bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standards to assure quality in tertiary education: the case of Tanzania
Authors: Manyaga Timothy 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide information on development of standards in Tanzania which may be of help to training providers in other countries as they seek to improve the quality and standards of their provision.Design/methodology/approachThe need to provide quality assured tertiary qualifications in Tanzania to win both national and international recognition is explained. Processes of registration of institutions capable of delivering training programmes adequately and accreditation of the same to offer awards at appropriate levels as a means to ensure quality of provision are explored. Standards of good practice in Tanzanian tertiary education are surveyed and the challenges to their achievement are discussed based on the author's direct experience in Tanzania. Relevant and recent literatures on the topic are surveyed and some lessons drawn.FindingsAccreditation standards are useful in instilling best practices in education and training. However, education and training institutions need to understand and practice them over a period of time to bring about expected results. It is concluded that ensuring quality in education is a multifaceted phenomenon that calls for the joint efforts of all key stakeholders.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates that the National Council for Technical Education is one of the first regulatory bodies in Africa to introduce academic quality standards in tertiary technical institutions. Notable improvements have been recorded since its inception. The experience described is the paper is not very common, so other countries taking similar steps may find it useful.
Reporting intellectual capital in Spain
Authors: Oliveras Ester , Gowthorpe Catherine , Kasperskaya Yulia , Perramon Jordi 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the growing literature field of intellectual capital (IC) by analysing corporate IC disclosures by leading Spanish firms over a three‐year period from 2000 to 2002.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis methodology was applied to the annual reports of 12 Spanish companies over a three‐year period.FindingsA statistically significant increase was found in the volume of IC disclosures over a three‐year period. There is a greater volume of communication in the area of external (customer/relational) capital than in either internal or employee capital. This corresponds with the results of other country‐based studies. However, IC reporting remains at a relatively limited level, and disclosures are dominated by customer relational items.Originality/valueThis paper makes an original contribution to the growing body of empirical studies on IC reporting and describes the development of IC reporting in Spain.
High‐quality In0.47Ga0.53N/GaN heterostructure on Si(111) and its application to MSM detector
Authors: Chuah L.S. , Hassan Z. , Abu Hassan H. 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to report on the use of radio frequency nitrogen plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy (RF‐MBE) to grow high‐quality n‐type In0.47Ga0.53N/GaN on Si(111) substrate using AlN as a buffer layer.Design/methodology/approachStructural analyses of the InGaN films were performed by using X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and Hall measurement. Metal‐semiconductor‐metal (MSM) photodiode was fabricated on the In0.47Ga0.53N/Si(111) films. Electrical analysis of the MSM photodiodes was carried out by using current‐voltage (I‐V) measurements. Ideality factors and Schottky barrier heights for Ni/In0.47Ga0.53N, was deduced to be 1.01 and 0.60 eV, respectively.FindingsThe In0.47Ga0.53N MSM photodiode shows a sharp cut‐off wavelength at 840 nm. A maximum responsivity of 0.28 A/W was achieved at 839 nm. The detector shows a little decrease in responsivity from 840 to 200 nm. The responsivity of the MSM drops by nearly two orders of magnitude across the cut‐off wavelength.Originality/valueFocuses on III‐nitride semiconductors, which are of interest for applications in high temperature/power electronic devices.
Can corruption and economic crime be controlled in developing countries and if so, is it cost‐effective?
Authors: Ksenia Gerasimova 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to assess international efforts in combating corruption and their implications for developing countries. The paper discusses the globalized character of corruption in the modern world together with methods applicable to combat the problem.Design/methodology/approachThe investigation is structured at two levels: the policies are studied at the organizational level and by sector, by looking at money laundering and bribery – two economic crimes that are widespread in the developing world. This identifies major trends in the international instruments to combat corruption and assess their efficiency. The main method is cost‐benefit analysis.FindingsThe findings of this paper are: initially positive ideas of enhancing control and prosecution of economic crime are not bringing the expected results. The criminal law enforcement approach chosen by the main international organizations – UN, World Bank, and EU – is not effective.Practical implicationsUntil the approach of the international organizations changes and the priority is given to the principle of prevention rather than punishment, the costs of controlling economic crimes in the developing countries are unnecessarily high and not worthwhile.Originality/valueAlthough the findings sound quite criticizing, they provide insights to possible amendments to the policies implemented.
