bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implications of incorrect determination of fetal sex by ultrasound
Authors: Chigbu Chibuike Ogwuegbu , Odugu Boniface , Okezie Obioma 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjective: To assess the experiences of women following incorrect determination of fetal sex by ultrasound. Method: A 3‐year prospective cohort study of 102 women with discordance between fetal sex determined by ultrasound scan and birth sex. Participants were interviewed using 2 structured pretested questionnaires. The first questionnaire was undertaken within 24 h of delivery. The women were followed up with a second questionnaire 6–9 months later. In‐depth interviews were also carried out at this time. Results: Women who had received an incorrect determination of fetal sex by ultrasound experienced marital conflicts, domestic violence, negative perceptions of ultrasound, and a desire for reversal of tubal ligation. Conclusion: Incorrect determination of fetal sex by ultrasound has implications that can affect the mental and psychological health of the mother and the upbringing of the newborn.
Metabolomics Reveals Novel Pathways and Differential Mechanistic and Elicitor-Specific Responses in Phenylpropanoid and Isoflavonoid Biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula Cell Cultures
Authors: Farag Mohamed A. , Huhman David V. , Dixon Richard A. , Sumner Lloyd W. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet photodiode array detection and ion-trap mass spectrometry was used to analyze the intra- and extracellular secondary product metabolome of Medicago truncatula cell suspension cultures responding to yeast elicitor (YE) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Data analysis revealed three phases of intracellular response to YE: a transient response in mainly (iso)flavonoid metabolites such as formononetin and biochanin-A that peaked at 12 to 18 h following elicitation and then declined; a sustained response through 48 h for compounds such as medicarpin and daidzin; and a lesser delayed and protracted response starting at 24 h postelicitation, e.g. genistein diglucoside. In contrast, most compounds excreted to the culture medium reached maximum levels at 6 to 12 h postelicitation and returned to basal levels by 24 h. The response to MeJA differed significantly from that to YE. Although both resulted in accumulation of the phytoalexin medicarpin, coordinated increases in isoflavonoid precursors were only observed for YE and not MeJA-treated cells. However, MeJA treatment resulted in a correlated decline in isoflavone glucosides, and did not induce the secretion of metabolites into the culture medium. Three novel methylated isoflavones, 7-hydroxy-6,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (afrormosin), 6-hydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyisoflavone (alfalone), and 5,7-dihydroxy-4′,6-dimethoxy isoflavone (irisolidone), were induced by YE, and labeling studies indicated that the first two were derived from formononetin. Our results highlight the metabolic flexibility within the isoflavonoid pathway, suggest new pathways for complex isoflavonoid metabolism, and indicate differential mechanisms for medicarpin biosynthesis depending on the nature of elicitation.
Micro-Electrode Flux Estimation Confirms That the Solanum pimpinellifolium cu3 Mutant Still Responds to Systemin
Authors: Lanfermeijer Frank C. , Staal Marten , Malinowski Robert , Stratmann Johannes W. , Elzenga J. Theo M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
In this study, we introduce the Micro-Electrode Ion Flux Estimation technique as a sensitive and accurate technique to study systemin-induced changes in ion fluxes from isolated nearly intact plant tissues. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness and value of the Micro-Electrode Ion Flux Estimation technique to monitor and characterize those elicitor-induced ion flux changes from intact tissues. We used the method to monitor the systemin-induced changes in ion fluxes from leaf tissue of various plant species, including wild-type and cu3 mutant tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium) plants, and confirm previous observations, but now in intact leaf tissue. Upon exposure of leaf tissue of plant species from the subtribe solaneae to systemin, the H+ influx and K+ efflux were transiently strongly increased. Plant species of other clades did not show a response upon systemin exposure. Although it has been reported that the gene containing the cu3 null mutation is identical to the SR160/tBRI1 gene, which encodes the systemin/brassinosteroid receptor and is essential in systemin and brassinosteroid perception, we observed no differences in the response of H+ and K+ fluxes from both wild-type and mutant leaf tissue to systemin. Also, the effects of various pharmacological effectors on systemin-induced flux changes were similar. Moreover, a SR160/tBRI1 transgene-containing tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) line was insensitive to systemin, whereas both this line and its wild-type predecessor were responsive to the elicitor flg22. Our results support the conclusion that the Cu3 receptor of tomato is not the systemin receptor, and, hence, another receptor is the principal systemin receptor.
