bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of hyperadherent mutants in Pseudomonas putida biofilms
Authors: Yousef-Coronado Fátima , Soriano María Isabel , Yang Liang , Molin Søren , Espinosa-Urgel Manuel
Published: May 2011

A number of genetic determinants required for bacterial colonization of solid surfaces and biofilm formation have been identified in different micro-organisms. There are fewer accounts of mutations that favour the transition to a sessile mode of life. Here we report the isolation of random transposon Pseudomonas putida KT2440 mutants showing increased biofilm formation, and the detailed characterization of one of them. This mutant exhibits a complex phenotype, including altered colony morphology, increased production of extracellular polymeric substances and enhanced swarming motility, along with the formation of denser and more complex biofilms than the parental strain. Sequence analysis revealed that the pleiotropic phenotype exhibited by the mutant resulted from the accumulation of two mutations: a transposon insertion, which disrupted a predicted outer membrane lipoprotein, and a point mutation in lapG, a gene involved in the turnover of the large adhesin LapA. The contribution of each alteration to the phenotype and the possibility that prolonged sessile growth results in the selection of hyperadherent mutants are discussed.
Identification of the in vitro target of an iron-responsive AraC-like protein from Neisseria meningitidis that is in a regulatory cascade with Fur
Authors: Fantappiè Laura , Scarlato Vincenzo , Delany Isabel
Published: May 2011

In this study we characterized a genetic locus that is predicted to encode one of the three AraC-like regulators of Neisseria meningitidis, a homologue of MpeR of Neisseria gonorrhoeae which is specific to the pathogenic Neisseria species. Previous microarray studies have suggested that this gene is a member of the Fur regulon. In strain MC58, it is a pseudogene (annotated as two ORFs, NMB1879 and NMB1878) containing a frameshift mutation which we show is common to all strains tested belonging to the ST-32 hypervirulent clonal complex. Using primer extension and S1 nuclease protection assays, we mapped two promoters in the upstream intergenic region: the mpeR promoter and the NMB1880 promoter. The latter promoter drives transcription of the divergent upstream locus, which is predicted to encode a high-affinity iron uptake system. We demonstrated that both promoters are induced during iron limitation and that this regulation is also mediated by the Fur regulator. DNA-binding studies with the purified MpeR protein revealed that it binds to a region directly upstream of the NMB1880 divergent promoter, suggesting a role in its regulation. Mutants of N. meningitidis strains lacking MpeR or overexpressing MpeR showed no significant differences in expression of the P
NMB1880
promoter, nor did global transcriptional profiling of an MpeR knockout identify any deregulated genes, suggesting that the MpeR protein is inactive under the conditions used in these experiments. The presence of MpeR in a regulatory cascade downstream of the Fur master iron regulator implicates it as being expressed in the iron-limiting environment of the host, where it may in turn regulate a group of genes, including the divergent iron transport locus, in response to signals important for infection.
Regulation of d-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid in Streptococcus gordonii
Authors: McCormick Nicole E. , Halperin Scott A. , Song F.  , Lee
Published: May 2011

d-Alanyl esters on lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are involved in adhesion, biofilm formation, resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides, and immune stimulation. There is evidence that bacteria can modulate the level ofd-alanyl esters on LTA in response to challenge, but the mechanism of regulation appears to be different among bacteria. In this study, expression of thedltoperon responsible ford-alanylation of LTA was examined in the commensal bacteriumStreptococcus gordonii.dltexpression was assessed using thedltpromoter–lacZreporter gene assay, LTAd-alanine content measurements anddltmRNA quantification. The results showed thatdltexpression was growth phase-dependent, with the greatest expression at the mid-exponential phase of growth. In contrast toStaphylococcus aureus,dltexpression inStrep. gordoniiwas not affected by the exogenous addition of Mg2+or K+. Interestingly,dltexpression was upregulated under acidic conditions or when cells were stressed with polymyxin B, indicating that cell envelope stress may be a signal fordltexpression. In view of these results, mutants defective in the cell envelope stress LiaSR two-component regulatory system were constructed. TheliaSandliaRmutants showed an increase indltexpression over the parent strain at neutral pH. The mutants failed to respond to low pH and polymyxin B stress;dltexpression remained the same in the presence or absence of these stresses. These results suggest thatdltexpression inStrep. gordoniiis regulated by the LiaSR regulatory system in response to environmental signals such as pH and polymyxin B. The regulation appears to be complex, involving both repression and activation mechanisms.
Hyphal induction in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans reveals a characteristic wall protein profile
Authors: Heilmann Clemens J. , Sorgo Alice G. , Siliakus Adriaan R. , Dekker Henk L. , Brul Stanley , de Koster Chris G. , de Koning Leo J. , Klis Frans M.
Published: May 2011

