bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface chemistry allows for abiotic precipitation of dolomite at low temperature
Authors: Roberts Jennifer A. , Kenward Paul A. , Fowle David A. , Goldstein Robert H. , González Luis A. , Moore David S.
Published: August 2013

Significance

Abundant in the geologic record, but scarce in modern environments below 50
°
C, the mineral dolomite is used to interpret ancient fluid chemistry, paleotemperature, and is a major hydrocarbon reservoir rock. Because laboratory synthesis of abiotic dolomite had been unsuccessful, chemical mechanisms for precipitation are poorly constrained, and limit interpretations of its occurrence. Here we report the abiotic synthesis of dolomite at 25
°
C, and demonstrate that carboxylated surfaces on organic matter catalyze precipitation through complexation between carboxyl groups and Mg
2+
, removing water to make Mg
2+
available for dolomite precipitation. This mechanism is consistent with dolomite formation in depositional environments rich in organic matter. Our experimental protocol provides opportunities for calibrating conditions of low-temperature dolomite formation throughout the geologic record.
On uniqueness in the extended Selberg class of Dirichlet series
Authors: Ki Haseo , Li Bao Qin
Published: August 2013

We will show that two functions in the extended Selberg class satisfying the same functional equation must be identically equal if they have sufficiently many common zeros.
Accurate identification of polyadenylation sites from 3′ end deep sequencing using a naïve Bayes classifier
Authors: Sheppard Sarah , Lawson Nathan D. , Zhu Lihua Julie
Published: August 2013

Motivation: 3′ end processing is important for transcription termination, mRNA stability and regulation of gene expression. To identify 3′ ends, most techniques use an oligo-dT primer to construct deep sequencing libraries. However, this approach can lead to identification of artifactual polyadenylation sites due to internal priming in homopolymeric stretches of adenines. Although heuristic filters have been applied in these cases, they typically result in a high proportion of both false-positive and -negative classifications. Therefore, there is a need to develop improved algorithms to better identify mis-priming events in oligo-dT primed sequences.

Results: By analyzing sequence features flanking 3′ ends derived from oligo-dT-based sequencing, we developed a naïve Bayes classifier to classify them as true or false/internally primed. The resulting algorithm is highly accurate, outperforms previous heuristic filters and facilitates identification of novel polyadenylation sites.

Contact:  nathan.lawson@umassmed.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Determination of genomic copy number alteration emphasizing a restriction site-based strategy of genome re-sequencing
Authors: Zheng Caihong , Miao Xuexia , Li Yanen , Huang Ying , Ruan Jue , Ma Xi , Wang Li , Wu Chung-I , Cai Jun
Published: August 2013

Motivation: Copy number abbreviation (CNA) is one type of genomic aberration that is often induced by genome instability and is associated with diseases such as cancer. Determination of the genome-wide CNA profile is an important step in identifying the underlying mutation mechanisms. Genomic data based on next-generation sequencing technology are particularly suitable for determination of high-quality CNA profile. Now is an important time to reevaluate the use of sequencing techniques for CNA analysis, especially with the rapid growth of the different targeted genome and whole-genome sequencing strategies.

Results: In this study, we provide a comparison of resequencing strategies, with regard to their utility, applied to the same hepatocellular carcinoma sample for copy number determination. These strategies include whole-genome, exome and restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing. The last of these strategies is a targeted sequencing technique that involves cutting the genome with a restriction enzyme and isolating the targeted sequences. Our data demonstrate that RAD sequencing is an efficient and comprehensive strategy that allows the cost-effective determination of CNAs. Further investigation of RAD sequencing data led to the finding that a precise measurement of the allele frequency would be a helpful complement to the read depth for CNA analysis for two reasons. First, knowledge of the allele frequency helps to resolve refined calculations of allele-specific copy numbers, which, in turn, identify the functionally important CNAs that are under natural selection on the parental alleles. Second, this knowledge enables deconvolution of CNA patterns in complex genomic regions.

Contact:  juncai@big.ac.cn or ciwu@uchicago.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ProteoStats—a library for estimating false discovery rates in proteomics pipelines
Authors: Yadav Amit Kumar , Kadimi Puneet Kumar , Kumar Dhirendra , Dash Debasis
Published: August 2013

Summary: Statistical validation of peptide assignments from a large-scale shotgun proteomics experiment is a critical step, and various methods for evaluating significance based on decoy database search are in practice. False discovery rate (FDR) estimation of peptide assignments assesses global significance and corrects for multiple comparisons. Various approaches have been proposed for FDR estimation but unavailability of standard tools or libraries leads to development of many in-house scripts followed by manual steps that are error-prone and low-throughput. The ProteoStats library provides an open-source framework for developers with many FDR estimation and visualization features for several popular search algorithms. It also provides accurate q-values, which can be easily integrated in any proteomics pipeline to provide automated, accurate, high-throughput statistical validation and minimize manual errors.

