bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economies of Scale in Wastewater Treatment and Planning for Urban Growth
Authors: Hopkins Lewis D , Xu Xiaohuan , Knaap Gerrit J
Published: November 2004

Can urban growth patterns take advantage of economies of scale in infrastructure by relying on fewer and larger treatment plants? Estimates of potential cost savings from alternative wastewater treatment consolidation strategies for the metropolitan Chicago region suggest that the timing of consolidation is important. Carefully timed consolidation, even consolidation that takes place after development has occurred, might yield present value savings on the order of US$170 million in capital costs. These potential savings are large enough that such strategies should be considered when planning for metropolitan growth.
Sir2 mediates longevity in the fly through a pathway related to calorie restriction
Authors: Rogina Blanka , Helfand Stephen L.
Published: November 2004

Calorie restriction can extend life span in a variety of species including mammals, flies, nematodes, and yeast. Despite the importance of this nearly universal effect, little is understood about the molecular mechanisms that mediate the life-span-extending effect of calorie restriction in metazoans. Sir2 is known to be involved in life span determination and calorie restriction in yeast mother cells. In nematodes increased Sir2 can extend life span, but a direct link to calorie restriction has not been demonstrated. We now report that Sir2 is directly involved in the calorie-restriction life-span-extending pathway in
Drosophila
. We demonstrate that an increase in
Drosophila
Sir2 (dSir2) extends life span, whereas a decrease in dSir2 blocks the life-span-extending effect of calorie reduction or
rpd3
mutations. These data lead us to propose a genetic pathway by which calorie restriction extends life span and provides a framework for genetic and pharmacological studies of life span extension in metazoans.
The regulated long-term delivery of therapeutic proteins by using antigen-specific B lymphocytes
Authors: Takács Katalin , Du Roure Camille , Nabarro Stephen , Dillon Niall , McVey John H. , Webster Zoe , MacNeil Angus , Bartók István , Higgins Christopher , Gray David , Merkenschlager Matthias , Fisher Amanda G.
Published: November 2004

Memory lymphocytes are important mediators of the immune response. These cells are long-lived and undergo clonal expansion upon reexposure to specific antigen, differentiating into effector cells that secrete Ig or cytokines while maintaining a residual pool of memory T and B lymphocytes. Here, the ability of antigen-specific lymphocytes to undergo repeated cycles of antigen-driven clonal expansion and contraction is exploited in a therapeutic protocol aimed at regulating protein delivery. The principle of this strategy is to introduce genes encoding proteins of therapeutic interest into a small number of antigen-specific B lymphocytes. Output of therapeutic protein can then be regulatedin vivoby manipulating the size of the responder population by antigen challenge. To evaluate whether such an approach is feasible, we developed a mouse model system in which Eμ- and Igλ-based vectors were used to express human erythropoietin (hEPO) gene in B lymphocytes. These mice were then immunized with the model antigen phycoerythrin (PE), and immune splenocytes (or purified PE-specific B lymphocytes) were adoptively transferred to normal or mutant (EPO-deficient) hosts. High levels of hEPO were detected in the serum of adoptively transferred normal mice after PE administration, and this responsiveness was maintained for several months. Similarly, in EPO-deficient anemic recipients, antigen-driven hEPO expression was shown to restore hematocrit levels to normal. These results show that antigen-mediated regulation of memory lymphocytes can be used as a strategy for delivering therapeutic proteinsin vivo.
Essential role of membrane-attack protein in malarial transmission to mosquito host
Authors: Kadota Kimie , Ishino Tomoko , Matsuyama Takahiro , Chinzei Yasuo , Yuda Masao
Published: November 2004

After ingestion of infected blood by a mosquito, malarial parasites are fertilized in the mosquito midgut and develop into motile ookinetes. These ookinetes invade epithelial cells by rupturing the cell membrane and migrate through the cytoplasm toward the basal lamina, on which they develop to oocysts. Here we report that a microneme protein with a membrane-attack complex and perforin (MACPF)-related domain, which we name membrane-attack ookinete protein (MAOP), is produced in the ookinete stage and plays an essential role in midgut invasion by the ookinete. Ookinetes with the MAOP gene disrupted completely lost infectivity to the midgut. After ingestion of blood infected with the disrupted parasite, the midgut epithelium remained intact, making a clear contrast with the damaged midgut epithelium invaded by wild-type ookinetes. Electron microscopic analysis showed that the disruptant ookinetes migrate to the gut epithelium and attach to the cell surface at the apical tip, but are unable to enter the cytoplasm by rupturing the cell membrane. These results indicate that the MAOP molecule acts on the plasma membrane of the host-cell-like mammalian MACPF family proteins that create pores in the membrane of target cells. Another previously identified MACPF-related molecule is produced in the liver-infective sporozoite and has a crucial role in traversing the liver sinusoidal cell boundary. The present finding, thus, suggests that conserved mechanisms for membrane rupture involving MACPF-related proteins are used in different host invasive stages of the malarial parasite, playing a key role in breaching biological barriers of host organs.
Uncoupling substrate and activation functions of rotavirus NSP5: Phosphorylation of Ser-67 by casein kinase 1 is essential for hyperphosphorylation
Authors: Eichwald Catherine , Jacob Germaine , Muszynski Bartosz , Allende Jorge E. , Burrone Oscar R.
Published: November 2004

