bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biografische Kommunikation
Authors: Lesker Marina
Published: October 2008

Biografische Arbeit wird in der Literatur primär für den Gruppenkontext didaktisch beschrieben und als Leitlinie für Konzepte der Pflege formuliert. Da jegliche Biografiearbeit auf Kommunikation, und zwar vorwiegend paarbezogener beruht, sind entsprechende Kompetenzen professioneller Begleiter alter Menschen erforderlich. Darüber hinaus versteht sich biografische Kommunikation primär als individueller, alltagsimmanenter sprachlicher Prozess, der hinsichtlich Bedarf und Unterstützung sensibel zu begleiten ist. Vorwiegend aus sozio- und pragmalinguistischer Sicht lassen sich Voraussetzungen auf verbaler, nonverbaler und Kontextebene begründen, die helfen, über biografische Gesprächsthemen subjektive Ressourcen des alten Menschen anzusprechen. Eine Verbindung von biografischem Wissen und Handlungsmustern mit den Herausforderungen der gegenwärtigen Lebenspraxis des alten Menschen ist dabei sowohl methodisch als auch motivational sinnvoll. Insbesondere unter institutionalisierten Bedingungen können auf diese Weise individuelle Aktivitäten und Beziehungen unterstützt werden. Eine explorative Studie im Praxisfeld Altenpflege lässt erste Aussagen zur Wirkungsweise ausgewählter wesentlicher professioneller Kompetenzen zu, die sich offensichtlich primär in der Beanspruchung von motivationalen, emotionalen und sozialen Ressourcen des alten pflegebedürftigen Menschen zeigt.
Das Bálint-Holmes-Syndrom bei posteriorer kortikaler Atrophie
Authors: Gutzmann Hans , Schmidt Karl-Heinz , Petermann Annett
Published: October 2008

Die Kasuistik beschreibt eine 76jährige Patientin, deren kognitive Störungen nach eigen- und fremdanamnestischen Angaben erstmals im Alter von ca. 70 Jahren aufgefallen waren. Neben leichten bis mäßigen mnestischen Defiziten traten im Verlauf der Krankheitsgeschichte sehr früh auch visuelle Störungen und Störungen in der räumlichen Orientierung auf. Aufgrund eines fremdaggressiven Verhaltens und eines Delirs wurde sie stationär gerontopsychiatrisch behandelt. Im Rahmen der zu diesem Zeitpunkt durchgeführten umfassenden klinischen und paraklinischen Diagnostik wurde das Vollbild eines Bálint-Holmes-Syndroms mit okulärer Apraxie, optischer Agnosie, gravierenden räumlichen Orientierungsstörungen und einer dorsalen wie ventralen Simultanagnosie diagnostiziert. Es waren die diagnostischen Kriterien einer Demenz vom Alzheimer-Typ erfüllt. Die Ergebnisse der bildgebenden Diagnostik legen differenzialdiagnostisch eine posteriore kortikale Atrophie (PCA) als fokale Variante einer Demenz vom Alzheimer-Typ nahe. In der Diskussion zu praktischen Schlussfolgerungen wird auf die Notwendigkeiten einer differenzierten neuropsychologischen Diagnostik sowie der genauen Aufklärung der die Patientin betreuenden Pflegepersonen über die Spezifik des Krankheitsbildes hingewiesen.
Die Vermittlung gerontopsychiatrischer Basiskompetenz
Authors: Hirsch R.D. , Kunczik Th. , Wächtler C.
Published: October 2008

Der Hausarzt gilt als «Schaltstelle» der Versorgung alter Menschen. Er bedarf daher eines gut fundierten Basis-Wissens über Geriatrie und Gerontopsychiatrie. Gezielte Fort- und Weiterbildungsmaßnahmen sind daher Voraussetzung. Die Deutsche Akademie für Gerontopsychiatrie und -psychotherapie bietet hierzu seit 2008 ein praxisnahes, strukturiertes und interaktives Grundlagen-Curriculum mit 40 Stunden in Theorie, einer 20-stündigen Hospitation und 20-stündiger Fallarbeit an, welches mit einem Zertifikat ausgestattet ist. Inhalte sind u. a.: Gerontopsychiatrisches Assessment, allgemeine Behandlungsaspekte, Demenz, Depression und weitere wichtige Krankheitsbilder.
Curriculum Gerontopsychiatrie und -psychotherapie
Authors: Stoppe Gabriela
Published: October 2008

Auf dem Weg zu einer ärztlichen Schwerpunktbildung für die Gerontopsychiatrie und -psychotherapie wählte die Deutsche Akademie für Gerontopsychiatrie und -psychotherapie ein «bottom-up-Vorgehen». In einem mehrjährigen Prozess (2001–2004) definierte ein Kreis von Experten die Inhalte des Gebietes sowie die notwendigen Einstellungen, Kenntnisse und Fertigkeiten. Diese wurden in einem deutschsprachigen – unter Einbeziehung österreichischer und schweizerischer Experten – und interdisziplinären Gremium konsentiert. Das Ergebnis wird hier vorgestellt. Eine englischsprachige Version liegt inzwischen ebenfalls vor.
Persönlichkeitseigenschaften, Intelligenz und Erfolg im Beruf
Authors: Hülsheger Ute R. , Maier Günter W.
Published: October 2008

