bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing culture change: can it ever be ethical?
Authors: Woodall Jean
Published: July 2002

Considers corporate culture management as an area where ethical concern and analysis has been weak. Examines justification of corporate culture management as an essential ingredient for corporate success, and finds little evidence to support a consequentialist ethic. Proceeds to identify areas where ethical issues might arise in the process of corporate culture change, particularly the role of change agents, and the ethical outcomes of the “unfreeze‐change‐refreeze” process. Illustrates these by reference to two case studies of corporate culture change programmes. Finally, concludes with reflection on potential ethical frameworks for the interpretation and guidance of corporate culture management initiatives. Makes a case for communitarian ethics, and outlines their implications for culture management.
A flexible future for older workers?
Authors: Arrowsmith James , McGoldrick Ann E.
Published: July 2002

Explores the extent and patterns of age discrimination within a changing workplace context, and specifically focuses on how employment flexibility may be used to the mutual advantage of employers and older workers. Results are presented from two large‐scale national surveys conducted with the Institute of Personnel Management (1994, n = 1,700) and the Institute of Management (1995, n = 1,665). Case study research conducted with Ford/XR Associates, J. Sainsbury and the UK National Health Service is also reported. Research shows that although age discrimination in employment remains extensive, an innovative approach to the recruitment, utilization and retention of older workers may bring a series of positive joint gains.
Managing the National Bibliography in a Non‐governmental Institution
Authors: Waneck Kirsten
Published: July 2002

In Denmark the National Bibliography is produced in a non‐governmental
institution, the Danish Library Centre. The task is defined precisely in
a contract with the Ministry of Culture, and the co‐operation with the
interested parties from the library environment and the publishing
environment is described. Managing the task in the Danish Library Centre
is included in a quality‐management system, certified according to the
ISO 9001 standard. Producing the National Bibliography is expected to be
called for tender in the mid‐1990s.
Leadership influence in a high power distance and collectivist culture
Authors: Fikret Pasa Selda
Published: July 2002

The frequently used influencing tactics in a relatively high collectivist and high power distance culture have been investigated. An exploratory study indicated that leaders used both implicit influence and more directive forms of influence. Empirical measures suggested that none of the western influence strategies were frequently used in Turkey. Analyses of influence incidents revealed that most frequently perceived influence behaviors were “granted power/authority” and “taking over responsibility” followed by “rationalizing and involving” and “pressure”. These findings, which seemed to be contradicting each other at the beginning, reflect the high collectivism, power distance and paternalism values found in Turkish culture.
Creating change from below: early lessons for agents of change
Authors: Clarke Martin , Meldrum Mike
Published: July 2002

With existing approaches to change management failing to deliver results, different ideas are needed. New organisational forms require a greater focus on change that emerges from real business opportunities. The ooportunities can be the basis of pockets of good practice which act as influential role models for change. This paper investigates four case studies of change initiated in this way and identifies five key themes from this research: vision; the self insight and ambition required to take personal risk; positioning of causes; subversion; and political astuteness. The paper concludes with an assessment of why this approach to change is likely to be considered both relevant and practical for managers.
Simulation tools ease and speed assembly cell development
Authors: Stringham Russell
Published: July 2002

Typical assembly cell development requires that the hardware be mostly functional before significant software development can begin. Utilizing a software simulation of the hardware allows concurrent development of the hardware and software and provides many benefits including reduced time to market. Traditional simulation tools, though, are geared towards prototyping and early application development, but for advanced applications are of little or no use during later stages of development and deployment. The Cimetrix CODE (Cimetrix Open Development Environment) system provides a unique solution that supports development of a single software application that can drive not only the simulation, but also the physical machine, without the use of a translator. CODE applications run on Windows NT and can take full advantage of the wide range of third party software and hardware available on that platform. This article will explore the use of simulation throughout the life cycle of an assembly cell, including project definition, development and maintenance, and discuss the benefits that simulation can provide.
Foresight launches three sensor programmes
Authors: Hollingum Jack
Published: July 2002

The government‐sponsored Foresight programme, begun four years ago with the aim of bringing together industrial companies with academic and research organisations to improve the competitiveness of the British economy, has now entered a second round of activity focusing on developing its range of tasks. In the area of sensing technology three themes are being taken up for collaboration by Sira during the coming year: industry and the environment; security and observation; and Earth observation. Last November Sira sponsored a conference to introduce these themes and recently Professor Richard Brook, director of Sira, and Anne Burns, technology marketing manager, talked to Jack Hollingum about the way ahead.
Receptivity to assessment‐based feedback for management development
Authors: Ryan Ann Marie , Brutus Stéphane , Greguras Gary J. , Hakel Milton D.
Published: July 2002

