bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New insights in the French Guiana continental shelf circulation and its relation to the North Brazil Current retroflection
Authors: Baklouti M. , Devenon J.‐L. , Bourret A. , Froidefond J.‐M. , Ternon J.‐F. , Fuda J.‐L.
Published: February 2007

Moored current measurements carried out from 6 October 2003 to 18 February 2004 over the French Guiana continental shelf are presented. Two contrasted situations have been evidenced in which the currents were either weak and oscillating during the first period (from October to early December) or strong and northwestward during the rest of the survey. Further analysis of these measurements in light of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite images have revealed that these situations are mainly due to the motion of an outer shelf mesoscale feature: the North Brazil Current (NBC) retroflection. Two other main results have also been evidenced in this survey: (1) When the NBC retroflection occurs northwestward of the French Guiana continental shelf, part of the NBC climbs over the shelf slope and propagates to the inner shelf, and (2) the “Guyana current” does not persist throughout the year at a 22 m depth and below. Finally, the location of the NBC retroflection has also a strong impact on the spread of the Amazon plume over the French Guiana continental shelf and is felt to have an influence on the nutrient supply in this region.
Observations and simulations of synoptic, regional, and local variations in atmospheric CO2
Authors: Wang Jih‐Wang , Denning A. Scott , Lu Lixin , Baker Ian T. , Corbin Katherine D. , Davis Kenneth J.
Published: February 2007

Synoptic events may play an important role in determining the CO2 spatial distribution and temporal variations on a regional scale. In this study, we chose a front that passed the WLEF tower site on 16 August 2001, which had the most significant CO2 concentration variation in our case pool. The CO2 concentration, or [CO2], at the WLEF site had a strong dip and an increasing trend before the front arrived and a decreasing trend afterward. The concentration at 396 m above the ground varied by more than 40 ppm within 36 hours. We investigated the CO2 variations associated with this frontal case using a fully coupled model of land surface physics and carbon exchange (SiB 2.5) and the atmosphere (RAMS 5.04), in which CO2 was treated as a free variable and used to determine photosynthesis rate. Our simulation showed that high‐[CO2] air mass was built up in the southern Great Plains on 14 and15 August 2001 because of the slow photosynthesis rate caused by hot and dry air over Oklahoma and Texas and the relatively strong nighttime respiration in the southeast United States. The low‐[CO2] air to the southwest of Wisconsin and the high‐[CO2] air over Kansas and Oklahoma traveled north and was responsible for part of the [CO2] variations at the WLEF site from 15 to 16 August 2001. Surface weather station confirmed the hot and dry weather in Oklahoma and Texas in this event, and the tower observations corroborated the existence of southwest‐northeast concentration gradient. Weak daytime photosynthesis on 15 August 2001 and stronger nighttime respiration on 16 August 2001 under overcast sky condition were also partially responsible for the quick CO2 accumulation at the lower levels at the WLEF site before the front's arrival. This case study confirmed the existence of mixing signals from at least two different scales: large‐scale horizontal advection and local ecosystem response to the changing weather. SiB‐RAMS showed its strength in simulating the coherent anomalies in biospheric CO2 flux and in the regional weather pattern. Further refinement of the model is needed to better capture the timing and location of synoptic events and CO2 signals that travel across North America. Exploitation of continuous tower data in data assimilation and inverse modeling to determine regional sources and sinks will require careful error attribution to either transport or surface flux estimates.
Glacier changes in southeast Alaska and northwest British Columbia and contribution to sea level rise
Authors: Larsen Christopher F. , Motyka Roman J. , Arendt Anthony A. , Echelmeyer Keith A. , Geissler Paul E.
Published: February 2007

The digital elevation model (DEM) from the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) was differenced from a composite DEM based on air photos dating from 1948 to 1987 to determine glacier volume changes in southeast Alaska and adjoining Canada. SRTM accuracy was assessed at ±5 m through comparison with airborne laser altimetry and control locations measured with GPS. Glacier surface elevations lowered over 95% of the 14,580 km2 glacier‐covered area analyzed, with some glaciers thinning as much as 640 m. A combination of factors have contributed to this wastage, including calving retreats of tidewater and lacustrine glaciers and climate change. Many glaciers in this region are particularly sensitive to climate change, as they have large areas at low elevations. However, several tidewater glaciers that had historically undergone calving retreats are now expanding and appear to be in the advancing stage of the tidewater glacier cycle. The net average rate of ice loss is estimated at 16.7 ± 4.4 km3/yr, equivalent to a global sea level rise contribution of 0.04 ± 0.01 mm/yr.
Methane fluxes from three peatlands in the La Grande Rivière watershed, James Bay lowland, Canada
Authors: Pelletier L. , Moore T. R. , Roulet N. T. , Garneau M. , Beaulieu‐Audy V.
Published: February 2007

