bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life-threatening pneumonia caused by human cytomegalovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae coinfection in a young, immunocompetent patient
Authors: Jacobi C. A. , Riessen R. , Schumacher U. , Autenrieth I. B. , Jahn G. , Gregor M. , Raible A. , Hamprecht K.
Published: May 2010

A young, previously healthy and immunocompetent patient was transferred to our hospital to recover a suspected Ascaris worm from his gall bladder. Although the diagnosis of Ascaris infection could not be confirmed, the patient suffered from cholecystitis. To our surprise, the respiratory situation of the patient deteriorated within 24 h under antibiotic therapy and he had to be transferred to the intensive care unit for mechanical respiration. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was isolated directly from a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) sample, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was detected by PCR in an enrichment culture of the same BAL sample. Serology for HCMV and M. pneumoniae clearly supported a primary/post-primary infection for both agents (IgM detection, increase of IgG titres and, in the case of HCMV, a low avidity index of only 22 %). Therefore, we assumed that a rare HCMV and M. pneumoniae coinfection was the aetiology of the fulminant pneumonia. Under broad antibiotic and antiviral treatment, the situation of the patient improved only very slowly.
Antagonism and synergism in Gardnerella vaginalis strains isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Teixeira G. S. , Soares-Brandão K. L. K. , Branco K. M. G. R. , Sampaio J. L. M. , Nardi R. M. D. , Mendonça M. , Almeida R. B. , Farias L. M. , Carvalho M. A. R. , Nicoli J. R.
Published: May 2010

Antagonistic and synergistic substances are important for interactions between micro-organisms associated with human body surfaces, either in healthy or in diseased conditions. In the present study, such compounds produced by Gardnerella vaginalis strains isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) were detected in vitro and the antagonistic ones were partially characterized. Among 11 G. vaginalis strains tested, all showed antagonistic activity against at least one of the 22 indicator bacteria assayed. Interestingly, for some of these strains, antagonism reverted to synergism, favouring one of the indicator strains (Peptostreptococcus anaerobius) when the growth medium was changed. Partial characterization of antagonistic substances suggested a bacteriocin-like chemical nature. Depending on growth conditions, G. vaginalis isolated from women with BV produced antagonistic or synergistic compounds for other bacterial components of the vaginal ecosystem. This is the first report to our knowledge of the production of antagonistic and/or synergistic substances by G. vaginalis. This ability may be a pivotal factor in understanding BV and the ecological role of this bacterium in the vaginal environment.
The role of the TetR-family transcriptional regulator Aur1R in negative regulation of the auricin gene cluster in Streptomyces aureofaciens CCM 3239
Authors: Novakova Renata , Kutas Peter , Feckova Lubomira , Kormanec Jan
Published: May 2010

Two regulatory genes, aur1P and aur1R, have been previously identified upstream of the aur1 polyketide gene cluster involved in biosynthesis of the angucycline-like antibiotic auricin in Streptomyces aureofaciens CCM 3239. The aur1P gene encodes a protein similar to the response regulators of bacterial two-component signal transduction systems and has been shown to specifically activate expression of the auricin biosynthetic genes. The aur1R gene encodes a protein homologous to transcriptional repressors of the TetR family. Here we describe the characterization of the aur1R gene. Expression of the gene is directed by a single promoter, aur1Rp, which is induced just before stationary phase. Disruption of aur1R in S. aureofaciens CCM 3239 had no effect on growth and differentiation. However, the disrupted strain produced more auricin than its parental wild-type S. aureofaciens CCM 3239 strain. Transcription from the aur1Ap and aur1Pp promoters, directing expression of the first biosynthetic gene in the auricin gene cluster and the pathway-specific transcriptional activator, respectively, was increased in the S. aureofaciens CCM 3239 aur1R mutant strain. However, Aur1R was shown to bind specifically only to the aur1Pp promoter in vitro. This binding was abolished by the addition of auricin and/or its intermediates. The results indicate that the Aur1R regulator specifically represses expression of the aur1P gene, which encodes a pathway-specific activator of the auricin biosynthetic gene cluster in S. aureofaciens CCM 3239, and that this repression is relieved by auricin or its intermediates.
Rapid identification of heterozygous mutations in Drosophila melanogaster using genomic capture sequencing
Authors: Wang Hui , Chattopadhyay Abanti , Li Zhe , Daines Bryce , Li Yumei , Gao Chunxu , Gibbs Richard , Zhang Kun , Chen Rui
Published: May 2010

