bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of an U
2
S
3
-type polymorph of Al
2
O
3
at 3.7 Mbar
Authors: Umemoto Koichiro , Wentzcovitch Renata M.
Published: May 2008

We predict by first principles a phase transition in alumina at ≈3.7 Mbar and room temperature from the CaIrO
3
-type polymorph to another with the U
2
S
3
-type structure. Because alumina is used as window material in shock-wave experiments, this transformation should be important for the analysis of shock data in this pressure range. Comparison of our results on all high-pressure phases of alumina with shock data suggests the presence of two phase transitions in shock experiments: the corundum to Rh
2
O
3
(II)-type structure and the Rh
2
O
3
(II)-type to CaIrO
3
-type structure. The transformation to the U
2
S
3
-type polymorph is in the pressure range reached in the mantle of recently discovered terrestrial exoplanets and suggests that the multi-megabar crystal chemistry of planet-forming minerals might be related to that of the rare-earth sulfides.
Influence of genotype and nutrition on survival and metabolism of starving yeast
Authors: Boer Viktor M. , Amini Sasan , Botstein David
Published: May 2008

Starvation of yeast cultures limited by auxotrophic requirements results in glucose wasting and failure to achieve prompt cell-cycle arrest when compared with starvation for basic natural nutrients like phosphate or sulfate. We measured the survival of yeast auxotrophs upon starvation for different nutrients and found substantial differences: When deprived of leucine or uracil, viability declined exponentially with a half-life of <2 days, whereas when the same strains were deprived of phosphate or sulfate, the half-life was ≈10 days. The survival rates of nongrowing auxotrophs deprived of uracil or leucine depended on the carbon source available during starvation, but were independent of the carbon source during prior growth. We performed an enrichment procedure for mutants that suppress lethality during auxotrophy starvation. We repeatedly found loss-of-function mutations in a number of functionally related genes. Mutations in
PPM1
, which methylates protein phosphatase 2A, and target of rapamycin (
TOR1
) were characterized further. Deletion of
PPM1
almost completely suppressed the rapid lethality and substantially suppressed glucose wasting during starvation for leucine or uracil. Suppression by a deletion of
TOR1
was less complete. We suggest that, similar to the Warburg effect observed in tumor cells, starving yeast auxotrophs wastes glucose as a consequence of the failure of conserved growth control pathways. Furthermore, we suggest that our results on condition-dependent chronological lifespan have important implications for the interpretation and design of studies on chronological aging.
A support vector machine model for the prediction of proteotypic peptides for accurate mass and time proteomics
Authors: Webb-Robertson Bobbie-Jo M. , Cannon William R. , Oehmen Christopher S. , Shah Anuj R. , Gurumoorthi Vidhya , Lipton Mary S. , Waters Katrina M.
Published: May 2008

Motivation: The standard approach to identifying peptides based on accurate mass and elution time (AMT) compares profiles obtained from a high resolution mass spectrometer to a database of peptides previously identified from tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) studies. It would be advantageous, with respect to both accuracy and cost, to only search for those peptides that are detectable by MS (proteotypic).

Results: We present a support vector machine (SVM) model that uses a simple descriptor space based on 35 properties of amino acid content, charge, hydrophilicity and polarity for the quantitative prediction of proteotypic peptides. Using three independently derived AMT databases (Shewanella oneidensis, Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia pestis) for training and validation within and across species, the SVM resulted in an average accuracy measure of 0.8 with a SD of <0.025. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these results are achievable with a small set of 12 variables and can achieve high proteome coverage.

Availability:  http://omics.pnl.gov/software/STEPP.php

Contact:  bj@pnl.gov

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Retrospective determination of primary feeding areas of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using fingerprinting of chlorinated organic contaminants
Authors: Svendsen Tore C. , Vorkamp Katrin , Rønsholdt Bent , Frier Jens-Ole
Published: May 2008

