bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-29 family reverts aberrant methylation in lung cancer by targeting DNA methyltransferases 3A and 3B
Authors: Fabbri Muller , Garzon Ramiro , Cimmino Amelia , Liu Zhongfa , Zanesi Nicola , Callegari Elisa , Liu Shujun , Alder Hansjuerg , Costinean Stefan , Fernandez-Cymering Cecilia , Volinia Stefano , Guler Gulnur , Morrison Carl D. , Chan Kenneth K. , Marcucci Guido , Calin George A. , Huebner Kay , Croce Carlo M.
Published: September 2007

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate expression of many genes. Recent studies suggest roles of miRNAs in carcinogenesis. We and others have shown that expression profiles of miRNAs are different in lung cancer vs. normal lung, although the significance of this aberrant expression is poorly understood. Among the reported down-regulated miRNAs in lung cancer, the miRNA (miR)-29 family (29a, 29b, and 29c) has intriguing complementarities to the 3′-UTRs of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)3A and -3B (
de novo
methyltransferases), two key enzymes involved in DNA methylation, that are frequently up-regulated in lung cancer and associated with poor prognosis. We investigated whether miR-29s could target DNMT3A and -B and whether restoration of miR-29s could normalize aberrant patterns of methylation in non-small-cell lung cancer. Here we show that expression of miR-29s is inversely correlated to DNMT3A and -3B in lung cancer tissues, and that miR-29s directly target both DNMT3A and -3B. The enforced expression of miR-29s in lung cancer cell lines restores normal patterns of DNA methylation, induces reexpression of methylation-silenced tumor suppressor genes, such as FHIT and WWOX, and inhibits tumorigenicity
in vitro
and
in vivo
. These findings support a role of miR-29s in epigenetic normalization of NSCLC, providing a rationale for the development of miRNA-based strategies for the treatment of lung cancer.
Syntactic variation in interactions across international Englishes
Authors: Meierkord Christiane
Published: September 2007

Discussions of World Englishes mainly concentrate on the particularities of individual varieties of English spoken in the different parts of the world. There is, however, another form of World English which emerges when speakers of different international varieties interact with each other. When English is the mother tongue of neither of the speakers who use the language for communicative purposes, they employ it as a lingua franca. This paper describes the syntactic variation found in this variety of English. It presents the results of analyses of a corpus containing 22 hours of naturally occurring interactions and describes both unsystematic as well as (seemingly) systematic grammatical choices made by the speakers. The results reveal that, not unlike the processes which have previously been documented for dialect contact, interactions across international Englishes are characterised by processes of levelling and regularisation, whilst at the same time individual speakers retain the characteristics of their original varieties. Individual Englishes are further constrained by transfer processes and interlanguage patterns.
Variation, stance and style
Authors: Kiesling Scott F.
Published: September 2007

One of the most cited features of the supposed migrant “ethnolect” in Australian English is the pronunciation of word-final -er. This article presents data from sociolinguistic interviews that support the view that there is a pronunciation difference between Anglo and non-Anglo speakers in Sydney, and that this difference is most pronounced in Greek and, to a lesser extent, Lebanese speakers. The variant the Greek and Lebanese speakers tend to use more than the Anglo speakers is backed and lengthened, and commonly used in words with final High Rising Tone (HRT). There is some evidence that Greeks are leading a change to a more backed variant. I show that length, backing, and HRT make up a style of speaking that I call “new (er)”. This style is indexical of being Greek for some, but more basically creates a stance of authoritative connection. These findings are significant for understanding the spread of new linguistic features, and how the meanings of some linguistic variables contribute to linguistic change.
What we mean by meaning
Authors: Parrill Fey , Sweetser Eve
Published: September 2007

Determining what a gesture “means” is an intuitive inferential process, which can profit from the application of a formalism which guides analysis. This paper uses a detailed exploration of a single example to illustrate the efficacy of the conceptual integration framework (Fauconnier & Turner, 2002) in organizing and understanding the process of meaning construction, and particularly in helping the analyst to understand the relationship between iconicity and metaphor.
TAPPA: topological analysis of pathway phenotype association
Authors: Gao Shouguo , Wang Xujing
Published: September 2007

Summary: Extracting biological insight from microarray data is important but challenging. Here we describe TAPPA, a java-based tool, for identification of phenotype-associated genetic pathways utilizing the pathway topological measures. This is achieved by first calculating a Pathway Connectivity Index (PCI) for each pathway, followed by evaluating its correlation to the phenotypic variation. Our PCI definition not only efficiently captures the contributions from genes that show subtle but consistent changes in expression, but also naturally overweighs the hub genes that interact with a large number of other genes in the pathway. TAPPA also allows evaluation of sub-modules within a pathway and their association to phenotypes.

