bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-viral delivery and optimized optogenetic stimulation of retinal ganglion cells led to behavioral restoration of vision
Authors: Gu Ling , Shivalingaiah Shivaranjani , Ficinski Mathew , Wong Edward , Mohanty Samarendra 
Published: February 2012

AbstractStimulation of retinal neurons using optogenetics via use of chanelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has opened up a new direction for restoration of vision for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Here, we report non-viral in-vivo electroporation of degenerated retina of adult RP-mice with ChR2-plasmids and subsequent in-vivo imaging of retina to confirm expression. Further, we demonstrate that in addition to efficient non-viral delivery of ChR2 to a specific retinal layer, threshold level of stimulation light needs to be delivered onto the retina for achieving successful behavioral outcome. Measurement of intensity of light reaching the retina of RP-mouse models along with geometrical optics simulation of light propagation in the eye is reported in order to determine the stimulating source position for optimal light delivery to the retina. The light-guided navigation of mice with ChR2 expressing retinal ganglion cells was found to be significantly improved over a long distance in correlation with stimulation intensity.
Readthrough of long-QT syndrome type 1 nonsense mutations rescues function but alters the biophysical properties of the channel
Authors: Harmer Stephen C. , Mohal Jagdeep S. , Kemp Duncan , Tinker Andrew 
Published: February 2012

The nonsense mutations R518X-KCNQ1 and Q530X-KCNQ1 cause LQT1 (long-QT syndrome type 1) and result in a complete loss of IKs channel function. In the present study we attempted to rescue the function of these mutants, in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells, by promoting readthrough of their PTCs (premature termination codons) using the pharmacological agents G-418, gentamicin and PTC124. Gentamicin and G-418 acted to promote full-length channel protein expression from R518X at 100 μM and from Q530X at 1 mM. In contrast, PTC124 did not, at any dose tested, induce readthrough of either mutant. G-418 (1 mM) treatment also acted to significantly (P&lt;0.05) increase current density and peak-tail current density, at +80 mV for R518X, but not Q530X, to 58±11% and 82±17% of the wild-type level respectively. However, the biophysical properties of the currents produced from R518X, while similar, were not identical with wild-type as the voltage-dependence of activation was significantly (P&lt;0.05) shifted by +25 mV. Overall, these findings indicate that although functional rescue of LQT1 nonsense mutations is possible, it is dependent on the degree of readthrough achieved and the effect on channel function of the amino acid substituted for the PTC. Such considerations will determine the success of future therapies.
An investigation of the web citations in Iran's chemistry articles in SCI
Authors: Mardani Amirhosein 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain knowledge about the status and characteristics of the current web citations in published articles by Iranian researchers in the Science Citation Index (SCI). Besides investigating the growth in the presence of web resources in publications, the paper examines the accessibility and decay of web resources. Furthermore, the author will examine the provided information by the URLs to determine whether the cited contents by the authors signify the same information as the URLs.Design/methodology/approachThe author used the survey research method. Thus, all documents by Iranian chemistry researchers recorded in the SCI database during 2006‐2009 were identified and then transferred to an Excel base. After a one‐by‐one examination, 46,762 web citations were extracted from a total number of 10,333 documents and were then analyzed, with the aid of two research assistants, in two months time (November and December of 2010), as specified in the research objectives. The citations were categorized into nine groups based on the feedback from the URLs' entries in the Internet Explorer browser.FindingsThe results showed that 46,762 citations (20 percent) of the total 187,823 available citations in the articles included web citations. The proportion percentage of web citations increased from 9 percent in 2006 to 39 percent in 2009. The average number of web citations for every article is 4.52. The most widely cited top level domains in URLs include the.org and.edu with, respectively, 31 percent and 23 percent; and when compared to other domains they reveal a greater tendency for stability. The highest percentage of inactive URLs was found to be associated with the .gov top level domain. Ultimately, 40,954 web citations were rendered accessible, of which 79 percent allowed easy and long‐term access to the authors' information intended in URLs. The decay rate for citations reveals an annual 5.2 percent increase. Long‐time inaccessibility to the authors' same intended information was shown to be mostly from URLs that returned the 404 error and also the URLs that had gone through information update. An about eight year half‐life was estimated for Iran's chemistry publications, which is rather promising in comparison with other fields of study.Originality/valueThe paper offers a quantitative analysis of the state of web citations application among chemistry researchers in Iran and voices concerns related to web citations in the publications in this field. The results of this study may be useful for providers of web contents, authors and editors in the field of chemistry publications.
