bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ignorant and impatient internationalization?
Authors: Forsgren Mats , Hagström Peter
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine to what extent classical models of firms' internationalization process can explain behavior among totally new types of firms. More specifically, we confront the traditional so‐called Uppsala model of internationalization with data and experiences from such firms in order to analyze and discuss some basic elements in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies of newly established and fast growing Internet‐related firms – rather dissimilar to the firms on which the Uppsala model was originally based – are examined.

Findings

The paper finds that, first, incremental behavior does not seem to be of major concern for our Internet‐related firms, at least not in comparison with factors related to first‐mover‐advantage or following‐the‐herd behavior. Second, stakeholders other than those included in the Uppsala model seemed to have a profound influence on the studied firms, forcing them to go abroad much faster than the model would predict. Third, related to the former point, the existence of an explicit and active internationalization strategy was observed among the firms, not fully in line with the reactive and adaptive firm behavior in the Uppsala model.

Originality/value

The results indicate that the internationalization behavior of new types of firms like Internet‐related firms might deviate considerably from what the Uppsala model predicts. However, as this behavior was far from successful in the studied cases, the results also indicate that the managerial implications of the Uppsala model are maybe more relevant than were originally intended.
The ambiguous relationship of ICT and organizational performance: a literature review
Authors: “Bryan” Jean Ruey‐Jer
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the ambiguous relationship of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the relationship between small suppliers and their multinational enterprise (MNE) customers.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature review paper which develops a conceptual model of IT‐mediated relationships between small suppliers and large MNE customers. The framework integrates transaction cost economics (TCE) and resource based theory (RBV) perspectives and argues that ICT integration both facilitates coordination and monitoring but also impacts on partner opportunism. It is argued that ICT integration can enhance supplier performance given certain circumstances.

Findings

The paper clarifies the ambiguous nature of the power‐dependence relationship between small suppliers and their multinational customers.

Originality/value

ICT both facilitates the governance relationship, balances the power between these key players but also heightens ability to exert control, which is a paradoxical effect.
ICT and MNE reorganisation: the paradox of control
Authors: Yamin Mo , Sinkovics Rudolf R.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ICT‐enabled enhancement of control capability in MNEs. The literature on MNE structures acknowledges the role of ICT as a support system, but the specific changes facilitated by ICT have remained significantly underdeveloped. The paper seeks to address this issue conceptually and link contemporary ICT advancement with changes in MNE strategy or structure. The paper further posits that certain applications of ICT may paradoxically reduce a key advantage of multinationality.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is of conceptual nature and critically examines and develops literature to generate insight on the implications of ICT applications for MNE development. Specifically the focus is on enterprise resource planning systems (ERPs) and the impact of enhanced visibility of remote operations to headquarter management.

Findings

The finding is that ICT application entails a possible trade‐off. It may facilitate an enhancement of control capability for MNE headquarters, however, potentially entails the risk of lessened adaptive capability of subsidiaries, thus potentially constraining the long‐term viability of MNE operations:

Practical implications

Whilst ICT applications may improve coordination and control for the MNE, a level of subsidiary autonomy and initiative taking is still beneficial for MNE strategic and organisational development. ICT applications should not go so far as to suppress it. To this end, managers may be advised to purposefully “blur” subsidiary visibility, by, e.g. allowing the use of different ERP systems.

Originality/value

The main contribution is the integration of literature on ICT advancements, specifically the application of enterprise resource planning systems (ERP), into the IB literature.
Unravelling the paradoxes of the (new) digital economy: myths and realities
Authors: Fikirkoca Ali
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a selective bibliography and examine the potential of the digital technologies, using an inter‐disciplinary literature survey that will contribute to academic and practical knowledge with regard to the understanding of the emerging forms of doing business and competition together with their developmental implications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines a survey of a collection of papers that have been published before and after the new economy bubble. These writings then are classified under two main headings: the views of the (new) digital economy proponents and the sceptics. These two opposing approaches are compared and contrasted through the use of five sub‐sections: conceptualisation, driving force, spatial/developmental implications, industrial impacts of the digital economy, epistemological/methodological foundations.