Availability: TAPPA and data for Figure 1 are freely available from http://watson.mcgee.mcw.edu:8080/~sgao

Contact:  sgao@mcw.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Global Knowledge Transfer and Telecommunications: The Bell System in Japan, 1945–1952
Authors: Adams Stephen B. , Miranti Paul J.
Published: September 2007

This study evaluates the Bell System's role in the revival of Japanese telecommunications during the post-World War II occupation. Civilian and military personnel who had worked for the firm and who served in the Civil Communications Service (CCS) of the Supreme Command Allied Powers represented the primary agents for knowledge transfer to Japan's Ministry of Communications (MOC) and its supporting independent equipment manufacturers. The MOC became a channel for communicating ideas about management practices at the Bell System to the local telecommunications industry. The CCS's actions in Japan represent what Alfred D. Chandler has termed the “integrated learning base” in action in the public sector. The CCS's role in knowledge transfer has been underestimated by many scholars who have focused primarily on its contributions to promoting production and quality engineering in telecommunications manufacturing. Its central achievement was laying the managerial groundwork for the establishment in 1952 of the governmental enterprise Nippon Telegraph and Telephone.
Thomas Forde, Stationers' Company Apprentice and Author: New Information about his Life and Work
Authors: Schneider Gary
Published: September 2007

This article offers new information about the life and works of Thomas Forde (b. 1624), author of The Times Anatomiz’d in Severall Characters (1647), Lusus Fortunae (1649), and Virtus Rediviva (1660-61). This new information includes details of the social relationships and literary circles of this stationers’ company apprentice. Forde’s Faenestra in Pectore: Or a Century of Familiar Letters, included as part of his Virtus Rediviva, reveals several particulars of his life hitherto unnoticed. The article concludes with an appendix in which dates are assigned to several of these letters; many of Forde’s addressees are identified as well.
Molecular Architecture of Strictosidine Glucosidase: The Gateway to the Biosynthesis of the Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid Family
Authors: Barleben Leif , Panjikar Santosh , Ruppert Martin , Koepke Juergen , Stöckigt Joachim
Published: September 2007

Strictosidine β-d-glucosidase (SG) follows strictosidine synthase (STR1) in the production of the reactive intermediate required for the formation of the large family of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in plants. This family is composed of ∼2000 structurally diverse compounds. SG plays an important role in the plant cell by activating the glucoside strictosidine and allowing it to enter the multiple indole alkaloid pathways. Here, we report detailed three-dimensional information describing both native SG and the complex of its inactive mutant Glu207Gln with the substrate strictosidine, thus providing a structural characterization of substrate binding and identifying the amino acids that occupy the active site surface of the enzyme. Structural analysis and site-directed mutagenesis experiments demonstrate the essential role of Glu-207, Glu-416, His-161, and Trp-388 in catalysis. Comparison of the catalytic pocket of SG with that of other plant glucosidases demonstrates the structural importance of Trp-388. Compared with all other glucosidases of plant, bacterial, and archaeal origin, SG's residue Trp-388 is present in a unique structural conformation that is specific to the SG enzyme. In addition to STR1 and vinorine synthase, SG represents the third structural example of enzymes participating in the biosynthetic pathway of the Rauvolfia alkaloid ajmaline. The data presented here will contribute to deciphering the structure and reaction mechanism of other higher plant glucosidases.
Rice Pti1a Negatively Regulates RAR1-Dependent Defense Responses
Authors: Takahashi Akira , Agrawal Ganesh Kumar , Yamazaki Muneo , Onosato Katsura , Miyao Akio , Kawasaki Tsutomu , Shimamoto Ko , Hirochika Hirohiko
Published: September 2007

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Pto encodes a protein kinase that confers resistance to bacterial speck disease. A second protein kinase, Pti1, physically interacts with Pto and is involved in Pto-mediated defense signaling. Pti1-related sequences are highly conserved among diverse plant species, including rice (Oryza sativa), but their functions are largely unknown. Here, we report the identification of a null mutant for the Pti1 homolog in rice and the functional characterization of Os Pti1a. The rice pti1a mutant was characterized by spontaneous necrotic lesions on leaves, which was accompanied by a series of defense responses and resistance against a compatible race of Magnaporthe grisea. Overexpression of Pti1a in rice reduced resistance against an incompatible race of the fungus recognized by a resistance (R) protein, Pish. Plants overexpressing Pti1a were also more susceptible to a compatible race of the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae. These results suggest that Os Pti1a negatively regulates defense signaling for both R gene–mediated and basal resistance. We also demonstrated that repression of the rice RAR1 gene suppressed defense responses induced in the pti1a mutant, indicating that Pti1a negatively regulates RAR1-dependent defense responses. Expression of a tomato Pti1 cDNA in the rice pti1a mutant suppressed the mutant phenotypes. This contrasts strikingly with the previous finding that Sl Pti1 enhances Pto-mediated hypersensitive response (HR) induction when expressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), suggesting that the molecular switch controlling HR downstream of pathogen recognition has evolved differently in rice and tomato.
An Oncoprotein from the Plant PathogenAgrobacteriumHas Histone Chaperone–Like Activity
Authors: Terakura Shinji , Ueno Yoshihisa , Tagami Hideaki , Kitakura Saeko , Machida Chiyoko , Wabiko Hiroetsu , Aiba Hiroji , Otten Léon , Tsukagoshi Hironaka , Nakamura Kenzo , Machida Yasunori
Published: September 2007