Availability:  https://sourceforge.net/projects/mssuite/files/ProteoStats/.

Contact:  ddash@igib.res.in or aky.compbio@gmail.com or amit.yadav@igib.in

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A quantitative assessment of the mechanical strength of the polar pteropod Limacina helicina antarctica shell
Authors: Teniswood Clara M. H. , Roberts Donna , Howard William R. , Bradby Jodie E.
Published: August 2013

Teniswood, C. M. H., Roberts, D., Howard, W. R., and Bradby, J. E. 2013. A quantitative assessment of the mechanical strength of the polar pteropod Limacina helicina antarctica shell. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . This work directly measures the mechanical properties of pteropod shells collected from the Southern Ocean on the 2007 midsummer Subantarctic Zone Sensitivity to Environmental Change (SAZ-Sense) voyage. Shells from the common Southern Ocean pteropod Limacina helicina antarctica were subjected to mechanical analyses in combination with detailed morphological studies. Average hardness and modulus of 2.30 ± 0.07 GPa and 45.27 ± 0.91 GPa, respectively were calculated from several hundred nanoindentation measurements taken from multiple positions across twelve shells of the same species collected under identical conditions. Quantitative data such as these are critical to establish a reference point for future comparative studies and to both understand and evaluate the implications of further ocean acidification on the structural integrity of these common polar calcifiers, particularly in light of their role in the Southern Ocean carbon cycle and food web.
First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Causing Sclerotinia Blight on Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Northeastern China
Authors: Yan L. Y. , Kang Y. P. , Lei Y. , Huang J. Q. , Wan L. Y. , Liao B. S.
Published: August 2013

Peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., is an important source of vegetable oil and protein in China with a planting area of 5 million ha and annual production of 16.2 million metric tons. In September of 2012, typical symptoms of Sclerotinia blight were first observed on peanut in Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang Province, China. Approximately 50% of the plants in a field were infected. Symptoms began as a chlorotic wilt on the foliage and developed into necrosis of basal stems and developed very quickly in the field. In advanced stages of the disease, stems and branches became bleached and eventually died. White, fluffy mycelium and black irregular sclerotia (3.5 to 5.4 mm diameter) were observed on the infected stems. Infected branches and pegs were shredded, and most pods dropped on the soil during harvest. To isolate the causal agent of the disease, sclerotia were collected from the field. Twenty sclerotia were surface disinfected in 1% NaOCl for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile water, placed on potato sucrose agar (PSA) with 100 μg/ml streptomycin, and then incubated at 22°C in the dark for 10 days. Fungal DNA was extracted from mycelia with a TIANGEN DNAsecure Plant Kit (Beijing) and amplified by PCR with the universal fungal primer ITS1 and ITS4. PCR products of five replicates were sequenced and subjected to an NCBI BLAST search. The BLAST search revealed that our sequences (GenBank Accession No. KC935388) had 100% identity with reported sequences of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The isolates were identified as S. sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary based on mycelia, sclerotia, and rDNA sequence analysis. To conduct pathogenicity tests, nine potted peanut plants (1 month old) were each inoculated with a 5-mm-diameter disk of colonized PSA by placing the inoculum on the base of the stem. Plants were inoculated with a plug of non-colonized PSA as controls. All inoculated plants were covered with a plastic bag for 5 days to maintain high humidity and incubated at 22 to 24°C in the growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod. After 2 days, the inoculated plants showed water-soaked brown symptoms on the stem base and whole plants wilted after 5 days under high moisture conditions. The symptoms were identical to those observed on peanut plants in Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang Province, whereas the control plants remained symptom-free. Re-isolation of the fungus from the inoculated plants confirmed that the causal agent was S. sclerotiorum. S. sclerotiorum has been reported on peanut in the United States and Argentina (1,2,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum as a pathogen causing Sclerotinia blight on peanut in northeastern China.