Bridging the information gap with the patrons in university libraries in Africa
Authors: Ondieki Makori Elisha 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and demonstrate the extent to which university libraries in Africa are bridging the information gap through the use of web 2.0 systems, including challenges and prospects.Design/methodology/approachThe review adopted a combination of various data collection methods and approaches, including current academic literature, document analysis, desk review guides and reports on university libraries.FindingsReview results indicate that few university libraries in Africa have embraced the use and application of web 2.0 systems. It is regrettable that web 2.0 is not new in libraries, although many African university libraries have not adopted the concept. Web 2.0 systems, including blog, delicious, YouTube and Facebook among others, are no longer a preserve of commercial organizations.Research limitations/implicationsThe review involved university libraries in Africa because of their perceived role in creation, management, preservation, transmission or diffusion and utilization of information and knowledge. University libraries provide information services to support research, teaching, learning, and community activities of respective universities.Practical implicationsUniversity libraries in African countries face various challenges in implementation of web 2.0 systems. Web 2.0 systems have proved to be useful in addressing issues and challenges of open, distance and e‐learning programmes. Information professionals should support implementation and use of relevant web 2.0 systems.Social implicationsAcross the globe, university libraries are increasingly using web 2.0 systems to support, promote and extend information services to their patrons. In the modern information world 2.0, it is important for university libraries to identify relevant web 2.0 systems and integrate them into mainstream library and information services.Originality/valueThe review provides useful insights regarding the use and application of web 2.0 systems in university libraries in Africa.
Shifting frontiers of control during closedown processes
Authors: Wigblad Rune , Hansson Magnus , Townsend Keith , Lewer John 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis paper aims to explore and analyse how shifting frontiers of control emerge and change the labour process so that restrictions to output become diminished, subsequently affecting organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachMultiple case study design. Interviews with 104 respondents. Analysis of productivity statistics in order to test for the statistical significance of the closedown effect. Single multiple regression analysis of the comparative strength, of the closedown effect, between cases.FindingsShifting frontiers of control arise during the closedown process, a control system characterised by markedly unrestricted autonomy for the workers as the management frontiers of control abate. This provides an operative space for informal work practices, innovation and emerging new industrial relations, accounting for the higher levels of output.Research limitations/implicationsA multiple case study of three different manufacturing organisations, with comparably long closedown periods. The authors do not analyse the sustainability of the increase in output or the generalisibility of the closedown effect to other industries.Practical implicationsIt is possible to anticipate improved productivity if shifting frontiers of control are rapidly replacing the old. If management abandons the old control mechanisms, previous to the closedown decision, and provides operative space for workers' initiatives and informal leadership during the closedown process, it is possible to expect good performance, enabling a scope for extended closedown periods.Originality/valueThis is the first study that analyses the comparative strength of the closedown effect and how restricted work practices change under the process of closedown.
HRM integration mechanism usage in MNC subsidiaries in China
Authors: Smale Adam , Björkman Ingmar , Sumelius Jennie 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe present study sought to shed light on the antecedents of HRM integration mechanism usage in MNCs and to establish the extent to which antecedents differ in importance across different mechanism types.Design/methodology/approachA set of hypotheses was developed and tested on a sample of 76 European‐owned subsidiaries located in China.FindingsThe results show that the use of HRM integration mechanisms is greater in more capital‐intensive subsidiaries that employ larger numbers of expatriates. Post‐hoc analyses provide support for the view that integration mechanisms are used in a complementary fashion rather than as substitutes.Research limitations/implicationsThe study did not include the MNC's strategic international HRM orientation and the sample size is rather small. The results of the study do not allow any conclusions to be drawn regarding the effectiveness of the mechanisms, however this would be a fruitful issue to pursue in future research.Originality/valueThe paper addresses a neglected issue in the international HRM literature, namely the mechanisms through which MNCs integrate HRM practices across their foreign subsidiaries, and why and how they are used. More specifically, this study makes its contribution by combining multiple mechanisms of HRM integration and providing explanations for their differential usage.
