bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profilin Is Essential for Tip Growth in the MossPhyscomitrella patens
Authors: Vidali Luis , Augustine Robert C. , Kleinman Ken P. , Bezanilla Magdalena 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe actin cytoskeleton is critical for tip growth in plants. Profilin is the main monomer actin binding protein in plant cells. The moss Physcomitrella patens has three profilin genes, which are monophyletic, suggesting a single ancestor for plant profilins. Here, we used RNA interference (RNAi) to determine the loss-of-function phenotype of profilin. Reduction of profilin leads to a complete loss of tip growth and a partial inhibition of cell division, resulting in plants with small rounded cells and fewer cells. We silenced all profilins by targeting their 3′ untranslated region sequences, enabling complementation analyses by expression of profilin coding sequences. We show that any moss or a lily (Lilium longiflorum) profilin support tip growth. Profilin with a mutation in its actin binding site is unable to rescue profilin RNAi, while a mutation in the poly-l-proline binding site weakly rescues. We show that moss tip growing cells contain a prominent subapical cortical F-actin structure composed of parallel actin cables. Cells lacking profilin lose this structure; instead, their F-actin is disorganized and forms polarized cortical patches. Plants expressing the actin and poly-l-proline binding mutants exhibited similar F-actin disorganization. These results demonstrate that profilin and its binding to actin are essential for tip growth. Additionally, profilin is not needed for formation of F-actin, but profilin and its interactions with actin and poly-l-proline ligands are required to properly organize F-actin.
The Homeotic Protein AGAMOUS Controls Late Stamen Development by Regulating a Jasmonate Biosynthetic Gene inArabidopsis
Authors: Ito Toshiro , Ng Kian-Hong , Lim Tze-Soo , Yu Hao , Meyerowitz Elliot M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe Arabidopsis thaliana floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) plays a central role in reproductive organ (stamen and carpel) development. AG RNA is expressed in the center of floral primordia from a time prior to the initiation of stamen and carpel primordia until late in flower development. While early AG expression acts in specification of stamens and carpels, the role, if any, of continued AG expression in later flower development is unknown. To examine the timing of AG action and its possible late-stage functions, we performed a series of time-course experiments using a transgenic line with inducible AG activity in an ag homozygous mutant background. We show that AG controls late-stage stamen development, including anther morphogenesis and dehiscence, as well as filament formation and elongation. We further show that AG coordinates late stamen maturation by controlling a biosynthetic gene of the lipid-derived phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA). Expression analysis and in vivo binding of AG indicate that AG directly regulates the transcription of a catalytic enzyme of JA, DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1. Our results indicate that stamen identity and differentiation control by AG is achieved by the regulation of different transcriptional cascades in different floral stages, with organ specification induced early, followed by phytohormone biosynthesis to coordinate stamen maturation.
Evidence‐based practice in teaching: an information perspective
Authors: Williams Dorothy , Coles Louisa 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explore UK teachers' use of research‐based information, with a particular focus on issues relating to access to information in schools, information literacy, and the role of the school librarian and school library services.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a mixed methodology. In‐depth qualitative data gathered through vignette interviews (n=28), group exercises (four groups of between three and five teachers) and a discussion forum were supplemented by quantitative data gathered through surveys of teachers (n=312), head teachers (n=78), school librarians (n=78) and school library services (n=26).FindingsTeachers' professional use of research information reflects a preference for predigested information and informal sources. Although professional bodies and government departments promote the use of research by teachers and provide a range of customised web sites for information, lack of ready local access to information and lack of time were cited as major barriers to the use of research information. Teachers also revealed uncertainties and lack of confidence in their own ability to find and evaluate such information. The findings suggest scope for more targeted provision by school librarians of both information and skills to support the professional development of teachers. However, this raises issues of priorities and resources, and needs to be seen in the context of a wider change in ethos supported by senior management. The study also raises questions about teachers' own experiences and approaches to the use of information in professional learning, and how this might impact on the provision of support for their pupils and the potential for collaborative working between librarians and teachers.Research limitations/implicationsThe qualitative aspects of the study provided a rich source of data from teachers with varying levels of experience and involvement with the use of research information. However, a low response to the teacher questionnaire survey (10.9 per cent, overall, 312 teachers) resulted in a bias towards more research‐oriented teachers in that particular data set. While the data from research‐oriented teachers do appear to triangulate, it is difficult to generalise to other teachers. Therefore teacher survey data have been treated with some caution and drawn on only to aid further understanding of the issues raised in interviews and group exercises.Originality/valueIn focusing attention on teachers' information behaviour and information literacy, this paper provides a new perspective on the issues affecting the lack of uptake of research evidence within the teaching profession, contributes to the literature on information behaviour and information literacy in professional contexts, and contributes to the understanding of factors which may have a bearing on the development of student information literacy in schools.