Rotavirus NSP5 is a nonstructural protein that localizes in viroplasms of virus-infected cells. NSP5 interacts with NSP2 and undergoes a complex posttranslational hyperphosphorylation, generating species with reduced PAGE mobility. Here we show that NSP5 operates as an autoregulator of its own phosphorylation as a consequence of two distinct activities of the protein: substrate and activator. We developed an
in vivo
hyperphosphorylation assay in which two NSP5 mutant constructs are cotransfected. One of them, fused to an 11-aa tag, served as substrate whereas the other was used to map NSP5 domains required for activation. The activation and substrate activity could be uncoupled, demonstrating a hyperphosphorylation process in trans between the activator and substratum. This process involved dimerization of the two components through the 18-aa C-terminal tail. Phosphorylation of Ser-67 within the SDSAS motif (amino acids 63-67) was required to trigger hyperphosphorylation by promoting the activation function. We present evidence of casein kinase 1α being the protein kinase responsible for this key step as well as for the consecutive ones leading to NSP5 hyperphosphorylation.
Tissue plasminogen activator promotes the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor on the amygdala and anxiety-like behavior
Authors: Matys Tomasz , Pawlak Robert , Matys Elzbieta , Pavlides Constantine , McEwen Bruce S. , Strickland Sidney
Published: November 2004

Stress-induced plasticity in the brain requires a precisely orchestrated sequence of cellular events involving novel as well as well known mediators. We have previously demonstrated that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the amygdala promotes stress-induced synaptic plasticity and anxiety-like behavior. Here, we show that tPA activity in the amygdala is up-regulated by a major stress neuromodulator, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), acting on CRF type-1 receptors. Compared with WT, tPA-deficient mice responded to CRF treatment with attenuated expression of c-fos (an indicator of neuronal activation) in the central and medial amygdala but had normal c-fos responses in paraventricular nuclei. They exhibited reduced anxiety-like behavior to CRF but had a sustained corticosterone response after CRF administration. This effect of tPA deficiency was not mediated by plasminogen, because plasminogen-deficient mice demonstrated normal behavioral and hormonal changes to CRF. These studies establish tPA as an important mediator of cellular, behavioral, and hormonal responses to CRF.
Energy and nutrient dietary reference values for children in Europe: methodological approaches and current nutritional recommendations
Authors: Prentice Ann , Branca Francesco , Decsi Tamás , Michaelsen Kim Fleischer , Fletcher Reg J. , Guesry Pierre , Manz Friedrich , Vidailhet Michel , Pannemans Daphne , Samartín Sonia
Published: November 2004

The Expert Group on the Methodological Approaches and Current Nutritional Recommendations in Children and Adolescents was convened to consider the current situation across Europe with regard to dietary recommendations and reference values for children aged 2–18 years. Information was obtained for twenty-nine of the thirty-nine countries in Europe and a comprehensive compilation was made of the dietary recommendations current up to September 2002. This report presents a review of the concepts of dietary reference values and a comparison of the methodological approaches used in each country. Attention is drawn to the special considerations that are needed for establishing dietary reference values for children and adolescents. Tables are provided of the current dietary reference values for energy and for the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and water. Brief critiques are included to indicate the scientific foundations of the reference values for children and to offer, where possible, an explanation for the wide differences that exist between countries. This compilation demonstrated that there are considerable disparities in the perceived nutritional requirements of European children and adolescents. Although some of this diversity can be attributed to real physiological and environmental differences, most is due to differences in philosophy about the best methodological approach to use and in the way the theoretical approaches are applied. The report highlights the main methodological and technological issues that will need to be resolved before harmonisation can be fully considered. Solving these issues may help to improve the quality and consistency of dietary reference values across Europe. However, there are also considerable scientific and political barriers that will need to be overcome and the question of whether harmonisation of dietary reference values for children and adolescents is a desirable or achievable goal for Europe requires further consideration.
Functional effects of food: what do we know in children?
Authors: Aggett Peter J.
Published: November 2004