Zusammenfassung. Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Bedeutung von Persönlichkeitseigenschaften und kognitiven Fähigkeiten für berufliche Erfolgskriterien, d.h. für berufliche Leistung und Berufserfolg. Zunächst wird ein Überblick über den internationalen Stand der Forschung, über metaanalytische Befunde und aktuelle Debatten geliefert, anschließend werden aktuelle Befunde aus Deutschland resümiert. Diese Bestandsaufnahme deutscher Studien verdeutlicht, dass deutsche Persönlichkeits- und Intelligenztests hinsichtlich berufsrelevanter Kriterien noch nicht ausreichend validiert wurden. Dies mag dazu beitragen, dass trotz der internationalen empirischen Evidenz für ihre Validität Persönlichkeits- und Intelligenztests in Deutschland vergleichsweise selten in der personaldiagnostischen Praxis eingesetzt werden. Implikationen werden abgeleitet, die zu einer Annäherung zwischen Forschung und Praxis beitragen könnten.
Positionspapier: Entwurf einer Lebensspannen-Psychologie der Sehnsucht
Authors: Baltes Paul B.
Published: October 2008

Zusammenfassung. Obwohl das Konzept der Sehnsucht in der Kunst und den Geisteswissenschaften eine große Rolle spielt, ist es in der Psychologie bisher kaum behandelt worden. Dieser Beitrag stellt einen Entwurf für eine lebensspannen-psychologische Konzeptualisierung des Phänomens Sehnsucht dar. Es wird vorgeschlagen, Sehnsucht durch sechs zusammenhängende Merkmale zu charakterisieren: (1) Unerreichbarkeit einer persönlichen Utopie idealer Entwicklung, (2) Gefühl der Unvollkommenheit und Unfertigkeit des Lebens, (3) Dreizeitigkeitsfokus (auf Vergangenheit, Gegenwart, Zukunft), (4) ambivalente (bittersüße) Emotionen, (5) reflexive und evaluative Prozesse und (6) Symbolhaftigkeit. Diese theoretischen Annahmen können empirisch anhand einer ersten Studie von Scheibe, Freund und Baltes (2007) gestützt werden.
Zusammenwirken kognitiver Systeme
Authors: Kiefer Markus
Published: October 2008

Zusammenfassung. In dieser Arbeit wird der Zusammenhang von kognitiven Funktionen am Beispiel der Rolle des semantischen Gedächtnisses bei der Informationsverarbeitung diskutiert. Es ist mittlerweile gut abgesichert, dass sich das semantische Gedächtnis von anderen Gedächtnissystemen (z.B. episodisches Gedächtnis, Arbeitsgedächtnis) und den sensorischen bzw. motorischen Systemen funktionell und neuroanatomisch dissoziieren lässt. Die volle Funktionalität des Gesamtsystems wird aber nur dann garantiert, wenn kognitive Systeme bei der Informationsverarbeitung koordiniert zusammenwirken. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden kognitionspsychologische und neurophysiologische Befunde berichtet, welche die Stellung des semantischen Gedächtnisses innerhalb der kognitiven Architektur menschlicher Informationsverarbeitung präzisieren. Exemplarisch wird gezeigt, wie das semantische Gedächtnis mit den sensorischen und motorischen Systemen funktional und neuroanatomisch verflochten ist. Konvergierende Evidenz aus anderen kognitiven Domänen wie Arbeitsgedächtnis, episodisches Gedächtnis und Sprachverarbeitung legt nahe, dass Systemverflechtungen ein grundlegendes Organisationsprinzip der kognitiven Architektur des Menschen darstellen könnten. In der Regel dominieren noch Theorien zu einzelnen kognitiven Funktionen. Wie in dieser Arbeit gezeigt, kann die Kombination experimentalpsychologischer und neurowissenschaftlicher Ansätze zur Entwicklung integrativer Theorien beitragen.
Validity of the Five-Factor Model for the Implicit Self-Concept of Personality
Authors: Schmukle Stefan C. , Back Mitja D. , Egloff Boris
Published: October 2008

The authors adapted the Implicit Association Test (IAT) in order to assess the implicit self-concept of personality. In two studies (N = 106 and N = 92), confirmatory factor analyses validated the five-factor model for the implicit personality self-concept. Internal consistencies of the IAT proved satisfactory for all Big Five personality dimensions. Correlations between the personality IAT and different self-report measures of personality were generally small, and significant only for Extraversion and Conscientiousness. Patterns of means and factor intercorrelations were, however, highly similar for implicit and explicit personality measures.
On the Role of the Implicit Self-Concept in Adult Attachment
Authors: Dewitte Marieke , De Houwer Jan , Buysse Ann
Published: October 2008