Svendsen, T. C., Vorkamp, K., Rønsholdt, B., and Frier, J-O. 2008. Retrospective determination of primary feeding areas of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using fingerprinting of chlorinated organic contaminants. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 921–929. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) undertake extensive marine migrations. In the marine environment, the Atlantic salmon appears to suffer from heavy mortality, indicating the need for increased knowledge of its movements and habitat use at sea. Persistent organochlorine compounds (OCs) are found in measurable concentrations in all marine ecosystems. Geographically varying sources of OCs, transport, and transformation processes lead to different OC concentrations and compositions in the various ecosystems. As the principal source of organochlorine uptake in salmon is diet, populations utilizing different feeding areas may accumulate pollutant loads corresponding to their primary feeding areas. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the OC composition in Atlantic salmon from four locations: Lake Vättern (Sweden), Lake Vänern (Sweden), the Baltic Sea (off Denmark), and the River Imsa (Norway). Muscle and liver samples from each fish were analysed for 30 organochlorines (polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes, HCHs, hexachlorobenzene, and trans-nonachlor). Principal component analysis on normalized OC concentrations (OC pattern) showed separation of the salmon populations according to location; contaminant patterns were similar for liver and muscle tissue. It is therefore suggested that OC fingerprinting may be a valuable tool in identifying primary foraging areas of salmonids.
Vocational Bias: A Potential Pitfall in the Use of Key Informant Interviews in Pediatric Community Needs Assessments
Authors: Northrip Kimberly , Chen Candice , Marsh Jennifer
Published: May 2008

Key informants are individuals with insight into a community or a problem of interest. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the employment type of key informants on the outcome of a pediatric needs assessment for an urban community. Twenty-one interviews were conducted during the course of a pediatric community needs assessment. As part of the interview, informants were asked to list the top three problems facing children in their community. We analyzed their answers to determine if informant responses differed by employment type. Key informants were divided into four employment types: health care setting, social service, business, and infrastructure. Responses were coded as being primarily one of three types: medical, social, or resource. Our results showed that those informants who worked in a health care setting listed medical problems more often than those who did not (p < 0.04). Those who worked in social services listed resource problems more often than those who did not (p < 0.05). Those in business and infrastructure positions listed more social problems (p < 0.37). No difference was observed in response type between those who had lived in the community at some point and those who had not. This study lends support to the hypothesis that informants’ reporting of community problems is biased by their vocation. Clinicians often focus their needs assessments on health care workers. This study suggests, however, that we need to take into consideration the bias this presents and to seek to interview people with diverse work experiences. By limiting the process to health care workers, clinicians are likely to get a skewed perspective of a community’s needs and wants.
Semantic heterogeneity: comparing new semantic web approaches with those of digital libraries
Authors: Krause Jürgen
Published: May 2008

Purpose

To demonstrate that newer developments in the semantic web community, particularly those based on ontologies (simple knowledge organization system and others) mitigate common arguments from the digital library (DL) community against participation in the Semantic web.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a semantic web discussion focusing on the weak structure of the Web and the lack of consideration given to the semantic content during indexing.

Findings

The points criticised by the semantic web and ontology approaches are the same as those of the DL “Shell model approach” from the mid‐1990s, with emphasis on the centrality of its heterogeneity components (used, for example, in vascoda). The Shell model argument began with the “invisible web”, necessitating the restructuring of DL approaches. The conclusion is that both approaches fit well together and that the Shell model, with its semantic heterogeneity components, can be reformulated on the semantic web basis.

Practical implications

A reinterpretation of the DL approaches of semantic heterogeneity and adapting to standards and tools supported by the W3C should be the best solution. It is therefore recommended that – although most of the semantic web standards are not technologically refined for commercial applications at present – all individual DL developments should be checked for their adaptability to the W3C standards of the semantic web.

Originality/value

A unique conceptual analysis of the parallel developments emanating from the digital library and semantic web communities.
“Or you got it or you ain't”: the nature of leadership in libraries
Authors: McMenemy David
Published: May 2008

Purpose

To examine the nature of leadership as a set of skills that can be acquired, vs the argument that they are skills a person either has or has not, and discuss this in relation to the recent focus on leadership in libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is a reflective opinion.

Findings

Argues that an over‐emphasis on leadership in the library manager is a potential danger to the collegiality of the profession, and that leadership is such a diversely interpreted term that it leads to a mishmash of ideas and emphases within the wider profession.

Practical implications

Relates to a topic much debated and discussed in recent years within the library profession.

Originality/value

The article takes a reflective and critical stance towards the discourse around leadership.
Coaching as second‐order observations
Authors: Styhre Alexander
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Executive coaching has emerged as a widely used leadership development practice in organizations. To date, however, the literature on coaching is largely devoid of studies of how coaching works in practice and no unified comprehensive theoretical framework has been agreed upon which supports the practice of coaching. This paper aims to draw on the social systems theory of Niklas Luhmann and argue that the distinction between first‐ and second‐order observations is central to the practice of coaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports on a yearlong study of the coaching of site managers in construction projects. The study shows that coaching actively helped the site managers to relate to their previous experiences and modes of operating and to conceive of new and effective ways of leading their work.