References: (1) A. Marinelli et al. Int. J. Pest Manage. 44:251, 1998. (2) J. E. Woodward et al. Plant Dis. 90:111, 2006. (3) J. E. Woodward et al. Plant Dis. 92:1468, 2008.
Ileal Exclusion in Children With Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Authors: Jankowska Irena , Czubkowski Piotr , Kaliciński Piotr , Ismail Hor , Kowalski Adam , Ryżko Józef , Pawłowska Joanna
Published: August 2013

Objectives:

Children with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) rarely benefit from medical treatment and most patients require surgical intervention. Partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) is presently the treatment of choice but for those who cannot benefit from PEBD, an alternative surgical procedure—ileal exclusion (IE)—was introduced. The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with IE in children with PFIC.

Methods:

This procedure was performed in 9 patients (6 girls, 3 boys) at the median age of 11 years (range 8–21). In 4 children, it was the primary operation (group 1), and in 5, IE was performed after PEBD (group 2). All of the patients were screened for ABCB11 and ATP8B1 mutations, and in 3 cases, PFIC type 2 was confirmed.

Results:

Median follow‐up after IE surgery was 8.5 years (range 3–14). In group 1, 1 patient had to be converted to PEBD and the remaining 3 children experienced alleviation in pruritus and decrease in bilirubin and bile acids concentrations 2 and 5 years after IE. After 10 years, only 2 children were still accessible for follow‐up. In both, pruritus varied and elevated serum bile acids were observed. Of the 5 patients who underwent IE after PEBD, 1 eventually required liver transplantation, 1 developed varying degree of pruritus, and 3 female patients, operated on because of aesthetic reasons, had excellent outcomes.

Conclusions:

IE is an alternative rescue option to PEBD and should be offered cautiously, only to patients who cannot benefit from PEBD.
European birds adjust their flight initiation distance to road speed limits
Authors: Legagneux Pierre , Ducatez Simon
Published: August 2013

Behavioural responses can help species persist in habitats modified by humans. Roads and traffic greatly affect animals' mortality not only through habitat structure modifications but also through direct mortality owing to collisions. Although species are known to differ in their sensitivity to the risk of collision, whether individuals can change their behaviour in response to this is still unknown. Here, we tested whether common European birds changed their flight initiation distances (FIDs) in response to vehicles according to road speed limit (a known factor affecting killing rates on roads) and vehicle speed. We found that FID increased with speed limit, although vehicle speed had no effect. This suggests that birds adjust their flight distance to speed limit, which may reduce collision risks and decrease mortality maximizing the time allocated to foraging behaviours. Mobility and territory size are likely to affect an individuals' ability to respond adaptively to local speed limits.
Deposition of pathogenic
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
onto bird feeders: host pathology is more important than temperature-driven increases in food intake
Authors: Adelman James S. , Carter Amanda W. , Hopkins William A. , Hawley Dana M.
Published: August 2013

Although ambient temperature has diverse effects on disease dynamics, few studies have examined how temperature alters pathogen transmission by changing host physiology or behaviour. Here, we test whether reducing ambient temperature alters host foraging, pathology and the potential for fomite transmission of the bacterial pathogen
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
(MG), which causes seasonal outbreaks of severe conjunctivitis in house finches (
Haemorhous mexicanus
). We housed finches at temperatures within or below the thermoneutral zone to manipulate food intake by altering energetic requirements of thermoregulation. We predicted that pathogen deposition on bird feeders would increase with temperature-driven increases in food intake and with conjunctival pathology. As expected, housing birds below the thermoneutral zone increased food consumption. Despite this difference, pathogen deposition on feeders did not vary across temperature treatments. However, pathogen deposition increased with conjunctival pathology, independently of temperature and pathogen load, suggesting that MG could enhance its transmission by increasing virulence. Our results suggest that in this system, host physiological responses are more important for transmission potential than temperature-dependent alterations in feeding. Understanding such behavioural and physiological contributions to disease transmission is critical to linking individual responses to climate with population-level disease dynamics.
Philip John Stephens. 9 October 1940 — 31 July 2012
Authors: Thomson Andrew J. , Barron Laurence D.
Published: August 2013

Philip J. Stephens was a theoretical chemist who brought to fruition two new forms of optical spectroscopy, using circularly polarized light, for the determination of electronic structure and molecular stereochemistry. The first was magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), the wavelength dependence of the differential absorption of left and right circularly polarized light induced by a magnetic field applied parallel to the light beam. Stephens established a methodology for extracting from MCD spectra the angular momentum characteristics of ground and excited electronic states and demonstrated applications to the assignment of the optical spectra of coordination complexes of transition metals and to metalloproteins. In the second half of his career Stephens led the field of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), the measurement of the natural circular dichroism (CD) arising from the vibrational transitions of chiral molecules. He developed instrumental techniques to measure this weak dichroism over a wide frequency range with high sensitivity. Subsequently he developed a quantum-mechanical method that yielded reliable calculations of VCD spectra by using density functional theory. Thus absolute configurations of all the chiral centres in an organic molecule are readily established. Given the increasing importance of enantiomerically pure chiral drugs, VCD has found widespread application in the pharmaceutical industry. Philip had not only a deep understanding of chemical theory but also a thorough grasp of experiments. His lectures on theoretical topics were models of clarity. He was also an accomplished pianist in demand, when a student at Oxford University, as an accompanist and for chamber concerts.
Negative feedback self-regulation contributes to robust and high-fidelity transmembrane signal transduction
Authors: Serrano M Ángeles , Jurado Manuel , Reigada Ramon
Published: August 2013

