bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence That Barley 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase Kinase Is a Member of the Sucrose Nonfermenting-1-Related Protein Kinase Family
Authors: Barker JHA. , Slocombe S. P. , Ball K. L. , Hardie D. G. , Shewry P. R. , Halford N. G.
Published: July 2002

A protein kinase was partially purified from barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Sundance) endosperm by ammonium sulfate fractionation, followed by ion-exchange, Reactive Blue, Mono-Q, and phosphocellulose chromatography. It was shown to phosphorylate Arabidopsis 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and a synthetic peptide that was shown previously to act as a substrate for HMG-CoA reductase kinase purified from cauliflower, confirming it to be barley HMG-CoA reductase kinase. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the partially purified preparation showed the presence of a polypeptide with an approximate relative molecular weight (Mr) of 60,000, which is the size predicted for the barley sucrose nonfermenting-1 (SNF1)-related protein kinases BKIN2 and BKIN12. Antisera were raised to a rye (Secale cereale L.) SNF1-related protein kinase (RKIN1) expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion with maltose-binding protein and to a synthetic peptide with a sequence that is conserved in, and specific to, plant members of the SNF1-related protein kinase family. The maltose-binding protein-RKIN1 fusion protein antiserum recognized a doublet of polypeptides with an approximate Mr of 60,000 in crude endosperm extracts and a single polypeptide in root extracts, which co-migrated with the smaller polypeptide in the endosperm doublet. Both antisera recognized a polypeptide with an approximate Mr of 60,000 in the partially purified protein kinase preparation, suggesting strongly that barley HMG-CoA reductase kinase is a member of the SNF1-related protein kinase family.
Maize Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Has Tyrosine Ammonia-Lyase Activity
Authors: Rosler J. , Krekel F. , Amrhein N. , Schmid J.
Published: July 2002

A full-length cDNA encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) from Zea mays L. was isolated and the coding region was expressed in Escherichia coli as a C-terminal fusion to glutathione S-transferase. After purification by glutathione-Sepharose chromatography, the glutathione S-transferase moiety was cleaved off and the resulting PAL enzyme analyzed. In contrast to PAL from dicots, this maize PAL isozyme catalyzed the deamination of both L-phenylalanine (PAL activity) and L-tyrosine (tyrosine ammonialyase activity). These results provide unequivocal proof that PAL and tyrosine ammonia-lyase activities reside in the same polypeptide. In spite of large differences in the Michaelis constant and turnover number of the two activities, their catalytic efficiencies are very similar. Also, both activities have the same pH and temperature optima. These results imply that maize can produce p-coumaric acid from both phenylalanine and tyrosine.
Structure of the CAC1 Gene and in Situ Characterization of Its Expression (The Arabidopsis thaliana Gene Coding for the Biotin-Containing Subunit of the Plastidic Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase)
Authors: Ke J. , Choi J. K. , Smith M. , Horner H. T. , Nikolau B. J. , Wurtele E. S.
Published: July 2002

The CAC1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana that codes for the biotin carboxyl-carrier subunit of the heteromeric acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase was isolated and sequenced. CAC1 is a single-copy gene interrupted by six introns. Subcellular immunogold labeling indicates that the biotin carboxyl-carrier subunit is localized in the stroma of the plastids and chloroplasts. The CAC1 mRNA accumulates throughout developing embryos and ovules of siliques at a time of rapid growth and oil accumulation (7 d after flowering), but is present at much lower levels in wall cells and central septal cells of the silique. Immunolocalization studies show that the pattern of accumulation of the biotin carboxyl-carrier subunit within the siliques and leaves is similar to that of the CAC1 mRNA. These observations indicate that the cellular pattern of biotin carboxyl-carrier protein accumulation in the developing silique may be determined by the transcriptional activity of the CAC1 gene.
Immunological Detection of Potential Signal-Transduction Proteins Expressed during Wheat Somatic Tissue Culture
Authors: Nato A. , Mirshahi A. , Tichtinsky G. , Mirshahi M. , Faure J. P. , Lavergne D. , De Buyser J. , Jean C. , Ducreux G. , Henry Y.
Published: July 2002

An immunochemical approach was used to detect the expression of putative guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), arrestin, and nucleoside diphosphate kinases during wheat (Triticum aestivum) tissue culture initiated from immature embryos. Both the soluble and membrane extracts from the immature embryos revealed bands of 58, 40, and 16 kD with antibodies to G-protein (α- subunit), arrestin, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase, respectively. These proteins were overexpressed in vitro in both nonembryogenic callus and embryogenic cultures. An additional soluble protein (32 kD) was detected by anti-Gα- antibodies in cultured tissues but not in immature embryos, suggesting a possible function in cell multiplication. Moreover, somatic embryogenesis was associated with the appearance of a 29-kD protein reactive with anti-arrestin antibodies, both in soluble and membrane fractions. Tissue-cultured genetic stocks of Chinese Spring wheat, including the disomic, 36 ditelosomic, and 6 nullisomic-tetrasomic wheat lines, were used to ascertain the chromosomal location of the genes encoding the 29-kD arrestin-like protein. The lack of a signal with the nonembryogenic ditelosomic 3 D short chromosome arm line suggests that the 3 D long chromosome arm possesses at least one gene involved in the expression of the 29-kD protein. The putative role of the 29-kD protein in signal-transduction regulating embryogenesis is discussed.
Light Regulation of the Abundance of mRNA Encoding a Nucleolin-Like Protein Localized in the Nucleoli of Pea Nuclei
Authors: Tong C. G. , Reichler S. , Blumenthal S. , Balk J. , Hsieh H. L. , Roux S. J.
Published: July 2002

