bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molar microwear textures and the diets ofAustralopithecus anamensisandAustralopithecus afarensis
Authors: Ungar Peter S. , Scott Robert S. , Grine Frederick E. , Teaford Mark F.
Published: September 2010

Many researchers have suggested thatAustralopithecus anamensisandAustralopithecus afarensiswere among the earliest hominins to have diets that included hard, brittle items. Here we examine dental microwear textures of these hominins for evidence of this. The molars of threeAu. anamensisand 19Au. afarensisspecimens examined preserve unobscured antemortem microwear. Microwear textures of these individuals closely resemble those ofParanthropus boisei, having lower complexity values thanAustralopithecus africanusand especiallyParanthropus robustus. The microwear texture complexity values forAu. anamensisandAu. afarensisare similar to those of the grass-eatingTheropithecus geladaand folivorousAlouatta palliataandTrachypithecus cristatus. This implies that theseAu. anamensisandAu. afarensisindividuals did not have diets dominated by hard, brittle foods shortly before their deaths. On the other hand, microwear texture anisotropy values for these taxa are lower on average than those ofTheropithecus,AlouattaorTrachypithecus. This suggests that the fossil taxa did not have diets dominated by tough foods either, or if they did that directions of tooth–tooth movement were less constrained than in higher cusped and sharper crested extant primate grass eaters and folivores.
Paracoccus caeni sp. nov., isolated from sludge
Authors: Lee Myungjin , Woo Song-Geun , Park Giho , Kim Myung Kyum
Published: September 2010

A Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium, designated MJ17T, was isolated from sludge at the Daejeon sewage disposal plant in South Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain MJ17T belonged to the genus Paracoccus in the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain MJ17T and type strains of species of the genus Paracoccus were 94.1–97.4 %. The highest similarities were between strain MJ17T and Paracoccus homiensis DD-R11T, Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens ATCC 21588T and Paracoccus alcaliphilus JCM 7364T (97.4, 97.2 and 96.3 %, respectively). Strain MJ17T exhibited <22 % DNA–DNA relatedness with P. homiensis KACC 11518T and P. zeaxanthinifaciens JCM 21774T. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 58.7 mol%. Strain MJ17T contained ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18 : 0 (11.3 %), C16 : 0 (10.2 %) and summed feature 7 (containing one or more of C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 1ω12t; 54.3 %). Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules are formed. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain MJ17T should be classified in a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MJ17T ( = KCTC 22480T  = JCM 16385T  = KEMB 9004-001T).
Jeotgalicoccus nanhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from intertidal sediment, and emended description of the genus Jeotgalicoccus
Authors: Liu Zhu-Xiang , Chen Jun , Tang Shu-Kun , Zhang Yu-Qin , He Jian-Wu , Chen Qi-Hui , Li Wen-Jun , Chen Yi-Guang
Published: September 2010

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, Gram-positive-staining coccus, strain JSM 077023T, was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea, China. Growth occurred in the presence of 0.5–25 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 2–5 % (w/v) NaCl] and at pH 5.5–10.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0) and at 4–45 °C (optimum, 30–35 °C). The major amino acid constituents of the cell wall were alanine, glycine and lysine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The strain contained MK-7 and MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid as the polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 077023T was 41.3 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 077023T should be assigned to the genus Jeotgalicoccus and was most closely related to the type strains of Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans (sequence similarity 99.0 %) and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus (99.0 %), followed by Jeotgalicoccus coquinae (98.6 %) and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus (97.4 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of less than 97 % were observed with other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 077023T and the type strains of J. halotolerans, J. aerolatus, J. coquinae and J. psychrophilus ranged from 36.8 to 22.7 %. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain JSM 077023T represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 077023T ( = DSM 23006T = KCTC 13714T). An emended description of the genus Jeotgalicoccus is also presented.
Roseovarius indicus sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water of the Indian Ocean
Authors: Lai Qiliang , Zhong Huanzi , Wang Jianning , Yuan Jun , Sun Fengqin , Wang Liping , Zheng Tianling , Shao Zongze
Published: September 2010