Findings

The paper finds that claims about the world economy entering into a new phase of a virtuous capitalism or a new international division of labour are over‐exaggerated. A more balanced approach should take into consideration both the dynamics of change and continuity without underestimating the future potential of digital technologies.

Originality/value

This paper offers a critical assessment of the digital economy, based on an inter‐disciplinary literature survey that brings together pieces of work that have previously been analysed largely in a separate manner.
The direct farmer's market: a tool for rural female empowerment
Authors: Tijani Sarafat A. , Yano Izumi
Published: October 2007

Purpose

Women play an important role in marketing and their participation is greatest where trade is traditional. This study aims to explore this most basic level of direct marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the turn around in the life of these women, the study examined the opportunity accrued to women farmers through participating in direct farmer's markets in Japan. Purposive sampling method was adopted in selecting the respondents. To establish change(s) in respondent's status; the snowball method was used to select non‐direct farmers markets (DFM) users for comparison while data collection was done by structured questionnaire and interview schedule.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that most of the DFM studied were established to improve rural women status.

Practical implications

The relationship between the empowerment of both groups and selected characteristics suggests that their empowerment in familial and mobility would be decreasing as they advance in age.

Originality/value

Much of the current direct marketing research is focused on the high‐level/high‐tech sectors. This research investigates the most fundamental level of direct marketing: one‐to‐one interactions and transactions.
Protecting privacy in system design: the electronic voting case
Authors: Kavakli Evangelia , Gritzalis Stefanos , Christos Kalloniatis
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to present Privacy Safeguard (PriS) a formal security requirements engineering methodology which, incorporates privacy requirements in the system design process and to demonstrate its applicability in an e‐voting case.

Design/methodology/approach

PriS provides a methodological framework for addressing privacy‐related issues during system development. It provides a set of concepts for formally expressing privacy requirements (authentication, authorisation, identification, data protection, anonymity, pseudonymity, unlinkability and unobservability) and a systematic way‐of‐working for translating these requirements into system models. The main activities of the PriS way‐of‐working are: elicit privacy‐related goals, analyse the impact of privacy goals on processes, model affected processes using privacy process patterns and identify the technique(s) that best support/implement the above‐process patterns.

Findings

Analysis of a number of well known privacy‐enhancing technologies, as well as of existing security requirement engineering methodologies, pinpoints the gap between system design methodologies and technological solutions. To this end, PriS provides an integrated approach for matching privacy‐related requirements to proper implementation techniques. Experimentation with the e‐voting case suggests that PriS has a high degree of applicability on internet systems that wish to provide services that ensure users privacy, such as anonymous browsing, untraceable transactions, etc.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new methodology for addressing privacy requirements during the design process. Instead of prescribing a single solution, PriS guides developers to choose the most appropriate implementation techniques for realizing the identified privacy issues. In addition, due to its formal definition it facilitates control of the accuracy and precision of the results and enables the development of automated tools for assisting its application.
Institutional patterns of enterprise architecture adoption in government
Authors: Hjort‐Madsen Kristian
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand why, and under which circumstances, enterprise architecture (EA) planning adoption improves information systems (IS) planning and supports administrative transformation in government.

Design/methodology/approach

About 12 cases in the USA were approached with a preliminary theoretical framework derived from the extant literature. Theory building had affinities with grounded‐theory approaches and came out of numerous iterations between the “deep cases” and the extant theory.

Findings

Three adoption patterns illustrate that the adoption of a new IS planning innovation does not create administrative or political transformation in itself. Compliance and imitation primarily drives the adoption process, while fundamental transformation to the tasks performed in government is only achieved if the institutional force at the micro‐and macro‐level promotes transformation.

Research limitations/implications

The neoinstitutional perspective proposed can be of value to other IS researchers as a basis for empirical work in other situations; the implications of the case study can be taken as starting point for further research into the important topic of IS‐based administrative transformation.