Open access in context: a user study
Authors: Nicholas David , Huntington Paul , Jamali Hamid R. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the impact on usage of the journal Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) moving to an open access model. A major objective was to examine the impact of open access in the context of other initiatives that have improved accessibility to scholarly journals. The study also aims to demonstrate the potential of deep log analysis for monitoring change in usage over time.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered from the logs for the period 2003‐June 2005 and analysed using deep log methods. The data were analysed to provide the following information on use: type of item viewed; usage over time; usage for individual journal issues; usage per type of article; age of article. Usage analyses were further examined with regard to the following user characteristics: subscriber/non‐subscriber; referrer link employed, organisational affiliation; geographical location.FindingsThe analysis showed that the rise in use of NAR over the survey period (140 per cent) could largely be attributed to the opening up of the site to search engines and that the move to OA had a relatively small influence on driving usage up further (less than 10 per cent).Originality/valueThe study for the first time thoroughly analyses the usage data of a significant experimental open access journal and reveals the huge impact of search engines on driving up usage.
Information kiosks: a taxonomy
Authors: Rowley Jennifer , Slack Frances 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a multi‐dimensional taxonomy for information kiosk‐based self service technologies (SSTs). This taxonomy has an important contribution to make to the integration of research and development, in relation to information kiosks. There are aspects that may also be extended to e‐service, online service and self‐service.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual context for this work is established by a review of previous literature. This focuses on taxonomies and classification schemes relating to information kiosks, traditional services (p‐services) and e‐services. A comprehensive database of information kiosk technologies and their applications is constructed. Longitudinal observation of the development of information kiosk technologies is the basis for this and has been extended by web research.FindingsAn iterative analysis of the kiosk database defines the nature of service delivery from kiosks, and supports the identification and verification of the dimensions and sub‐dimensions of the taxonomy. It is informed by earlier classification schemes and taxonomies in the information kiosk, e‐service and p‐service literature.Originality/valueThis taxonomy has four main dimensions: Location, User, Task and Technology. Sub‐dimensions are developed for each of these main dimensions. It can be used to classify all information kiosks.
Constructing an image indexing template for The Children's Society
Authors: Conduit Neil , Rafferty Pauline 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to describe the development of an indexing template to guide the indexing of images using keywords. The template is designed to be used for indexing the image collection held at The Children's Society.Design/methodology/approachA facet matrix based on analysis of existing studies was used to identify the most popular user query facets from user studies in the literature. A total of 33 archivists were surveyed regarding indexing practice and indexing wish‐lists. The results of these investigative activities were synthesised to produce an indexing template.FindingsThe results of this study suggest that indexing general entities and activities could be more comprehensive than is currently the case. A practical indexing template is proposed for organisations wishing to index image collections.Originality/valueThis article reports a project undertaken on behalf of The Children's Society to design an image indexing system for use with their photographic collection. Its method of enquiry is based on an application and interpretation of the Shatford‐Ensor matrix.
The information needs and information‐seeking behaviour of the users of the European Parliamentary Documentation Centre
Authors: Marcella Rita , Baxter Graeme , Davies Sylvie , Toornstra Dick 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of a customer knowledge study commissioned by the Parliamentary Documentation Centre (PDC) of the European Parliament in order to elicit a better understanding of the views and needs of its actual and potential client base.Design/methodology/approachThe study consisted of in‐depth, face‐to‐face interviews with 72 clients and 11 staff (83 individuals) in Brussels in February 2004. The paper explores the significance of information in the parliamentary context and summarises the activities which respondents described as being information‐dependent. The paper also highlights the evolutionary nature of information need during the course of the legislative process.FindingsThe information‐seeking behaviour and skills of the PDC clients are discussed, as are the criteria by which they assess information quality. The study revealed that users were frequently uncritical and pragmatic in use of the most readily available information, sacrificing quality in favour of ease of access.Originality/valueThis paper presents results from a uniquely complex information environment – the European Union. Users tended to be complacent about their information‐seeking skills and reluctant to engage in skills enhancement activities.
