bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of the Radial Forearm Free Flap Donor Site With the Vacuum‐Assisted Closure (VAC) System
Authors: Andrews Brian T. , Smith Russell B. , Chang Kristi E. , Scharpf Joseph , Goldstein David P. , Funk Gerry F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIntroduction: The radial forearm free flap is a popular reconstructive flap in modern head and neck surgery. Poor wound healing at the forearm donor site is common and frequently results in tendon exposure. The Vacuum‐Assisted Closure (VAC) system (Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, TX) is a topical negative pressure dressing that has been shown to improve skin graft viability when used as a bolster dressing. In this study, we investigated the use of the VAC system in the management of the radial forearm free flap donor site.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all subjects who underwent a radial forearm free flap reconstruction in which the VAC system was used as a bolster dressing at the donor site from January 1, 2003, through March 31, 2005.Results: Thirty‐four consecutive subjects were included in the study. Exposed tendon did not occur in 14 (0%) subjects in which the VAC bolster was used for a minimum of 6 days. Eleven of the 20 subjects (55%) who used the VAC bolster for 5 days demonstrated small amounts of tendon exposure (<2 cm) on follow‐up clinic examination. The minimum follow up for all subjects was 4 months.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the VAC system is a feasible alternative to conventional bolster dressing in the management of the radial forearm free flap skin‐grafted donor site. Based on this study, when used for a minimum of 6 days, the VAC bolster dressing eliminated tendon exposure at the forearm donor site.
Recombinant protein expression and solubility screening in Escherichia coli: a comparative study
Authors: Berrow Nick S. , Büssow K. , Coutard B. , Diprose J. , Ekberg M. , Folkers G. E. , Levy N. , Lieu V. , Owens R. J. , Peleg Y. , Pinaglia C. , Quevillon-Cheruel S. , Salim L. , Scheich C. , Vincentelli R. , Busso Didier 
Published: September 2006

Producing soluble proteins in Escherichia coli is still a major bottleneck for structural proteomics. Therefore, screening for soluble expression on a small scale is an attractive way of identifying constructs that are likely to be amenable to structural analysis. A variety of expression-screening methods have been developed within the Structural Proteomics In Europe (SPINE) consortium and to assist the further refinement of such approaches, eight laboratories participating in the network have benchmarked their protocols. For this study, the solubility profiles of a common set of 96 His6-tagged proteins were assessed by expression screening in E. coli. The level of soluble expression for each target was scored according to estimated protein yield. By reference to a subset of the proteins, it is demonstrated that the small-scale result can provide a useful indicator of the amount of soluble protein likely to be produced on a large scale (i.e. sufficient for structural studies). In general, there was agreement between the different groups as to which targets were not soluble and which were the most soluble. However, for a large number of the targets there were wide discrepancies in the results reported from the different screening methods, which is correlated with variations in the procedures and the range of parameters explored. Given finite resources, it appears that the question of how to most effectively explore `expression space' is similar to several other multi-parameter problems faced by crystallographers, such as crystallization.
Advances in e‐democracy: overview
Authors: Gunter Barrie 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce the theme of this special issue, “Advances in e‐democracy: engaging citizens and electorates”.Design/methodology/approachAn overview is provided of developments in e‐government before providing a summary discussion of the papers that are presented in this issue.FindingsWhile governments around the world, not least in the UK, have been enthusiastic about the use of information and communication technologies to provide better citizen access to government and public services, there is still much to be learned about how these online services can be effectively implemented and will be taken up.Originality/valueThis paper provides a primer for the remainder of this issue which combines research reports from academics working in the e‐democracy field and from practitioners in government and commercial service suppliers.
