bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congressional Preemption: Removal of State Regulatory Powers
Authors: Zimmerman Joseph F.
Published: August 2005

The balance of national and state powers has undergone continuous readjustment since 1790, without a constitutional amendment by means of numerous congressional preemption statutes superseding completely or partially certain regulatory powers of the states and thereby effectuating a major transformation in the federal system. Congress since 1978 has increased its regulation of subnational governments as polities by enacting preemption statutes containing mandates and restraints (Zimmerman 1994) while simultaneously enacting other statutes providing for extensive deregulation of the banking and communications industries and complete economic deregulation of the air, bus, and rail transportation companies.
Systematic variations in recurrence interval and moment of repeating aftershocks
Authors: Peng Zhigang , Vidale John E. , Marone Chris , Rubin Allan
Published: August 2005

The recurrence intervals for 194 repeating clusters on the Calaveras fault follow a power‐law decay relation with elapsed time after the 1984 M6.2 Morgan Hill, California, mainshock. The decay rates of repeating aftershocks in the immediate vicinity of a high‐slip patch that failed during the mainshock systematically exceed those that are farther away. The trend between relative moment and recurrence interval, which is a measure of the fault‐healing rate, varies systematically with depth and changes from negative to positive value as the distance between the repeating aftershock and the mainshock slip patch increases. We speculate that high strain rate in the early postseismic period may cause transient embrittlement and strengthening of the deep repeating clusters in the areas adjacent to the mainshock slip patch, resulting in large moments that decrease with time as the strain rate diminishes. Our observations suggest that systematic behavior of repeating aftershocks reflect variations in the fault zone rheology.
Evidence that vitamin D3 reverses age-related inflammatory changes in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Moore M.E. , Piazza A. , McCartney Y. , Lynch M.A.
Published: August 2005

One of the major challenges in neuroscience is to identify the changes which accompany aging and which contribute to the well-documented age-related deterioration in cognitive function. This is a particular challenge in the light of the vast array of reported changes, which include morphological changes like synaptic and perhaps cell loss, alteration in membrane composition and the resultant changes in function of membrane proteins, modulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary axis, impaired calcium homoeostatic mechanisms, alteration in enzyme function and decreased neurotransmitter release. In the past few years, evidence suggesting that an aged brain exhibits signs of oxidative stress and inflammatory stress has been accumulating, and recent evidence using microarray analysis has added support to this view. In this paper, we provide evidence to suggest that vitamin D3 acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reverses the age-related increase in microglial activation and the accompanying increase in IL-1β (interleukin-1β) concentration.
Pathophysiology, pleotrophy and paradigm shifts: genetic lessons from Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ross O.A. , Farrer M.J.
Published: August 2005

PD (Parkinson's disease) is an aetiologically heterogeneous disorder characterized by a clinical phenotype consisting of resting tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. Motor symptoms are associated with a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, with Lewy body inclusions within surviving neurons. Although heritability studies have shown evidence of familial aggregation, twin studies have provided limited support for a genetic aetiology. Nevertheless, classical linkage methods have nominated 11 regions of the genome and pathogenic mutations have been identified in several genes, including α-synuclein, parkin, ubiquitin C-ter-minal hydrolase L1, oncogene DJ-1, PTEN-induced protein kinase 1 and microtubule-associated protein tau. Most recently, heterozygous mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) were found to cause late-onset, autosomal-dominant PD. Despite their consistent clinical phenotype, family members with LRRK2 mutations can have variable α-synuclein and tau pathologies. Lrrk2 is a member of the Roc (Ras of complex proteins) family, with Ras GTPase and MAPKKK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase) catalytic domains. Thus its discovery highlights vesicle dynamics and secondary-messenger signalling in disease pathophysiology. To diagnose a disease accurately and effectively treat it, requires an understanding of its molecular pathogenesis. Herein, we provide an overview of the genetics of PD, how these discoveries are revolutionizing long-held beliefs and more importantly how this knowledge may be translated into patient therapy.
Clinicopathological features of the tauopathies
Authors: Murray B. , Lynch T. , Farrell M.
Published: August 2005

Developments in molecular neuropathology have led to protein-based classification systems for neurodegenerative disorders. Key proteins include α-synuclein, amyloid and tau. Alternative mRNA splicing and post-translational change, induced by a bewildering variety of protein modifying processes such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, have generated insights into new mechanisms of selective neuronal degeneration. The task now is to bring these developments in protein chemistry to the clinic, to try to determine whether this biochemical diversity can help in explaining the phenotypic variability that is so typical of neurodegeneration in general. In this review, we will explore the clinicopathological diversity of the tau-related disorders with specific reference to three of the most common tauopathies, frontotemporal dementia (familial and sporadic), progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration.
Pro-inflammatory mediator leukotriene D4 induces transcriptional activity of potentially oncogenic genes
Authors: Mezhybovska M. , Wikström K. , Öhd J.F. , Sjölander A.
Published: August 2005