Protein 6b, encoded by T-DNA from the pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, stimulates the plant hormone–independent division of cells in culture in vitro and induces aberrant cell growth and the ectopic expression of various genes, including genes related to cell division and meristem-related class 1 KNOX homeobox genes, in 6b-expressing transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum plants. Protein 6b is found in nuclei and binds to several plant nuclear proteins. Here, we report that 6b binds specifically to histone H3 in vitro but not to other core histones. Analysis by bimolecular fluorescence complementation revealed an interaction in vivo between 6b and histone H3. We recovered 6b from a chromatin fraction from 6b-expressing plant cells. A supercoiling assay and digestion with micrococcal nuclease indicated that 6b acts as a histone chaperone with the ability to mediate formation of nucleosomes in vitro. Mutant 6b, lacking the C-terminal region that is required for cell division–stimulating activity and interaction with histone H3, was deficient in histone chaperone activity. Our results suggest a relationship between alterations in nucleosome structure and the expression of growth-regulating genes on the one hand and the induction of aberrant cell proliferation on the other.
Functional Dissection of Naturally Occurring Amino Acid Substitutions in eIF4E That Confers Recessive Potyvirus Resistance in Plants
Authors: Yeam Inhwa , Cavatorta Jason R. , Ripoll Daniel R. , Kang Byoung-Cheorl , Jahn Molly M.
Published: September 2007

Naturally existing variation in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) homolog encoded at the pvr1 locus in Capsicum results in recessively inherited resistance against several potyviruses. Previously reported data indicate that the physical interaction between Capsicum-eIF4E and the viral genome-linked protein (VPg) is required for the viral infection in the Capsicum-Tobacco etch virus (TEV) pathosystem. In this study, the potential structural role(s) of natural variation in the eIF4E protein encoded by recessive resistance alleles and their biological consequences have been assessed. Using high-resolution three-dimensional structural models based on the available crystallographic structures of eIF4E, we show that the amino acid substitution G107R, found in many recessive plant virus resistance genes encoding eIF4E, is predicted to result in a substantial modification in the protein binding pocket. The G107R change was shown to not only be responsible for the interruption of VPg binding in planta but also for the loss of cap binding ability in vitro, the principal function of eIF4E in the host. Overexpression of the Capsicum-eIF4E protein containing the G107R amino acid substitution in Solanum lycopersicum indicated that this polymorphism alone is sufficient for the acquisition of resistance against several TEV strains.
A Cluster of Disease Resistance Genes inArabidopsisIs Coordinately Regulated by Transcriptional Activation and RNA Silencing
Authors: Yi Hankuil , Richards Eric J.
Published: September 2007

The RPP5 (for recognition of Peronospora parasitica 5) locus in the Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia strain contains a cluster of paralogous disease Resistance (R) genes that play important roles in innate immunity. Among the R genes in this locus, RPP4 confers resistance to two races of the fungal pathogen Hyaloperonospora parasitica, while activation of SNC1 (for suppressor of npr1-1, constitutive 1) results in the resistance to another race of H. parasitica and to pathovars of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae through the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA). Here, we demonstrate that other Columbia RPP5 locus R genes can be induced by transgenic overexpression of SNC1, which itself is regulated by a positive amplification loop involving SA accumulation. We also show that small RNA species that can target RPP5 locus R genes are produced in wild-type plants and that these R genes can be cosuppressed in transgenic plants overexpressing SNC1. Steady state expression levels of SNC1 increase in some mutants (dcl4-4, ago1-36, and upf1-5) defective in RNA silencing as well as in transgenic plants expressing the P1/Helper Component-Protease viral suppressor of RNA silencing. However, steady state levels of small RNA species do not change in mutants that upregulate SNC1. These data indicate many Columbia RPP5 locus R genes can be coordinately regulated both positively and negatively and suggest that the RPP5 locus is poised to respond to pathogens that disturb RNA silencing.
TheGIGANTEA-Regulated MicroRNA172 Mediates Photoperiodic Flowering Independent ofCONSTANSinArabidopsis
Authors: Jung Jae-Hoon , Seo Yeon-Hee , Seo Pil Joon , Reyes Jose Luis , Yun Ju , Chua Nam-Hai , Park Chung-Mo
Published: September 2007