Benchmarking e‐government policy within the e‐Europe programme
Authors: Wauters Patrick 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe paper aims to provide a benchmark study of the European Union (EU) e‐government policy within the e‐Europe programme. The main objective of the European strategy for the development of e‐government was that the member states should ensure “online public services”. To monitor this policy the European Commission defined two indicators.Design/methodology/approachThe European Commission developed a list of 20 basic public services. The Commission and Capgemini defined a framework to evaluate the online availability of each of the services in each of the EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.FindingsThe study finds that since 2001 a considerable improvement in online public service provision was measured, even so the 2004 result of 65 per cent online sophistication of public service delivery in the EU still shows an important gap with the 100 per cent objective, the result was considered a positive. When considering the different types of public services, income generating services including income tax, VAT and corporate tax are by far the most developed online. The new member countries seem to be only two years behind in the development of online public service. The most advanced countries exceed 80 per cent but seem to evolve to a “plateau”. They have developed their most feasible services, demanding less effort, now only the “hard” ones are undeveloped, mostly services delivered at a decentralised level.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides information on the online development of public services, i.e. the provision and interactivity of public services through the internet. It does not analyse the provision of services through other channels, neither the quality of the service delivery, nor the use or impact of these new ways of public service supply. Therefore a new EU e‐government measurement system must change the focus from “availability” of e‐government services, to “use” and desired positive “impact” of e‐government programmes.Originality/valueThis study provides the only available data measured scientifically over a longer period concerning the development of e‐government in the EU.
Online campaign communication and the phenomenon of blogging
Authors: Stanyer James 
Published: September 2006

PurposeIn light of the phenomenon of blogging in the 2004 US presidential campaign, this article aims to examine blogging during the 2005 British general election campaign. The article seeks to establish how widespread blogging was, the extent of bloggers' partisanship, what issues blogs were concerned with, what the purpose of the messages posted by the bloggers were, and what if any impact blogs had beyond the immediate community of users.Design/methodology/approachThese questions were addressed through a content analysis of over 300 blogs and 1,300 posted messages, by additional searches of the Lexis‐Nexis newspaper archive, and via the use of internet poll data on blogging.FindingsThe research showed that blogging in the UK is in its infancy. There were few bloggers posting messages about the campaign and few people accessed blogs regularly. Most of the comments posted focused on campaign issues and were observational. While some of the bloggers exhibited an overt partisan identity, most did not. There was also some evidence of partisan networks, with blogs of a particular partisan/ideological position hyperlinking to others with a similar outlook. However, unlike the 2004 US presidential election campaign, blogs had no impact on the campaign news agenda.Research limitations/implicationsDespite extensive research it is difficult to ascertain whether the sample of blogs examined in the research represented the entirety of the election campaign blogosphere. Nevertheless, the findings provide important insights into the evolving online election communication environment in the UK.Originality/valueThe study is the first to examine systematically the blogging about the general election campaigns in the UK.
Developing local e‐democracy in Bristol
Authors: Hilton Stephen 
Published: September 2006

PurposeBristol City Council has received national and international recognition for its local e‐democracy work. This paper seeks to tell the story of three phases of development of local e‐democracy in Bristol. In summarising findings from the national evaluation of the Local E‐democracy Project, the paper also aims to consider stage four – where Bristol's e‐democracy programme is headed next.Design/methodology/approachBristol acted as a lead authority on the evaluation of the Local E‐democracy National Project. This was a large multi‐method academic study, which set out to examine the aspirations and experiences of a variety of “actors” involved in more than 20 e‐democracy pilot projects across England. Professors Stephen Coleman of the Oxford Internet Institute and Ann Macintosh of the International Tele‐democracy Centre at Napier University undertook the evaluation, working with Bristol City Council as part of an E‐democracy Experts Group.FindingsFindings from the national evaluation have been published in reports covering “top‐down” (authority‐led) and “ground‐up” (community‐led) approaches to local e‐democracy. This paper applies evaluation findings to Bristol City Council's experiences. It highlights how authorities can use e‐democracy to move between information sharing and consultation and then to creating space and conditions for ground‐up participation.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on common themes, rather than an in‐depth account of all of the national evaluation findings as they relate to each project that was considered. As a case study, this paper concerns the particular experiences of Bristol City Council.Practical implicationsThe study offers insight aimed at local authority e‐democracy practitioners.Originality/valueOver the past five years, Bristol City Council has accumulated considerable practical experience of local e‐democracy. The authority has benefited from a close association with leading academic experts, leaving it perhaps uniquely positioned to share learning from critical self‐reflection.