Methane fluxes were measured on vegetated surfaces (2003) and pools (2004) of three peatlands (LG1‐LG2‐LG3) located 30, 100, and 200 km along a transect from the James Bay coast, in the La Grande Rivière watershed, James Bay lowland, Quebec, Canada. Fluxes were measured with static chambers at sites chosen to represent the biotypes characteristic of each peatland, from hummocks with a water table 35 cm below the surface to pools 100 cm deep. Average CH4 fluxes for the biotypes on vegetated surfaces sampled during summer 2003 ranged from 3.5 to 197 mg m−2 d−1, while summer 2004 average floating chamber pool fluxes ranged between 6.2 and 3165 mg CH4 m−2 d−1. Seasonal average daily CH4 fluxes on vegetated surface were strongly correlated with average water table depth, greater fluxes occurring where the water table was close to the surface, and with vegetation cover, particularly the aboveground biomass of sedges. Within the summer, increasing CH4 fluxes from vegetated surfaces were correlated with rising peat temperature. Pool fluxes from the LG1 and LG2 peatlands decreased with increasing pool depth, but not at LG3. Estimated growing season CH4 emissions for the three peatlands were of 44 ± 21 (standard error), 21 ± 9.4 and 52 ± 17 mg CH4 m−2 d−1 for the LG1, LG2, and LG3 peatlands, respectively. Estimated annual release of CH4 is 3.8 g m−2 with the winter contributing to 13% of the overall emission, based on winter‐time measurements at LG2.
(Quantum) twisted Yangians: Symmetry, Baxterisation, and centralizers
Authors: Crampé Nicolas , Doikou Anastasia
Published: February 2007

Based on the (quantum) twisted Yangians, integrable systems with special boundary conditions, called soliton nonpreserving (SNP), may be constructed. In the present article we focus on the study of subalgebras of the (quantum) twisted Yangians, and we show that such a subalgebra provides an exact symmetry of the rational transfer matrix. We discuss how the spectrum of a generic transfer matrix may be obtained by focusing only on two types of special boundaries. It is also shown that the subalgebras, emerging from the asymptotics of tensor product representations of the (quantum) twisted Yangian, turn out to be dual to the (quantum) Brauer algebra. To deal with general boundaries in the trigonometric case we propose a new algebra, which also provides the appropriate framework for the Baxterisation procedure in the SNP case.
Many-body wave scattering by small bodies
Authors: Ramm A. G.
Published: February 2007

Scattering problem by several bodies, small in comparison with the wavelength, is reduced to linear algebraic systems of equations, in contrast to the usual reduction to some integral equations.
Frequency response of cantilever beams immersed in viscous fluids with applications to the atomic force microscope: Arbitrary mode order
Authors: Van Eysden Cornelis A. , Sader John E.
Published: February 2007

The frequency response of a cantilever beam is well known to depend strongly on the fluid in which it is immersed. In this article, we present a theoretical model for the frequency response of a rectangular cantilever beam immersed in a viscous fluid that enables the flexural and torsional modes of arbitrary order to be calculated. This extends the previous models of Sader and Green [J. Appl. Phys. 84, 64 (1998); 92, 6262 (2002)], which were formulated primarily for the fundamental mode and the next few harmonics, to the general case of arbitrary mode order by accounting for the three-dimensional nature of the flow field around the cantilever beam. Due to its importance in atomic force microscope applications, results for the thermal noise spectrum are presented and the influence of mode order on the frequency response investigated.
A morphological model for sexing nestling peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus macropus) verified through genetic analysis
Authors: Hurley Victor G. , Hogan Fiona , White John G. , Cooke Raylene
Published: February 2007

Adult peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus macropus) have monotypic plumage and display strong reversed sexual dimorphism, with females significantly larger than males. Reversed sexual dimorphism is measurable among nestlings in the latter stages of their development and can therefore be used to differentiate between sexes. In the early stages of development, however, nestlings cannot be sexed with any degree of certainty because morphological differentiation between the sexes is not well developed. During this study we developed a model for sexing younger nestlings based on genetic analysis and morphometric data collected as part of a long-term banding study of this species. A discriminant function model based on morphological characteristics was developed for determining the sex of nestlings (n = 150) in the field and was shown to be 96.0% accurate. This predictive model was further tested against an independent morphometric dataset taken from a second group of nestlings (n = 131). The model correctly allocated sex to 96.2% of this second group of nestlings. Sex can reliably be determined (98.6% accurate) for nestlings that have a wing length of at least 9 cm using this model. Application of this model, therefore, allows the banding of younger nestlings and, as such, significantly increases the period of time over which banding can occur. Another important implication of this model is that by banding nestlings earlier, they are less likely to jump from the nest, therefore reducing the risk of injury to both the brood and the bander.
Faecal DNA detection of invasive species: the case of feral foxes in Tasmania
Authors: Berry Oliver , Sarre Stephen D. , Farrington Lachlan , Aitken Nicola
Published: February 2007