Practical implications

The research illustrate that EA adoption is an emergent, evolving, embedded, fragmented, and provisional social production that is shaped as much by cultural and structural forces in the organizational context in which they are implemented as rational technical and economic ones. The findings helps public organizations better understand and manage the adoption of new IS planning innovations.

Originality/value

In the IS literature, very few have recognized the contribution of “new” institutional theory. Thus, this paper helps us understand how administrative and political transformation is adopted in government from a new perspective.
Internal service climate and psychological empowerment among public employees
Authors: Dimitriades Zoe S. , Maroudas Theodore
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The paper aims to contribute to the stream of research on empowerment by investigating the construct of psychological empowerment among Greek public employees. The primary objective is to further the limited amount of empirical research on the concept of empowerment as “experienced” by those working in public administration. Specifically, the study aims to extend the empowerment literature by determining the transferability of Menon's instrument in a Greek public service context; and by examining the relationship between psychological empowerment and internal service climate, defined here as employee quality perceptions of internal service encounters.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on 330 surveys from tax officers in a mid‐sized town in Northern Greece.

Findings

Factor, reliability, correlation, and regression analyses were performed providing satisfactory results. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses faithfully reproduced the three dimensions suggested by Menon – namely perceived control, perceived competence and goal internalization – in a culturally diverse environment compared to the original study. Also, support was provided for the usefulness of the measure in the Greek tax administration. In addition, internal service climate was positively associated with psychological empowerment according to expectations.

Research limitations/implications

It may be relevant for future research to replicate the present study in other types of Greek public organizations utilizing probabilistic sampling techniques. Longitudinal and/or quasi‐experimental research designs might be employed to address issues of causality. Ways of dealing with common method variance also need to be given consideration. Further, examining the predictive validity of individual and contextual antecedents and consequences of psychological empowerment identified in the private sector, investigating the nature of these relationships (causational, mediational, or moderational), and incorporating organizational effectiveness indices in the proposed model should enhance our understanding of the dynamic nature of the variables analyzed.

Originality/value

Results demonstrate the transferability of Menon's instrument in a culturally diverse work environment. In addition, the applicability of the scale in a Greek public service context is well illustrated. The link between an under‐researched facet of organizational climate, namely internal service climate, to psychological empowerment is highlighted and discussed. To the knowledge of the researchers, no prior study has attempted to investigate these issues in Greek public organizations.
Governance structures of the electricity distribution network operation activities
Authors: Tanskanen Anna , Jantunen Ari , Saksa Juha‐Matti , Partanen Jarmo , Bergman Jukka
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the governance choices of firms operating in the electricity distribution network operation activities. The study aims to consider both costs and benefits of different governance choices and to examine which of the activities could be outsourced and which it is preferable to keep in‐house. The study makes a distinction between the electricity retail services and electricity distribution network activities and focuses solely on the network business.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a four‐staged process and utilizes the extended transaction cost economics as a theoretical framework. The research design includes in‐depth interviews with ten managers and CEOs of Finnish electrical utilities, analysis and interpretation of findings and verification of results by electricity network business experts.

Findings

The extended transactional cost economics theoretical framework and research design support analysis of governance structures and make‐or‐buy decisions. The findings demonstrate that the activities of the companies operating in the electricity distribution business differ in terms of potential long‐term efficiency effects when sourced from the market or made in‐house. The determinants of the governance choice depend partly on the nature and strategic importance of the activity in question. Operations management seems to be a function to be kept in‐house in the current market situation, whereas there are clear potential benefits that can be obtained by outsourcing field work activities. The results related to the governance of control room activities are more complicated.

Originality/value

This study brings not only the transaction costs but also the benefit‐side and the dynamic aspects of boundary choices under assessment.
The White Paper on energy: will it really meet the United Kingdom's energy challenge?
Authors: Bhattacharyya Subhes C.
Published: October 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this commentary is to review the recently published White Paper on energy that outlines the policies the government intends to take to meet the energy challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The commentary presents a critical review and analysis of the report that rely on the author's understanding and experience.

