bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological control in a disturbed environment
Authors: Gubbins Simon , Gilligan Christopher A.
Published: October 2002

Most ecological and epidemiological models describe systems with continuous uninterrupted interactions between populations. Many systems, though, have ecological disturbances, such as those associated with planting and harvesting of a seasonal crop. In this paper, we introduce host—parasite—hyperparasite systems as models of biological control in a disturbed environment, where the host—parasite interactions are discontinuous. One model is a parasite—hyperparasite system designed to capture the essence of biological control and the other is a host—parasite—hyperparasite system that incorporates many more features of the population dynamics. Two types of discontinuity are included in the models. One corresponds to a pulse of new parasites at harvest and the other reflects the discontinuous presence of the host due to planting and harvesting. Such discontinuities are characteristic of many ecosystems involving parasitism or other interactions with an annual host. The models are tested against data from an experiment investigating the persistent biological control of the fungal plant parasite of lettuceSclerotinia minorby the fungal hyperparasiteSporidesmium sclerotivorum, over successive crops. Using a combination of mathematical analysis, model fitting and parameter estimation, the factors that contribute the observed persistence of the parasite are examined. Analytical results show that repeated planting and harvesting of the host allows the parasite to persist by maintaining a quantity of host tissue in the system on which the parasite can reproduce. When the host dynamics are not included explicitly in the model, we demonstrate that homogeneous mixing fails to predict the persistence of the parasite population, while incorporating spatial heterogeneity by allowing for heterogeneous mixing prevents fade–out. Including the host's dynamics lessens the effect of heterogeneous mixing on persistence, though the predicted values for the parasite population are closer to the observed values. An alternative hypothesis for persistence involving a stepped change in rates of infection is also tested and model fitting is used to show that changes in some environmental conditions may contribute to parasite persistence. The importance of disturbances and periodic forcing in models for interacting populations is discussed.
DegS and YaeL participate sequentially in the cleavage of RseA to activate the ςE-dependent extracytoplasmic stress response
Authors: Alba Benjamin M. , Leeds Jennifer A. , Onufryk Christina , Lu Chi Zen , Gross Carol A.
Published: October 2002

All cells have stress response pathways that maintain homeostasis in each cellular compartment. In the Gram-negative bacteriumEscherichia coli, the ςE pathway responds to protein misfolding in the envelope. The stress signal is transduced across the inner membrane to the cytoplasm via the inner membrane protein RseA, the anti-sigma factor that inhibits the transcriptional activity of ςE. Stress-induced activation of the pathway requires the regulated proteolysis of RseA. In this report we show that RseA is degraded by sequential proteolytic events controlled by the inner membrane-anchored protease DegS and the membrane-embedded metalloprotease YaeL, an ortholog of mammalian Site-2 protease (S2P). This is consistent with the mechanism of activation of ATF6, the mammalian unfolded protein response transcription factor by Site-1 protease and S2P. Thus, mammalian and bacterial cells employ a conserved proteolytic mechanism to activate membrane-associated transcription factors that initiate intercompartmental cellular stress responses.
Voluntary Ethanol Consumption by Mice: Genome-Wide Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci and Their Interactions in a C57BL/6ByJ × 129P3/J F2Intercross
Authors: Bachmanov Alexander A. , Reed Danielle R. , Li Xia , Li Shanru , Beauchamp Gary K. , Tordoff Michael G.
Published: October 2002

Consumption of ethanol solutions by rodents in two-bottle choice tests is a model to study human alcohol intake. Mice of the C57BL/6ByJ strain have higher ethanol preferences and intakes than do mice of the 129P3/J strain. F2hybrids between these two strains were phenotyped using two-bottle tests involving a choice between water and either 3% or 10% ethanol. High ethanol preferences and intakes of the B6 mice were inherited as additive or dominant traits in the F2generation. A genome screen using these F2mice identified three significant linkages. Two loci, on distal chromosome 4 (Ap3q) and proximal chromosome 7 (Ap7q), strongly affected 10% ethanol intake and weakly affected 3% ethanol intake. A male-specific locus on proximal chromosome 8 (Ap8q) affected 3% ethanol preference, but not indexes of 10% ethanol consumption. In addition, six suggestive linkages (on chromosomes 2, 9, 12, 13, 17, and 18) affecting indexes of 3% and/or 10% ethanol consumption were detected. The loci with significant and suggestive linkages accounted for 35–44% of the genetic variation in ethanol consumption phenotypes. No additive-by-additive epistatic interactions were detected for the primary loci with significant and suggestive linkages. However, there were a few modifiers of the primary linkages and a number of interactions among unlinked loci. This demonstrates a significant role of the genetic background in the variation of ethanol consumption.