Early detection of biological invasions is critical to reducing their impact, but because invading organisms are initially at low densities, detection and eradication can be challenging. Here, we demonstrate the utility of faecal DNA analysis for the detection of an elusive invasive species – the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, which was illegally introduced to the island of Tasmania in the late 1990s. Foxes are a devastating pest to both wildlife and agriculture on the Australian mainland, and would have a similarly serious impact in Tasmania if they became established. Attempts to eradicate foxes from Tasmania have been hampered by unreliable distribution data derived mostly from public sightings. In response, we developed a highly accurate and reliable DNA-based PCR-multiplex test that identifies foxes from field-collected faeces. We also developed a sexing test, but it was reliable only for faeces less than three weeks old. Faeces are a useful target for DNA-based diagnostics in foxes because they are deposited in prominent locations and are long-lasting. The species identification test formed a key component of a Tasmania-wide detection and eradication program. In all, 1160 geo-referenced carnivore scats were analysed; of these, 78% contained DNA of sufficient quality for species identification. A single scat from the north-east of the island was identified as belonging to fox, as was a nine-week-old roadkill carcass from the north coast, and a blood sample from near Hobart, triggering increased control and surveillance in these regions. The accuracy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of non-invasive tests make them a critical adjunct to traditional tools for monitoring cryptic invasive species that are at low density in the early stages of invasion and when eradication is still an option.
Adaptive evolution in humans revealed by the negative correlation between the polymorphism and fixation phases of evolution
Authors: Gojobori Jun , Tang Hua , Akey Joshua M. , Wu Chung-I
Published: February 2007

The selective forces acting on amino acid substitutions may be different in the two phases of molecular evolution: polymorphism and fixation. Negative selection and genetic drift may dominate the first phase, whereas positive selection may become much more significant in the second phase. However, the conventional dichotomy of synonymous vs. nonsynonymous changes does not offer the resolution needed to study the dynamics of these two phases. Following previously published methods, we separated amino acid changes into 75 elementary types (1-bp substitution between their respective codons). The likelihood of each type of amino acid change becoming polymorphic (PI, which stands for “polymorphic index”), relative to synonymous changes, can then be calculated. Similarly, the likelihood of fixation (FI, for “fixation index”), conditional on common polymorphisms, is also calculated. Using Perlegen and HapMap data on human polymorphisms and the chimpanzee sequences as the outgroup, we compared the evolutionary dynamics of the 75 elementary changes in the two phases. We found a strong “L-shaped” negative correlation (
P
< 0.001) between FI and PI. Only those changes with low PIs show FI > 1, which is often a signature of adaptive evolution. These patterns suggest that negative and positive selection operate more effectively on the same set of amino acid changes and that ≈10–13% of amino acid substitutions between humans and chimpanzee may be adaptive.
Direct visualization of
Escherichia coli
chemotaxis receptor arrays using cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Zhang Peijun , Khursigara Cezar M. , Hartnell Lisa M. , Subramaniam Sriram
Published: February 2007

Signal transduction in bacterial chemotaxis is initiated by the binding of extracellular ligands to a specialized family of methyl-accepting chemoreceptor proteins. Chemoreceptors cluster at distinct regions of the cell and form stable ternary complexes with the histidine autokinase CheA and the adapter protein CheW. Here we report the direct visualization and spatial organization of chemoreceptor arrays in intact
Escherichia coli
cells by using cryo-electron tomography and biochemical techniques. In wild-type cells, ternary complexes are arranged as an extended lattice, which may or may not be ordered, with significant variations in the size and specific location among cells in the same population. In the absence of CheA and CheW, chemoreceptors do not form observable clusters and are diffusely localized to the cell pole. At disproportionately high receptor levels, membrane invaginations containing nonfunctional, axially interacting receptor assemblies are formed. However, functional chemoreceptor arrays can be reestablished by increasing cellular levels of CheA and CheW. Our results demonstrate that chemotaxis in
E. coli
requires the presence of chemoreceptor arrays and that the formation of these arrays requires the scaffolding interactions of the signaling molecules CheA and CheW.
Trophoblast cell activation by trophinin ligation is implicated in human embryo implantation
Authors: Sugihara Kazuhiro , Sugiyama Daijiro , Byrne James , Wolf Don P. , Lowitz Kevin P. , Kobayashi Yoichi , Kabir-Salmani Maryam , Nadano Daita , Aoki Daisuke , Nozawa Shiro , Nakayama Jun , Mustelin Tomas , Ruoslahti Erkki , Yamaguchi Naoto , Fukuda Michiko N.
Published: February 2007