The ability ofCandida albicansto switch from yeast to hyphal growth is essential for its virulence. The walls and especially the covalently attached wall proteins are involved in the primary host–pathogen interactions. Three hyphal induction methods were compared, based on fetal calf serum, the amino sugarN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and the mammalian cell culture medium Iscove’s modified Dulbecco’s medium (IMDM). GlcNAc and IMDM were preferred, allowing stable hyphal growth over a prolonged period without significant reversion to yeast growth and with high biomass yields. We employed Fourier transform-MS combined with a15N-metabolically labelled reference culture as internal standard for relative quantification of changes in the wall proteome upon hyphal induction. A total of 21 wall proteins were quantified. Our induction methods triggered a similar response characterized by (i) a category of wall proteins showing strongly increased incorporation levels (Als3, Hwp2, Hyr1, Plb5 and Sod5), (ii) another category with strongly decreased levels (Rhd3, Sod4 and Ywp1) and (iii) a third one enriched for carbohydrate-active enzymes (including Cht2, Crh11, Mp65, Pga4, Phr1, Phr2 and Utr2) and showing only a limited response. This is, to our knowledge, the first systematic, quantitative analysis of the changes in the wall proteome ofC. albicansupon hyphal induction. Finally, we propose new wall-protein-derived candidates for vaccine development.
Independence of first- and second-order memories in newborn rabbits
Authors: Coureaud Gérard , Languille Solène , Joly Virginie , Schaal Benoist , Hars Bernard
Published: May 2011

The mammary pheromone promotes the acquisition of novel odorants (CS1) in newborn rabbits. Here, experiments pinpoint that CS1 becomes able to support neonatal learning of other odorants (CS2). We therefore evaluated whether these first- and second-order memories remained dependent after reactivation. Amnesia induced after CS2 recall selectively blocked this memory, when recall and amnesia of CS1 left the souvenir of CS2 safe; this finding partially differed from results obtained in adult mammals. Thus, in this model of neonatal appetitive odor learning, second-order memory seems to depend on first-order memory for its formation but not for its maintenance.
AnArabidopsisE3 Ligase, SHOOT GRAVITROPISM9, Modulates the Interaction between Statoliths and F-Actin in Gravity Sensing
Authors: Nakamura Moritaka , Toyota Masatsugu , Tasaka Masao , Morita Miyo Terao
Published: May 2011

Higher plants use the sedimentation of amyloplasts in statocytes as statolith to sense the direction of gravity during gravitropism. In Arabidopsis thaliana inflorescence stem statocyte, amyloplasts are in complex movement; some show jumping-like saltatory movement and some tend to sediment toward the gravity direction. Here, we report that a RING-type E3 ligase SHOOT GRAVITROPISM9 (SGR9) localized to amyloplasts modulates amyloplast dynamics. In the sgr9 mutant, which exhibits reduced gravitropism, amyloplasts did not sediment but exhibited increased saltatory movement. Amyloplasts sometimes formed a cluster that is abnormally entangled with actin filaments (AFs) in sgr9. By contrast, in the fiz1 mutant, an ACT8 semidominant mutant that induces fragmentation of AFs, amyloplasts, lost saltatory movement and sedimented with nearly statically. Both treatment with Latrunculin B, an inhibitor of AF polymerization, and the fiz1 mutation rescued the gravitropic defect of sgr9. In addition, fiz1 decreased saltatory movement and induced amyloplast sedimentation even in sgr9. Our results suggest that amyloplasts are in equilibrium between sedimentation and saltatory movement in wild-type endodermal cells. Furthermore, this equilibrium is the result of the interaction between amyloplasts and AFs modulated by the SGR9. SGR9 may promote detachment of amyloplasts from AFs, allowing the amyloplasts to sediment in the AFs-dependent equilibrium of amyloplast dynamics.
Highly focused document retrieval in aerospace engineering
Authors: Petrelli Daniela , Lanfranchi Vitaveska , Ciravegna Fabio , Begdev Ravish , Chapman Sam
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to describe the preliminary studies (on both users and data), the design and evaluation of the K‐Search system for searching legacy documents in aerospace engineering. Real‐world reports of jet engine maintenance challenge the current indexing practice, while real users' tasks require retrieving the information in the proper context. K‐Search is currently in use in Rolls‐Royce plc and has evolved to include other tools for knowledge capture and management.