[Supplementary material is available online atwww.genome.org.]
A Role for Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase during Leaf Senescence
Authors: Kaup Marianne T. , Froese Carol D. , Thompson John E.
Published: October 2002

Lipid analysis of rosette leaves from Arabidopsis has revealed an accumulation of triacylglycerol (TAG) with advancing leaf senescence coincident with an increase in the abundance and size of plastoglobuli. The terminal step in the biosynthesis of TAG in Arabidopsis is catalyzed by diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1; EC 2.3.1.20). When gel blots of RNA isolated from rosette leaves at various stages of development were probed with the Arabidopsis expressed sequence tag clone, E6B2T7, which has been annotated as DGAT1, a steep increase in DGAT1 transcript levels was evident in the senescing leaves coincident with the accumulation of TAG. The increase in DGAT1 transcript correlated temporally with enhanced levels of DGAT1 protein detected immunologically. Two lines of evidence indicated that the TAG of senescing leaves is synthesized in chloroplasts and sequesters fatty acids released from the catabolism of thylakoid galactolipids. First, TAG isolated from senescing leaves proved to be enriched in hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3) and linolenic acid (18:3), which are normally present in thylakoid galactolipids. Second, DGAT1 protein in senescing leaves was found to be associated with chloroplast membranes. These findings collectively indicate that diacylglycerol acyltransferase plays a role in senescence by sequestering fatty acids de-esterified from galactolipids into TAG. This would appear to be an intermediate step in the conversion of thylakoid fatty acids to phloem-mobile sucrose during leaf senescence.
Up-Regulation of Phosphoinositide Metabolism in Tobacco Cells Constitutively Expressing the Human Type I Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase
Authors: Perera Imara Y. , Love John , Heilmann Ingo , Thompson William F. , Boss Wendy F.
Published: October 2002

To evaluate the impact of suppressing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) in plants, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells were transformed with the human type I inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (InsP 5-ptase), an enzyme which specifically hydrolyzes InsP3. The transgenic cell lines showed a 12- to 25-fold increase in InsP 5-ptase activity in vitro and a 60% to 80% reduction in basal InsP3 compared with wild-type cells. Stimulation with Mas-7, a synthetic analog of the wasp venom peptide mastoparan, resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in InsP3 in both wild-type and transgenic cells. However, even with stimulation, InsP3 levels in the transgenic cells did not reach wild-type basal values, suggesting that InsP3 signaling is compromised. Analysis of whole-cell lipids indicated that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2), the lipid precursor of InsP3, was greatly reduced in the transgenic cells. In vitro assays of enzymes involved in PtdInsP2 metabolism showed that the activity of the PtdInsP2-hydrolyzing enzyme phospholipase C was not significantly altered in the transgenic cells. In contrast, the activity of the plasma membrane PtdInsP 5 kinase was increased by approximately 3-fold in the transgenic cells. In vivo labeling studies revealed a greater incorporation of 32P into PtdInsP2 in the transgenic cells compared with the wild type, indicating that the rate of PtdInsP2 synthesis was increased. These studies show that the constitutive expression of the human type I InsP 5-ptase in tobacco cells leads to an up-regulation of the phosphoinositide pathway and highlight the importance of PtdInsP2 synthesis as a regulatory step in this system.
hpRNA-Mediated Targeting of the Arabidopsis FAD2 Gene Gives Highly Efficient and Stable Silencing
Authors: Stoutjesdijk Peter A. , Singh Surinder P. , Liu Qing , Hurlstone Clive J. , Waterhouse Peter A. , Green Allan G.
Published: October 2002

The endogenous Δ12-desaturase gene (FAD2) in Arabidopsis was targeted for silencing using seed-specific cosuppression (CS), hairpin (HP) RNA (hpRNA), and intron-spliced HP (iHP) constructs. The iHP construct, incorporating the 120-bp 3′-untranslated region of the FAD2 gene, gave the highest degree of silencing. In some iHP lines Δ12-desaturase activity was reduced to levels as low as those in the nullfad2-1 mutant, and every primary transformant showed a pronounced reduction in FAD2 activity. One highly silenced iHP line was propagated for five generations and showed no reversion or diminution in its degree of silencing. About 75% of plants transformed with the HP construct, targeting theFAD2 coding region, gave dramatically reduced Δ12-desaturase activity, whereas approximately 50% of plants transformed with the CS construct, containing the same coding region sequence, showed silencing at a much less profound level. In all three types of constructs, the degree of silencing was increased when the transgenes were homozygous, but this was much more pronounced for the CS constructs. All three types of construct could give a single locus that was capable of effective silencing, but in the one such CS line where this was the case, the locus had a complex insertion pattern. This is consistent with the concept that posttranscriptional gene silencing is induced by double-stranded, or self-complementary, RNA that is formed in cases of CS by complex insertion patterns at a single locus and that the most effective way of generating profoundly silenced plants is by the use of constructs that encode hpRNAs. Furthermore, these results demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that iHP constructs targeted against an endogenous seed-expressed gene are clearly able to generate phenotypic changes that are inherited stably over several generations, making this approach a reliable technique for genetic modification of seed quality and possibly other traits in agricultural plants.
Origins of Phytochrome-Modulated Lhcb mRNA Expression in Seed Plants
Authors: Christensen Steen , Silverthorne Jane
Published: October 2002