A cDNA encoding a nucleolar protein was selected from a pea (Pisum sativum) plumule library, cloned, and sequenced. The translated sequence of the cDNA has significant percent identity to Xenopus laevis nucleolin (31%), the alfalfa (Medicago sativa) nucleolin homolog (66%), and the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) nucleolin homolog (NSR1) (28%). It also has sequence patterns in its primary structure that are characteristic of all nucleolins, including an N-terminal acidic motif, RNA recognition motifs, and a C-terminal Gly- and Arg-rich domain. By immunoblot analysis, the polyclonal antibodies used to select the cDNA bind selectively to a 90kD protein in purified pea nuclei and nucleoli and to an 88-kD protein in extracts of Escherichia coli expressing the cDNA. In immunolocalization assays of pea plumule cells, the antibodies stained primarily a region surrounding the fibrillar center of nucleoli, where animal nucleolins are typically found. Southern analysis indicated that the pea nucleolin-like protein is encoded by a single gene, and northern analysis showed that the labeled cDNA binds to a single band of RNA, approximately the same size as the cDNA. After irradiation of etiolated pea seedlings by red light, the mRNA level in plumules decreased during the 1st hour and then increased to a peak of six times the 0-h level at 12 h. Far-red light reversed this effect of red light, and the mRNA accumulation from red/far-red light irradiation was equal to that found in the dark control. This indicates that phytochrome may regulate the expression of this gene.
Protein Phosphorylation as a Mechanism for Osmotic-Stress Activation of Sucrose-Phosphate Synthase in Spinach Leaves
Authors: Toroser D. , Huber S. C.
Published: July 2002

Experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) activation by osmotic stress in darkened spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves. The activation was stable through immunopurification and was not the result of an increased SPS protein level. The previously described Ca2+, independent peak III kinase, obtained by ion-exchange chromatography, is confirmed to be the predominant enzyme catalyzing phosphorylation and inactivation of dephosphoserine-158-SPS. A new, Ca2+-dependent SPS-protein kinase activity (peak IV kinase) was also resolved and shown to phosphorylate and activate phosphoserine-158-SPS in vitro. The peak IV kinase also phosphorylated a synthetic peptide (SP29) based on the amino acid sequence surrounding serine-424, which also contains the motif described for the serine-158 regulatory phosphorylation site; i.e. basic residues at P-3 and P-6 and a hydrophobic residue at P-5. Peak IV kinase had a native molecular weight of approximately 150,000 as shown by gel filtration. The SP29 peptide was not phosphorylated by the inactivating peak III kinase. Osmotically stressed leaves showed increased peak IV kinase activity with the SP29 peptide as a substrate. Tryptic 32P-phosphopeptide analysis of SPS from excised spinach leaves fed [32P]inorganic P showed increased phosphorylation of the tryptic peptide containing serine-424. Therefore, at least part of the osmotic stress activation of SPS in dark leaves results from phosphorylation of serine-424 catalyzed by a Ca2+-dependent, 150-kD protein kinase.
Stepwise Photoinhibition of Photosystem II1
Authors: Mulo Paula , Laakso Susana , Mäenpää Pirkko , Aro Eva-Mari
Published: July 2002

Several mutant strains ofSynechocystis sp. PCC 6803 with large deletions in the D-E loop of the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center polypeptide D1 were subjected to high light to investigate the role of this hydrophilic loop in the photoinhibition cascade of PSII. The tolerance of PSII to photoinhibition in the autotrophic mutant ΔR225-F239 (PD), when oxygen evolution was monitored with 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone and the equal susceptibility compared with control when monitored with bicarbonate, suggested an inactivation of the QB-binding niche as the first event in the photoinhibition cascade in vivo. This step in PD was largely reversible at low light without the need for protein synthesis. Only the next event, inactivation of QA reduction, was irreversible and gave a signal for D1 polypeptide degradation. The heterotrophic deletion mutants ΔG240-V249 and ΔR225-V249 had severely modified QB pockets, yet exhibited high rates of 2,6-dichloro-p-benzoquinone-mediated oxygen evolution and less tolerance to photoinhibition than PD. Moreover, the protein-synthesis-dependent recovery of PSII from photoinhibition was impaired in the ΔG240-V249 and ΔR225-V249 mutants because of the effects of the mutations on the expression of the psbA-2gene. No specific sequences in the D-E loop were found to be essential for high rates of D1 polypeptide degradation.
Expression Patterns Conferred by Tyrosine/Dihydroxyphenylalanine Decarboxylase Promoters from Opium Poppy Are Conserved in Transgenic Tobacco1
Authors: Facchini Peter J. , Penzes-Yost Catherine , Samanani Nailish , Kowalchuk Brett
Published: July 2002