Design/methodology/approach

Semantic Web techniques have been used to automatically extract information from the reports while maintaining the original context, allowing a more focused retrieval than with more traditional techniques. The paper combines semantic search with classical information retrieval to increase search effectiveness. An innovative user interface has been designed to take advantage of this hybrid search technique. The interface is designed to allow a flexible and personal approach to searching legacy data.

Findings

The user evaluation showed that the system is effective and well received by users. It also shows that different people look at the same data in different ways and make different use of the same system depending on their individual needs, influenced by their job profile and personal attitude.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on a specific case of an enterprise working in aerospace engineering. Although the findings are likely to be shared with other engineering domains (e.g. mechanical, electronic), the study does not expand the evaluation to different settings.

Originality/value

The study shows how real context of use can provide new and unexpected challenges to researchers and how effective solutions can then be adopted and used in organizations.
Expanding the concept of requirements traceability
Authors: Chen Hui , Baptista Nunes Miguel , Zhou Lihong , Chao Peng Guo
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Despite its tremendous success and achievements, the information science (IS) industry has been plagued by shadows of failure and inefficiency since its early days. This paper takes the stance that poor communication with target organizations and users is one of the major causes of these problems. If this communication is not properly recorded and managed, many of the agreed decisions may never be assumed by target organizations, therefore leaving project managers entirely responsible for failures or deviation from initial requirements. Nonetheless, the vast majority of Software (SW) development companies have very weak provision for Electronic Records Management (ERM). This is evident from the persistent use of ISO 9001 and ISO 90003 in their Quality Assurance (QA) and the consistent neglecting of the ISO 15489 standard for records management. This paper aims to examine this issue

Design/methodology/approach

Since there are no studies in this area, this research employed an inductive qualitative research approach that consisted of a combination of critical literature review, an exploratory case study and thematic analysis.

Findings

This paper reports on the study of an SW company that implemented ERM policies and an in‐house system that not only supports the recording of documentation and evidence for every phase of the development, but also the very difficult processes of organizational learning.

Practical implications

This paper is of interest to both IS academics and practitioners, namely those interested in QA and ERM.

Originality/value

There is very little research in this area that can inform both academics and practitioners on how to use ERM within SW project management practices. This paper aims at providing early insights into ways of addressing this gap and at generating discussion in this area.
Information literacy through inquiry
Authors: McKinney Pamela , Jones Myles , Turkington Sandra
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the evaluation of a curriculum development project that took place in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sheffield. The project, funded by a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CILASS), sought to embed information literacy development in a Level One module using an inquiry‐based learning pedagogical approach. Students worked collaboratively to find news stories that were purportedly based on real psychological research and then searched for the related research paper. They reflected on this task and the differences between the two sources as part of the assessed work for the module.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesizes the results of a number of evaluation instruments (questionnaire, information literacy competency test, focus group, student reflective work) to examine staff and student perceptions of the inquiry task, and how effective the task was in building students' information literacy. A “Theory of Change” evaluation methodology was used to define the scope of evaluation activities.

Findings

The SCONUL Seven Pillars of Information Literacy model is used to structure the findings from the various evaluation methods. Students developed their knowledge of, and ability to search, appropriate academic resources, although they demonstrated a preference for searching via Google Scholar over Web of Knowledge.

Originality/value

Students demonstrated through their reflective comments that they had developed significant abilities to compare and evaluate news stories and journal articles, although they reported a lack of confidence in these abilities. Postgraduate tutors thought the inquiry task was successful in developing students' information literacy and both students and staff responded positively to the ability to choose topics of interest to investigate.
Investigating fiction reader characteristics using personal construct theory
Authors: Birdi Briony
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Using the public library context, this paper seeks to present research identifying perceived characteristics of fiction readers and their associated genres, with a particular emphasis on the reader of Black British and Asian fiction in the English language.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies personal construct theory and the associated repertory grid to a mixed method study involving 15 repertory grid interviews, conducted with librarianship Master's students at a UK university.

Findings

The findings regarding the perceived profile of the reader were similar to those reported in previous sociological research, but new constructs emerged regarding certain perceived characteristics of both readers and genres.

Research limitations/implications

The method and findings provide a starting‐point for future research in materials portraying, and originating from, minority ethnic communities. With more repeated constructs and a larger sample size, future research could statistically investigate the significance of potential trends and apparent relationships between data.

Practical implications

The paper provides new data regarding the nature and readership of minority ethnic fiction, informing the improvement of its provision and promotion by public libraries.