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel bacterial strain, designated B108T, which was isolated from a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading consortium, enriched from deep-sea water of the Indian Ocean. The isolate was Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile. Growth of strain B108T was observed in 1–15 % (w/v) NaCl and at 10–39 °C and it was unable to degrade Tween 80 or gelatin. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain B108T was most closely related to Roseovarius halotolerans HJ50T (97.1 % sequence similarity), followed by Roseovarius pacificus 81-2T (96.6 %) and Roseovarius aestuarii SMK-122T (95.2 %); other species shared <95.0 % sequence similarity. DNA–DNA hybridization tests showed that strain B108T had a low DNA–DNA relatedness to R. halotolerans HJ50T and R. pacificus 81-2T (48±4 % and 44±5 %, respectively). The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 0 2-OH, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c) and C19 : 0ω8c cyclo, which accounted for 84.2 % of the total cellular fatty acids. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 63.6 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q10). Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and some unidentified compounds were detected. These characteristics were in good agreement with those of members of the genus Roseovarius. The pufLM gene was also detected. According to its morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition and phylogenetic position based on 16S rRNA sequence data, the novel strain most appropriately belongs to the genus Roseovarius but can be readily distinguished from known species of this genus. Therefore, strain B108T represents a novel species, of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B108T ( = 2PR52-14T  = CCTCC AB 208233T  = LMG 24622T  = MCCC 1A01227T).
Ensifer sojae sp. nov., isolated from root nodules of Glycine max grown in saline-alkaline soils
Authors: Li Qin Qin , Wang En Tao , Chang Yue Li , Zhang Yun Zeng , Zhang Yan Ming , Sui Xin Hua , Chen Wen Feng , Chen Wen Xin
Published: September 2010

Thirteen bacterial isolates from root nodules of soybean grown in saline-alkaline soils in the Chinese province of Hebei were identified as a unique group in the genus Ensifer based upon BOX-PCR patterns, sequencing analyses of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes and DNA–DNA hybridization. Phenotypically, positive tests for acid production and negative results for reduction in litmus milk and sensitivity to 50 µg ampicillin ml−1, as well as some other features, could differentiate the novel group from defined species of the Ensifer–Sinorhizobium group. The novel group had symbiotic gene sequences (nodC and nifH) that were identical or very similar to those of Ensifer (Sinorhizobium) fredii, and formed effective nodules with Glycine max (soybean), Vigna unguiculata and Glycine soja. Based upon the consensus of these analyses, a novel species, Ensifer
sojae sp. nov., is proposed, with CCBAU 05684T ( = LMG 25493T  = HAMBI 3098T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C content of strain CCBAU 05684T was 60.9 mol% (T
m).
Zhongshania antarctica gen. nov., sp. nov. and Zhongshania guokunii sp. nov., gammaproteobacteria respectively isolated from coastal attached (fast) ice and surface seawater of the Antarctic
Authors: Li Hui-Juan , Zhang Xi-Ying , Chen Chun-Xiao , Zhang Yan-Jiao , Gao Zhao-Ming , Yu Yong , Chen Xiu-Lan , Chen Bo , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: September 2010

Two Gram-negative, motile, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped strains, designated ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T, were respectively isolated from Antarctic coastal attached (fast) ice and surface seawater samples. Both strains could grow at 4–35 °C (optimum 30 °C) and in the absence of NaCl. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T were closely related to each other (99.0 % sequence similarity) and belonged to the class Gammaproteobacteria, with their closest relatives being Spongiibacter and Melitea species (93.1–94.3 % sequence similarity). The predominant cellular fatty acids in both strains were C17 : 1ω8c, C17 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). Genomic DNA G+C contents of strains ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T were 51.5 and 51.8 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strains ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T was 50.9 %. Strains ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T could be differentiated from each other and from Spongiibacter and Melitea species by differences in a number of phenotypic properties. Based on the data presented, strains ZS5-23T and ZS6-22T represent two novel species in a new genus in the class Gammaproteobacteria, for which the names Zhongshania antarctica gen. nov., sp. nov. (the type species) and Zhongshania guokunii sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of Zhongshania antarctica is ZS5-23T ( = KACC 14066T  = CCTCC AB 209246T) and that of Zhongshania guokunii is ZS6-22T ( = KACC 14532T  = CCTCC AB 209247T).
Streptococcus rupicaprae sp. nov., isolated from a Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica)
Authors: Vela A. I. , Mentaberre G. , Marco I. , Velarde R. , Lavín S. , Domínguez L. , Fernández-Garayzábal J. F.
Published: September 2010

Biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on an unknown Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organism isolated from clinical samples of a Pyrenean chamois. The micro-organism was identified as a streptococcal species based on its cellular morphological and biochemical tests. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison studies confirmed its identification as a member of the genus Streptococcus, but the organism did not correspond to any species of this genus. The nearest phylogenetic relative of the unknown coccus from chamois was Streptococcus ovis (95.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The rpoB and sodA sequence analysis showed sequence similarity values of less than 85.7 % and 83.0 %, respectively, with the currently recognized species of the genus Streptococcus. The novel bacterial isolate was distinguished from S. ovis and other species of the genus Streptococcus using biochemical tests. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic findings, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as a novel species of the genus Streptococcus, Streptococcus rupicaprae sp. nov., with the type strain 2777-2-07T ( = CECT 7718T  = CCUG 59652T).
Rubricoccus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., of the family ‘Rhodothermaceae’, isolated from seawater
Authors: Park Sanghwa , Yoshizawa Susumu , Kogure Kazuhiro , Yokota Akira
Published: September 2010

A coccoid- and amorphous-shaped, non-gliding, reddish bacterium, designated SG-29T, was isolated from seawater in the western North Pacific Ocean near Japan. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic, heterotrophic and catalase-positive. Nitrate was reduced to nitrogen and acid was produced from aesculin, turanose, 2-keto-gluconate and arabinose. Growth occurred with 1–5 % NaCl (optimum 2 % NaCl) and at 5–37 °C (optimum 20–30 °C). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 68.9 mol% (HPLC). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C17 : 1ω9c, C17 : 1ω8c and iso-C17 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SG-29T belonged to the phylum Bacteroidetes. The most closely related strain was Rhodothermus obamensis JCM 9785T, with which the isolate exhibited 86.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, strain SG-29T is classified in a novel genus and species within the family ‘Rhodothermaceae’, for which the name Rubricoccus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. ( = NBRC 107124T  = KCTC 23197T) is proposed.
Constrictibacter antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a cryptoendolithic micro-organism from Antarctic white rock
Authors: Yamada Kozo , Fukuda Wakao , Kondo Yuka , Miyoshi Yuki , Atomi Haruyuki , Imanaka Tadayuki
Published: September 2010

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, ovoid to rod-shaped aerobic or microaerobic bacterium, strain 262-8T, was isolated from a cavity within white rock collected in Antarctica. Strain 262-8T grew at 5–30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum approximately pH 7) and with 0.1–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5 % NaCl). The addition of tryptone or yeast extract was essential for growth. Strain 262-8T was able to utilize organic compounds such as ribose, pyruvate and succinate in the presence of a low concentration of tryptone. Ubiquinone 10 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.8 mol%. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and physiological characteristics indicated that strain 262-8T was a phylogenetically novel bacterium that should be classified in a new genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Constrictibacter antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 262-8T ( = JCM 16422T = ATCC BAA-1906T).
Characterization of the β-Carotene Hydroxylase Gene DSM2 Conferring Drought and Oxidative Stress Resistance by Increasing Xanthophylls and Abscisic Acid Synthesis in Rice
Authors: Du Hao , Wang Nili , Cui Fei , Li Xianghua , Xiao Jinghua , Xiong Lizhong
Published: September 2010

Drought is a major limiting factor for crop production. To identify critical genes for drought resistance in rice (Oryza sativa), we screened T-DNA mutants and identified a drought-hypersensitive mutant, dsm2. The mutant phenotype was caused by a T-DNA insertion in a gene encoding a putative β-carotene hydroxylase (BCH). BCH is predicted for the biosynthesis of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid precursor of abscisic acid (ABA). The amounts of zeaxanthin and ABA were significantly reduced in two allelic dsm2 mutants after drought stress compared with the wild type. Under drought stress conditions, the mutant leaves lost water faster than the wild type and the photosynthesis rate, biomass, and grain yield were significantly reduced, whereas malondialdehyde level and stomata aperture were increased in the mutant. The mutant is also hypersensitive to oxidative stresses. The mutant had significantly lower maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry and nonphotochemical quenching capacity than the wild type, indicating photoinhibition in photosystem II and decreased capacity for eliminating excess energy by thermal dissipation. Overexpression of DSM2 in rice resulted in significantly increased resistance to drought and oxidative stresses and increases of the xanthophylls and nonphotochemical quenching. Some stress-related ABA-responsive genes were up-regulated in the overexpression line. DSM2 is a chloroplast protein, and the response of DSM2 to environmental stimuli is distinctive from the other two BCH members in rice. We conclude that the DSM2 gene significantly contributes to control of the xanthophyll cycle and ABA synthesis, both of which play critical roles in the establishment of drought resistance in rice.
The Bacterial Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae Overcomes Rice Defenses by Regulating Host Copper Redistribution
Authors: Yuan Meng , Chu Zhaohui , Li Xianghua , Xu Caiguo , Wang Shiping
Published: September 2010