A review of the spiritual in information studies
Authors: Kari Jarkko 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore one broad question: what do information, information processes, information services, as well as information systems and technology have to do with the spiritual?Design/methodology/approachThe task is accomplished by conducting a literature review of 31 refereed texts in information studies. The paper proceeds by inspecting the manifestation of spirituality in information sources, generic information processes, as well as specific information processes: conceptualizing, seeking, processing, using, storing, describing and providing information.FindingsA total of 11 relationships between information phenomena and the spiritual are discovered. Based on these, a definition of spiritual information is put forth. There are also some descriptive statistics on the corpus as a whole.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are susceptible to limitations imposed by the reviewed studies themselves. Errors of interpretation were a possibility. The article suggests many directions for further research in the context of the spiritual, and discusses how to view spirituality in information science.Practical implicationsPractical implications are only mentioned here and there, because research implications are of primary concern in the investigation.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to synthesize information research in the spiritual domain. Beyond the subject area, the article demonstrates how to classify information processes, and conduct a context‐centric literature review in the field of information studies.
Evolution of concept networks and implications for knowledge representation
Authors: Park Jung‐ran 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present descriptive characteristics of the historical development of concept networks. The linguistic principles, mechanisms and motivations behind the evolution of concept networks are discussed. Implications emanating from the idea of the historical development of concept networks are discussed in relation to knowledge representation and organization schemes.Design/methodology/approachNatural language data including both speech and text are analyzed by examining discourse contexts in which a linguistic element such as a polysemy or homonym occurs. Linguistic literature on the historical development of concept networks is reviewed and analyzed.FindingsSemantic sense relations in concept networks can be captured in a systematic and regular manner. The mechanism and impetus behind the process of concept network development suggest that semantic senses in concept networks are closely intertwined with pragmatic contexts and discourse structure. The interrelation and permeability of the semantic senses of concept networks are captured on a continuum scale based on three linguistic parameters: concrete shared semantic sense; discourse and text structure; and contextualized pragmatic information.Research limitations/implicationsResearch findings signify the critical need for linking discourse structure and contextualized pragmatic information to knowledge representation and organization schemes.Originality/valueThe idea of linguistic characteristics, principles, motivation and mechanisms underlying the evolution of concept networks provides theoretical ground for developing a model for integrating knowledge representation and organization schemes with discourse structure and contextualized pragmatic information.
A prototype twenty‐first century university library
Authors: Wells Andrew 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of organizational change at an academic library.Design/methodology/approachThe change process employed scenario modelling techniques.FindingsThe scenario modelling technique was found to be effective in developing shared understandings about the future directions of an organization. The next stage involved identifying the implications involved in implementing organizational change to achieve the future organization outlined in the scenario. This stage identified three issues that would need significant investment before the scenario could be realized. They were: skills development; management practices; and the structure of the library. Re‐organization requires attention to cultural and personal issues to enable an organization to undergo major change.Research limitations/implicationsA range of techniques, tools and experiments were used. There would be limitations in applying these in a general way to other organizations.Originality/valueThe scale of the change process is significant in terms of the size of the undertaking and the time taken to achieve it. This paper describes the process. It is too early to predict whether the organizational change is successful.
The right staff from X to Y
Authors: Sayers Richard 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine selected findings of the 2006 CAVAL Training Needs Survey across Australia, New Zealand and Asia and to assess their implications for academic libraries in the context of generational change.Design/methodology/approachThis paper compares 2006 Training Needs Survey data with previous survey data (2004 and 2005) and uses the findings to inform a range of simple strategies to assist academic libraries recruit and retain talented staff.FindingsThe data appears to confirm studies conducted in the US and Canada that show Generation X and Y learning styles are typically motivated by a desire to enhance professional skills and thus marketability to future employers. For many Generation X and Y staff working across a range of professions, access to professional development has become an important component of their overall remuneration package. It also figures highly in any decision to join or remain with an organisation. This paper concludes that a better understanding of generational change and commitment to professional development are critical to the recruitment and retention efforts of future academic libraries.Originality/valueThis paper draws upon survey data not previously available for research.
