bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Putative CCAAT-Binding Transcription Factor Is a Regulator of Flowering Timing in Arabidopsis
Authors: Cai Xiaoning , Ballif Jenny , Endo Saori , Davis Elizabeth , Liang Mingxiang , Chen Dong , DeWald Daryll , Kreps Joel , Zhu Tong , Wu Yajun 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFlowering at the appropriate time of year is essential for successful reproduction in plants. We found that HAP3b in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a putative CCAAT-binding transcription factor gene, is involved in controlling flowering time. Overexpression of HAP3b promotes early flowering while hap3b, a null mutant of HAP3b, is delayed in flowering under a long-day photoperiod. Under short-day conditions, however, hap3b did not show a delayed flowering compared to wild type based on the leaf number, suggesting that HAP3b may normally be involved in the photoperiod-regulated flowering pathway. Mutant hap3b plants showed earlier flowering upon gibberellic acid or vernalization treatment, which means that HAP3b is not involved in flowering promoted by gibberellin or vernalization. Further transcript profiling and gene expression analysis suggests that HAP3b can promote flowering by enhancing expression of key flowering time genes such as FLOWERING LOCUS T and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1. Our results provide strong evidence supporting a role of HAP3b in regulating flowering in plants grown under long-day conditions.
The effects of joint reward system in new product development
Authors: Jin Chang Tsun , Pao Yeh Shang , Yeh I‐Jan 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis study purports to examine the effects of a joint reward system (JRS) under a new product development (NPD) setting by identifying four neglected aspects of JRS that contains a procedural view (participation of reward decision and reward contingent on NPD phases) and a monetary view (risk‐free to participate and over‐reward incentive) in a conceptual model, and then to empirically test their effects on knowledge sharing and NPD performance.Design/methodology/approachUsing regression analysis, the proposed model was tested on 233 valid respondents (112 in R&D, 50 in marketing, and 71 in manufacturing), including 92 from electronics firms, 87 from semiconductor firms, 29 from biotechnology firms, and 25 from pharmaceutical firms in Taiwan.FindingsThe results indicated that risk‐free to NPD project members is the most salient aspect of JRS on knowledge sharing and NPD performance. Joint determination of reward allocation was found to be a favorable JRS for only marketing and NPD performance. Rewards contingent on NPD phases have shown conflicting results between R&D and marketing. No relationship was found for over‐reward incentive on knowledge sharing and NPD performance. Despite the mixed effects of JRS, knowledge sharing is a strong predictor of NPD performance.Originality/valueThis study extends understanding of the complexities of rewards on knowledge sharing and NPD success by decomposing and testing four unique aspects of JRS, which sheds a new light on NPD researches.
The impact of performance measurement in the voluntary sector
Authors: Moxham Claire , Boaden Ruth 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research paper is to identify the impact of contextual and processual factors on the development, use and impact of performance measurement systems in voluntary and community organisations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the applicability of business and public sector performance measurement frameworks to voluntary organisations. It presents the findings of a study through four case studies and draws conclusions on the impact of measurement systems in the voluntary sector.FindingsThe research identifies a low utilisation of performance measurement frameworks and discusses what systems are currently used, how such systems are administered and the impact of measurement on performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe evidence is based on four micro‐voluntary organisations that receive public sector funding. The findings are based on the perceptions of the organisations delivering the services and illustrate the relationship between the public and voluntary sectors. Further, cases utilising a range of stakeholders should be studied to examine the validity, reliability and generalisability of the presented results. However, given that there is practically no empirical evidence at all on this issue at present, the study provides useful evidence that can be further developed.Practical implicationsThe research findings present contextual and processual barriers to measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of voluntary organisations. For performance measurement frameworks to support current practice, these barriers need to be recognised and addressed.Originality/valueThe paper highlights performance measurement implications for a sector that is unaccustomed to scrutiny. As little research has been conducted within this sector, these findings contribute to the body of knowledge.