Pathogen effectors are virulence factors causing plant diseases. How the host targets of these effectors facilitate pathogen infection is largely unknown. An effector of Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo) transcriptionally activates rice (Oryza sativa) susceptibility gene Xa13 to cause bacterial blight disease. Xa13 encodes an indispensable plasma membrane protein of the MtN3/saliva family, which is prevalent in eukaryotes with unknown biochemical function. We show that the XA13 protein cooperates with two other proteins, COPT1 and COPT5, to promote removal of copper from xylem vessels, where Xoo multiplies and spreads to cause disease. Copper, an essential micronutrient of plants and an important element for a number of pesticides in agriculture, suppresses Xoo growth. Xoo strain PXO99 is more sensitive to copper than other strains; its infection of rice is associated with activation of XA13, COPT1, and COPT5, which modulate copper redistribution in rice. The involvement of XA13 in copper redistribution has led us to propose a mechanism of bacterial virulence.
BP neural network predictive model for stray current density of a buried metallic pipeline
Authors: Lin Cao A. , Jun Zhu Qing , Tao Zhang Sheng , Rong Hou Bao
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and estimate the stray current corrosion hazard of a buried metallic pipeline using a predictive model for stray current density.

Design/methodology/approach

A predictive model for stray current density of the buried metallic pipeline was built, using a back propagation (BP) neural network method and experimental data. The accuracy of the model was tested using test samples. The single sensitivity analysis predictive method was used to establish the relationship between stray current density with the soil resistivity. The effects of buried depth and the pipe‐to‐ground voltage offset were researched using this network model.

Findings

The feasibility of the BP neural network to forecast stray current effects from the buried metallic pipeline was confirmed.

Originality/value

The paper provides a new method to analyze and estimate the stray current corrosion hazard of buried metallic pipelines.
The applicability of EIS to determine the optimal polarization potential for impressed current cathodic protection
Authors: Junxi Zhang , Jinliang Lu , Licheng Yan , Yu Feng , Lingsong Zhang , Yu Zhang
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a tool for determining the optimum protection potential (OPP) of brass in impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) for a given environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrochemical measurements (EIS, polarization curves) were applied to study the electrode processes of brass in fresh water at different pH values.

Findings

The paper finds that the depolarizer in the electrode process of brass corrosion is different in solutions with different pH values, and has different key steps in the electrode processes. Hence, EIS is a better tool for the determination of the optimum polarization potential for brass in fresh water when the depolarizer of the cathodic half‐cell reaction in corrosion reaction is the dissolved oxygen. However, when the depolarizer in solution is changed, and especially if the reduction reaction of depolarization is not controlled by the mass transport, the EIS method may be not suitable to determine the OPP.

Originality/value

There have been few reports on the effect of pH on the applicability of EIS as a tool for determining the OPP. In this paper, it is clearly shown that the EIS method be suitable only to determine the OPP when the critical step in the electrochemical process is diffusion of the depolarizer. This research can offer theoretical guidelines for the application of EIS to determine the OPP in ICCP.
Stakeholder and consumer views regarding novel hypoallergenic foods
Authors: van Putten Margreet , Frewer Lynn , Gilissen Luud , Bart Gremmen , Peijnenburg Aad , Wichers Harry
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The development and introduction of novel hypoallergenic foods represents a potential approach to reducing the negative health impacts of food allergy. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether novel hypoallergenic foods will be accepted by food chain actors and consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Stakeholder opinions (collated using semi‐structured interviews (n=16)) regarding the acceptability of novel hypoallergenic foods were assessed. Three focus groups were applied to understand the opinions of food allergic consumers.

Findings

Food allergic consumers expressed a preference for a “cure” for food allergy. However, they acknowledged that hypoallergenic foods had the potential to improve the quality of lives of food allergy sufferers through increasing dietary variation and reducing restrictions on product selection. Stakeholders supported the introduction of novel foods (although this support was not universal), assuming that the products were acceptable to food allergic consumers, consumers in general and regulators.