Research on feedback acceptance typically has not focused on feedback given in developmental contexts nor has this research used sources other than self‐reports to measure feedback acceptance. This study examined recipient characteristics as influences on receptivity to management development feedback. Racial similarity of the feedback recipient and giver was the most consistent predictor of receptivity. Self‐report, feedback giver, and outsider ratings of receptivity evidenced little congruence. Implications for understanding receptivity in developmental contexts are discussed.
Risks associated with chemical treatment residues in buildings
Authors: Watt David
Published: July 2002

Past and current uses of chemical treatments to control or eradicate fungal infections and/or insect infestations in buildings have led to a number of reported cases where occupants and users of these buildings have suffered various physical symptoms. The role of chemical treatments, whether as biocides, fungicides, insecticides or wood preservatives, has therefore come under scrutiny and various countries are now reviewing their use in favour of a more benign approach to the management of decay in buildings. Growing concern for the environment and the health of those treating or living in treated buildings has also led to changes in the way we perceive and deal with buildings and building defects. As a result, the conventional approach to survey, defect diagnosis and remediation has to be re‐thought and placed in the context of a wider environmental agenda. This paper provides evidence for how historic chemical treatments can have effects on the health of the building and its occupants, and considers the implications of such treatments for those charged with specifying or undertaking works to the fabric of affected buildings.
A building safety inspection system for fire safety issues in existing buildings
Authors: Ming Lo Siu
Published: July 2002

The majority of the population in Hong Kong live in multi‐storey high‐rise buildings. The safety conditions of these buildings are a major concern of the Government and the public. Fire safety is one of the major concerns especially after several large fire tragedies in the past few years. The Hong Kong Government has introduced a mandatory safety assurance requirement which is called the “Building Safety Inspection Scheme”. Under this scheme, building owners are required to appoint appropriate building professionals to assess the safety level of their buildings and to recommend appropriate actions. One of the major aspects relates to the fire safety. In order to ensure uniform standards and easy administration, the Hong Kong Government intends to publish a Code of Practice on the assessment for use by building professionals. This paper proposes a fire safety assurance approach including the fire safety assessment method which may form the basis of the Code of Practice.
Intuition in managers
Authors: Aarum Andersen Jon
Published: July 2002

Do managers have the creative and innovative ability needed for their organisations to survive in an increasingly competitive environment? A study of 200 managers from eight companies gives an answer to this question. If intuition is an indication of creativity and innovation, we find that almost 25 per cent of all managers were primarily intuitive when solving problems and making decisions. The concept of intuition and other decision functions is based on Jung’s typology. Is intuition in managers an important asset to their organisations? An investigation of problem‐solving and decision‐making styles of 33 managers related to organisational effectiveness throws some light on this question. What is called the “creative‐innovative” decision‐making style was found in 23 per cent of the managers. This article suggests that intuition as decision‐making style appears to be related to organisational effectiveness. Several managers are intuitive. Whether the intuitive managers are more effective than others remains to be seen.
Entrepreneurship Education and Training Programmes:
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , O′Cinneide Barra
Published: July 2002

Reviews literature highlighting a number of problems associated with
entrepreneurship education and training programmes. The major problem
relates to balance: too much of an emphasis on knowledge and not enough
on competence; too much emphasis on information transfer learning
methods and not enough on individual small group learning methods such
as project teams, peer exchange, individual counselling and workshops.
There is very little evaluation of the effectiveness of such programmes.
There is a lack of evidence on how learning strategies influence the
development of entrepreneurial competences and how these competences
transfer into new project/venture formation. There is also a lack of
comparative research to identify commonalities, and differences in terms
of design and structure.
Human resource specialists ‐ guardians of ethical conduct?
Authors: Woodd Maureen
Published: July 2002

Explores the moral issues which underpin the personnel function and considers the ethical challenges in policy making and the policy/practice gaps being thrown up by the radical global changes. Discusses the subject of axiology, together with deontology, to explore how these underpin company integrity and the rules of ethical custom. Emphasizes the need to raise the subject of ethics in the many areas associated with the employment of people. Recommends that this is an appropriate time with the change in emphasis from personnel to human resource management, and the need for proactive approaches to change. Concludes with a personal plea for HR specialists to be responsible for raising awareness, facilitating learning and ensuring that standards of ethical conduct are practised within human resource policies and practices.
New roles for vocational education and training teachers and trainers in Europe: a new framework for their education
Authors: Attwell Graham
Published: July 2002

Provides an overview of the research undertaken through the EU Leonardo EUROPROF project. Describes the aims of the project and outlines the methodologies undertaken in the work. Surveys the development of vocational education and training (VET) in Europe over the past two decades in relation to changing forms of work organization and the development of the economies of Europe. First looks at the changing role of VET, second examines the corresponding changes in the roles and occupational profiles of vocational teachers and trainers drawing on empirical studies undertaken by researchers in different countries as part of the EUROPROF project. Finally proposes a new framework for the education of VET professionals in response to the changing roles and responsibilities.
Knowledge management as a service: co‐operation between small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and training, consulting and research institutions
Authors: Kailer Norbert , Scheff Josef
Published: July 2002