We present a minimal motif model for transmembrane cell signalling. The model assumes signalling events taking place in spatially distributed nanoclusters regulated by a birth/death dynamics. The combination of these spatio-temporal aspects can be modulated to provide a robust and high-fidelity response behaviour without invoking sophisticated modelling of the signalling process as a sequence of cascade reactions and fine-tuned parameters. Our results show that the fact that the distributed signalling events take place in nanoclusters with a finite lifetime regulated by local production is sufficient to obtain a robust and high-fidelity response.
The structure of Rényi entropic inequalities
Authors: Linden Noah , Mosonyi Milán , Winter Andreas
Published: August 2013

We investigate the universal inequalities relating theα-Rényi entropies of the marginals of a multi-partite quantum state. This is in analogy to the same question for the Shannon and von Neumann entropies (α=1), which are known to satisfy several non-trivial inequalities such as strong subadditivity. Somewhat surprisingly, we find for 0<α<1 that the only inequality is non-negativity: in other words, any collection of non-negative numbers assigned to the non-empty subsets ofnparties can be arbitrarily well approximated by theα-entropies of the 2n−1 marginals of a quantum state. Forα>1, we show analogously that there are no non-trivialhomogeneous(in particular, no linear) inequalities. On the other hand, it is known that there are further, nonlinear and indeed non-homogeneous, inequalities delimiting theα-entropies of a general quantum state. Finally, we also treat the case of Rényi entropies restricted to classical states (i.e. probability distributions), which, in addition to non-negativity, are also subject to monotonicity. Forα≠0,1, we show that this is the only other homogeneous relation.
Nonlinear approximations for electronic structure calculations
Authors: Beylkin G. , Haut T. S.
Published: August 2013

We present a new method for electronic structure calculations based on novel algorithms for nonlinear approximations. We maintain a functional form for the spatial orbitals as a linear combination of products of decaying exponentials and spherical harmonics centred at the nuclear cusps. Although such representations bare some resemblance to the classical Slater-type orbitals, the complex-valued exponents in the representations are dynamically optimized via recently developed algorithms, yielding highly accurate solutions with guaranteed error bounds. These new algorithms make dynamic optimization an effective way to combine the efficiency of Slater-type orbitals with the adaptivity of modern multi-resolution methods. We develop numerical calculus suitable for electronic structure calculations. For any spatial orbital in this functional form, we represent its product with the Coulomb potential, its convolution with the Poisson kernel, etc., in the same functional form with optimized parameters. Algorithms for this purpose scale linearly in the number of nuclei. We compute electronic structure by casting the relevant equations in an integral form and solving for the spatial orbitals via iteration. As an example, for several diatomic molecules we solve the Hartree–Fock equations with speeds competitive to those of multi-resolution methods and achieve high accuracy using a small number of parameters.
Artificial dispersion via high-order homogenization: magnetoelectric coupling and magnetism from dielectric layers
Authors: Liu Yan , Guenneau Sébastien , Gralak Boris
Published: August 2013

We investigate a high-order homogenization (HOH) algorithm for periodic multi-layered stacks. The mathematical tool of choice is a transfer matrix method. Expressions for effective permeability, permittivity and magnetoelectric coupling are explored by frequency power expansions. On the physical side, this HOH uncovers a magnetoelectric coupling effect (odd-order approximation) and artificial magnetism (even-order approximation) in moderate contrast photonic crystals. Comparing the effective parameters' expressions of a stack with three layers against that of a stack with two layers, we note that the magnetoelectric coupling effect vanishes while the artificial magnetism can still be achieved in a centre-symmetric periodic structure. Furthermore, we numerically check the effective parameters through the dispersion law and transmission property of a stack with two dielectric layers against that of an effective bianisotropic medium: they are in good agreement throughout the low-frequency (acoustic) band until the first stop band, where the analyticity of the logarithm function of the transfer matrix (