One of the key advantages of using Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model organism is the ability to conduct saturation mutagenesis screens to identify genes and pathways underlying a given phenotype. Despite the large number of genetic tools developed to facilitate downstream cloning of mutations obtained from such screens, the current procedure remains labor intensive, time consuming, and costly. To address this issue, we designed an efficient strategy for rapid identification of heterozygous mutations in the fly genome by combining rough genetic mapping, targeted DNA capture, and second generation sequencing technology. We first tested this method on heterozygous flies carrying either a previously characterized dac5 or sensE2 mutation. Targeted amplification of genomic regions near these two loci was used to enrich DNA for sequencing, and both point mutations were successfully identified. When this method was applied to uncharacterized twr mutant flies, the underlying mutation was identified as a single-base mutation in the gene Spase18-21. This targeted-genome-sequencing method reduces time and effort required for mutation cloning by up to 80% compared with the current approach and lowers the cost to <$1000 for each mutant. Introduction of this and other sequencing-based methods for mutation cloning will enable broader usage of forward genetics screens and have significant impacts in the field of model organisms such as Drosophila.
Genome-Wide Classification and Evolutionary Analysis of the bHLH Family of Transcription Factors in Arabidopsis, Poplar, Rice, Moss, and Algae
Authors: Carretero-Paulet Lorenzo , Galstyan Anahit , Roig-Villanova Irma , Martínez-García Jaime F. , Bilbao-Castro Jose R. , Robertson David L.
Published: May 2010

Basic helix-loop-helix proteins (bHLHs) are found throughout the three eukaryotic kingdoms and constitute one of the largest families of transcription factors. A growing number of bHLH proteins have been functionally characterized in plants. However, some of these have not been previously classified. We present here an updated and comprehensive classification of the bHLHs encoded by the whole sequenced genomes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Populus trichocarpa, Oryza sativa, Physcomitrella patens, and five algae species. We define a plant bHLH consensus motif, which allowed the identification of novel highly diverged atypical bHLHs. Using yeast two-hybrid assays, we confirm that (1) a highly diverged bHLH has retained protein interaction activity and (2) the two most conserved positions in the consensus play an essential role in dimerization. Phylogenetic analysis permitted classification of the 638 bHLH genes identified into 32 subfamilies. Evolutionary and functional relationships within subfamilies are supported by intron patterns, predicted DNA-binding motifs, and the architecture of conserved protein motifs. Our analyses reveal the origin and evolutionary diversification of plant bHLHs through differential expansions, domain shuffling, and extensive sequence divergence. At the functional level, this would translate into different subfamilies evolving specific DNA-binding and protein interaction activities as well as differential transcriptional regulatory roles. Our results suggest a role for bHLH proteins in generating plant phenotypic diversity and provide a solid framework for further investigations into the role carried out in the transcriptional regulation of key growth and developmental processes.
Overexpression of the Arabidopsis Gene UPRIGHT ROSETTE Reveals a Homeostatic Control for Indole-3-Acetic Acid
Authors: Sun Yue , Yang Yang , Yuan Zheng , Müller Jutta Ludwig , Yu Chen , Xu Yanfei , Shao Xinghua , Li Xiaofang , Decker Eva L. , Reski Ralf , Huang Hai
Published: May 2010

Auxins are phytohormones that are essential for many aspects of plant growth and development. The main auxin produced by plants is indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). IAA exists in free and conjugated forms, corresponding to the bioactive and stored hormones, respectively. Free IAA levels, which are crucial for various physiological activities, are maintained through a complex network of environmentally and developmentally responsive pathways including IAA biosynthesis, transport, degradation, conjugation, and conjugate hydrolysis. Among conjugated IAA forms, ester- and amide-type conjugates are the most common. Here we identify a new gene, UPRIGHT ROSETTE (URO), the overexpression of which alters IAA homeostasis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We previously identified a semidominant mutant, uro, which had multiple auxin-related phenotypes. We show here that compared to wild-type plants, the uro plants contain increased levels of free and ester-conjugated IAA, and decreased levels of amino-conjugated IAA. uro plants carrying the pDR5:β-glucuronidase (GUS) construct have strong GUS staining in cotyledons and stem, and their cotyledons are able to generate roots on auxin-free medium, further confirming that this mutant contains higher levels of free IAA. The URO gene encodes a C2H2 zinc-finger protein that belongs to a plant-specific gene family. The response to URO overexpression is evolutionarily conserved among plants, as GUS activity that may reflect free IAA levels was increased markedly in transgenic p35S:URO/pGH3:GUS/Physcomitrella patens and pNOS:URO/pGH3:GUS/P. patens plants.
Modeling Lignin Polymerization. I. Simulation Model of Dehydrogenation Polymers
Authors: van Parijs Frederik R.D. , Morreel Kris , Ralph John , Boerjan Wout , Merks Roeland M.H.
Published: May 2010