Findings

The participating site managers looked upon the coaching program as being helpful both with regard to dealing with practical day‐to‐day problems and concerns and with regard to their development as managers. Above all, the site managers appreciated being provided with a space where they could articulate their problems and discuss them with an external interlocutor.

Practical implications

Coaching programs may be helpful for both site and other managers in the construction industry, and in other industries. Further research is needed to explore the benefits and limitations of executive coaching.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on coaching by providing a study of coaching wherein both coaches and coachees are given a voice and by means of references to Luhmann's work.
The effects of sensitive symbols on class project selection decisions
Authors: Wiegand Katherine , Johnson C. Douglas , Dawson Bryan , Ward Mathew
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the idea that symbols can serve as a cue to group membership and to assess discrimination towards working with individuals displaying certain symbols – the ichthus, the gay pride symbol and the Confederate flag.

Design/methodology/approach

This study looked at one particular method (i.e. clothing worn) of revealing one's attitude towards an issue or group, such as the Confederacy or Christianity. This study was designed to test selection preferences for three different symbols each against a control group. The experimental independent variable of symbol had four levels (control, ichthus, gay pride triangle, and Confederate flag). Two subject variables were tested as moderating variables (ethnic identity and Christian identity). Each of these was measured via a questionnaire, and a median split on scores was used to create two groups: strong and weak identity for each scale. The dependent variable was the selection preference for the target individual. Participants were 265 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory psychology and management classes.

Findings

It was confirmed that there are many signs that people give off in their verbal and non‐verbal behavior that reveal bits and pieces of their personality and ideologies.

Originality/value

The discrimination that students showed in this study reveals the importance of training those who may go into management roles and be involved in selection decisions to be aware of their natural tendencies to categorize people and the behavioral outcomes this can have.
Exploring national identification programs among web‐enabled professionals
Authors: Smith Alan D.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide practitioners of management a sense of importance in providing a balance between providing customer service and still safeguarding personal identity through a national identity program.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the applied literature on national identity programs and a personal interview of 252 professional and semi‐professional people was conducted, representative of the service industries located in the metropolitan section of Pittsburgh, PA.

Findings

Via multiple linear regression, χ2, and factor analysis, virtually all the basic personal information and customer relationship management (CRM)‐related tenets of benefits with identity program, global security concerns, technology enabled, personal identity concerns, standardization concerns, wealth and education factors, cost of capita, online experiences, and confront with personal information, were found be statistically significant and positively related to the degree of invasion of privacy factor.

Practical implications

Although, there are many beneficial reasons why national identity programs should be implemented, such as security, convenience, and enhancing CRM‐related strategies, the vast majority of citizens have many fears and feel there are too many risks involved.

Originality/value

Few empirical studies existing in the literature, especially from a business perspective concerning national identity initiatives. These issues regarding national identification cards and CRM were addressed through exploratory data reduction analyses. Although, there were several significant and negative issues associated with implementation, in general, if citizens are better educated about the benefits of a national identification card they are more willing to adopt it and pay for the program.
Probabilistic methods applied to 2D electromagnetic numerical dosimetry
Authors: Voyer D. , Musy F. , Nicolas L. , Perrussel R.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The aim is to apply probabilistic approaches to electromagnetic numerical dosimetry problems in order to take into account the variability of the input parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

A classic finite element method is coupled with probabilistic methods. These probabilistic methods are based on the expansion of the random parameters in two different ways: a spectral expansion and a nodal expansion.

Findings

The computation of the mean and the variance on a simple scattering problem shows that only a few hundreds calculations are required when applying these methods while the Monte Carlo method uses several thousands of samples in order to obtain a comparable accuracy.

Originality/value

The number of calculations is reduced using several techniques: a regression technique, sparse grids computed from Smolyak algorithm or a suited coordinate system.
New Berkeley paradox in the theory of limits
Authors: Zhu Wujia , Lin Yi , Gong Ningsheng , Du Guoping
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The paper's aim is to reveal the return of the Berkeley paradox of the eighteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual discussion.

Findings

Since, long time ago, the common belief has been that the establishment and development of the theory of limits had provided an explanation for the Berkeley paradox. However, when the authors revisit some of the age‐old problems using the thinking logic of allowing both the concepts of potential and actual infinities, they find surprisingly that the shadow of the Berkeley paradox does not truly disappear in the foundation of mathematical analysis.