) breaks down.
Symmetry and reduction in collectives: cyclic pursuit strategies
Authors: Galloway Kevin S. , Justh Eric W. , Krishnaprasad P. S.
Published: August 2013

We specify and analyse models that capture the geometry of purposeful motion of a collective of mobile agents, with a focus on planar motion, dyadic strategies and attention graphs which are static, directed and cyclic. Strategies are formulated as constraints on joint shape space and are implemented through feedback laws for the actions of individual agents, here modelled as self-steering particles. By reduction to a labelled shape space (using a redundant parametrization to account for cycle closure constraints) and a further reduction through time rescaling, we characterize various special solutions (relative equilibria and pure shape equilibria) for cyclic pursuit with a constant bearing (CB) strategy. This is accomplished by first proving convergence of the (nonlinear) dynamics to an invariant manifold (the CB pursuit manifold), and then analysing the closed-loop dynamics restricted to the invariant manifold. For illustration, we sketch some low-dimensional examples. This formulation—involving strategies, attention graphs and sensor-driven steering laws—and the resulting templates of collective motion, are part of a broader programme to interpret the mechanisms underlying biological collective motion.
Bistability of flame propagation in a model with competing exothermic reactions
Authors: Towers I. N. , Gubernov V. V. , Kolobov A. V. , Polezhaev A. A. , Sidhu H. S.
Published: August 2013

We investigate a diffusional-thermal model with two-step competitive exothermic reactions for premixed combustion wave propagation in one spatial dimension under adiabatic conditions. A criterion based on the crossover temperature notion was used to qualitatively predict the region in the space of parameters where three travelling combustion wave solutions coexist, which are further studied via numerical means. It is demonstrated that under certain conditions the flame speed is an ‘S’-shaped function of parameters. The fast branch is either stable or is partly stable and exhibits the Andronov–Hopf (AH) bifurcation before the turning point is reached. The mid-branch is completely unstable. The slow solution branch is either unstable or partly stable and exhibits a single or a pair of AH bifurcations. The AH bifurcations are shown to be supercritical giving rise to stable pulsating waves. Bistability and hysteresis phenomena are also demonstrated.
Land-use change, not climate, controls organic carbon burial in lakes
Authors: Anderson N. J. , Dietz R. D. , Engstrom D. R.
Published: August 2013

Lakes are a central component of the carbon cycle, both mineralizing terrestrially derived organic matter and storing substantial amounts of organic carbon (OC) in their sediments. However, the rates and controls on OC burial by lakes remain uncertain, as do the possible effects of future global change processes. To address these issues, we derived OC burial rates in
210
Pb-dated sediment cores from 116 small Minnesota lakes that cover major climate and land-use gradients. Rates for individual lakes presently range from 7 to 127 g C m
–2
yr
–1
and have increased by up to a factor of 8 since Euro-American settlement (mean increase: 2.8×). Mean pre-disturbance OC burial rates were similar (14–22 g C m
–2
yr
–1
) across all land-cover categories (prairie, mixed deciduous and boreal forest), indicating minimal effect of the regional temperature gradient (approx. 4°C) on background carbon burial. The relationship between modern OC burial rates and temperature was also not significant after removal of the effect of total phosphorus. Contemporary burial rates were strongly correlated with lake-water nutrients and the extent of agricultural land cover in the catchment. Increased OC burial, documented even in relatively undisturbed boreal lake ecosystems, indicates a possible role for atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Our results suggest that globally, future land-cover change, intensification of agriculture and associated nutrient loading together with atmospheric N-deposition will enhance OC sequestration by lakes.
Good libraries are expensive libraries?
Authors: Cottrell Terry
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The ideas surrounding which institutional attributes make for good libraries vary radically based on patron review, professional association rankings, size of overall collections, and other measures. The purpose of this article is to provide insight into argumentation for establishing how libraries gain the compliment of “good” in an increasingly digital age.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of the general effect digital content available on the internet has on the mind of the consumer frames the debate on how libraries can be seen as both relevant and good for their communities despite being expensive.

Findings

Library leaders always need to advocate for their services and collections, but it is only through true reflective discourse with key stakeholders and governing bodies that enlightenment on the key advantages of libraries can be found.