Lignin is a heteropolymer that is thought to form in the cell wall by combinatorial radical coupling of monolignols. Here, we present a simulation model of in vitro lignin polymerization, based on the combinatorial coupling theory, which allows us to predict the reaction conditions controlling the primary structure of lignin polymers. Our model predicts two controlling factors for the β-O-4 content of syringyl-guaiacyl lignins: the supply rate of monolignols and the relative amount of supplied sinapyl alcohol monomers. We have analyzed the in silico degradability of the resulting lignin polymers by cutting the resulting lignin polymers at β-O-4 bonds. These are cleaved in analytical methods used to study lignin composition, namely thioacidolysis and derivatization followed by reductive cleavage, under pulping conditions, and in some lignocellulosic biomass pretreatments.
Stomatal Responses to Flooding of the Intercellular Air Spaces Suggest a Vapor-Phase Signal Between the Mesophyll and the Guard Cells
Authors: Sibbernsen Erik , Mott Keith A.
Published: May 2010

Flooding the intercellular air spaces of leaves with water was shown to cause rapid closure of stomata in Tradescantia pallida, Lactuca serriola, Helianthus annuus, and Oenothera caespitosa. The response occurred when water was injected into the intercellular spaces, vacuum infiltrated into the intercellular spaces, or forced into the intercellular spaces by pressurizing the xylem. Injecting 50 mm KCl or silicone oil into the intercellular spaces also caused stomata to close, but the response was slower than with distilled water. Epidermis-mesophyll grafts for T. pallida were created by placing the epidermis of one leaf onto the exposed mesophyll of another leaf. Stomata in these grafts opened under light but closed rapidly when water was allowed to wick between epidermis and the mesophyll. When epidermis-mesophyll grafts were constructed with a thin hydrophobic filter between the mesophyll and epidermis stomata responded normally to light and CO2. These data, when taken together, suggest that the effect of water on stomata is caused partly by dilution of K+ in the guard cell and partly by the existence of a vapor-phase signal that originates in the mesophyll and causes stomata to open in the light.
cis-Regulatory Elements and Chromatin State Coordinately Control Temporal and Spatial Expression ofFLOWERING LOCUS TinArabidopsis
Authors: Adrian Jessika , Farrona Sara , Reimer Julia J. , Albani Maria C. , Coupland George , Turck Franziska
Published: May 2010

Flowering time of summer annual Arabidopsis thaliana accessions is largely determined by the timing of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) expression in the leaf vasculature. To understand the complex interplay between activating and repressive inputs controlling flowering through FT, cis-regulatory sequences of FT were identified in this study. A proximal and an ∼5-kb upstream promoter region containing highly conserved sequence blocks were found to be essential for FT activation by CONSTANS (CO). Chromatin-associated protein complexes add another layer to FT regulation. In plants constitutively overexpressing CO, changes in chromatin status, such as a decrease in binding of LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (LHP1) and increased acetylation of H3K9 and K14, were observed throughout the FT locus, although these changes appear to be a consequence of FT upregulation and not a prerequisite for activation. Binding of LHP1 was required to repress enhancer elements located between the CO-controlled regions. By contrast, the distal and proximal promoter sequences required for FT activation coincide with locally LHP1 and H3K27me3 depleted chromatin, indicating that chromatin status facilitates the accessibility of transcription factors to FT. Therefore, distant regulatory regions are required for FT transcription, reflecting the complexity of its control and differences in chromatin status delimit functionally important cis-regulatory regions.
X-ray atomic orbital analysis of 4f and 5d electron configuration of SmB6 at 100, 165, 230 and 298 K
Authors: Funahashi Shiro , Tanaka Kiyoaki , Iga Fumitoshi
Published: May 2010

Accurate electron-density measurement of SmB6 at 100, 165, 230 and 298 K, and X-ray atomic orbital (XAO) analysis were carried out. The 4f-electron density around Sm and 5d electron density at ∼ 1 Å from Sm were analysed by XAO analysis. The 5d electron density is due to the electrons of the 5d

J = 5/2Γ8 orbitals which stem from the e

g
orbitals in the strong field approximation. The change in electron populations of the 5d
5/2Γ8 orbitals with temperature is similar to that of the resistivity. Since the conduction band consists of 5d
5/2Γ8 and B-2p orbitals according to band theory, this indicates that the larger populations of the 5d
5/2Γ8 orbitals correspond to the larger number of localized electrons and are correlated to the resistivity of SmB6. The occupation of the bulky 5d
5/2Γ8 orbitals may be the reason for the elongation of the lattice parameter below 150 K. The 4f
7/2Γ6 orbitals are obviously occupied except at 100 K, which seems to be caused by the energy gap between 4f
5/2 and 4f
7/2 states, which begins to exist between 100 and 150 K, and may represent one of the properties of a Kondo insulator.
Determination of zinc incorporation in the Zn-substituted gallophosphate ZnULM-5 by multiple wavelength anomalous dispersion techniques
Authors: Helliwell M. , Helliwell J. R. , Kaucic V. , Zabukovec Logar N. , Teat S. J. , Warren J. E. , Dodson E. J.
Published: May 2010