Originality/value

The paper is likely to be useful for the potential developers of hypoallergenic foods, allergen food products (food industry and scientists) and policy makers regarding the commercialisation of novel hypoallergenic foods and their regulation.
A scientometric model for the assessment of strength and weakness of scientific disciplines
Authors: Reza Davarpanah Mohammad
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a model for measuring the strength and weakness of individual disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is developed based on the balanced approach. The model is tested on Iranian and Malaysian social sciences publications between 1991‐2008 as a case study.

Findings

The result indicates that the differences in rankings for measures of publication output, citation distribution, and mean observed citation rate are large, which justifies the use of the scientific power index which is introduced in this paper.

Originality/value

Scientific power index proposes an objective mode of measuring performance at an aggregate level that will allow a comparison of individual fields within different disciplinary areas like technological sciences, medicine, natural science, social sciences, and humanities at national or global levels. The disciplinary characterization of national research efforts identifies the mainstream and dominant scientific fields, thus the developed index can be important tool for science policy.
Piloting a dedicated information literacy programme for nursing students at Waterford Institute of Technology libraries
Authors: Hegarty Nora , Carbery Alan
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the pilot information literacy programme for undergraduate nursing students as recently developed at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) libraries. The paper outlines the background to the programme, discusses its design and delivery and summarises participating students' initial response to it.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes a broadly practical, case study approach in terms of recounting experiences of designing and delivering a dedicated information literacy programme for undergraduate nursing students at WIT.

Findings

Although the project is still at an early or pilot stage, the feedback from the undergraduate students who attended training is very positive. The fact that the programme was so well received in its first year of operation is encouraging and inspiring, going forward.

Practical implications

The paper should be of interest to anyone involved in developing information literacy programmes or in the supply of information to nursing students.

Originality/value

This paper is likely to be of practical interest to academic librarians, who are looking for a fresh approach to information literacy training for undergraduate nursing students at third level institutions of similar scale and size to WIT.
Privacy in libraries: the perspective from India
Authors: Tripathi Sneha , Tripathi Aditya
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Ethics is an inherent concept for any profession. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ethical perspective of librarianship. The focus of the discussion is to identify whether it is ethics or law which should supercede in changing the legal and social environment, with special reference to India.

Design/methodology/approach

The state of a right to privacy in India is elaborated. The discussion is focused around library ethics and user privacy, which is a much less talked about matter in Indian librarianship than in the developed world.

Findings

Professional ethics should be given equal consideration while framing law and policies for non‐profit organizations like libraries. The issue of privacy has been given very little credence in terms of library rules and regulations in India. There is a need to create awareness among the masses on the issue of privacy and it should be considered as an important component while formulating guidelines for library policies.

Practical implications

The role of library associations is considered to be vital in creating awareness among the libraries and information centers. Library associations in India are urged to make similar efforts like American Library Association. Impact of information technology on privacy is explored as one of the emerging research areas.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to study how the libraries in India are dealing with the issue of privacy and highlight the need for the information professionals to protect their professional ethics.
Enhancing employability in the “ME generation”
Authors: Senior Carl , Cubbidge Robert
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to place all of the contributions to this special issue into a theoretical framework and to highlight the role that the so‐called “information age mindset” has in the facilitation of employability skills.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the major themes of this special issue.

Findings

Undergraduate students do see the importance of technological innovation in the classroom but they see the development of experiential or work‐based skills to be more important.

Practical implications

Future curriculum design should consider the expectations and attitudes of the modern day undergraduate student to ensure that potential employability is maximised.

Originality/value

The findings are placed into the wider context of the emerging field of evolutionary educational psychology.
Evaluating the impact of SPEED on students' career choices: a pilot study
Authors: Woodier‐Harris Naomi R.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two‐fold; first, to explore the Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEED) programme, which aims to help students gain real business start‐up experience whilst at university and second to examine the impact of SPEED on the students.

Design/methodology/approach

For the first part of the paper, the author explores the SPEED programme in the context of “experiential learning”. Second, the “critical incident technique” approach is explored and found to be a suitable approach towards obtaining “real‐life” insights into students' business start‐up experience.

Findings

The paper finds that the “experiential learning” approach and all “critical incidents” have been valuable learning experiences for the students on SPEED. SPEED has provided a platform for students to gain the experience, knowledge and confidence to either set up a business or use their new‐found experiences to succeed in securing a job upon graduation.

Research limitations/implications

As this programme is delivered across 13 higher education institutions in the UK, there is a need for further research on SPEED and for comparisons to be drawn for future practice.