Public relations research priorities: a Delphi study
Authors: Watson Tom 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and rank the most important topics for research in the field of public relations. An associated outcome was to propose the research questions most closely linked to the prioritised topics.Design/methodology/approachAn international Delphi study on the priorities for public relations research, conducted in 2007 amongst academics, practitioners and senior executives of professional and industry bodies was used to investigate expert opinion on research priorities for public relations. This choice of qualitative methodology replicated earlier studies by McElreath, White and Blamphin, Synnott and McKie, and Van Ruler et al.FindingsThe role of public relations in the strategic operation of organisations, and the creation of value by public relations through social capital and relationships were ranked most highly. Some outcomes were comparable with earlier studies; for instance, evaluation of public relations programmes ranked third in this study and was amongst the leaders in the Synnott and McKie study. Only the topic “management of relationships” was wholly new, whereas “impact of technology on public relations practice and theory” ranked much lower than a decade ago.Research limitations/implicationsThe Delphi study method is a small scale qualitative process which limits generalisability, unless the choice of “experts” and their active participation can demonstrate that there is validity in its outcomes.Practical implicationsThe research gives valuable insight into the main public relations research areas and will allow academics and practitioners to work closely together to improve understanding of public relations.Originality/valueThis is the first completed Delphi study into public relations research priorities since Synnott and McKie.
Web‐mining applications in e‐commerce and e‐services
Authors: Ting I‐Hsien 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this guest editorial is to introduce the papers in this special issue.Design/methodology/approachA brief introduction about the issue of web‐mining applications in e‐commerce and e‐services is provided, along with a summary of the main contributions of the papers that are included in the special issue.FindingsThe value of web‐mining techniques can be enhanced through applying them to real environments such as e‐commerce and e‐services. The research fields of web mining, e‐commerce and e‐services can also be expanded.Originality/valueAn overview of the special issue and related research is provided in this paper.
Investigating the human computer interaction problems with automated teller machine navigation menus
Authors: Curran Kevin , King David 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe automated teller machine (ATM) has become an integral part of our society. However, using the ATM can often be a frustrating experience as people frequently reinsert cards to conduct multiple transactions. This has led to the research question of whether ATM menus are designed in an optimal manner. This paper aims to address the issues.Design/methodology/approachThis research set out to investigate a number of high‐street bank ATM menus. The design of each banks menu system was recreated in a laboratory environment and user evaluation observations were made. The findings were then used to create a “best‐of‐breed” ATM and this was evaluated with respect to usability against the current breed of ATM menu.FindingsAn optimal ATM navigation menu was designed, which ultimately reduces transaction times. The user is always prompted after a transaction asking the question “Would you like another transaction?” This is also the case when withdrawing cash, eliminating the problem of having to reinsert their card for another transaction.Originality/valueThe main objective was to design a “best‐of‐breed” ATM menu system. This was achieved in the form of the OptiATM. The OptiATM menu design, outperformed the navigation systems on the existing bank menus and was found to be a more usable and efficient system than existing ATMs. The new system was designed to resolve the problem of users having to reinsert their ATM cards to carry out another transaction and to speed‐up transaction times.
Novel Pathway for Catabolism of the Organic Sulfur Compound 3,3′-Dithiodipropionic Acid via 3-Mercaptopropionic Acid and 3-Sulfinopropionic Acid to Propionyl-Coenzyme A by the Aerobic Bacterium
Tetrathiobacter mimigardefordensis
Strain DPN7
Authors: Wübbeler Jan Hendrik , Bruland Nadine , Kretschmer Kornelia , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

The hitherto unstudied microbial degradation of the organic disulfide 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid (DTDP) was investigated with the recently described bacterium
Tetrathiobacter mimigardefordensis
strain DPN7
T
(DSM 17166
T
; LMG 22922
T
), which is able to use DTDP as the sole carbon source for growth. 3-Mercaptopropionic acid (3MP) and 3-sulfinopropionic acid (3SP) were detected in the growth medium and occurred as intermediates during DTDP degradation. To identify genes coding for enzymes of DTDP catabolism, Tn
5
::
mob
-induced mutants of
T. mimigardefordensis
were generated. Screening of transposon mutant libraries yielded many mutants fully or partially impaired in utilizing DTDP as a carbon source. Mapping of the insertion loci in some mutants identified four disrupted open reading frames (ORFs) with putative metabolic functions. The ORFs were assigned function on the basis of homologies with
lpdA
(EC 1.8.1.4),
cdo
(EC 1.13.11.20),
sucCD
(EC 6.2.1.5), and
acnB
(EC 4.2.1.3). Tn
5
::
mob
insertions occurred additionally in the vicinity of heat shock protein-encoding genes. The predicted function of the LpdA homologue in
T. mimigardefordensis
is cleavage of the disulfide bond of DTDP to form two molecules of 3MP. Cdo catalyzes the conversion of the sulfhydryl group of 3MP, yielding the corresponding sulfinic acid, 3SP. SucCD exhibits thiokinase activity, ligating coenzyme A (CoA) with 3SP to form 3SP-CoA. Afterwards, an elimination of sulfite via a putative desulfinase is expected.
acnB
encodes a putative 2-methylisocitrate dehydratase. Therefore, a new pathway is proposed for the catabolism of DTDP via 3MP, 3SP, and 3SP-CoA toward propionyl-CoA, which is then further catabolized via the 2-methylcitric acid cycle in
T. mimigardefordensis
.