Originality/value

Library popularity and use rises and falls solely based on the conscious user evaluation of collections and services. Focusing this consciousness away from the myth that all material of worth is digital and available online is the key to helping users and governing bodies understand that investments in library infrastructure, technology and (most importantly) raw collections is what makes libraries good for all.
The effects of social support and transformational leadership on expatriate adjustment and performance
Authors: Lee Li‐Yueh , Veasna Sou , Wu Wann‐Yih
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This study aims to examine the significance of transformational leadership and social support for expatriate adjustment and performance. This study also extends relevant literature on expatriate management to examine the relationships among transformational leadership, social support, expatriate adjustment, and expatriate performance through a mechanism taking into account the moderating roles of cultural intelligence and socialization experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was collected from 156 expatriate managers of Taiwanese multinational company (MNC) subsidiaries operating in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 21 and hierarchical regression in SPSS 19 were used to test eight research hypotheses.

Findings

The SEM results indicated that transformational leadership and social support make significant contributions to expatriate adjustment and performance. The moderating roles of socialization experience and cultural intelligence were also confirmed in this study.

Originality/value

This study extends a theoretical model of transformational leadership and social support to examine expatriate adjustment and performance based on social learning and social exchange theories. Using a specific Chinese context, the current paper highlights the value and necessity of cross‐cultural adjustment for successful expatriation.
Literacy software supports the development and performance of staff with dyslexia: a case study from Transport for London
Authors: McCusker Mark
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how literary software can help employees with literacy difficulties such as dyslexia achieve their full potential in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper highlights a case study on how Transport for London installed a site license to help employees with literacy difficulties.

Findings

The software helped employees with literacy difficulties such as dyslexia in day to day work tasks that involved reading and writing.

Originality/value

The literacy software promotes a better quality of life in the work place. Dyslexia is a hidden disability and the literacy software helps users to overcome any barriers to working they previously had.
Academic style with substance
Authors: Stagg Adrian , Kimmins Lindy , Pavlovski Nicholas
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper seeks to report the initial phase of a cross‐institutional screencasting project designed to provide digital, multimedia support for referencing skills. Use of screencasting software, with strong educational design, has the potential to reach all learners asynchronously, regardless of mode of study, and this paper focuses on the transferability of the principles and skills in this project to other contexts and institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

The referencing tutorial makes use of dual coding theory to provide an aligned visual and auditory learning experience and is discussed in reference to the current literature. The foundation of the project was collaboration between the academic libraries and lecturers in the field of academic learning skills. The pedagogical and technical design and challenges are discussed, with a view to incorporating feedback into further iterative development stages.

Findings

This paper finds that screencasting has been used to effectively support the development of referencing skills across a diverse student cohort, but recognises that further, in‐depth analysis will be required to determine the impact of the project. It also provides an example of a low‐cost project which could be replicated by other institutions to positively frame referencing within the context of broader academic writing.

Originality/value

The paper provides an overview of a short project to collaboratively develop a screencast and add value to existing referencing resources (which are predominantly text‐based). The design approach situates referencing within an academic writing continuum seeking to explicitly provide a rationale for the mechanics of referencing, whilst also acknowledging the challenges presented by a rapidly changing information environment.
Impact of Web 2.0 technologies on academic libraries: a survey of ARL libraries
Authors: Mahmood Khalid , Richardson John V.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to present the results of a survey of academic libraries about the adoption and perceived impact of Web 2.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 67 US academic libraries participated among the members of the Association of Research Libraries.

Findings

It was found that each library was using some form of technology, such as RSS, blogs, social networking sites, wikis and instant messaging. On a Likert‐type scale the participant librarians significantly preferred the advantages of Web 2.0 over its disadvantages. There was a significant positive correlation between the extent of Web 2.0 adoption in libraries and librarians' opinion about their advantages.

Originality/value

The paper is useful for future planning of the use of Web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries.
Potential effect of uncertainty on the GRG interpretation
Authors: Saavedra Angeles , Arce Elena , Luis Miguez Jose , Granada Enrique
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an interpretation of the grey relational grade taking into account its variation range on the basis of the error propagation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses error propagation theory to calculate the uncertainty of the grey relational grade, exploring how errors are propagated through the sequential operations of the grey relational analysis.

Findings

The non‐consideration of the error associated to the measurement of the experimental data that is transferred to the grey relational grade may have a potential effect on the interpretation of the grey relational rank. Data uncertainty quantification provides information about how well measurement fits to the value of the measured quantity and determines its validity. Therefore, this might lead one to consider that some sequences are less attractive than other lower‐ranked ones.

Practical implications

The combination of the grey and error propagation theories is a tool to choose the most accurate solution in grey relational grade ranks.