Findings

The review highlights that, despite considering a wide range of policy options, the country is unlikely to meet the target on carbon emission reduction set by the government by 2020 and, unless the nuclear option is exercised, the possibility of missing the carbon emission reduction target of 60 per cent in 2050 remains high. The note also questions the logic of focusing on the domestic actions alone when cheaper options exist through participation in other Kyoto Protocol instruments. Moreover, the idea of promoting competitive energy markets does not appear to be compatible with the desired low carbon path. The effectiveness of a top‐down approach (as opposed to a more bottom‐up approach) to a transition to low‐carbon energy economy policies is also doubted. While the report acknowledges the important role of fossil fuels over the coming decades, it fails to provide adequate measures to ensure supply security. The preparation against supply disruption remains poorly addressed. The faith placed in markets in meeting the investment needs for the electricity sector is going to be a major test of the government policies and the supply security will be greatly compromised unless adequate investments in desired capacity mixes take place.

Originality/value

The value of this commentary lies in its comprehensive synthesis of the White Paper and the critical review of the salient features of the policy.
Gα–Gβγ dissociation may be due to retraction of a buried lysine and disruption of an aromatic cluster by a GTP‐sensing Arg–Trp pair
Authors: Neuwald Andrew F.
Published: October 2007

The heterotrimeric G protein α subunit (Gα) functions as a molecular switch by cycling between inactive GDP‐bound and active GTP‐bound states. When bound to GDP, Gα interacts with high affinity to a complex of the β and γ subunits (Gβγ), but when bound to GTP, Gα dissociates from this complex to activate downstream signaling pathways. Gα's state is communicated to other cellular components via conformational changes within its switch I and II regions. To identify key determinants of Gα's function as a signaling pathway molecular switch, a Bayesian approach was used to infer the selective constraints that most distinguish Gα and closely related Arf family GTPases from distantly related translational and metabolic GTPases. The strongest of these constraints are imposed on seven residues within or near the switch II region. Likewise, constraints imposed on Gα but not on other, closely related molecular switches correspond to four nearby residues. These constraints are explained by a proposed mechanism for GTP‐induced dissociation of Gα from Gβγ where an Arg–Trp pair senses the presence of bound GTP leading to conformational retraction of a nearby lysine and to disruption of an aromatic cluster. Within a complex of Giα, Giβγ, and GDP, this lysine establishes greater surface contact with Giβ than does any other residue in Giα, whereas the aromatic cluster packs against a highly conserved tryptophan in Giβ that establishes greater surface contact with Giα than does any other residue in Giβ. Other structural features associated with Gα functional divergence further support the proposed mechanism.
Novel mutations in ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 that confer erythromycin resistance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zaman Sephorah , Fitzpatrick Megan , Lindahl Lasse , Zengel Janice
Published: October 2007

L4 and L22, proteins of the large ribosomal subunit, contain globular surface domains and elongated ‘tentacles’ that reach into the core of the large subunit to form part of the lining of the peptide exit tunnel. Mutations in the tentacles of L4 and L22 confer macrolide resistance in a variety of pathogenic and non‐pathogenic bacteria. In Escherichia coli, a Lys‐to‐Glu mutation in L4 and a three‐amino‐acid deletion in the L22 had been reported. To learn more about the roles of the tentacles in ribosome assembly and function, we isolated additional erythromycin‐resistant E. coli mutants. Eight new mutations mapped in L4, all within the tentacle. Two new mutations were identified in L22; one mapped outside the tentacle. Insertion mutations were found in both genes. All of the mutants grew slower than the parent, and they all showed reduced in vivo rates of peptide‐chain elongation and increased levels of precursor 23S rRNA. Large insertions in L4 and L22 resulted in very slow growth and accumulation of abnormal ribosomal subunits. Our results highlight the important role of L4 and L22 in ribosome function and assembly, and indicate that a variety of changes in these proteins can mediate macrolide resistance.
The national innovation system and foreign R&D: the case of Taiwan
Authors: Chen Shin‐Horng
Published: October 2007