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) contains a large family of tyrosine/dihydroxyphenylalanine decarboxylase (tydc) genes involved in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and cell wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acid amides. Eight members from two distinct gene subfamilies have been isolated, tydc1,tydc4, tydc6, tydc8, andtydc9 in one group and tydc2,tydc3, and tydc7 in the other. Thetydc8 and tydc9 genes were located 3.2 kb apart on one genomic clone, suggesting that the family is clustered. Transcripts for most tydc genes were detected only in roots. Only tydc2 and tydc7 revealed expression in both roots and shoots, and TYDC3 mRNAs were the only specific transcripts detected in seedlings. TYDC1, TYDC8, and TYDC9 mRNAs, which occurred in roots, were not detected in elicitor-treated opium poppy cultures. Expression of tydc4, which contains a premature termination codon, was not detected under any conditions. Five tydc promoters were fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene in a binary vector. All constructs produced transient GUS activity in microprojectile-bombarded opium poppy and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell cultures. The organ- and tissue-specific expression pattern oftydc promoter-GUS fusions in transgenic tobacco was generally parallel to that of corresponding tydc genes in opium poppy. GUS expression was most abundant in the internal phloem of shoot organs and in the stele of roots. Select tydcpromoter-GUS fusions were also wound induced in transgenic tobacco, suggesting that the basic mechanisms of developmental and inducibletydc regulation are conserved across plant species.
The Responses of Cytochrome Redox State and Energy Metabolism to Dehydration Support a Role for Cytoplasmic Viscosity in Desiccation Tolerance
Authors: Leprince Olivier , Hoekstra Folkert A.
Published: July 2002

To characterize the depression of metabolism in anhydrobiotes, the redox state of cytochromes and energy metabolism were studied during dehydration of soaked cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cotyledons and pollens ofTypha latifolia and Impatiens glandulifera. Between water contents (WC) of 1.0 and 0.6 g H2O/g dry weight (g/g), viscosity as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy increased from 0.15 to 0.27 poise. This initial water loss was accompanied by a 50% decrease in respiration rates, whereas the adenylate energy charge remained constant at 0.8, and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) remained fully oxidized. From WC of 0.6 to 0.2 g/g, viscosity increased exponentially. The adenylate energy charge declined to 0.4 in seeds and 0.2 in pollen, whereas COX became progressively reduced. At WC of less than 0.2 g/g, COX remained fully reduced, whereas respiration ceased. When dried under N2, COX remained 63% reduced in cotyledons until WC was 0.7 g/g and was fully reduced at 0.2 g/g. During drying under pure O2, the pattern of COX reduction was similar to that of air-dried tissues, although the maximum reduction was 70% in dried tissues. Thus, at WC of less than 0.6 g/g, the reduction of COX probably originates from a decreased O2 availability as a result of the increased viscosity and impeded diffusion. We suggest that viscosity is a valuable parameter to characterize the relation between desiccation and decrease in metabolism. The implications for desiccation tolerance are discussed.
Overexpression of Glutathione Synthetase in Indian Mustard Enhances Cadmium Accumulation and Tolerance1
Authors: Liang Zhu Yong , Pilon-Smits Elizabeth A.H. , Jouanin Lise , Terry Norman
Published: July 2002

An important pathway by which plants detoxify heavy metals is through sequestration with heavy-metal-binding peptides called phytochelatins or their precursor, glutathione. To identify limiting factors for heavy-metal accumulation and tolerance, and to develop transgenic plants with an increased capacity to accumulate and/or tolerate heavy metals, the Escherichia coli gshII gene encoding glutathione synthetase (GS) was overexpressed in the cytosol of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The transgenic GS plants accumulated significantly more Cd than the wild type: shoot Cd concentrations were up to 25% higher and total Cd accumulation per shoot was up to 3-fold higher. Moreover, the GS plants showed enhanced tolerance to Cd at both the seedling and mature-plant stages. Cd accumulation and tolerance were correlated with thegshII expression level. Cd-treated GS plants had higher concentrations of glutathione, phytochelatin, thiol, S, and Ca than wild-type plants. We conclude that in the presence of Cd, the GS enzyme is rate limiting for the biosynthesis of glutathione and phytochelatins, and that overexpression of GS offers a promising strategy for the production of plants with superior heavy-metal phytoremediation capacity.
A Splice Site Mutant of Maize Activates Cryptic Splice Sites, Elicits Intron Inclusion and Exon Exclusion, and Permits Branch Point Elucidation
Authors: Lal Shailesh , Choi Jae-Hyuk , Shaw Janine R. , Hannah L. Curtis
Published: July 2002