During human embryo implantation, trophectoderm mediates adhesion of the blastocyst to the uterine epithelium. The rapid growth of the embryo and invasion of the maternal tissue suggest adhesion-induced activation of the embryonal cells. We show here that ligation of trophinin, a homophilic cell adhesion molecule expressed on trophoblastic cells, induces tyrosine phosphorylation in trophinin-expressing trophoblastic HT-H cells. The phosphorylation could be induced in HT-H cells with the binding of trophinin-expressing cells or anti trophinin antibodies. Trophinin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation was associated with actin reorganization. We also isolated trophinin-binding peptides from phage libraries. These peptides exhibited the consensus sequence GWRQ and seemed to reproduce the effects of trophinin-mediated cell adhesion. Upon binding of a GWRQ peptide, HT-H cells became highly proliferative and motile. HT-H cells expressed ErbB family receptors and bound EGF and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), but ErbB family receptor phosphorylation in these cells required GWRQ. In the absence of GWRQ, trophinin interacted with the cytoplasmic protein bystin, which binds to ErbB4 and blocks its autophosphorylation. In HT-H cells, GWRQ peptide dissociated trophinin from bystin, and ErbB4 was activated. Culturing monkey blastocysts in the presence of the peptide increased total number and motility of the trophectoderm cells. These results suggest that trophinin-mediated cell adhesion functions as a molecular switch for trophectoderm activation in human embryo implantation.
Cross-talk between Chk1 and Chk2 in double-mutant thymocytes
Authors: Zaugg Kathrin , Su Yu-Wen , Reilly Patrick T. , Moolani Yasmin , Cheung Carol C. , Hakem Razquallah , Hirao Atsushi , Liu Quinghua , Elledge Stephen J. , Mak Tak W.
Published: February 2007

Chk1 is a checkpoint kinase and an important regulator of mammalian cell division. Because null mutation of Chk1 in mice is embryonic lethal, we used the Cre-loxP system and the Lck promoter to generate conditional mutant mice in which Chk1 was deleted only in the T lineage. In the absence of Chk1, the transition of CD4
−
CD8
−
double-negative (DN) thymocytes to CD4
+
CD8
+
double-positive (DP) cells was blocked due to an increase in apoptosis at the DN2 and DN3 stages. Strikingly, loss of Chk1 activated the checkpoint kinase Chk2 as well as the tumor suppressor p53 in these thymocytes. However, the developmental defects caused by Chk1 deletion were not rescued by p53 inactivation. Significantly, even though Chk1 deletion is highly lethal in proliferating tissues, we succeeded in using
in vivo
methods to generate Chk1/Chk2 double-knockout T cells. Analysis of these T cells revealed an interesting interaction between Chk1 and Chk2 functions that partially rescued the apoptosis of the double-mutant cells. Thus, Chk1 is both critical for the survival of proliferating cells and engages in cross-talk with the Chk2 checkpoint kinase pathway. These factors have implications for the targeting of Chk1 as an anticancer therapy.
Prospective Surveillance for Surgical Site Infection in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Authors: Brown Samuel M. , Eremin Sergey R. , Shlyapnikov Sergey A. , Petrova Elena A. , Shirokova Ludmila V. , Goldmann Donald , O'Rourke Edward J.
Published: February 2007

Objective.

To assess the risk-adjusted incidence and predictors of surgical site infections (SSIs).

Design.

Prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study.

Setting.

Seven surgical departments at 3 urban academic hospitals in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.

Patients.

All patients had surgery performed between January 15 and May 12, 2000. A total of 1,453 surgical procedures were followed up. Medical records were unavailable for less than 3% of all patients; patients were not excluded for any other reason. The mean patient age was 49.3 years, 61% were female, and 34% had an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification (hereafter, “ASA classification”) of at least 3. Surgery for 45% of the patients was emergent.

Results.

In all, 138 patients (9.5%) developed SSI, for a rate that was approximately 3.5 times the risk-stratified rates in the United States. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.54), ASA classifications of 3 (OR, 3.7) or 4 (OR, 5.0), longer duration of surgery (OR, 2.2), and wound classes of 3 (OR, 5.5) or 4 (OR, 14.3) were associated with increased SSI risk in multivariate analysis. Endoscopic surgery was associated with a lower risk of SSI (OR, 0.23). Antibiotic prophylaxis was used in 0%-33% of operations, and 69% of uninfected patients received antibiotics after the operation.

Conclusions.