The location of isomorphously substituted zinc over eight crystallographically different gallium sites has been determined in a single-crystal study of the gallophosphate ZnULM-5, Ga_{(16-x)}Zn_x(PO4)14(HPO4)2(OH)2F7, [H3N{CH2}6NH3]4, 6H2O, in an 11 wavelength experiment, using data from Station 9.8, SRS Daresbury. The measurement of datasets around the K edges of both Ga and Zn, as well as two reference datasets away from each absorption edge, was utilized to selectively exploit dispersive differences of each metal atom type in turn, which allowed the major sites of Zn incorporation to be identified as the metal 1 and 3 sites, M1 and M3. The preferential substitution of Zn at these sites probably arises because they are located in double four-ring (D4R) building units which can relax to accommodate the incorporation of hetero atoms. As the crystal is non-centrosymmetric, with space group P21212, it was also possible to use anomalous differences to corroborate the results obtained from the dispersive differences. These results were obtained firstly from difference Fourier maps, calculated using a phase set from the refined structure from data measured at the Zr K edge. Also, refined dispersive and anomalous occupancies, on an absolute scale, could be obtained using the program MLPHARE, allowing estimates for the Zn incorporation of approximately 22 and 18 at. % at the M1 and M3 sites to be obtained. In addition, f′ and f′′ values for Ga and Zn at each wavelength could be estimated both from MLPHARE results, and by refinement in JANA2006. The fully quantitative determinations of the dispersive and anomalous coefficients for Ga and Zn at each wavelength, as well as metal atom occupancies over the eight metal atom sites made use of the CCP4's MLPHARE program as well as SHELXL and JANA2006. The results by these methods agree closely, and JANA2006 allowed the ready determination of standard uncertainties on the occupancy parameters, which were for M1 and M3, 20.6 (3) and 17.2 (3) at %, respectively.
Bond lengths in organic and metal-organic compounds revisited:X—H bond lengths from neutron diffraction data
Authors: Allen Frank H. , Bruno Ian J.
Published: May 2010

The number of structures in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has increased by an order of magnitude since the preparation of two major compilations of standard bond lengths in mid-1985. It is now of interest to examine whether this huge increase in data availability has implications for the mean bond-length values published in the late 1980s. Those compilations reported meanX—H bond lengths derived from rather sparse information and for rather few chemical environments. During the intervening years, the number of neutron studies has also increased, although only by a factor of around 2.25, permitting a new analysis ofX—H bond-length distributions for (a) organicX= C, N, O, B, and (b) a variety of terminal and homometallic bridging transition metal hydrides. New mean values are reported here and are compared with earlier results. These new overall means are also complemented by an analysis ofX—H distances at lower temperatures (T≤ 140 K), which indicates the general level of librational effects inX—H systems. The study also extends the range of chemical environments for which statistically acceptable meanX—H bond lengths can be obtained, although values from individual structures are also collated to further extend the chemical range of this compilation. Updated default `neutron-normalization' distances for use in hydrogen-bond and deformation-density studies are also proposed for C—H, N—H and O—H, and the low-temperature analysis provides specific values for certain chemical environments and hybridization states ofX.
Structure of theD-alanylgriseoluteic acid biosynthetic protein EhpF, an atypical member of the ANL superfamily of adenylating enzymes
Authors: Bera Asim K. , Atanasova Vesna , Gamage Swarna , Robinson Howard , Parsons James F.
Published: May 2010