The levels of Lhcb mRNA in higher plants are regulated by phytochrome, cryptochrome, and an endogenous circadian oscillator. To determine whether similar regulatory mechanisms operate in the ancient gymnosperm Ginkgo biloba, we measuredLhcb mRNA levels in seedlings in response to different light conditions. Removal of a diurnally oscillating light stimulus caused dampening of maximal Lhcb mRNA accumulation levels, with little change in periodicity. Although low fluence pulses of both red and blue light given to etiolated seedlings caused maximal accumulation of Lhcb mRNAs characteristic of the phasic/circadian response seen in flowering plants, the additional initial acute response seen in flowering plants was absent. The induction of Lhcb gene expression in both cases was at least partially reversible by far-red light, and appeared biphasic over a range of red fluences. Together, these data indicate thatLhcb genes in G. biloba appear to be regulated in a manner similar to that of flowering plants, whereas signaling and attenuation of mRNA levels through the photoreceptor systems and circadian clock show features distinct from those characterized to date. The implications for these findings are discussed in light of the evolution of circadian clock input signaling.
Advanced flow simulation methods in aircraft design
Authors: Sillén Mattias
Published: October 2002

The compressible Navier‐Stokes equations are solved numerically for turbulent transonic aerospace applications on parallel computers. An Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (EARSM) models the turbulence. Expressing the EARSM as an extension of an eddy‐viscosity model makes the implementation straightforward in a flow solver with existing two‐equation eddy‐viscosity models. The k−ω transport equations are used as a platform for the model. The EARSM approach significantly improves the shock position for transonic flow over wings without substantial increase in computational cost. Industrial use of advanced flow modelling requires a short turn‐around time of computations. This is enabled through the use of parallel computers. To achieve good parallel performance the computational load has to be evenly distributed between the processors of the parallel computer. A heuristic algorithm is described for distributing and splitting the blocks of a structured multiblock grid for a good static load balance. Speed‐up results are presented for turbulent flow around a wing on a number of parallel platforms.
Dynamics of a light aircraft in spin
Authors: Goraj Zdobysław , Baron Alfred , Kacprzyk Jan
Published: October 2002

This paper focuses mainly on the experimental and in‐flight spin investigations for an executive light airplane, named I‐23 and built in the Institute of Aviation (Warsaw, Poland). It is a single‐engine, all composite, straight wing, retractable undercarriage, conventional configuration and flight control system airplane. In‐flight spin tests confirmed good rudder and elevator effectiveness for spin recovery in a wide range of positions of the center of gravity. A typical time history of a spin entry and the developed spin and recovery is shown as well.
A study of the inhibitive behaviour of molybdate, when used in combination with phosphate, in synthetic tap‐water environments
Authors: Yuchun Li , Xunjie Gong , Keru Peng , Xunjun Xie
Published: October 2002

The conjoint effect of the binary inhibitors molybdate and phosphate on Type A20 carbon steel has been studied, using electrochemical measurement tests. The compatibility between molybdate and phosphate can achieve synergistic benefits, and the inhibitive mechanism was investigated.
New experimental arrangement for the acquisition of electrochemical noise data from high resistance organic anti‐corrosive coatings
Authors: Mabbutt S.J. , Bierwagen G.P. , Mills D.J.
Published: October 2002

This work investigates the single substrate (SS) technique for obtaining potential and current noise data for electrochemical noise measurement (ENM) analysis. The technique uses a single substrate element, and has shown promise as a useful application for use in the field. The traditional two working electrode approach of obtaining data is hindered by the fact that two electrically isolated substrate elements are required to act as working electrodes. The SS technique addresses this problem, theoretically enabling ENM to be made on any structure using just one electrical connection to the metallic substrate. Results are presented for anti‐corrosive organic coating systems intended for marine applications that have very high resistance values (> 1 × 109ohm‐cm2). In addition data obtained from previous work that looked at a single coat anti‐corrosive primer after a short period of time in immersion and giving Rn values of around 1 × 108ohm‐cm2 are presented. Good agreement is seen between values of Rn obtained from the traditional two working electrode method and those obtained from the single substrate technique over both ranges of resistance.
High temperature oxidation behaviour of CeO2 and La2O3 modified aluminide coatings on carbon steel
Authors: Mobin M. , Sharma H.K. , Hasan S.K.
Published: October 2002