The SSI rates are significantly higher than previously reported. Although this finding may be attributable to inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis, local infection control and surgical practices may also be contributors. Use of antibiotic prophylaxis should be encouraged and the effect of local practices further investigated. Active SSI surveillance should be expanded to other parts of the Russian Federation.
Effect of Nosocomial Infections Due to Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms on Length of Stay and Mortality in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Foglia Elizabeth E. , Fraser Victoria J. , Elward Alexis M.
Published: February 2007

Objective.

To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of nosocomial infection due to antimicrobial resistant bacteria in patients treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Design.

Nested case-cohort study. Patient data were collected prospectively, and antimicrobial susceptibility data were abstracted retrospectively.

Setting.

A large pediatric teaching hospital.

Patients.

All PICU patients admitted from September 1, 1999, to September 1, 2001, unless they died within 24 hours after PICU admission, were 18 years old or older, or were neonatal intensive care unit patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Results.

A total of 135 patients with more than 1 nosocomial bacterial infection were analyzed; 52% were male, 75% were white, the mean Pediatric Risk of Mortality score was 10.5, and the mean age was 3.5 years. Of these patients, 37 (27%) had nosocomial infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms. In univariate analysis, transplantation (odds ratio [OR], 2.83 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-7.66]) and preexisting lung disease (OR, 2.63 [95% CI, 1.18-5.88]) were associated with nosocomial infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms. Age, Pediatric Risk of Mortality score at admission, length of hospital stay before infection, and other underlying conditions were not associated with infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms. Patients infected with antibiotic-resistant organisms had greater mean PICU lengths of stay after infection, compared with patients infected with antibiotic-susceptible organisms (22.9 vs 12.8 days;P= .004), and higher crude mortality rates (OR, 2.40 [95% CI, 1.03-5.61]).

Conclusions.

Identifiable risk factors exist for nosocomial infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms. In univariate analysis, infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria are associated with increased length of stay in the PICU after onset of infection and increased mortality.
SwS: a solvation web service for nucleic acids
Authors: Auffinger Pascal , Hashem Yaser
Published: February 2007

Summary: SwS, based on a statistical analysis of crystallographic structures deposited in the NDB, is designed to provide an exhaustive overview of the solvation of nucleic acid structural elements through the generation of 3D solvent density maps. A first version (v1.0) of this web service focuses on the interaction of DNA, RNA and hybrid base pairs linked by two or three hydrogen bonds with water, cations and/or anions. Data provided by SwS are updated on a weekly basis and can be used by: (i) those involved in molecular dynamics simulation studies for validation purposes; (ii) crystallographers for help in the interpretation of solvent density maps; and all those involved in (iii) drug design and, more generally, in (iv) nucleic acid structural studies. SwS provides also statistical data related to the frequency of occurrence of different types of base pairs in crystallographic structures and the conformation of the involved nucleotides. This web service has been designed to allow a maximum of flexibility in terms of queries and has also been developed with didactic considerations in mind.

Availability:  http://www-ibmc.u-strasbg.fr/arn/sws.html

Contact:  p.auffinger@ibmc.u-strasbg.fr
A Simple Distribution-Free Test for Nonnested Model Selection
Authors: Clarke Kevin A.
Published: February 2007

This paper considers a simple distribution-free test for nonnested model selection. The new test is shown to be asymptotically more efficient than the well-known Vuong test when the distribution of individual log-likelihood ratios is highly peaked. Monte Carlo results demonstrate that for many applied research situations, this distribution is indeed highly peaked. The simulation further demonstrates that the proposed test has greater power than the Vuong test under these conditions. The substantive application addresses the effect of domestic political institutions on foreign policy decision making. Do domestic institutions have effects because they hold political leaders accountable, or do they simply promote political norms that shape elite bargaining behavior? The results indicate that the latter model has greater explanatory power.
Aggression and conflict management at fusion in spider monkeys
Authors: Aureli Filippo , Schaffner Colleen M
Published: February 2007

In social systems characterized by a high degree of fission–fusion dynamics, members of a large community are rarely all together, spending most of their time in smaller subgroups with flexible membership. Although fissioning into smaller subgroups is believed to reduce conflict among community members, fusions may create conflict among individuals from joining subgroups. Here, we present evidence for aggressive escalation at fusion and its mitigation by the use of embraces in wild spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi). Our findings provide the first systematic evidence for conflict management at fusion and may have implications for the function of human greetings.
Environmental and historical constraints on global patterns of amphibian richness
Authors: Buckley Lauren B , Jetz Walter
Published: February 2007