We report a study that was designed to investigate attachment-related differences in the implicit self-concept and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) in the context of attachment research. Two variants of the IAT were used to assess implicit relational self-esteem and relational anxiety after stress induction. Results showed that both the relational self-esteem and relational anxiety IAT (1) were meaningfully related to individual differences in attachment style and (2) predicted cognitive and affective reactions to attachment-related distress in addition to and beyond self-report measures of attachment. The results provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the IAT as an index of the implicit attachment self-concept.
Mass estimations of ejecta from Strombolian explosions by inversion of Doppler radar measurements
Authors: Gouhier Mathieu , Donnadieu Franck
Published: October 2008

We present a new method for estimating particle loading parameters (mass, number, volume) of eruptive jets by inversion of echo power data measured using a volcano Doppler radar (VOLDORAD) during typical Strombolian activity from the southeast (SE) crater of Mount Etna on 4 July 2001. Derived parameters such as mass flux, particle kinetic and thermal energy, and particle concentration are also estimated. The inversion algorithm uses the complete Mie (1908) formulation of electromagnetic scattering by spherical particles to generate synthetic backscattered power values. In a first data inversion model (termed the polydisperse model), the particle size distribution (PSD) is characterized by a scaled Weibull function. The mode of the distribution is inferred from particle terminal velocities measured by Doppler radar for each explosion. The distribution shape factor is found to be 2.3 from Chouet et al.'s (1974) data for typical Strombolian activity, corresponding to the lognormal PSDs commonly characteristic of other Strombolian deposits. The polydisperse model inversion converges toward the Weibull scale factor producing the best fit between synthetic and measured backscattered power. A cruder, alternative monodisperse model is evaluated on the basis of a single size distribution assumption, the accuracy of which lies within 25% of that of the polydisperse model. Although less accurate, the monodisperse model, being much faster, may be useful for rapid estimation of physical parameters during real‐time volcano monitoring. Results are illustrated for two explosions at Mount Etna with contrasted particle loads. Estimates from the polydisperse model give 58,000 and 206,000 kg as maxima for the total mass of pyroclasts, 26,400 and 73,600 kg s−1 for mass flux rates, 38 and 135 m3 (22 and 76 m3 equivalent magma volume) for the pyroclast volumes, and 0.02–0.4 and 0.06–0.12 kg m−3 for particle concentrations, respectively. The time‐averaged kinetic energy released is found to be equal to 4.2 × 107 and 3.9 × 108 J, and thermal energy is estimated at 8.4 × 1010 and 3 × 1011 J.
A millennial‐scale record of Arctic Ocean sea ice variability and the demise of the Ellesmere Island ice shelves
Authors: England John H. , Lakeman Thomas R. , Lemmen Donald S. , Bednarski Jan M. , Stewart Thomas G. , Evans David J. A.
Published: October 2008

Sea‐ice ice shelves, at the apex of North America (>80° N), constitute the oldest sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere. We document the establishment and subsequent stability of the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, and multiyear landfast sea ice in adjacent fiords, using 69 radiocarbon dates obtained on Holocene driftwood deposited prior to coastal blockage. These dates (47 of which are new) record a hiatus in driftwood deposition beginning ∼5500 cal yr BP, marking the inception of widespread multiyear landfast sea ice across northern Ellesmere Island. This chronology, together with historical observations of ice shelf breakup (∼1950 to present), provides the only millennial‐scale record of Arctic Ocean sea ice variability to which the past three decades of satellite surveillance can be compared. Removal of the remaining ice shelves would be unprecedented in the last 5500 years. This highlights the impact of ongoing 20th and 21st century climate warming that continues to break up the remaining ice shelves and soon may cause historically ice‐filled fiords nearby to open seasonally.
Climate implications of large warming by elevated aerosol over India
Authors: Satheesh S. K. , Moorthy K. Krishna , Babu S. Suresh , Vinoj V. , Dutt C. B. S.
Published: October 2008

Wide‐ranging multi‐platform data from a major field campaign conducted over Indian region was used to estimate the energy absorbed in ten layers of the atmosphere. We found that during pre‐monsoon season, most of Indian region is characterized by elevated aerosol layers. Three‐fold increase in aerosol extinction coefficient was observed at higher atmospheric layers (>2 km) compared to that near the surface and a substantial fraction (as much as 50 to 70%) of aerosol optical depth was found contributed by aerosols above (reflecting) clouds. Consequent absorption and hence strong warming above clouds was found larger by several degrees (K) compared to that near the surface. The aerosol‐induced elevated warming was mostly confined below 2 km over northern Indian Ocean while found up to 4 km over central India, thus exhibiting strong meridional gradients (∼4 K) at atmospheric levels above 2 km. Climate implications of the large elevated warming are discussed.
Climate and marine carbon cycle response to changes in the strength of the Southern Hemispheric westerlies
Authors: Menviel L. , Timmermann A. , Mouchet A. , Timm O.
Published: October 2008