The aluminide and CeO2 and La2O3 containing aluminide coatings on carbon steel have been prepared by a pack cementation process. The influence of CeO2 and La2O3 additions on the oxidation rates of aluminide coatings has been investigated. The performance of coatings was studied by measuring oxidation kinetics, metallography, SEM and X‐ray diffraction analysis techniques. The oxidation‐resistance of coated carbon steel is discussed on the basis of a decrease in oxidation rates as well as adherence of oxide scales. The oxidation rates of carbon steel and aluminide coatings were markedly reduced in the presence of CeO2 and La2O3 in the temperature range of 700‐900°C. The oxidation rates were significantly affected by the morphology of oxide scales. In the case where the structure of oxides scales was not seriously disrupted due to decarburisation, the oxidation rates were significantly reduced.
Executives’ predisposition for planning in an emerging country environment
Authors: Koufopoulos Dimitrios N.
Published: October 2002

The paper presents findings from a European country setting, namely Greece. It focuses on two important organizational features: the chief executive officer and the planning activities adopted by Greek firms. The study attempts first, to describe and identify the CEO’s characteristics, opinions, and predisposition towards planning, and second, to illustrate the strategic planning process in Greece. The paper argues that country environments in transition may have a profound effect on executives’ predisposition into designing planning process. Although it was found that both CEOs and top management teams intensively participate in the planning process, which was perceived as highly formalized and sophisticated, the lack of advanced tools and techniques creates serious questions of whether planning is a valuable resource for the Greek companies or companies operating in other highly uncertain environments.
Public administration in early America: sex and the law in Puritan Massachusetts
Authors: Wells Michael V.
Published: October 2002

When they arrived in the New World the English Puritans expected to pursue justice by using the Bible and discretionary justice. Because they left England, in part, as an escape from a contemporary Sodom and Gomorrah, it is ironical that the discovery of sexual license in the New World forced Puritan authorities to reconsider how they administered justice. It was, in fact, the ongoing sexual misdeeds of the colonists that forced the jettisoning of discretionary justice and the substitution for it of a system of justice administration with a legal code. In effect, this was the first public administration in English America, and it was established because of sexual misconduct.
Strenuous tasks in a hot climate – a case study
Authors: Ahasan Rabiul , Mohiuddin Golam , Mohammed Faruquee Syed
Published: October 2002

Studies of worker heat stress and strain in various countries have found that heat exposure is often likely to exceed the upper threshold limit of international standards. Heat strain data such as oral temperature, recovery heart rate, average heart rate and other work‐related information were investigated to study the impact of strenuous tasks in a hot climate. The study attempted to establish relationships between exposure to heat and heat strain data which could be used as the basis of ergonomic intervention and low‐cost solutions to the avoidance or mitigation of occupational risks.
A catalogue quality audit tool
Authors: Chapman Ann , Massey Owen
Published: October 2002

The current need for performance measurement and quality targets for services to users requires suitable performance indicators for libraries to use. This paper looks at the self‐assessment audit tool for catalogue quality developed by UKOLN in collaboration with Essex libraries. For the tool a checklist of errors was drawn up, which can then be used to assess the quality of records within a catalogue using a sample of library stock. The tool can be used to assess the quality of catalogue records for monographs and non‐book materials (but not serials), for complete collections or parts of collections and for records created at different periods. This paper describes the tool and the process of making the assessment and reports on the results of the pilot study carried out at the University of Bath library in 2000.
Quality management of organizational referents
Authors: Stashevsky Shmuel , Elizur Dov
Published: October 2002

The major objective of the study was to analyze the structure of the Quality Management (QM) domain, as it is perceived by rank and file employees and middle management. A definitional framework for the QM domain was suggested based on two facets: behavior modality and organizational referents. Subjects were 208 employees in three industrial organizations in Israel, which were in the process of applying a QM program. Factor Analysis identified one of the facets defined – the referents. Guttman’s Smallest Space Analysis was applied next for testing the proposed hypotheses. An empirical double‐ordered system, a Radex structure, was obtained that reflects the facets of the definition: behavior modality (performance, satisfaction and evaluation) and referents (employee, colleagues, supervisor and management). Unlike previous studies on introducing other change programs, management comes nearer to the employees, reflecting the high involvement of the management in QM programs. The roles of the above facets in the present study as compared to other studies are discussed, as well as the possibility of applying the proposed definitional framework to other change programs.
From local identity to global integrity
Authors: Lessem Ronnie , Palsule Sudhanshu
Published: October 2002