The inflammatory mediator LTD4 (leukotriene D4) is present at high levels in many inflammatory conditions, and areas of chronic inflammation have an increased risk for subsequent cancer development. We demonstrate here that following LTD4 stimulation, β-catenin is translocated to the nucleus, triggering the transcriptional activity of the TCF (T-cell factor)/LEF (lymphoid enhancer factor) family of transcription factors. These events are dependent on phosphoinositide-3 kinase activation and glycogen synthase kinase inhibition. Our data suggest that, similar to Wnt signalling, LTD4 increases free β-catenin and targets it to the nucleus.
DNA mismatch repair status may influence anti-neoplastic effects of butyrate
Authors: Coxhead J.M. , Williams E.A. , Mathers J.C.
Published: August 2005

HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by early-onset CRC (colorectal cancer). HNPCC is most often associated with mutations in the MMR (mismatch repair) genes hMLH1, hMSH2, hMSH6 or hPMS2. The mutator phenotype of a defective MMR system is MSI (microsatellite instability), which also occurs in approx. 15–25% of sporadic CRC cases, where it is associated with the hypermethylation of the promoter region of hMLH1. Dietary factors, including excessive alcohol consumption, ingestion of red meat and low folate intake, may increase the risk of MSI high tumour development. In contrast, aspirin may suppress MSI in MMR-deficient CRC cell lines. Butyrate, a short-chain-fatty-acid end product of carbohydrate fermentation in the colon, shares a number of anti-neoplastic properties with aspirin, including inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis of CRC cells. Recent in vitro studies suggest that physiological concentrations of butyrate (0.5–2 mM) may have more potent anti-neoplastic effects in CRC cell lines deficient in MMR, but mechanisms for such a differential response remain to be established.
Isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways as anti-infective drug targets
Authors: Rohdich F. , Bacher A. , Eisenreich W.
Published: August 2005

IPP (isopentenyl diphosphate) and DMAPP (dimethylallyl diphosphate) serve as the universal precursors for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids. Besides the well-known mevalonate pathway, the existence of a second biosynthetic pathway conducive to IPP and DMAPP formation through 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate and 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate was discovered approx. 10 years ago in plants and certain eubacteria. It is now known that this pathway is widely distributed in the bacterial kingdom including major human pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori. The pathway is also essential in the malaria vector Plasmodium falciparum. During the last few years, the genes, enzymes, intermediates and mechanisms of the biosynthetic route have been elucidated by a combination of comparative genomics, enzymology, advanced NMR technology and crystallography. The results provide the basis for the development of novel anti-infective drugs.
Covalent cofactor attachment to proteins: cytochrome c biogenesis
Authors: Stevens J.M. , Uchida T. , Daltrop O. , Ferguson S.J.
Published: August 2005

Haem (Fe-protoporphyrin IX) is a cofactor found in a wide variety of proteins. It confers diverse functions, including electron transfer, the binding and sensing of gases, and many types of catalysis. The majority of cofactors are non-covalently attached to proteins. There are, however, some proteins in which the cofactor binds covalently and one of the major protein classes characterized by covalent cofactor attachment is the c-type cytochromes. The characteristic haem-binding mode of c-type cytochromes requires the formation of two covalent bonds between two cysteine residues in the protein and the two vinyl groups of haem. Haem attachment is a complex post-translational process that, in bacteria such as Escherichia coli, occurs in the periplasmic space and involves the participation of many proteins. Unexpectedly, it has been found that the haem chaperone CcmE (cytochrome cmaturation), which is an essential intermediate in the process, also binds haem covalently before transferring the haem to apocytochromes. A single covalent bond is involved and occurs between a haem vinyl group and a histidine residue of CcmE. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have provided insight into the function of this protein and into the overall process of cytochrome c biogenesis.
Is a third proton-conducting pathway operative in bacterial cytochrome c oxidase?
Authors: Salje J. , Ludwig B. , Richter O.-M.H.
Published: August 2005

Despite the existence of several three-dimensional structures of cytochrome c oxidases, a detailed understanding of pathways involved in proton movements through the complex remains largely elusive. Next to the two well-established pathways (termed D and K), an additional proton-conducting network (‘H-channel’) has been proposed for the beef heart enzyme. Yet, our recent mutational studies on corresponding residues of the Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c oxidase provide no clues that such a pathway operates in the prokaryotic enzyme.
Terminal oxidases of cyanobacteria
Authors: Hart S.E. , Schlarb-Ridley B.G. , Bendall D.S. , Howe C.J.
Published: August 2005

