bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Switching in amyloid structure within individual fibrils: Implication for strain adaptation, species barrier and strain classification
Authors: Baskakov Ilia V.
Published: May 2009

Amyloid fibrils are highly ordered crystal‐like structures. It is generally assumed that individual amyloid fibrils consist of conformationally uniform cross‐β‐sheet structures that enable the amyloids to replicate their individual conformations via a template‐dependent mechanism. Recent studies revealed that amyloids are capable of accommodating a global conformational switch from one amyloid strain to another within individual fibrils. The current review highlights the high adaptation potential of amyloid structures and discusses the implication of these findings for several emerging issues including prion strain adaptation (i.e. gradual change in strain structure). It also proposes that the catalytic activity of an amyloid structure should be separated from its templating effect, and raises the question of strain classification according to their promiscuous or species‐specific nature.
Coping with non‐purchase: Managing the stress of inaction regret
Authors: Patrick Vanessa M. , Lancellotti Matthew P. , Demello Gustavo
Published: May 2009

This research presents a framework based on coping theory to explain the different ways of managing the stress of regret for inaction. We theorize that primary appraisals of goal‐relevance and secondary appraisals of reversibility affect how consumers cope with the stress of inaction regret resulting in different behavioral outcomes. Prior research has focused on two outcomes of regret for inaction—inaction inertia and dissonance reduction—that result in the decreased intent to avail of a similar future opportunity. This research proposes that these are not inevitable outcomes, but rather coping responses. Further, if the forgone opportunity is appraised to be goal‐relevant and reversible, consumers engage in active coping that results in increased behavioral intent.
Hochbegabt und einfallslos?
Authors: Sparfeldt Jörn R. , Wirthwein Linda , Rost Detlef H.
Published: May 2009

Die Ergebnisse der wenigen vorliegenden Studien zur Kreativität intellektuell hochbegabter Kinder und Jugendlicher sind widersprüchlich. Im Rahmen des «Marburger Hochbegabtenprojekts» wurde die zeichnerische Kreativität («Bild ergänzen») hochbegabter ([Formula: see text] = 135, n = 144) und durchschnittlich begabter ([Formula: see text] = 102, n = 128) Kinder der vierten Klassenstufe verglichen. Fünf Jahre später wurden aus diesen Stichproben «stabil hochbegabte» ([Formula: see text] = 136, n = 103) und «stabil durchschnittlich begabte» ([Formula: see text] = 102, n = 104) Jugendliche ausgewählt, deren analog erfasste Kreativität wiederum querschnittlich verglichen wurde. Die Beurteilerübereinstimmung war zu beiden Zeitpunkten gut (pro Kategorie: gewichtetes κ ≥ .83). Im (Gesamt-)Kreativitätswert erreichten Hochbegabte in der vierten (d = 0.40) und in der neunten Klasse (d = 0.46) höhere Werte als durchschnittlich Begabte. Über das Fünf-Jahres-Intervall war die zeichnerische Kreativität mäßig stabil (r = .33). In längsschnittlichen mittelwertbasierten Auswertungen zeigten sich keine bedeutsamen Veränderungen über die Zeit. Die Befunde werden u. a. hinsichtlich ihrer Relevanz für die Identifikation intellektuell Hochbegabter diskutiert.
Förderung selbstregulierten Schreibens bei Viertklässlern
Authors: Glaser Cornelia , Keßler Christina , Brunstein Joachim C.
Published: May 2009

In einer Stichprobe von 119 Viertklässlern untersuchten wir die Effekte eines unterrichtsintegrierten Trainings zur Förderung selbstregulierten Schreibens auf strategie- und leistungsbezogene Maße der Aufsatzqualität sowie subjektive Indikatoren der Schreibkompetenz. Dazu kontrastierten wir Schüler, mit denen Schreibstrategien in Verbindung mit selbstregulatorischen Prozeduren (Selbstregulatorisches Aufsatztraining) eingeübt wurden, mit Schülern, denen dieselben Strategien ohne selbstregulatorische Prozeduren vermittelt wurden (Aufsatztraining). In beiden Bedingungen erstreckte sich das Training über 5 Wochen (1 Doppelstunde pro Woche), in denen mit allen Schülern der Einsatz von Strategien zum Planen und Schreiben narrativer Texte (Bildergeschichten) in Kleingruppen eingeübt wurde. Zum Posttest und zum Follow-up (6 Wochen nach Abschluss des Trainings) übertrafen Schüler des Selbstregulatorischen Aufsatztrainings ihre Mitschüler, die das Aufsatztraining durchlaufen hatten, in (a) strategienahen Aufsatzvariablen (Inhalt, Wortschatz, Kohärenz), (b) einem holistischen Maß der Aufsatzqualität und (c) schreibbezogenen Maßen der Selbstwirksamkeit und der Fähigkeitsselbsteinschätzung. Bei einer untrainierten Transferaufgabe (Erlebniserzählung) zeigten die Schüler des Selbstregulatorischen Aufsatztrainings gleichfalls überlegene Leistungen.
Die Rolle von Eltern, Peers und intrinsischem Wert für die rezeptive hochkulturelle Praxis von Gymnasiasten der Sekundarstufe II
Authors: Kröner Stephan , Dickhäuser Oliver
Published: May 2009