Originality/value

Show the incompleteness of the theory of limits, which is not the same as what has been believed in the history of mathematics.
Mathematical system of potential infinities (I) – preparation
Authors: Zhu Wujia , Lin Yi , Du Guoping , Gong Ningsheng
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Aims to focus on the co‐existence of potential and actual infinities in modern mathematics and its theoretical foundation. It has been shown that not only the whole system of modern mathematics but also the subsystems directly dealing with infinities have permitted the co‐existence of these two kinds of infinities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the issues surrounding the two problems that urgently need to be solved. One of the problems is how to select an appropriate theoretical foundation for modern mathematics and the theory of computer science. The other problem is, under what interpretation can modern mathematics and the theory of computer science be kept in their entirety?

Findings

This paper constructs the mathematical system of potential infinities in an effort to address the two afore‐mentioned problems.

Originality/value

Highlights that the said mathematical system of potential infinities is completely different of the mathematical system constructed on the basis of intuitionism.
“Digital libraries à la carte 2007”: Suggestions and Trends from the 11th Ticer Summer School
Authors: Giglia Elena
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Reports on papers presented at the 11th Ticer Summer School, 27‐31 August 2007 at the University of Tilbury, The Netherlands.

Design/methodology/approach

Reports from the viewpoint of a participant on the modular course; and gives insight into the themes covered.

Findings

Found the modular format worked well, especially the end of lecture question‐and‐answer sessions and the opportunity for discussion with the lecturers. Summarises the content of several of the lectures and finds them to be relevant and thought‐provoking on current library issues and themes in a digital age.

Originality/value

Of interest as a summary of the content of the Ticer Summer School and of current themes.
Communicating CSR: practices among Switzerland's top 300 companies
Authors: Birth Gregory , Illia Laura , Lurati Francesco , Zamparini Alessandra
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a picture of the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication among the top 300 companies in Switzerland and to investigate how favorable the cultural context is for this kind of communication.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation of the top 300 companies in Switzerland was conducted using a written survey that built on previous studies.

Findings

CSR communication in Switzerland appears to be well developed, but still has broad margins for development. Examples are provided on how to improve CSR communication. Such improvements should be relatively easy to implement since Switzerland, it is argued, appears to be open to CSR communication.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation considered only the communication objectives toward a limited range of stakeholders, such as clients, shareholders, and employees. The survey was conducted among the top 300 companies in Switzerland; these companies are not necessarily representative of the whole Swiss business community.

Practical implications

The paper describes the elements that should be considered in order to develop an effective CSR communication. These elements are synergies between issues, objectives, and channels; criteria for a credible social report; the exploitation of the potentialities of CSR advertising and the web; and the understanding of the national context where the organization is operating.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on CSR communication, an area that has received limited attention in CSR research. Organizations may find interesting hints on how to develop effective CSR communication.
Managing corporate social responsibility: lessons from the oil industry
Authors: Vaaland Terje I. , Heide Morten
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the understanding of the manner in which companies deal with key stakeholders in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR), focusing in particular on how companies can handle critical incidents related to CSR and utilize these experiences in enforcing their regular social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a case study methodology.

Findings

CSR should be managed by a combination of handling unexpected episodes that threaten existing social responsibility (incident recovery) and the long‐term reduction of gaps between stakeholder expectations and the company performance (CSR enforcement). Furthermore, CSR implies building and maintaining relationships with society through interplay between actors, resources and activities.

Practical implications

The study contributes to managerial decision making by identifying seven types of implications and activities necessary to actively manage key aspects of social responsibility.

Originality/value

The paper integrates long‐term social responsibility enforcement with short‐term social responsibility recovery by means of a recent corporate case from the oil industry.
The fight against corruption: international organizations at a cross‐roads
Authors: Berkman Steve , Boswell Nancy Z. , Brüner Franz H. , Gough Mark , McCormick John T. , Egens Pedersen Peter , Ugaz Jose , Zimmermann Stephen
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer anti‐corruption experts' personal assessments of the progress international organizations have made in fighting corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper contains a survey of the viewpoints of a number of anti‐corruption experts who themselves are current or former staff of international organizations, or who – from their positions within the private sector or in non‐governmental organizations – are able to offer a unique and distanced perspective on the key corruption‐related issues and challenges facing international organizations today.

Findings

It is agreed that international organizations today are at a cross‐roads in their individual and collective fight against corruption. International organizations must weather the corruption scandals that have recently plagued several organizations, and must confront the question of whether their staffs, boards, and member governments indeed have the ability, will, and commitment to fight corruption. To address these challenges, international organizations must adopt proactive investigative strategies when combating corruption, seek greater cooperation with each other, and must ensure that their respective investigation units have the necessary resources and independence to effectively detect, investigate, and prevent corruption.