It has been previously suggested that changes in the strength and position of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies could be a key contributor to glacial‐interglacial atmospheric CO2 variations. To test this hypothesis, we perform a series of sensitivity experiments using an Earth system model of intermediate complexity. A strengthening of the climatological mean surface winds over the Southern Ocean induces stronger upwelling and increases the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water. Enhanced Ekman pumping brings more dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC)‐rich waters to the surface. However, the stronger upwelling also supplies more nutrients to the surface, thereby enhancing marine export production in the Southern Hemisphere and decreasing the DIC content in the euphotic zone. The net response is a small atmospheric CO2 increase (∼5 ppmv) compared to the full glacial‐interglacial CO2 amplitude of ∼90 ppmv. Roughly the opposite results are obtained for a weakening of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds.
Evergreen trees as inexpensive radiation shields for temperature sensors
Authors: Lundquist Jessica D. , Huggett Brian
Published: October 2008

Evergreen trees provide temperature sensors with shielding from solar radiation and an elevated location above the snowpack. Sensors were deployed with simple funnel radiation shields in the Sierra Nevada, California, and Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Compared with unaspirated, Gill‐shielded thermistors, inexpensive self‐recording temperature sensors hung in dense stands of trees have less than 0.8°C (0.4°C) mean difference in daily maximum (mean) temperature. In contrast, sensors in sparse and isolated trees had a bias of 2–5°C (0.3–1.3°C) in daily maximum (mean) temperature. Sensors on poles were biased 5–13°C (0.5–3.0°C) for daily maximum (mean) temperatures. In locations with deep winter snowpacks, sensors can be raised high into a tree using a pulley system.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Copolyanhydrides Based on 2-Octylsuccinic Acid and Sebacic Acid
Authors: Hamdan Yousef M. , Fu Shitao , Jiang Xiangmei , Cheng Yinhua , Huang Kaixun , Yu Kaichao
Published: October 2008

2-Octylsuccinic acid and its copolyanhydrides with sebacic acid have been synthesized by melt polycondensation, and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis. In vitro studies showed that all copolymers are degradable in phosphate buffer at 37°C. The release profiles of the hydrophilic model drug ciprofloxacin hydrochloride follow first-order release kinetics.
Administering Pesticide Assays in In Vivo-Implanted Biosensors
Authors: Ly Suw Young , Jung Young Sam , Lee Chang Hyun , Won Lee Bang
Published: October 2008

An analytical pesticide assay of O-ethyl-O-4-(nitrophenyl)phenyl phosphonothioate (EPN) was carried out using the following: a carbon nanotube paste electrode, a mercury-immobilized carbon nanotube paste electrode, a glassy carbon electrode, a metal–gold electrode, and a DNA-immobilized carbon nanotube paste electrode (DPE), which is two-fold more sensitive than other sensors. The DPE was optimized using cyclic and square wave stripping voltammetry. Linear working ranges approached 5–55 mg L–1 EPN and the nano-range of 10–210 ng L–1 in a 0.1 mol L–1 NH4H2PO4 electrolyte solution, with a speedy analytical time of 30-s stripping. The detection limit was 2.57 ng L–1 (7.94 × 10–12 mol L–1), and the precision was 0.102% relative standard deviation (n = 15) at the 10.0 mg L–1 EPN spike. This indicates that the method is more sensitive than common voltammetric methods. This method was applied to fruit samples using patch- and needle-type electrodes, specifically on the skin tissues of an orange and an apple. Moreover, the implanted electrode was interfaced with a fish brain cell at the electrochemical workstation. Results showed that the aforementioned method can be used to conduct a pesticide assay in neuro-treated and non-treated cell systems.
Halophenol Rearrangement in Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Friedel - Crafts Conditions: Evidence of Competitive Initial Protonation and Acylation
Authors: Saha Koushik , Lajis Nordin H. , Abas Faridah , Naji Nabil Ali , Hamzah A. Sazali , Shaari Khozirah
Published: October 2008

Halogen rearrangement was observed during the Lewis acid-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reaction of phthalic anhydride with bromophenols or bromoanisole. Further investigation revealed that 2-, 3-, and 4-bromophenols undergo rearrangement into other isomers under these reaction conditions. Product distribution from these reactions suggested that halogen rearrangement takes place during the s-complex intermediate of the condensation step. Furthermore, iodophenol undergoes hydrodeiodination rapidly rather than rearrangement, whereas chlorophenol does not undergo rearrangement at all.
Synthesis and Characterization of Anthracene-2,6-dithioacetate: a Rigid, Conjugated Molecule for the Formation of Monolayers on Gold
Authors: West Patrick J. , Zareie Hadi M. , McDonagh Andrew M.
Published: October 2008

The synthesis and characterization of a new photoswitchable anthracene compound, anthracene-2,6-dithioacetate, is presented. The compound dimerizes in solution on irradiation with UV light, and thin films can be formed on gold surfaces from both the monomer and photodimer.
Twisted Push - Pull Ethylenes
Authors: Veedu Rakesh Naduvile , Bernhardt Paul V. , Koch Rainer , Wentrup Curt
Published: October 2008

