through union catalogues or portals.
Extension theory and its application in evaluation of independent innovation capability
Authors: Shan Wei , Zhang Qingpu
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply a new idea and scientific method to evaluate the enterprise's independent innovation capability accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

The matter‐element, extension set and independent function in extension theory are introduced briefly. Based on extension theory, the matter‐element model on comprehensive evaluation of the enterprise's independent innovation capability is established. Then, an instance which makes structural analysis on the enterprise's independent innovation capability with extension evaluation method is given.

Findings

The matter‐element model on comprehensive evaluation of the enterprise's independent innovation capability is established. Extension evaluation method can combine qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis to reflect the changing process of the objective appropriately. By means of the matter‐element model, the evaluation result shows which the grade does the enterprise's independent innovation capability belong to.

Research limitations/implications

Extension evaluation method resorting to extension theory, cannot only reveal the evaluation grade and competitive advantage of an enterprise within the industry or within the scope of the evaluation, but also show comprehensive index level of the enterprise's independent innovation capability.

Practical implications

It is significant to monitor the enterprise's development and changes effectively, find the key factors influencing the enterprise's independent innovation capability and take effective measures in time.

Originality/value

New idea and scientific method are introduced into the enterprise's independent innovation activity, and it can integrate both qualitative and quantitative analysis to solve contradictory problems.
Incentive mechanism design problem based on gradient dynamics
Authors: Kuiran Shi , Tiaojun Xiao , Zhaohan Sheng
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the incentive mechanism design problem of manager under the assumption of bounded rationality in the theoretical framework of principal‐agent relationship and provide some insights into the relationship between the economic agent's rationality and incentive mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework of principal‐agent relationship is based on the full rationality of the agents. However, the agents cannot make optimal decisions in the uncertain and imprecise environment. To capture the essence of incentive scheme, bounded rationality is introduced in the model and the gradient dynamics is applied in modelling bounded rational learning behavior. The corresponding single‐task principal‐agent problem is solved to obtain the second‐best contracts and the effort levels. Furthermore, the results are generalized for the multi‐task principal‐agent problem.

Findings

The second‐best contract under the assumption of bounded rationality converges to the optimal contract under the assumption of full rationality over time.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility of data for empirical research is the main limitation which model will be applied.

Practical implications

A useful reference for managerial decisions.

Originality/value

The new approach of bounded rationality modeling and simulation. This paper is aimed at the owners, enterprisers, managers, and workers.
Some theoretical results of learning theory based on random sets in set‐valued probability space
Authors: Ha Minghu , Pedrycz Witold , Chen Jiqiang , Zheng Lifang
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce some basic knowledge of statistical learning theory (SLT) based on random set samples in set‐valued probability space for the first time and generalize the key theorem and bounds on the rate of uniform convergence of learning theory in Vapnik, to the key theorem and bounds on the rate of uniform convergence for random sets in set‐valued probability space. SLT based on random samples formed in probability space is considered, at present, as one of the fundamental theories about small samples statistical learning. It has become a novel and important field of machine learning, along with other concepts and architectures such as neural networks. However, the theory hardly handles statistical learning problems for samples that involve random set samples.

Design/methodology/approach

Being motivated by some applications, in this paper a SLT is developed based on random set samples. First, a certain law of large numbers for random sets is proved. Second, the definitions of the distribution function and the expectation of random sets are introduced, and the concepts of the expected risk functional and the empirical risk functional are discussed. A notion of the strict consistency of the principle of empirical risk minimization is presented.

Findings

The paper formulates and proves the key theorem and presents the bounds on the rate of uniform convergence of learning theory based on random sets in set‐valued probability space, which become cornerstones of the theoretical fundamentals of the SLT for random set samples.

Originality/value

The paper provides a studied analysis of some theoretical results of learning theory.
Identifying the underlying structure of perceived service fairness in restaurants
Authors: Namkung Young , Jang SooCheong (Shawn) , Almanza Barbara , Ismail Joe
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the applicability of fairness concepts as a lens for evaluating services in restaurants addressing service fairness issues within, as well as outside of, the service failure context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from two casual dining restaurants in the USA. In order to identify the underlying structure of perceived service fairness in restaurants, this study proposes and tests the fitness of two competing models – a traditional three‐factor model and an alternative four‐factor model.

Findings

A confirmatory factor analysis supports that a four‐factor structure of service fairness, which has integrated a customer benefits and sacrifice perspective with the original fairness theory, would be better for evaluating restaurant services instead of the three‐factor model that has frequently been applied in service failure and recovery contexts.

Research limitations/implications

The data are collected from only casual dining restaurants. Therefore, generalizing the results to other segments of the restaurant industry may not work.