VPS9a, the Common Activator for Two Distinct Types of Rab5 GTPases, Is Essential for the Development of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Goh Tatsuaki , Uchida Wakana , Arakawa Satoko , Ito Emi , Dainobu Tomoko , Ebine Kazuo , Takeuchi Masaki , Sato Ken , Ueda Takashi , Nakano Akihiko 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Rab5, a subfamily of Rab GTPases, regulates a variety of endosomal functions as a molecular switch. Arabidopsis thaliana has two different types of Rab5-member GTPases: conventional type, ARA7 and RHA1, and a plant-specific type, ARA6. We found that only one guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), named VPS9a, can activate all Rab5 members to GTP-bound forms in vitro in spite of their diverged structures. In the vps9a-1 mutant, whose GEF activity is completely lost, embryogenesis was arrested at the torpedo stage. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)–ARA7 and ARA6-GFP were diffused in cytosol like GDP-fixed mutants of Rab5 in vps9a-1, indicating that both types of GTPase are regulated by VPS9a. In the leaky vps9a-2 mutant, elongation of the primary root was severely affected. Overexpression of the GTP-fixed form of ARA7 suppressed the vps9a-2 mutation, but overexpression of ARA6 had no apparent effects. These results indicate that the two types of plant Rab5 members are functionally differentiated, even though they are regulated by the same activator, VPS9a.
Gender pay equity, wage fixation and industrial relations reform in Australia
Authors: Lyons Michael , Smith Meg 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact on the new federal wage fixing system on gender pay equity in Australia.Design/methodology/approachThe article is divided into four parts. The first section briefly examines the policy approach to the issue of gender pay equity in other Anglophone counties and the history of pay (in)equity under the Australian tribunal based industrial relations system. The second section overviews the recent developments at the State level in Australia focused on gender pay equity. The third section discusses recent cases in State wage fixing systems in Australia designed to remedy the gender based undervaluation of children's services employees. The fourth and final section discusses the implications of the new “national” workplace relations laws in the context of gender pay equity in Australia.FindingsThe capacity of State tribunals to continue to apply gender free wage determinations is under threat because of the federal government's 2006 “reforms” to the Australian industrial relations and wage fixation systems.Originality/valueThe commissioned case studies and inquiries demonstrate that governments – and State Labor governments in particular – have placed the issue of the gender earnings gap on the policy agenda.
The changing nature of the HR function in UK local government and its role as “employee champion”
Authors: Harris Lynette 
Published: December 2007

PurposePublic sector reforms and external performance review has meant that the HR function in UK local government is not only expected to continuously review working practices but is also facing major changes in its role and its own service delivery. This paper explores how changes driven by the pursuit of efficiency and cost cutting may impact on the function's ability to fulfil the employee champion role that Ulrich identifies as essential to it making a valuable strategic contribution.Design/methodology/approachThe findings are drawn from interviews, focus groups and desk research conducted in three large local authoritiesFindingsThe emergent concerns, tensions and dilemmas across the case study organisations suggest that changes, both planned and actual, to HR's role and services will impact on the function's ability to act as an “employee champion” due to reduced employee contact and more fragmented HR roles.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are based on three case studies, so there is an issue of their wider application – and they provided rather more insights into the views of HR staff and line managers than of other employee groups.Practical implicationsThe devolved, decentralised, outsourced and self service models of HR service provision require careful internal evaluation as this study's findings indicate they may well have hidden costs in terms of promoting employee commitment in large public sector organisations.Originality/valueA qualitative study of how changes to the HR function's role and service delivery can impact on the HR's responsibilities for employee relations rather than the more usual considerations of cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Training and cultural context in the Arab Emirates: fighting a losing battle?