Warum verbringen Schüler Freizeit mit der Teilhabe an (hoch-)kulturellen Aktivitäten und Ereignissen? Frühere Studien zeigten Effekte von sozialem Hintergrund und Persönlichkeitsvariablen, die aufgeklärte Varianz war jedoch gering. Wir haben daher zusätzlich zur Offenheit für Ästhetik und zur wahrgenommenen kulturellen Affinität von Eltern und von Peers die Rolle des intrinsischen Wertes der Aktivität als Prädiktor bei N = 235 Gymnasiasten der Sekundarstufe II untersucht. Als Kriterium diente die selbst berichtete rezeptive kulturelle Praxis. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass 58 % der Varianz in der rezeptiven kulturellen Praxis durch die Prädiktoren aufgeklärt wurden. Der intrinsische Wert der Aktivität klärte alleine 39 % der Kriteriumsvarianz auf, ließ sich jedoch nicht von dem der kulturellen Affinität der Peers trennen. Die kulturelle Affinität der Eltern klärte über intrinsischen Wert der Aktivität und Affinität der Peers hinaus Varianz in der kulturellen Praxis auf. Konsequenzen für zukünftige Studien und die Gestaltung kultureller Angebote werden diskutiert.
High accuracy, self-calibrating photopyroelectric device for the absolute determination of thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity of liquids
Authors: Menon Preethy Chirukandath , Rajesh Ravindran Nair , Glorieux Christ
Published: May 2009

An improved photopyroelectric approach to simultaneously determine the thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity of minute quantities of liquids, which is based on a combined scan of the modulation frequency and the piston-sensor distance, is presented. A thorough sensitivity analysis and statistical analysis of the fitting uncertainties show that the method is a very accurate tool for the simultaneous determination of the thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity of liquid samples.
Reactive flux and folding pathways in network models of coarse-grained protein dynamics
Authors: Berezhkovskii Alexander , Hummer Gerhard , Szabo Attila
Published: May 2009

The reactive flux between folded and unfolded states of a two-state protein, whose coarse-grained dynamics is described by a master equation, is expressed in terms of the commitment or splitting probabilities of the microstates in the bottleneck region. This allows one to determine how much each transition through a dividing surface contributes to the reactive flux. By repeating the analysis for a series of dividing surfaces or, alternatively, by partitioning the reactive flux into contributions of unidirectional pathways that connect reactants and products, insight can be gained into the mechanism of protein folding. Our results for the flux in a network with complex connectivity, obtained using the discrete counterpart of Kramers’ theory of activated rate processes, show that the number of reactive transitions is typically much smaller than the total number of transitions that cross a dividing surface at equilibrium.
Spectroscopic detection of isolated carbonic acid
Authors: Mori Tetsuya , Suma Kohsuke , Sumiyoshi Yoshihiro , Endo Yasuki
Published: May 2009

Carbonic acid (cis-trans H2CO3) in the gas phase has been successfully produced in a supersonic jet using a pulsed discharge nozzle, and pure rotational transitions of this molecule have been observed by Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. Although the observed cis-trans conformer is not the global minimum structure, it is an important conformer as a starting point of its dissociation to CO2 and H2O. Three deuterated isotopologues of the cis-trans conformer (cis-trans HDCO3, cis-trans DHCO3, and cis-trans D2CO3) have also been observed, yielding the r0 structure of cis-trans H2CO3. The present result is accurate enough to be used in radio astronomical observations.
Hybrid electro-optic polymer/sol-gel waveguide directional coupler switches
Authors: Enami Y. , Mathine D. , DeRose C. T. , Norwood R. A. , Luo J. , Jen A. K-Y. , Peyghambarian N.
Published: May 2009

We report electro-optic (EO) switches using transversely tapered hybrid EO/sol-gel waveguide directional couplers. The length of the active region critically reduces to 1.5 mm with transverse tapers, which is shorter by a factor of 5 than the active region with vertical tapers. The transitions are performed from a sol-gel core to two EO polymer cores with gradual index changes using gray-scaled photobleaching. The device shows the lowest switching voltage and an active length product (VsLa) of 2.9 V cm with a guest–host EO polymer AJLS102, compared to hybrid waveguide switches and modulators with vertical taper and higher EO coefficients.
Local and nonlocal dispersive turbulence
Authors: Sukhatme Jai , Smith Leslie M.
Published: May 2009