Practical implications

This study offers managers a perspective for how consumers evaluate service from a fairness standpoint. The results also provide the basis for investigating which aspects of service fairness are critical in eliciting favorable emotional and behavioral consequences.

Originality/value

Compared with previous fairness studies, which have focused exclusively on the role of justice after service failure and recovery, this study considers all service delivery contexts (with or without service failure) in order to provide a richer portrait of service fairness. Also, this study contributes to the services marketing and consumer behavior literature by shedding light on the issue of “fairness” as an axiom for evaluating services in restaurants.
The productivity and competency of information technology in upscale hotels
Authors: Karadag Ersem , Dumanoglu Sezayi
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and analyze the findings of an empirical survey of the productivity of guest‐related IT applications and perceptions of hotel managers on IT competency in upscale hotels in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The data is collected via a structured questionnaire from 122 upscale hotels in Turkey.

Findings

The findings of this study show that hotel managers view guest‐related IT applications as highly productive and appreciate IT's benefits. It seems there is a strong relationship between guest‐related IT applications and productivity in the lodging industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study reflects the perception of hotel managers working in a specific country, i.e. Turkey (and only upper class hotels).

Practical implications

This study provides a useful insight for hoteliers to understand the productivity dimensions of guest‐related IT applications. This understanding will shape the patterns of decision makers when considering the adoption of certain technologies or when preparing IT capital budgets. The results will also assist hoteliers to adopt the most beneficial technologies and formulate more appropriate strategies around customer preferences.

Originality/value

Changes in customer preferences and new innovations leave some technology applications outdated or useless. This study provides a new perspective on the productivity of guest‐related IT applications. The findings of this paper can be used as a guide for hoteliers deciding on which IT applications to be implemented to meet customer expectations while maximizing the benefits of a hotel property.
Toeholds and takeover probability: implications for investment strategies
Authors: Samuel Baixauli J. , Fernández Matilde O.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose various toehold indicators and analyse whether the models incorporating these indicators can be used to establish investment strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression is used to test toehold indicator significance.

Findings

The results reflect that the designed measures are positively correlated to the likelihood of launching a takeover, although the power of the models to predict out‐sample takeovers is moderate, between 60.71 percent and 71.59 percent. The indicators allow us to design strategies which offer positive abnormal returns. In particular, abnormal return over the Fama‐French factors is 0.5 percent.

Originality/value

Toeholds are used to initiate takeover processes. As previous studies have indicated, a toehold increases the likelihood of success in a tender offer. Nevertheless, the studies on takeover prediction do not include the toehold since it is a variable which is unobservable prior to the announcement of a takeover bid.
Antecedents of knowledge sharing in communities of practice
Authors: Zboralski Katja
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Communities of practice (CoPs) have gained a great deal of attention from practitioners and scholars alike. However, critical antecedents of knowledge sharing in CoPs have not been fully researched yet. Particularly, empirical results are still scarce. The aim of this paper is to analyse the role of community members' motivation to participate in CoPs, the importance of the community leader and the influence of management support.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to test the proposed hypotheses data from 222 CoP members from different communities of a multinational company gathered in a large sample quantitative survey, using partial least square structural equations modelling.

Findings

The research results show that a leading facilitator and an appropriate managerial support influence interaction processes in CoPs positively.

Research limitations/implications

The impact of motivational and managerial factors on knowledge sharing processes in CoPs is conceptualized and tested. With regard to further CoP research, the developed scales may serve as a basis for future empirical studies. Furthermore, the type of knowledge handled in the CoP as well as assessments from community leaders could enhance the understanding of learning and knowledge generation in CoPs.

Practical implications

New insights with respect to the management of CoPs in corporate practice, answering questions such as “What motivates people to participate in CoPs?” or “How to lead knowledge workers in CoPs?” are found.

Originality/value

On the basis of a large sample empirical analysis these research results give evidence for the importance of different antecedents of interaction processes in CoPs.
Knowledge sharing networks in professional complex systems
Authors: Rangachari Pavani
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek to develop a theoretical framework for understanding the structure of effective knowledge sharing networks in professional organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is performed to achieve the purpose. This article integrates two streams of literature: related to knowledge network structure and related to professional complex systems, to gain insight into the structure of effective knowledge sharing networks in professional complex systems. This preliminary theoretical framework is then used to put forth strategies for knowledge management and collective learning in professional organizations.

Findings

An analysis of knowledge networks and complex systems literatures suggests that effective knowledge sharing networks in complex systems may be richer in density compared to brokerage. However, integrating this analysis with the literature on professional organizations, including “subgoals” theory, suggests that the reverse may be true in professional complex systems, i.e. that effective knowledge sharing networks in professional complex systems may be richer in brokerage and hierarchy, rather than in density.