The respiratory chain of cyanobacteria appears to be branched rather than linear; furthermore, respiratory and photosynthetic electron-transfer chains co-exist in the thylakoid membrane and even share components. This review will focus on the three types of terminal respiratory oxidases identified so far on a genetic level in cyanobacteria: aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase, cytochrome bd-quinol oxidase and the alternative respiratory terminal oxidase. We summarize here their genetic, biochemical and biophysical characterization to date and discuss their interactions with electron donors as well as their physiological roles.
Ion translocation by theEscherichia coliNADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I)
Authors: Friedrich T. , Stolpe S. , Schneider D. , Barquera B. , Hellwig P.
Published: August 2005

The energy-converting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, also known as respiratory complex I, couples the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of ions across the membrane. It was assumed that the complex exclusively works as a proton pump. Recently, it has been proposed that complex I from Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli work as Na+ pumps. We have used an E. coli complex I preparation to determine the type of ion(s) translocated by means of enzyme activity, generation of a membrane potential and redox-induced Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We did not find any indications for Na+ translocation by the E. coli complex I.
Channelrhodopsins: directly light-gated cation channels
Authors: Nagel G. , Szellas T. , Kateriya S. , Adeishvili N. , Hegemann P. , Bamberg E.
Published: August 2005

Phototaxis and photophobic responses of green algae are mediated by rhodopsins with microbial type chromophores, i.e. all-trans-retinal in the ground state. The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was recently completely sequenced and the EST (expressed sequence tag) database was made public. We and others detected overlapping partial cDNA sequences that encode two proteins which we termed channelopsins (Chops). The N-terminal half of chop1 (∼300 of 712 amino acids) comprises hypothetical seven-transmembrane segments with sequence similarity to the proton pump bacteriorhodopsin and the chloride pump halorhodopsin. Even though the overall sequence homology is low, several amino acids are conserved that define the retinal-binding site and the H+-transporting network in BR (bacteriorhodopsin). Expression of Chop1, or only the hydrophobic core, in Xenopus laevis oocytes, enriched with retinal, produced a light-gated conductance (maximum at approx. 500 nm), which shows characteristics of a channel [ChR1 (channelrhodopsin-1)] that is selectively permeable for protons. Also ChR2 (737 amino acids) is an ion channel that is switched directly by light and also here the hydrophobic N-terminal half of the protein is sufficient to enable light-sensitive channel activity. The action spectrum is blue-shifted (maximum at approx. 460 nm) with respect to ChR1. In addition to protons, ChR2 is permeable to univalent and bivalent cations. We suggest that ChRs are involved in phototaxis of green algae. We show that heterologous expression of ChR2 is useful to manipulate intracellular pCa or membrane potential of animal cells, simply by illumination.
N interstitial and its interaction with substitutional Mg in p-type GaN
Authors: Wixom R. R. , Wright A. F.
Published: August 2005

Density-functional theory and the generalized gradient approximation were utilized to investigate the local-energy-minimum configurations and formation energies of N interstitials and their interaction with substitutional Mg in p-type GaN. Along with previously proposed configurations of the N interstitial, a new variant of the split interstitial is discussed. Split interstitials are more stable than the other configurations of the interstitial. The formation energies are such that N interstitials are not expected to form under equilibrium conditions, however, they may form during nonequilibrium processes and become mobile during annealing. The N interstitial is found to bind with substitutional Mg, with the binding energy of the complex being 0.75, 0.53, and 0.35 eV for the +2, +1, and neutral charge states of the complex.
Computer simulation of the 13 crystalline phases of ice
Authors: Baranyai András , Bartók Albert , Chialvo Ariel A.
Published: August 2005

As a reference for follow-up studies toward more accurate model parametrizations, we performed molecular-dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations for all known crystalline phases of ice, as described by the simple point-charge/extended and TIP4P water models. We started from the measured structures, densities, and temperatures, and carried out classical canonical simulations for all these arrangements. All simulated samples were cooled down close to 0 K to facilitate the comparison with theoretical estimates. We determined configurational internal energies as well as pressures, and monitored how accurately the measured configurations were preserved during the simulations. While these two models predicted very similar thermophysical and structural properties for water at ambient conditions, the predicted features for the corresponding ice polymorphs may differ significantly.
Femtosecond pulse shaping using a liquid–crystal display: Applications to depth profiling analysis
Authors: Samek Ota , Hommes Vanja , Hergenröder Roland , Kukhlevsky Sergei V.
Published: August 2005

