bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies on wear behaviour between as cast AZ91 and Mg97Zn1Y2 magnesium alloys
Authors: An J. , Li R. G. , Chen C. M. , Xu Y. , Chen X. , Guo Z. X. , Liu Y. B.
Published: October 2007

The wear behaviour of as cast magnesium alloys, Mg97Zn1Y2 and AZ91, was investigated under dry conditions in load ranges of 20–380 and 20–240 N respectively, using a pin on disc wear testing machine. The microstructure, thermal stability and elevated temperature tensile properties were characterised by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis and tensile testing respectively. The wear behaviour can be divided into three successive phases in terms of surface temperature induced by frictional heat, i.e. ambient temperature to eutectic temperature or precipitate dissolution temperature, eutectic temperature or precipitate dissolution temperature to the liquidus temperature and above the liquidus temperature. The Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy exhibited good wear resistance compared with the AZ91 alloy for applied loads in excess of 80 N, which has been explained in terms of thermal stability of the intermetallic phase and elevated temperature mechanical properties of the two materials tested, by surface temperature analysis and subsurface observation.
Strengthening and fracture mechanisms in warm forged microalloyed medium carbon steel
Authors: Zhao P. , Boyd J. D.
Published: October 2007

Microstructural evolution during warm forging in the temperature range 800–650°C and the resulting mechanical properties are described for a Nb microalloyed grade 1541 steel. Compared with thermomechanical processing (TMP) forging at higher temperatures in the austenite range, the warm forging process lowers the TNR temperature and raises the Ar3 temperature. Warm forging produces significantly increased strength and impact toughness in the as forged + air cooled condition. The primary strengthening mechanisms in the warm forged plate are ferrite grain boundary strengthening, ferrite subgrain strengthening and pearlite lamellar strengthening. The increased Charpy impact energy is due to refined ferrite grain size. Delamination fracture (‘splits') occurs in Charpy samples, which is thought to be associated with a {100} texture.
Tensile deformation behaviour of AISI 316L(N) SS
Authors: Shastry C. Girish , Mathew M. D. , Sankara Rao K. Bhanu , Pathak S. D.
Published: October 2007

Tensile deformation behaviour of AISI 316L(N) stainless steel was investigated over the range 298 to 1023 K. The yield and tensile strength were found to meet the minimum values mandated by RCC-MR, the French design code for fast reactors. The tensile flow behaviour was modelled using Ludwigson and Voce equation. Ludwigson equation could model the flow behaviour adequately before the onset of saturation at temperatures >823 K. Voce equation could model the flow behaviour between 298 and 1023 K. The physical basis for the variation with respect to strain rate and temperature of the constants obtained by modelling the flow curve using Ludwigson and Voce equation is discussed.
The Carlscrona Reading Society Library: the library of my great-grandfather's great-grandfather
Authors: Sjöbohm Anders
Published: October 2007

Written in places in a semi-journalistic, personal style, this article explores the history of the library of the Carlscrona Reading Society which was active between 1796 and 1863, and which counted among its membership one of the author's distant ancestors. The history of the library is set against the backdrop of the development of the Enlightenment in Sweden. The membership of the Society and the content of the library are examined, special attention being paid to the library's 'golden age' period before 1830. The library collection, consisting of around 9000 volumes, currently resides in the Nordenskjöld House in central Karlskron. A version of this article first appeared in the Swedish library magazine Ikoner in 2005.
The geography of scientific culture in early nineteenth-century Britain: the case of Bamburgh Castle Library
Authors: Carlsson Anna
Published: October 2007

Bamburgh Castle Library was a charity library kept in the historic castle on England's north-east coast. An examination of the borrowers' register, together with other archival sources regarding the library, from the early nineteenth century reveals a strong interest in different types of scientific literature. In 1800 scientific borrowings were dominated by the upper classes, whereas by 1810 the middle classes had become much more prominent as borrowers of scientific books. This change in usage links into the 'marginality thesis' in the history of science, which focuses on the emergence of a middle-class culture in Britain from a once 'marginalized' social formation.
The current state of research on the history of public libraries in Spain
Authors: López Genaro Luis García
Published: October 2007

Analyzes the research and publications on the history of Spanish public libraries (defined as free libraries run by public administration) covering the period beginning with the birth and development of public reading centres in the eighteenth century up to the present day. Three groups of researchers are identified: first, professional librarians, characterized by their erudition; secondly, general interest historians and historians of education, who began to apply the 'scientific' method and the systematic use of primary sources; and thirdly, university lecturers in the area of library and information science, whose work in the library history field has attained a certain maturity. The article concludes by highlighting the need to delve deeper into these studies and form research groups to that end.
Recovering the lost Scottish community library: the example of Fenwick
Authors: Crawford John
Published: October 2007