The knowledge base underpinning the setting of nutrient requirements for children and adolescents is not very secure. The advent of the concepts of optimal nutrition and functional foods has encouraged the possible use of functional effects as criteria for adequate nutrition in this age group. Target functions have been identified for growth development and differentiation and for behavioural and cognitive development. However, ideal markers or effects for these are not generally available. Additionally, nutrition in young people should avoid predisposing them to diet-related disease in later life. It is suggested that functional effects should include markers of reduction of risks of disease (nutritional safety) as well of benefits for health and well-being. Such markers of functional effects should be expected to arise from fundamental studies of nutrient–gene interactions and post-genomic metabolism.
Flupenthixol and cefotiam: effects on vitamin A metabolism in rats
Authors: Schindler Rainer , Fielenbach Tanja , Rave Gerhard
Published: November 2004

We examined the alterations in vitamin A metabolism as a result of flupenthixol or cefotiam administration. The impact of these drugs on indices of vitamin A status was evaluated in Brown Norway and Long–Evans rats. Intramuscular drug administration for 28 d resulted in a decline in systemic retinol. Changes in circulating retinol with time for chronic dosing showed drug treatment (P<0·001) and time (P<0·03) to be significant factors, but rat strain (P=0·33) was not a significant factor. Flupenthixol was the most active retinol-lowering compound (P<0·005). At the end of the 28 d period, hepatic retinyl ester hydrolase activity was greater in drug-treated rats than in controls (P<0·05). With regard to effects on liver reserves: (1) flupenthixol treatment resulted in vitamin A depletion (P<0·05); (2) cefotiam treatment stimulated vitamin A accumulation; (3) distinctive patterns of retinol and its esters were seen in response to treatment. It is reasonable to assume that the drugs interfere with vitamin A in at least two ways: (1) lowering of plasma retinol, an early event in the interaction, may be caused by inhibition of hepatic holo-retinol-binding protein secretion or stimulation of clearance, or both; (2) when plasma retinol levels are persistently low, and as the hepatic deposits of the xenobiotics build up, there are changes in the vitamin A pool size and composition of the liver. Candidate enzymes are retinyl ester hydrolase and cytochrome P450. The relationship between these two events will be studied in further detail.
Combined effects of a dietary portfolio of plant sterols, vegetable protein, viscous fibre and almonds on LDL particle size
Authors: Lamarche Benoît , Desroches Sophie , Jenkins David J. A. , Kendall Cyril W. C. , Marchie Augustine , Faulkner Dorothea , Vidgen Edward , Lapsley Karen G. , Trautwein Elke A. , Parker Tina L. , Josse Robert G. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Connelly Philip W.
Published: November 2004

Studies conducted in the last 20 years have led to the identification of small dense LDL as an important risk factor for CVD. Consumption of plant sterols, soyabean proteins, viscous fibre and nuts are known to modulate the risk of CVD favourably through their cholesterol (Chol)-lowering properties, both independently and more recently in combination. Nevertheless, their combined impact on the LDL particle size phenotype has never been tested. In the present study, we assessed the effect of incorporating concurrently plant sterols (1 g/4·2 MJ), soyabean protein (23 g/4·2 MJ), viscous fibre (9 g/4·2 MJ) and almonds (15 g/4·2 MJ) into a diet very low in saturated fat in twelve patients with mildly elevated plasma LDL-Chol levels. Fasting blood lipids were obtained at the start of the study and at 2-week intervals during the 4-week study. The diet-induced reduction in plasma LDL-Chol of 30·0 (SE 3·0) % (P<0·0001) was attributed to concurrent reductions in the serum Chol concentrations of large (>26.0 nm−30 (SE 8) %,P<0·001), medium (25·5–26·0 nm−29 (SE 3) %,P<0·001) and small (<25·5 nm − 21 (SD 6) %,P<0·01) LDL particles, with near maximal reductions seen by week 2. These results indicate that foods and dietary components advocated for their potential to reduce the risk of CVD are effective in reducing serum concentrations of all LDL fractions including small dense LDL, thus potentially further contributing to an overall lower risk of CVD.
Dietaryn-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio in the perinatal period affects bone parameters in adult female rats
Authors: Korotkova M. , Ohlsson C. , Hanson L. Å. , Strandvik B.
Published: November 2004

PUFA and their metabolites are important regulators of bone formation and resorption. The effect of PUFA on bone growth may be especially striking during the perinatal period. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of diets with differentn-6:n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratios during the perinatal period on bone parameters in the adult offspring. During late gestation and throughout lactation, rat dams were fed an isoenergetic diet containing 70 g linseed oil (n-3 diet), soyabean oil (n-6+n-3 diet) or sunflower-seed oil (n-6 diet) per kg withn-6:n-3 FA ratios of 0·4, 9 and 216, respectively. The offspring were weaned onto an ordinary chow and followed until 30 weeks of age. Bone parameters were analysed using peripheral quantitative computerised tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Femur length and cortical cross-sectional bone area and bone mineral content were significantly higher in then-6+n-3 group than in the other groups. Cortical bone thickness in then-6+n-3 group was increased compared with then-3 group, but most cortical bone parameters did not differ between then-3 andn-6 groups. The results suggest that regulatory mechanisms were influenced by then-6:n-3 FA ratio early in life and not compensated for by the introduction of an ordinary diet after weaning.
Cranial neural crest recycle surface integrins in a substratum-dependent manner to promote rapid motility
Authors: Strachan Lauren R. , Condic Maureen L.
Published: November 2004