As determined by X-ray crystallography, Meldrum’s acid derivatives 5, 6, and 8 feature dihedral angles around the central C5=C7 double bond of 14–35°, whereas for the anion 9 this angle is 90°. Density functional theory and MP2 calculations are in agreement with the experimental X-ray data for compounds 5–8, but for anion 9 an angle of only ~65° is predicted. It is concluded that a part of the torsion is due to packing forces in the crystal. It is further concluded that these molecules undergo rapid rotation about the central CC bonds at room temperature (calculated activation barriers 5–14 kcal mol–1).
The Structure of 4,7-Bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole and Identification of a Widespread S···N Structural Motif
Authors: Boudebous Amar , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E. , Neuburger Markus , Schaffner Silvia
Published: October 2008

The solid-state structure of 4,7-bis((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole reveals a dimeric structure with short S···N contacts, a motif that is shown to be common in electron-poor macrocycles of this type and that is likely to be a significant factor in the design of devices using materials based on these compounds.
Osteopontin regulates development and function of invariant natural killer T cells
Authors: Diao Hongyan , Iwabuchi Kazuya , Li Lanjuan , Onoe Kazunori , Van Kaer Luc , Kon Shigeyuki , Saito Yoshinari , Morimoto Junko , Denhardt David T. , Rittling Susan , Uede Toshimitsu
Published: October 2008

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells belong to a subset of lymphocytes bridging innate and acquired immunity. We demonstrated that osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the activation of iNKT cells. In the present work, we examined whether OPN affects development and function of iNKT cells. We found that the number of peripheral iNKT cells was significantly reduced in OPN-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Although the number of thymic iNKT cells was not different between WT and OPN-deficient mice, intrathymic iNKT cell maturation was impaired in OPN-deficient mice. iNKT cell function was also significantly altered in OPN-deficient mice, as evidenced by (i) deficient down-regulation of iNKT cell receptor, (ii) reduction of IL-4 production while preserving production of IFN-γ, and (iii) reduction of Fas ligand (FasL) expression, leading to reduced Fas/FasL-dependent cytotoxicity against hepatocytes. Importantly, activation of the transcription factors NFAT2 (nuclear factor of activated T cells 2) and GATA-3 was impaired, whereas activation of T-bet was preserved in iNKT cells of OPN-deficient mice. These data collectively indicate that OPN plays a pivotal role not only in the development, but also in the function of iNKT cells.
Emergence of symmetry in homooligomeric biological assemblies
Authors: André Ingemar , Strauss Charlie E. M. , Kaplan David B. , Bradley Philip , Baker David
Published: October 2008

Naturally occurring homooligomeric protein complexes exhibit striking internal symmetry. The evolutionary origins of this symmetry have been the subject of considerable speculation; proposals for the advantages associated with symmetry include greater folding efficiency, reduced aggregation, amenability to allosteric regulation, and greater adaptability. An alternative possibility stems from the idea that to contribute to fitness, and hence be subject to evolutionary optimization, a complex must be significantly populated, which implies that the interaction energy between monomers in the ancestors of modern-day complexes must have been sufficient to at least partially overcome the entropic cost of association. Here, we investigate the effects of this bias toward very-low-energy complexes on the distribution of symmetry in primordial homooligomers modeled as randomly interacting pairs of monomers. We demonstrate quantitatively that a bias toward very-low-energy complexes can result in the emergence of symmetry from random ensembles in which the overall frequency of symmetric complexes is vanishingly small. This result is corroborated by using explicit protein–protein docking calculations to generate ensembles of randomly docked complexes: the fraction of these that are symmetric increases from 0.02% in the overall population to >50% in very low energy subpopulations.
Ectopic expression of peripheral-tissue antigens in the thymic epithelium: Probabilistic, monoallelic, misinitiated
Authors: Villaseñor Jennifer , Besse Whitney , Benoist Christophe , Mathis Diane
Published: October 2008

Thymic medullary epithelial cells (MECs) express a broad repertoire of peripheral-tissue antigens (PTAs), many of which depend on the transcriptional regulatory factor Aire. Although Aire is known to be critically important for shaping a self-tolerant T cell repertoire, its role in MEC maturation and function remains poorly understood. Using a highly sensitive and reproducible single-cell PCR assay, we demonstrate that individual Aire-expressing MECs transcribe a subset of PTA genes in a probabilistic fashion, with no signs of preferential coexpression of genes characteristic of particular extrathymic epithelial cell lineages. In addition, Aire-dependent PTA genes in MECs are transcribed monoallelically or biallelically in a stochastic pattern, in contrast to the usually biallelic transcription of these same genes in the relevant peripheral cells or of Aire-independent genes in MECs. Expression of PTA genes in MECs depends on transcriptional regulators and uses transcriptional start sites different from those used in peripheral cells. These findings support the “terminal differentiation” model of Aire function: as MECs mature, they transcribe more and more PTA genes, culminating in a cell population that is both capable of presenting antigens (MHCII
hi
, CD80
hi
) and can draw on a large repertoire of antigens to present.
Nonvesicular phospholipid transfer between peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Raychaudhuri Sumana , Prinz William A.
Published: October 2008