The structure of EhpF, a 41 kDa protein that functions in the biosynthetic pathway leading to the broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound D-alanylgriseoluteic acid (AGA), is reported. A cluster of approximately 16 genes, includingehpF, located on a 200 kbp plasmid native to certain strains ofPantoea agglomeransencodes the proteins that are required for the conversion of chorismic acid to AGA. Phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylate has been identified as an intermediate in AGA biosynthesis and deletion ofehpFresults in accumulation of this compoundin vivo. The crystallographic data presented here reveal that EhpF is an atypical member of the acyl-CoA synthase or ANL superfamily of adenylating enzymes. These enzymes typically catalyze two-step reactions involving adenylation of a carboxylate substrate followed by transfer of the substrate from AMP to coenzyme A or another phosphopantetheine. EhpF is distinguished by the absence of the C-terminal domain that is characteristic of enzymes from this family and is involved in phosphopantetheine binding and in the second half of the canonical two-step reaction that is typically observed. Based on the structure of EhpF and a bioinformatic analysis, it is proposed that EhpF and EhpG convert phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylate to 6-formylphenazine-1-carboxylateviaan adenylyl intermediate.
High-resolution X-ray crystal structure of bovine H-protein at 0.88 Å resolution
Authors: Higashiura Akifumi , Kurakane Takeshi , Matsuda Makoto , Suzuki Mamoru , Inaka Koji , Sato Masaru , Kobayashi Tomoyuki , Tanaka Tetsuo , Tanaka Hiroaki , Fujiwara Kazuko , Nakagawa Atsushi
Published: May 2010

Recent technical improvements in macromolecular X-ray crystallography have significantly improved the resolution limit of protein structures. However, examples of high-resolution structure determination are still limited. In this study, the X-ray crystal structure of bovine H-protein, a component of the glycine cleavage system, was determined at 0.88 Å resolution. This is the first ultrahigh-resolution structure of an H-protein. The data were collected using synchrotron radiation. Because of limitations of the hardware, especially the dynamic range of the CCD detector, three data sets (high-, medium- and low-resolution data sets) were measured in order to obtain a complete set of data. To improve the quality of the merged data, the reference data set was optimized for merging and the merged data were assessed by comparing merging statistics andRfactors against the final model and the number of visualized H atoms. In addition, the advantages of merging three data sets were evaluated. The omission of low-resolution reflections had an adverse effect on visualization of H atoms in hydrogen-omit maps. Visualization of hydrogen electron density is a good indicator for assessing the quality of high-resolution X-ray diffraction data.
Quantifying instrument errors in macromolecular X-ray data sets
Authors: Diederichs Kay
Published: May 2010

An indicator which is calculated after the data reduction of a test data set may be used to estimate the (systematic) instrument error at a macromolecular X-ray source. The numerical value of the indicator is the highest signal-to-noise [I/σ(I)] value that the experimental setup can produce and its reciprocal is related to the lower limit of the mergingRfactor. In the context of this study, the stability of the experimental setup is influenced and characterized by the properties of the X-ray beam, shutter, goniometer, cryostream and detector, and also by the exposure time and spindle speed. Typical values of the indicator are given for data sets from the JCSG archive. Some sources of error are explored with the help of test calculations usingSIM_MX[Diederichs (2009),Acta Cryst.D65, 535–542]. One conclusion is that the accuracy of data at low resolution is usually limited by the experimental setup rather than by the crystal. It is also shown that the influence of vibrations and fluctuations may be mitigated by a reduction in spindle speed accompanied by stronger attenuation.
Interest‐based bargaining: achieving improved relationships through collaboration
Authors: Hargrove Scott
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of interest‐based bargaining as opposed to traditional adversarial bargaining when negotiating collective agreements in unionized libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores existing theory, research and practice on the use of interest‐based bargaining in labor negotiations. It accomplishes this goal through a review of relevant literature and case studies, concentrating on practical application in a typical library labor environment. Two specific implementation models are described and the benefits and limitations of interest‐based bargaining are presented, supported by evidence from multiple examples.

Findings

Interest‐based bargaining offers significant benefits to organizations that adopt this approach when negotiating collective agreements, including improved working relationships between management and workers and longer term solutions to problems and issues. Library managers in unionized libraries could realize these benefits by implementing interest‐based bargaining strategies in coordination with a supportive union.

Research limitations/implications

There is very little literature dealing with interest‐based bargaining in a library environment, so extrapolations from other industry examples have been used to illustrate the strengths of this approach.

Practical implications

Given the potential benefits of using collaborative negotiation approaches, and the increasing adoption rate in other labor industries including comparable public sector organizations, libraries have much to gain by investigating this option as either an alternative or an adjunct to traditional adversarial collective bargaining.

Originality/value

The paper presents a solid case for exploring the use of interest‐based bargaining in a library context.
Relationship among leadership style, organizational culture and employee commitment in university libraries
Authors: Rafiq Awan Muhammad , Mahmood Khalid
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore leadership style, organizational culture and job commitment in university libraries of Pakistan and the relationships among them.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed and self administered to 115 professional librarians. Hypotheses were tested through t‐test, Pearson chi‐square and ANOVA.