Based on a representative study covering SMEs, providers of training and consulting and research institutions in Austria, the co‐operation process between SMEs and external providers of know‐how is discussed. A lack of market transparency, problems in the search phase, a lack of co‐operation targets and evaluation criteria as well as deficits in the co‐operation during the transfer phase lead to a considerable number of SMEs which are disappointed with the co‐operation. This problem can be met by the development of new forms of co‐operation, i.e. integrated training and consulting programmes, process consultation of in‐house development projects and the support of and process consultation of co‐operations between SMEs. In this context, new learning technologies can be used to foster co‐operative learning and networking.
The optimisation of electromagnetic devices using niching genetic algorithms
Authors: Gallardo J.A. , Lowther D.A.
Published: July 2002

The use of niching genetic algorithms can provide a method of a more widespread search of the design space for a device than more conventional methods. It provides, in effect, a breadth first rather than a depth first search. Thus several alternative designs may be evaluated in parallel.
Critical success factors in online education
Authors: Volery Thierry , Lord Deborah
Published: July 2002

The Internet is a major technological advancement reshaping not only our society but also that of universities worldwide. In light of this, universities have to capitalise on the Internet for teaching, and one progressive development of this is the use of online delivery methods. This paper draws upon the results of a survey conducted amongst students enrolled in one online management course at an Australian university. Three critical success factors in online delivery are identified: technology, the instructor and the previous use of the technology from a student’s perspective. We also argue that the lecturer will continue to play a central role in online education, albeit his or her role will become one of a learning catalyst and knowledge navigator.
Globalisation, “organised capitalism” and German labour
Authors: Parnell Martin Francis
Published: July 2002

Organised capitalism, as a distinct mode of political economy, is generally held to be under serious threat, not least from the apparently inexorable logic and pressures of “globalisation”. The challenge represented by these forces is intensified in Germany by the constraints imposed by the requirement to fulfil those Maastricht Treaty criteria appertaining to establishing Economic and Monetary Union. However, Germany additionally faces the unprecedented task of integrating the former GDR, a regime which was both literally and metaphorically bankrupt in so many respects. So far, that integration has not succeeded, least of all industrially. The implications are manifold and complex ‐ yet what seems to be quite certain is that the combined, accumulated burden of all the relevant problems and difficulties has come to bear primarily on working people in Germany and on their representative organisations. This first paper represents an initial exploration of key parameters affecting labour, the second proposes to do so both more broadly and in greater depth.
Switching costs, alternative attractiveness and experience as moderators of relationship commitment in professional, consumer services
Authors: Sharma Neeru , Patterson Paul G.
Published: July 2002

To date, empirical and conceptual models of relationship marketing have focused almost exclusively on a range of direct antecedents and mediator variables to explain variations in a dependent variable – usually relationship commitment. No attempt has been made to examine under what conditions these various antecedents have a stronger/weaker impact on relationship commitment. This paper extends the relationship marketing literature by testing a contingency model to assess the impact of trust and service satisfaction on relationship commitment under conditions of varying switching costs, alternative attractiveness and experience‐based norms, in the context of a professional consumer service. Employing a sample of 201 clients of financial planning services, we test 11 hypotheses formulated on the basis of a review of the services and relationship marketing literature, and a series of qualitative interviews with clients. The results clearly indicate that the impact of trust and satisfaction vary according to contingency conditions of switching costs, attractiveness of alternatives and client experience.
Free convection along a vertical heated plate in a porous medium with anisotropic permeability
Authors: Vasseur P. , Degan G.
Published: July 2002

Natural convection from a semi‐infinite vertical plate embedded in a fluid saturated porous medium is studied both analytically and numerically. The plate is assumed to be heated isothermally or by a constant heat flux. The porous medium, modeled according to Darcy’s law, is anisotropic in permeability with its principal axes oriented in a direction that is oblique to the gravity vector. In the large Rayleigh number limit, the governing boundary‐layer equations are solved in closed form, using a similarity transformation. Comparisons between the numerical solution of the full equations and analytical solutions are presented for a wide range of the governing parameters. The effects of the anisotropic permeability ratio K*, of the orientation angle of the principal axes θ, and of the Rayleigh number RH on the flow and heat transfer are investigated. Results indicate that the anisotropic properties of the porous medium considerably modify the heat transfer, velocity and temperature profiles from that expected under isotropic conditions.
Distributed component software security issues on deploying a secure electronic marketplace
Authors: Gritzalis Stefanos , Iliadis John , Oikonomopoulos Spyros
Published: July 2002