Still a mixed bag
Authors: Watson Alex P. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis study seeks to gauge student use of open internet sources for the purpose of refining instruction and information literacy pedagogy in the library.Design/methodology/approachThe authors obtained citations from seven spring 2009 freshman composition classes at the University of Mississippi. From this pool of roughly 230 students, 437 citations to the open web were isolated, examined, and coded for analysis.FindingsExamination of the individual web sites, their URLs, and relevant codes revealed heavy student use of online reference and how‐to materials, many of which were less than ideal as academic sources, but not openly inappropriate as such.Research limitations/implicationsThe citations were stripped of all personal information at the department's request; therefore the research does not and cannot comment on student topics and individual assignments. The findings suggest that University of Mississippi students may be able to identify and avoid low quality sources but struggle with mediocre ones, and that use of online reference works represents low student awareness of library reference collections.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that a greater emphasis on open web sources, possibly as supplemental tutorials or videos, may be useful in the context of first‐year composition library instruction.Originality/valueThis study provides statistical data about college freshmen and their citations in a first‐year writing class in addition to a thorough literature review of similar studies, both of which will be of interest to instruction librarians and writing program liaisons.
Incorporation and visibility of reference and social networking tools on ARL member libraries' websites
Authors: June Rod‐Welch Leila 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate 125 research libraries in North America to identify whether they incorporate reference and social networking tools in their library's website.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis of 125 library websites is conducted to determine whether libraries who are members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) incorporate and promote reference and social networking tools in their website. For the purpose of this study, a list of reference and social networking tools was chosen and each library's website was visited to determine first, which reference and social networking tools from this list appear on their library's homepage and, second, which tools appear elsewhere on the library's website.FindingsThe results show that even though most of these reference and social networking tools are incorporated into their library's websites, their presence is lower on their library's homepage.Practical implicationsAcademic and research libraries should incorporate reference and social networking tools on their library's homepage to make these services more visible and more easily accessible to their users.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the importance of the right placement for reference and social networking tools on ARL websites.
Vocational status and perceived well‐being of workers with disabilities
Authors: Konrad Alison M. , Moore Mark E. , Doherty Alison J. , Ng Eddy S.W. , Breward Katherine 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the different employment statuses of under‐employment, temporary employment, unemployment and non‐participation in the labor force are associated with perceived well‐being among persons with disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) conducted by Statistics Canada to develop six categories of employment status. OLS regression analysis was used for hypothesis testing.FindingsFindings indicated that fully utilized permanent employees show the highest level of life satisfaction while unemployed persons searching for work have the lowest levels of life satisfaction and the highest levels of perceived workplace discrimination. Permanent employees whose skills are greatly underutilized show the second‐lowest level of life satisfaction and equally high perceived workplace discrimination as unemployed persons. Non‐participants in the labor force show life satisfaction levels similar to those of permanent moderately underutilized employees as well as temporary employees, but report relatively little workplace discrimination.Originality/valueThe study links vocational status to the psychological well‐being of persons with disabilities in a large representative sample covering the full spectrum of disability types and occupational statuses. As such, it validates conclusions from smaller studies examining single organizations or focusing on workers with specific types of disabilities.
Diversity in goal orientation, team performance, and internal team environment
Authors: Russo Marcello 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test a model in which diversity in goal orientation is associated with decreased team performance by virtue of reduced group information elaboration. In addition, the model considers the moderating role of internal team environment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of an empirical research in which the hypothesized relationships are investigated using hierarchical multiple‐regression analyses.FindingsThe findings show that teams high in diversity in goal orientation report lower levels of performance because of the lower group information elaboration. However, in the presence of a supportive team environment the negative relationship of diversity in goal orientation on group information elaboration are reduced.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on a cross‐sectional design.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests management should consider goal orientation in team building, and provide interventions to improve team environment.Social implicationsDiversity has relevant consequences on interpersonal relations, decision‐making processes, and team performance. The results of the present study suggest ways in which teams might leverage the benefits of diversity and reduce coordination problems associated with it.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the diversity team literature by expanding Nederveen‐Pieterse and colleagues' research on diversity in goal orientation by emphasizing the role of internal team environment as moderator in the relationship between diversity in goal orientation and group information elaboration.
Why and how can “sleeping beauties” be awakened?