Regulated RNA metabolism appears to be a critical component of molecular mechanisms directing flowering initiation in plants. A group of RNA binding proteins exerts their roles through the autonomous flowering pathway. Posttranscriptional mechanisms regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) also play a key role in flowering-time control. Here, we demonstrate that the GIGANTEA (GI)-regulated miR172 defines a unique genetic pathway that regulates photoperiodic flowering by inducing FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) independent of CONSTANS (CO). A late-flowering mutant in which a miR172 target gene, TARGET OF EAT1, is constitutively activated by the nearby insertion of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S enhancer normally responded to vernalization and gibberellic acid treatments. By contrast, its response to daylength changes was severely disrupted. In the mutant, FT was significantly repressed, but other flowering genes were unaffected. Notably, miR172 abundance is regulated by photoperiod via GI-mediated miRNA processing. Accordingly, miR172-overproducing plants exhibit early flowering under both long days and short days, even in the absence of functional CO, indicating that miR172 promotes photoperiodic flowering through a CO-independent genetic pathway. Therefore, it appears that GI-mediated photoperiodic flowering is governed by the coordinated interaction of two distinct genetic pathways: one mediated via CO and the other mediated via miR172 and its targets.
How socially connected are citers to those that they cite?
Authors: Johnson Ben , Oppenheim Charles
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report an investigation into the social and citation networks of three information scientists: David Nicholas, Peter Williams and Paul Huntington.

Design/methodology/approach

Similarities between citation patterns and social closeness were identified and discussed. A total of 16 individuals in the citation network were identified and investigated using citation analysis, and a matrix formed of citations made between those in the network. Social connections between the 16 in the citation network were then investigated by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were merged into a separate matrix. These matrices were converted into visual social networks, using multidimensional scaling. A new deviance measure was devised for drawing comparisons between social and citation closeness in individual cases.

Findings

Nicholas, Williams and Huntington were found to have cited 527 authors in the period 2000‐2003, the 16 most cited becoming the subjects of further citation and social investigation. This comparison, along with the examination of visual representations indicates a positive correlation between social closeness and citation counts. Possible explanations for this correlation are discussed, and implications considered. Despite this correlation, the information scientists were found to cite widely outside their immediate social connections.

Originality/value

Social network analysis has not been often used in combination with citation analysis to explore inter‐relationships in research teams.
Chat reference communication patterns and implications: applying politeness theory
Authors: Westbrook Lynn
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of formality indicators in chat reference interchanges within the context of politeness theory, with its corollaries of face‐threat and social relationship development.

Design/methodology/approach

This discourse analysis identifies the syntactic and content indicators and patterns of formality levels in a purposive sample of 402 chat transcripts (covering 6,572 minutes) from one academic year at a large, US, public university.

Findings

Syntactic formality markers include regular use of contractions, slang, sentence fragments, and non‐standard punctuation as well as limited use of acronyms and abbreviations with rare use of emoticons. Content‐based markers included apologies, self‐disclosure, and expressions of extreme need. Use patterns are related to the level of responsibility assumed by the librarian as well as the interview stages.

Research limitations/implications

A limited data source and potential coder bias are the two limitations of this study. The research implications point to the need for chat reference librarians to assume greater control of formality nuances in order to encourage a more effective search for the user.

Practical implications

The fundamentals of politeness theory, particularly in terms of formality indicators, should be incorporated into staff training and behavioral standards for reference librarians. While future research is needed to determine the most effective means of employing this theoretical construct, this study implies that a self‐reflective, culturally sensitive use of the nuances of formality can enhance the user's experience.

Originality/value

This study is the first to systematically examine formality indicators in the context of politeness theory. The use of two coders, a full academic year's worth of data, and a substantial sample provide great depth.
Web searchers' attributions of success and failure: an empirical study
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan , Ford Nigel
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper reports the findings of a study designed to explore web searchers' perceptions of the causes of their search failure and success. In particular, it seeks to discover the extent to which the constructs locus of control and attribution theory might provide useful frameworks for understanding searchers' perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of inductive and deductive approaches were employed. Perceptions of failed and successful searches were derived from the inductive analysis of using open‐ended qualitative interviews with a sample of 37 biologists at the University of Sheffield. These perceptions were classified into “internal” and “external” attributions, and the relationships between these categories and “successful” and “failed” searches were analysed deductively to test the extent to which they might be explainable using locus of control and attribution theory interpretive frameworks.