We consider the evolution of a family of two-dimensional (2D) dispersive turbulence models. The members of this family involve the nonlinear advection of a dynamically active scalar field, and as per convention, the locality of the streamfunction-scalar relation is denoted by α, with smaller α implying increased locality (α=1 gives traditional 2D dynamics). The dispersive nature arises via a linear term whose strength, after nondimensionalization, is characterized by a parameter ϵ. Setting 0<ϵ≤1, we investigate the interplay of advection and dispersion for differing degrees of locality. Specifically, we study the forward (inverse) transfer of enstrophy (energy) under large-scale (small-scale) random forcing along with the geometry of the scalar field. Straightforward arguments suggest that for small α the scalar field should consist of progressively larger isotropic eddies, while for large α the scalar field is expected to have a filamentary structure resulting from a stretch and fold mechanism, much like that of a small-scale passive field when advected by a large-scale smooth flow. Confirming this, we proceed to forced/dissipative dispersive numerical experiments under weakly nonlocal to local conditions (i.e., α≤1). In all cases we see the establishment of well-defined spectral scaling regimes. For ϵ∼1, there is quantitative agreement between nondispersive estimates and observed slopes in the inverse energy transfer regime. On the other hand, forward enstrophy transfer regime always yields slopes that are significantly steeper than the corresponding nondispersive estimate. At present resolution, additional simulations show the scaling in the inverse regime to be sensitive to the strength of the dispersive term: specifically, as ϵ decreases, quite expectedly the inertial-range shortens but we also observe that the slope of the power law decreases. On the other hand, for the same range of ϵ values, the forward regime scaling is observed to be fairly universal.
Revised ab initio natural band offsets of all group IV, II-VI, and III-V semiconductors
Authors: Li Yong-Hua , Walsh Aron , Chen Shiyou , Yin Wan-Jian , Yang Ji-Hui , Li Jingbo , Da Silva Juarez L. F. , Gong X. G. , Wei Su-Huai
Published: May 2009

Using an all-electron band structure approach, we have systematically calculated the natural band offsets between all group IV, III-V, and II-VI semiconductor compounds, taking into account the deformation potential of the core states. This revised approach removes assumptions regarding the reference level volume deformation and offers a more reliable prediction of the “natural” unstrained offsets. Comparison is made to experimental work, where a noticeable improvement is found compared to previous methodologies.
Separation of piezoelectric grain resonance and domain wall dispersion in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics
Authors: Porokhonskyy V. , Jin Li , Damjanovic D.
Published: May 2009

We report on the experimental investigation of a high-frequency (1 MHz–1.8 GHz) dielectric dispersion in unpoled and poled Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics. Two overlapping loss peaks could be revealed in the dielectric spectrum. The linear dependence between the lower-frequency peak position and average grain size D¯, which holds for D¯≤10 μm, indicates that the corresponding polarization mechanism originates from piezoelectric resonances of grains. The intensity of the higher-frequency peak is drastically reduced by poling. It is thus proposed that this loss peak is related to domain wall contribution to the dielectric dispersion.
Magnetic and transport properties of n-type Fe-doped In2O3 ferromagnetic thin films
Authors: Xu Xiao-Hong , Jiang Feng-Xian , Zhang Jun , Fan Xiao-Chen , Wu Hai-Shun , Gehring G. A.
Published: May 2009

Room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in n-type Fe-doped In2O3 thin films deposited on c-cut sapphire substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Structure, magnetism, composition, and transport studies indicated that Fe occupied the In sites of the In2O3 lattice rather than formed any metallic Fe or other magnetic impurity phases. Magnetic moments of films were proved to be intrinsic and showed to have a strong dependence on the carrier densities, which depended on the Fe concentration and its valence state as well as oxygen pressure.
Stratified shear flow instabilities at large Richardson numbers
Authors: Alexakis Alexandros
Published: May 2009

Numerical simulations of stratified shear flow instabilities are performed in two dimensions in the Boussinesq limit. The density variation length scale is chosen to be four times smaller than the velocity variation length scale so that Holmboe or Kelvin–Helmholtz unstable modes are present depending on the choice of the global Richardson number Ri. Three different values of Ri were examined Ri=0.2, 2, and 20. The flows for the three examined values are all unstable due to different modes, namely: the Kelvin–Helmholtz mode for Ri=0.2, the first Holmboe mode for Ri=2, and the second Holmboe mode for Ri=20 that has been discovered recently and this is the first time that it is examined in the nonlinear stage. It is found that the amplitude of the velocity perturbation of the second Holmboe mode at the nonlinear stage is smaller but comparable to first Holmboe mode. The increase in the potential energy, however, due to the second Holmboe modes is greater than that of the first mode. The Kelvin–Helmholtz mode is larger by two orders of magnitude in kinetic energy than the Holmboe modes and about ten times larger in potential energy than the Holmboe modes. The effect of increasing Prandtl number is also investigated, and a weak dependence on the Prandtl number is observed. The results in this paper suggest that although mixing is suppressed at large Richardson numbers it is not negligible, and turbulent mixing processes in strongly stratified environments cannot be excluded.
Micromachined single-level nonplanar polycrystalline SiGe thermal microemitters for infrared dynamic scene projection
Authors: Malyutenko V. K. , Malyutenko O. Yu. , Leonov V. , Van Hoof C.
Published: May 2009