DNA sequence analysis of thebt2-7503 mutant allele of the maizebrittle-2 gene revealed a point mutation in the 5′ terminal sequence of intron 3 changing GT to AT. This lesion completely abolishes use of this splice site, activates two cryptic splice sites, and alters the splicing pattern from extant splice sites. One activated donor site, located nine nt 5′ to the normal splice donor site, begins with the dinucleotide GC. While non-consensus, this sequence still permits both trans-esterification reactions of pre-mRNA splicing. A second cryptic site located 23 nt 5′ to the normal splice site and beginning with GA, undergoes the first trans-esterification reaction leading to lariat formation, but lacks the ability to participate in the second reaction. Accumulation of this splicing intermediate and use of an innovative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique (J. Vogel, R.H. Wolfgang, T. Borner [1997] Nucleic Acids Res 25: 2030–2031) led to the identification of 3′ intron sequences needed for lariat formation. In most splicing reactions, neither cryptic site is recognized. Most mature transcripts include intron 3, while the second most frequent class lacks exon 3. Traditionally, the former class of transcripts is taken as evidence for the intron definition of splicing, while the latter class has given credence to the exon definition of splicing.
Nitrogenase Activity in Alnus incana Root Nodules. Responses to O2 and Short-Term N2Deprivation
Authors: Lundquist Per-Olof
Published: July 2002

O2 and host-microsymbiont interactions are key factors affecting the physiology of N2-fixing symbioses. To determine the relationship among nitrogenase activity of Frankia-Alnus incana root nodules, O2 concentration, and short-term N2 deprivation, intact nodulated roots were exposed to various O2 pressures (pO2) and Ar:O2 in a continuous flow-through system. Nitrogenase activity (H2 production) occurred at a maximal rate at 20% O2. Exposure to short-term N2 deprivation in Ar:O2 carried out at either 17%, 21%, or 25% O2 caused a decline in the nitrogenase activity at 21% and 25% O2 by 12% and 25%, respectively. At 21% O2, nitrogenase activity recovered to initial activity within 60 min. The decline rate was correlated with the degree of inhibition of N2 fixation. Respiration (net CO2evolution) decreased in response to the N2 deprivation at all pO2 values and did not recover during the time in Ar:O2. Increasing the pO2 from 21% to 25% and decreasing the pO2 from 21% to 17% during the decline further decreased rather than stimulated nitrogenase activity, showing that the decline was not due to O2 limitation. The decline was possibly due to a temporary disturbance in the supply of reductant to nitrogenase with a partial O2 inhibition of nitrogenase at 25% O2. These results are consistent with a fixed O2 diffusion barrier in A. incana root nodules, and show that A. incana nodules differ from legume nodules in the response of the nitrogenase activity to O2 and N2 deprivation.
Auxin Metabolism in the Root Apical Meristem
Authors: Kerk Nancy M. , Jiang Keni , Feldman Lewis J.
Published: July 2002

Within the root meristem of flowering plants is a group of mitotically inactive cells designated the quiescent center (QC). Recent work links the quiescent state to high levels of the growth regulator auxin that accumulates in the QC via polar transport. This in turn results in elevated levels of the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO), resulting in a reduction of ascorbic acid (AA) within the QC and mitotic quiescence. We present evidence for additional interactions between auxin, AAO, and AA, and report that, in vitro, AAO oxidatively decarboxylates auxin, suggesting a mechanism for regulating auxin levels within the QC. We also report that oxidative decarboxylation occurs at the root tip and that an intact root cap must be present for this metabolic event to occur. Finally, we consider how interaction between auxin and AAO may influence root development by regulating the formation of the QC.
Superoxide Production by Plant Homologues of the gp91phox NADPH Oxidase. Modulation of Activity by Calcium and by Tobacco Mosaic Virus Infection
Authors: Sagi Moshe , Fluhr Robert
Published: July 2002

Genes encoding homologs of the gp91phox subunit of the plasma membrane NADPH oxidase complex have been identified in plants and are hypothesized to be a source of reactive oxygen species during defense responses. However, the direct involvement of the gene products in superoxide (O2  −) production has yet to be shown. A novel activity gel assay based on protein fractionation in native or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-denaturing polyacrylamide gels was developed. In native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, one or two major O2  −-producing formazan bands were detected in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv Moneymaker) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun, NN) plasma membranes, respectively. Denaturing fractionation of tomato and tobacco plasma membrane in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by regeneration of the in-gel activity, revealed NADPH-dependent O2  −-producing formazan bands of 106-, 103-, and 80- to 75-kD molecular masses. The SDS and native activity bands were dependent on NADPH and completely inhibited by diphenylene iodonium or CuZn- O2  − dismutase, indicating that the formazan precipitates were due to reduction by O2  − radicals catalyzed by an NADPH-dependent flavin containing enzyme. The source of the plasma membrane activity bands was confirmed by their cross-reaction with antibody prepared from the C terminus of the tomato gp91phoxhomolog. Membrane extracts as well as the in-gel NADPH oxidase activities were stimulated in the presence of Ca2+. In addition, the relative activity of the gp91phox homolog was enhanced in the plasma membrane of tobacco mosaic virus-infected leaves. Thus, in contrast to the mammalian gp91phox, the plant homolog can produce O2  − in the absence of additional cytosolic components and is stimulated directly by Ca2+.
The optimisation of wing structures ‐ theory or practice?
Authors: Butler Richard
Published: July 2002