Organizations have never addressed what it means to be global in its depth and entirety. It has been equated with being international, or having offices in different countries. It has been approached and appropriated through historical lenses of modernization, and of what sociologist Martin Albrow calls the “rational project”. It is felt that we have come to a situation that is nothing short of a crisis. Explores the depths of “global integrity” with a view to providing individuals, organizations and societies with the tools to engage in becoming global. In the process introduces our concept of the “four worlds,” and argues that each needs to be progressively transformed, from a local identity towards global integrity, if our current crisis is to be in any sense resolved. Such a resolution, moreover, requires, in each cultural case, tapping the core and bedrock as well as the subsoil and topsoil of each, as it were, with a view to evolving from a formative (local), as opposed to de‐formative, towards a normative, re‐formative and ultimately transformative (global) perspective.
Transformational and transactional leadership enabling (disabling) knowledge acquisition of self‐managed teams: the consequences for performance
Authors: Politis John D.
Published: October 2002

Knowledge has been identified as one of the most important resources that contribute to the competitive advantage of an organisation. The problems associated with poor leadership and interpersonal skills manifest themselves in the loss of organisational knowledge and the expensive duplication of knowledge creation and acquisition, rising costs and reduced performance. Although behavioural and interpersonal skills are most often cited as essential for successful knowledge acquisition, little is known about the role played by “transformational and transactional” leadership in the process of knowledge acquisition and the consequences for organisational performance. A survey of 239 self‐managing employees who are, or have been, engaged in knowledge acquisition activities was carried out to investigate the relationship between the components of leadership dimensions associated with Bass’s model, a number of knowledge acquisition attributes and performance. Although results showed that some of the “transformational” leadership dimensions enable followers’ knowledge acquisition, “transformational” leadership is not a pre‐existing condition for achieving desirable performance of self‐managing teams.
The phenomenon of organizational evolution: a model for analysis
Authors: Alvarez Ma Valle Santos
Published: October 2002

Traditionally, organizational evolution has been forgotten and only recently has it been analyzed by evolutionary theories: evolutionary economics and organizational ecology. According to the evolutionary economics the evolution of the firm is drawn as a process of individual adaptation running parallel to the evolution of environment. However, population ecology suggested that organizations have not the ability to adapt themselves and the process of organizational evolution is out of the organizational field. So, the adjustment to changed environmental conditions is achieved largely by the death of old organizations and the birth of new ones. We propose a model of organizational evolution combining the adaptation perspective ‐‐ evolutionary economics ‐‐ and the selection one ‐‐ population ecology of organizations. The adaptative ability lies in the endowment resource and capabilities that managers build using organizational capabilities.
The 6‐L framework: a model for leadership research and development
Authors: Aqeel Tirmizi Syed
Published: October 2002

Leadership research and practice has received new attention in recent years following unprecedented transformation experienced by organizations towards the end of the last millennium. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and test a model of leadership known as the 6‐L framework. The dimensions of this model include: lends a vision, leads and encourages change, leverages learning and development, looks out for others, lauds achievement, and lives by example. According to the results of the study, the 6‐L framework serves as a useful model for leadership research and development.
Empirical study of second‐tier automotive suppliers achieving QS‐9000 Reference No. 718
Authors: Johnson Dana
Published: October 2002

Major original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the international automotive industry require their first‐tier suppliers to obtain QS‐9000 registration. One of the requirements included in the registration criteria is to have a process in place to evaluate all suppliers or subcontractors. Johnson Controls Inc. (JCI) Automotive Systems Group, a major first‐tier supplier, chose to request QS‐9000 registration of their suppliers (second‐tier). QS‐9000 does not require Tier‐1 suppliers to mandate that their suppliers (second‐tier) obtain registration. Since quality registration indicates that a quality system is in place, does it ensure that the operational measures of quality parts per million (PPM) or delivery performance are optimized? Do the organizational variables associated with QS‐9000 registration directly impact achieving it? For this study, a survey of JCI North American QS‐9000‐registered second‐tier suppliers was conducted to gather information about selected organizational variables, perceived performance outcome and results, and actual quality PPM and delivery performance. This study looks at the relationships between organizational variables and performance outcome and results.
Comparison of managerial work goals among Bruneian, Malaysian and Singaporean managers
Authors: Chan Christopher C.A. , Pearson Cecil A.L.
Published: October 2002

A need to facilitate effective international business encounters, which are underpinned by the personal values of managers, has led to significant pragmatic interest in understanding work goals cross‐culturally. This study examines the work goals of 468 managers from the three industrializing nations of Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. The results reveal some consensuses as well as differences in managerial work goals. The three dominant work goals included opportunity to learn, interesting work and good match with abilities and experience. Implications for the findings are discussed.
Short term energy monitoring: a road to long term energy savings?
Authors: Bryant John A. , Carlson Kimberly
Published: October 2002