The technology for self-supported membraneless polycrystalline SiGe thermal microemitters, their design, and performance are presented. The 128-element arrays with a fill factor of 88% and a 2.5-μm-thick resonant cavity have been grown by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition and fabricated using surface micromachining technology. The 200-nm-thick 60×60 μm2 emitting pixels enforced with a U-shape profile pattern demonstrate a thermal time constant of 2–7 ms and an apparent temperature of 700 K in the 3–5 and 8–12 μm atmospheric transparency windows. The application of the devices to the infrared dynamic scene simulation and their benefit over conventional planar membrane-supported emitters are discussed.
A polyether biotoxin binding site on the lipid-exposed face of the pore domain of Kv channels revealed by the marine toxin gambierol
Authors: Kopljar Ivan , Labro Alain J. , Cuypers Eva , Johnson Henry W. B. , Rainier Jon D. , Tytgat Jan , Snyders Dirk J.
Published: May 2009

Gambierol is a marine polycyclic ether toxin belonging to the group of ciguatera toxins. It does not activate voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) but inhibits Kv1 potassium channels by an unknown mechanism. While testing whether Kv2, Kv3, and Kv4 channels also serve as targets, we found that Kv3.1 was inhibited with an IC50of 1.2 ± 0.2 nM, whereas Kv2 and Kv4 channels were insensitive to 1 μM gambierol. Onset of block was similar from either side of the membrane, and gambierol did not compete with internal cavity blockers. The inhibition did not require channel opening and could not be reversed by strong depolarization. Using chimeric Kv3.1–Kv2.1 constructs, the toxin sensitivity was traced to S6, in which T427 was identified as a key determinant. In Kv3.1 homology models, T427 and other molecular determinants (L348, F351) reside in a space between S5 and S6 outside the permeation pathway. In conclusion, we propose that gambierol acts as a gating modifier that binds to the lipid-exposed surface of the pore domain, thereby stabilizing the closed state. This site may be the topological equivalent of the neurotoxin site 5 of VGSCs. Further elucidation of this previously undescribed binding site may explain why most ciguatoxins activate VGSCs, whereas others inhibit voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels. This previously undescribed Kv neurotoxin site may have wide implications not only for our understanding of channel function at the molecular level but for future development of drugs to alleviate ciguatera poisoning or to modulate electrical excitability in general.
1
O
2
-mediated retrograde signaling during late embryogenesis predetermines plastid differentiation in seedlings by recruiting abscisic acid
Authors: Kim Chanhong , Lee Keun Pyo , Baruah Aiswarya , Nater Mena , Göbel Cornelia , Feussner Ivo , Apel Klaus
Published: May 2009

Plastid development in seedlings of
Arabidopsis thaliana
is affected by the transfer of
1
O
2
-mediated retrograde signals from the plastid to the nucleus and changes in nuclear gene expression during late embryogenesis. The potential impact of these mechanisms on plastid differentiation is maintained throughout seed dormancy and becomes effective only after seed germination. Inactivation of the 2 nuclear-encoded plastid proteins EXECUTER1 and EXECUTER2 blocks
1
O
2
-mediated retrograde signaling before the onset of dormancy and impairs normal plastid formation in germinating seeds. This long-term effect of
1
O
2
retrograde signaling depends on the recruitment of abscisic acid (ABA) during seedling development. Unexpectedly, ABA acts as a positive regulator of plastid formation in etiolated and light-grown seedlings.
Identification of protein binding sites on U3 snoRNA and pre-rRNA by UV cross-linking and high-throughput analysis of cDNAs
Authors: Granneman Sander , Kudla Grzegorz , Petfalski Elisabeth , Tollervey David
Published: May 2009

The U3 small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) plays an essential role in ribosome biogenesis but, like many RNA–protein complexes, its architecture is poorly understood. To address this problem, binding sites for the snoRNP proteins Nop1, Nop56, Nop58, and Rrp9 were mapped by UV cross-linking and analysis of cDNAs. Cross-linked protein–RNA complexes were purified under highly-denaturing conditions, ensuring that only direct interactions were detected. Recovered RNA fragments were amplified after linker ligation and cDNA synthesis. Cross-linking was successfully performed either in vitro on purified complexes or in vivo in living cells. Cross-linking sites were precisely mapped either by Sanger sequencing of multiple cloned fragments or direct, high-throughput Solexa sequencing. Analysis of RNAs associated with the snoRNP proteins revealed remarkably high signal-to-noise ratios and identified specific binding sites for each of these proteins on the U3 RNA. The results were consistent with previous data, demonstrating the reliability of the method, but also provided insights into the architecture of the U3 snoRNP. The snoRNP proteins were also cross-linked to pre-rRNA fragments, with preferential association at known sites of box C/D snoRNA function. This finding demonstrates that the snoRNP proteins directly contact the pre-rRNA substrate, suggesting roles in snoRNA recruitment. The techniques reported here should be widely applicable to analyses of RNA–protein interactions.
Induced pluripotent stem cells offer new approach to therapy in thalassemia and sickle cell anemia and option in prenatal diagnosis in genetic diseases
Authors: Ye Lin , Chang Judy C. , Lin Chin , Sun Xiaofang , Yu Jingwei , Kan Yuet Wai
Published: May 2009