Originality/value

This paper provides an insight into student entrepreneurs within a university context, a relatively unexplored area. The results also indicate the value of “experience” and the “experiential learning” approach within an enterprise programme.
Higher education for a sustainable world
Authors: Blewitt John
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the nature and purpose of higher education (HE) in the twenty‐first century, focussing on how it can help fashion a green knowledge‐based economy by developing approaches to learning and teaching that are social, networked and ecologically sensitive.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a discursive analysis of the skills and knowledge requirements of an emerging green knowledge‐based economy using a range of policy focussed and academic research literature.

Findings

The business opportunities that are emerging as a more sustainable world is developed requires the knowledge and skills that can capture and move then forward but in a complex and uncertain worlds learning needs to non‐linear, creative and emergent.

Practical implications

Sustainable learning and the attributes graduates will need to exhibit are prefigured in the activities and learning characterising the work and play facilitated by new media technologies.

Social implications

Greater emphasis is required in higher learning understood as the capability to learn, adapt and direct sustainable change requires interprofessional co‐operation that must utlise the potential of new media technologies to enhance social learning and collective intelligence.

Originality/value

The practical relationship between low‐carbon economic development, social sustainability and HE learning is based on both normative criteria and actual and emerging projections in economic, technological and skills needs.
What a difference a writing centre makes: a small scale study
Authors: Yeats Rowena , Reddy Peter , Wheeler Anne , Senior Carl , Murray John
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Academic writing is often considered to be a weakness in contemporary students, while good reporting and writing skills are highly valued by graduate employers. A number of universities have introduced writing centres aimed at addressing this problem; however, the evaluation of such centres is usually qualitative. The paper seeks to consider the efficacy of a writing centre by looking at the impact of attendance on two “real world” quantitative outcomes – achievement and progression.

Design/methodology/approach

Data mining was used to obtain records of 806 first‐year students, of whom 45 had attended the writing centre and 761 had not.

Findings

A highly significant association between writing centre attendance and achievement was found. Progression to year two was also significantly associated with writing centre attendance.

Originality/value

Further, quantitative evaluation of writing centres is advocated using random allocation to a comparison condition to control for potential confounds such as motivation.
Assessing “ME generation's” entrepreneurship degree programmes in Malaysia
Authors: Nizam Zainuddin Muhammad , Rozaini Mohd Rejab Mohd
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of undergraduates' specialised entrepreneurship programmes in Malaysian universities that have been made available to “ME generation” students. By analysing the antecedents and predicting self‐employment intention, the paper evaluates the impact of such programmes upon the employability value of undergraduates who are part of the ME generation in a developing country such as Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A census survey was conducted on final and penultimate year students from major public and private universities in Malaysia. From these data, analyses of variables that affect self‐employment intention were performed, and the prediction of self‐employment intention was obtained.

Findings

The results show that the students do not perceive self‐realisation as their most salient beliefs and perceived that their entrepreneurship lecturers' expectations towards them to become self‐employed are not highly influential and need to be complied with. However, they believed that specialised entrepreneurship education (SEE) contributes to increasing entrepreneurial self‐efficacy and subsequently towards their self‐employment intention, and thus increases their employability value.

Research limitations/implications

This research only studies students' self‐employment intention in their respective universities and not their actual behaviour. Results from the paper are limited in ability to demonstrate “actual” outcomes that result from the interaction of the antecedents in universities' confinement.

Practical implications

The paper provides an important analysis of the current status of entrepreneurship students in Malaysian universities. The findings provide insight on the development of effective entrepreneurship programme deliveries and methodologies.

Originality/value

The paper provides a basis to improve the effectiveness of SEE in Malaysian universities and in turn produce highly employable graduates.
Enhancing individual employability: the perspective of engineering graduates
Authors: Nilsson Staffan
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Employability includes the ability to find employment and remain employed. Employability includes both hard and soft skills, including formal and actual competence, interpersonal skills, and personal characteristics. This paper aims to focus on illuminating perceptions engineering graduates have regarding employability. More specifically, the aim is to explore how engineering graduates perceive, invest in, manage, and develop their employability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study highlighted in the paper draws on a longitudinal qualitative study and the empirical data include recurrent interviews with 20 recent graduates from Master's level engineering programs in information technology.