A secure electronic marketplace involves a significant number of real‐time transactions between remote systems, either for commercial or for authentication purposes. The underlying infrastructure of choice to support these transactions seems to be a distributed component architecture. Distributed component software (DCS) is the natural convergence of client/server network computing and object oriented technology in a mix providing reusability, scaleability and maintainability for software constructs. In DCS a client acquires references to objects provided by components located to remote machines and invokes methods of them as if they were located in its native environment. One implementation also provides the ability to pass objects by value, an approach recently examined also by others. The three major models in the distributed component software industry are OMG’s CORBA, Sun’s Enterprise Java Beans, and Microsoft’s DCOM. Besides these, we will discuss the progress for interoperable DCS systems performed in TINA, an open architecture for telecommunications services based on CORBA distributed components. In this paper the security models of each architecture are described and their efficiency and flexibility are evaluated in a comparative manner. Finally, upcoming extensions are discussed.
Multimedia modules for enhancing technical laboratory sessions
Authors: Schulz Kurt C. , Dahale Venkatesh
Published: July 2002

University students often enter physical laboratory sessions with minimal knowledge of the experiments to be conducted and little or no understanding of the underlying concepts that govern the investigations. As a result, lab time is used inefficiently; motivated students lose interest and routine procedures are followed with minimal learning. The authors have developed a set of multimedia modules meant to enhance, not replace, the technical laboratory experience. The modules are akin to well‐conceived laboratory manuals applying multimedia tools, such as digital images and video clips, to better prepare the students for upcoming laboratory sessions. The modules are accessible through the Internet and include mechanisms for exchanging information.
Teaching an information organization course with Nordic DC metadata creator
Authors: Glaviano Cliff
Published: July 2002

Exploration and use of Dublin Core metadata tools in a graduate library course, Organization of Information, suggests applications of these tools in similar courses as an introduction to cataloging. Students used the Nordic DC metadata creator to catalog and classify both Internet and traditional information objects. Because links available from the Nordic DC metadata creator and Dublin Core home pages make cataloging resource materials easily available, students had less difficulty integrating their knowledge and those resources to create cataloging records than their counterparts in prior courses did. Practice with the Dublin Core tools, observation of their use by student catalogers, and the potential for gaining experience with more sophisticated tools available in the Cooperative Online Resource Catalog (CORC) project encouraged Bowling Green State University to participate in CORC.
Architectures for secure portable executable content
Authors: Gritzalis Stefanos , Aggelis George , Spinellis Diomidis
Published: July 2002

The Java programming language supports the concept of downloadable executable content; a key technology in a wide range of emerging applications including collaborative systems, electronic commerce, and Web information services. Java enables the execution of a program, on almost any modern computer regardless of hardware configuration and operating system. Safe‐Tcl was proposed as an executable content type of MIME and thus as the standard language for executable contents within e‐mail messages. However, the ability to download, integrate, and execute code from a remote computer, provided by both Java and Safe‐Tcl, introduces serious security risks since it enables a malicious remote program to obtain unauthorised access to the downloading system’s resources. In this paper, the two proposed security models are described in detail and the efficiency and flexibility of current implementations are evaluated in a comparative manner. Finally, upcoming extensions are discussed.
Jamaica: a World Wide Web profiler
Authors: Ho Chee‐Wai , Goh Angela
Published: July 2002

The Internet has caused an information explosion and created a need to efficiently determine the relevance of information. This paper describes a system named Jamaica, which profiles the interest of a Web surfer. Jamaica searches desired information using different search engines. The hits are verified to eradicate erroneous links and duplicated documents. Refinement is carried out to customize and rank the results. Jamaica is built on a client‐server architecture, achieving a compact, independent information profiler. Results of an evaluation carried out against a number of commercial search engines are shown to illustrate that Jamaica is able to obtain more relevant information compared to a single search engine.
Measurement in a cross‐cultural environment: survey translation issues
Authors: McGorry Susan Y.
Published: July 2002

Focuses on the issue of survey translation and different translation alternatives available to researchers. As marketers attempt to better understand and serve the needs of the global consumer, they face a culturally diverse population. When conducting research with different cultural groups, it is necessary to utilize culturally and linguistically appropriate instruments to measure various concepts. Frequently, details of instrument development are very limited, or omitted from presentation of research results. An instrument that is not properly adapted can have serious ramifications for study conclusions. This study attempts to identify alternatives for survey translation (specifically with a Hispanic subgroup), and provides some empirical evidence as to the effectiveness of a combination of these methods.
The rise and fall and rise of Japan’s stable shareholders
Authors: Johnston Stewart , McAlevey Lynn
Published: July 2002