The innovation of reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells provides a possible new approach to treat β-thalassemia and other genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be made from these patients' somatic cells and the mutation in the β-globin gene corrected by gene targeting, and the cells differentiated into hematopoietic cells to be returned to the patient. In this study, we reprogrammed the skin fibroblasts of a patient with homozygous β
0
thalassemia into iPS cells, and showed that the iPS cells could be differentiated into hematopoietic cells that synthesized hemoglobin. Prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion have been effective in decreasing the number of β-thalassemia births in some countries that have instituted carrier screening and genetic counseling. To make use of the cells from the amniotic fluid or chorionic villus sampling that are used for prenatal diagnosis, we also showed that these cells could be reprogrammed into iPS cells. This raises the possibility of providing a new option following prenatal diagnosis of a fetus affected by a severe illness. Currently, the parents would choose either to terminate the pregnancy or continue it and take care of the sick child after birth. The cells for prenatal diagnosis can be converted into iPS cells for treatment in the perinatal periods. Early treatment has the advantage of requiring much fewer cells than adult treatment, and can also prevent organ damage in those diseases in which damage can begin in utero or at an early age.
Informal (In)security in Urban Afghanistan
Authors: Schütte Stefan
Published: May 2009

Poverty and insecurity in Afghan cities are intricately intertwined with conditions of “informality.” The term and the realities it describes refer to living situations in which basic needs and activities such as work, housing, and social security are unprotected by laws and standards. Immersion into such a convolution of informality determines the life of a majority among urban populations in Afghanistan and conveys a deep sense of insecurity for the urban poor. The paper looks at how rapid and unprecedented urban growth in Afghanistan goes along with rising levels of livelihood insecurity and explores how the urban poor cope with livelihood risks through a range of informal arrangements. Conceptually, the notion of “informal security regimes” helps capture informality as a coping strategy and how it relates to urban poverty in Afghanistan. Informed by extensive empirical fieldwork, the paper identifies different elements of the “informal security regime” in urban Afghanistan and explores their specific operations. The paper is mainly focused on the Afghan capital, Kabul, supplemented with evidence from other urban sites in Afghanistan.
Chromatin and DNA Modifications in theOpaque2-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription during Maize Endosperm Development
Authors: Locatelli Sabrina , Piatti Paolo , Motto Mario , Rossi Vincenzo
Published: May 2009

The maize (Zea mays) Opaque2 (O2) gene encodes an endosperm-specific bZIP-type transcription activator. In this study, we analyzed O2 targets for chromatin and DNA modifications and transcription factors binding during endosperm development and in leaves. In leaves, O2 targets exhibit high cytosine methylation levels and transcriptionally silent chromatin, enriched with histones H3 dimethylated at Lys-9 (H3K9me2) and Lys-27 (H3K27me2). Transcriptional activation in the endosperm occurs through a two-step process, with an early potentiated state and a later activated state. The potentiated state has cytosine demethylation at symmetric sites, substitution of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 with histones H3 acetylated at Lys-14 (H3K14ac) and dimethylated at Lys-4 (H3K4me2), and increased DNaseI sensitivity. During the activated state, the mRNA of O2 targets accumulates in correspondence to RNPII, O2, and Ada2/Gcn5 coactivator binding. The active state also exhibits further increases of H3K14ac/H3K4me2 and DNaseI accessibility levels and deposition of histone H3 acetylated at Lys-9 and trimethylated at Lys-4. Analysis of o2 mutants revealed that O2 targets differ in their dependence on O2 activity for coactivator recruitment and for formation of specific chromatin modification profiles. These results indicate gene-specific involvement of mechanisms that modify chromatin states in the O2-mediated regulation of transcription.
Why do CEOs hold non‐executive directorships? An analysis of the role of governance and ownership
Authors: O'Sullivan Noel
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to investigate the holding of non‐executive directorships by CEOs in a sample of 387 large UK companies. The main objective of the paper is to ascertain whether the holding of additional directorships by CEOs is influenced by the governance and ownership characteristics of their companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of an empirical analysis of the holding of non‐executive directorships by 387 CEOs of large UK companies.