Findings

The results show that the library professionals were not very sensitive about any relationship among these three variables at their workplace. A majority of the professionals perceived that their chief librarians had an autocratic style of leadership and libraries tend to adopt an achievement and bureaucratic culture. Most of the library professionals seemed to be highly committed with their organizations. It means that they favored result‐oriented culture.

Research limitations

The research was limited to university libraries in Pakistan's province of Punjab and federal capital Islamabad.

Originality/value

The study is useful to understand leadership style, organizational culture and job commitment in university libraries.
Conducting focus groups with library staff: best practices and participant perceptions
Authors: Mellinger Margaret , Chau May
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a process of designing a focus group study for library staff, and to present a method for analyzing and interpreting focus group data. In addition, the paper aims to report on participants' perceptions of the focus group experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus group methodology was used to gather staff responses. An online survey was used to gauge staff perceptions of the focus groups.

Findings

Focus groups with library staff are a productive way to gather issues and trends for library management to address. In addition, it seems from the follow up survey that participating in focus groups benefits staff morale and engagement, if best practices are employed.

Originality/value

While there are many articles about using focus groups to understand library users and their needs, there are few articles about employing this methodology with library staff. This paper fills some of the gaps.
Change is a constant requiring a coach
Authors: Rolfe Jo
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess individualized and team coaching as a tool for empowering library employees to respond to the constantly changing needs of customers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper documents a variety of strategic models and approaches to coaching that can be adapted for practical implementation with the aim of promoting positive change in employee skills and behaviors.

Findings

To remain competitive libraries must cultivate intrinsically motivated, high‐performance employees inspired by a culture that puts people first. Coaching is a methodology that can generate passion for the organizational vision and goals.

Research limitations/implications

Analysis of the theoretical premise for implementing a coaching program at the public library branch level is largely derived from referenced literature from the corporate domain. Evaluation of coaching goals should be conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods decided upon during strategic planning for the coaching program.

Originality/value

The paper highlights that coaching has a multiplicity of benefits that address a renewed sense of urgency for library staff development, retention and succession management.
Service innovation in academic libraries: is there a place for the customers?
Authors: Scupola Ada , Westh Nicolajsen Hanne
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to investigate whether management and employees in academic libraries involve users in library service innovations and what these user roles are.

Design/methodology/approach

The article first reviews the literature focusing on innovation, new product development, new service development and library science with specific focus on users and management. Subsequently the research uses a case study approach to investigate management and customer involvement in a Danish academic library.

Findings

Results from the case study show that academic libraries are making some attempts to draw on customers in service innovations and not only rely on management and employees. The main conclusion is that there are unexplored possibilities for customer involvement in library service innovations.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation relates to the difficulty of generalization of the findings to other Danish libraries and especially other national contexts. The other one relates to the preponderance of the literature from sources outside the field of library management and library science. Therefore, library managers might have to be cautious in using the results of this study.

Practical implications

The article has practical implications for library managers, employees, library science and innovation researchers alike.

Originality/value

The article is original because it generates new insights into management and especially customer involvement in academic library service innovations on the basis of an in‐depth case study of a Danish academic library.
Use of UGC‐Infonet Digital Library Consortium resources by research scholars and faculty members of the University of Delhi in History and Political Science
Authors: Bhatt R.K.
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper focuses on the use of UGC‐Infonet Digital Library Consortium Resources by research scholars and faculty members of University of Delhi in History and Political Science. The main aim is to determine the needs of research scholars and faculty members of University of Delhi in the discipline of history and political science and to find out how far their information needs are fulfilled by the information resources available through UGC‐Infonet Digital Library Consortium. The paper attempts to define this consortium, its objectives, scope, e‐resources subscribed and the government initiative to provide current information in various disciplines for research and teaching excellence.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the information usage pattern and needs of the respective users a survey was conducted among faculty and research scholars. The population included in the study comprised 105 respondents from both departments and of that, eight are faculty and 97 are research scholars.

Findings

The study tangibly explains the genesis, e‐resources facilities and usage of e‐resources available through UGC‐Infonet Digital Library Consortium (a University Grants Commission of India sponsored consortium) to provide e‐resources and current information in various disciplines. The UGC‐Infonet Digital Library Consortium is the most important consortium providing access to a large array of e‐resources to all academic universities and colleges in India and thus facilitates the prompt access and efficient and effective usage of e‐resources for teaching and research activities.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the study is confined to faculty members and research scholars of the Department of History and Political Science of the University of Delhi respectively, regarding the use of e‐journals provided by UGC‐INFONET Digital Library Consortium.