Our knowledge of the broad-scale ecology of vertebrate ectotherms remains very limited. Despite ongoing declines and sensitivity to environmental change, amphibian distributions are particularly poorly understood. We present a global analysis of contemporary environmental and historical constraints on amphibian richness, the first for an ectotherm clade at this scale. Amphibians are presumed to experience environmental constraints distinct from those of better studied endothermic taxa due to their stringent water requirements and the temperature dependence of their energetic costs and performance. Single environmental predictors set upper bounds on, but do not exclusively determine, amphibian richness. Accounting for differing regional histories of speciation and extinction helps resolve triangular or scattered relationships between core environmental predictors and amphibian richness, as the relationships' intercepts or slopes can vary regionally. While the magnitude of richness is strongly determined by regional history, within-region patterns are consistently jointly driven by water and temperature. This confirms that ecophysiological constraints extend to the broad scale. This coupling suggests that shifts in climatic regimes will probably have dramatic consequences for amphibians. Our results illustrate how the environmental and historical explanations of species richness gradients can be reconciled and how the perspectives are complements for understanding broad-scale patterns of diversity.
The FuturePerfect organization: leadership for the twenty‐first century – Part I
Authors: Guillory William A.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide a solution to organizations attempting to adapt to unpredictable, accelerated change in the twenty‐first century.

Design/methodology/approach

It is written in two parts, to be published in issues 1 and 2 of this journal in February and April of 2007, respectively.

Findings

In Part 1 the solution suggested to adapting to change is the adoption of an individual and organizational mind‐set that anticipates and molds change rather than one that continually adapts to linear, sequential change initiatives. This premise is based on the assumption that the best way to adapt to change is to create it! This mind‐set is defined as creative adaptation. The model corresponding to this mind‐set is the FuturePerfect Organization. The initiatives of the FuturePerfect model have been adopted to varying extents by leading‐edge organizations in various industries. The two inseparable initiatives that are common to the implementation of all five FuturePerfect initiatives are diversity and cooperation.

Research limitations/implications

The results of an analysis of these organizations confirm not only the emerging paradigm of teaming, collaboration, and cross‐functional knowledge management, but also the integration of knowledge, people, and cooperation.

Practical implications

Given the rate of new emerging paradigms (a few years) successful organizations will have to more rapidly adapt or even anticipate (quantum‐thinking) future transformation in organizational operation.

Originality/value

The FuturePerfect Model provides the most powerful and practical way of adapting to the unpredictable, accelerated change of the twenty‐first century. It also shows that global cultural compatibility is a critical necessity for the success of businesses operating throughout the world.
Manage your boss
Authors: Owen Jo
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to identify how to manage bosses well.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured interviews and surveys with over 1,000 managers at all levels across industry sectors in the UK: cross‐checked with smaller survey groups in other countries to identify UK‐specific cultural context. The research findings were then encapsulated in a new model and training approach which has been tested and validated with over 1,000 exceptional UK graduates on the Teach First leadership program.

Findings

The research identified the major pitfalls and opportunities in managing upwards, and helped create a model for effective upwards management in organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the findings are UK specific, others appear to be universal. More research is required in different cultural contexts, and is currently in progress.

Practical implications

The paper helps managers progress their careers by actively managing their managers, rather than being managed by them.

Originality/value

Creation of a new tool for understanding management styles: the style compass.
Winning companies; winning people: enabling average people to emulate the approaches of high performers
Authors: Coulson‐Thomas Colin
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to share some high level findings of a continuous program of research designed to identify critical success factors for important corporate activities such as bidding, building relationships, purchasing and pricing.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey participants are ranked in terms of outcomes attained and the activities and approaches of high and low achievers are compared to isolate factors that account for the differences in results secured.

Findings

The investigation reveals that critical success factors can be determined and built into processes and support tools. Most of the identified critical success factors are attitudinal and behavioral.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the research are that average performers can be enabled to emulate and adopt the approaches of high performers. However, many training and development professionals oppose rather than support related developments. Future research might usefully examine their reservations and inhibitions and consider ways in which these might be overcome.

Practical implications

Many practitioners may need to devote greater attention to putting additional critical success factors in place and encouraging the adoption of winning ways.

Originality/value

The paper highlights a significant opportunity to improve individual and corporate performance and deliver both higher commercial returns and greater personal fulfillment.
Digital libraries and the future of the library profession
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: February 2007

Purpose

To argue that unique contemporary cultural shifts are leading to a new form of librarianship that can be characterised as “postmodern” in nature, and that this form of professional specialism will be increasingly influential in the decades to come.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical piece based on ideas from cultural history.

Findings

That postmodern library and information science (LIS) concepts will be a vital new strand to professional practice, but they will most likely subsist alongside more familiar concepts of practice which have proved readily applicable in the early years of “first wave” web technologies.

Research limitations/implications

These are purely conceptual approaches to LIS and need to be investigated evidentially.

Practical implications

The change from “first wave” web technologies to Web 2.0 information technologies may have a greater impact on future techniques in digital librarianship than the change from print to the first electronic libraries in the 1990s.