Social implications

It is hoped that longer‐term effects will be to increase both public and professional understanding of fiction written by members of minority ethnic communities, and of its potential contribution to the wider body of literature in the English language.

Originality/value

The paper applies personal construct theory and the associated repertory grid technique to a new area of research and practice, with new data having been generated concerning the perceived characteristics of fiction genres, and of their readers.
Competing risks models of Farm Service Agency seven‐year direct operating loans
Authors: Dixon Bruce L. , Ahrendsen Bruce L. , McFadden Brandon R. , Danforth Diana M. , Foianini Monica , Hamm Sandra J.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply duration methods to a sample of Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct, seven‐year operating loans to identify those variables that influence the time to loan termination and type of termination. Variables include both those known at time of loan origination and those that characterize the changing economic environment over the life of the loan. Also, to examine the impact of various FSA programs promoting policy objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic sample of 877 seven‐year, FSA direct loans originated between October 1, 1993 and September 30, 1996 was collected. Cox regression, competing risks models are estimated as a function of borrower and loan characteristics observable at loan origination. Economic indicator variables emphasizing the farm economy and observed quarterly over the life of the loan are also included as explanatory variables.

Findings

Loan characteristics, borrower financial characteristics and degree of borrower interaction with FSA observable at origin are significant variables in determining type of loan outcome (default or paid‐in‐full) and time to outcome. Changes in the economic environment and farm economy during the life of the loan are significant.

Research limitations/implications

The sample consists only of FSA direct loans which implies borrowers are at financial margin. Application of method to agricultural loans from conventional commercial lenders could identify different significant factors.

Practical implications

Using length of time to loan termination instead of just type of outcome provides for a richer analysis of loan performance. Loan performance over time is influenced by the larger economy and should be incorporated into loan performance modeling.

Originality/value

The study described in the paper demonstrates use of competing risks models on intermediate agricultural loans and develops how this technique can be used to learn about dynamic aspects of loan performance. Sample consists of observations on individual FSA direct loan borrowers. The FSA direct loan program is the major source of credit for agricultural borrowers at the financial margin.
Loan portfolio performance and El Niño, an intervention analysis
Authors: Collier Benjamin , Katchova Ani L. , Skees Jerry R.
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper illustrates that natural disasters can significantly threaten financial institutions serving the poor. The authors test the case of a microfinance institution (MFI) in Northern Peru, where severe El Niño events create catastrophic flooding.

Design/methodology/approach

Portfolio‐level, monthly data from January 1994 to October 2008 were examined using an intervention analysis. The paper tested whether the 1997‐1998 El Niño increased problem loans and estimated the magnitude of the effect.

Findings

The results indicate El Niño significantly increased problem loans, specifically the level of restructured loans. While restructured loans averaged 0.5 percent of the total loan portfolio before the El Niño, the estimated cumulative effect of El Niño indicates that an additional 3.6 percent of the portfolio value was restructured due to this event.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could build on these results by modeling insurance‐type mechanisms for the MFI. Additional research that replicates these analyses in another context would be highly valuable for comparison across natural disasters and financial institutions.

Practical implications

The findings demonstrate that the correlated risk exposure of many small borrowers can significantly affect the lender and the importance of considering bank management in assessing disaster risk of a financial institution.

Social implications

Lender strategies to minimize losses may require long‐term restructuring that perpetuates the effects of the disaster in the community.

Originality/value

This paper may be of particular value to researchers and practitioners hoping to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of MFIs concentrated in regions exposed to natural disaster risk.
Measuring dependence in joint distributions of yield and weather variables
Authors: Bokusheva Raushan
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The design and pricing of weather‐based insurance instruments is strongly based on an implicit assumption that the dependence structure between crop yields and weather variables remains unchanged over time. The purpose of this paper is to verify this critical assumption by employing historical time series of weather and farm yields from a semi‐arid region.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis employs two different approaches to measure dependence in multivariate distributions – the regression analysis and copula approach. The estimations are done by employing Bayesian hierarchical model.

Findings

The paper reveals statistically significant temporal changes in the joint distribution of weather variables and wheat yields for grain‐producing farms in Kazakhstan over the period from 1961 to 2003.

Research limitations/implications

By questioning its basic assumption the paper draws attention to serious limitations in the current methodology of the weather‐based insurance design.

Practical implications

The empirical results obtained indicate that the relationship between weather and crop yields is not fixed and can change over time. Accordingly, greater effort is required to capture potential temporal changes in the weather‐yield‐relationship and to consider them while developing and rating weather‐based insurance instruments.