We report on a beam shaping technique for femtosecond laser pulses based on a liquid-crystal display. The system is capable of modifying femtosecond Gaussian beams to a flattop beam. A pattern projected onto liquid-crystal display modifies the incoming Gaussian beam intensity so that flattop intensity profile is obtained. The process is monitored online using a charge-coupled device camera so that the intensity distribution of each pulse is known. An experimental example of the depth profile of a Cr layer on a Si substrate obtained using such a modified beam is presented.
Phase-separated Al–Si thin films
Authors: Fukutani Kazuhiko , Tanji Koichi , Saito Tatsuya , Den Tohru
Published: August 2005

Phase-separated Al–Si films composed of Al nanocylinders embedded in an amorphous-Si matrix have been prepared by a sputtering method. By controlling the deposition rate, substrate temperature, and film composition, the average diameter of the Al cylinders can be varied systematically from less than 5to13nm with a cylinder density ranging from 1015 to in excess of 1016cylindersm−2. A three-dimensional simulation of phase separation in binary thin films was performed using a modified Cahn-Hilliard [J. Chem. Phys. 28, 258 (1958)] equation to understand the growth mechanism. The simulation studies indicate that the surface diffusion length and film composition are important factors which determine film morphology. Experimental and simulation studies are compared and discussed.
Conducting In-doped CdTe oxide thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition
Authors: Castro-Rodríguez R. , Peña J. L. , Leccabue F. , Watts B. E. , Melioli E.
Published: August 2005

Conducting transparent oxide semiconductor In-doped CdTe oxide (ICTO) thin films (∼200nm thick) have been deposited by pulsed-laser deposition on glass substrates without a postdeposition anneal. The electrical, structural, and optical properties of these films have been investigated as a function of O2 partial pressures during the deposition. Films were deposited at substrate temperature of 420°C in oxygen partial pressures between 15 and 55mTorr. The resistivity is very sensitive to the oxygen deposition pressure; at 28.5mTorr the films show electrical resistivities as low as 9.4×10−3Ωcm, an average visible transmittance of ∼75.5%, and an optical band gap of 2.74eV.
Transversal load measurement based on twisted optical fibers
Authors: Pinto N. M. P. , Frazão O. , Baptista J. M. , Santos J. L.
Published: August 2005

An evaluation of two optical fiber sensing heads for measuring transversal load is presented. Their construction introduces power loss without the need of a pair of deformer plates and is based on crossing two fibers in braid-type (braid twisted), and of an optical fiber stretched out which is wrapped up by another one in spiral form (spiral twisted), respectively. For a higher sensitivity, the braid twisted configuration is preferable. Nevertheless, in both sensing heads, the sensitivity can be enhanced by decreasing the enrollment period and/or by choosing the appropriate encapsulation of the sensing head. Relative to resolution and hysteresis, the spiral twisted sensing head presented the best result. However, further work on the plasticity of the coatings is needed to decrease hysteresis. These configurations can be embedded in composite materials and used in many applications.
Design of a convection-cooled, cluster-based voltage divider chain for photomultiplier tubes
Authors: Gu Xi Bin , Guo Ying , Kawamura Ed , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: August 2005

A highly stable convection-cooled, cluster-based voltage divider chain for photomultiplier tubes has been designed and tested in single ion counting detection systems. Contrasting currently existing voltage divider chains, our unit does not require a cooling liquid to transfer the heat from the resistors and provides safer operation conditions inside ultrahigh vacuum systems utilized in the reaction dynamics community. The unit is enclosed in an air pocket inside an ultrahigh vacuum system so that outgassing of the photomultiplier tubes, resistors, and capacitors can be eliminated completely. The measured resistor chain currents of ±2% lie well within the tolerances of the resistors (±5%) and power supply (±1%) demonstrating that the convective cooling is actually efficient to sustain a stable signal. The monitored total ion current also depicts extremely low fluctuation of only 1.5%. The day-to-day reproducibility has been tested, too. We also demonstrate that a magnetic shielding of the photomultiplier tube and the resistor chain enhances the signal by about 15%.
Methods for the accurate analysis of channeling Rutherford backscattering spectrometry
Authors: Shao Lin , Nastasi Michael
Published: August 2005