Using SPC to measure a national supermarket chain's suppliers' performance
Authors: Morgan Chris , Dewhurst Adam 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis research paper aims to explore the application of Statistical Process Control (SPC) methods to measure the performance of a national supermarket chain's problem suppliers. The use of SPC control charts was expected to help in the understanding of the management of buyer/supplier relationships and the effect of the suppliers' performance in the supermarket's replenishment system.Design/methodology/approachThe data analysed were based on the performance of 12 suppliers to the national supermarket over a period of 77 weeks. Quantitative data were supplemented with qualitative data obtained from the suppliers' managers and the supermarket's buyers. The paper compares the measurement of the suppliers' performance using descriptive statistics such as skewness, kurtosis and correlation, with those obtained using SPC‐based control chart techniques.FindingsThe results of this analysis indicate that neither descriptive statistics nor the SPC approach were a complete answer to monitoring supplier performance in the supermarket environment. Instead a composite approach was most likely to be effective in improving buyer/supplier relationships. The use of descriptive statistics is important in establishing consistent and achievable performance targets; the use of SPC facilitates performance monitoring and enables meaningful problem‐solving dialogues to be established.Practical implicationsFrom a retail managerial perspective these results help both in the design of the performance measurement system and in the establishment of realistic performance standards throughout the supply system.Originality/valueThe results suggest that performance measurement of supermarket replenishment systems needs to use a range of performance measures and extend beyond conventional dyadic buyer/supplier analysis.
Assessment of the impact of an open‐URL link resolver
Authors: Yi Hua , Herlihy Catherine S. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to report a data‐driven assessment of student and faculty use of electronic scholarly resources pre‐ and post‐implementation of an open‐URL link resolver.Design/methodology/approachUsage data were extracted from two multidisciplinary scholarly aggregators pre‐ and post‐implementation of an open‐URL link resolver. Open‐URL link resolver usage data for both aggregators were also collected and two timelines established. Statistical analysis was performed to assess direct and indirect impact.FindingsStudy results show that the implementation of an open‐URL link resolver has directly contributed to usage increase in the short and long periods under study. Usage patterns also indicate the technology has indirect impact.Research implications/limitationsLimitations include one‐semester limits of short‐term data. Non‐standardized data could be compared only within each aggregator.Practical implicationsResearch outcomes provide a tool for the assessment of student/faculty use of electronic scholarly resources and Collections and Catalog librarian participation in teaching and learning. Usage data are increasingly available to librarians, so work based on research findings can be assessed.Originality/valueThis paper reports student/faculty usage data of searching activities, not their perceptions of electronic resources. Usage data demonstrate that librarians who select and provide access to electronic resources positively affect teaching and learning.
The rhetoric and reality of “quality” in higher education
Authors: Cartwright Martin J. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe paper aims to describe research undertaken in two post‐1992 universities into staff perceptions of and reactions to the rhetoric of the national quality agenda in the UK as expressed by bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency and the discourse about quality implicit in that agenda. The research examined how academic staff engaged with the discourse and the extent to which the rhetoric of quality is reflected in the day‐to‐day realities of post‐1992 universities.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved a qualitative investigation of the personal experiences of six academics employed in two post‐1992 universities and comprised in‐depth interviews around three themes which were undertaken during 2005 and 2006. The data from the interviews are summarised and paraphrased in a way which faithfully and accurately captures the sense and spirit of each of the interviews as validated by the interviewees.FindingsThe paper concludes that from the point of view of the academic staff who formed part of this research there is a considerable mismatch between the rhetoric of the official paragons of quality represented by the Quality Assurance Agency and the experience of quality by academic staff embroiled in the quality systems that the two universities involved in this research had developed as a consequence of the requirements of government and government agencies.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to academics and academic managers with responsibilities for quality assurance not only in universities with mature quality assurance systems but also in those in which such systems are being introduced or developed.
Interactive business development, capturing business knowledge and practice
Authors: McKelvie Gregor , Dotsika Fefie , Patrick Keith 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to follow the planning and development of MapaWiki, a Knowledge Management System for Mapa, an independent research company that specialises in competitor benchmarking. Starting with the standard requirements to capture, store and share information and knowledge, a system was sought that would allow growth and expansion whilst supporting the quick and easy recording and maintenance of interactions between employees.Design/methodology/approachTrying to identify the optimum KM solution, the social and technical systems within the organisation cooperated in the investigation of different approaches and in the system's design and development. From the case study perspective the Yin (1994) approach was adopted as a framing and guiding schema. This was further shaped through the action research aspect, involving problem‐solving and generating new knowledge and awareness. The solution selection methodology followed was based on the framework proposed by Despres and Chauvel (1999).FindingsThe application of MapaWiki as a KM system has been very successful. It has already become the central tool for collaboration within the company as well as the central knowledge repository where users add comments and suggestions to articles related to product development, meetings minutes, conference notes etc.Originality/valueThis case study has highlighted the underlying power of the wiki concept and has shown how it can be extended substantially from its original use, typically a notice board or brainstorming tool. Our example demonstrates an interactive collaborative environment that allows for the capture, storage, and sharing of information, knowledge and knowledge sharing practice, that has improved efficiency and the adoption of good practices.