Originality/value

The estimation of selected copula and regression models has been done by employing Bayesian hierarchical models.
Design optimization of a mixed‐flow compressor impeller for a small turbojet engine
Authors: Cevik Mert , Uzol Oguz
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to present the results of a design optimization study for the impeller of a small mixed‐flow compressor. The objective of the optimization is to obtain an impeller geometry that could minimize a cost function based on the specific thrust and the thrust specific fuel consumption of a small turbojet engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The design methodology is based on an optimization process that uses a configurational database for various compressor geometries. The database is constructed using design of experiments and the compressor configurations are generated using one‐dimensional in‐house design codes, as well as various tools and programs of the Agile Engineering Design System®, which is a commercially available turbomachinery design system developed at Concepts NREC. The cost function variations within the design space are represented through a neural network. The optimum configuration that minimizes the cost function is obtained using a direct search optimization procedure.

Findings

The optimization study generated a small 86 mm diameter mixed‐flow impeller with a 50° meridional exit angle. The optimized compressor, as well as the engine that it is designed for, were shown to have improved performance characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

Preliminary performance and flow analysis of the optimized impeller show shock structures and possible shock‐boundary layer interactions within the blade passages indicating further geometrical fine tuning may be required based on more detailed computational studies or experimental tests.

Practical implications

A further study including the effect of diffuser is required to carry the results to a more practical level.

Originality/value

The originality and the value of the paper comes mainly from two different aspects: combining various in‐house and commercial turbomachinery design codes in one robust methodology to obtain an optimum mixed‐flow compressor impeller that will maximize the performance requirements of a small unmanned air vehicle (UAV) turbojet engine under restricted size and power conditions; and investigation of the design optimization and analysis of a mixed‐flow compressor that could have potential applications in small jet engines to be used in high‐performance UAV applications. Design optimization studies on this type of compressor are very limited in the open literature. For many years, these compressors have been disregarded because of their bulky design in large‐scale engines. However, as mentioned above, they present a great potential for small‐scale jet engines by supplying enough pressure rise, as well as high mass flow rate compared to their centrifugal counterparts.
Estimation method combining aircraft kinematics, GPS, and low‐quality rate gyros
Authors: Park Sanghyuk
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate aircraft roll angle and rate gyro biases using aircraft kinematics with GPS and low‐quality rate gyros.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method is motivated by observing the fact that, in typical flight applications with transport, reconnaissance, or surveillance missions, the aircraft flies along relaxed flight paths, and the associated aircraft motion can be considered as the sum of the coordinated flight, low‐frequency motion and non‐coordinated, high‐frequency motion. The proposed scheme utilizes the coordinated flight kinematics to form the relatively simple, low‐order Kalman filter that estimates the aircraft roll attitude and rate gyro biases.

Findings

The associated frequency analysis reveals that, for the estimation in the relatively low‐frequency region, the method relies primarily on GPS with the help of coordinated flight kinematics in removing the bias effect from the low‐quality rate gyros. Also, for the estimation in the high‐frequency region the method relies mainly on the numerical integration of the rate gyro for the roll attitude, which enables a high‐bandwidth estimation.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method is not suitable for flight manoeuvres where a non‐coordinated flight, such as steady heading sideslip, is sustained for a long period of time.

Practical implications

The proposed method has been implemented in a small UAV. The associated flight tests and simulations indicate that the new method has a potential to be used as a backup or a replacement for other complex conventional methods for many flight applications.

Originality/value

This paper has been the first to promote the estimation method that combines aircraft kinematics with GPS and low‐quality rate gyros.
Electropolymerization of p‐toluene sulfonic acid doped polyaniline on copper and its application as a corrosion inhibitor
Authors: Rashid Mohammad , Abdul Rahim Afidah , Jain Noordin Mohd
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitive effect of p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) doped polyaniline on corrosion of copper in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrochemical deposition of polyaniline doped with p‐TSA on pure copper metal was studied potentiodynamically. The electrochemical study of the working electrode was performed at open‐circuit potential, then using potentiodynamic polarization and also with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.1 M HCl solution. The p‐TSA doped polymer deposit was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with the UV‐vis and thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The morphology of the deposited polymer was studied by scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

The results revealed that the p‐TSA self‐doped polymer had better corrosion inhibition efficiency than did the un‐doped polyaniline. It exhibited approximately 88.9 percent inhibition efficiency at 2x10−3 M concentration of p‐TSA, according to charge transfer resistance (Rct) values evaluated from Nyquist plots.

Research limitations/implications

The high dissolution tendency of metal surfaces generally occurs before the electropolymerization potential of the monomer is achieved. It was difficult to electrodeposit the conducting organic polymer on the surface of metal.