Cell migration is essential for proper development of numerous structures derived from embryonic neural crest cells (NCCs). Although the migratory pathways of NCCs have been determined, the molecular mechanisms regulating NCC motility remain unclear. NCC migration is integrin dependent, and recent work has shown that surface expression levels of particular integrin α subunits are important determinants of NCC motility in vitro. Here, we provide evidence that rapid cranial NCC motility on laminin requires integrin recycling. NCCs showed both ligand- and receptor-specific integrin regulation in vitro. On laminin, NCCs accumulated internalized laminin but not fibronectin receptors over 20 min, whereas on fibronectin neither type of receptor accumulated internally beyond 2 min. Internalized laminin receptors colocalized with receptor recycling vesicles and were subsequently recycled back to the cell surface. Blocking receptor recycling with bafilomycin A inhibited NCC motility on laminin, indicating that substratum-dependent integrin recycling is essential for rapid cranial neural crest migration.
A cell sizer network involving Cln3 and Far1 controls entrance into S phase in the mitotic cycle of budding yeast
Authors: Alberghina Lilia , Rossi Riccardo L. , Querin Lorenzo , Wanke Valeria , Vanoni Marco
Published: November 2004

Saccharomyces cerevisiae must reach a carbon source-modulated critical cell size, protein content per cell at the onset of DNA replication (Ps), in order to enter S phase. Cells grown in glucose are larger than cells grown in ethanol. Here, we show that an increased level of the cyclin-dependent inhibitor Far1 increases cell size, whereas far1Δ cells start bud emergence and DNA replication at a smaller size than wild type. Cln3Δ, far1Δ, and strains overexpressing Far1 do not delay budding during an ethanol glucose shift-up as wild type does. Together, these findings indicate that Cln3 has to overcome Far1 to trigger Cln–Cdc28 activation, which then turns on SBF- and MBF-dependent transcription. We show that a second threshold is required together with the Cln3/Far1 threshold for carbon source modulation of Ps. A new molecular network accounting for the setting of Ps is proposed.
Effects of contact shape on the scaling of biological attachments
Authors: Spolenak Ralph , Gorb Stanislav , Gao Huajian , Arzt Eduard
Published: November 2004

Adhesion of biological systems has recently received much research attention: the survival of organisms ranging from single cells and mussels to insects, spiders and geckos relies crucially on their mechanical interaction with their environments. For spiders, lizards and possible other ‘dry’ adhesive systems, explanations for adhesion are based on van der Waals interaction, and the adhesion of single–contact elements has been described by the classical Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) model derived for spherical contacts. However, real biological contacts display a variety of shapes and only rarely resemble a hemisphere. Here, we theoretically assess the influence of various contact shapes on the pull–off force for single contacts as well as their scaling potential in contact arrays. It is concluded that other shapes, such as a toroidal contact geometry, should lead to better attachment; such geometries are observed in our microscopic investigations of hair–tip shapes in beetles and flies.
Influence of the material substructure on crack propagation: a unified treatment
Authors: Mariano Paolo Maria
Published: November 2004

The influence of the material texture (substructure) on the force driving the crack tip in complex materials is analysed in a three–dimensional continuum setting. The theory proposed accounts for finite deformations and general coarse–grained morphological descriptors of the substructure. A modified expression of theJintegral is obtained together with other path integrals which are necessary to treat cases in which the process zone around the tip has finite size. They allow also us to consider the influence of the presence of diffused interfaces in multiphase solids on crack propagation. The results can be applied to a very wide class of material substructures occurring in condensed matter. To indicate possible applications, the behaviour of cracks in ferroelectrics and in materials with strain–gradient effects is discussed: the specializations of the general results reduce to expressions that fit reasonably experimental data.
The Stokes phenomenon associated with the Hurwitz zeta function ζ(
s
,
a
)
Authors: Paris R. B.
Published: November 2004

We examine the exponentially improved asymptotic expansion of the Hurwitz zeta function
ζ
(
s
,
a
) for large complex values of
a
, with
s
regarded as a parameter. It is shown that an infinite number of subdominant exponential terms switch on across the Stokes lines arg
a
= ± ½
π
.
Variability of the southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: de Ruijter Wilhelmus P. M. , Ridderinkhof Herman , Schouten Mathijs W.
Published: November 2004