Engineers at the Energy Systems Laboratory at Texas A&M University conducted short term energy metering studies at a complex of offices in northern Texas and several buildings on the Texas A&M University campus. These studies typically consisted of installing electrical metering at the whole building level and included sub‐metering of selected circuits when possible. A staged shut‐down sequence was performed for all lighting, fan, and mechanical systems of interest in the facility. Lighting system load verification was the primary goal. The study was a follow‐up to an earlier lighting study that had been conducted by the campus energy office. Base electrical load data were also determined from these tests, and in both studies significant “base” electrical loads were found. This paper presents results of these studies and suggests that the method is attractive to both contractors and facility energy managers as well.
Marketing implications of Webcasting and extranets
Authors: Dubas Khalid M. , Brennan Ian
Published: October 2002

Webcasting or push technology automatically sends information from the producer of information to the server or client computer of the subscriber. This paradigm is different from the traditional method of accessing Web content – a method that requires an individual to seek out information via a search engine or URL. Webcasting does not require active participation by the viewer and in this sense it is more like the television mode of information delivery. After reviewing the evolution of Webcasting, our paper considers the implications of Webcasting for the marketing decision support system and the marketing mix. An extranet is a private Internet site that enables several companies to securely share information and conduct business. An extranet extends the reach of push technology and hence magnifies the marketing impact.
Perceptions of cataloguers and end‐users towards bilingual authority files
Authors: Abdoulaye Kaba
Published: October 2002

The use of bilingual authority files in academic and research libraries has been successful in most of the multicultural societies. Today, with the advancement of information and communication technology many libraries and information services providers on the Internet are accessible in more than one language, facilitating access, retrieval and use of information for scattered users all over the world. Nevertheless, there are also challenges associated with the provision and use of bilingual authority files. This study analyses and describes bilingual authority files of the main library of the International Islamic University of Malaysia. The study also investigated perceptions of cataloguers and end‐users in relation to the bilingual authority files. All the three cataloguing staff at the “Department of Arabic and Religious Resources” and 23 end‐users were interviewed. Respondents felt that the use of bilingual authority files was essential for the success of the library use. However, the end‐users felt that more subject headings and bibliographic information of missing material should be provided. Meanwhile, the cataloguers believed that bilingualism has an effect on bibliographic control. They also felt that AACR2 and LCSH should be translated into the Arabic language.
Quality is the center of integrated management
Authors: Kondo Yoshio
Published: October 2002

States that the purpose of integrated management is to find and solve problems in an integrated way. Tries to clarify the logic of the “breakthrough” approach to management, which is thought to be an important and indispensable element of integrated management. This involves looking at management as a means to reduce defects with minimum costs rather than achieving optimum costs at the expense of perfection. Examines three cases from Japanese experiences. Concludes that quality should be distinguished from cost and profitability and that it should be at the center of integrated management.
Facilitating change – implementing 5‐S: an Australian case study
Authors: Bryar Peter , Walsh Mick
Published: October 2002

The Australian office of the MaST International Group was undertaking a massive, rapid change in organisational purpose, focus and structure to better align itself with their global, parent business. To facilitate the process and to rediscover the value of TQM within the organisation, the Australian office decided to introduce the 5‐S practice into their business. The following action research case study reports on the organisation’s Australian experience with 5‐S practice, with a particular emphasis on: the link between 5‐S practice and the business strategic plan; changes in the internal culture of the organisation; and the lessons learnt that could encourage the adoption of the 5‐S practice into the International Group.
The globalisation of Welsh business through the development of managerial competencies and behavioural attitudes in e‐business to e‐business
Authors: Martin Andrew
Published: October 2002

Looks at the relationship between the research on TQM models, such as the Japanese 5S and EFQM, and the practical delivery of TQM models into senior government/businesses managers who are struggling to take advantage of the global economy. Continues investigating the relationship and the adaptability of models to produce bottom line results or solutions, which can then increase the Welsh GDP through the upskilling of senior managers. This process has further been explored through several areas of business and this has allowed for an understanding of relationships between business processes and TQM. If implemented, these would not only impact on the business but also the local economy. In the case of e‐business, the traditional models of SWOT/PESTEL only focus on the local company and political issues. Suggests that therefore they are no longer stretching enough in reality for developing senior management strategy in the global market place. A model is proposed that builds on the SWOT/PESTEL analysis models and also allows the use of Investors in People and the Excellence Model in a clear and focused manner.
Evaluation of the impact of a PACS system on an intensive care unit
Authors: Cox Benita , Dawe Nina
Published: October 2002