Findings

All searchers were readily able to recall “successful” and “unsuccessful” searches. In a large majority of cases (82.4 per cent), they clearly attributed each search to either internal (e.g. ability or effort) or external (e.g. luck or information not being available) factors. The pattern of such relationships was analysed, and mapped onto those that would be predicted by locus of control and attribution theory. The authors conclude that the potential of these theoretical frameworks to illuminate one's understanding of web searching, and associated training, merits further systematic study.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a relatively small sample of academic and research staff in a particular subject area. Importantly, also, the study can at best provide a prima facie case for further systematic study since, although the patterns of attribution behaviour accord with those predictable by locus of control and attribution theory, data relating to the predictive elements of these theories (e.g. levels of confidence and achievement) were not available. This issue is discussed, and recommendations made for further work.

Originality/value

The findings provide some empirical support for the notion that locus of control and attribution theory might – subject to the limitations noted above – be potentially useful theoretical frameworks for helping us better understand web‐based information seeking. If so, they could have implications particularly for better understanding of searchers' motivations, and for the design and development of more effective search training programmes.
Search persistence and failure on the web: a “bounded rationality” and “satisficing” analysis
Authors: Mansourian Yazdan , Ford Nigel
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to examine our current knowledge of how searchers perceive and react to the possibility of missing potentially important information whilst searching the web is limited. The study reported here seeks to investigate such perceptions and reactions, and to explore the extent to which Simon's “bounded rationality” theory is useful in illuminating these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Totally 37 academic staff, research staff and research students in three university departments were interviewed about their web searching. The open‐ended, semi‐structured interviews were inductively analysed. Emergence of the concept of “good enough” searching prompted a further analysis to explore the extent to which the data could be interpreted in terms of Simon's concepts of “bounded rationality” and “satisficing”.

Findings

The results indicate that the risk of missing potentially important information was a matter of concern to the interviewees. Their estimations of the likely extent and importance of missed information affected decisions by individuals as to when to stop searching – decisions based on very different criteria, which map well onto Simon's concepts. On the basis of the interview data, the authors propose tentative categorizations of perceptions of the risk of missing information including “inconsequential” “tolerable” “damaging” and “disastrous” and search strategies including “perfunctory” “minimalist” “nervous” and “extensive”. It is concluded that there is at least a prima facie case for bounded rationality and satisficing being considered as potentially useful concepts in our quest better to understand aspects of human information behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Although the findings are based on a relatively small sample and an exploratory qualitative analysis, it is argued that the study raises a number of interesting questions, and has implications for both the development of theory and practice in the areas of web searching and information literacy.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on an aspect of web searching which has not to date been well explored. Whilst research has done much to illuminate searchers' perceptions of what they find on the web, we know relatively little of their perceptions of, and reactions to information that they fail to find. The study reported here provides some tentative models, based on empirical evidence, of these phenomena.
Sources and use of marketing information by marketing managers
Authors: Bennett Roger
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to establish which formally and informally published sources of knowledge were mainly used by executives in the computer service industry to obtain knowledge of current developments in the field of marketing and to examine the purposes for which the knowledge gathered from these sources was employed.

Design/methodology/approach

Marketing managers in 141 large computer services businesses completed a questionnaire concerning the extents to which they used books, marketing magazines, academic journals, and grey literature (GL) for instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic purposes. Four “motivating factors” (e.g. occupational learning orientation) were examined plus three other influences (e.g. length of time in a marketing role). The possible consequences of the extensive use of various sources were explored.

Findings

Only 2 per cent of the sample read academic marketing journals, and just 3 per cent looked at marketing textbooks. However, 89 per cent of the sample accessed (mainly internet‐based) grey marketing literature and 62 per cent read marketing magazines. Nearly, one in six of the respondents stated that they had read practitioner “how to do” marketing books. Several hypothesised independent variables exerted positive and significant impacts on the degrees to which magazines; GL and practitioner books were employed to obtain marketing knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

It was not possible to examine exactly why a particular knowledge source was preferred for a specific purpose. Potential connections between past academic research outputs and the contents of contemporary grey marketing literature and articles in marketing magazines could not be investigated. The results imply that GL must be recognised as a vital source of marketing knowledge. Issues relating to the codification and wider distribution of GL, copyright, the shortage of specialised GL bibliographies in the marketing area, and the long‐term availability of materials in electronic form need to be addressed.