Traces the establishment, operation and purpose of two contrasting community 'social' libraries in Fenwick, Scotland in the early nineteenth century. Through an examination of book stock, declared library aims and members' occupations and interests, demonstrates that library activity was not a socially isolated phenomenon but reflected contemporary religious and political issues and controversies.
Developing the international distribution of humanities studies in Finland: the exchange of publications of two learned societies in 1831–1914
Authors: Lilja Johanna
Published: October 2007

Examines the international exchange of publications of two Finnish learned societies: the Finnish Literature Society and the Finnish Antiquarian Society from their foundation until the outbreak of the First World War. The exchange of publications had two purposes: it was a means of acquiring international literature for the libraries of the societies and a way of distributing results of research to foreign scholars. In spite of the availability of texts written in the Finnish language and on Finnish subjects, the Finnish societies received many foreign exchange proposals. Relevancy of the received publications was usually not criticized and all the offers were accepted. These two societies trusted in the exchange as a means of distributing their studies internationally, and did not seriously endeavour to find commercial distribution channels for their publications.
The construction of the working-class user: Danish free public libraries and the working classes, 1880–1920
Authors: Skouvig Laura
Published: October 2007

The aim of this article is to investigate how the public library user was constructed in a Danish context in the period 1880–1920. The article argues that the definition and understanding of users as coming from all classes in society is a blind spot in Danish librarianship today. The article applies the theories of Michel Foucault on discourse and power in order to discuss how the user was constructed as a classless category and as a means of controlling the masses in libraries. This requires an examination of the way the library population was categorized, as well as of the bureaucratization and normalization of the user.
'I have spent my morning reading Greek': the marginalia of Sir George Otto Trevelyan
Authors: Stimpson Felicity
Published: October 2007

While the marginalia of the statesman and historian Lord Macaulay has attracted much scholarly attention, that of his nephew, the politician and historian George Otto Trevelyan, is scarcely known. Wallington Hall in Northumberland, now a National Trust property, houses Trevelyan's library and contains many examples of his marginal annotations. His reading ranged from the classics and historical works to contemporary, and sometimes surprisingly light, fiction. He often read aloud to his family, and the notes reveal that some books were reread many times, resulting in deep familiarity with the texts. This article examines the annotations which illuminate the reading practices of an eminent Victorian politician and writer.
Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma: definition, classification, and prognostic factors: an EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Group Study of 83 cases
Authors: Willemze Rein , Jansen Patty M. , Cerroni Lorenzo , Berti Emilio , Santucci Marco , Assaf Chalid , Canninga-van Dijk Marijke R. , Carlotti Agnes , Geerts Marie-Louise , Hahtola Sonja , Hummel Michael , Jeskanen Leila , Kempf Werner , Massone Cesare , Ortiz-Romero Pablo L. , Paulli Marco , Petrella Tony , Ranki Annamari , Peralto José L. Rodriguez , Robson Alistair , Senff Nancy J. , Vermeer Maarten H. , Wechsler Janine , Whittaker Sean , Meijer Chris J. L. M.
Published: October 2007

In the WHO classification, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTL) is defined as a distinct type of T-cell lymphoma with an aggressive clinical behavior. Recent studies suggest that distinction should be made between SPTL with an α/β T-cell phenotype (SPTL-AB) and SPTL with a γδ T-cell phenotype (SPTL-GD), but studies are limited. To better define their clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, treatment, and survival, 63 SPTL-ABs and 20 SPTL-GDs were studied at a workshop of the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Group. SPTL-ABs were generally confined to the subcutis, had a CD4−, CD8+, CD56−, βF1+ phenotype, were uncommonly associated with a hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS; 17%), and had a favorable prognosis (5-year overall survival [OS]: 82%). SPTL-AB patients without HPS had a significantly better survival than patients with HPS (5-year OS: 91% vs 46%; P < .001). SPTL-GDs often showed (epi)dermal involvement and/or ulceration, a CD4−, CD8−, CD56+/−, βF1− T-cell phenotype, and poor prognosis (5-year OS: 11%), irrespective of the presence of HPS or type of treatment. These results indicate that SPTL-AB and SPTL-GD are distinct entities, and justify that the term SPTL should further be used only for SPTL-AB. SPTL-ABs without associated HPS have an excellent prognosis, and multiagent chemotherapy as first choice of treatment should be questioned.
Nuclear expression of the non–B-cell lineage Sox11 transcription factor identifies mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Ek Sara , Dictor Michael , Jerkeman Mats , Jirström Karin , Borrebaeck Carl A. K.
Published: October 2007