Findings

The study finds that 101 CEOs (26 per cent) hold at least one non‐executive directorship but the most any single CEO holds is three with the vast majority holding one other directorship. CEOs who also serve as chairman are more likely to hold non‐executive directorships while CEOs in companies with greater concentration of external ownership are less likely to hold other directorships. The study finds no evidence that either non‐executive representation or managerial ownership (including CEO ownership) influences the holding of additional directorships. The holding of additional directorships is positively related to company size, suggesting that the more complex environment in which CEOs of large companies operate leads to the offer of additional directorships.

Originality/value

The findings are important as they key into an ongoing debate on whether the holding of additional directorships by CEOs is consistent with good governance practice. The evidence presented here provides mixed information for governance regulators. While a significant majority of CEOs do not hold additional directorships, there is evidence that weaker board and external ownership monitoring is associated with a greater likelihood that CEOs will sit on other boards.
Strategy process as an innovative learning environment
Authors: Vänttinen Marika , Pyhältö Kirsi
Published: May 2009

Purpose

In many organisations a lot of effort is put into the formation of a strategy, but the implementation of strategies is lacking. This paper aims to explore the preconditions for a successful strategy process (i.e. a process which results in implementation) in the context of municipal services in Finland. As a case study, the implementation of the city strategy in the home care services in one Finnish municipality is to be examined. The practical goal is to explain, why the implementation of strategy is lacking. The theoretical purpose is to find prerequisites for successful strategy implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was carried out by using an action research approach. The data collection and analysis methods were qualitative, including semi‐structured interviews, visual modelling of the strategy processes and observation of group discussions during the intervention day. The content of all the ten transcribed interviews and the transcription of the intervention were systematically analysed. In the context of the city strategy process, two types of fundamental prerequisites for learning were studied: the significance given to the strategy work, and the experience of agency in the strategy process.

Findings

The participants in the strategy process were divided into three different organisational levels, the experiences were consistent within organisational levels but they differed between them. Both the strategic‐ and operative‐level employees considered the strategic level as active strategy makers and the operative level as passive receivers of the strategy. Furthermore, the management‐level employees gave high significance to the strategy process, while the significance given to the strategy process by the politicians and the operative‐level employees was low. The above‐mentioned findings may be the reasons why the commitment of staff members to the strategy was low and its implementation ineffective.

Practical implications

In the strategy process of the case municipality, the understanding of the strategy process seemed to be fragmented and rigid, because the spontaneous conceptions of strategy were not problematised and discussed throughout the organisation. To build up a meaningful understanding of the strategy process, the spontaneous conceptions of strategy should be processed at all levels of the organisation. Furthermore, to prevent understanding from becoming fragmentated, the strategy representations should be processed in a common process. If it is supposed to be implemented, the strategy process should be seen as a continuous and comprehensive learning process.

Originality/value

The strategy process is a complex system in which many factors interact simultaneously. Despite this, the relationship between individual learning processes and the strategy process has not been researched before. The paper explores the strategy process as a holistic and systemic learning process in which individual and shared collaborative processes are intertwined.
Globalization and its impact on operational decisions
Authors: Puig Francisco , Marques Helena , Ghauri Pervez N.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the impact of globalization on the manufacturing operations of industries and industrial districts and how it influences the specialization and diversification of manufacturing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes 9,684 Spanish manufacturing textile firms and the analysis is both cross‐sectional and longitudinal.

Findings

The results show that globalization tends to diminish the district and subsector effects over time, but they also show the positive impact of specialization on productivity and of diversification on business growth.

Originality/value

The paper indicates to managers that the production function in textile firms has viability in Europe through achieving specialization and efficient operations management.
Drivers of close supply chain collaboration: one size fits all?
Authors: de Leeuw Sander , Fransoo Jan
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of close supply chain collaboration and to develop a multi‐variable conceptual model of factors that drive the need for close supply chain collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐variable conceptual model is developed based on literature and on a series of dyadic mini‐cases in the electronics, fashion and consumer‐packaged goods industry.

Findings

This paper confirms that close supply chain collaboration is influenced by a multitude of factors. It reveals a need to integrate findings from analytical and empirical disciplines that study supply chain collaboration. The results suggest that collaborative initiatives are predominantly initiated with suppliers and not with customers, and that close supply chain collaboration may lead to inertia in business relations.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on dyadic case studies in three different make‐to‐stock industries; future research may include a large‐scale survey in more industries, including both make‐to‐order and make‐to‐stock environments.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, firms can make better choices in their collaborative initiatives; based on the conceptual model, firms can identify potential areas of close supply chain collaboration.

Originality/value

Findings from analytical and empirical literature are combined and such a combined perspective is deployed for the first time into a conceptual model of drivers of close supply chain collaboration.
Performance measurement
Authors: Moxham Claire
Published: May 2009

Purpose

Nonprofit performance measurement is receiving increasing academic and practitioner attention, but the design of nonprofit measurement systems has received limited consideration. This is in contrast to the well‐established body of knowledge that focuses on performance measurement in private and public sector organisations. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain whether this body of knowledge can be used to inform the design of nonprofit performance measurement systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was taken to examine the performance measurement practices used in six nonprofit organisations and their associated funders and regulators. A total of 24 managers from 18 organisations took part in the study.