Originality/value

This was the first empirical study to connect the use of marketing knowledge sources to the purposes (instrumental, conceptual, symbolic) for which the knowledge contained within them was required.
Building a faceted classification for the humanities: principles and procedures
Authors: Broughton Vanda , Slavic Aida
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of principles and procedures involved in creating a faceted classification scheme for use in resource discovery in an online environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Facet analysis provides an established rigorous methodology for the conceptual organization of a subject field, and the structuring of an associated classification or controlled vocabulary. This paper explains how that methodology was applied to the humanities in the FATKS project, where the objective was to explore the potential of facet analytical theory for creating a controlled vocabulary for the humanities, and to establish the requirements of a faceted classification appropriate to an online environment. A detailed faceted vocabulary was developed for two areas of the humanities within a broader facet framework for the whole of knowledge. Research issues included how to create a data model which made the faceted structure explicit and machine‐readable and provided for its further development and use.

Findings

In order to support easy facet combination in indexing, and facet searching and browsing on the interface, faceted classification requires a formalized data structure and an appropriate tool for its management. The conceptual framework of a faceted system proper can be applied satisfactorily to humanities, and fully integrated within a vocabulary management system.

Research limitations/implications

The procedures described in this paper are concerned only with the structuring of the classification, and do not extend to indexing, retrieval and application issues.

Practical implications

Many stakeholders in the domain of resource discovery consider developing their own classification system and supporting tools. The methods described in this paper may clarify the process of building a faceted classification and may provide some useful ideas with respect to the vocabulary maintenance tool.

Originality/value

As far as the authors are aware there is no comparable research in this area.
Beyond information – factors in participation in networks of practice
Authors: Cox Andrew M.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the pattern and significance of cross‐organizational ties in an emergent professional field, web production in UK higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on in‐depth interviews with 21 practitioners and analysis of activity in cross‐organizational spaces, such as an online community and a series of annual practitioner conferences on the web in HE (1997).

Findings

The cross‐organizational spaces have support and symbolic roles as well as informational ones. They have overlapping but different membership and agendas. Key factors that govern individual participation and so the shape of cross‐organizational spaces are differential involvement in technical innovation, degree of organizational embedding or marginality, differences in organizational position and role, orientation towards centralization or decentralization and orientation towards marketing or IT. There is some sense of occupational community among web managers, but within that also diversity and a significant fracture line between marketing and IT perspectives on the role. This may explain the lack of formal professionalization. As a more natural boundary practice between organizations than marketing, IT has more public visibility, possibly influencing the course jurisdictional struggles over who should control the web.

Originality/value

Most studies of knowledge sharing have focussed on the factors which influence it within an organization, yet cross‐organizational sharing is also of importance, even for established professions as the boundaries of organizations become more open. For new occupations cross‐organizational ties may be a critical resource, and not only for sharing information or support, but for making sense of what the job is about at the deepest level. The research is also original in analysing a relatively little researched occupational group, those producing web sites for a living. It will be relevant to those interested in online and people centered information seeking, in professionalization and occupational identity.
Sliding bearings lubricated with magnetic fluids
Authors: Ochoński W.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to present some new designs of sliding bearings lubricated with magnetic fluids (ferrofluids) and the possibility of using them in modern bearing technology, in new computer and audiovisual equipment among others.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents new designs of journal, thrust and journal‐thrust sliding bearings lubricated and sealed with magnetic fluids such as: magnetic fluid bearing bushing made of magnetizable material, pivot bearings with porous sleeve impregnated with ferrofluid, self‐aligning bearings, hydrodynamic ferrofluid bearings with spiral and herringbone grooves structure are presented. Moreover, examples are shown of applications in modern bearing technology.

Findings

The paper provides information about new designs of magnetic fluid sliding bearings assemblies and gives the main advantages of these bearings over conventional ball bearings, such as extremely low non‐repetitive run‐out (high‐accuracy of rotation), good damping and quietness of operation, maintenance free service and high reliability.

Originality/value

This paper offers some new designs of compact, low friction and self‐contained magnetic fluid sliding bearings and points up their practical applications.
FEM analysis for different configurations of non‐recessed hole‐entry hybrid journal bearings for non‐Newtonian lubricants
Authors: Duvedi R.K. , Singh Manpreet , Jadon V.K.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The present work aims to predict accurately the bearing design data for non‐recessed hybrid journal bearings, considering the effect of non‐Newtonian behavior of lubricant for different symmetric and non‐symmetric bearing geometric configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

The simultaneous solution of generalized Reynold's equation governing the laminar flow of incompressible lubricant and the equation of flow of lubricant through the capillary restrictor, considering variable viscosity of lubricant following the “Power law”, has been carried out using FEM. For a given set of bearing geometric, operating parameters and for given external vertical load, the values of various performance characteristics have been obtained for a range of values of power law index, after establishing the journal center equilibrium position, the analysis for which has been elaborately explained.