Originality/value

The paper offers a realistic prognosis on the future of the anti‐corruption movement within and among international organizations.
Depreciation, income distribution and the UK REIT
Authors: Baum Andrew , Devaney Steven
Published: May 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider prospects for UK REITs, which were introduced on 1 January 2007. It specifically focuses on the potential influence of depreciation and expenditure on income and distributions.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the ways in which depreciation can affect vehicle earnings and value are discussed. This is then set in the context of the specific rules and features of REITs. An analysis using property income and expenditure data from the Investment Property Databank (IPD) then assesses what gross and net income for a UK REIT might have been like for the period 1984‐2003.

Findings

A UK REIT must distribute at least 90 per cent of net income from its property rental business. Expenditure therefore plays a significant part in determining what funds remain for distribution. Over 1984‐2003, expenditure has absorbed 20 per cent of gross income and been a source of earnings volatility, which would have been exacerbated by gearing.

Practical implications

Expenditure must take place to help UK REITs maintain and renew their real estate portfolios. In view of this, investors should moderate expectations of a high and stable income return, although it may well still be so relative to alternative investments.

Originality/value

Previous literature on depreciation has not quantified amounts spent on portfolios to keep depreciation at those rates. Nor, to our knowledge, has its ideas been placed in the indirect investor context.
German property investment vehicles and the introduction of G‐REITs: an analysis
Authors: Schacht Ulrich , Wimschulte Jens
Published: May 2008

Purpose

Germany is the biggest real estate market in Europe. Although some established vehicles for indirect property investments are available, the German real estate market is dominated by direct investments and lags behind its international peers in capital market integration. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the recent launch of German REITs may improve this situation.

Design/methodology/approach

Existing indirect property investment vehicles and the new G‐REIT are analysed and compared along the dimensions of transparency, liquidity and risk/return characteristics. In addition, potential capital flows into G‐REITs are investigated and economic implications derived.

Findings

The study identifies the limitations of existing German indirect real estate investment vehicles and demonstrates the superior characteristics of the new G‐REIT. Substantial short‐term capital flows from existing vehicles to G‐REITs are, however, unlikely. Instead the temporary exit tax will foster an economically beneficial reallocation of capital by private companies and public authorities through property sales to new domestic and international investors via G‐REITs.

Originality/value

The results indicate that G‐REITs have the potential to attract substantial funds in the medium term and facilitate a more integrated and developed German property and capital market.
An application of web‐based data mining: selling strategies for online auctions
Authors: Tu Yanbin
Published: May 2008

Purpose – This study aims to introduce an application of web‐based data mining that integrates online data collection and data mining in selling strategies for online auctions. This study seeks to illustrate the process of spider online data collection from eBay and the application of the classification and regression tree (CART) in constructing effective selling strategies. Design/methodology/approach – After developing a prototype of web‐based data mining, the four steps of spider online data collection and CART data mining are shown. A business dataset from eBay is collected, and the application to derive effective selling strategies for online auctions is used. Findings – In the web‐based data‐mining application the spiders can effectively and efficiently collect online auction data from the internet, and the CART model provides sellers with effective selling strategies. By using expected auction prices with the classification and regression trees, sellers can integrate their two primary goals, i.e. auction success and anticipated prices, in their selling strategies for online auctions. Practical implications – This study provides sellers with a useful tool to construct effective selling strategies by taking advantage of web‐based data mining. These effective selling strategies will help improve their online auction performance. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing an innovative tool for collecting online data and for constructing effective selling strategies, which are important for the growth of electronic marketplaces.
The leader in midlife
Authors: Leider Richard J.
Published: May 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to frame and open up a new, often hidden conversation that leaders often have privately … namely which way to go in the second half of life to legitimize the need to build the “self‐leadership” topic into leadership development models and programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The author is a coach and seminar leader who has spoken to over 100,000 people in over 50 corporations. The message is gleaned from that work plus his own studies, formal and informal of adult development.

Findings

The key concept is how to sustain productivity and commitment over a ten year career. When this topic is discussed openly and legitimately in organizational settings, it engenders “natural productivity”. When it is hidden, contracted, or not discussed, it engenders burnout, fatigue and lack of commitment.