Findings

The study found underdeveloped and resource intensive performance measurement systems in the majority of organisations that were examined. The performance measurement literature from the private and public sectors advocates the development of relevant, balanced, integrated, strategic and improvement‐oriented performance measurement systems; concepts that have received limited consideration in the nonprofit literature. This research found that performance measurement system design principles developed for the private and public sectors were applicable to the nonprofit sector.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst a range of stakeholders was included in the research, further work is required to validate the applicability of the findings to the diverse nonprofit sector. Nevertheless, given the dearth of operations management focused research on nonprofit performance measurement systems this study makes a useful contribution.

Practical implications

The study presents empirical evidence of the myriad criteria and processes that are used to measure nonprofit performance. The paper shows that current measurement practice is detracting from the performance of nonprofit organisations.

Originality/value

Despite the perceived uniqueness of the nonprofit sector, this paper shows that learning from the private and public sectors can be used to inform good practice in nonprofits. As relatively little research has been done in this area, the findings make a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge.
On the challenges of evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A.
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced by occupants and fire fighters during evacuation and rescue operations in high‐rise buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has analysed the published literature for the purpose of identifying and examining the factors that make high‐rise buildings a high‐risk type of facility to fire and the common avenues of fire spread in high‐rise buildings. The paper then investigates a number of evacuation strategies in high‐rise buildings and the set of human factors affecting high‐rise evacuations. It also discusses the challenges that building occupants and fire departments face during a fire emergency.

Findings

The paper has established that high‐rise buildings are a high‐risk type of facility in fire emergencies due to a combination of three risk factors. The characteristics of the occupants to consider when designing the means of escape were identified, and the challenges faced by fire fighters during rescue operation in high‐rise fires were classified under five main categories.

Originality/value

The paper provides for an exchange of knowledge, thus facilitating a better comprehension of the roles of designers, building services engineers, facility managers and professionals in safety in the provision and maintenance of safety systems in high‐rise buildings.
Using case studies in university‐level marketing education
Authors: Brennan Ross
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that can be used by marketing educators to evaluate the appropriateness of case studies for inclusion in a course.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint paper represents the views of the author alone.

Findings

Selection criteria for the possible inclusion of specific case studies in a marketing course will be affected by the characteristics of students (prior experience, familiarity with subject matter), characteristics of the course (academic level, subject matter, managerial or non‐managerial orientation), and by characteristics of the case study (degree of realism, complexity, knowledge content, skills content, degree of decision orientation).

Originality/value

Suggests a practical way forward for marketing educators, particularly those new to the profession, when selecting case studies for incorporation into their course.
HELP – for a life without tobacco: a case study on demarketing across two levels
Authors: Hassan Louise M. , Shiu Edward , Walsh Gianfranco , Hastings Gerard
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview and evaluation of the European Commission “HELP – for a life without tobacco” campaign.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected via a web and a telephone survey is used to evaluate the campaign.

Findings

The findings reveal how a campaign targeted at individuals can lead to social change through involvement with key stakeholder groups including NGO's and the public at large. At an individual level the campaign was received favourably with overall high levels of awareness and engagement with the message. The associated web site was thought to contain trustworthy information and persuasive arguments about the dangers of smoking and passive smoking.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in providing an example of social advertising across a large number of countries. Furthermore, this case study adds to the literature on demarketing, highlighting that demarketing can take place across two levels both at the citizen level and at the governmental level.
RESPOND: plugging AMICAL's international American universities into WorldCat
Authors: Gima Jeff
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to substantially update a presentation made at the 2007 IFLA Conference. It intends to describe the RESPOND project, a partnership between OCLC and the AMICAL consortium to enhance library resource discovery, and to report on initial outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the background for RESPOND, its key features and interesting challenges, and some of its expected direct and indirect benefits for the discovery and sharing of resources at AMICAL libraries. Preliminary statistics for group library holdings in WorldCat and OCLC ILL system use are examined.

Findings

The time required for implementation and adoption of services was greater, and effective training more difficult to organize, than expected. Resource‐sharing performance improvements still need to be measured, and many libraries are just starting to implement the project's services, but cooperation appears to be increasing between consortium members. The potential benefits for resource discovery and delivery remain great, and interest and participation in the project have spread to include nearly all AMICAL consortium members.

Originality/value

AMICAL is an atypical consortium because of its geographically dispersed and highly international membership, but the challenges and results described here may be relevant to other efforts at international resource sharing and cooperation.
Reaping the harvest: end‐user access and staff savings at the University of Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Irwin Jillian
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to continue the discussion on the implementation of an ISO‐compliant interlibrary loan management system at the University of Auckland. The implementation now includes an end‐user interface and this report aims to investigate the savings in staff time which had been anticipated from its introduction. Staff input into end‐user requests is also reviewed.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of an analysis of six months of requesting statistics with a discussion on a number of related issues including mediating end‐user requests.