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays an important role in peroxisome biogenesis; some peroxisomal membrane proteins are inserted into the ER and trafficked to peroxisomes in vesicles. These vesicles could also provide the phospholipids required for the growth of peroxisomal membranes, because peroxisomes lack phospholipid biosynthesis enzymes. To test this, we established a novel assay to monitor phospholipid transfer between the ER and peroxisomes and found that phospholipids are rapidly trafficked between these compartments. This transport is not blocked in mutants with conditional defects in Sec proteins required for vesicular trafficking from the ER or in Pex3p, a protein required for peroxisome membrane biogenesis. ER to peroxisome lipid transport was reconstituted
in vitro
and does not require cytosolic factors or ATP. Our findings indicate that lipids are directly transferred from the ER to peroxisomes by a nonvesicular pathway and suggest that ER to peroxisome vesicular transport is not required to provide lipids for peroxisomal growth.
Understanding Wordscores
Authors: Lowe Will
Published: October 2008

Wordscores is a widely used procedure for inferring policy positions, or scores, for new documents on the basis of scores for words derived from documents with known scores. It is computationally straightforward, requires no distributional assumptions, but has unresolved practical and theoretical problems. In applications, estimated document scores are on the wrong scale and the theoretical development does not specify a statistical model, so it is unclear what assumptions the method makes about political text and how to tell whether they fit particular text analysis applications. The first part of the paper demonstrates that badly scaled document score estimates reflect deeper problems with the method. The second part shows how to understand Wordscores as an approximation to correspondence analysis which itself approximates a statistical ideal point model for words. Problems with the method are identified with the conditions under which these layers of approximation fail to ensure consistent and unbiased estimation of the parameters of the ideal point model.
Does Deliberation Matter in FOMC Monetary Policymaking? The Volcker Revolution of 1979
Authors: Bailey Andrew , Schonhardt-Bailey Cheryl
Published: October 2008

In monetary policy, decision makers seek to influence the expectations of agents in ways that can avoid making abrupt, dramatic, and unexpected decisions. Yet in October 1979, Chairman Paul Volcker led the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously to shift its course in managing U.S. monetary policy, which in turn eventually brought the era of high inflation to an end. Although some analysts argue that “the presence and influence of one individual”—namely, Volcker—is sufficient to explain the policy shift, this overlooks an important feature of monetary policymaking. FOMC chairmen—however, omnipotent they may appear—do not act alone. They require the agreement of other committee members, and in the 1979 revolution, the decision was unanimous. How, then, did Chairman Volcker manage to bring a previously divided committee to a consensus in October 1979, and moreover, how did he retain the support of the committee throughout the following year in the face of mounting political and economic pressure against the Fed? We use automated content analysis to examine the discourse of the FOMC (with this discourse recorded in the verbatim transcripts of meetings). In applying this methodology, we assess the force of the arguments used by Chairman Volcker and find that deliberation in the FOMC did indeed “matter” both in 1979 and 1980. Specifically, Volcker led his colleagues in coming to understand and apply the idea of credible commitment in U.S. monetary policymaking.
Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier Proteases OVERLY TOLERANT TO SALT1 and -2 Regulate Salt Stress Responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Conti Lucio , Price Gillian , O'Donnell Elizabeth , Schwessinger Benjamin , Dominy Peter , Sadanandom Ari
Published: October 2008

Understanding salt stress signaling is key to producing salt-tolerant crops. The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a crucial regulator of signaling proteins in eukaryotes. Attachment of SUMO onto substrates is reversible, and SUMO proteases, which specifically cleave the SUMO–substrate linkages, play a vital regulatory role during SUMOylation. We have identified two SUMO proteases, OVERLY TOLERANT TO SALT1 (OTS1) and OTS2, which are localized in the nucleus and act redundantly to regulate salt stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. ots1 ots2 double mutants show extreme sensitivity to salt. However, under low-salt conditions, ots1 ots2 double mutants are phenotypically similar to wild-type plants. We demonstrate that salt stress induces a dose-dependent accumulation of SUMO1/2-conjugated proteins in Arabidopsis. ots1 ots2 double mutants constitutively accumulate high levels of SUMO1/2-conjugated proteins even under nonstress conditions and show a further dramatic increase in SUMO1/2-conjugated proteins in response to salt stress. Transgenic lines overexpressing OTS1 have increased salt tolerance and a concomitant reduction in the levels of SUMOylated proteins. Conversely, the ectopic expression of the mutant ots1(C526S) protein lacking SUMO protease activity fails to produce a salt-tolerant phenotype. We show that salt directly affects OTS1-dependent signaling by inducing OTS1 protein degradation. Our results indicate a requirement for OTS1 deSUMOylation activity in plant salt tolerance responses.
Supply risk management vs supplier selection to manage the supply risk in the EPC supply chain
Authors: Micheli Guido J.L. , Cagno Enrico , Zorzini Marta
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand whether a link between the use of supplier selection (SS) and supply risk management (SRM) exists and whether further contextual factors which lead to the use of SRM and of SS exist in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study has been undertaken as an empirical analysis to answer a series of research questions. The data have been collected through structured interviews to corporate procurement directors of companies belonging to the Italian EPC sector and operating in an engineer‐to‐order fashion.