Spacecraft vibration reduction using pulse modulated command input and smart materials
Authors: Hu Qinglei 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo provide an approach to active vibration reduction of flexible spacecraft actuated by on‐off thrusters during attitude control for spacecraft designers, which can help them analysis and design the attitude control system.Design/methodology/approachThe new approach includes attitude controller acting on the rigid hub, designed by using pulse‐width pulse‐frequency modulation integrated with component command technique, and the piezoelectric material elements as sensors/actuators bonded on the surface of the beam appendages for active vibration suppression of flexible appendages, designed by optimal positive position feedback (OPPF) control technique. The OPPF compensator is devised by setting up a cost function to be minimized by feedback gains, which are subject to the stability criterion at the same time, and an extension to the conventional positive position feedback control design approach is investigated.FindingsNumerical simulations for the flexible spacecraft show that the precise attitude control and vibration suppression can be accomplished using the derived vibration attenuator and attitude control controller.Research limitations/implicationsStudies on how to control the on‐off actuated system under impulse disturbances are left for future work.Practical implicationsAn effective method is proposed for the spacecraft engineers planning to design attitude control system for actively suppressing the vibration and at the same time quickly and precisely responding to the attitude control command.Originality/valueThe advantage in this scheme is that the controllers are designed separately, allowing the two objectives to be satisfied independently of one another. It fulfils a useful source of theoretical analysis for the attitude control system design and offers practical help for the spacecraft designers.
Environmentally sustainable food production and marketing
Authors: Bhaskaran Suku , Polonsky Michael , Cary John , Fernandez Shadwell 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo identify and analyse the beliefs of value‐chain intermediaries regarding the production and marketing of food products conforming to environmentally sustainable standards.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology was in‐depth, semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews with senior managers of food companies across the value chain.FindingsIn Australia, the demand for foods that are produced under environmentally sustainable standards has been slow to take‐off because customers do not perceive these products as offering any special benefits; customers distrust the claims made by organisations; these products are much more expensive than traditional products, and the implementation of environmental standards is expensive. Customers claim that the use of different terminologies such as organic, green and environmentally friendly in promoting food products is confusing.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are not generalisable because the study is based on a small sample.Practical implicationsValue‐chain intermediaries are unlikely to voluntarily adopt environmental standards because of low demand for such foods and the high costs of adopting and monitoring environmentally sustainable production and marketing regimes.Originality/valueThe story supports previous research findings from the USA and EU.
Cutting the bull: an effective business writing approach
Authors: Landale Anthony 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider how effective training can address the issue of long‐winded and impenetrable business writing.Design/methdology/approachThe paper reviews the key elements of the award‐winning Writing Dynamics approach and how it is being applied at The City of Edinburgh Council to improve the service this Council provides to its community.FindingsProfessional writers in particular are found to spend far more time in planning and editing than one might expect and there are some extremely practical techniques that can speed up and improve the writing process.Practical implicationsWith people in business being bombarded by ever‐increasing amounts of information it has never been so important for people to get their message across clearly and persuasively. The conclusion that this article draws is that here is a method that is both extremely practical and beneficial for writers and readers alike.Originality/valueThis paper will be of particular value to training managers who want to know how a writing course can impact on their organisation's written communication as well as evidence of it having done so. It will also be of real interest to managers, marketeers and all staff who want to improve both the quality and speed of any business writing that is core to their work.
Beyond rule following: decoding leadership ethics
Authors: Wildermuth Cristina , Wildermuth Mel 
Published: September 2006

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to help leaders gain awareness of areas that can lead to problems in ethical decision making. Instead of simple “black and white” decisions, leaders face a myriad “grey” situations that cannot be addressed via blind application of company policy. The areas of focus are time, proximity, competitiveness, and personality.Design/methodology/approachThe reader will learn about the “Urgency&Proximity Model” (U&PM); which describes how the urgency of an ethical decision and the proximity between the moral agent and the people involved in the situation impact the moral agent's decision‐making process. The authors incorporate the “Five Factor Model” of personality into the U&PM, raising possible connections between personality and moral reasoning.FindingsThe findings indicate that company policies lend themselves only to the simplest decisions, not ethical dilemmas. Thus keeping in mind the U&PM model, organizational competition, and one's own personality (from the WorkPlace Big Five Profile™) can form an ethical basis for moral decisions.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional research is needed to connect the aspects of personality to the U&PM.Practical implicationsLeaders are advised to increase self‐awareness, consider their personality traits, and position the moral dilemma being addressed in the U&PM.Originality/valueThis paper is only an introductory examination of ethical decision making based on urgency, proximity, competition, and personality. The concept should be further investigated because of the impact these factors can have on leadership decision making.