Findings

The results of the paper indicate that hard formal and technical vocational skills are considered to be of declining importance. Generally, these skills are considered less important in relation to one's individual employability compared to different forms of soft skills and personal attributes. The meaning of employability is typically viewed relationally and contextually and is associated with the specific place in which one works. The responsibility for managing and developing one's employability lies with each individual.

Practical implications

The results have practical implications for higher education and engineering curriculum design related to the enhancement of graduate employability.

Originality/value

The results of the paper indicate that engineering graduates have educational expectations that are not entirely consistent with current university practices. The study respondents indicated that the educational program should focus less on the substantive content of the engineering curriculum, and instead focus more on generalist competence and soft employability skills, including interpersonal skills.
IFRS in New Zealand: effects on financial statements and ratios
Authors: Stent Warwick , Bradbury Michael , Hooks Jill
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial statement impacts of adopting NZ IFRS during 2005 through 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of NZ IFRS on the financial statements and ratios of first‐time adopters of NZ IFRS for a stratified random sample of 56 listed companies is analysed. In total, 16 of these were early adopters and 40 of which waited until adoption of NZ IFRS became mandatory. The analysis of the financial statement impact of NZ IFRS is conducted in the context of the accounting choice literature.

Findings

The results show that 87 per cent of firms are affected by NZ IFRS. The median and inter‐quartile ranges indicate that for most firms the impact of NZ IFRS is small. However, the maximum and minimum values indicate the impact can be large for some entities. The impact has considerable effects on common financial ratios.

Research limitations/implications

The usual limitations applicable to small samples apply.

Practical implications

The findings may be useful to regulators and policy makers reviewing financial reporting requirements.

Originality/value

This study is the first to offer a comprehensive empirical analysis of the effect of adopting IFRS on financial statements in New Zealand, as well as on selected key ratios of interest to financial analysts. The data used are more recent than most IAS or IFRS studies around the world and are stratified to allow for comparison between voluntary/early adopters and mandatory/late adopters.
Retaliation: legal ramifications and practical implications of discriminatory acts in the workplace
Authors: Miles Angela , Fleming Marka , McKinney Arlise P.
Published: September 2010

Purpose

Retaliation complaints in the workplace have increased 71 percent in the past ten years with a record high of more than 32,000 complaints filed in 2008. The purpose of this paper is to review retaliation legislation to clarify for employers and employees the protected provisions and provide guidance for complying with this important anti‐discrimination statute to aid in promoting a fair and unbiased work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews retaliation claims in cases of US employment discrimination including the central elements and covered individuals. It also reviews key recent rulings that have broadened what constitutes retaliation to better understand its impact in workforce management practices. Equity and organizational justice theories are drawn upon to address performance management and employee discipline issues that may arise in the workplace and how organizational action may be impacted by the retaliation statute.

Findings

Retaliation is often considered to be an overt act (e.g. demotion or termination) but this review demonstrates that adverse employment actions need not be overt or result from loss of job or wages by the employee. This review can be used to avoid costly litigation but also convey that retaliation statutes do not unduly influence the employer's right to discipline employees.

Originality/value

This paper helps practitioners and researchers better understand retaliation and its purpose in preventing unfair work practices. This historical review of retaliation should help improve employer policies and procedures as well as training efforts in complying with equal employment opportunity laws without compromising concerns related to productivity or disciplinary procedures.
On the nature of learning communities: a study of four organisations
Authors: Small Michael W. , Minkes Leonard
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this investigation is to look at four organisations to see whether they meet the criteria of learning communities. Two are involved with higher education, one is an army unit, and the fourth is an organisation responsible for aviation safety.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on qualitative analyses of what made the four organisations learning communities. This comprised interviews with key personnel and responding to a 15‐item questionnaire.

Findings

In the Australian example, specialised areas of responsibility were established to facilitate change. In the Indonesian example, a colonial past, a political/cultural divide, a feudalistic approach to modern day problems and a rich tradition presented a challenge to innovation. In the army unit, highly specialised knowledge had to be acquired, adapted and applied. In the aviation safety organisation, technological issues specifying flight operations were the main focus. This organisation was akin to both a learning organisation and an innovative knowledge community, although working within a bureaucratic structure.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation was access to personnel such as CEOs. Another was translating the questionnaire into Indonesian. A third was related to confidentiality, i.e. should participants reveal the identity of their parent organisation, and their own?

Practical implications

The study identified the need to re‐define strategic objectives. Organisations must undertake this task when faced with changing circumstances.