The accuracy of quantitative analysis of disorder profiles in monocrystalline solids by using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry has been limited by the issues that: (1) the stopping power of channeled and nonchanneled particles differ substantially; (2) the backscattering of channeled particles from displaced atoms is hard to separate from the backscattering of dechanneled particles. In this study, we have developed a systematic approach to solve these problems by using (1) channeling stopping power to describe energy loss of incident beams for an accurate energy-depth conversion; and (2) an improved iteration process to separate the yield contribution from dechanneled ions. The unique iterative process developed in this study is able to accurately calculate the dechanneling fraction, the direct backscattering fraction and the dechanneling cross section.
A wheat genotype developed for rapid leaf growth copes well with the physical and biological constraints of unploughed soil
Authors: Watt Michelle , Kirkegaard John A. , Rebetzke Gregory J.
Published: August 2005

Conventional wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars grow slowly in unploughed soil because of physical and biological constraints. Here a conventional cultivar (Janz) is compared with a novel experimental line (Vigour 18), bred for high leaf vigour, to explore the hypothesis that a vigorous wheat grows better in unploughed soil. Roots of both genotypes in unploughed soil were three times more distorted with 30% shorter apices and 60% shorter expansion zones than roots in ploughed soil, because of voids between blocky peds and packed sand particles that impeded root apices. More than half the root length contacted dead, remnant roots. Vigour 18 roots grew 39% faster, were thicker and distorted less than Janz roots in unploughed soil, but developed similarly in ploughed soil. Vigour 18 shoots grew 64% faster in unploughed soil, but 15% faster in ploughed soil. Fumigation of unploughed soil improved the growth of Janz only. We suggest that faster root growth, different exudates promoting a more beneficial rhizosphere microflora, or modified shoot responses are possible mechanisms to explain Vigour 18’s superior growth. Vigorous genotypes may present a new opportunity for increased productivity with conservation farming.
Immune signaling pathways regulating bacterial and malaria parasite infection of the mosquito
Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Meister Stephan , Kanzok Stefan M. , Zheng Xue-li , Luna Coralia , Li Tong-Ruei , Hoa Ngo T. , Clayton John Randall , White Kevin P. , Kafatos Fotis C. , Christophides George K. , Zheng Liangbiao
Published: August 2005

We show that, in the malaria vector
Anopheles gambiae
, expression of Cecropin 1 is regulated by REL2, an NF-κB-like transcription factor orthologous to
Drosophila
Relish. Through alternative splicing,
REL2
produces a full-length (REL2-F) and a shorter (REL2-S) protein isoform lacking the inhibitory ankyrin repeats and death domain. RNA interference experiments show that, in contrast to
Drosophila
Relish, which responds solely to Gram-negative bacteria, the
Anopheles
REL2-F and REL2-S isoforms are involved in defense against the Gram-positive
Staphylococcus aureus
and the Gram-negative
Escherichia coli
bacteria, respectively. REL2-F also regulates the intensity of mosquito infection with the malaria parasite,
Plasmodium berghei
. The adaptor IMD shares the same activities as REL2-F. Microarray analysis identified 10 additional genes regulated by REL2, including
CEC3
,
GAM1
, and
LRIM1
.
The transformation of scholarly communication
Authors: Warner Simeon
Published: August 2005

Recent debate on the reform of scholarly communication has focused on access issues. Although important, access is only one dimension in which the scholarly process can be transformed. Scholars are embracing highly collaborative and data‐intensive standards of practice influenced by powerful computing and network technologies. This dramatic transformation of scholarship demands a natively digital, network‐based scholarly communication system that is able to capture the scholarly record, make it accessible, and preserve it over time. I will offer a technological perspective on how these demands might be met.
Effects of growth phase and the developmentally significant bldA-specified tRNA on the membrane-associated proteome of Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Kim Dae-Wi , Chater Keith F. , Lee Kye-Joon , Hesketh Andy
Published: August 2005

Previous proteomic analyses of Streptomyces coelicolor by two-dimensional electrophoresis and protein mass fingerprinting focused on extracts from total cellular material. Here, the membrane-associated proteome of cultures grown in a liquid minimal medium was partially characterized. The products of some 120 genes were characterized from the membrane fraction, with 70 predicted to possess at least one transmembrane helix. A notably high proportion of ABC transporter systems was represented; the specific types detected provided a snapshot of the nutritional requirements of the mycelium. The membrane-associated proteins did not change very much in abundance in different phases of growth in liquid minimal medium. Identification of gene products not expected to be present in membrane protein extracts led to a reconsideration of the genome annotation in two cases, and supplemented scarce information on 11 hypothetical/conserved hypothetical proteins of unknown function. The wild-type membrane proteome was compared with that of a bldA mutant lacking the only tRNA capable of efficient translation of the rare UUA (leucine) codon. Such mutants are unaffected in vegetative growth but are defective in many aspects of secondary metabolism and morphological differentiation. There were a few clear changes in the membrane proteome of the mutant. In particular, two hypothetical proteins (SCO4244 and SCO4252) were completely absent from the bldA mutant, and this was associated with the TTA-containing regulatory gene SCO4263. Evidence for the control of a cluster of function-unknown genes by the SCO4263 regulator revealed a new aspect of the pleiotropic bldA phenotype.
Conserved indels in essential proteins that are distinctive characteristics of Chlamydiales and provide novel means for their identification
Authors: Griffiths Emma , Petrich Astrid K. , Gupta Radhey S.
Published: August 2005