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is defined pathologically by the detection of CD20, CD5, and most importantly cyclin D1 (CCND1). Its distinction from other lymphomas is important for prognosis and appropriate therapy, but occasional cases may fail to express CCND1 and morphologic simulators may express CD20 and CD5 but not CD23. In this study, we show that the transcription factor Sox11 is specifically expressed in the nucleus of MCL compared with other lymphomas and benign lymphoid tissue. Although the role of Sox11 presently is not known in lymphocyte ontogeny, it is normally expressed in the developing central nervous system in the embryo and shows sequence homology with Sox4, a transcription factor crucial for B lymphopoiesis. Sox11 mRNA is increased in gliomas compared with healthy brain tissue, suggesting a role in malignant transformation and/or cell survival. Our novel finding of specific overexpression of Sox11 mRNA and nuclear protein in both cyclin D1–positive and – negative MCL may be useful for the diagnosis of MCL as a complement to cyclin D1 and also suggests a functional role for Sox11 in MCL.
The role of Ikaros in human erythroid differentiation
Authors: Dijon Marilyne , Bardin Florence , Murati Anne , Batoz Michèle , Chabannon Christian , Tonnelle Cécile
Published: October 2007

Ikaros—a factor that positively or negatively controls gene transcription—is active in murine adult erythroid cells, and involved in fetal to adult globin switching. Mice with Ikaros mutations have defects in erythropoiesis and anemia. In this paper, we have studied the role of Ikaros in human erythroid development for the first time. Using a gene-transfer strategy, we expressed Ikaros 6 (Ik6)—a known dominant-negative protein that interferes with normal Ikaros activity—in cord blood or apheresis CD34+ cells that were induced to differentiate along the erythroid pathway. Lentivirally induced Ik6-forced expression resulted in increased cell death, decreased cell proliferation, and decreased expression of erythroid-specific genes, including GATA1 and fetal and adult globins. In contrast, we observed the maintenance of a residual myeloid population that can be detected in this culture system, with a relative increase of myeloid gene expression, including PU1. In secondary cultures, expression of Ik6 favored reversion of sorted and phenotypically defined erythroid cells into myeloid cells, and prevented reversion of myeloid cells into erythroid cells. We conclude that Ikaros is involved in human adult or fetal erythroid differentiation as well as in the commitment between erythroid and myeloid cells.
Overexpression and involvement in migration by the metastasis-associated phosphatase PRL-3 in human myeloma cells
Authors: Fagerli Unn-Merete , Holt Randi U. , Holien Toril , Vaatsveen Thea K. , Zhan Fenghuang , Egeberg Kjartan W. , Barlogie Bart , Waage Anders , Aarset Harald , Dai Hong Yan , Shaughnessy John D. , Sundan Anders , Børset Magne
Published: October 2007

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by accumulation and dissemination of malignant plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Gene expression profiling of 2 MM cell lines (OH-2 and IH-1) indicated that expression of PRL-3, a metastasis-associated tyrosine phosphatase, was induced by several mitogenic cytokines. Cytokine-driven PRL-3 expression could be shown in several myeloma cell lines at both the mRNA and protein levels. There was significantly higher expression of the PRL-3 gene in PCs from patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma (SMM), and myeloma than in PCs from healthy persons. Among 7 MM subgroups identified by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis, PRL-3 gene expression was significantly higher in the 3 groups denoted as “proliferation,” “low bone disease,” and “MMSET/FGFR3.” PRL-3 protein was detected in 18 of 20 BM biopsies from patients with MM. Silencing of the PRL-3 gene by siRNA reduced cell migration in the MM cell line INA-6, but had no detectable effect on proliferation and cell-cycle phase distribution of the cells. In conclusion, PRL-3 is a gene product specifically expressed in malignant plasma cells and may have a role in migration of these cells.
Sex-specific DoublesexM expression in subsets of Drosophilasomatic gonad cells
Authors: Hempel Leonie U , Oliver Brian
Published: October 2007

Background

In Drosophila melanogaster, a pre-mRNA splicing hierarchy controls sexual identity and ultimately leads to sex-specific Doublesex (DSX) transcription factor isoforms. The male-specific DSXM represses genes involved in female development and activates genes involved in male development. Spatial and temporal control of dsx during embryogenesis is not well documented.

Results

Here we show that DSXM is specifically expressed in subsets of male somatic gonad cells during embryogenesis. Following testis formation, germ cells remain in contact with DSXM-expressing cells, including hub cells and premeiotic somatic cyst cells that surround germ cells during spermatogenesis in larval and adult testes.

Conclusion

We show that dsx is transcriptionally regulated in addition to being regulated at the pre-mRNA splicing level by the sex determination hierarchy. The dsx locus is spatially controlled by somatic gonad identity. The continuous expression of DSXM in cells contacting the germline suggests an ongoing short-range influence of the somatic sex determination pathway on germ cell development.
Fine-mapping of a QTL influencing pork tenderness on porcine chromosome 2
Authors: Meyers Stacey N , Rodriguez-Zas Sandra L , Beever Jonathan E
Published: October 2007

Background

In a previous study, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) exhibiting large effects on both Instron shear force and taste panel tenderness was detected within the Illinois Meat Quality Pedigree (IMQP). This QTL mapped to the q arm of porcine chromosome 2 (SSC2q). Comparative analysis of SSC2q indicates that it is orthologous to a segment of human chromosome 5 (HSA5) containing a strong positional candidate gene, calpastatin (CAST). CAST polymorphisms have recently been shown to be associated with meat quality characteristics; however, the possible involvement of other genes and/or molecular variation in this region cannot be excluded, thus requiring fine-mapping of the QTL.