Findings

The results of the research point out that supply risk can be managed through both SS and SRM. These two different approaches are used alternatively by the companies investigated under resource constraints. A further set of contextual factors leading to the use of SRM (project orientation in supply management, use of partnerships with suppliers, corporate standardisation), and a contextual factor leading to the use of SS (need of co‐design) are highlighted in the EPC sector.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample of the in‐depth research is representative of the Italian EPC sector, its size implies care in drawing a fully generalizable conclusion. Moreover, the research focuses on companies belonging only to the EPC sector, but the behaviours could significantly vary in other sectors.

Originality/value

The paper is of value in identifying product‐ and supplier‐related factors for SRM including cultural (project orientation in supply management), strategic (use of partnerships with suppliers), and organizational (corporate standardisation).
Commitment in the workplace
Authors: Ogba Ike‐Elechi
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend previous research on employee commitment to their organisation within the Nigerian banking sector. This paper aims to use income and age as variables in assessing employee commitment to their organisations in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was employed in data collection, using a 28‐item, seven‐point Likert scaled questionnaire administered to 200 participants with a 42 per cent usable response rate. A factor analysis resulted in three components of commitment.

Findings

The results from the analysis indicate that employees with high income represent the same group of employees within the age groups 31‐35 with low commitment to their organisation.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that the relationships between age, income and commitment might be explained by reference to cultural factors which might have stronger influence on employee expression of commitment to their organisations.
Knowledge creation processes in small innovative hi‐tech firms
Authors: Spraggon Martin , Bodolica Virginia
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore knowledge creation processes in small innovative hi‐tech firms operating in the software industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research framework examines specific action and interaction processes aiming at creating knowledge. This exploratory research is constituted by five case studies, each of them being represented by a small Canadian software firm. Analysis draws upon four sources of data. A total of 15 interviews (three per case) had been conducted and subsequently transcribed and coded using qualitative software –Nvivo 07.

Findings

The results of the study reveal that interaction processes permitting the creation of knowledge in small hi‐tech firms can take place via: formal meetings; informal communities; project teams; external interaction; and information technology‐tools. Rapid prototyping represents the kernel activity of knowledge creation through action. Details of the results, implications of the findings, and conclusions are presented and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on a limited number of case studies, therefore empirical results cannot be generalized. Future research on larger samples of small Canadian software firms is needed, using the same eligibility criteria and comparing the same knowledge creation processes as those explored in this study. Other promising avenues of inquiry include such questions as the way small knowledge‐based firms operating in turbulent environments organize internally to create knowledge, the conditions enabling the generation of knowledge, and the particular “spaces” in which knowledge creation occurs in these firms.

Practical implications

The systematic description and comparison of knowledge creation processes in each explored company contribute to the better understanding of specific “interaction” and “action” processes through which knowledge is generated, enabling practitioners in small innovative hi‐tech firms to design appropriate policies and procedures for enhancing knowledge creation behaviors of their employees.

Originality/value

This research is among the first and most exhaustive exploratory and comparative studies carried out in the Canadian context of small firms operating in the software industry.
Biomimetic adhesives: a review of recent developments
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent progress into the development of biomimetic adhesives, particularly those that mimic the attachment mechanism of the gecko lizard's foot.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first discusses the discovery of the gecko's adhesion mechanism. It then describes key “gecko glue” developments and summarises the properties of experimental adhesives that exploit this effect. It concludes with a consideration of anticipated applications.

Findings

This paper shows that, following the discovery of the gecko's adhesion mechanism in 2002, which is based on van der Waals forces, biomimetic adhesives have become the topic of a major research effort. These developments are poised to yield families of novel adhesive materials with superior properties which are likely to find uses in industries ranging from defence and nanotechnology to healthcare and sport.

Originality/value

The paper provides a unique insight into the latest developments in biomimetic adhesive technology.
Adhesives in electronic and electrical assembly
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on various adhesives and their uses in the electronics industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A description of the different types of adhesives and their strengths and weaknesses is followed by illustrations of their applications in electronic and electrical assembly. Equipment and procedures for cleaning and surface preparation are presented, and the paper finishes with an examination of techniques for rework and repair.

Findings

Polymers form the body of an adhesive, but other elements may be included to control electrical and heat conduction, light absorption and cross‐bonding behaviour. This makes them highly controllable and adaptable to specialised requirements. Photo‐curable adhesives with cure times of under 1 s are available for fast‐throughput assembly. Polymer underfills are increasingly important for shock‐proofing handheld electronics. Adhesives and cleaning agents are becoming environmentally safer.

Originality/value

The paper reveals the versatility of polymer adhesives and names suppliers.
Evaluation of temperature and properties at interface of AISI 1040 steels joined by friction welding
Authors: Kuscu Hilmi , Becenen Ismail , Sahin Mumin
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate temperature and properties at interface of AISI 1040 steels joined by friction welding.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, AISI 1040 medium carbon steel was used in the experiments. Firstly, optimum parameters of the friction welding were obtained by using a statistical analysis. Later, the microstructures of the heat‐affected zone are presented along with micro hardness profiles for the joints. Then, the temperature distributions are experimentally obtained in the interface of the joints that is formed during the friction welding of 1040 steels with the same geometry. This study was carried out by using thermocouples at different locations of the joint‐interface. The results obtained were compared with previous studies and some comments were made about them.