Seismic-induced permanent displacement of geosynthetic-reinforced segmental retaining walls
Authors: Cai Z , Bathurst R J 
Published: May 2008

This paper describes the application of conventional displacement methods to estimate seismic-induced permanent displacements of geosynthetic-reinforced segmental retaining walls constructed on firm foundations. Permanent displacements associated with three sliding mechanisms are investigated: (1) external sliding along the base of the total wall structure; (2) internal sliding along a reinforcement layer and through the facing column; and (3) block interface shear between facing column units. A pseudostatic method based on the Mononobe-Okabe earth pressure theory is used to determine the value of critical acceleration associated with each potential failure mechanism. Newmark's sliding block displacement method and a number of emperical methods are briefly summarized and can be used to estimate the permanent displacements of segmental retaining walls. An example is given to illustrate the application of the methods presented. Key words: segmental retaining walls, geosynthetics, seismic, Newmark, sliding block, displacement methods.
Errors in estimates of void ratio of laboratory sand specimens
Authors: Vaid Y P , Sivathayalan S 
Published: May 2008

Serious errors in assigning void ratio to a laboratory sand specimen can occur due to poor resolutions in the measurement of its physical dimensions. The extent of these errors for given resolutions in the measurements of specimen diameter and (or) height is discussed, and their implications in estimates of undrained residual strength are pointed out in the steady-state analysis of sand structures that could be susceptible to flow slides. Alternatives for a more confident and consistent assignment of void ratio are proposed that circumvent the generally low resolutions in measurements of specimen diameter and height and utilize only the high-resolution mass measurements. Key words: measurement resolution, void ratio error, sand, liquefaction, residual strength, flow slide.
ATF4-dependent transcription is a key mechanism in VEGF up-regulation by oxidized phospholipids: critical role of oxidized sn-2 residues in activation of unfolded protein response
Authors: Oskolkova Olga V. , Afonyushkin Taras , Leitner Alexander , von Schlieffen Elena , Gargalovic Peter S. , Lusis Aldons J. , Binder Bernd R. , Bochkov Valery N. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
We have shown previously that oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs), known to accumulate in atherosclerotic vessels, stimulate angiogenesis via induction of autocrine mediators, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We now address the pathways mediating up-regulation of VEGF in human endothelial cells treated with OxPLs. Analysis of structure-function relationship using individual species of OxPLs demonstrated a close relation between induction of VEGF and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Inducers of UPR up-regulated VEGF, whereas inhibition of UPR by chemical chaperones or knock-down of cochaperone HTJ-1 inhibited elevation of VEGF mRNA induced by OxPLs. OxPLs induced protein expression of activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4), an important effector of UPR. Expression levels of VEGF in OxPL-treated cells strongly correlated with induction of the ATF4 target genes ATF3 and TRB3. Knocking down ATF4 was paralleled by loss of VEGF induction by OxPLs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that OxPLs stimulated binding of ATF4 to a regulatory site in the VEGFA gene. Taken together, these data characterize UPR and more specifically its ATF4 branch as an important mechanism mediating up-regulation of VEGF by OxPLs, and allow hypothesizing that the UPR cascade might play a role in pathologic angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques.
IL-2 triggers specific signaling pathways in human NKT cells leading to the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Bessoles Stéphanie , Fouret Frédéric , Dudal Sherri , Besra Gurdyal S , Sanchez Françoise , Lafont Virginie 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNKT cells belong to a conserved T lymphocyte subgroup that has been implicated in the regulation of various immune responses, including responses to viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They express a semi-invariant TCR that recognizes glycolipids presented by the nonpolymorphic MHC class I-like molecule CD1d, and upon activation, they produce various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have shed light on the nature of glycolipids and the environmental signals that may influence the production of cytokines by NKT cells and thus, modulate the immune response. To better understand the regulation mechanisms of NKT cells, we explored their behavior following activation by IL-2 and investigated the signaling pathways and biological responses triggered. We demonstrated that IL-2 activates not only STAT3 and -5 and the PI-3K and ERK-2 pathways as in all IL-2 responder cells but also STAT4 as in NK cells and the p38 MAPK pathway as in αβ T cells. We also showed that STAT6 is activated by IL-2 in NKT cells. Moreover, IL-2 induces the production of IFN-γ and IL-4. The ability of IL-2 to induce pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, in addition to proliferation, could open new therapeutic approaches for use in combination with molecules that activate NKT cells through TCR activation.