Findings

The results obtained have been presented graphically for various bearing performance characteristics. It has been observed that with decrease in power law index “n”(0<n≤1), the value of h¯min  and load carrying capacity decreases, while bearing flow rate increases for all configuration. The load‐carrying capacity of asymmetric configurations is better and stable over entire range of restrictor design parameter. Bearing configuration with land width ratio = 0.25 and aspect ratio = 1.0, having two rows of holes and six holes in each row, will be better suited for high‐load support, as it has maximum value of minimum fluid film thickness, moderate value of bearing flow and value of attitude angle is almost constant.

Originality/value

The performance characteristics of journal bearing have been presented for a wide range of values of power law index and for different values of restrictor design parameter for capillary restrictor, after establishing the journal center equilibrium position. The comparison of the different symmetric and non‐symmetric journal‐bearing configurations to find the best geometric configuration at different operating conditions, considering the effect of non‐Newtonian behavior of lubricant, represents the originality of the work.
Study on the effect of jet flow parameters with water vapor as coolants and lubricants in green cutting
Authors: Junyan Liu , Rongdi Han , Li Zhang
Published: September 2007

Purpose

At the present time, green cutting has become the focus of attention in ecological and environmental protection. Water vapor is cheap, pollution‐free and eco‐friendly. Therefore, it is a good and economical coolant and lubricant. To find the discipline of nozzle diameter, the parameters of water vapor jet flow and cooling distance influence on its lubricating action effect, experiments were carried out in which YT15 (P10 type in ISO) tool was used in cutting C45 steel.

Design/methodology/approach

The vapor generator and vapor feed system are manufactured. The temperature and velocity distribution of water vapor jet flow influences the velocity such that water vapor fills up the capillaries and forms the boundary lubricating film layer in the cutting zone, and the temperature and velocity distribution of the vapor jet flow section contains the effective area for the lubricating effect. Through the temperature distribution measured, the empirical formula of temperature distribution is obtained and simulated by Matlab. The turning experiment was carried out according to quantity in cutting υc=45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 mm/min, f=0.1 ∼ 0.3 mm/rev, ap=1, 2, 3, 3.5 mm and the jet flow parameters were changed, respectively.

Findings

It was found that: significant decrease of cutting force can be realized with reduced nozzle diameter, increased the sett pressure and shortened the cooling distance. However, reduced to a certain extent it will lead to the increase of the cutting force. The optimal nozzle diameter is 2 mm for the best lubricating effect. The effect on cutting force of the cooling distance is much better than the setting pressure. Significant decrease of friction coefficient of tool‐chip can be realized with reduced nozzle diameter. However, reduced to a certain extent it will lead to the increase of friction coefficient. Significant thinness of chips can be realized by reducing nozzle diameter. But if the diameter is reduced to a certain degree, chips will be thickened. Increased set pressure and shortened cooling distance can both reduce chip thickness, resulting in reduction of chip deformation coefficient. Since water vapor has the advantage of being cheap, pollution‐free and harmless, and there is no need for disposal and recycling, it is ideal for cooling and lubricating technology in green cutting.

Originality/value

The paper establishes the discipline of nozzle diameter, the parameters of water vapor jet flow and cooling distance influence on its lubricating action effect.
Effects of couple stresses and surface roughness on the film thickness of heavily loaded rollers
Authors: Raghavendra Rao R. , Raja Sekhar K.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper aims to study the effects of couple stresses and surface roughness on the minimum film thickness of heavily loaded rollers and to discuss these by following Grubin's approach and Crook's approximations.

Design/methodology/approach

A generalised form of Reynolds equation for rough surfaces with lubricant as couple stress fluid is derived. This equation is then used to study the combined effect of couple stresses and surface roughness on the roller bearings under heavily loaded conditions. EHD minimum film thickness expressions is obtained by following Grubin's approach and Crook's approximation and it is studied numerically.

Findings

It is found that, as the chain length of the additive molecules increases, the elastohydrodynamic minimum film thickness increases. Also, as the mean height of roughness asperities increases, the elastohydrodynamic minimum film thickness increases for the transversal roughness and it decreases in the case of longitudinal roughness.

Research limitations/implications

These effects are studied theoretically by the mathematical equations in heavily loaded roller bearings.

Practical implications

Reduction of the film thickness in the EHD lubrication between the rollers can be compensated by the use of lubricants containing additives of molecules of size. As a result the bearing performance can be improved.

Originality/value

This research paper provides a closed form of the expressions for the bearings in EHD lubrication and is studied with regard to couple stress parameter. This paper helps to manufacture better bearings.
Condition monitoring of low‐speed and heavily loaded rolling element bearing
Authors: Liu Rende
Published: September 2007

Purpose

This paper sets out to develop a reliable analysis method based upon a low‐cost procedure to monitor the wear condition of low‐speed and heavily loaded rolling element bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

Special solvents for grease are invented and new test methods, including spectroscopy and ferrography of used grease, are developed to monitor the wear condition of a deferred bearing of ladle turret in continuous casting.