Authors: Jones Stephanie 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the delivery of corporate objectives in customer service in the training of employees in a cultural context at odds with the proposed training outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA training program created to encourage collaborative and competitive styles in customer interaction, delivered in a major bank in the UAE, was the focus of the case.FindingsA literature review suggests that collaborative and competitive styles (of all the five conflict mode preferences) are positively correlated with business performance. The overwhelming preference for compromising and avoiding styles found amongst trainees in this bank showed that specific cultural context can significantly modify the desired outcomes of Western‐style training programs. The conflict mode preferences seen to encourage collaborative and competitive styles were significantly below best‐practice averages in this case.Research limitations/implicationsSignificant differences are discovered between the attitudes of the trainee group and the conflict mode preferences described in an international benchmarking study of excellence and quality in customer service.Practical implicationsThe practical implications for training effectiveness in the Arab world (one of the largest consumers of corporate training worldwide) are explored, together with a study of how the current approaches to training in the region might be modified to improve training results.Originality/valueThis study of 70 UAE bank trainees suggests that in the task of trying to achieve corporate needs to increase efficiency, productivity and profitability, culture poses an important barrier. The paper provides further evidence of the importance of cultural context in management practices, in a little‐studied region of the world.
Creating a consumer market for scholarly journals
Authors: Nicholas David , Huntington Paul , Dobrowolski Tom , Rowlands Ian 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative method for individuals to obtain documents using credits supplied by their institution to purchase at article level.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the experience and knowledge gained from the extensive work that CIBER has done in analyzing the usage of large‐scale journal databases.FindingsIt was found that such an approach has many advantages over the current librarian‐driven process.Originality/valueDigital content is variously neglected, abused, free, and expensive. This paper is as much about stimulating some new thinking in this important area as about setting out a new scholarly communication market model.
Recent developments in Remote Document Supply (RDS) in the UK – 3
Authors: Prowse Stephen 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent developments in remote document supply and related matters in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe article is based on a range of articles, reports, papers and web sites.FindingsWith the decline in remote document supply the future participation of a key institution is called into question. While there are few other realistic options, the two leading alternatives are engaged in a battle for the same market. Furthermore, the future of key standard underpinning transactions is also uncertain.Originality/valueThe article provides an overview of current developments in UK document supply by an experienced practitioner.
On document supply in the digital world
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim , Gillet Jacqueline 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the evolution of document supply from traditional print copy delivery to a modern service of resource discovery and secure electronic supply.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on evidence from empirical data at INIST, as well as enquiries and case studies from other suppliers and customers.FindingsFour topics are presented: the customers' needs, the use of new technologies in the front‐ and back‐office, resource sharing and networking on the national and international level, and the negotiation of copyright agreements with publishers.Originality/valueBased on evidence, an overall synthesis is given on significant developments, providing outlines of the future of document supply.
Interlending and document supply: a review of the recent literature: 61
Authors: McGrath Mike 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent literature concerning document supply and related matters.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is based on the reading of over 150 journals as well as monographs, reports and web sites.FindingsIt was found that the fundamental debate on the direction of scholarly publishing continues intensely. Electronic books remain a minority market but some commentators suggest that screen readability has improved significantly. The mass digitisation of books continues apace. Open Access continues to grow but with widely differing views on its impact – the publishers fight back.Originality/valueThe paper represents a useful source of information for librarians and others interested in document supply and related matters.
Mary Jackson's musings 2
Authors: Jackson Mary E. 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of resource‐sharing trends in the USA and internationally.Design/methodology/approachThe article uses personal experience and views supported with background literature.FindingsThe article highlights recent developments in resource‐sharing standards, updated resource‐sharing statistics, describes new initiatives, and explores the implications of recent corporate mergers and product withdrawals.Originality/valueThe article provides a high level, and personal view of selected trends in North American resource sharing.
The importance of aggregators for libraries in the digital era
Authors: Galyani Moghaddam Golnessa , Moballeghi Mostafa 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to define different types of aggregators and discuss their importance for libraries in the digital era.Design/methodology/approachA review of literature on aggregators was carried out. The paper focuses mainly on the various aggregators and outlines their advantages and disadvantages for libraries.FindingsLibraries have been working with publishers and aggregators for many years; however, the issues related to aggregators are not well documented. Aggregators have been helping libraries to facilitate their services to users but they have some disadvantages for libraries such as the lack of library influence in selecting individual titles; the lack of control over the contents of aggregator packages; and the confusion of library users when accessing different packages.Originality/valueThe paper provides a useful overview to researchers in any field, enabling them to achieve quickly a clear picture of aggregators in the electronic environment.