R&D internationalization has increasingly involved countries outside the developed world. In addition, there has been a growing trend for countries in East Asia to seek to attract the R&D facilities of multinationals (MNCs). For such countries, they are faced with a fundamental question as to what kinds of impact MNCs' offshore R&D facilities will have on their own countries, especially in terms of technological innovation and industrial development. Set against the above backdrop, this paper sets out to examine a relatively new aspect of R&D internationalization related to global innovation networks and to open up the blackbox of the spillover effect regarding foreign R&D by examining the interplay of foreign R&D and Taiwan's national innovation system. The empirical part of the paper draws mainly upon intensive case studies of four high‐profile foreign R&D facilities in the IT industry. The way foreign R&D interplays with Taiwan's NIS is examined in terms of the market & technology linkages.
Association of chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol with low saliva flow in a sample of south‐Brazilians aged 50 years and older
Authors: Hugo Fernando Neves , Hilgert Juliana Balbinot , Corso Samuel , Padilha Dalva Maria Pereira , Bozzetti Mary Clarisse , Bandeira Denise R. , Pawlowski Josiane , Gonçalves Tonantzin Ribeiro
Published: October 2007

Background:  Few studies have evaluated the relationship between depression symptoms, chronic stress or physiological measures of stress such as cortisol levels and saliva secretion.

Objective:  To evaluate the association of low saliva flow with chronic stress, depression symptoms and cortisol in a population aged 50 years and older.

Methods:  Participants (n = 227) were recruited from community clubhouses and among dementia caregivers. Stress was assessed using the Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory and salivary cortisol measurements. In addition, taking care of a relative with dementia was included as a proxy variable for chronic stress. Depression was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Saliva flow rate was assessed by measuring unstimulated and chewing‐stimulated saliva flow. Further saliva samples were collected (morning, noon, night) for cortisol analysis by means of radioimmunoassay.

Results:  Gender, being a dementia caregiver, self‐reported diabetes and prescriptive medication intake were independently associated with a low stimulated saliva flow. Prescriptive medication intake was also associated with a low unstimulated saliva flow.

Conclusion:  Caregiving, a proxy of chronic stress, was associated with low stimulated saliva flow, indicating that stress may have a potential role in salivary gland hypofunction.
Effects of passive heating on central blood volume and ventricular dimensions in humans
Authors: Crandall C. G. , Wilson T. E. , Marving J. , Vogelsang T. W. , Kjaer A. , Hesse B. , Secher N. H.
Published: October 2007

Mixed findings regarding the effects of whole‐body heat stress on central blood volume have been reported. This study evaluated the hypothesis that heat stress reduces central blood volume and alters blood volume distribution. Ten healthy experimental and seven healthy time control (i.e. non‐heat stressed) subjects participated in this protocol. Changes in regional blood volume during heat stress and time control were estimated using technetium‐99m labelled autologous red blood cells and gamma camera imaging. Whole‐body heating increased internal temperature (> 1.0°C), cutaneous vascular conductance (approximately fivefold), and heart rate (52 ± 2 to 93 ± 4 beats min−1), while reducing central venous pressure (5.5 ± 07 to 0.2 ± 0.6 mmHg) accompanied by minor decreases in mean arterial pressure (all P < 0.05). The heat stress reduced the blood volume of the heart (18 ± 2%), heart plus central vasculature (17 ± 2%), thorax (14 ± 2%), inferior vena cava (23 ± 2%) and liver (23 ± 2%) (all P≤ 0.005 relative to time control subjects). Radionuclide multiple‐gated acquisition assessment revealed that heat stress did not significantly change left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, while ventricular end‐systolic volume was reduced by 24 ± 6% of pre‐heat stress levels (P < 0.001 relative to time control subjects). Thus, heat stress increased left ventricular ejection fraction from 60 ± 1% to 68 ± 2% (P= 0.02). We conclude that heat stress shifts blood volume from thoracic and splanchnic regions presumably to aid in heat dissipation, while simultaneously increasing heart rate and ejection fraction.
TRESK two‐pore‐domain K+ channels constitute a significant component of background potassium currents in murine dorsal root ganglion neurones
Authors: Dobler Tina , Springauf Andreas , Tovornik Stefanie , Weber Maruschka , Schmitt Angelika , Sedlmeier Reinhard , Wischmeyer Erhard , Döring Frank
Published: October 2007