Authors: Wang Juncheng , Ma Feicheng , Chen Minjie , Rao Yiqing 
Published: February 2012

Purpose“Sleeping beauties” are very common in science, so this paper aims to uncover the reasons and formulation mechanism of information awakening on a more general level. Based on this, the paper will further propose useful strategies to awaken those “sleeping beauties” earlier.Design/methodology/approachExplanation‐building of case study is used to develop some models of information awakening and also to uncover different types of reasons for triggering academic information to be awakened.FindingsBased on the three basic elements of information utilisation, namely, information value, access channel and user needs, the paper summarises several reasons for information awakening: the information value is re‐mined because of the relevance among various information; different uses of information are discovered; information availability and visibility are improved; information is placed into the appropriate place; and, with time passing by, demands for the information rise.Practical implicationsThe presence of excessive “sleeping beauties” is not only a kind of idleness and waste to knowledge, but also may result in aggravation of information redundancy and increasing cost of storage. The revelation of its essence and reasons is not only helpful to establish better management mechanism to awaken “sleeping beauties” and thus to maximise their value, but also helpful to distinguish “sleeping beauties” from “pseudo‐sleeping beauties” as early as possible, so that all that worthless information can be cleared up without hesitation.Originality/valueMost existing studies remain on the level of collecting instances and interpreting specific cases, but this paper investigates reasons from a more general level. What is more, current understandings are very one‐sided in that they treat information awakening and delayed recognition as the same, so this paper clarifies their differentiation and summarises the reasons comprehensively.
Design and performance evaluation of mobile web services in libraries
Authors: Wang Chun‐Yi , Ke Hao‐Ren , Lu Wen‐Chen 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis research aims to use the Oriental Institute of Technology Library (the OIT Library) in Taiwan as a case to introduce some of the mobile web services which can be provided by a library, as well as to investigate and discuss the first two mobile web services offered by the OIT Library, the due‐day reminder and renewal‐request services, at length. Furthermore, the performance evaluation of the two services is conducted.Design/methodology/approachThis research employs system logs and patron questionnaires to understand the effectiveness of, and patron satisfaction toward, the two services.FindingsResults of system log analysis show that the usage of the two services improves the average number of overdue occurrences, average amount of overdue fines, average amount of overdue fines per transaction, and average overdue rate; furthermore, the use of the services also indirectly increases the number of items borrowed by patrons, which corresponds with the questionnaire analysis as well. Results of questionnaire analysis show that 71.3 per cent and 87.5 per cent of the respondents are strongly satisfied with the due‐day reminder and renewal‐request services, respectively.Practical implicationsAs a case study, this research provides a direction on designing mobile web services for a library. In addition, it points out how to evaluate the performance and patron satisfaction of mobile web services through system log analysis and patron questionnaire.Originality/valueThis research increases the understanding of what mobile web services can be offered by a library. In addition, many previous studies only describe certain kinds of mobile web services without showing their efficacy; however, this research evaluates the efficacy of two mobile web services in the OIT Library by an unobtrusive system log analysis, which is then complemented by a patron questionnaire.
An exhibition guiding system with enhanced interactive functions
Authors: Lin Hsien‐Tang , Lan Lawrence W. 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThis study aims to develop a highly interactive exhibition guiding system which enables both authors and visitors to interact with one another on an exhibition site.Design/methodology/approachThe guiding system was designed with a “pull‐type” concept in a way that a handheld device must be close to a specific work to “pull” the information out of that work. The highly interactive functions between visitors and authors or among visitors were enabled by the Web 2.0. Verification and validation of the system's functions were tested in an art gallery with PDAs utilizing passive RFID readers and tags. A questionnaire survey was conducted to learn of the opinions from authors and visitors after they used the system.FindingsThe verification and validation test showed that all the functions have met the predefined requirements. The results of the questionnaire survey also revealed that the majority were satisfied with the interactive guiding system.Practical implicationsNot only can the system perform the guide tasks well, but it also allows the users to select interested modules so as to avoid overloading the irrelevant information. Additionally, the visitors can chat with unacquainted visitors who are onsite and have the same taste on a specific artwork, and the authors can visualize the visitors' comments, recommendations, and suggestions on their works in a real‐time manner.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the proposed system has some innovative features. It enables the authors to interact with the visitors, to understand the visitors' thoughts and opinions on their works, and to share the ideas of their creativity with the interested visitors onsite. On the other hand, it also enables the visitors to interact with the authors and other visitors. The visitors can recommend appreciated works to others, provide their comments and suggestions, visualize others' comments and suggestions, and exchange their views with those who are onsite and even recommend the same works.