All known chlamydiae are either proven human or animal pathogens or possess such potential. Due to increasing reports of chlamydiae diversity in the environment, it is important to develop reliable means for identifying and characterizing Chlamydiales species. The identification of environmental chlamydiae at present relies on their branching pattern in 16S rRNA trees, as well as 16S/23S consensus motifs which display variability. At present, no reliable molecular signatures are known which are unique to all Chlamydiales species. Besides the rRNAs, sequence information for different Chlamydiales is not available for any other gene sequence. In this report, a number of molecular signatures are described that consist of conserved inserts and deletions (indels), in widely distributed proteins [RNA polymerase α subunit (RpoA), elongation factor (EF)-Tu, EF-P, DNA gyrase B subunit (GyrB) and lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS)], that are distinctive characteristics of all available chlamydiae homologues (from Chlamydiaeceae species and Parachlamydiae sp. UWE25) and not found in any other bacteria. Using PCR primers for highly conserved regions in these proteins, the corresponding fragments of these genes from Simkania negevensis, Waddlia chondrophila, and in a number of cases for Neochlamydia hartmanellae, covering all families within the phylum Chlamydiae, have been cloned and sequenced. The shared presence of the identified signatures in these species provides strong evidence that these molecular signatures are distinctive characteristics of the entire order Chlamydiales and can be used to reliably determine the presence of chlamydiae or chlamydia-related organisms in environmental samples. The sequence information for these protein fragments was also used to determine the interrelationships among chlamydiae species. In a phylogenetic tree based on a combined dataset of sequences from RpoA, EF-Tu, EF-P and GyrB, the environmental chlamydiae (i.e. Simkania, Waddlia and Parachlamydia) and the traditional Chlamydiaceae (i.e. Chlamydophila and Chlamydia) formed two distinct clades. Similar relationships were also observed in individual protein phylogenies, as well as in a 16S rRNA tree for the same species. These results provide evidence that the divergence between the traditional Chlamydiaceae species and the other chlamydiae families occurred very early in the evolution of this group of bacteria.
The evolution of internet business strategy
Authors: Rowley Jennifer
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the estate agency sector as a case study of an industry sector in which the internet business model has evolved from experimental dot.com towards the integrated use of the internet to enhance service delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected by visiting a range of property related sites, including property portals and the sites of individual estate agents. The focus is on UK property sites, but some comparisons are made with US sites. The services offered by property portals are discussed and used to illustrate the potential role of the internet in estate agency.

Findings

Portals provide content in the form of information, advice and news, links to other businesses including individual estate agency chains, search facilities, and opportunities for registration which support personalisation of communication with customers. Individual estate agency chains generally have less developed, but adequate, web sites. The sector is described as having evolved through the three stages of experimentation, promotion, customer service, and, for the future, the final stage of optimal integration of the internet into business functions is on the horizon.

Originality/value

Building on an earlier model of the strategic development of e‐business, a four‐stage model of the evolution of internet estate agency is proposed, which includes experimentation, promotion, customer service, and integration. Research and development agendas associated with this final stage, integration, are identified.
Applying the service profit chain to analyse retail performance
Authors: Pritchard Michael , Silvestro Rhian
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply Heskett, Sasser and Schlesinger's service profit chain to a single retail service with a view to developing a better understanding of the performance linkages between employee perceptions and performance, customer perceptions and behaviour, and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was based on the case study of a UK home improvement store chain. Measures of each of the variables in the service profit chain were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, with a dataset based on 75 stores.

Findings

Although analysis of the performance relationships revealed many interesting correlations, the data lent little support for some of the expected linkages; in particular, the “satisfaction mirror” effect between employee and customer satisfaction and loyalty, and the link between customer loyalty and financial performance. The possible asymmetries and non‐linearity of certain performance relationships may also have added to the difficulty in applying the model to this organisation. Furthermore, the study revealed many performance linkages between variables which are not aligned in the service profit chain model.