Findings

It was discovered that temperature had a substantial effect on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the material.

Research limitations/implications

The maximum temperature in the joint during frictional heating depends not only on the pressure, but also on the temperature gradient which depends on the rotational speed in particular. It is important to note that the measurement process was successfully accomplished in this study although it was particularly difficult to obtain temperature due to the large deformations at the interface. Future work could be concentrated on the temperature measurement of the joined materials.

Practical implications

Temperature is one of the most important of all physical quantities in industry. Its measurement plays a key part in industrial quality and process control, in the efficient use of energy and other resources, in condition monitoring and in health and safety. This paper contributes to the literature about temperature measurement in welded, brazed and soldered materials.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is to contribute and fulfill the influence of the interface temperature on properties in welding of various materials that is being studied so far in the literature.
A Petri net model for the design and performance evaluation of a flexible assembly system
Authors: Ullah Hamid , Bohez Erik L.J.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a Petri net (PN) model based on assembly plan is presented for modeling a flexible assembly system (FAS) configuration, determining an optimal work‐in‐process (WIP), lead time, throughput, and utilization of each station.

Design/methodology/approach

PN model is developed for design, analysis, and performance evaluation of a FAS, keeping in view the assembly line balancing. PN is optimized using weighted WIP. The throughput is bounded by the utilization of the bottleneck machines.

Findings

The PN optimization gives minimum WIP corresponding to the maximum production rate. Minimum WIP leads to minimum lead time. The weighted arcs make the model simple and reduce the optimized number of kanbans. Moreover, the PN model pushes more inventory to the initial assembly phase. This reduces the total cost of the WIP.

Research limitations/implications

In the proposed PN model, the transportation times are included in the transitions times. In the future research, the proposed model can be extended for inclusion of transportation times for AGVs.

Practical implications

Using the PN model, the assembly manager may design, analyze, evaluate, and even optimize the layout of the assembly system for minimum WIP, maximum throughput, and reduced lead time. The determination of the total WIP, total number of stations in the assembly system, and the number of servers at each station may be helpful in factory floor management. The same cycle time is managed at each assembly station for the purpose of line balancing. It may result in the highest efficiency and the shortest idling time along with ease of management and supervision.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new PN model for the design and performance evaluation of a dual kanban FAS.
Gender stereotypical attitudes
Authors: Wood Glenice
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a longitudinal study which followed up middle managers who had participated in a survey on attitudes to promotion eight years earlier. The aim was to contact a sample of these individuals to ascertain their current views on women's career advancement in management.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 30 interviewees (19 male and 11 female managers). Respondents were reminded of their initial response to the question “How long do you think it will take before women in this organisation fill 50 per cent of senior management positions?” Current views were recorded to ascertain if any attitudinal changes had occurred over the previous eight years.

Findings

The responses from this sample reflected a pessimistic change in views and were consistent with the view that gender stereotyping of the management role continues, influencing attitudes toward the appropriateness of women in senior management positions. The majority of these male and female managers now feel that it will take “more than ten years” before female managers fill 50 per cent of senior management positions, suggesting that some respondents do not believe they will see this outcome during their working life‐time.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the follow‐up study were the small sample that was available, highlighting some of the methodological difficulties involved in carrying out research of a longitudinal nature. The responses obtained suggested that gender stereotyping of the management role continues, exerting a negative influence on the career advancement of women. It was concluded that female talent is still not being utilised sufficiently in the ranks of senior management. Practical implications of such practices are noted.

Originality/value

This paper allows an examination of any attitude change that may have occurred in a small sample of managers who participated in an initial study in relation to predictions about the length of time it will now take for women to fill 50 per cent of senior management roles. Obviously, because of the small sample, it will not be possible to draw any generalizations from the results obtained, however it will be possible to observe the indicative trends, and these may suggest fruitful paths of exploration for future research.
Complainers versus non‐complainers retaliatory responses towards service dissatisfactions
Authors: Phau Ian , Baird Michael
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the different forms of retaliatory responses towards unsatisfactory service encounters experienced by Australian consumers. It further compares demographic and psychographic profiles of complainers versus non‐complainers.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 1,200 mail surveys were sent out through a random list of addresses obtained from the White Pages. Data from 237 usable surveys (29.1 per cent) were analysed using a series of statistical techniques including factor analysis to profile psychographic factors and discriminant analysis to identify complainers from non‐complainers.

Findings

It is found that both complainers and non‐complainers engage in some form of retaliatory responses. Complainers have a high sense of justice, are less conservative and have a more positive attitude towards complaining than their non‐complaining counterparts. Gender, income and education have no effect on complaining behaviour for both complainers and non‐complainers.

Practical implications

The high number of retaliations through “exit” is a concern for Australian firms. Firms have to make an effort to identify exactly the conditions in which each occurs and the strategies best available to rectify them. Mechanisms can be put in place to reduce these occurrences to improve the business as a whole.

Originality/value

The paper matches the demographic and psychographic profiles of complainers and non‐complainers with potential types of products and services and the related retaliatory responses.