Originality/value

The paper reflects the users' awareness regarding the consortium resources available in the respective fields, information about important databases and e‐journals, search techniques, recurring usage for information and knowledge, help and support in research output and teaching activities, benefits accrued such as saving of time, effort and the problems faced.
Theory, research and practice in library management 8
Authors: Sen Barbara
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevance of market orientation (MO) as a strategic orientation in the management of libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature is examined to identify aspects of market orientation, and evidence of adoption of market orientation in libraries. Lessons that can be learned from other sectors regarding market orientation are presented, and their relevance for libraries is examined.

Findings

It is found that market orientation is relevant for libraries as one of many strategic orientations. It found that there is a lack of systematic application of MO in library management, with the focus on selected aspects of MO, e.g. customer orientation.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of how library managers can adopt a market‐orientated approach to the strategic management of their library services.
Vulnerability and discrimination among women, children and ethnic minorities
Authors: Ernesto Caroleo Floro , Claudia Giannelli Gianna , Pastore Francesco
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on vulnerability and discrimination among women, children and ethnic minorities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the articles in the special issue which employ a variety of individual‐level data, some of which are newly available, and of econometric methods for the analysis of the determinants of labour supply and wages of different vulnerable groups.

Findings

The articles manifest an amazing similarity of issues, nuances and policy implications, showing that the causes and consequences of absolute and relative vulnerability are common all over the world. The first set of papers may be framed within the definition of relative vulnerability: in fact, they refer to gender discrimination in Spain and Italy; gender and ethnic wage differentials in China; discrimination against Roma in Southeastern Europe; and the gender gap in early career in Mongolia. The second set of papers deals with absolute vulnerability: in fact, they study different aspects of child labour in India, Indonesia and Pakistan.

Originality/value

The paper introduces a number of articles using little used data and uses a wide range of up‐to‐date theoretical and methodological approaches to the issues of vulnerability and discrimination.
The distribution of gender wage discrimination in Italy and Spain: a comparison using the ECHP
Authors: Pena‐Boquete Yolanda , De Stefanis Sergio , Fernandez‐Grela Manuel
Published: May 2010

Purpose

In this paper the aim is to focus on the individual distribution of gender wage discrimination in Spain and Italy, relying upon the development of Jenkins' distributional approach proposed in Del Rio et al.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate the degree of individual discrimination for each employed woman and, relying on the decomposability properties of these estimates, assess the nature and extent of discrimination across various socio‐economic groupings.

Findings

Some mechanisms inhibit the access of highly educated women to highly rewarding occupations in Italy, especially in the public sector, but not in Spain.

Research limitations/implications

The treatment of occupation and sector of activity has some impact on the results, shedding doubt on the robustness of some previous analyses of discrimination in these countries.

Practical implications

While no doubt the appraisal of the glass ceiling in the Italian labour market will gain extensively from further research, some prima facie evidence is found highlighting the role of appointment and promotion procedures.

Originality/value

A remarkable institutional divide characterises Spain and Italy in the domain of gender wage discrimination. Powerful political pressure along the lines of gender quotas for public employment has long been in place in Spain, while nothing of the kind has existed in Italy.
A comparison and decomposition of reform‐era labor force participation rates of China's ethnic minorities and Han majority
Authors: Maurer‐Fazio Margaret , Hughes James W. , Zhang Dandan
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine observed differences in China's ethnic majority and minority patterns of labor force participation and to decompose these differences into treatment and endowment effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the three most recent population censuses of China are employed to explore differences in the labor force participation rates of a number of China's important ethnic groups. Gender‐separated urban labor force participation rates are estimated using logit regressions, controlling for educational attainment, marital status, pre‐school and school‐age children, household size, age, and measures of local economic conditions. The focus is on the experience of six minority groups (Hui, Koreans, Manchu, Mongolians, Uygurs, and Zhuang) in comparison to the majority Han. The technique developed by Borooah and Iyer is adopted to decompose the differences in labor force participation rates between pairs of ethnic groups into treatment and endowment effects.

Findings

Sizeable differences are found between the labor force participation rates of prime‐age urban women of particular ethnic groups and the majority Han. Men's participation rates are very high (above 95 percent) and exhibit little difference between Han and ethnic minorities. For almost all pairwise comparisons between Han and ethnic women, it is found that differences in coefficients account for more than 100 percent of the Han‐ethnic difference in labor force participation. Differences in endowments often have substantial effects in reducing this positive Han margin in labor force participation. Roughly speaking, treatment of women's characteristics, whether in the market or socially, tend to increase the Han advantage in labor force participation. The levels of these characteristics on average tend to reduce this Han advantage.