The variability in the southwest Indian Ocean is connected to the basin–scale and global–scale ocean circulation. Two bands of enhanced variability stretch across the Southern Indian Ocean east of Madagascar around 12○ S and 25○ S, respectively. They mark the preferred routes along which anomalies, generated by varying forcing over the central basin, near the eastern boundary or in the equatorial region, propagate westward as baroclinic Rossby waves. Sea–surface height anomalies pass along the northern tip of Madagascar and are observed by satellite altimetry to propagate into the central Mozambique Channel. There, eddies are subsequently formed that propagate southward into the Agulhas retroflection region. The anomalies along the southern band trigger the formation of large dipolar vortex pairs in the separation region of the East Madagascar Current at the southern tip of the island. South of Africa these eddies and dipoles trigger the shedding of Agulhas Rings that feed the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation with warm, salty, Indian Ocean water. Interannual variability of the forcing over the Indian Ocean, such as that associated with the Indian Ocean Dipole/El Niño climate modes, propagates along these pathways and leads to associated modulations of the eddy transports into the South Atlantic.
Employees and e‐learning: what do the end‐users think?
Authors: Baldwin‐Evans Kay
Published: November 2004

Within the majority of organisations, e‐learning is now an accepted means of increasing skills and knowledge across the enterprise. Early adopters no longer think of themselves and their organisations as pioneers of a new and unproven method of training. For the most part they have seamlessly integrated e‐learning into their training strategy along with all the other methods of delivering training. Even those organisations that waited until e‐learning was proven are now enjoying the many benefits that e‐learning brings. However, whilst much has been made of the benefits to the organisation of e‐learning, there has been little, if any, qualitative investigation into the attitudes and views of the users themselves. SkillSoft embarked on an ambitious project to interview a broad spectrum of over 200 employees, across a range of organisations, in over 14 countries across EMEA. This article details the main findings of the research and shares the best practices adopted by organisations that have enjoyed e‐learning success.
Making the case for a developmental perspective
Authors: Cook‐Greuter Susanne R.
Published: November 2004

This paper introduces the concept of action logics as increasingly complex and flexible systems of meaning‐making to the management field. It adds the developmental perspective (vertical transformation) to the training and development concept of growth as lateral expansion. It outlines the major shift from viewing people mostly as different types to also considering differences in the differentiation and integration of their meaning‐making capacity. First, there is a brief overview of the developmental approach, and the assumptions shared in the field of adult development research. Next the spiral Leadership Development Framework and its measuring instrument are described, and the reader is walked through two examples of what it means to interpret the world from different actions logics. Finally, the benefits of a developmental perspective are outlined. It predicts that postconventional leaders can more flexibly and successfully tailor their interactions to the differing needs of those they work with to create greater capacity throughout the system.
Getting the best out of the best: how businesses can use universities to their benefit
Authors: Kitson Paul
Published: November 2004

Britain lags behind other countries such as the USA and Japan in commercially exploiting the expertise of its universities, despite the world class research produced within the sector. The article explores the UK Government's response in terms of funding university‐business collaborations, and then the breadth of services that are available from universities. In a case study it examines i10, a collaboration between ten universities and colleges in the East of England designed to help business‐university collaboration. Three case studies follow, examining the broad range of work of their member institutions in helping different growing businesses, to show the wide variety of different services available from the university sector.
The decline in adult book lending in UK public libraries and its possible causes
Authors: Grindlay Douglas J.C. , Morris Anne
Published: November 2004

Possible reasons for the decline in annual adult book issues from UK public libraries are reviewed. Annual book issues have been decreasing since 1980, due mainly to a decrease in issues of adult fiction and, to a lesser extent, adult non‐fiction. Possible intrinsic causes include cuts in book funds in real terms and reduced accessibility of libraries through library closures and reduced opening hours. One likely extrinsic cause is increased real households' disposable income since the late 1970s, which has expanded people's leisure opportunities and made it easy for them to buy books. The widespread use of home computers and the Internet in recent years is also likely to be a factor, but there is little evidence for a major role of increased television watching. There are some data to suggest that the average person in the UK now spends less time reading books and this, combined with the increase in consumer book purchasing, is probably the underlying cause of the decline in public library book lending.
The decline in adult book lending in UK public libraries and its possible causes
Authors: Grindlay Douglas J.C. , Morris Anne
Published: November 2004