Originality/value

The value of the paper lies in the conclusions directed at both practising managers and academics. It is contended that the service profit chain model cannot be applied generically to services but that managers should undertake the development of context‐specific models of their organisations. Unquestioning acceptance of Heskettet al.'s configuration of the service profit chain may indeed constrain managerial understanding of the complexities of business performance; whilst there is also a danger of applying a strait‐jacket to academic thinking on performance relationships and performance improvement.
Customer confidence: the development of a “pre‐experience” concept
Authors: Flanagan Paul , Johnston Robert , Talbot Derek
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the concept of “confidence”, to assess its relationship with customer contact and to identify the dimensions and triggers of “confidence” in an important organisation with which many people may have only limited contact.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was commissioned by the Northamptonshire Police in the UK and was based on data collected through focus groups held in the area. The groups were split into individuals who had limited contact with the police and individuals who had traumatic dealings with the police (e.g. had been the victim of a serious crime).

Findings

The findings supported earlier research which suggested that there was a fall in confidence after contact with the police. The analysis of the discussions revealed four key dimensions of confidence (i.e. what made people feel confident). Several types of confidence triggers were also identified, over some of which the police have control, pre‐contact, during contact and post‐contact.

Research limitations/implications

The research focused on one public sector organisation using a small number of focus group interviews.

Originality/value

Organisations can influence, at least to some extent, consumer confidence before use. The research also questions whether some organisations should assess confidence rather than, or in addition to, satisfaction.
East German women in management
Authors: Loderstedt Katja
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To address the research gap on East German women managers and to examine some of the experiences of post‐socialist East German women who entered management positions during 1990s. The discussion focuses on the nature of women's commitment to career and organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presented adopts a methodology based on a qualitative approach, the grounded theory approach as developed by Glaser. One‐to‐one, semi‐structured interviews were carried out in 2000 with 24 East German women managers and five human resource managers in eight companies located in Eastern Germany, headquartered in Western Germany.

Findings

The case of post‐socialist East German women managers shows that gender can in fact become secondary criterion in employing women managers. It was revealed that opportunities for advancement were greater for East German female managers than West German managers due to the existence of childcare and women's programmes. The support structures, however, are currently being dismantled and women's growth and development in management levels is uncertain. The data show that women managers have coped with transition very effectively and are highly committed to their organisation and their career. However, their high commitment needs to be understood in relative terms as it is strongly context‐related.

Research limitations/implications

Considering the qualitative nature of this study research results should not be generalised, rather they serve as a base for future research.

Practical implications

Particularly, the identification of personnel strategies employed towards post‐socialist women managers and an insight into East German women's commitment could benefit HR practitioners.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited literature on women in management Hungary as well as literature on women in post‐socialism.
What can be learnt from subject review?
Authors: Ottewill Roger
Published: August 2005

Purpose

To consider the shortcomings and strengths of the subject review process with a view to identifying criteria that might be used to assess the value of externally administered quality assurance processes in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Use is made of material from a variety of secondary sources blended with personal reflections on the experience gained from undertaking a project for LTSN BEST (Business Education Support Team), the aim of which was to establish what could be learned from the content of the 164 subject review reports for business and management issued during 2000/2001.

Findings

Much of the evidence indicates that subject review generated strong negative feelings on the part of many in higher education. However, while critics tended to make the running, there was an alternative point of view that was expressed a little more circumspectly.

Practical implications

In shaping the quality assurance processes of the future, due account should be taken not only of the concerns of those who criticised subject review but also of the stance of its defenders.

Originality/value

With the issue of quality remaining high on the higher education agenda, appraisals of past practice have an important part to play in guiding the way forward.
The second‐hand clothing distribution channel
Authors: Mhango Mary W. , Niehm Linda S.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This preliminary study describes the Malawi second‐hand clothing market and recommends strategies for improved distribution by entrepreneurs. We explore the potential for formal retailing of second‐hand clothing in Malawi and present avenues for further research on the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical content analysis was conducted using data from secondary sources. Data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification allowed for organization and compression of information, and assisted in identification of research gaps.

Findings

Preliminary findings suggest organizational structure and effective distribution channel relationships may lead small‐scale entrepreneurial ventures to grow in the Malawi formal market. It is apparent that second‐hand clothing retail entrepreneurs have significant location and resource advantages to leverage in the Malawi domestic market.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis was based on limited literature given the undocumented nature of Malawi retailing and the second‐hand apparel market. Potential research phases that could build from this study includes ethnographic study of current second‐hand clothing distribution and consumption practices in the Malawi context, stakeholders' perspectives on formalizing the second‐hand clothing trade, and a feasibility study on entrepreneurial training and start‐up program for small formal retailers of second‐hand apparel.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the second‐hand clothing trade as an under researched area with much fruitful potential for future study. Also the proposed framework for understanding retail development and distribution of second‐hand clothing from an embedded market perspective may be transferable to other developing nations who rely heavily on second‐hand clothing to meet consumer apparel needs.
Knowledge‐processing capabilities and innovative performance: an empirical study
Authors: Jantunen Ari
Published: August 2005