Aggregation consistency and frequency of Chinese words and characters
Authors: Arsenault Clément 
Published: September 2006

PurposeAims to measure syllable aggregation consistency of Romanized Chinese data in the title fields of bibliographic records. Also aims to verify if the term frequency distributions satisfy conventional bibliometric laws.Design/methodology/approachUses Cooper's interindexer formula to evaluate aggregation consistency within and between two sets of Chinese bibliographic data. Compares the term frequency distributions of polysyllabic words and monosyllabic characters (for vernacular and Romanized data) with the Lotka and the generalised Zipf theoretical distributions. The fits are tested with the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test.FindingsFinds high internal aggregation consistency within each data set but some aggregation discrepancy between sets. Shows that word (polysyllabic) distributions satisfy Lotka's law but that character (monosyllabic) distributions do not abide by the law.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to only two sets of bibliographic data (for aggregation consistency analysis) and to one set of data for the frequency distribution analysis. Only two bibliometric distributions are tested. Internal consistency within each database remains fairly high. Therefore the main argument against syllable aggregation does not appear to hold true. The analysis revealed that Chinese words and characters behave differently in terms of frequency distribution but that there is no noticeable difference between vernacular and Romanized data. The distribution of Romanized characters exhibits the worst case in terms of fit to either Lotka's or Zipf's laws, which indicates that Romanized data in aggregated form appear to be a preferable option.Originality/valueProvides empirical data on consistency and distribution of Romanized Chinese titles in bibliographic records.
Evaluating library software and its fitness for purpose
Authors: Joint Nicholas 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo adapt general principles used for evaluating software quality to more specific requirements characteristic of information retrieval and educational applications in library environments.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual paper based on existing software evaluation models, but one which tries to add some important refinements to key aspects of these received concepts.FindingsThat the application of engineering concepts to technologically mediated tasks where crucial system outputs consist of the facilitation of specific mental events in the user of the system (e.g. “learning outcomes”) can be problematic. In such scenarios it may be valuable to avoid incorporating the production of specific mental events into the “objective functionality” of the software in question. Rather, it is suggested that the creation of these outputs should be left to the user, not to the mechanised routines of the system (i.e. these mental system outputs should be facilitated by the system as part of the “subjective functionality” of the overall design).Research limitations/implicationsThese are purely conceptual approaches to library and e‐learning software that should be tested by practical case study investigation (e.g. comparative user evaluations both of software designed along general quality models standards, and of software designed to the model suggested here).Practical implicationsYou can get better results in terms of human outputs and benefits (i.e. better learning outcomes, or a higher level of engagement with effective information retrieval) by means of simple, minimalist implementations of information technology and educational technology‐based systems.Originality/valueThis library and information science paper attempts to use ideas from software engineering and software evaluation to create an original perspective on real‐life problems in the sphere of information retrieval technology and educational technology.
Gender, flexibility and opportunity: best use of human resources in UK HE libraries
Authors: MacLean A.D.B. 
Published: September 2006

PurposeTo give an overview of some recent research into human resource (HR) deployment in library services in UK universities and colleges of higher education.DesignThe aim of the research in question was to evaluate the effectiveness of HR deployment. This implied a positivistic methodological approach, maintaining that the reality under examination, HR deployment, existed objectively and independently of the researcher. However, the research aimed to discover not only what happened but also why. So there was an overlap between the positivistic and phenomenological approach. To this end, the research collected quantitative data via a survey and the present paper provides a summary of the research aim, objectives, methodology and results.FindingsThe research findings indicate that staff deployment patterns in the context investigated are suboptimal and that, in consequence, individual libraries should be open to scrutiny in comparison with others not only in terms of their quantifiable patterns of library usage but also in terms of the patterns of their staff provision and staff deployment.Research limitationsThe findings only relate to UK universities and colleges of higher education.Practical implicationsThe present research suggests five actions for practitioners.Originality/valueThe present research highlights the lack of benchmarking facilities in UK universities and colleges of higher education relating to HR deployment in libraries, and recommends that Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) extends the existing data collection in the Annual Statistical return to include this HR area.