Results

Recent advances in porcine genome resources, including high-resolution radiation hybrid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) physical maps, were utilized for development of novel informative markers. Marker density in the ~30-Mb region surrounding the most likely QTL position was increased by addition of eighteen new microsatellite markers, including nine publicly-available and nine novel markers. Two newly-developed markers were derived from a porcine BAC clone containing the CAST gene. Refinement of the QTL position was achieved through linkage and haplotype analyses. Within-family linkage analyses revealed at least two families segregating for a highly-significant QTL in strong positional agreement with CAST markers. A combined analysis of these two families yielded QTL intervals of 36 cM and 7 cM for Instron shear force and taste panel tenderness, respectively, while haplotype analyses suggested further refinement to a 1.8 cM interval containing CAST markers. The presence of additional tenderness QTL on SSC2q was also suggested.

Conclusion

These results reinforce CAST as a strong positional candidate. Further analysis of CAST molecular variation within the IMQP F1 boars should enhance understanding of the molecular basis of pork tenderness, and thus allow for genetic improvement of pork products. Furthermore, additional resources have been generated for the targeted investigation of other putative QTL on SSC2q, which may lead to further advancements in pork quality.
A superplastic forming limit diagram concept for Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Kröhn M A , Leen S B , Hyde T H
Published: October 2007

The current paper is concerned with the development of a simplified method for predicting failure due to plastic instability during the superplastic forming (SPF) of titanium alloys. The rationale is that a key factor in the process of reliable failure prediction is the incorporation of a mechanisms-based model, which includes microstructural effects, such as static and dynamic grain growth and associated hardening, and which is also independent of the forming strainrate. Existing methods for predicting plastic instability during conventional metal-forming are discussed along with previous attempts at predicting failure during SPF. It is shown that no easy-to-interpret method, such as the forming limit diagram (FLD) in conventional forming, exists for SPF. Consequently, an SPFLD concept in a major strain (ε1), minor strain (ε3), and equivalent strain-rate space (εeq) is presented on the basis of uniaxial SP ductilities across a range of strainrates along with the Hill-Swift instability criteria and using finite element-predicted ε1-ε3-εeq paths for key points on the forming blank to predict failure. The predicted results are validated against measured data for Ti-6Al-4V at different strain-rates.
A hybrid implicit—explicit finite element methodology for coating formation in the high-velocity oxy-fuel spraying process
Authors: Bansal P , Shipway P H , Leen S B
Published: October 2007

A finite element (FE) based methodology is presented for simulating the high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) coating process. The methodology involves a hybrid of explicit and implicit FE analyses to simulate both particle impact and layer deposition and thus furnish both temperature and residual stress distributions resulting from the process. The methodology is illustrated for an HVOF sprayed copper coating on a copper substrate and for a SS 316 HVOF sprayed coating on a SS 316 substrate.
Finite element simulation of severe plastic deformation processes
Authors: Rosochowski A , Olejnik L
Published: October 2007

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) is a method of converting coarse grained metals into ultrafine grained metals, which possess improved mechanical and physical properties. However, none of the many proposed SPD processes have, as yet, gained a commercial acceptance. The finite element method (FEM) is an invaluable tool, which can help to understand the mechanics of material flow in order to optimize existing SPD processes and develop new SPD processes. The paper reviews the literature on FEM simulation of the most popular SPD process of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and presents a number of case studies based on FEM analyses of some other SPD processes. The paper evaluates the use of high pressure torsion with bulk billets, explains differences between forward extrusion and cyclic extrusion compression, and shows how FEM can assists the design of non-classical ECAP processes. In addition to FEM results for batch processes, some FEM results for a new incremental ECAP (I-ECAP) process are presented. Since I-ECAP is capable of processing very long, possibly infinite, billets, it belongs to the group of continuous SPD processes.
Unconventional methods for forming nanopatterns
Authors: Stewart M. E. , Motala M. J. , Yao Jimin , Thompson L. B. , Nuzzo R. G.
Published: October 2007

Nanostructured materials have become an increasingly important theme in research, in no small part due to the potential impacts this science holds for applications in technology, including such notable areas as sensors, medicine, and high-performance integrated circuits. Conventional methods, such as the top-down approaches of projection lithography and scanning beam lithography, have been the primary means for patterning materials at the nanoscale. This article provides an overview of unconventional methods - both top-down and bottom-up approaches - for generating nanoscale patterns in a variety of materials, including methods that can be applied to fragile molecular systems that are difficult to pattern using conventional lithographic techniques. The promise, recent progress, advantages, limitations, and challenges to future development associated with each of these unconventional lithographic techniques will be discussed with consideration given to their potential for use in large-scale manufacturing.
A Simple Transmitted Interference Method for Nanovolume Detection
Authors: Dai Cong , Wu Xing-Zheng
Published: October 2007