Restorative justice: not “rights”, but the right way to heal relationships at work
Authors: Kidder Deborah L. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of restorative justice as a tool for rebuilding trust and repairing damaged relationships in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachThe literature on restorative justice, found predominantly in the criminology field, is reviewed, and the origins and tenets of restorative justice are explained.FindingsResearch suggests that the goals of restorative justice are to repair the harm after a damaging incident, to repair the damaged relationship between the two parties in conflict, and restore the offender back to the community.Originality/valueRestorative justice promises to address the issue of repairing damaged relationships at work, a critical problem in organizations that has yet to be thoroughly addressed in the management literature.
Fit preferences of female consumers in the USA
Authors: Pisut Gina , Jo Connell Lenda 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to investigate fit preferences of female consumers in the USA based on the relationship between their fit preferences, body cathexis, fit problems, and personal profiles.Design/methodology/approachFemale subjects (n=1,026) between the ages of 19 and 54 were asked to respond to a questionnaire that was mailed to subjects. The questionnaire was used to evaluate consumer fit preferences for individual garment categories (jackets, pants, skirts, blouses, and jeans) relative to respondents' personal profiles, body shape, and body cathexis. Terminology, fit issues, and elements of fit expressed as important to female consumers as identified in an initial focus group which was part of a larger study associated with this research were considered in development of the questionnaire.FindingsEighty percent of the sample reported two or more areas of the body where fit problems occurred. One‐third of the respondents altered up to 25 percent of RTW. Semi‐fitted preferences for clothing were reported most often. A significant relationship was found between women who scored high on the body cathexis scale and those who desired more fitted clothing. Body shapes were fairly evenly distributed among all age categories, except for the 19‐35 year old respondents who were more likely to have an hourglass silhouette.Research limitations/implicationsThis methodology involved a self‐report of several variables. Items such as body measurements and body shape were subjective. Answers could be inaccurate because of respondents' lack of knowledge of their measurements or their desire to represent a more ideal figure for themselves. Using 3D body scanning to verify body measurements and body shape could provide more accurate results.Practical implicationsThe issue of the fit in apparel is critical for both industry and academia. Academia has traditionally examined fit based on expert analysis and is just beginning to investigate the importance of fit from the consumer's viewpoint. In the product development area, industry needs to be able to go beyond just body measurements to incorporate fit preferences based on categorical profiles of consumer groups.Originality/valueAs a construct, fit is difficult to study. This paper identifies variables, constructs a stimulus and investigates women's preferences for fit in various garment categories.
Fashion supply chain organisation and management between the UK and China
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Murray Richard , Jones Richard M. 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyse simplified traditional fashion clothing supply chain models between the UK and China to identify the key issues in quality and communication management.Design/methodology/approachQualitative research utilising key informant interviews was used. A total of nine full interviews were undertaken from three simplified supply chains. A content analysis approach was used to analyse the data based on recurring themes. The focus was on the management of quality and communication including design development, sample development and approval, fabric/trims order and approval, bulk production management and shipping/warehouse management.FindingsThe research suggested that for fashion supply chain organisation and management between the UK and China attention should be focused on improvement of three common aspects capable of inhibiting performance: deficiencies in design specification, language barriers, and cultural/human barriers.
Assessing Generic Learning Outcomes in public lending libraries
Authors: Amosford John 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to outline some key results from the “Reading a Difference” survey carried out by Devon County Council's Corporate Consultation Service with Devon Library and Information Service among libraries across the South West of England in 2006. The principal aim of this study was to create and disseminate a learning outcome assessment tool for all public library authorities in the South West of England to inform future policy and research decisions of the South West Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores the use of in book questionnaires to illicit learning experiences from readers as a cost effective method of data collection. It outlines work carried out by to consider the assessment of learning outcomes from book loans to adults within the South West of England.FindingsThe paper finds that it is clear that an assessment tool for learning outcomes can be developed for use within public libraries, and that there is scope for further research on the learning processes to inform policy and the end users. Alongside the theoretical approach to surveying learning outcomes, there are practical outcomes to be explored by public libraries in studying this data. The willingness of the public to engage with library services in this way was in itself positive and the comments made have been used to inform service changes and reaffirm what libraries are currently doing well, or not.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that this type of study can inform managers of the requirements of service delivery and strategic overview of learning within libraries.