Originality/value

This study provides a new approach to interpret grey relational grade classifications.
Bessant's continuous improvement model: revisiting and revising
Authors: Fryer Karen , Ogden Susan , Anthony Jiju
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose that a redevelopment of Bessant's continuous improvement (CI) model makes a useful contribution to the research and understanding of the development of performance improvement in the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual discussion that develops the case for a three stage CI model from an analysis of the literature and feedback from key management stakeholders across a range of public sector organisations.

Findings

Although Bessant's five stage model presents a useful way of understanding how CI culture evolves, it is less useful as a framework for measuring the level of CI maturity as it does not provide indicators against each of the five stages of development. It is argued that a three stage model which contains a set of indicators for each level may be useful in the current public sector context where self‐assessment is seen as central to driving organisational improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The applicability of the revised conceptual framework of CI maturity has still to be tested to gauge its usefulness either as a self‐assessment tool or a research tool to measure the level of CI.

Practical implications

The paper presents a revised CI model that arguably provides managers and researchers with a more pragmatic framework that more clearly indicates how managers can progress CI to develop mature learning organisations.

Originality/value

The revised model of CI provides a conceptual framework for future research and analysis relating to the development of CI maturity levels.
Public e‐services from inside
Authors: Giritli Nygren Katarina , Axelsson Karin , Melin Ulf
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the consequences of citizens' increased use of public e‐services for agency employees' work situation.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to accomplish the purpose of the paper the authors focus on the way in which the increased use of public e‐services also implies internal process and routine changes in public administration. The authors analyze work conditions for case officers at a government agency in Sweden by applying occupational ideal types to identify the specific work conditions in the studied case. The case study is based on qualitative data collected with a back office perspective.

Findings

The findings indicate a new hybrid organization where the increased use of e‐services challenges earlier demands for competence. The transformation of e‐government has implications for job codification, rule observation, job specification, and interaction with the general public.

Originality/value

The paper extends the knowledge on how the increased use of public e‐services affects back‐office work conditions, with an increased high level of complexity in work content, but with low level of work autonomy. It argues that studying back‐office work conditions is an important management issue in public administration research as well as practice.
Exploring inter‐departmental barriers between production and quality
Authors: Suckley Louise J. , Price Ilfryn , Sharpe Jason
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of adopting an organizational ecological perspective to explore behavioural barriers in a UK operations & production management (OPM) setting.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic case study approach was adopted with a narrative ecological stance to deconstruct the perceived realities and the origins of the inter‐departmental barriers applying Scott‐Morgan's unwritten rules methodology.

Findings

Despite an improvement in the physical proximity of the production and quality control departments, the qualitative approach revealed that latent, socially constructed drivers around management, interaction and communication reinforced inter‐departmental barriers. Conflicting enablers were ultimately responsible derived from the organizational structure, which impacted the firm's production resources.

Research limitations/implications

As a case study approach, the specificity of the findings to this OPM setting should be explored further.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates the use of theoretical frameworks in a production and manufacturing organization to provide insights for maximising process effectiveness. Using the organizational ecological perspective to uncover the socially constructed unwritten rules of the OPM setting beneficially impacted on operational effectiveness.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to organization ethnography literature by providing a detailed empirical analysis of manufacturing and services behaviour using an organizational ecology perspective. The example demonstrates that “qualitative” research can have real world impact in an advanced operational context. It also contributes to an ecological or complex adaptive systems view of organizations and, inter alia, their supply chains.
Shifting values: hope and concern for “waking up”
Authors: Hines Andy
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take up the challenge of Slaughter's Biggest Wake‐up Call in History to look for solution in the interior aspects of the Integral perspective by focusing on long‐term patterns of changing values in individual interior (the upper‐left “intentional” quadrant of the Integral matrix).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the author's research on long‐term patterns in individual values changes. It takes a developmental perspective, suggesting a consistent direction of change in individual values, drawing on an analysis of 20 values systems described in the literature.

Findings

The findings suggest that the long‐term values changes offer both hope and concern for addressing the global emergency. The hope comes from development in postmodern and integral values, suggesting that the rise of postmodern values could lead to greater awareness of the global emergency and that the rise of integral values in particular could lead to greater action in addressing it. A concern is that modern values suggest priorities reinforcing the trends and developments, such as a massive rise in consumption, driving the global emergency and that these values are increasingly prevalent in the emerging markets that make up the largest share of the global population.

Research limitations/implications

The most important area for further research would be to develop an accurate measure of the prevalence of the types of values present in the world today.