A transmitted interference method for nanovolume detection is developed for a square-capillary or microchannel. A He–Ne-laser beam passed along an interface of inner medium/capillary wall or microchannel. The inner medium- and capillary wall-passed parts of the laser beam interfered each other to form an interference fringe after exiting out of the capillary. Experimental results of intensity profiles of the interference fringe coincided well with theoretical ones. The method was demonstrated to be applicable as a new universal tool for nanovolume detection.
Synthesis of Alkylated Benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophenes by Annulative Coupling and Their Direct Arylation under Palladium Catalysis
Authors: Watanabe Hiroyuki , Kumagai Jun , Tsurugi Hayato , Satoh Tetsuya , Miura Masahiro
Published: October 2007

The annulative coupling of 3,3′-diiodo-2,2′-bithiophene with internal alkynes efficiently proceeds in the presence of a palladium catalyst to afford the corresponding benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]dithiophene derivatives. The dithiophenes also undergo palladium-catalyzed direct arylation with aryl bromides at the 2- and 7-positions selectively.
Shape-controlled Synthesis of Octahedral Gold Nanocrystals in the Poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) Matrix via Reduction of HAuCl4
Authors: Yamamoto Mari , Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Sakata Takao , Mori Hirotaro , Nakamoto Masami
Published: October 2007

Single-crystalline octahedral gold nanocrystals bounded by (111) facets were obtained as a major product via the reduction of HAuCl4 in poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) matrix by the control of the heating temperatures and PVP/Au ratios.
Fabrication of Au–Ag Alloy Nanoprisms with Enhanced Catalytic Activity
Authors: Kim Minjung , Lee Kang Yeol , Jeong Gyoung Hwa , Jang Joonkyung , Han Sang Woo
Published: October 2007

Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles with prismatic structure have been prepared in aqueous solution by photoinduced conversion of spherical Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles. All the particles have compositions close to those expected from the starting ratio of metal compounds. These nanoprisms showed pronounced catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol by NaBH4.
Fabrication of Porous Biomorphic C–TiC and TiO2 from Sea Wool Sponges
Authors: Tang Wing-chi , Cheung Teresa L Y , Kwong Fung-luen , Ng Dickon H L
Published: October 2007

Porous C–TiC biomorphic ceramic was derived from sea wool sponges by simple infiltration and heat treatment methods. During annealing, the sponge was converted to carbon templates, and it reacted with the infiltrated Ti-contained metal–organic solution to form C–TiC. The porous structure of sea wool sponge was retained in the final C–TiC product. Hollowed TiO2 scaffold was also produced by postannealing of the as-prepared C–TiC ceramic in air.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy
Authors: Kingston M A , Letham C J , McQuillan O
Published: October 2007

Successful interventions to prevent congenital HIV require adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in pregnancy from mothers and agreement with other interventions including mode of delivery and infant testing. We sought to audit adherence support offered antenatally, adherence with HAART, recommendations for delivery and infant testing in women receiving HIV care at our unit and delivering a child in 2004 and 2005. Of the 32 women identified, an adherence discussion was conducted when commencing therapy in 87% and subsequent visits in 77%. Five women were non-adherent with HAART, one disagreed with recommendations for delivery, and attendance at initial post-natal tests was documented in 61%. In general, the British HIV Association guidelines with regard to adherence are followed. Although numbers in this cohort are small, age, ethnicity and pre-pregnancy HIV diagnosis did not seem to affect adherence, but being therapy naïve and poor adherence may predict non-attendance at infant follow-up.
Evaluation of hygienic douching on the vaginal microflora of female sex workers
Authors: Amaral Rose , Giraldo Paulo C , Gonçalves Ana Katherine , Junior José-Eleutério , Santos-Pereira Silvio , Linhares Iara , Passos Mauro R L
Published: October 2007

To determine the frequency of abnormal vaginal flora and bacterial vaginosis (BV) in female sex workers (FSW) and the association between douching and vaginal microflora imbalance, a cross-sectional study enrolled 94 users and 61 non-users of vaginal douching. The social-demographic and sexual profile of these women was obtained and their abnormal vaginal flora, BV, vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis and cytolitic vaginosis on blinded samples were identified by Gram stain. A stepwise multivariate regression determined the risk of development of vaginal microflora imbalance. Prevalence of abnormal flora, BV, candidiasis, trichomoniasis and cytolytic vaginosis in the entire FSW was 75.5%, 51.0%, 5.1%, 0.64% and 1.9%, respectively. There were no significant differences in these findings between users and non-users of vaginal douching. Regression analysis did not identify any increased risk for altered vaginal flora or BV in vaginal douche users. In conclusion, vaginal douching did not increase the rate of these alterations in FSW.
The incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in untreated women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis: a structured review
Authors: Risser W L , Risser J M H
Published: October 2007