TRESK (TWIK‐related spinal cord K+ channel) is the most recently identified member of the two‐pore‐domain potassium channel (K2P) family, the molecular source of background potassium currents. Human TRESK channels are not affected by external acidification. However, the mouse orthologue displays moderate pH dependence isolated to a single histidine residue adjacent to the GYG selectivity filter. In the human protein, sequence substitution of tyrosine by histidine at this critical position generated a mutant that displays almost identical proton sensitivity compared with mouse TRESK. In contrast to human TRESK, which is specifically located in spinal cord, we detected mouse TRESK (mTRESK) mRNA in several epithelial and neuronal tissues including lung, liver, kidney, brain and spinal cord. As revealed by endpoint and quantitative RT‐PCR, mTRESK channels are mainly expressed in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and on the transcript level represent the most important background potassium channel in this tissue. DRG neurones of all sizes were labelled by in situ hybridizations with TRESK‐specific probes. In DRG neurones of TRESK[G339R] functional knock‐out (KO) mice the standing outward current IKso was significantly reduced compared with TRESK wild‐type (WT) littermates. Different responses to K2P channel regulators such as bupivacaine, extracellular protons and quinidine corroborated the finding that approximately 20% of IKso is carried by TRESK channels. Unexpectedly, we found no difference in resting membrane potential between DRG neurones of TRESK[WT] and TRESK[G339R] functional KO mice. However, in current‐clamp recordings we observed significant changes in action potential duration and amplitude of after‐hyperpolarization. Most strikingly, cellular excitability of DRG neurones from functional KO mice was significantly augmented as revealed by reduced rheobase current to elicit action potentials.
Why Is Climate Sensitivity So Unpredictable?
Authors: Roe Gerard H. , Baker Marcia B.
Published: October 2007

Uncertainties in projections of future climate change have not lessened substantially in past decades. Both models and observations yield broad probability distributions for long-term increases in global mean temperature expected from the doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide, with small but finite probabilities of very large increases. We show that the shape of these probability distributions is an inevitable and general consequence of the nature of the climate system, and we derive a simple analytic form for the shape that fits recent published distributions very well. We show that the breadth of the distribution and, in particular, the probability of large temperature increases are relatively insensitive to decreases in uncertainties associated with the underlying climate processes.
COLEOSPORIUM VIBURNI ON JACK PINE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH C. ASTERUM
Authors: Ouellette G. B.
Published: October 2007

Through inoculation tests in the greenhouse and in the field, the previously unknown 0 and I stages of Coleosporium viburni Arth. are shown to occur on jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.). These stages are described and differences in aeciospore morphology which permit distinction on pine of this rust from Coleosporium asterum (Diet.) Syd. are discussed. The description of C. asterum is amended to include differences in aeciospore size between collections on jack and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.). The known distribution of C. viburni is summarized.
BEHAVIOR OF EMBRYO SEGMENTS OF DENDROPHTHOE FALCATA (L.f.) ETTINGS. IN VITRO
Authors: Bajaj Y. P. S.
Published: October 2007

It was observed that when the radicular end of the embryo of Dendrophthoe falcata, a semiparasitic mistletoe, was split longitudinally into two halves and cultured in vitro, each half regenerated into a holdfast. In the present investigation when the radicular end was divided into three parts (by two parallel incisions) three holdfasts were formed, and when two longitudinal incisions were made at right angles to each other, four holdfasts were formed. At the same time observations were made on the growth of various embryonal segments.
PERITHECIUM DEVELOPMENT IN LEPTOSPHAERIA AVENARIA F. SP. AVENARIA
Authors: Corlett Michael
Published: October 2007