Research limitations/implications

The paper analyses only one aspect of the economic status of China's ethnic minorities – labor force participation. It would be useful also to examine income, educational attainment, occupational attainment, and unemployment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to and expands the scant literature on ethnicity in China's economic transition.
“It's not that I'm a racist, it's that they are Roma”
Authors: O'Higgins Niall
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper uses a unique survey of Roma and non‐Roma in South Eastern Europe with the aim of evaluating competing explanations for the poor performance of Roma in the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a descriptive analysis, econometric models are employed to identify the determinants of educational achievement, employment and wages for Roma and non‐Roma. Limited information maximum likelihood (LIML) methods are employed to control for endogenous schooling and two sources of sample selection bias in the estimates. Non‐linear and linear decomposition techniques are applied in order to identify the extent of discrimination.

Findings

The key results are that: the employment returns to education are lower for Roma than for non‐Roma whilst the wage returns are broadly similar for the two groups; the similar wage gains translate into a smaller absolute wage gain for Roma than for non‐Roma given their lower average wages; the marginal absolute gains from education for Roma are only a little over one‐third of the marginal absolute gains to education for majority populations; and, there is evidence to support the idea that a substantial part of the differential in labour market outcomes is due to discrimination.

Research limitations/implications

The survey data employed do not include information on hours worked. In order to partially control for this, the analysis of wages is limited to employee wages excluding the self‐employed.

Practical implications

Explanations of why Roma fare so badly tend to fall into one of two camps: the “low education” and the “discrimination” schools. The analysis suggests that both of these explanations have some basis in fact. Moreover, a direct implication of the lower absolute returns to education accruing to Roma is that their lower educational participation is, at least in part, due to rational economic calculus. Consequently, policy needs to address both low educational participation and labour market discrimination contemporaneously.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to attempt to econometrically distinguish between discrimination and educational explanations of Roma disadvantage in the labour market in Central and Eastern Europe. The survey data employed are unique and appropriate for the task. Unusually for analyses dealing with returns to education, the LIML econometric approach employed controls for both endogenous schooling and two sources of sample selection bias.
Children in home worker households in Pakistan and Indonesia
Authors: Mehrotra Santosh , Biggeri Mario
Published: May 2010

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to understand whether children in home‐worker (HW) households in Pakistan and Indonesia are more likely to work than other children, and, if so, how this impacts their capabilities. The paper also aims to outline some policy implications for the two countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are drawn from two ad hoc surveys and country studies carried out in Pakistan and Indonesia in 2000/2001. The paper examines the incidence and reasons of child work and child schooling in home‐worker households, the work conditions, and gender issues. A bivariate probit is applied to analyse the determinants of child activity status.

Findings

Children from HW households have a higher probability of working. There is evidence of the feminisation of home work from childhood. This is dramatic in Pakistan while little evidence is found for Indonesia. In Pakistani urban slums the majority of children are working, but in Indonesia they are in school. The mother's education and per capita income/expenditure or assets in the household are important determinants of the child's activity status.

Research limitations/implications

The model cannot use the control group for econometric analysis since the number of households and children interviewed (although randomly chosen) are not sufficient.

Practical implications

Collective action plays a role in the reduction of children “only working”. The number of hours that children work in Pakistan suggests that their ability to do school‐related activities is likely to be impacted.

Originality/value

Although child labour is common in home‐based manufacturing activities in the informal sector in most Asian developing countries research on child labour remains scarce. This paper contributes to this area of research.
The relation between child work and the employment of mothers in India
Authors: Francavilla Francesca , Claudia Giannelli Gianna
Published: May 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to study the relation between the employment of mothers and the activities of children with the aim of contributing to the understanding of child work in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Multinomial logit specifications of children's activities and mothers' employment are estimated on survey data drawn from the National Family Health Survey 1998‐1999 for all India. The joint specification combines four states of children aged 6‐14 (studying, working in the market, working for the family or being inactive) with the employed/not employed status of mothers.

Findings

The results show that the mother's preferred choice is not working and sending children to school. This is especially true for more educated mothers. Also the father's education is positively (negatively) related to child schooling (work), but the effect is smaller as compared to that of mothers. All specifications yield the result that the probability of children working increases if their mothers work. Higher levels of household wealth play a fundamental role in lowering the risk of child work.

Research limitations/implications

This empirical model does not take into account the unobserved heterogeneity of two types – namely, the residual correlation among the outcomes of mothers and children, and the residual correlation among children of the same mother.

Practical implications

The evidence that children of employed mothers have a higher risk of working suggests that the problem may be related to the low quality and pay of jobs accessible to women in India, especially in rural areas. The policy indication would then be to improve the condition of women in the labour market and also to improve the welfare of their children.

Originality/value

While women's and children's time allocation has been studied in separate settings, in this paper these two aspects are analysed together for the first time.