Originality/value

Provides a viewpoint on leadership development.
How to Succeed in Business by Really Trying
Authors: Caseby R.R.
Published: May 2008

Entrepreneurs were the risk takers who drove enterprises forward and accelerated innovation to its present rate.
Funny Money: Exchange rates do not affect local inhabitants
Authors: Walsh Bill
Published: May 2008

When we start to worry about the pound dollar exchange rate and maybe to think that there is something awe inspiring about ‘parity’ (ie $1 exchanging for £1) — we might just remember that forty years ago the £ was worth five dollars and at the same time our standard of living was about half of that we enjoy today. Money doesn't matter — what does is the goods and the services that go to make up our living standards.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, NETWORKS, AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Rugman Alan M. , D'Cruz Joseph R.
Published: May 2008

As the nature of international trade and competition changes to reflect an increasingly borderless world, it is apparent that the organization of multinational firms and their relationships with all pertinent stakeholders are changing as well. This is occuring due to the predominant role of multinational enterprises as global economic coordinators of production and investment. In fact, the changing organization of the firm in terms of structure, task, and strategy can be viewed as a natural process of evolution which employs and deploys the resources of the firm in the most strategic and economically efficient manner.
JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND COMPETITION
Authors: Hayward Malcolm
Published: May 2008

The 1960s in America was the decade of social responsibility, founded upon fifteen years of unparalleled economic growth. To some, world prosperity seemed a realizable ideal. Social theorists like Buckminster Fuller, John Gardner, and John Rawls saw opportunities for sharing wealth in a cooperative net that assumed a rising standard of living across the world. While some might find little cheer in John Kenneth Galbraith's model of the “New Industrial State,” few would now argue that his model was not, in the main, correct. The following two decades proved that while global industrialization was realizable, perhaps inevitable, there was no guarantee that social equity across the board would be the result of that process. In a competitive world marketplace, it might seem that abstract considerations of justice and equity are a luxury few firms or nations can now afford.
U.S. INSURERS' ENTRY INTO EUROPE'S SINGLE MARKET
Authors: Hamwi Iskandar S. , Niroomand Farhang
Published: May 2008

The EC single market is one of the world's largest. It offers both opportunities and challenges to U.S. insurers wanting to expand their operations into that market. Some U.S. companies possess unique qualifications that give them a good competitive position vs. European companies. Greater financial capacity, extensive underwriting experience particularly in the area of environmental U.S. insurers have focused on their vast home market which is responsible for approximately 37 percent of global insurance premiums. pollution and product liability, unique products and services of special appeal to European consumers, and the ability to service integrated international insurance programs are just a few examples. However, certain barriers may stand in the way of U.S. insurers’ entry to Europe. High entry cost, regulatory constraints, keen domestic competition, the possibility of lower profit margins, and the likelihood of certain protectionist policies are examples of these barriers. U.S. insurers are also concerned about entering an unknown market with radically different cultural characteristics and considerable national differences still existing among its members which would require adapting their approaches to the peculiarities of each country's insurance market instead of being able to use their own ideas about methods of operation. Nonetheless, U.S. insurers should abandon their domestic orientation and conservative nature and seek to resolve those difficulties that hinder their path of entry to Europe. The EC market is too important to be ignored.
CORPORATE ASSESSMENT: A NEW MULTI‐DIMENSIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO AUDIT EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: May 2008

The aim of this research was to develop a robust, multi‐dimensional, fully psychometrised questionnaire able to be used in a wide variety of organizations and various different countries for both descriptive and predictive purposes. Presently available categorical and dimensional questionnaire measures were described and evaluated and a brief but critical review of the organizational climate literature executed. A study is described in which two population groups, over 200 British employees and over 300 European employees at all levels, doing a variety of jobs in a large multi‐national transportation company, completed a 108 item multi‐dimensional questionnaire which required them to rate each question on two scales ‐ performance and importance. Cronbach's Alpha indicated that most dimensions had highly satisfactory internal reliability and correlational analysis suggested many of the scales were closely related. These factors were correlated with various other personal (age, sex, years with the company) and organizational features (location, level, job). The potential application of this measure to other occupational settings was discussed, along with its potential use in international analysis.
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Camp Robert C.
Published: May 2008

In recent years several books have been published on managing multinational corporations (MNCs). Most of the books suffer from lack of focus, direction or sufficient coverage of essential topics in international management. This is understandable in any emerging field. Bartlett and Ghoshal's book Transnational Management, however, provides students of international business with a comprehensive coverage of issues related to managing MNCs. The book encompasses seven chapters, thirty‐three current cases, and various articles written by well‐known scholars. The first three chapters deal with cross‐border management, environmental challenge, and building strategic capabilities. The rest tackle the challenges that MNCs face: collaborative, organizational, operational, and management challenges. The authors provide complete coverage regarding designing MNCs, strategic alliances, market penetration, and managing in transnational areas. The readings at the end of each chapter are rich and related to issues discussed within the chapter. The cases are fashionable and deal with various practical problems that major MNCs have faced. Chapters 4, 5, and 6 are extremely well written. They provide an in‐depth treatment of contemporary issues. The book would be an outstanding source for intellectuals and practitioners alike had the rest of the chapters been written in a similar fashion.
RESTRUCTURING CONGLOMERATES FOR GLOBAL COMPETITION: AN AGENCY‐THEORETIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Surendran Sunil , Acar William
Published: May 2008