Computer programs which model the static, dynamic and aeroelastic response of wing structures, and which permit optimisation of such structures, have been under development for more than 30 years. However, the industrial application of these programs remains small. This paper provides an overview of some of the existing optimisation methods which may be applied at various stages during the design of wing structures. An indication of the variety of design variables, constraints and objective functions available within these methods is given. Some general conclusions are drawn, about both the limitations and potential application of such structural optimisation techniques.
The role of initial teacher training in the promotion of a lifelong learning culture: a conflict of ideals?
Authors: Irving Barrie A.
Published: July 2002

This paper seeks to locate the concept of lifelong learning within the context of initial teacher training (ITT), and explores the extent to which these are congruent or contradictory ideals. It considers the mechanisms within ITT that serve to convey the key messages underpinning a lifelong learning philosophy. The value placed on the notion of lifelong learning within a “subject driven” learning environment is explored, along with the declared expectations of the future teaching role. Finally, the relationship between subject‐specific learning and broader learning aims will be discussed in relation to the teacher training curriculum. Moreover, the current ideology advocated by the Teacher Training Agency will be questioned in the light of the need for change. Clearly a lifelong learning culture will need to permeate all aspects of, and become an integral element within, ITT approaches and programmes if pupils are to receive a sound educational foundation that will enable them to cope with uncertain futures.
Employee‐led development: another piece of left luggage?
Authors: Hamblett John
Published: July 2002

The article explores the growth of EDAP‐style employee led development (ELD) schemes in the 1990s and critically appraises the arguments offered in their support. The dominant claims for ELD sit with equal comfort in the discourse of trade unionists promoting “bargaining for skills”, and managerialists promoting populist notions of the “learning company”. However, the article draws on recent research which suggests that ELD is better understood as a marginal addition to the effort‐reward bargain; a “fringe benefit”, a “way of giving something back” in a period characterised by an intensification of effort, upheaval and uncertainty. Its contribution, therefore, to the emergence of sustainable human resource development is minimal – at least in conventional terms. Through the exposition of two case studies a reformulated argument is offered which seeks to place ELD in a framework of theory and practice which is both more durable and liberating. The article concludes that the ability to make and act upon an informed and rational interpretation of one’s interests, as an individual, or as a member of a collective within the workplace, must surely be premised on the development of an ongoing educational process; a process toward which a reformulated notion of ELD may well contribute.
Contracts, complexity and contradictions
Authors: Mumford Enid
Published: July 2002

Examines the changing employment relationship between organizations and their staff. Analyses the relationship in terms of five contractual areas – knowledge requirements, psychological needs, efficiency demands, job design and ethical relations. Describes how a number of these informal contracts have become overweighted in favour of one partner to the contract – the employer, how each of the contract areas can be improved and the costs of not doing this. Also examines the changing role of personnel managers and trade unions and forecasts how these will respond to the employment situation of the future.
Rewarding failure: operating a performance‐related pay system in pharmaceutical research
Authors: Randle Keith
Published: July 2002

Suggests that heightening competition within the pharmaceutical sector means that improving performance in R&D is increasingly important. One approach to achieving this is to consider the introduction of financial incentives within reward systems. Considers the evidence for the success of performance‐related pay (PRP) systems arising from the relatively few empirical accounts available. Concludes that there is little concrete evidence that PRP improves the performance of either individuals or organizations. Concedes that where it can be demonstrated that employees are satisfied with a PRP system we might expect them to be motivated and this should have positive results on performance. Considers the operation of the PRP system within the research division of a major UK‐based multinational pharmaceutical company. Looks in detail at management operation of, and employee responses to, the system. Concludes that not only is it unpopular but it may have potentially serious dysfunctional side‐effects in an R&D environment.
Teamworking and service quality: the limits of employee involvement
Authors: Rees Chris
Published: July 2002

This article reports employee attitudes towards quality management (QM) at two organisations in the private services sector. It examines the nature and extent of employee involvement in QM through teamworking, describes the methods which managements use to encourage teamworking, and assesses the levels of responsibility and autonomy that teams have. Actual levels of discretion and responsibility afforded to teams are found to be low, and yet employees consistently report feeling a strong “sense of teamwork”. Managers are using various mechanisms to increasingly control or limit the extent of employee “‘empowerment”. At the same time, however, there is strong employee support for teams, and employees feel that teamworking allows them to have more input into problem‐solving and decision‐making. This article argues that what has occurred in each case is a “re‐organisation of control”, such that there has been a general increase in the level of employee involvement, but within increasingly defined and measurable limits.
Ownership in environmental management
Authors: Tamminen Rauno
Published: July 2002