Purpose

Knowledge‐based assets and organizational learning capabilities are recognized to be critical for firm's innovation activities. The process of creating new knowledge requires acquiring useful data and information, and utilizing it effectively in its internal innovation activities. To manage external knowledge, firms need absorptive capacity. The purpose of this study is to present the concept of the firm's absorptive capacity as a multidimensional, dynamic construct consisting of capabilities for organizational knowledge processing.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on results from a large‐scale survey. The empirical data used in the study comprises of 217 Finnish firms from seven different industry sectors. The hypotheses were tested by means of hierarchical linear regression analysis.

Findings

The results of the empirical tests give some support to the view that it is not only the firm's knowledge stock but also its knowledge flows that are crucial for sustaining innovative performance. The regression estimation shows that knowledge‐utilization capabilities were reflected in the firm's innovative performance.

Research limitations/implications

As the data used in the study was cross‐sectional, the causal relationships and the sustainability of innovative performance cannot be captured. Avenues for further research include the interaction between the firm's knowledge base, knowledge processes and innovativeness.

Practical implications

This study emphasizes the importance of the firm's ability to utilize and renew its knowledge base effectively. In order to utilize externally generated knowledge, firms need an ability to internalize it and then combine the information and new insights with the existing knowledge base.

Originality/value

As only little empirical research has been conducted on the impact of knowledge‐processing capabilities on the firm's innovative performance, the empirical evidence reported here makes a valuable contribution in this highly important area.
Examining risk reporting in UK public companies
Authors: Linsley Philip M. , Shrives Philip J.
Published: August 2005

Purpose

This paper examines risk information disclosed by UK public companies within their annual reports. The types of risk information disclosed are analyzed and the authors examine whether a relationship exists between company size or level of risk and risk disclosure totals.

Design/methodology/approach

No prior empirical studies of the risk information content of annual reports have been undertaken. To analyze the risk disclosures, a sentence‐based approach was used.

Findings

Overall the results indicate that the companies sampled are not providing a complete picture of the risks they face. There is minimal disclosure of quantified risk information and a significant proportion of risk disclosures consist of generalized statements of risk policy. More usefully directors are releasing forward‐looking risk information. The principal driver affecting levels of risk disclosure is company size and not company risk level.

Research limitations/implications

Further risk disclosure research is possible in many different areas. Cross‐country studies could be undertaken as could risk disclosure studies within specific industry sectors. A limitation of the sentence‐based methodology is that it does not measure the quality of the risk disclosures and therefore different methods may be adopted in future studies.

Practical implications

Professional bodies attempting to improve risk reporting have not convinced directors of the benefits associated with greater voluntary risk disclosure. In the UK this has led to a mandatory requirement to provide better risk information being forced upon companies through legislation enacted by the UK government.

Originality/value

The area this paper researches is of particular importance given recent accounting scandals that have occurred. No previous risk disclosure studies have been published, therefore this exploration is also valuable in linking risk management and transparency.
t‐statistics for weighted means in credit risk modeling
Authors: Goldberg Lisa R. , Kercheval Alec N. , Lee Kiseop
Published: August 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a generalization of the familiar two‐sample t‐test for equality of means to the case where the sample values are to be given unequal weights. This is a natural situation in financial risk modeling when some samples are considered more reliable than others in predicting a common mean. We also describe an example with real credit data showing that ignoring this modification of the two‐sample test can lead to the wrong statistical conclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

We follow the analysis of the classical two‐sample tests in the more general situation of weighted means. We also test our methods against some market data to assess the importance of the findings.

Findings

We formulate some explicit test statistics that should be used when the sample values are to be assigned differing known weights. Different cases are presented depending on how much is known about the variances. In the most typical case (the unpooled two‐sample test), we approximate the test statistic with a t‐distribution. Proofs are given where possible.

Research limitations/implications

In the unpooled case, we still only have an approximate t‐distribution. This is related to the classical Behrens‐Fisher problem, which is still not fully solved. We also focus on the case where the sample values are normally distributed. It would be valuable to see how far the discussion can be extended to non‐normal distributions.

Practical implications

Researchers should use the two‐sample test statistics given in this paper instead of the standard ones when testing for equality of weighted means.

Originality/value

Weighted means occur frequently in situations when the credibility or reliability of data vary. However, standard tests for equality of means do not take weights into account. These results will be of value to any researchers studying statistical means of data of varying reliability, such as corporate bond spreads.