In the 1960s, portfolio management led to conglomeration as management shifted its focus from competition to cash flows. However, dramatic changes in the business environment have put into question the fundamental logic of conglomeration as it became necessary once again to build sustainable competitive advantage. Towards this end, deconglomeration is taking place through restructurings. The process model of restructuring identifies negative value gap and the market for corporate control as antecedent factors to restructuring. The resources required for implementing a particular strategy, and management's ability to control the course of restructuring are identified as critical factors.
Night of the Living Dead Books
Authors: Miller William
Published: May 2008

A Saturday night of intellectual debauchery—flipping through People magazine issues and simultaneously conducting an ongoing multichannel search for bearable moments in a host of uncolorized old movies, while munching on a large bag of chips and two bags full of microwave popcorn—washed down by a gallon of new generation cola. The last‐minute peanut‐butter‐and‐jelly sandwich is definitely a major mistake. Thoroughly sick to the stomach, I dizzily stumble into bed. After tossing restlessly into a fitful sleep, I somehow find myself stranded on a desert isle, a beautiful green hump of earth in the midst of a sparkling sea. It does not take long to explore the length and breadth of the island—no people are about, and not even a pet in sight unless I can housebreak the members of a rather ugly species of large iguana. There are some small finches high up in the trees that make a pleasant peep but could never be trained to parrot human speech. What to do for intellectual companionship?
Developing Training Materials: An Evaluation‐Production Model
Authors: Harper Eon , Bell Chris
Published: May 2008

This article suggests a procedural model for the development of training material, in which evaluation and production are considered necessary and mutually supportive components. Accordingly, we refer to the model as the Evaluation‐Production (E‐P) model of materials development.
The use of computers in department stores
Authors: Newman Ron
Published: May 2008

The department store's twin characteristics of a wide range of merchandise and a high level of customer service compel it to react quickly to a constantly changing and a more sophisticated customer base. The customer also looks for service ‐ credit, delivery, and after sales. Originally computers were used in department stores only for payroll and purchase ledger. Now the objective is to run the entire trading operation round an integrated computer system. It is primarily in the area of conveying timely and accurate information to executives responsible for taking decisions, that computers are making the greatest impact on the department store trade.
Cost appraisal and management of a mass immunisation programme in Jamaica — Report of a study carried out in the rural Parish of St Ann during 1983
Authors: Baxter D. , Patel M.S. , Killian R.
Published: May 2008

During 1983, an extended (or outreach) immunisation programme was carried out in rural Jamaica. The resources used were recorded, and accurate costings for the programme calculated. The results demonstrated significant economies of scale, ie as numbers increased between the different phases of the programme, cost per unit immunisation decreased.
Hospital utilisation before and after the implementation of DRGs for hospital payment: US, 1979–1984
Authors: Freeman Jean L. , Fetter Robert , Nowbold Robert , Rodrigues Jean‐Marie
Published: May 2008

In October 1983, a new hospital payment system was introduced in the United States which was a radical departure from traditional methods of reimbursement. Concern over continuing increases in expenditures for hospital care caused Medicare to replace its ‘cost based’ reimbursement system, in which hospital payments were based on the actual costs incurred in treating patients, with a system that pays hospitals a fixed price per case. If a patient's treatment plan costs less than the fixed rate, the hospital may keep the difference; but if its costs in providing services exceed the rate, the hospital must absorb the loss.
Competition and management
Authors: Green David G.
Published: May 2008

There is now wide recognition that the UK National Health Service needs to be reformed, and there is particular recognition that something needs to be done about incentives. Hence there is now to be a scheme to link the pay of the 800‐odd NHS general managers to their performancce. And if a recent Government discussion document is approved, the general practitioners’ contract may be reorganised to incorporate a ‘good practice allowance’. Moreover, according to the same document: ‘The government believes that the freedom of patients to choose their doctor can be an effective influence on the quality of services’.
Creating a Health Care Market: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Maynard Alan
Published: May 2008