A historical analysis of the industrial groupings distinctive to Japan demonstrates the existence of persistent cohorts of stable friendly shareholders within group company equity holdings. Over the years, these shareholders have performed various useful tasks for group companies especially with regard to ameliorating the effects of external threats to company governance or group coherence. A number of lessons for management are derived from this analysis.
Structural and dynamic characterization of an unfolded state of poplar apo‐plastocyanin formed under nondenaturing conditions
Authors: Bai Yawen , Chung John , Dyson H. Jane , Wright Peter E.
Published: July 2002

Plastocyanin is a predominantly β‐sheet protein containing a type I copper center. The conformational ensemble of a denatured state of apo‐plastocyanin formed in solution under conditions of low salt and neutral pH has been investigated by multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift assignments were obtained by using three‐dimensional triple‐resonance NMR experiments to trace through‐bond heteronuclear connectivities along the backbone and side chains. The 3JHN,Hα coupling constants, 15N‐edited proton–proton nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs), and 15N relaxation parameters were also measured for the purpose of structural and dynamic characterization. Most of the residues corresponding to β‐strands in the folded protein exhibit small upfield shifts of the 13Cα and 13CO resonances relative to random coil values, suggesting a slight preference for backbone dihedral angles in the β region of (ϕ,ψ) space. This is further supported by the presence of strong sequential dαN(i, i + 1) NOEs throughout the sequence. The few dNN(i, i + 1) proton NOEs that are observed are mostly in regions that form loops in the native plastocyanin structure. No medium or long‐range NOEs were observed. A short sequence, between residues 59 and 63, was found to populate a nonnative helical conformation in the unfolded state, as indicated by the shift of the 13Cα, 13CO, and 1Hα resonances relative to random coil values and by the decreased values of the 3JHN,Hα coupling constants. The 15N relaxation parameters indicate restriction of motions on a nanosecond timescale in this region. Intriguingly, this helical conformation is present in a sequence that is close to but not in the same location as the single short helix in the native folded protein. The results are consistent with earlier NMR studies of peptide fragments of plastocyanin and confirm that the regions of the sequence that form β‐strands in the native protein spontaneously populate the β‐region of (ϕ,ψ) space under folding conditions, even in the absence of stabilizing tertiary interactions. We conclude that the state of apo‐plastocyanin present under nondenaturing conditions is a noncompact unfolded state with some evidence of nativelike and nonnative local structuring that may be initiation sites for folding of the protein.
Crystal structures of a ddATP‐, ddTTP‐, ddCTP, and ddGTP‐ trapped ternary complex of Klentaq1: Insights into nucleotide incorporation and selectivity
Authors: Li Ying , Waksman Gabriel
Published: July 2002

The mechanism by which DNA polymerase I enzymes function has been the subject of extensive biochemical and structural studies. We previously determined the structure of a ternary complex of the large fragment of DNA polymerase I from Thermus aquaticus (Klentaq1) bound to a primer/template DNA and a dideoxycytidine 5′‐triphosphate (ddCTP). In this report, we present the details of the 2.3‐Å resolution crystal structures of three additional ternary complexes of Klentaq1 bound to a primer/template DNA and a dideoxyguanosine 5′‐triphosphate (ddGTP), a dideoxythymidine 5′‐triphosphate (ddTTP), or a dideoxyadenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ddATP). Comparison of the active site of the four ternary complexes reveals that the protein residues around the nascent base pair (that formed between the incoming dideoxynucleoside triphosphate [ddNTP] and the template base) form a snug binding pocket into which only a correct Watson‐Crick base pair can fit. Except in the ternary complex bound to dideoxyguanosine 5′‐triphosphate, there are no sequence specific contacts between the protein side chains and the nascent base pair, suggesting that steric constraints imposed by the protein onto the nascent base pair is the major contributor to nucleotide selectivity at the polymerase active site. The protein around the polymerase active site also shows plasticity, which may be responsible for the substrate diversity of the enzyme. Two conserved side chains, Q754 and R573, form hydrogen bonds with the N3 atom in the purine base and O2 atom in the pyrimidine base at the minor groove side of the base pair formed by the incorporated ddNMP and the corresponding template base in all the four ternary complexes. These hydrogen‐bonding interactions may provide a means of detecting misincorporation at this position.
Amyloid fibrils derived from the apolipoprotein A1 Leu174Ser variant contain elements of ordered helical structure
Authors: Mangione Palma , Sunde Margaret , Giorgetti Sofia , Stoppini Monica , Esposito Gennaro , Gianelli Luca , Obici Laura , Asti Lia , Andreola Alessia , Viglino Paolo , Merlini Giampaolo , Bellotti Vittorio
Published: July 2002