Site‐specific structural investigations of oxidized nickel samples modified by plasma erosion processes
Authors: HOLZAPFEL C. , SOLDERA F. , FAUNDEZ E. A. , MÜCKLICH F. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA focused ion beam was employed for local target preparation for EBSD analysis. The volume of the ion‐solid interaction is well below 50 nm at glancing incidence for metallic and transition metal oxide samples. Therefore, focused ion beam can successfully be used for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) sample preparation. The sample investigated consists of Ni covered with a NiO layer of ∼5 μm thickness. Focused ion beam cross‐sectioning of these layers and subsequent electron imaging in addition to EBSD maps shows a bimodal structure of the oxide layer. In order to test the potential of such oxidized samples as electrode materials, single spark erosion experiments were performed. The erosion craters have diameters up to 40 μm and have a depth corresponding to the thickness of the oxide layer. In addition, a deformation zone produced by thermoshock accompanies the formation of the crater. This deformation zone was further investigated by EBSD analysis using a new way of sample preparation employing the focused ion beam technology. This target preparation routine is called Volume of Interest Transfer and has the potential of providing a full three‐dimensional characterization.
A sandwich‐embedding method for oriented sectioning
Authors: LEROUX O. , VAN DER KINDEREN G. , VIANE R. L. L. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryHigh‐quality sections are indispensable for many scientific studies. Most published methods are often time‐consuming or require special devices. We present an easy, quick and low‐cost method for oriented embedding of thin structures using glycol methacrylate resin and self‐constructed, reusable embedding tools made of overhead transparencies. This technique allows for more flexibility in orientation than other methods, enabling precise transverse, longitudinal and even oblique sectioning.
Analysis of a Ferric Uptake Regulator (Fur) Mutant of
Desulfovibrio vulgaris
Hildenborough
Authors: Bender Kelly S. , Yen Huei-Che Bill , Hemme Christopher L. , Yang Zamin , He Zhili , He Qiang , Zhou Jizhong , Huang Katherine H. , Alm Eric J. , Hazen Terry C. , Arkin Adam P. , Wall Judy D. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Previous experiments examining the transcriptional profile of the anaerobe
Desulfovibrio vulgaris
demonstrated up-regulation of the Fur regulon in response to various environmental stressors. To test the involvement of Fur in the growth response and transcriptional regulation of
D. vulgaris
, a targeted mutagenesis procedure was used for deleting the
fur
gene. Growth of the resulting Δ
fur
mutant (JW707) was not affected by iron availability, but the mutant did exhibit increased sensitivity to nitrite and osmotic stresses compared to the wild type. Transcriptional profiling of JW707 indicated that iron-bound Fur acts as a traditional repressor for ferrous iron uptake genes (
feoAB
) and other genes containing a predicted Fur binding site within their promoter. Despite the apparent lack of siderophore biosynthesis genes within the
D. vulgaris
genome, a large 12-gene operon encoding orthologs to TonB and TolQR also appeared to be repressed by iron-bound Fur. While other genes predicted to be involved in iron homeostasis were unaffected by the presence or absence of Fur, alternative expression patterns that could be interpreted as repression or activation by iron-free Fur were observed. Both the physiological and transcriptional data implicate a global regulatory role for Fur in the sulfate-reducing bacterium
D. vulgaris
.
Changes in Microbial Community Composition and Geochemistry during Uranium and Technetium Bioimmobilization
Authors: Michalsen Mandy M. , Peacock Aaron D. , Spain Anne M. , Smithgal Amanda N. , White David C. , Sanchez-Rosario Yamil , Krumholz Lee R. , Istok Jonathan D. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

In a previous column study, we investigated the long-term impact of ethanol additions on U and Tc mobility in groundwater (M. M. Michalsen et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 40:7048-7053, 2006). Ethanol additions stimulated iron- and sulfate-reducing conditions and significantly enhanced U and Tc removal from groundwater compared to an identical column that received no ethanol additions (control). Here we present the results of a combined signature lipid and nucleic acid-based microbial community characterization in sediments collected from along the ethanol-stimulated and control column flow paths. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis showed both an increase in microbial biomass (∼2 orders of magnitude) and decreased ratios of cyclopropane to monoenoic precursor fatty acids in the stimulated column compared to the control, which is consistent with electron donor limitation in the control. Spatial shifts in microbial community composition were identified by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis as well as by quantitative PCR, which showed that
Geobacteraceae
increased significantly near the stimulated-column outlet, where soluble electron acceptors were largely depleted. Clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes from selected flow path locations in the stimulated column showed that
Proteobacteria
were dominant near the inlet (46 to 52%), while members of candidate division OP11 were dominant near the outlet (67%). Redundancy analysis revealed a highly significant difference (
P
= 0.0003) between microbial community compositions within stimulated and control sediments, with geochemical variables explaining 68% of the variance in community composition on the first two canonical axes.