Research implications/limitations

The paper provides a foundation for future research avenues in the professional organizational context. For instance the framework could be used to explore effective knowledge sharing structures across professional subgroups and hierarchical levels in a hospital context; and across faculty, staff, and administrators in a college/university context.

Practical implications

A key implication is that, in order to enable collective learning in professional organizations, senior executives must make proactive and unceasing efforts to: coordinate knowledge exchange across professional subgroups; create cognitive linkages between subgroup actions and organizational outcomes; and connect professional subgroups with the changing external environment.

Originality/value

The theoretical framework lays a foundation for addressing the gap in the literature related to knowledge creation and collective learning in professional organizations.
Process‐centric business intelligence
Authors: Bucher Tobias , Gericke Anke , Sigg Stefan
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deliver an insight into the interaction effects of process‐oriented management and business intelligence (BI).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes up publications from the fields of BI and business process management and analyzes the state‐of‐the‐art of process‐centric business intelligence (PCBI). To highlight the potentials and limitations of the concept, two exemplary use cases are presented and discussed in depth. Furthermore, a vision for the technical implementation is sketched.

Findings

PCBI is found to play an important role in an organization's strive for competitiveness. The concept's potential benefits are significant. However, the overall levels of adoption and maturity of the concept within real‐world organizations appear to be rather low at the moment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper discusses solely two exemplary use cases – the most that could be done within the scope of a journal publication. Therefore, the explanatory power and the representativeness of the results need to be scrutinized in detail.

Practical implications

The paper highlights the practical significance of PCBI. It therefore represents a useful source of information for both practitioners and academics who are interested in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's information supply in support of its processes.

Originality/value

The paper motivates, describes, and analyzes the concept of PCBI. Furthermore, it provides examples of the concept's adoption and benefits from a practitioner's point of view.
Ontology for e‐learning: a case study
Authors: Colace Francesco , De Santo Massimo , Gaeta Matteo
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The development of adaptable and intelligent educational systems is widely considered one of the great challenges in scientific research. Among key elements for building advanced training systems, an important role is played by methodologies chosen for knowledge representation. In this scenario, the introduction of ontology formalism can improve the quality of formative process, allowing the introduction of new and effective services. Ontology can lead to important improvements in the definition of courses knowledge domain, in the generation of adapted learning path and in the assessment phase. The purpose of this paper is to provide an initial discussion of the role of ontology in the context of e‐learning. It seeks to discuss the improvements related to the introduction of ontology formalism in the e‐learning field and to show a novel algorithm for ontology building through the use of Bayesian networks. Finally, it aims to illustrate its application in the assessment process and some experimental results.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel method for learning ontology for e‐learning is illustrated, using an approach based on Bayesian networks. Thanks to their characteristics, these networks can be used to model and evaluate the conditional dependencies among the nodes of ontology on the basis of the data obtained from student tests. An experimental evaluation of the proposed method was performed using real student data.

Findings

The proposed method was integrated in a tool for the assessment of students during a learning process. This tool is based on the use of ontology and Bayesian network. In particular through the matching between ontology and Bayesian network, it was found that our tool allows an effective tutoring and a better adaptation of learning process to demands of students. The assessment based on Bayesian approach allows a deeper analysis of student's knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach needs more experimentation with other domains and with more complex ontology.

Originality/value

This paper provides an initial discussion of the role of ontology in the context of e‐learning. The improvements related to the introduction of ontology formalism in the e‐learning field are discussed and a novel algorithm for ontology building through the use of Bayesian Networks is showed. Finally, its application in the assessment process and some experimental results are illustrated.
Generating web site traffic: a new model for SMEs
Authors: Quinton Sarah , Khan Mohammed Ali
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Organisations now regard having a web site as mandatory but as more businesses create websites the real challenge lies in driving traffic to a specific web site. Little research attention has been paid to the issues for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of how to increase traffic to their web site. This paper addresses the issue of web site traffic generation for SMEs which have limited resources to determine how SMEs might make more effective use of search engine marketing (SEM) tools to increase web site traffic.

Design/methodology/approach

An investigation of specific SEM tools, including press release distribution and directory submission, that are available to SMEs was conducted. This research paper follows a mixed methods approach incorporating Pearson's product moment correlation conducted on web site traffic and backlinks data as well as qualitative analysis of interview transcripts of three SME organisations and their use of search engine optimisation across different industries.

Findings

The findings indicate that a combined use of both press release distribution and directory submission does increase traffic generation to a web site. A tentative model is proposed which requires further testing.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates the synergy that can be created from two easily accessible and low cost SEM tools for SMEs in order to improve web site traffic generation.

Originality/value

The value of this research lies in the fact that the tools used in the creation of the model are within the means of small organisations and therefore highly relevant to SMEs.