Practical implications

Some organic conducting polymers are toxic and hazardous from the environmental viewpoint. The electrochemical deposition of p‐TSA doped polyaniline is impractical for larger structures.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that p‐TSA doped polyaniline is environmentally benign and can be used for the protection of copper metal as a cathodic inhibitor.
Don't wash my meat: public perceptions of decontamination in meat production
Authors: Korzen Sara , Sandøe Peter , Lassen Jesper
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study public acceptance of decontamination as a risk reduction strategy in meat production.

Design/methodology/approach

A representative survey of the Danish population (n=1,104) was conducted during September 2007. The survey included dimensions of assessment of decontamination techniques and background variables of socio‐economic status, food culture and safety profile. The data were analysed using latent class analyses, and subsequently the association of the predicted classes and background variables was analysed using bivariate analyses.

Findings

The analysis shows that in general members of the public do not agree with the practice of decontamination. There was, however, some variation in public rejection of the techniques. Four latent classes were identified: rejects decontamination (57 per cent), accepts decontamination (4 per cent), accepts techniques that are familiar in meat production (18 per cent), and accepts techniques known from processed foods (21 per cent). Variations in the distribution of the four classes in different population groups are identified.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide in‐depth information on public perceptions of the decontamination of meat. It will be of value to the industry and other stakeholders, since some form of decontamination is likely to be a necessary element in future European risk reduction strategies designed to ensure the safety of meat and meat products.
Group mentoring: rapid multiplication of learning
Authors: Emelo Randy
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate group mentoring as a large‐scale form of collaborative learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers used a 12‐question survey and personal interviews to assess the relevancy and success of group mentoring, and its impact on personal productivity/effectiveness and organizational success.

Findings

A total of 93 percent said topics discussed during their group mentoring events were relevant to them and their jobs, and 96 percent reported that they could apply information gained during group mentoring directly to their role in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

Further research with a larger survey population would be valuable, particularly as the use of group mentoring expands.

Practical implications

Group mentoring can replace costly classroom training, allowing more people to gain useful and practical knowledge in a setting that supports large‐scale productivity and effectiveness back on the job.

Originality/value

All content in this paper is new. Readers will discover the latest research and trends in group mentoring and collaborative learning.
Process optimization with simple means: the power of visualization
Authors: Stentoft Arlbjørn Jan
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on observations of administrative work processes in two Danish manufacturing companies. The brown paper method was applied in both cases as a visualization technique to map the process flows and to highlight improvement areas. The paper explores the process and discusses drivers as well as barriers for this form of employee involvement in optimization and change programs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on two case studies that illustrate the process of completing a brown paper exercise. Key staff along the process flow, from sales and order entry to the physical delivery of goods, participated in a structured course over a one‐month period.

Findings

The paper stresses the importance of collective learning and validation of current practices. One success factor is the ability to create an atmosphere of openness wherein staff are able to speak freely and honestly. This process provides top management with a range of areas to consider for future optimization. Top management commitment is an important factor in driving the process beyond just mapping as the two cases demonstrate.

Practical implications

Important elements in such visualization processes are commitment and support from top management and a common understanding of the terms, techniques, and methods utilized by employees. Spending time discussing the approach and explaining why it is needed as well as providing training is believed to be vital to the success of the process. This paper has relevance for all types of private and public organizations.

Social implications

The paper underscores the value of involving employees in assessments of existing business performance gaps, explorations of root causes for their existence, and planning activities in order to develop the business.

Originality/value

The paper makes a contribution to a limited number of publications that report on how companies in practice conduct common process mappings in order to identify areas for improvements.
Workplace learning evaluation: a conceptual model and framework
Authors: Paul Griffin Richard
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to address current limitations in approaches to training evaluation by presenting a conceptual model of work‐based learning and an associated evaluation framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The model and framework presented in this paper are based on a critical review of current approaches to learning evaluation and insights from learning transfer research and programme theory.

Findings

This paper sets out a conceptual model of workplace learning based on five elements: a pre‐learning stage, the trigger (need) for learning, the learning event, application of learning and the impact of learning. A linked criterion evaluation framework is also described. It is proposed that this provides a scientifically robust but practitioner friendly framework for workplace learning evaluation.

Practical implications

While most organisations wish to evaluate the effectiveness of their investment in employee training and development, few do. One of the barriers to effective learning evaluation is the failure to ground approaches in a contemporary and comprehensive model of workplace learning. The model and framework set out in this paper aim to assist evaluation by addressing this gap in a practitioner friendly way.