We recently described a new apolipoprotein A1 variant presenting a Leu174Ser replacement mutation that is associated with a familial form of systemic amyloidosis displaying predominant heart involvement. We have now identified a second unrelated patient with very similar clinical presentation and carrying the identical apolipoprotein A1 mutation. In this new patient the main protein constituent of the amyloid fibrils is the polypeptide derived from the first 93 residues of the protein, the identical fragment to that found in the patient previously described to carry this mutation. The X‐ray fiber diffraction pattern obtained from preparations of partially aligned fibrils displays the cross‐β reflections characteristic of all amyloid fibrils. In addition to these cross‐β reflections, other reflections suggest the presence of well‐defined coiled‐coil helical structure arranged with a defined orientation within the fibrils. In both cases the fibrils contain a trace amount of full‐length apolipoprotein A1 with an apparent prevalence of the wild‐type species over the variant protein. We have found a ratio of full‐length wild‐type to mutant protein in plasma HDL of three to one. The polypeptide 1–93 purified from natural fibrils can be solubilized in aqueous solutions containing denaturants, and after removal of denaturants it acquires a monomeric state that, based on CD and NMR studies, has a predominantly random coil structure. The addition of phospholipids to the monomeric form induces the formation of some helical structure, thought most likely to occur at the C‐terminal end of the polypeptide.
Structure of a malaria parasite antigenic determinant displayed on filamentous bacteriophage determined by NMR spectroscopy: Implications for the structure of continuous peptide epitopes of proteins
Authors: Monette Martine , Opella Stanley J. , Greenwood Judith , Willis Anne E. , Perham Richard N.
Published: July 2002

The NANP repeating sequence of the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum was displayed on the surface of fd filamentous bacteriophage as a 12‐residue insert (NANP)3 in the N‐terminal region of the major coat protein (pVIII). The structure of the epitope determined by multidimensional solution NMR spectroscopy of the modified pVIII protein in lipid micelles was shown to be a twofold repeat of an extended and non‐hydrogen‐bonded loop based on the sequence NPNA, demonstrating that the repeating sequence is NPNA, not NANP. Further, high resolution solid‐state NMR spectra of intact hybrid virions containing the modified pVIII proteins demonstrate that the peptides displayed on the surface of the virion adopt a single, stable conformation; this is consistent with their pronounced immunogenicity as well as their ability to mimic the antigenicity of their native parent proteins.
A critical investigation of the Tanford‐Kirkwood shceme by means of Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Da Silva Fernando LuífS B. , Jönsson Bo , Penfold Robert
Published: July 2002

Monte Carlo simulations are used to assess the adequacy of the Tanford‐Kirkwood prescription for electrostatic interactions in macromolecules. Within a continuum dielectric framework, the approach accurately describes salt screening of electrostatic interactions for moderately charged systems consistent with common proteins at physiological conditions. The limitations of the Debye‐Hückel theory, which forms the statistical mechanical basis for the Tanford‐Kirkwood result, become apparent for highly charged systems. It is shown, both by an analysis of the Debye‐Hückel theory and by numerical simulations, that the difference in dielectric permittivity between macromolecule and surrounding solvent does not play a significant role for salt effects if the macromolecule is highly charged. By comparison to experimental data, the continuum dielectric model (combined with either an approximate effective Hamiltonian as in the Tanford‐Kirkwood treatment or with exact Monte Carlo simulations) satisfactorily predicts the effects of charge mutation on metal ion binding constants, but only if the macromolecule and solvent are assigned the same or similar permittivities.
Seemingly Unrelated Negative Binomial Regression
Authors: Winkelmann Rainer
Published: July 2002

This paper discusses the specification and estimation of seemingly unrelated multivariate count data models. A new model with negative binomial marginals is proposed. In contrast to a previous model based on the multivariate Poisson distribution, the new model allows for over‐dispersion, a phenomenon that is frequently encountered in economic count data. Semi‐parametric estimation is possible if some of the assumption of the fully specified model are violated.
Dissociation of the store‐operated calcium current ICRAC and the Mg‐nucleotide‐regulated metal ion current MagNuM
Authors: Hermosura Meredith C. , Monteilh‐Zoller Mahealani K. , Scharenberg Andrew M. , Penner Reinhold , Fleig Andrea
Published: July 2002

Rat basophilic leukaemia cells (RBL‐2H3‐M1) were used to study the characteristics of the store‐operated Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ current (ICRAC) and the magnesium‐nucleotide‐regulated metal cation current (MagNuM) (which is conducted by the LTRPC7 channel). Pipette solutions containing 10 mm BAPTA and no added ATP induced both currents in the same cell, but the time to half‐maximal activation for MagNuM was about two to three times slower than that of ICRAC. Differential suppression of ICRAC was achieved by buffering free [Ca2+]i to 90 nm and selective inhibition of MagNuM was accomplished by intracellular solutions containing 6 mm Mg.ATP, 1.2 mm free [Mg2+]i or 100 μm GTP‐γ‐S, allowing investigations on these currents in relative isolation. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ caused both currents to be carried significantly by monovalent ions. In the absence or presence of free [Mg2+]i, ICRAC carried by monovalent ions inactivated more rapidly and more completely than MagNuM carried by monovalent ions. Since several studies have used divalent‐free solutions on either side of the membrane to study selectivity and single‐channel behaviour of ICRAC, these experimental conditions would have favoured the contribution of MagNuM to monovalent conductance and call for caution in interpreting results where both ICRAC and MagNuM are activated.
The dependence of binocular contrast sensitivities on binocular single vision in normal and amblyopic human subjects
Authors: Hood A. S. , Morrison J. D.
Published: July 2002