Describes part of a wider evaluation exercise undertaken to assess the impact of the introduction of a picture‐archiving and communication system (PACS) on the adult intensive care unit (AICU) at the Royal Brompton NHS Trust in London. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the perceptions of PACS of the medical and ancillary staff working within AICU as well as to undertake a preliminary assessment of its impact on the workload of radiographers. Questionnaires, interviews and a process analysis were undertaken. The research findings indicate that the overall perception of staff towards the introduction of the PACS was positive. The impact of the system on the workload of radiographers was significant, reducing the time taken to obtain an image from 90 to 60 minutes. However, lessons to be learned for future PACS implementations include the need to ensure compatibility with existing IT systems, adequate IT support and initiatives to ensure that the benefits of PACS are communicated to the hospital at large.
Imprint patterning: a novel method for producing high density interconnects
Authors: Gregoire George
Published: October 2002

Imprint patterning is a new circuit formation process that is based on a well‐established technology called microreplication. Microreplication has been used for many years for making a diverse range of products such as compact discs (CDs), roadside reflective signs and even holographic wrapping paper. As is the case with printed circuit boards microreplication is typically practised where the surface features are very small in relation to the length and width of the product. This paper reports details of a new and potentially disruptive technology that draws on a well‐established imprinting process to provide a comparatively low cost and shorter route to the fabrication of high density interconnections and microvias.
Economics, civilisation, and knowledge
Authors: Armour Leslie
Published: October 2002

Perhaps the greatest peril to civilisation is the fragmentation of knowledge. Science often lends itself to easy application to technology and our economic systems are the result of applying this knowledge to our resources. But our knowledge of how societies work lags significantly, and the economic system frequently multiplies our social problems. At the heart of the problem is the distinction between knowledge of universals – scientific laws for example – and knowledge of people, who are unique particulars. The paper examines some recent disputes in the social sciences and suggests how the gap might be filled and economic systems made more responsive to social problems.
The mountain of experience: how people learn in a complex, evolving environment
Authors: Dolfsma Wilfred
Published: October 2002

Understanding how individuals learn is of great importance to economists to understand economic phenomena as well as their own position in society. The idea that holds that people hold those views that best suit their own interest is untenable. Bayesian views on learning also miss an important point – including the Denzau and North version of Bayesian learning they call a punctuated equilibria view. The important point is that information needs to be interpreted, given meaning. What meaning people give to the information they receive depends on their experience in the past. Past experience take the form of interrelated rules of conduct. In this paper the whole of these interrelated rules is called “the mountain of experience”. This perspective allows a perception on humans in economics that combines reason, adaptation and volition. Some implications of this perspective for economics are explored.
Conserving our precious resources
Authors: Bednall David H.B.
Published: October 2002

Discusses the pressure being placed on survey respondents through growing numbers of contact attempts, long‐winded questionnaires and research topics that lack relevance. Suggests that marketing academics and other social researchers will have limits placed on them by government if practices are not improved. Discusses a number of difficult, but feasible, long term solutions to the problems identified.
Physical system theory: fundamentals, recent developments and relationships with system dynamics
Authors: Sushil
Published: October 2002

Two important methodologies having some common grounds, but based on differing contexts and paradigms are Physical System Theory (PST) and System Dynamics (SD). The developments in both the fields have taken place almost independently, and attempts have been made to integrate the two to complement their strengths and limitations. This paper provides an overview of PST in terms of its foundations, philosophy, fundamental postulates, recent developments on its simplification and enlargement, and applications to socio‐economic and managerial systems. A comparison of PST is made with SD on different fronts so as to understand their similarities and differences for carving out their place in modelling of managerial and socio‐economic systems and integrating the two more meaningfully and flexibly. The paper is concluded emphasizing the need for a ‘Flexible System Theory’ which can relate many such systems based approaches and techniques on the whole continuum from hard to soft systems thinking to cater the whole spectrum of problem situations effectively.
A cybernetic approach to the multiscale minimization of energy function: Grey level image segmentation
Authors: Arques Pilar , Compañ Patricia , Molina Rafael , Pujol Mar , Rizo Ramón
Published: October 2002

Segmentation is an important topic in computer vision and image processing. In this paper, we sketch a scheme for a multiscale segmentation algorithm and prove its validity on some real images. We propose an approach to the model based on MRF (Markov Random Field) as a systematic way for integrating constraints for robust image segmentation. To do that, robust features and their integration in the energy function, which directs the process, have been defined. In this approach, the image is first transformed to different scales to determine which one fits better to our purposes. Then, it is segmented into a set of disjoint regions, the adjacent graph (AG) is determined and a MRF model is defined on the corresponding AG. Robust features are incorporated to the energy function by means of clique functions and optimal segmentation is then achieved by finding a labeling configuration that minimizes the energy function using Simulated Annealing.
Case study Strategic challenges in the financial services industry
Authors: Henson Steve W. , Wilson Joey C.
Published: October 2002