Findings

Measurable time has been saved from reducing data entry by interlibrary loans staff. Continuing staff input into requests is described and some solutions reviewed. Other savings in staff time are identified and some possible options for the future are discussed.

Practical implications

The research undertaken should help other libraries identify some of the benefits and issues involved in patrons entering their requests directly into an ISO‐compliant interlibrary loans management system.

Originality/value

The report is believed to be the first attempt to quantify and/or describe the staff savings to be made from implementation of the VDX end‐user interface, ZPortal.
Modeling market orientation and organizational antecedents in a social marketing context
Authors: Zhou Yanfeng , Chao Paul , Huang Guang
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to test the applicability of a model showing the relationship between a set of modified MARKOR scales used to measure market orientation (MO) and a set of organizational antecedents in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted using a survey instrument administered to a large national sample of management personnel in various blood collection centers in China. A structural equation modeling approach is used in the data analysis.

Findings

The results support the model and show robustness of the scales used as well as a positive relationship between some organizational antecedents and the MO construct.

Practical implications

The results of the study provide some new insights on what managers in non‐profit organizations (NPOs) can do in implementing marketing strategies to improve organizational effectiveness through a greater emphasis on MO.

Originality/value

This is the first study to focus on a state‐controlled NPO whose mission is to deliver social values to its constituents in an emerging economy. The results should prove valuable not just for other organizations in the country but also for other emerging countries whose NPOs are still largely state‐controlled.
Conflict management styles of Turkish managers
Authors: Özkalp Enver , Sungur Zerrin , Ayşe Özdemir Aytül
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine Turkish managers' conflict styles in different sectors, namely durable consumer goods, aviation, automotive and banking.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 130 managers' conflict management styles were assessed by applying the Rahim's 1983 Organizational Conflict Inventory‐II.

Findings

First, integrating and, second, compromising are found to be the most preferred conflict styles of Turkish managers. The other important finding is that preferring obliging styles of conflict management changes according to the status of managers. Obliging is mostly used when the conflict partner has an upper level status.

Research limitations/implications

Additional data from cross‐cultural studies are needed to form a comprehensive understanding of conflict management styles. Also, the number of respondents in the study is not enough to generalize the findings; additional data from different sectors could make the findings more valid.

Practical implications

There seems to be a need for seminars or practice‐oriented workshops on evaluating and understanding the nature of conflict and learning to manage conflict as a beneficial and creative process for the betterment of both individuals in organizations and organizations themselves.

Originality/value

The study provides a revised base for cross‐cultural conflict management studies and also highlights the national dynamics of Turkish managers' relationships, especially for international investors.
The grey input‐occupancy‐output analysis
Authors: Li Qiao‐Xing , Liu Si‐Feng
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the input‐occupancy‐output analysis for grey situations and to manage the economic systems with missing information. The situation is realistic in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

During the decision‐making process of an economic system, the managers often get some uncertain data for the missing information. Then, it becomes difficult to analyze the complex system by using the input‐occupancy‐output analysis. Since the uncertain data are grey numbers, the decision maker can control it by using grey system theory and the input‐occupancy‐output analysis.

Findings

Get the grey direct consumption and occupancy coefficient matrices and the computational formulas of their matrix‐covered sets. The grey model of input‐occupancy‐output analysis and its covered solution are also obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The chaos of the grey statistic data should satisfy a level of accuracy and it is key to get the number‐covered set that the true data belongs to.

Practical implications

A feasible approach to control the economic system that the accurate data are difficult to be obtained.

Originality/value

Give a new approach to study an economic system by using grey system theory.
An ANN pruning algorithm based approach to vendor selection
Authors: Li Qian
Published: May 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help enterprises to define and refresh their specific vendor selection criteria according to changing situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper firstly analyzes the variety of vendor selection criteria according to the diverse business environment. Furthermore, an approach of vendor selection based on MW‐OBS (an artificial neural network pruning algorithm) is put forward. MW‐OBS contributes a lot in distinguishing the crucial items of selection criteria based on certain enterprise's operational data, instead of assuming the criteria set subjectively. Meanwhile MW‐OBS evaluates the importance weights of these crucial items in criteria by data training.

Findings

The vendor selection criteria is believed to change for diverse enterprises and even for an enterprise's mutative business conditions because of the attribute of materials, cooperation relationships, and supplier's performance. The approach establishes the vendor selection criteria for different enterprises based on their own conditions, and once business environment changes, with new data being generated, the set can be refreshed dynamically and timely.

Research limitations/implications

This approach extends the research of neural network pruning algorithm, for example the importance of all reserved criteria can be achieved from trained network without extra optimization,

Originality/value

This approach put emphasis on distinguishing dynamic criteria consistent with enterprise's circumstance. Enterprises are capable of constructing their various criteria collections conveniently according to their own specific situations with the application of approach.