We have measured monocular and binocular contrast sensitivities in response to medium to high spatial frequencies of vertical sinusoidal grating patterns in normal subjects, anisometropic amblyopes, strabismic amblyopes and non‐amblyopic esotropes. On binocular viewing, contrast sensitivities were slightly but significantly increased in normal subjects, markedly increased in anisometropes and esotropes with anomalous binocular single vision (BSV) and significantly reduced in esotropes and exotropes without BSV. Application of a prismatic correction to the strabismic eye in order to achieve bifoveal stimulation resulted in a significant reduction in contrast sensitivity in esotropes with and without anomalous BSV, in exotropes and in non‐amblyopic esotropes. Control experiments in normal subjects with monocular viewing showed that degradative effects of the prism occurred only with high prism powers and at high spatial frequencies, thus establishing that the reduced contrast sensitivities were the consequence of bifoveal stimulation rather than optical degradation. Displacement of the image of the grating pattern by 2 deg in normal subjects and anisometropes by a dichoptic method to simulate a small angle esotropia had no effect on the contrast sensitivities recorded through the companion eye. By contrast, esotropes showed similar reductions in contrast sensitivity to those obtained with the prism experiments, confirming a fundamental difference between subjects with normal and abnormal ocular alignments. The results have thus established a suppressive action of the fovea of the amblyopic eye acting on the companion, non‐amblyopic eye and indicate that correction of ocular misalignments in adult esotropes may be disadvantageous to binocular visual performance.
Inward‐rectifying anion channels are expressed in the epithelial cells of choroid plexus isolated from ClC‐2 ‘knock‐out’ mice
Authors: Speake Tracey , Kajita Hidetoshi , Smith Craig P. , Brown Peter D.
Published: July 2002

Choroid plexus epithelial cells express inward‐rectifying anion channels which have a high HCO3− permeability. These channels are thought to have an important role in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid. The possible relationship between these channels and the ClC‐2 Cl− channel was investigated in the present study. RT‐PCR, using specific ClC‐2 primers, amplified a 238 bp fragment of mRNA from rat choroid plexus, which was 99 % identical to the 5′ sequence of rat ClC‐2. A 2005 bp clone was isolated from a rat choroid plexus cDNA library using a probe for ClC‐2. The clone showed greater than 99 % identity with the sequence of rat ClC‐2. Inward‐rectifying anion channels were observed in whole‐cell recordings of choroid plexus epithelial cells isolated from ClC‐2 knock‐out mice. The mean inward conductance was 19.6 ± 3.6 nS (n= 8) in controls (3 heterozygote animals), and 22.5 ± 3.1 nS (n= 10) in three knock‐out animals. The relative permeability of the conductances to I− and Cl− (PI : PCl) was determined. I− was more permeant than Cl− in both heterozygotes (PI:PCl= 4.0 ± 0.9, n= 3) and knock‐out animals (PI : PCl= 4.1 ± 1.4, n= 3). These results indicate that rat choroid plexus expresses the ClC‐2 variant that was originally reported in other tissues. ClC‐2 does not contribute significantly to inward‐rectifying anion conductance in mouse choroid plexus, which must therefore express a novel inward‐rectifying anion channel.
ASIC‐like, proton‐activated currents in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Baron Anne , Waldmann Rainer , Lazdunski Michel
Published: July 2002

The expression of mRNA for acid sensing ion channels (ASIC) subunits ASIC1a, ASIC2a and ASIC2b has been reported in hippocampal neurons, but the presence of functional hippocampal ASIC channels was never assessed. We report here the first characterization of ASIC‐like currents in rat hippocampal neurons in primary culture. An extracellular pH drop induces a transient Na+ current followed by a sustained non‐selective cation current. This current is highly sensitive to pH with an activation threshold around pH 6.9 and a pH0.5 of 6.2. About half of the total peak current is inhibited by the spider toxin PcTX1, which is specific for homomeric ASIC1a channels. The remaining PcTX1‐resistant ASIC‐like current is increased by 300 μm Zn2+ and, whereas not fully activated at pH 5, it shows a pH0.5 of 6.0 between pH 7.4 and 5. We have previously shown that Zn2+ is a co‐activator of ASIC2a‐containing channels. Thus, the hippocampal transient ASIC‐like current appears to be generated by a mixture of homomeric ASIC1a channels and ASIC2a‐containing channels, probably heteromeric ASIC1a+2a channels. The sustained non‐selective current suggests the involvement of ASIC2b‐containing heteromeric channels. Activation of the hippocampal ASIC‐like current by a pH drop to 6.9 or 6.6 induces a transient depolarization which itself triggers an initial action potential (AP) followed by a sustained depolarization and trains of APs. Zn2+ increases the acid sensitivity of ASIC channels, and consequently neuronal excitability. It is probably an important co‐activator of ASIC channels in the central nervous system.
Hypocretin (orexin) enhances neuron activity and cell synchrony in developing mouse GFP‐expressing locus coeruleus
Authors: van den Pol Anthony N. , Ghosh Prabhat K. , Liu Rong‐jian , Li Ying , Aghajanian George K. , Gao Xiao‐Bing
Published: July 2002

The noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) play an important role in modulating arousal and selective attention. A similar function has been attributed to the hypocretin neurons of the hypothalamus which maintain a strong synaptic projection to the LC. As the LC can be difficult to detect in the embryonic and neonatal mouse brain, we used a new transgenic mouse with strong GFP expression in the LC under the regulation of a mouse prion promoter. GFP colocalized with immunoreactive tyrosine hydroxylase in sections and dispersed cultures of the LC, allowing visualization and whole cell or single‐unit recording from the LC in early stages of cellular development. GFP expression in the LC had no apparent effect on cellular physiology, including resting membrane potential, input resistance, spike threshold, depolarization‐induced spike frequency increase, current‐voltage relations, or hypocretin responses. In slices of the mature mouse and rat LC, hypocretin‐1 and −2 increased spike frequency, with hypocretin‐1 being an order of magnitude more potent. In the postnatal day (P) 0‐2 developing mouse slice during a developmental period when spikes could be elicited in some cells, other developing LC neurons showed rhythmic, subthreshold oscillations (≈1 Hz) in membrane potential (2.9‐7.4 mV amplitude); others were arrhythmic. Hypocretin‐1 depolarized the membrane potential, resulting in the appearance of spikes in developing LC cells that showed no spikes under control conditions. In the presence of TTX and glutamate receptor antagonists, hypocretin‐1‐mediated inward currents were blocked by substitution of choline‐Cl for NaCl, suggesting an excitatory mechanism based on an inward cation current. Hypocretin‐1 initiated strong regular membrane voltage oscillations in arrhythmic immature neurons. Hypocretin increased the temporal synchrony of action potentials studied with dual‐cell recording in P1‐P5 mouse LC slices, consistent with the view that synchrony of LC output, associated with improved cognitive performance, may be increased by hypocretin. Together these data suggest that the hypothalamus, via hypocretin projections, may therefore be in a position to enhance arousal and modulate plasticity in higher brain centres through the developing LC.
On the Electric Potentials Inside a Charged Soft Hydrated Biological Tissue: Streaming Potential Versus Diffusion Potential
Authors: Lai W. Michael , Mow Van C. , Sun Daniel D. , Ateshian Gerard A.
Published: July 2002

The main objective of this study is to determine the nature of electric fields inside articular cartilage while accounting for the effects of both streaming potential and diffusion potential. Specifically, we solve two tissue mechano-electrochemical problems using the triphasic theories developed by Lai et al. (1991, ASME J. Biomech Eng., 113, pp. 245–258) and Gu et al. (1998, ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 120, pp. 169–180) (1) the steady one-dimensional permeation problem; and (2) the transient one-dimensional ramped-displacement, confined-compression, stress-relaxation problem (both in an open circuit condition) so as to be able to calculate the compressive strain, the electric potential, and the fixed charged density (FCD) inside cartilage. Our calculations show that in these two technically important problems, the diffusion potential effects compete against the flow-induced kinetic effects (streaming potential) for dominance of the electric potential inside the tissue. For softer tissues of similar FCD (i.e., lower aggregate modulus), the diffusion potential effects are enhanced when the tissue is being compressed (i.e., increasing its FCD in a nonuniform manner) either by direct compression or by drag-induced compaction; indeed, the diffusion potential effect may dominate over the streaming potential effect. The polarity of the electric potential field is in the same direction of interstitial fluid flow when streaming potential dominates, and in the opposite direction of fluid flow when diffusion potential dominates. For physiologically realistic articular cartilage material parameters, the polarity of electric potential across the tissue on the outside (surface to surface) may be opposite to the polarity across the tissue on the inside (surface to surface). Since the electromechanical signals that chodrocytes perceive in situ are the stresses, strains, pressures and the electric field generated inside the extracellular matrix when the tissue is deformed, the results from this study offer new challenges for the understanding of possible mechanisms that control chondrocyte biosyntheses. [S0148-0731(00)00604-X]