In this article the meaning of ownership is considered. Three categories of ownership are recognized and the efforts to influence environmental leadership and management are analysed based on the relevant important documents from the last 15 years. The article starts by categorising ownership. Next, the question of who owns the right to lead/manage, and therefore the right to control the use of global resources, leads to a discussion of the influences of environmental problems on the theory of leadership and management. Finally, a short analysis of the battle of ownership is documented.
Robot applications in the Japanese food industry
Authors: Hamazawa Motohiro
Published: July 2002

Describes general considerations for the design of robots for use in the food industry and gives application examples for food handling and bag packing. Also discusses gripper designs.
Handling with ice – the cryo‐gripper, a new approach
Authors: Stephan Jörg , Seliger Guenther
Published: July 2002

Europe’s textile and clothing industry is facing competition as never before. To enhance its competitiveness in countries with high labour costs, its production as part of the textile chain has to be automated. Handling processes are especially in need of automation. To this day more than 80 per cent of production steps are done manually. The non‐linear material behaviour imposes significant difficulties when automating these processes. This paper presents an approach for flexible automated textile handling. After reviewing different current design principles of grippers for transportation, the influences of different fabric properties on handling capability are discussed. An alternative handling principle was selected and based on this technology a cryo‐gripper was developed. Based on specific material behaviour, gripper types are able to be chosen for best reliability in production processes. The design of the gripper and its handling features are described.
Surface texture inspection using conventional techniques applied to a photometrically acquired bump map
Authors: Smith M.L. , Farooq A.R. , Smith L.N. , Midha P.S.
Published: July 2002

The paper presents a new approach to texture analysis. The need for a more formal definition of the term surface texture is first identified, and an appropriate texture taxonomy proposed. A method of analysis is described, synthesising innovative elements of machine vision and computer graphics to achieve an object‐centred inspection technique, which is both robust and flexible in application. A selection of experimental results is presented in the paper.
The role of charismatic leadership in diffusion and implementation of e‐mail
Authors: Romm Celia , Pliskin Nava
Published: July 2002

Past research on electronic mail (e‐mail) has established this information technology as an effective means for achieving intra‐ and inter‐organizational co‐ordination. Current research on e‐mail has gone beyond the technical aspects of implementation to the non‐technical, namely, the social aspects. This paper follows the current trend by considering the role of leadership in diffusion and implementation of e‐mail. A case study which describes the introduction of e‐mail to a university community, is presented. The diffusion of e‐mail was strongly supported by the charismatic president of the university and was a technical success. It was, however, followed by a series of political events that undermined the leadership of the president. The discussion focuses on how leadership theories, paritcularly current theories on charismatic leadership, can explain the technical success of the project and its turbulent political side‐effects. The conclusions outline implications for managers and information systems practitioners.
An optimal control approach to the design of stacked‐ply composite flywheels
Authors: Thielman Scott , Fabien Brian C.
Published: July 2002

This paper presents a novel approach to the design of composite flywheels. Specifically, the paper determines the optimal orientation of fibers in a stacked ply composite disk arrangement. The equations of equilibrium represent the state equations for the system. Classical lamination theory is used to develop the constitutive relations for the composite disk. This allows the orientation of the fibers in the reinforcement ply to be treated as the control variable for the problem. The Tsai‐Wu criterion, which is used to predict failure of the flywheel, is taken as the performance index. Solutions to the optimal control problem yield disk designs that provide energy densities that are 13 percent greater than a benchmark design.
A 24 d.o.f. four‐node flat shell finite element for general unsymmetric orthotropic layered composites
Authors: Groenwold Albert A. , Stander Nielen
Published: July 2002

The constitutive relationship of a four‐node flat shell finite element with six degrees of freedom per node and a modified five‐point quadrature, previously presented by the authors, is extended to include symmetric and unsymmetric orthotropy. Through manipulation of the kinematic assumptions, provision is made for out‐of‐plane warp. A wide range of membrane and thin to moderately thick plate and shell examples are used to demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the resulting element.
Optimization of trusses using genetic algorithms for discrete and continuous variables
Authors: Ghasemi M.R. , Hinton E. , Wood R.D.
Published: July 2002

This paper demonstrates the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) for size optimization of trusses. The concept of rebirthing is shown to be considerably effective for problems involving continuous design variables. Some benchmark examples are studied involving 4‐bar, 10‐bar, 64‐bar, 200‐bar and 940‐bar two‐dimensional trusses. Both continuous and discrete variables are considered.
The trauma of organizational change
Authors: Stuart Roger
Published: July 2002