Annual book issues from UK public libraries have been decreasing since 1980, due mainly to decreases in issues of adult fiction and, to a lesser extent, adult non‐fiction. This paper describes an analysis of trends from 1980 to 1998 in annual book issues and selected factors that may have caused their decrease. Simple linear regressions were used to test predictors of issues over this period. The factors studied were: decreased funding of public libraries and library book stocks; reductions in opening hours and numbers of public libraries; increased personal affluence and leisure opportunities; and increased book purchases by readers. Significant regression relationships were found between annual book issues and all the factors studied. However, book issues showed the closest relationship to personal spending power, as measured by real households' disposable income, which explained over 96 per cent of the variation in issues. This compared with 92 per cent of the variation in issues being explained by the number of libraries open 45 hours per week, 80 per cent by real consumer spending on books and just 60 per cent by real book spend in public libraries.
The impact of the current e‐journal marketplace on university library budget structures: some Glasgow experiences
Authors: Roberts Michael , Kidd Tony , Irvine Lynn
Published: November 2004

This paper examines the pressures being exerted on university library budget structures by consortial licence agreements and “big deal” arrangements. Particular reference is made to developments at three higher educational institutions located in the city of Glasgow, Scotland: the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Glasgow. Pricing in the electronic information environment is likely to remain a complex and difficult area for the foreseeable future and academic library budgets will need to be sufficiently flexible in nature to be able to accommodate the complexities of current economic models. This flexibility is likely to require some degree of funding to remain under central control.
A portrait of Olas as a young information literacy tutorial
Authors: Hegarty Nora , Quinlan Neil , Lynch Ted
Published: November 2004

This article begins with an analysis of the information society, discussing its repercussions and defining the term, information literacy. It also describes the need for, as well as the creation and development of, an online information literacy tutorial, named Olas at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) Libraries. Olas follows international best practice and its overall framework is based on US, Australian and UK information literacy models, while its learning outcomes follow those produced by both the Council of Australian University Librarians and Peter Godwin, South Bank University, London. Olas aims to introduce basic and advanced concepts of information literacy to the broadest possible range of learners both on‐campus and remotely. Olas is currently being piloted at WIT. Apart from the integrated commercial database products to which access is contractually limited to WIT students and staff, it is freely available from WIT Libraries' Web site. Further development is focused on building an improved version of the course in the WebCT virtual learning environment. The WebCT version will include more richly interactive content, will facilitate credited assessment of WIT‐registered students, and will address outstanding accessibility issues.
Transformation of “a business in risks”: knowledge and learning for reinvention
Authors: Matheson Connell Carol
Published: November 2004

Jardine Matheson & Company is a Hong Kong multi‐industry conglomerate that has gone through political upheaval, global and regional economic crises, and has survived and transformed itself several times in the process. Firm learning and adaptability are audited across five breakpoints (1832, 1885, 1977, 1996, 2004), thereby contributing information about changes in the long‐term, large‐scale behavior of Jardine Matheson & Company. The paper takes a historical transformation approach to learning and knowledge in Jardine Matheson, largely inspired by Edith Penrose and The Theory of the Growth of the Firm and the recent work of William Lazonick to describe a theory of innovative enterprise. The paper also draws on contemporary resource‐based and knowledge‐learning literature. The paper addresses the question of whether firms can learn from change and apply new knowledge for continuous reinvention. The analysis reveals the extent to which Jardine Matheson stimulated or adapted to changes in the environment and saw new opportunities for value capture that demanded the development or reuse of capabilities and the reconfiguration of relationships necessary for survival, transformation and advantage in Hong Kong and the ASEAN. The research is analytical, observational and interpretive. The analytic approach is generalizable and provides insight useful to scholars and practitioners. The research itself is neither predictive nor prescriptive. The research findings communicated here present a picture of Jardine Matheson's ability to acquire, integrate and apply knowledge.
Development of a business plan for an international co‐operative digital library – The European Library (TEL)
Authors: Collier Mel
Published: November 2004

The European Library (TEL) project aims to give digital access to the combined resources of the national libraries of Europe, operating under the auspices of the Conference of European National Librarians (CENL). A preparatory project, part funded by the European Union, ran from January 2001 until January 2004. Because of the diverse nature and missions of the participating libraries, developing a coherent business plan was a significant challenge. It appears that business planning for digital libraries, with some exceptions, is not hitherto well documented. This paper describes the research process carried out, the harmonisation of business objectives leading to the final business plan and some observations on the process.
Shifting expectations: automation and safety networking
Authors: Piggin Richard
Published: November 2004

Safety‐related fieldbus is now being employed in many varied applications. Developments in fieldbus technology and programmable systems, coupled with developments in International and European Standards have created the opportunity for widespread use. Performance, equipment availability, flexibility, diagnostics and reduced cost of ownership are the principal reasons for rapid growth in safety‐related networking. The use of programmable safety systems has fundamentally have changed the way in which safety is now being engineered in the manufacturing plant. New devices provide direct connectivity to safety‐related networks, increasing the scope and changing the architecture of safety systems far beyond conventional expectations. Technological developments, application and benefits of safety‐related networking in industrial automation systems are shown. Criteria for safety network selection are highlighted.
New show an automation extravaganza
Authors: Kochan Anna
Published: November 2004