The financial services industry has changed dramatically over the past decade as a wave of consolidation driven by legal, technological, and market changes has continued to build. This article provides a case study of a small commercial bank attempting to develop and execute a successful strategy by targeting small businesses and emphasizing customer service and innovative technology.
Project marketing to Africa: lessons from the case of IVO Transmission Engineering and Ghana’s national electrification scheme
Authors: Afriyie Owusu Richard
Published: October 2002

There is a need for new models for foreign business and investment in Africa. The world’s “poorest” continent has a massive deficit in infrastructural, production and other facilities. The foreign business and investment dividends expected for economic liberalization and democracy that have been implemented by most African countries since the late 1980s are yet to be fully achieved. In this paper, project business is suggested as a model for foreign firms to do business in Africa, in the short to medium term. Thereby they will establish relationships and networks and gain valuable knowledge and experience of the African economies. Such experience, relationships and networks can be used to do profitable business in the short to medium term. In the long term, economic growth in the African economies will expand opportunities, and the firms in question will be well placed to take advantage of them.
Promoting services via the Internet: new opportunities and challenges
Authors: Zinkhan George M.
Published: October 2002

The Internet has the potential to revolutionize all kinds of business activities, including the creation, promotion, and delivery of services. In this paper, we examine the intersection of two frameworks in order to identify new opportunities for delivering and promoting services via the Internet. The first framework is based on technology and network boundaries (e.g. intranet, extranet, Internet). The second framework is based on the business objective of the network application (e.g. automation, information, transformation). By combining these two frameworks, we identify nine new ways to create and promote services.
External evaluation and the organizational development of schools in Portugal: new challenges for the General Inspectorate of Education
Authors: Ventura Alexandre , Adelino Costa Jorge
Published: October 2002

Analyzes the development of the external evaluation models of schools in Portugal. Gives special emphasis to the current situation and role of inspection with a constant retrospective view of the administration of the educational system. Reveals that the Portuguese education system has been changing, with more autonomy being placed on schools which places importance on the evaluation process. Concludes that the evaluation process should be developed as a way of controlling the educational system.
Using collaborative improvement in a single organisation: improving anti‐coagulant care
Authors: Fraser Sarah , Wilson Tim , Burch Ken , Osborne Mary‐Ann , Knightley Martin
Published: October 2002

Improvements were delivered in the care of patients on anti‐coagulants through a collaborative improvement methodology within one primary care organisation. Although a key clinical governance priority, the project was conducted in a low‐key manner with minimal support. Practice teams were encouraged to apply evidence through small‐scale testing of changes, using measurements to monitor improvement and to share what they learned amongst themselves. No specific model of care was pursued and instead the emphasis was on demonstrating an improvement at the practice level, by whatever means worked best. The methodology used was similar to that applied in major national and regional collaborative programmes. This project demonstrates how it can be simplified and implemented within one primary care organisation to deliver improvements in care as well as to support the building of teams and learning about measurement and quality improvement.
Developing a best practices psychosocial rehabilitation principles template
Authors: Noonan Dan
Published: October 2002

The author, who works in the field of health care, identifies the development of an innovative best practices psychosocial rehabilitation principles template, which provides both a conceptual framework and some core dimensions for rehabilitation practice and focused patient care. The steps and process in the development of the template are documented and reflect both staff and patient input in its formulation. There is an articulation, from an integrated perspective, of a patient‐centred, complementary, empowering and interdependent rehabilitation principles framework. There is also a delineation of the rationale for the template’s inception, literature review, conceptual composition, inherent challenges and potential applicability for enhancing rehabilitation care, outcomes and quality management.
A methodology to establish baseline metrics for assessing the isothermally aging of Sn‐Pb solder interconnects
Authors: Vianco P.T. , Rejent J.A.
Published: October 2002

A methodology was developed to establish baseline metrics for assessing the isothermal aging of 63Sn‐37Pb (or 60Sn‐40Pb) solder joints in circuit board assemblies. Those metrics were the intermetallic compound layer thickness at the Sn‐Pb solder/Cu interface and the Pb‐rich phase particle size distribution in the solder. The baseline, or as‐fabricated, values for these metrics were 0.71±0.27 μm and 3.2±6.5×10−6 mm2, respectively. The rate kinetics were determined for growth of the intermetallic compound layer and coarsening of the Pb‐rich phase particles by isothermal aging experiments. The/were: (1) intermetallic compound layer thickness (μm)=0.714+ 3.265×103 t0.58 exp(−52200/RT); and (2) Pb‐rich phase particle size (mm2)=3.2×10−6+1.47× 10−3 t0.32 exp(−31000/RT).