Looks beneath the surface of much of the rhetoric and “ought to be”s of organizational change ‐ a world of learners and change masters ‐ to a “real” perceived and experienced world where managers are struggling with ‐ what for them are ‐ the experienced traumas of change. This is a world where individual managers are attempting to survive the trauma which is more usually associated with disasters or catastrophes, and even abuse. Sets out to clarify the meaning of such terms as trauma, catastrophe, abuse, victim and survivor and their significance in the context of organizational change. Urges the instigators, initiators, implementors and facilitators of change in organizations to face up to and consider the implications of managers’ experienced trauma. Although not arguing against the need for organizations to embark on significant and continuing change attempts, prompts a calculation of the real costs of such changes in terms of their short‐ and long‐term consequences.
Effect of slot depth on the permeance of aligned teeth in a doubly‐salient rectilinear toothed structure
Authors: Faiz Jawad , Finch John W.
Published: July 2002

Effect of slot depth on the evaluation of permeance in the aligned position for identically slotted rectilinear tooth geometry can be carried out using conformal transformations. Consequent increase of permeance is related to the airgap proportion ratios; tooth‐width to tooth‐pitch, t/λ; tooth‐pitch to airgap dimension, λ/g; and slot‐depth to slot‐d/s; through two intermediate parameters. Efficient search routine is used to find a suitable combination of these two parameters corresponding to given proportions of tooth and slot. For λ/g larger than 80 and d/s between 0.3 and 1, the effect of slot depth is negligible, but for λ/g equal to or less than 80 a family of permeance correction factor curves is obtained which may be used to correct for finite slot depth in permeance calculations based on infinitely deep slots. This effect is important in stepping and switched reluctance motors, particularly those with multiple teeth per stator pole.
New developments in agonistic antagonistic systems science: variable parameters, partial derivatives, medical applications
Authors: Bernard‐Weil Elie , Mikol F.
Published: July 2002

Agonistic antagonistic system theory and praxis were born in the medical field, but may be defined now from an epistemological and biomathematical point of view. Describes new developments in agonistic antagonistic (AA) theory and presents new applications. These include new mathematical approaches that involve variable parameters and partial derivatives in models for the regulation of AA couples (MRAAC). Gives new biomedical applications and, in explanation, a mechanism called “pathological homeostasis” (PH) is introduced. Also provides details of therapeutical trials. Suggests systems science or cybernetical strategies which are likely to have a broad field of application, particularly among decision makers in general.
Synthetic reaction of rosin‐modified phenolic resin for offset inks
Authors: Wang Zhengqing , Gao Piying , Chen Pin
Published: July 2002

The synthetic reaction of rosin‐modified phenolic resin used as a vehicle for offset inks was studied. The two‐step synthetic process to feed resol by dropping was adopted to control the formation of methylene quinone, which was derived from the dehydration of hydroxymethyl phenol. The methylene quinone could react with rosin and vegetable oil to form dibenzopyran cyclic product by Diels‐Alder reaction. The dibenzopyran cyclic product was favourable for raising the molecular weight and the mineral oil tolerance of the modified resin.
Managing Training for Special Educational Needs
Authors: Johnson Mel , Wright Mike , Hornby Garry
Published: July 2002

Schools face a formidable task as they come to terms with the effective
management of the special educational needs response in the light of
changes in culture, legislation and public expectations. Explores new
ground in the development of flexible training modules which are
designed to be practical and relevant for schools. These modules are
designed collaboratively between serving teachers, LEA staff and local
providers of accredited training. The process which has evolved ensures
flexibility and maximizes the most efficient use of GEST and LEA
funding.
Parental participation in school councils in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Chan Benjamin Y.M. , Sheung Chui Hong
Published: July 2002

Presents a study which investigated how school councils operate in the Australian state of Victoria and how parent councillors participate in the affairs of the school council. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey on 172 schools, as well as visits to schools and attendance at school council meetings. Proposes a theoretical model linking personal, institutional and community‐related factors to the successful operation of the school council. Uses data collected in the survey to test and confirm the model by using structural modelling analysis. Concludes that most of the parent councillors are relatively highly educated and the working class is under‐represented in school councils. Finds several factors to be positively associated with successful operation of school councils: the readiness of and mutual acceptance between parents and teachers; commitment of principal; parents’ satisfaction with their participation; and parents’ contribution and donations to the school.
Background, psycho‐social factors and substance use: their effects on high school seniors’ perceptions of their education
Authors: Heck Ronald H. , Voliter Robert C.
Published: July 2002

A structural model was proposed and tested concerning the impact of background and psycho‐social variables on high school seniors’ (N= 2,731) reported substance use and educational outcomes. The findings indicated that interpersonal variables (e.g., school adjustment, delinquency, relationships with parents and community) primarily affected reported substance use. Intrapersonal variables (e.g., self‐concept, attitudes toward school), however, were unrelated to substance use. Moreover, background, psycho‐social variables and substance use were also related to a variety of student perceptions about their educational experiences and future aspirations. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for school personnel working with high school students.
Pedagogical engineering in intercultural teams: critical success factors
Authors: Evans Daniel S. , Vergnaud Stéphanie
Published: July 2002