Originality/value

This paper sets out a novel, flexible and comprehensive conceptual model of workplace learning along with an innovative approach to training evaluation that addresses limitations in existing approaches. It is hoped that this will contribute to the debate on appropriate evaluation methods and assist practitioners to undertake evaluation in a more credible manner.
The Retroductive Recognition of Absence (RRA) methodology
Authors: Houston Ron
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Current research methodologies in the field of information science employ induction or deduction, ignoring the third fundamental mode of cognition, retroduction. This paper seeks to introduce the Retroductive Recognition of Absence (RRA) methodology that expands inquiry from its current inductive and deductive bases to include the intuition‐based retroduction/abduction of Charles Sanders Peirce.

Design/methodology/approach

In brief, RRA consists of an iterative performance, of its nine‐step heuristic, with each iteration narrowing the scope of the research, while increasing the depth of examination. The nine steps are: perceive a phenomenon leading to surprise; perform the fundamental and primary retroduction; synthesize the phenomenon into a hypothesis; bracket intuitive prejudices; immerse in the data; conceptualize; hypothesize; select the hypothesis most efficient to test; and test the hypothesis. The iterations continue until the researcher reaches a hypothesis testable by inductive or deductive methods. This RRA methodology incorporates a “definition heuristic” that defines any previously undefined concept, a heuristic based on Spradley and McCurdy's classification of definitions.

Findings

A study of Compelled Nonuse of Information (CNI) demonstrated the usefulness of RRA in the study of phenomena from an initial “hunch” to a testable hypothesis. As such, the RRA methodology decreases subjectivity and imparts rigor to the study of absent or newly emergent phenomena that have no theoretical basis, no data, and no pre‐existing, coherent body of literature.

Originality/value

This paper presents the philosophy and practice of the RRA methodology and the retroductive philosophical inquiry postulated by Peirce.
A longitudinal study of changes in learners' cognitive states during and following an information literacy teaching intervention
Authors: Walton Geoff , Hepworth Mark
Published: May 2011

Purpose

This paper seeks to identify the changes in cognition associated with becoming information‐literate, specifically, in relation to the evaluation of information. Additionally, it puts forward a model for a teaching and learning intervention that engages the learner and leads to higher order information literacy (IL) thinking. From a theoretical perspective the research integrates ideas from the fields of IL, teaching and learning, e‐learning and information behaviour (IB).

Design/methodology/approach

Three interventions were designed to develop the information literacies of first‐year undergraduates studying Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University, to teach and test IL. Interventions took a blended approach and combined face‐to‐face and online social network learning (OSNL) – also referred to as social media learning (SML) – and focused on one aspect of information literacy: the ability to evaluate source material. Data were captured via interviews, focus groups and from the online discussion that was analysed thematically and categorised using task, behaviour, cognitive states, affective states, cognitive states and knowledge. This helped to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions and provided data for further analysis. This paper focuses on the cognitive data and their transitions during the interventions and, in particular, among those respondents who experienced OSNL.

Findings

The changing cognitive states, associated with IL learning were modelled and made evident key cognitive states and transitions. This is represented in the paper in diagrammatic and mathematical notation. The findings indicate the complexity of the information behaviours associated with IL including the cognitive, behavioural, cognitive and affective elements. Although the cognitive transitions are the focus of this paper, an insight is also given into an IL intervention that fosters the capability to interact critically and reflectively with information. The pedagogy that underpins these changes is indicated. The intervention, which incorporated OSNL, proved the most successful.

Research limitations/implications

Undergraduate students' IB can be changed and IL developed. Additional long‐term data would have indicated whether this intervention had a lasting impact on the undergraduates.

Practical implications

IL practitioners should consider incorporating OSNL and assessment in their interventions. Incorporating discussion, reflection and peer‐to‐peer assessment is likely to lead to deeper learning when teaching IL.

Originality/value

The research adds detail to the understanding of the cognitive, behavioural, affective and cognitive states associated with IL and makes explicit how these may change, as the learner becomes information‐literate.
Toward supporting information‐seeking and retrieval activities based on evolving topic‐needs
Authors: Wu I‐Chin
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Seeking and retrieving information is an essential aspect of knowledge workers' activities during problem‐solving and decision‐making tasks. In recent years, user‐oriented Information Seeking (IS) research methods rooted in the social sciences have been integrated with Information Retrieval (IR) research approaches based on computer science to capitalize on the strengths of each field. Given this background, the objective is to develop a topic‐needs variation determination technique based on the observations of IS&R theories.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, implicit and explicit methods for identifying users' evolving topic‐needs are proposed. Knowledge‐intensive tasks performed by academic researchers are used to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed methods. The paper conducted two sets of experiments to demonstrate and verify the importance of determining changes in topic‐needs during the IS&R process.