Social implications

The impacts on society suggest important timing questions for addressing the global emergency. The growing presence of modern values reinforces the trends driving the emergency, while the rise of postmodern and integral values suggests potential for moving toward solutions. It is not clear which set of values will end up having the greater impact: modern values could intensify the emergency before postmodern and integral values are sufficiently developed to drive solutions.

Originality/value

The synthesis of research on long‐term pattern in values shifts and its application to global emergency discussion adds an element of richness to the discussion of the role of interior aspects of the integral perspective. Futurists and others concerned with the global emergency will have greater insight into the need to deal with the spread of modern values in the emerging markets, as well as greater insight into the need to cultivate the spread of postmodern and integral values and enlist the support of those having those values in working on solutions to the global emergency.
Migration and the false promise of growth
Authors: Heinonen Matti
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse interaction between the economic growth and population explosion on migration and impending global crises, resulting from a congruence of the ills affecting the world today, including climate change, water and food scarcity, poverty and environmental degradation.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative analysis of future‐oriented literature. The paper applies the “Limits to Growth” thinking and suggests an approach where the concept of material and population growth is questioned.

Findings

Multidisciplinary examination of research literature reveals what is normally considered to be problems such as energy, food and water scarcity, poverty and environmental degradation really are not problems but symptoms; the problem is the continuing economic and population growth on a finite planet. Migration has always been a possible coping strategy for people facing economic and political problems as well as environmental changes. Continuing growth has not erased poverty and closed the gap between the rich and poor, which is a major driving force of migration. Only changing the structure of the system will do that.

Practical implications

The present unsustainable way of life means that society risks a multitude of crises. Many breakdowns will most likely be happening simultaneously throughout the entire environmental and socioeconomic system on a worldwide scale. Humanity has set the scene for the overshoot scenario and reversal of growth will be necessary to get out of it. New kinds of methods are needed to respond to the current challenges. It is imperative to reinvent economic theories and create new monetary and fiscal policies to solve the multidimensional ecological, economic, demographic, political and social crises humanity is facing today.

Originality/value

In a world where the lack of foresight exists to an alarming degree at every level of society, it is important to be constantly reminded of the imminent global crises resulting from growth. It is becoming apparent that fragmented strategies cannot address the pressing challenges. New values are needed to guide society to peaceful and equitable development in an increasingly interconnected world. This can only emerge from a new critical self‐awareness and the will to act.
Energy, complexity and interior development in civilisational renewal
Authors: Floyd Joshua
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Slaughter has proposed futures in which interior human development matches that of technological development as the best prospect for avoiding catastrophic collapse through overshoot of the Earth's carrying capacity. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of the primary energy resource context in making sense of the prospects for such futures, and to consider how subtle changes to conceptual models for understanding the nature of human development can offer alternate pathways for proceeding in light of the fundamental limits this imposes.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual models for the relationship between energy and social complexity are reviewed, and proposals for connecting social complexity with interior human development are discussed. Popular models of interior human development are critiqued in light of recent clarifications relating to Integral Theory; and specific reconceptualisations are proposed.

Findings

Technological and interior human development are intimately linked. There are important interdependencies between energy and social complexity that must be taken into account in establishing expectations for the way that these realms might evolve together. This presents significant challenges for realising on a society‐wide scale development of the nature commonly associated with Integral Theory. However, alternative ways of conceptualising such development offer fresh opportunities for confronting the spectre of environmental and social breakdown.

Originality/value

The implications of models relating social complexity and resource context are extended to questions of human interior development; the unit of development is extended from the individual in relative isolation to the organism‐in‐environment.
A case study of supplier selection in developing economies: a perspective on institutional theory and corporate social responsibility
Authors: Adebanjo Dotun , Ojadi Francis , Laosirihongthong Tritos , Tickle Matthew
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of supplier selection activities in a service sector organisation in Nigeria. It aims to examine the role of normative forces within the context of Institutional Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study approach was used. Action research utilising participant observation was used in data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS.

Findings

Criteria relating to corporate social responsibility (CSR) proved to be a significant weakness for Nigerian suppliers, as most of the bidding organisations were unable to show evidence of, for example, payment of taxes and insurance for their employees. However, suppliers of services, in general, performed better than suppliers of products.

Practical implications

Suppliers of products and services in Nigeria need to improve their performance with respect to CSR in particular. As most of these organisations are small businesses, they had previously tended to avoid the costs related to CSR implementation. Furthermore, large customer organisations can utilise their buying power and influence to encourage their suppliers to change their corporate strategies and practices.

Originality/value

The selection of suppliers within the study context has previously not been examined. There has been little understanding of the capabilities of suppliers of minor products and services, particularly in relation to fulfilling CSR obligations.