Automatica 2004, a new exhibition dedicated to industrial automation, attracted 566 exhibitors from 22 countries, the first time it was held in Munich. Exhibits revealed a growing use of robots for inspection and measurement operations, particularly for automotive applications. In addition, assembly systems are becoming increasingly standardised and modularised, and robot installations are becoming more and more compact.
Design, modelling and control of four‐axis parallel robotic arm for assembly operations
Authors: Mir‐Nasiri Nazim
Published: November 2004

This paper concerns a new robotic arm with a parallel structure, but with a functionality or geometry similar to the serial structure of a SCARA robot. However, it has a number of advantages compared to a SCARA robot and to other conventional manipulators with parallel structures. It has high stiffness, low inertia and a large payload with comparison to SCARA robots, and a larger workspace with comparison to conventional manipulators with parallel structures. This paper and related research is aimed at overcoming the problems encountered in the design, modeling and application of such robotic arms. In fact, the proposed structure has simpler and more manageable mathematical models compared to those of other 3D parallel structures.
Preliminary investigation of virtual assembly constructing
Authors: Jiangsheng Liu , Yingxue Yao
Published: November 2004

Virtual assembly (VA) based on virtual reality (VR) is a key technique of virtual manufacturing. It provides not only an intuitive and interactive interface for virtual product design, but also an efficient method to analyze or verify assembly performance of these products. Preliminary investigations of constructing a VA system were implemented in this paper. There were three key techniques in constructing a VA system, which were data transformation from CAD system to VA system, collision detection, and virtual manipulation with a virtual hand. These key techniques were analyzed further and their concrete algorithms were given. At last an experimental VA system was set‐up to verify these algorithms. It is proved that the transformed data are sufficient, which can satisfy the VA system's requirement; the collision detection algorithm is efficient as it assures the system to be real time; and the virtual manipulation algorithm guarantees the system's reality and maneuverability.
FM: new urban and community alignments
Authors: Roberts Phil
Published: November 2004

This paper discusses the Best Value programme, introduced in 1997, which is committed to providing high quality services that citizens value. The programme radically challenged the conventional organisation of public and voluntary services. Outlines the two major trends, which have emerged from the initiative. The first is the broadening and deepening of the engagement between the private and public sectors in the provision of community services. The second trend is more complex but also more radical – pulling together agencies responsible for social services, health services, voluntary services and community and media information services. States that the initiative has given new impetus to the debate on Urban FM – the idea that community management can be wholly externalised to professional service providers, responsible for investment and management of the public infrastructure and its associated services. Urban FM is simply a logical extension of the need to reinvest in community facilities and systems, and provide a flexible “platform” in which agencies and the private sector can come together in new and innovative settings for the benefit of the community.
Integrated operational services: meeting continuously changing needs and expectations
Authors: Young Frank
Published: November 2004

This paper aims to provide a practitioner's view as to how property and facilities management professionals, and their colleagues in other operation support areas need to respond to changing customer needs and expectations. The views expressed are based on the author's extensive experience of property strategy, workplace innovation and service management, both as a consultant adviser and more recently in his current position as director of infrastructure operations for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK. While recognising the progress that has been made in improving the style, mix and efficiency of office environments, the author argues that these changes must be accompanied by improvements in service delivery. There are three aspects to this. First, closer engagement with the customer, based on a real understanding of business drivers and needs. Second, better integration with the whole operations community acting as one recognising the increasing impact of connectivity and flexible working on accommodation solutions. Third, creating an enhanced customer experience more akin to that of a good restaurant or hotel. This paper should be of interest to professionals who are involved in the planning or implementation of new accommodation or the introduction of new practices such as sharing or hotelling.
Policies, promises and trust: improving working lives in the National Health Service
Authors: Skinner Denise , Saunders Mark N.K. , Duckett Hilary
Published: November 2004

In recent years the UK National Health Service (NHS) has been characterised by radical and continuous change at every level. Within the literature, and the NHS itself, it is argued that successfully changing such an organisation requires the sustained commitment, trust and goodwill of staff. As part of developing and maintaining mutual trust and commitment it is widely argued that employers must meet the employee expectations which form part of the psychological contract, an important element of which, Armstrong argues, is being able to trust in management to keep their promises. Within this paper we argue that policies can be seen as a visible manifestation of management promises and present the improving working lives (IWL) policy within the NHS as an example of one such “promise” that has been made to staff in relation to areas which are important to them at a personal level. Using an anonymous questionnaire that explored areas central to IWL, data were collected from staff in five Primary Care Trusts within one Strategic Heath Authority in relation to their experiences and awareness of what was being done to address these issues. The research found that although the IWL Standard makes very public promises about work‐life balance, harassment, equality and the valuing of staff, at best these have only been partially delivered.
Corruption – the challenge to good governance: a South African perspective
Authors: Pillay Soma
Published: November 2004