Because of the long-term consequences of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the cost-effectiveness of Chlamydia trachomatis screening depends in part on the incidence of PID in untreated, chlamydia-infected women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the original research assessing the incidence of PID following C. trachomatis infection. We conducted a thorough search of the literature and selected all available prospective cohort studies. Six studies had original data: the incidence of PID varied from 0% (97.5% confidence interval [CI] 0–12%) during one year of follow-up of 30 women to 30% (95% CI 12–54%) during 50 days of follow-up of 20 women. Studies that included asymptomatic women in other settings reported a lower incidence than those that evaluated women in sexually transmitted disease clinics. In conclusion, no study was of a size or quality to answer our research question definitively. Investigators and clinicians planning chlamydia-screening programmes need to be cognizant of the inconclusive incidence data.
Slide-Together Structures
Authors: Roelofs Rinus
Published: October 2007

About ten years ago I discovered an interesting way to construct a tetrahedral shape by sliding together four rectangular planes in a certain way. By using halfway cuts in the planes it was possible to slide them together, all at once, to become the enclosed tetrahedron. This way of constructing objects and structures, finite and infinite, has been of my interest from then on. In this paper I will give an insight into some of the results of my research in this field. Besides halfway cuts I examined some other ways of slide-together structures.
Three-Dimensional and Dynamic Constructions Based on Leonardo Grids
Authors: Roelofs Rinus
Published: October 2007

Leonardo grids is the name I gave to my bar grid construction system with which I was able to construct domes and spheres out of simple elements using one constructing rule. Most of the constructions I made where planar and static. In this paper I want to focus on the nonplanar and dynamic possibilities of the Leonardo grids.
3D Adaptable Building Skin: Adaptive Space as a Guide through a Corridor
Authors: Suma Alexander B. , van Herwijnen Frans , Voorthuis Jacob C.T.
Published: October 2007

This paper sets out a principle for a façade element which can be deformed in shape. By using a flexible structure with sliding steel cables, hollow pipes and cylindrical inflatable tubes, which together form a woven pattern, a 3D freedom of deformability results. The shape of the façade element can be manipulated and deformed as one desires. By studying the structure of the human skin, a structural pattern was discovered and translated into a constructive principle. The façade element can have single curved and double curved surfaces, both concave and convex. The deformations can be manipulated at will by the use of an internal cable, woven in the original pattern. Moreover the different elements in the structure are constantly in equilibrium with each other. Through this, great freedom in form is achieved. This principle will create many new possibilities in architectural design. To show the possibilities, a design for a museum, which mainly is determined in form by a corridor, is made. The corridor can adapt in volume and cross section when passengers walk through. The adapting volume can react on the number of people and the speed of walking by a sophisticated system at the supports. This way the corridor has a living expression for outside observers. In the corridor the passengers will experience their passage like walking in a bulge which guides them through the narrow corridor.
Loss Aversion Under Prospect Theory: A Parameter-Free Measurement
Authors: Abdellaoui Mohammed , Bleichrodt Han , Paraschiv Corina
Published: October 2007

Agrowing body of qualitative evidence shows that loss aversion, a phenomenon formalized in prospect theory, can explain a variety of field and experimental data. Quantifications of loss aversion are, however, hindered by the absence of a general preference-based method to elicit the utility for gains and losses simultaneously. This paper proposes such a method and uses it to measure loss aversion in an experimental study without making any parametric assumptions. Thus, it is the first to obtain a parameter-free elicitation of prospect theory's utility function on the whole domain. Our method also provides an efficient way to elicit utility midpoints, which are important in axiomatizations of utility. Several definitions of loss aversion have been put forward in the literature. According to most definitions we find strong evidence of loss aversion, at both the aggregate and the individual level. The degree of loss aversion varies with the definition used, which underlines the need for a commonly accepted definition of loss aversion.
Incentives That Induce Task-Related Effort, Helping, and Knowledge Sharing in Workgroups
Authors: Siemsen Enno , Balasubramanian Sridhar , Roth Aleda V.
Published: October 2007