Treasuring our traditions and our people
Authors: Storey Colin 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address two questions: first, faced with the “disruptive technologies” of e‐revolution, will there be academic libraries in 25 years time for our younger colleagues to inherit? Are senior academic library managers reacting rightly and proactively making the correct strategic decisions now to ensure the rightful and proper place for librarians in a university for decades to come? Second, assuming there will indeed be university libraries and “librarians” to people them in the future, what professional and personal attributes will future librarians need, not only to ride the e‐revolution wave, but also to prosper as leaders in their institutions to the year 2057 and beyond?Design/methodology/approachA general review of the current state‐of‐play in academic library management vis‐à‐vis the e‐revolution, in terms of the history of the profession and previous perceived “revolutions”.FindingsSuggests academic library professionals are over‐reacting to the “newness” of the electronic environment and under‐valuing their own professional traditions and their own people.Practical implicationsProposes remedies: advising caution, common sense, and the right sort of professionals to “brand” the library for a successful future.Originality/valueThe author's own personal views built up after 35 years of experience in academic library management.
Brain drain or tap the strengths
Authors: Wa Esther Woo Mei 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the value of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the recruitment of academic librarians.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted to analyze the demand and supply of academic librarians since the year 2000 as well as the different approaches adopted by libraries to resolve recruitment problems through developing potential candidates and serving staff.FindingsThe study found that academic libraries need to pursue more active strategies in staff recruitment to maintain a quality workforce in the strong competition of human resources. Through the cases studied, HRD is proved to be a crucial part of such strategies.Originality/valueThe practical value of HRD is discussed in juxtaposition with recruitment strategies, unveiling the close relationship of the different components in human resource management.
Communicating the library: librarians and faculty in dialogue
Authors: Brophy Peter 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the challenges facing academic librarians in an increasingly networked environment.Design/methodology/approachDraws on theoretical perspectives and the literature to argue the case for academic librarians to develop their theoretical understanding of communication and pedagogy and the practical implications.FindingsSuggests five distinct areas of opportunity in which librarians can develop their role.Originality/valueThe paper states that new roles are opening up for academic librarians, roles which build on their traditional skills but challenge them to acquire new ones.
Managing change in the Hong Kong library environment
Authors: Ferguson Anthony W. 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to employ four library case studies to determine how changes can be made more successfully.Design/methodology/approachThe article employs a list of five basic change management principles suggested by Team Technology to measure the effectiveness of what happened in our library.Research limitations/implicationsThe principles themselves are fairly simple and are not meant to be either qualitative or quantitative research tools.Practical implicationsIt would seem that if the five basic change management principles were followed, libraries would be more successful in the management of those changes that they must pursue to keep vibrant and alive.Originality/valueThis paper is a personal view of the four changes which were successfully implemented but which did cause angst among staff members. The value of managers paying attention to the list of change management principles is demonstrated.
Promoting information literacy skills through web‐based instruction
Authors: Fong Li Lai , Leung Shirley , Tam Gladys 
Published: November 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect on The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library's development of its web‐based Information Literacy Tutorial and how it was incorporated into the mandatory Student IT Proficiency Test.Design/methodology/approachThe paper outlines the current trends faced by academic libraries in Hong Kong and the need to provide web‐based e‐learning tutorials on information literacy skills to support diverse ways of learning. It describes the implementation of the web‐based tutorial at The Chinese University of Hong Kong as the courseware of the information literacy section in the IT Proficiency Test.FindingsThe reference librarian's teaching role is expanding as information literacy instruction becomes increasingly valued by university administrators and faculty. The inclusion of information competencies as a graduation requirement provides opportunities to incorporate information literacy into the curriculum and foster collaboration between faculty and librarians.Originality/valueThis paper provides information on Hong Kong academic libraries and is useful for librarians planning to develop an interactive e‐learning platform on information literacy.