Originality/value

The paper has value because it looks at effective, learning communities and the formal and the informal learning process.
Organizational handling of careers influences managers' organizational commitment
Authors: Bambacas Mary
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how the relationship between two aspects of career management – the practice of career development activities by the organization (organizational career development) and career development activities by the individual (career self‐management), and affective and normative commitment levels, are influenced by the value that employees place on the career development offerings of their organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical evidence was drawn from 196 manager members of the Australian Institute of Management. Hierarchical moderated regression analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships of the model.

Findings

Levels of affective and normative commitment improved when organizations provided continuous learning to managers. This was the case, for career management both by the individual, and by the organization. In particular, normative commitment was strongest for those who valued the continuous learning they received while managing their own careers. For the group of managers who experienced organizational career development the opposite was the case. Continuous learning provided by the organization improved their levels of affective commitment.

Research limitations/implications

Organizations must understand the needs of their staff so that they can provide career management practices that are valued and can enhance their levels of affective and normative commitment.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of organizations paying attention to what individuals value so that they may fit with the organization and enhance their commitment to it. It also draws attention to career self‐management as a positive organizational initiative.
Teaching managers: learning, research and workplace practice
Authors: Rowland Caroline , Hall Roger
Published: September 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the way in which professional management programmes are informed by research and workplace practice. The focus is on the areas of motivation, appraisal and the management of change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a longitudinal study using a mixed methods approach. Middle and senior managers engaged on professional management programmes were surveyed on workplace practice. Literature reviewed included syllabus guidelines from professional bodies and selected core textbooks.

Findings

A content analysis revealed that there was a lack of congruence between what is taught to managers and workplace practice. However, research was found to have an impact on teaching and indirectly it influenced individual beliefs if not organisational practice.

Practical implications

Conclusions indicate that professional management programmes are still failing to bridge the gap between syllabus content current research and workplace practice. There is little to show that the needs of business are being satisfied compared with successful models embedded in other professions.

Originality/value

The paper suggests the value of adopting an integrated model that combines professional and academic teaching of management. It further supports the relevance of research to workplace practice.
Marketing contemporary visual art
Authors: Jyrämä Annukka , Äyväri Anne
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to focus on the management of art galleries in the context of contemporary visual art markets, viewed from the institutional and industrial network approaches. The aim is to understand the shaping of management practices. The characteristics of the visual art market, the immaterial value of products and the key role of relationships and networks, make the contemporary visual art market an insightful context to study the management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was chosen – altogether 80 interviews were conducted in European markets.

Findings

The contemporary art market can be seen as a network structure consisting of actors who participate in creation and change of the practices. The management practices of galleries were created and changed by imitations and through isomorphic forces. It is proposed that major changes in management practices originate mainly from financial reasons, where the driving force is to survive economically. The striking similarity of gallery management practices was interesting. The shared practices are used as means to create stability for the market.

Practical implications

A gallery manager should reflect the implicit norms and values of the art field in their art gallery management. The knowledge of these management practices is of importance especially for new galleries entering the market.

Originality/value

The theoretical contribution of the study builds on elaboration of the practices concept by combining aspects of the institutional approach and the industrial networks approach.
The effect of CEO tenure on CEO compensation
Authors: Zheng Yudan
Published: September 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effect of tenure on the structure of CEO compensation. The relation between CEO compensation and CEO tenure provides a good testing bed for many effects: the managerial power effect, the portfolio consideration effect, the learning effect, and the career concern effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Tobit regressions were run of the percentage of equity‐based compensation on CEO tenure and the effect of tenure compared between inside CEOs and outside CEOs.

Findings

It was found that the percentage of equity‐based compensation increases during the early years of tenure for outside CEOs, and decreases during the later years of tenure for inside CEOs. Before they are tenured, outside CEOs have significantly higher and faster growing percentage of equity‐based compensation than inside CEOs. Furthermore, the portfolio consideration effect and the learning effect are the major effects in explaining the effect of tenure on the compensation structure.

Practical implications

The evidence that boards of directors take into account the CEOs’ holdings of equity incentives, the types of CEOs, and their years on tenure to adjust the structure of CEO compensation indicates that firms should, and do, try to optimize their CEO compensation structure on the basis of firm‐specific or CEO‐specific characteristics. It is suggested that there is no simple formulaic approach to governance reform.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature by studying and explaining the different patterns of compensation structure over CEO tenure between inside CEOs and outside CEOs.