Originality/value

This LIS paper is distinctive in that it borrows original ideas from the humanities to offer an understanding of LIS practice in the context of broad “cultural theory”, rather than in the narrower context of change in mechanical and technological processes.
Esters of oxypropylated trimethylolpropanes as synthetic lubricants
Authors: Tataroglu Sejidov Firdovsi , Mansoori Yagoub
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effects of introducing oxypropyl segments into the trimethylolpropane (TMP) esters along with lowering the linear chain length from C5‐C9 to C5‐C6 on the properties of base lubricants.

Design/methodology/approach

Various amounts of oxypropylene segments were introduced into the TMP skeleton and obtained polyols subsequently esterified by pure C5‐, C6‐, and mixture of C5‐C6‐ aliphatic monocarboxylic acids of normal structure (SFAc mixture).

Findings

Introducing oxypropylene segments into TMP skeleton, along with lowering the carboxylic acid chain length from C5‐C9 to C5‐C6, ester base lubricants obtained improved mechanical and wear preventive characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

Because of complexity of obtained mixture, it was impossible to study the structure and composition of the obtained products by modern techniques such as high field NMR spectroscopy.

Practical implications

The obtained materials have high boiling points under reduced pressure (2 mmHg). Producing higher vacuums will make the distillation process easier.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils detail information on the experimentally preparation of oxypropylated TMPs as synthetic base lubricants. The synthesized compounds showed improved properties such as high viscosity at 100°C, low pour point, high flash point, and totally excellent viscosity‐temperature properties than simple TMP esters and some literature reported ester base lubricants.
Information literacy assessment by portfolio: a case study
Authors: Sonley Valerie , Turner Denise , Myer Sue , Cotton Yvonne
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a case study evaluating the revision of the assessment methods of an information literacy module. The revised assessment method took the form of a portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

During 2004, all six credit modules at the University of Teesside had to be reviewed and restructured into ten credit modules. Following Biggs' principles of constructive alignment, the tutors looked at the existing module aims and learning outcomes. A review of the literature and previous experience informed the selection of the new assessment method by portfolio. An evaluation of the assessment method was undertaken after the module had run.

Findings

The paper finds that the assessment method had real strengths especially in terms of validity. It was also economical and efficient. Students knew what they were expected to do and where they needed to put in effort.

Research limitations/implications

The assessment by a portfolio method has been carried out once with a relatively small cohort of students, so the findings can only be regarded as interim.

Practical implications

The tutors believe that they have created a very useful module with an aligned assessment method which would be of benefit to a much greater number of students

Originality/value

There is a shortage of publications that report the results of the use of portfolios for the assessment of information literacy.
Stop IAKT syndrome with student live search demos
Authors: Bell Steven J.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share a classroom teaching technique and pedagogical style that can alleviate difficulties encountered during information literacy instruction sessions when students think they already know everything the librarian instructor plans to cover in the session. Ignoring this situation can result in a poor teaching and learning experience for all.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study in which the author describes how to effectively involve students as active participants in search demonstrations during instruction sessions. It provides both a pedagogical rationale for this practice and practical examples of how it is accomplished.

Findings

Though inviting students to conduct live searches in an instruction session is somewhat risky, the author concludes that engaging students by having them demonstrate online searches is of greater interest to their peers and contributes to a more powerful learning experience.

Practical implications

This paper provides clear examples of how to effectively engage students in live online search demonstrations, including handling problematic situations in which students may be uncooperative. The key implication is that instruction sessions can improve when the instructor relinquishes some control to the students.

Originality/value

While some research recommends active learning techniques to reduce student boredom in library instruction sessions, a literature search indicates that no previous articles discuss IAKT Syndrome. Instruction librarians will find value in learning about the promise and pitfalls of inviting students to demonstrate searches during their sessions, and how it can promote a better, more engaging learning experience.
Theory, research and practice in library management: new column for Library Management
Authors: Walton Graham
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the new “Theory, research and practice in library management” column in Library Management.

Design/methodology/approach

The reasons for the introduction of the new column are outlined, and its aims and scope are detailed.

Findings

Given the move towards evidence‐based management in practice, the column should assist the library manager to navigate through the contradictory and uncertain world within which library users and library managers function.

Originality/value

It is anticipated that the new column will be of particular interest to library professionals.
PARVUS – miniaturised robot for improved flexibility in micro production
Authors: Burisch Arne , Wrege Jan , Raatz Annika , Hesselbach Jürgen , Degen Reinhard
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Until now, the size range of most machines for precision assembly was much larger than the size of the pieces to be handled or the necessary workspace. Flexibly scalable miniaturised production machines can help to develop much more flexible micro production systems. The paper aims to describe the development of a micro‐parallel‐SCARA robot adapted in size to MEMS products.