Findings

The results in terms of precision and discounted cumulated gain (DCG) values show that the proposed Stage‐Topic_W (G,S) and Stage‐Topic‐Interaction methods can retrieve relevant document sets for users engaged in long‐term tasks more efficiently and effectively than traditional methods.

Practical implications

The improved precision of the proposed methods means that they can retrieve more relevant documents for the searcher. Accordingly, the results of this research have implications for enhancing the search function in enterprise content management (ECM) applications to support the execution of projects/tasks by professionals and facilitate effective ECM.

Originality/value

The model observes a user's search behavior pattern to determine the personal factors (e.g. changes in the user's cognitive status), and content factors (e.g. changes in topic‐needs) simultaneously. The objective is to capture changes in the user's information needs precisely so that evolving information needs can be satisfied in a timely manner.
An ideal model for an information system for fiction and its application
Authors: Hypén Kaisa , Mäkelä Eetu
Published: May 2011

Purpose

Library Director Jarmo Saarti introduced a wide or ideal model for fiction in literature in his dissertation, published in 1999. It introduces those aspects that should be included in an information system for fiction. Such aspects include literary prose and its intertextual references to other works, the writer, readers' and critics' receptions of the work as well as a researcher's view. It is also important to note how libraries approach a literary work by means of inventory, classification and content description. The most ambiguous of the aspects relates to that context in cultural history, which the work reflects and is a part of. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Since the model consists of several components which are not found in present library information systems and cannot be implemented by them, a new way had to be found to produce, save, process and present fiction‐related metadata. The Semantic Computing Research Group of Aalto University has developed several Semantic Web services for use in the field of culture, so cooperation with it and the use of Semantic Web tools were a natural starting point for the construction of the new service. Kirjasampo will be based on the Semantic Web RDF data model. The model enables a flexible linking of metadata derived from different sources, and it can be used to build a Semantic Web that can be approached contextually from different angles.

Findings

The “semantically enriched” ideal model for fiction has hence been realised, at least to some extent: Kirjasampo supports literature‐related metadata that is more varied than earlier and aims to account for different contexts within literature and connections with regard to other cultural phenomena. It also includes contemporary reviews of works and, as such, readers' receptions as well. Modern readers can share their views on works, once the user interface of the server is completed. It will include several features from the Kirjasto 2.0‐application, which enables the evaluation, description and recommendations of works. The service should be online by the end of Spring 2011.

Research limitations/implications

The project involves novel collaboration between a public library and a computer science research unit, and utilises a novel approach to the description of fiction.

Practical implications

The system encourages user participation in the description of fiction and is of practical benefit to librarians in understanding both how fiction is organised and how users interpret the same.

Originality/value

Upon completion, the service will be the first Finnish information system for libraries built with the tools of the Semantic Web which offers a completely new user environment and application for data produced by libraries. It also strives to create a new model for saving and producing data, available to both library professionals and readers. The aim is to save, accumulate and distribute literary knowledge, experiences and silent information.
Sustainability in supply chain management: suggestions for the auto industry
Authors: Xia Yu , Li‐Ping Tang Thomas
Published: May 2011

Purpose

The auto industry in the USA is facing tremendous challenges – plunging demands due to economic downturn, the gloomy trend in technology development, and fierce global competition. This article aims to examine the challenges of supply chain management and to propose a triple‐C (cease‐control‐combine) remedy for the North American auto industry's supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied management theories, collected information from managers at different levels of the auto industry's supply chain management, and developed a novel theoretical model of sustainability in supply chain management for the auto industry.

Findings

It is argued that outsourcing to low cost countries – the current supply chain strategy – is not only unsustainable but also irresponsible for the auto industry and society. A triple‐C (cease‐control‐combine) remedy is proposed for the auto industry's supply chain management.

Practical implications

The proposed triple‐C strategy will save the auto industry money in R&D investment, reduce quality cost and inventory waste, help the industry go through the volatile economy, and achieve sustainable development. With close relationships and strong supports from suppliers, the industry can speed up technology development, introduce new gas efficiency models quickly, and become less dependent on gas price. Finally, the triple‐C strategy will help the industry keep jobs and generate new jobs in the USA. These activities lead to public support and restored corporate image.

Originality/value

The current business environment is analyzed, problems of current supply chain strategy discussed, and a new supply chain strategy remedy for the North American auto industry proposed.