Findings

According to the analytical results, the service life of the ladle turret bearing in No. 1 continuous casting machine is extended to 14 years and significant expense is saved, which proved that it is feasible for grease analysis to be used in the condition monitoring of low speed and heavily loaded rolling element bearing, especially those deferrable bearings.

Research limitations/implications

The fault mechanism of the huge bearing is not estimated.

Practical implications

One useful analysis method to monitor the wear condition of low speed and heavily loaded rolling element bearing is reported, and it can be used in other industrial fields.

Originality/value

This paper provides a way of studying condition monitoring of low‐speed and heavily loaded rolling element bearings.
Organizational anomie as moderator of the relationship between an unfavorable attitudinal environment and citizenship behavior (OCB)
Authors: Zoghbi Manrique de Lara Pablo , Espino Rodríguez Tomás F.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between an unfavorable attitudinal environment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The proposed model suggests that organizational anomie (OA) acts as a moderator of that link, and thus OA interacts with unfavorable attitudes and OCB by tightening their theoretical negative association.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 154 of the 758 non‐teaching staff at a Spanish public university. Accessibility of individual e‐mail accounts was similar for all employees. E‐mails asking for collaboration were sent in two phases. A questionnaire was posted on the university intranet and could be accessed by clicking on a link in the e‐mails.

Findings

Multiple hierarchical regression results support the moderating role of OA of the unfavorable attitude‐OCB link because the unfavorable attitudes toward co‐workers and toward the boss as‐a‐person among employees with low, compared with high OA, have a stronger negative relationship with OCB. OA moderation existed, but to varying degrees, between attitude toward one's job and some dimensions of OCB (OCBI, and OCBI client). OA also intensified the unpredicted positive relationship between attitude toward boss's performance and OCB. No moderating influences were observed in the case of attitudes toward oneself and toward clients (students).

Research limitations/implications

The researched employees have job conditions inherent to the peculiarities of the public sector which may limit the ability to extrapolate the findings in the private sector. Findings provide a more understandable mechanism of the influence of attitudes on OCB. The research may aid OA acceptance into organizations, providing an explicit justification for the OA distinctiveness with other variables in the existing OB literature.

Practical implications

The findings contribute to a better understanding of the attitudes‐OCB link, and the ways to favor OCB through OA.

Originality/value

The use of OA as a moderator on this link is unprecedented.
Organizational commitment to employees and organizational performance
Authors: Roca‐Puig Vicente , Beltrán‐Martín Inmaculada , Escrig‐Tena Ana B. , Carlos Bou‐Llusar J.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of organizational commitment to employees (OCE) on organizational performance through two different approaches – a configurative approach and a universalistic approach. The theoretical model formulated in this paper integrates both propositions with the aim of analyzing which has the most relevant impact on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation models were applied to test these propositions by means of a survey of a random sample of 230 service firms.

Findings

It was found that the configurational hypothesis is more important than the universalist hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

The study only included information from one member of executive management staff. This study is an initial attempt in the strategic human resource management literature to examine the configurative perspective as a covariation pattern.

Practical implications

OCE by itself does not affect organizational performance. It is necessary to consider the context in which it is applied in order to understand the effect of OCE on performance. This explains why not all employers pursue an OCE model.

Originality/value

It is proved that “fit as covariation” can be adequate for studying the configurative theory. A complementary vision of the configurative and universalistic hypotheses was adopted, according to which these two hypotheses are not contradictory and could be tested simultaneously.
Attitude towards E‐HRM: an empirical study at Philips
Authors: Voermans M. , van Veldhoven M.
Published: September 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a research project on attitude towards electronic human resource management (E‐HRM). A research model was formulated, based on two theories from complementary research areas: Davis' technology acceptance model and Ulrich's model on HR roles.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used an online questionnaire, in which 99 managers and 257 employees within Philips (Electronics) Netherlands participated. Managers and employees answered questions as to their previous experiences with regard to IT systems in general, their preferred HR roles, and their attitude towards E‐HRM systems.

Findings

Differences in perceived usability of current IT systems, as well as the preferred HR roles strategic partner (high preference) and employee champion (low preference), were related to a positive attitude towards E‐HRM systems. For managers, user support was also found to be a predictor of a positive attitude towards E‐HRM.

Originality/value

This research suggests a multi‐factorial framework that can help organizations in understanding and solving difficulties of implementation with E‐HRM systems, as far as attitude towards these systems is concerned.