Cooperation and coordination among employees can yield significant productivity gains. In this study, we explore the design of optimal incentive systems that induce task-related effort, helping, and knowledge sharing within workgroups. We identify three distinct types of employee linkages that must be accommodated in the design of effective incentive systems: (1) outcome linkages, whereby the outcome of one employee's task is influenced by that of another; (2) help linkages, whereby each employee can directly expend effort on helping another; and (3) knowledge linkages, whereby each employee can share job-related knowledge with another. We analytically investigate the effect of each type of employee linkage, and some combinations of these linkages, on the optimal design of incentive systems. Our analytical results demonstrate how, by optimally weighting individual-level and workgroup-level incentives, managers can balance the need to induce cooperation and coordination among employees with the need to manage employees' incentive-related risk. Counter to conventional wisdom, we also demonstrate that both group and individual incentives are necessary to facilitate cooperative behaviors such as knowledge sharing in workgroups. Further, we empirically test some of the insights developed from the analytical models; our empirical findings support these analytical results.
Narrative Networks: Patterns of Technology and Organization
Authors: Pentland Brian T. , Feldman Martha S.
Published: October 2007

This paper introduces the narrative network as a device for representing patterns of “technology in use.” The narrative network offers a novel conceptual vocabulary for the description of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their relationship to organizational forms. We argue that as ICTs have become increasingly modular and recombinable, so have organizational processes and forms. The narrative network draws on concepts from structuration theory, actor network theory (ANT), and the theory of organizational routines. A narrative network expresses the set of stories (performances) that have been, or could be, generated by combining and recombining fragments of technology in use. This paper discusses how thinking of technology and organizations as narrative networks influences our understanding of design.
Activating the Informational Capabilities of Information Technology for Organizational Change
Authors: Leonardi Paul M.
Published: October 2007

This paper considers how the information enabled by information technology (IT) is implicated in organizational action. It begins by proposing that the relationship between technology appropriations and an organization's informal advice networks is one useful way to understand how the information that is created, modified, transmitted, and stored through the use of IT can lead to organizational change. I then present the findings of an ethnographic study of the implementation and use of a new information technology service management (ITSM) tool in a large IT organization. The findings show that a number of discrepant events led technicians to appropriate the material features of the technology in certain ways, thus providing them with new and different kinds of information than was available to them previously. Armed with such information, technicians began to seek advice differently than they had before, which led to an overall transformation in the organization's social structure. I characterize appropriations of a technology's features as a set of practices that activate the informational capabilities of a new technology through advice networks. In activating its informational capabilities, technicians transformed the potential that the technology had to create, modify, transmit, and store information in new ways into resources used to organize their work. I conclude by discussing the implications of the findings for theorizing about and management of technologically induced organizational change.
The Influence of Information Technology on the Use of Loosely Coupled Organizational Forms: An Industry-Level Analysis
Authors: Sahaym Arvin , Steensma H. Kevin , Schilling Melissa A.
Published: October 2007

Information technology (IT) enhances coordination both within the firm and between the firm and its external partners. Consequently, IT investment can promote both loosely and tightly coupled organizational forms. Indeed, in some industries, widespread investment in IT is associated with high levels of disaggregation. In other industries, this is not the case. We argue that the specific influence of IT on firm boundaries depends on the broader industrial context. We investigate conditions whereby IT investments enable industries to be more loosely coupled through alliance formation and the use of contingent workers. We use transaction cost and modular systems theory to ground our theoretical development. The extent to which industrywide IT investment is associated with loosely coupled organizational forms depends on (1) limited asset specificity because of industry standards, (2) the level of industry uncertainty resulting from technological change, and (3) the overall complexity of the industry in terms of diverse inputs. Specifically, when industry standards exist, IT investment leads to greater use of both alliances and contingent workers. IT investment has a stronger positive relationship with the use of contingent workers when levels of technological change are low as compared to when levels of technological change are high. When there are high levels of input diversity and industry standards exist, IT investment led to an increased use of contingent workers. Our analyses provides a more refined view of IT influence on firm boundaries.
Information Technology and Organizational Learning: An Investigation of Exploration and Exploitation Processes
Authors: Kane Gerald C. , Alavi Maryam
Published: October 2007

This study investigates the effects of information technology (IT) on exploration and exploitation in organizational learning (OL). We use qualitative evidence from previously published case studies of a single organization to extend an earlier computational model of organizational learning (March 1991) by introducing IT-enabled learning mechanisms: communication technology (e-mail), knowledge repositories of best practices, and groupware. We find that each of these IT-enabled learning mechanisms enable capabilities that have a distinct effect on the exploration and exploitation learning dynamics in the organization. We also find that this effect is dependent on organizational and environmental conditions, as well as on the interaction effects between the various mechanisms when used in combination with one another. We explore the implications of our results for the use of IT to support organizational learning.
“In Case of Fire, Please Use the Elevator”: Simulation Technology and Organization in Fire Engineering
Authors: Dodgson Mark , Gann David M. , Salter Ammon
Published: October 2007