Pseudo-science?
Authors: Marjot D. H. 
Published: May 2008

Our countrymen, including ourselves, share numerous prejudices.We are sexist, racist, ageist, chauvinist (an un reasonable patriotism), and classisi (by birth, wealth or education). We also share that fear, dislike and rejection of the mentally disordered, which I would like to call the prejudice of ‘psychiatrism’. Not only those who suffer are stigmatised – but so are their carers.
Behavioural-cognitive psychotherapy training for psychiatrists
Authors: Stern Richard 
Published: May 2008

“The therapist can cite Bertrand Russell's observation that the degree of certainty with which one holds a belief is inversely related to the truth of that belief. Fanatics are true believers, scientists are sceptics”. (Beck et al, 1979)I propose to describe the evolution of behavioural treatments, and the more recent leap forward made by cognitive therapy. Exciting new treatments are now available that did not exist when I was a trainee. The accepted term for these treatments is “behavioural-cognitive psychotherapy’ (BCPT). They are behavioural in the sense that emphasis is on observable behaviour, e.g. avoidance of supermarkets in agoraphobia. They are cognitive because many approaches involve working with patients' thoughts, e.g. the negative thinking of depressed patients. The treatment is psychotherapy as it is therapy that works at the mind level, rather than at say the synaptic level as pharmacotherapy does. BCPT combines well with pharmacotherapy, and other therapeutic methods such as social therapy, and so is suitable for a multidisciplinary approach to a psychiatric problem, as well as offering specific techniques for identified disorders.
Early evolution of multifocal optics for well-focused colour vision in vertebrates
Authors: Gustafsson O. S. E. , Collin S. P. , Kröger R. H. H. 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARY
Jawless fishes (Agnatha; lampreys and hagfishes) most closely resemble the earliest stage in vertebrate evolution and lamprey-like animals already existed in the Lower Cambrian [about 540 million years ago (MYA)]. Agnathans are thought to have separated from the main vertebrate lineage at least 500 MYA. Hagfishes have primitive eyes, but the eyes of adult lampreys are well-developed. The southern hemisphere lamprey, Geotria australis,possesses five types of opsin genes, three of which are clearly orthologous to the opsin genes of jawed vertebrates. This suggests that the last common ancestor of all vertebrate lineages possessed a complex colour vision system. In the eyes of many bony fishes and tetrapods, well-focused colour images are created by multifocal crystalline lenses that compensate for longitudinal chromatic aberration. To trace the evolutionary origins of multifocal lenses,we studied the optical properties of the lenses in four species of lamprey(Geotria australis, Mordacia praecox, Lampetra fluviatilis and Petromyzon marinus), with representatives from all three of the extant lamprey families. Multifocal lenses are present in all lampreys studied. This suggests that the ability to create well-focused colour images with multifocal optical systems also evolved very early.
A Novel Anti-Slip Pad for Improving Steering when Exiting a Ski Lift on a Snowboard
Authors: Böhm Harald , Souckova Milena , Hösl Matthias , Senner Veit 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
While using ski lifts, snowboarders take the rear foot out of the binding. Therefore, steering abilities of the board are reduced, which leads to falls, potentially followed by injuries. In the past, several kinds of anti-slip pads have been introduced to provide friction between the board and the boot of the free foot. The purpose of this study was to check the usability of a novel anti-slip pad, consisting of a commonly used rubber footprint and an additional rim providing vertical grip for the frontal toes. The optimal position of the rim, with respect to maximizing the connection between the free foot and snowboard while minimizing the dexterity required to properly place the free foot into the anti-slip position, was not known. Hence, three different rim positions were evaluated based on the user opinion of which pad provided better steering abilities. Forty snowboarders assigned to three different levels, i.e., beginner, advanced, and expert, were asked to perform a series of pairwise comparisons between three prototype anti-slip pads (each with a different rim position) and an anti-slip pad with no rim for both frontside and backside turns. They performed a pairwise comparison of two prototypes while exiting a ski lift simulator. Consistent results of the preferences were found for the beginners and advanced group in both backside and frontside turns. The expert’s preferences were significantly inconsistent and were therefore not convincing. For beginners and advanced snowboarders, the novel rim on the anti-slip pad enhanced the perceived steering abilities during backside turns. For the frontside turns, the rim was only useful for the advanced group. The preferred rim orientation was perpendicular or slightly backward orient with respect to the direction of travel. As the rim was assessed to improve steering qualities, it could provide more safety during the use of lifts in snowboarding.