Design/methodology/approach

The robot consists of a miniaturised parallel structure, which provides a high level of accuracy in a workspace of 60 × 45 × 20 mm3. It has a base area of 130 × 170 mm2 and offers four degrees of freedom.

Findings

Based on simulations, the degree of miniaturisation in terms of a smaller structure and a high level of accuracy is determined. The results show that a miniaturised hybrid robot with a plane parallel structure driven by miniaturised zero‐backlash gears and electric motors can reach a theoretical repeatability better than 1 μm.

Research limitations/implications

The first prototype provides good prospects that the concept will be used in a visionary desktop‐factory. As regards the accuracy parameters of the robot, there will be further efforts to optimise the robot's structure and drive mechanism.

Practical implications

The repeatability of this first prototype is better than 14 μm. A better stiffness of optimised micro‐gears and joints of the structure will guarantee a much better repeatability.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates that the Parvus is one of the smallest industrial robots for micro assembly equipped with a full range of functionalities like conventional industrial robots.
A good business strategy need not be difficult
Authors: Nieuwenhuizen Peter , Koch Richard
Published: February 2007

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

In the final chapters, Simply Strategy helps to put all the elements of the puzzle together, and develop a simple, succinct strategy that is understood by everyone in your business. After all, your employees are the ones to carry out your carefully crafted vision. Finally, your strategy is immediately used to make some short‐term profit improvements. With Simply Strategy there are no years of waiting to see the fruits of your labor.

Practical implications

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.
Analysis of experimental data on internal waves with statistical method
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Wu , Chen Chen‐Yuan , Hsien‐Chueh Yang Peter , Chen Tsung‐Hao
Published: February 2007

Purpose

This study seeks to develop a systematic means of identifying regression models using a complex regression model with a statistical method.

Design/methodology/approach

As a widely adopted statistical scheme for analyzing multifactor data, regression analysis provides a conceptually simple algorithm for examining functional relationships among variables. This investigation assesses the proposed relationship using a sample of data in regression analysis and then estimates the fit using statistics. Furthermore, several algorithms and added variable plots are presented to obtain an appropriate regression model and the relationship between response variables y, p and explanatory variables x0,x1,x2, … ,xp.

Findings

The proposed statistical scheme is demonstrated by the analysis of experimental data on internal waves, in which the results can well illustrate what has been investigated in laboratory experiment and may be applicable to the naturally occurring reflection of internal waves from sloping bottoms.

Practical implications

In previous studies, field observations of internal waves were carried out. Owing to the limit of stationary measurement in situ, sufficient experiment data were not easily obtained. On the other hand, data collected by laboratory experiments express more information on wave mechanism, such as energy dissipation, mixing efficiency, and stratification thickness in a stratified layer fluid system. In present study, the authors supply valuable experiment data and analytic method, which will be a great contribution to the geophysical fluid dynamics. The results illustrate well what has been investigated in laboratory experiment and may be applicable to the naturally occurring reflection of internal waves from sloping bottoms.

Originality/value

More recently, it has been proposed that internal wave mixing may contribute significantly to internal mixing in the ocean and hence has an important influence on world climatic changes. Based on the statistical algorithm and regression model, the reduction in internal wave energy can be predicted on a sloping bottom due to frictional effect. Since, interaction between internal waves and uniform slopes has occurred in an estuary, a lake or in the ocean, the results available in this paper would benefit future study on internal wave hydrodynamics.
It's the economy stupid: modelling financial product purchases
Authors: Tang L. , Thomas L.C. , Thomas S. , Bozzetto J‐F.
Published: February 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to undertake an examination of the impacts of socio‐demographic and economic variables on the probability of purchasing financial products. There is relatively little empirical research that has been taken to understand how the underlying economy affects customers' subsequent financial product purchase behaviours. Understanding this influence would improve prediction of when purchases will occur and hence is important for the Customer lifetime value models of financial service organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two proportional hazard modelling approaches – Cox and Weibull – are compared in terms of predictive ability on a data set from a major insurance company. The risk factors for purchase are both economic and socio‐demographic.

Findings

The results show that the external economic environment is an extremely important influence in driving customers' financial products purchasing behaviours. Furthermore, the results also indicate that Cox's proportional hazard models are superior to Weibull proportional hazard models in this case because of an annual purchase effect.

Practical implications

Financial organisations need to consider the current economic conditions before determining how much marketing effort to undertake.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is that it considers economic conditions and socio‐demographic variables in modelling the long run purchase behaviour of customers for insurance and savings products. It has a large data set from a major insurance company. It is also one of the first papers to make a detailed comparison between the semi‐parametric and parametric proportional hazard models in the bank marketing area.