Dynamic evolution in public‐private partnerships
Authors: Joyner Kate 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the insights that the individual agency perspective offers to the study of public‐private partnerships (P3s). It extends prior research, which has primarily adopted an economic and structural perspective, by considering the ways by which individual actors involved in these complex arrangements can shape their evolutionary path.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper identifies the key research issues and questions in the P3 literature and highlights how these concerns can be further illuminated by the insights offered through the individual agency perspective.FindingsThe paper identifies four key issues in the P3 literature questions as the antecedents of P3s, pre‐formation processes, governance models and mechanisms, and evolution and adaptation. Introduction of the individual agency perspective to these research concerns highlights additional potentially explanatory factors for P3 formation and successful adaptation. The paper demonstrates that considering this perspective alongside current explanations can extend our current thinking and usefully add depth, breadth and linkage to P3 research.Practical implicationsThis research challenges the current conceptions of P3 governance as one of choosing the appropriate structural option. It offers agency considerations at each stage in the sequence of P3 process and argues that individual capability and action can influence the success and effectiveness of these arrangements.Originality/valueThis research introduces a managerial perspective to the study of P3s and reframes the current thinking around governance of these forms. This contrasts with the more economic and structural agendas of public policy research.
The process of governance: through a practice lens
Authors: Smallman Clive 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to identify the inappropriateness of the current model of regulation of corporate governance, which applies worldwide; and inherent paradoxes in the five areas of best practice in corporate governance.Design/methodology/approachThis is a review paper building new conceptualization for research into governance. The paper identifies the origins of the issues with weaknesses in the ontological and epistemological base for theorizing about corporate governance and its regulation. It suggests an alternative theoretical basis, identifying ways forward for developing theoretically aligned best practice along with regulation that properly reflects the complexity of the post‐modern business world.FindingsThe paper calls for a fresh approach to governance theorizing for regulation and best‐practice through considering governance praxis rather than structure and the reconceptualization of governance as a process of systematically balancing out tensions in order to effect good governance.Practical implicationsGovernance research and regulation requires reframing so that good theory can improve practice.Originality/valueThe paper goes against the conventional wisdom in governance research, falling in with more advanced thinking for practice‐based studies of organising.
Web accessibility at Kentucky's academic libraries
Authors: Providenti Michael , Zai Robert 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an update on the implementation of web accessibility guidelines at Kentucky academic library web sites.Design/methodology/approachThe academic library home pages of Bachelor‐degree granting institutions of Kentucky were tested for accessibility compliance using an online automated program. In addition, a series of manual accessibility tests were performed. Data were collected on errors against accessibility guidelines for each site. Data collected in 2003 were compared to data collected in 2007.FindingsThe number of library home pages complying with basic accessibility guidelines is increasing. However, most sites that score well are built to comply with checkpoints that can be tested automatically. Few institutions included accessibility features which required manual verification.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relies largely on data collected with an imperfect accessibility‐checking software program. Some accessibility checkpoints can appear to be satisfied using automated accessibility tests despite the presence of accessibility barrier beings. Also, minor errors against accessibility guidelines are not distinguished from major accessibility barriers.Practical implicationsThis study provides an impetus for web developers to aim higher than the automated accessibility checkpoints. It demonstrates a limited number of manual accessibility checkpoints that can be objectively tested.Originality/valueThis paper looks beyond accessibility guidelines that can be tested automatically to see if accessibility guidelines for which manual tests must be performed are being implemented. This study is one of the very few published follow‐up studies of web accessibility.
The evolution of paste pressure during stencil printing
Authors: Clements David J. , Desmulliez Marc P.Y. , Abraham Eitan 
Published: December 2007

PurposeThe objective of this investigation is the derivation of a mathematical model that describes the pressure characteristics of paste during the stencil printing process. This model is intended to generalise a qualitative understanding of these effects using squeegees that can be curved but otherwise are standard in design.Design/methodology/approachThis is an analytical treatment of the paste behaviour from the foundations of continuity of fluid flow and shear stresses that are imparted by the squeegee blade movement.FindingsAn equation is obtained that profiles the pressure generated by the squeegee movement which, for the case of a linear squeegee, shows very good agreement with predicted pressure profiles using experimental data.Practical implicationsThis model provides a theoretical framework for a better understanding of how to overcome the failure modes inherent in stencil printing, such as over‐ or under‐filled stencil cavities.Originality/valueThis is a generalisation of a previously developed mesh printing model. It goes beyond flat squeegee designs to describe the printing process when the blade and stencil are in contact. In addition, it encompasses non‐Newtonian fluid behaviour.