Based on actual cases, this paper asserts the factors necessary for successful development and implementation of educational programmes in intercultural teams. The findings, based on the authors’ several years of experience in the field, suggest that international course development is a resource‐intense activity that must take into consideration the cultural differences and core competencies of the institutions involved if the course development is to be successful.
Qualification of flip chip fluxes by wetting balance and surface insulation resistance tests
Authors: Tuominen Aulis , Ristolainen Eero , Lehtinen Ville
Published: July 2002

Owing to the incessant demand for reductions in the size of portable electronics, new dense packaging technologies are required. Reflow soldering is still mainly used for component joining on the substrate. In tiny joints such as those in flip chip (FC) assemblies the flux effect is vitally important and needs to pass a narrower performance window than in ordinary surface mount technology (SMT). The determination of the suitability of a flux, as reported in this paper, is twofold; first, the flux must perform well in its intended purpose and second, the flux must not leave harmful residues causing leakage or electromigration. The first test used was the wetting balance test for all fluxes. Fluxes accepted on the basis of the wetting tests were then subjected to the surface insulation resistance test (SIR).
Materials behaviour and the reliability in performance of solder joints
Authors: Plumbridge W.J.
Published: July 2002

While the implementation of lead‐free solder technology has been the focus of much recent research, the challenge of joint structural integrity should not be overlooked. The paper summarises the significant variability in the mechanical properties of solders, both in terms of the prevailing testing conditions and between the alloys themselves. Using conventional routes to life prediction for an elementary creep situation, it demonstrates the critical importance of understanding the failure processes and utilising materials data that are appropriate.
Corporate social responsibility and economic performance in the top British companies: are they linked?
Authors: Balabanis George , Phillips Hugh C. , Lyall Jonathan
Published: July 2002

This paper investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the economic performance of corporations. It first examines the theories that suggest a relationship between the two. To test these theories, measures of CSR performance and disclosure developed by the New Consumer Group were analysed against the (past, concurrent and subsequent to CSR performance period) economic performance of 56 large UK companies. Economic performance included: financial (return on capital employed, return on equity and gross profit to sales ratios); and capital market performance (systematic risk and excess market valuation). The results supported the conclusion that (past, concurrent and subsequent) economic performance is related to both CSR performance and disclosure. However, the relationships were weak and lacked an overall consistency. For example, past economic performance was found to partly explain variations in firms’ involvement in philanthropic activities. CSR disclosure was affected (positively) by both a firm’s CSR performance and its concurrent financial performance. Involvement in environmental protection activities was found to be negatively correlated with subsequent financial performance. Whereas a firm’s policies regarding women’s positions seem to be more rewarding in terms of positive capital market responses (performance) in the subsequent period. Donations to the Conservative Party were found not to be related to companies’ (past, concurrent or subsequent) financial and/or capital performance.
UK international equity joint ventures in technology and innovation: an analysis of patterns of activity and distribution
Authors: Sulej Julian C.
Published: July 2002

This paper presents a series of data examining the pattern of activity of the UK, in terms of equity joint ventures (EJV) formation, with partners in Western Europe, Scandinavia, USA and Japan and within technological industries. The data set consists of 1,415 equity joint ventures (EJVs) formed between 1945‐1989. The pattern of activity is examined over time, in terms of industry and geographical distribution. The data presented also include information concerning domestic EJV formation for each of the countries studied which previous research has not considered. The paper also comments on the need to focus on “soft” vs “hard” issues in examining the context and performance outcomes of international strategic alliances and equity joint ventures (EJVs) and avenues for future research.
The Community‐School Partnership in the Management of New Zealand
Schools
Authors: Robinson Viviane M.J. , Timperley Helen S. , Parr Judy M. , McNaughton Stuart
Published: July 2002

New Zealand schools are now managed by parent‐elected trustees whose
role is to work in partnership with school staff to formulate and
monitor aspects of school policy. A sample of those involved in the
partnership (principals, teachers, chairpersons and parents) were asked
what role they thought the Board should play in three different types of
school policy decision. The results showed that, while there were some
differences between primary and secondary respondents, most respondents
believed the Board should play a far less influential role in
educational than in administrative decisions. Overall, less than 50 per
cent of both the professional and lay groups expressed opinions about
the Board′s role that were consistent with current government policy on
the management of New Zealand schools.
Analysis of steady forced convection in thermally developing turbulent duct flows
Authors: Brown D.M. , Santos C.A.C. , Cotta R.M. , Kakaç S.
Published: July 2002

Presents a novel theoretical approach, based on extension of ideas associated with the generalized integral transform technique, for obtaining accurate analytic solutions for fully developed steady forced convection inside circular ducts with turbulent flow and constant wall surface temperature conditions. Within the temperature field, reports the thermal response of the fluid in terms of hybrid solutions for bulk fluid temperature and Nusselt number distributions along the thermal entrance region of the duct. Further, in assessing the accuracy and validity of the theoretical work, critically examines predicated analytical solutions of thermally developed Nusselt numbers and compares them with results from reliable empirical correlations of the open literature. For the investigated cases, satisfactory agreement prevailed between the theoretically and empirically derived heat transfer parameters, exhibiting a maximum difference of 9.58 per cent for the range of system variables analysed.