The authors of the NHS White Paper ‘Working for Patients’ apparently wish to create a UK health care market, ie a network of purchasers and providers who contract with one another. However the rules governing the behaviour of these actors may create a market which is not competitive but highly regulated. This thesis is explored here in the context of self‐governing hospitals (SGHs). The characteristics of a market are set out elsewhere. Even though the White Paper is terse and incomplete, the rules which will determine the behaviour of SGHs are clearly set out and may inhibit considerably the freedom of managers. To explore these constraints and other areas in which the rules of management may have considerable impact on economic efficiency, a series of questions is posed.
Self‐Governing in the South East Thames Health Authority
Authors: Matthews Tim
Published: May 2008

Self‐governance flows from the decision to fund NHS Services on the basis of agreed contracts. A self‐governing trust represents an extension of the accepted principle of maximum devolution; it is not pursuing a separate course. In the South East Thames Region potential first‐wave trust candidates will have decided by the end of September 1989 whether to proceed with a formal bid. The Regional Health Authority has set up a project group to consider how best to take forward proposals for self‐governing trusts.
Drug Innovation, Cost‐effectiveness and Management: The Case of Erythropoietin
Authors: Standing V. , Walsworth‐Bell J. , Allen D. , Haycox A. , Ackrill P. , Gokal R. , Twomey J.
Published: May 2008

Advances in recombinant drug technology will impose pressure for swift action by decision‐makers who may be required to operate on the basis of very limited information. This paper is the by‐product of a recently initiated North Western Regional Health Authority interim procedure designed to give swift consideration to innovations, to provide additional information for decision‐makers and to permit both clinicians and decision‐makers to combine in ensuring that greater rationality is applied to the introduction of drug innovations than might otherwise be the case. It is envisaged that this procedure will be of equal value in other areas where new medicines may have major revenue consequences.
Making a Success of a Large Medical Conference
Authors: Eskin F.
Published: May 2008

To be successful a conference must satisfy the needs of both organisers and participants — as well as giving value for money to the funding bodies — and lead ultimately to improved patient care. This paper suggests how best to achieve these objectives.
Management of the NHS Estate
Authors: Nugent Richard
Published: May 2008

The National Health Service estate in England comprises about 50,000 acres of (mainly freehold) land on which stand about 2,000 hospitals and numerous other buildings. The value of the estate for existing use purposes has been estimated at £18bn. The annual running costs for the estate, for heating, light‐ing, maintenance, cleaning etc, amount to more than £1.5bn or about £50 for every square metre of built space. How well is this substan‐tial asset used, and what contribution can improved management of the NHS estate make to the business of health care? By more efficient use of the estate, significant sums of both revenue and capital can be released. More effective use of the estate can improve the quality of care offered to patients. More creative manipulation of the estate can generate income to support health care development.
Management for Consultants
Authors: Horsley S.D. , Vaughan D.H. , Hessett C. , Allen D.E.
Published: May 2008

A survey of National Health Service hospital consultants in the North Western Region of the UK showed the management activities that they undertook and what management training they thought would be useful. The results will help in planning the scope and content of management training for consultants.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor enhances the excitability of rat sensory neurons through activation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor and the sphingomyelin pathway
Authors: Zhang Y. H. , Chi Xian Xuan , Nicol G. D.
Published: May 2008

Neurotrophin‐mediated signalling cascades can be initiated by activation of either the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) or the more selective tyrosine kinase receptors. Previously, we demonstrated that nerve growth factor (NGF) increased the excitability of sensory neurons through activation of p75NTR to liberate sphingosine 1‐phosphate. If neurotrophins can modulate the excitability of small diameter sensory neurons through activation of p75NTR, then brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) should produce the same sensitizing action as did NGF. In this report, we show that focally applied BDNF increases the number of action potentials (APs) evoked by a ramp of depolarizing current by reducing the rheobase without altering the firing threshold. This increased excitability results, in part, from the capacity of BDNF to enhance a tetrodotoxin‐resistant sodium current (TTX‐R INa) and to suppress a delayed rectifier‐like potassium current (IK). The idea that BDNF acts via p75NTR is supported by the following observations. The sensitizing action of BDNF is prevented by pretreatment with a blocking antibody to p75NTR or an inhibitor of sphingosine kinase (dimethylsphingosine), but not by inhibitors of tyrosine kinase receptors (K252a or AG879). Furthermore, using single‐cell RT‐PCR, neurons that were sensitized by BDNF expressed the mRNA for p75NTR but not TrkB. These results demonstrate that neurotrophins can modulate the excitability of small diameter capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurons through the activation of p75NTR and its downstream sphingomyelin signalling cascade. Neurotrophins released upon activation of a variety of immuno‐competent cells may be important mediators that give rise to the enhanced neuronal sensitivity associated with the inflammatory response.