The effect of corruption in South Africa has seriously constrained development of the national economy and has significantly inhibited good governance in the country. South Africa's complex political design is a contributing factor to the rise of corruption, which has adversely affected stability and trust and which has damaged the ethos of democratic values and principles. Although the South African government has been instrumental in systems to fight the evils of corruption, practical problems have increasingly emerged over the years. The most notable problems are: insufficient coordination of anti‐corruption work within the South African public service and among the various sectors of society; poor information about corruption and the impact of anti‐corruption measures and agencies; and the impact of corruption on good governance. This paper is a part of a broader study undertaken on corruption. It addresses issues related to corruption and good governance in the South African (National) Public Service. To articulate and analyse the challenges confronting the country, issues regarding coordination of anti‐corruption agencies will be explored.
Collaboration of public sector agencies: reporting and accountability challenges
Authors: Ryan Christine , Walsh Peter
Published: November 2004

There is increasing pressure being placed on government agencies both in Australia and internationally to act in a more collaborative, integrated manner. Community and welfare programs are being conducted in new “shared” or “whole‐of‐government” ways, which pose a challenge to traditional models of public sector reporting. Existing accountability mechanisms are designed for vertical accountability relationships, and these are inadequate for horizontal or “networked” accountability across government agencies. This paper uses the case of the Community Renewal Program based in the Queensland state government department to illustrate the problems which arise when reporting on “shared” programs. The paper offers a different approach to improve reporting and accountability for shared programs.
A new tool for measurement of process‐based performance of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals
Authors: Hariharan Seetharaman , Dey Prasanta K. , Moseley Harley S.L. , Kumar Areti Y. , Gora Jagathi
Published: November 2004

There is an increasing need of a model for the process‐based performance measurement of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals for quality improvement. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is utilized in this study to evolve such a model. Each step in the model was derived by group‐discussions and brainstorming sessions among experienced clinicians and managers. This tool was applied to two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Barbados and India. The model enabled identification of specific areas where neither hospital performed very well, and helped to suggest recommendations to improve those areas. AHP is recommended as a valuable tool to measure the process‐based performance of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals.
Completing the circle: from PD to PDSA
Authors: Walley Paul , Gowland Ben
Published: November 2004

Problem‐solving teams, involving front‐line staff, are widely used to achieve continuous process improvement. Approaches such as “plan‐do‐study‐act” (PDSA) cycles, are now a core element of many health‐care improvement initiatives. This paper evaluates the use of PDSA improvement cycles within the UK National Health Service, using emergency care improvement activity as a source of research evidence. It was found that, despite an abundance of information on how to implement this type of change, many senior professionals still misinterpret how this should work. This has implications for how such methodologies are implemented. There is a long way to go in allowing greater employee involvement, moving much further away from the “management committee” style of change. Care has to be taken to ensure that empowered employees are working to consistent and appropriate objectives. It is important that senior personnel develop process understanding alongside the workforce, rather than simply providing distant support.
Change as shifting identities: a dialogic perspective
Authors: Jabri Muayyad
Published: November 2004

Narrative and dialogic modes of theorizing identity are both premised on textuality. However, theories of narrative identity tend towards unity and coherence (in accordance with the notion of narrative as constant and pre‐given), whereas the dialogic mode is more aligned with the postmodern novelistic literature (thus drawing heavily on dispersion, voice, disorder, and otherness). In accordance with the approach of Mikhail Bakhtin, the present study attempts to remedy the shortcomings of narrative identity by proposing change as involving shifting identities that are achieved through the transposition of utterances. Only through the recognition of the undecidable, unfinalizable nature of utterance can change be conceived as being shaped and reshaped through shifting identities. Such an approach reveals the interlocking relation between change and the varied texts people inhabit as they contemplate change.
Technological determinism and discursive closure in organizational mergers
Authors: Leonardi Paul M. , Jackson Michele H.
Published: November 2004

In times of organizational change leaders often tell stories that justify publicly the directions in which organizations move. Such stories are always political in nature and often reflect the motives of the storyteller. We observe how leaders in high‐tech organizations use the story of technological determinism in organizational settings as a discursive practice through which they invoke the “inevitability” of technology to justify managerial decisions to the public. Rather than taking ownership of certain actions, managers are able to use this story to claim that certain organizational changes are inevitable, and to eliminate alternative stories. We examine this strategy as it appears in the public discourse produced during two mergers in the high‐tech and telecommunications industries occurring from 1998 to 2002: US West and Qwest, and AOL and TimeWarner. Finally, we demonstrate that the story of technological determinism performs discursive closure around each merger.