Interorganizational projects can provide a vehicle for innovation, despite the professional and organizational barriers that confront this form of organizing. The case of fire engineering shows how such projects use simulation technology as a boundary object to foster innovation in a new organizational field. Engineers use simulation technology to produce radical changes in fire control and management, such as using elevators to evacuate buildings during emergencies. A framework is developed that explores how decisions can be reached and tensions resolved amongst multiple, diverse, and discordant actors striving for a shared appreciation of negotiated futures. This framework extends theories of engineering knowledge and boundary objects. It sheds new light on how to organize collective, knowledge-based work to produce reliable and innovative designs.
Technological Embeddedness and Organizational Change
Authors: Volkoff Olga , Strong Diane M. , Elmes Michael B.
Published: October 2007

While various theories have been proposed to explain how technology leads to organizational change, in general they have focused either on the technology and ignored the influence of human agency, or on social interaction and ignored the technology. In this paper, we propose a new theory of technology-mediated organizational change that bridges these two extremes. Using grounded theory methodology, we conducted a three-year study of an enterprise system implementation. From the data collected, we identified embeddedness as central to the process of change. When embedded in technology, organizational elements such as routines and roles acquire a material aspect, in addition to the ostensive and performative aspects identified by Feldman and Pentland (2003). Our new theory employs the lens of critical realism because in our view, common constructivist perspectives such as structuration theory or actor network theory have limited our understanding of technology as a mediator of organizational change. Using a critical realist perspective, our theory explains the process of change as a three-stage cycle in which the ostensive, performative, and material aspects of organizational elements interact differently in each stage.
IT Assets, Organizational Capabilities, and Firm Performance: How Resource Allocations and Organizational Differences Explain Performance Variation
Authors: Aral Sinan , Weill Peter
Published: October 2007

Despite evidence of a positive relationship between information technology (IT) investments and firm performance, results still vary across firms and performance measures. We explore two organizational explanations for this variation: differences in firms' IT investment allocations and their IT capabilities. We develop a theoretical model of IT resources, defined as the combination of specific IT assets and organizational IT capabilities. We argue that investments into different IT assets are guided by firms' strategies (e.g., cost leadership or innovation) and deliver value along performance dimensions consistent with their strategic purpose. We hypothesize that firms derive additional value per IT dollar through a mutually reinforcing system of organizational IT capabilities built on complementary practices and competencies. Empirically, we test the impact of IT assets, IT capabilities, and their combination on four dimensions of firm performance: market valuation, profitability, cost, and innovation. Our results—based on data on IT investment allocations and IT capabilities in 147 U.S. firms from 1999 to 2002—demonstrate that IT investment allocations and organizational IT capabilities drive differences in firm performance. Firms' total IT investment is not associated with performance, but investments in specific IT assets explain performance differences along dimensions consistent with their strategic purpose. In addition, a system of organizational IT capabilities strengthens the performance effects of IT assets and broadens their impact beyond their intended purpose. The results help explain variance in returns to IT capital across firms and expand our understanding of alignment between IT and organizations. We illustrate our findings with examples from a case study of 7-Eleven Japan.
Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side? What Went Wrong with French Regions, and the Implications for England
Authors: Le Galès Patrick , John Peter
Published: October 2007

The experience of France’s elected regions offers both comfort and admonition to English reformers. That the centralised, unitary French state can establish regions as popularly legitimate and fully functioning governing institutions in a short space of time is an optimistic sign. Yet, notwithstanding Europeanisation and some examples of innovation, regions have been constrained by poor performance, weak leadership, the burgeoning departmental system of administration and the newly consolidated power of the regional state. The main lessons for England are: the need to establish effective powers at the outset; the inappropriateness of halfway houses to direct elections; the difficulties of using existing administrative boundaries; and the dangers of competition between tiers of government for an economic development role.
The Renaissance of English Regionalism in the 1990s
Authors: John Peter , Whitehead Alan
Published: October 2007

The article initially considers what might appear to be the singularly unpropitious conditions for the success of regional government in England. But the argument retreats from a simplistic restatement of English exceptionalism and charts the complex history of the politics of regionalism. Moreover, analysts often import a teleological and homogeneous view of the regionalisation process when France, Spain and Italy show an unpredictable and non-uniform pattern. Also recent developments - Europeanisation, regional administration and the emergence of regional governance - have bolstered both the administrative arrangements at the regional level and regional forms of political articulation. The piece concludes with some reflections on the likely implementation problems of introducing regional government.
Social Learning in Policy Networks
Authors: Knoepfel Peter , Kissling-Näf Ingrid
Published: October 2007

English

The subject of this article is learning processes in public policies. Twenty-eight case studies in the areas of environmental, agricultural and health policy, which were part of the Swiss National Research Programme No 27, Effectiveness of public policies, were used as a basis for studying the way in which inter organisational learning processes unfold in different policy fields (stimuli, knowledge transfer, social processes etc), the learning paths and forms of learning which can be identified within these processes and the conditions under which social processes can become successful learning processes. (The study is fully reported in Knoepfel et al, 1997. Conceptual preparatory work can be found in Kissling and Knoepfel, 1993; Kissling et al, 1994; Kissling-Näf and Knoepfel, 1994a; 1994b.)