Leptosphaeria avenaria Weber f. sp. avenaria has the Pleospora type of centrum development. The perithecium locule is created principally through the basipetal growth of pseudoparaphyses and to a lesser degree by the lysis of pseudoparenchyma at the base of the perithecium. The ascogonium produces an ascogenous system that fragments into many uninucleate and binucleate cells which eventually line the lower margin of the locule. An ascogenous cell forms a single crozier, or up to eight croziers by proliferation. The penultimate cell develops into the ascus in which, after meiosis and one mitosis, eight uninucleate ascospore initials form. Two mitotic divisions with accompanying cell divisions produce the mature ascospore composed of four uninucleate cells. Asci mature successively; only a few are mature at one time. The ostiole is formed schizogenously and is lined with periphyses.
Ultrastructure of teliospore formation in the cedar-apple rust fungus Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae
Authors: Mims Charles W.
Published: October 2007

A telium of G. jttniperi-virginianae consists of a palisade-like layer of hyphae located beneath the host epidermis. The terminal cell of each hypha within the telium disintegrates before the onset of teliospore formation. The cell immediately beneath the terminal cell functions as a sporogenous cell giving rise to teliospore initials. Each sporogenous cell contains two nuclei which divide mitotically as each initial forms. Two daughter nuclei move into the teliospore initial and two remain in the sporogenous cell. The initial elongates and is delimited from the sporogenous cell by a basal septum. The nuclei within the initial then divide and a centripetally developing septum separates the initial into two binucleate cells. The lower cell dies and becomes the pedicel of the spore while the upper cell or teliospore mother cell continues to develop. The nuclei of the mother cell divide and a centripetally developing central septum divides the cell into two binucleate cells. At this stage, the young teliospore is delimited. Its wall thickens and the spore enlarges, becoming more ellipsoid. Eventually, the nuclei within each cell of the teliospore fuse. After karyogamy, synaptonemal complexes appear in the nuclei of spores still within the telium.
Ultrastructure of oospore development in Albugo candida on rapeseed
Authors: Tewari J. P. , Skoropad W. P.
Published: October 2007

The structure and development of oospores of Albugo candida in the stagheads in rapeseed (Brassica campestris) were investigated by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections, and scanning electron microscopy. Development of an oospore, in general, is similar to that in Pythium. A reaction zone is formed in the oogonial wall at the point of contact by the fertilization tube of the antheridium. The oospore has a highly differentiated five-layered cell wall. The periplasm appears to play an active role in deposition of the cell wall of the oospore. Contents of the periplasm do not disappear after maturation of the oospore; instead, they forma persistent material between it and the oogonial wall. Hence, functionally, the oospore wall complex has two additional layers. Longevity of the oospore may be due to the heavily fortified cell wall.
Host resistance to the fir engraver beetle. 3. Lesion development and containment of infection by resistant Abies grandis inoculated with Trichosporium symbioticum
Authors: Wong Betty L. , Berryman Alan A.
Published: October 2007

Development of lesions in resistant grand fir trees was observed from time of uninoculated- control injury and Trichosporium symbioticum inoculation to wound stabilization. Lesion development was similar in both types of injury, showing a rapid expansion phase followed by expansion reduction and stabilization. However, in fungus-inoculated wounds vertical lesion growth in the first 7days was much more rapid.Microscopic examination and culturing data showed that T. symbioticum generally lags behind the lesion boundary and is confined within the lesion at the time of wound stabilization. Schizogenic traumatic resin cavity formation begins 14–21 days after wounding and is followed by callus formation 14 days later.Reisolation of the fungus from the lesion indicated that resin and phenolic compounds which accumulated within the reaction zone had little effect on the viability or virulence of the pathogen. These results suggest that fungal confinement in the lesion in resistant grand fir is due to degenerative metabolism within the lesion, which robs the medium of nutrients essential to fungal growth and development, and later is due to secondary resin produced by traumatic resin cavities.
Flavanol and terpenoid aldehyde synthesis in tumors associated with genetic incompatibility in a Gossypium hirsutum × G. gossypioides hybrid
Authors: Mace M. E. , Bell A. A.
Published: October 2007

Incipient and advanced tumors were present in the hypocotyl and the first three internodes of severely stunted, 10-node plants of Gossypium hirsutum × G. gossypioides hybrid. Tumors, free of bacteria or fungi, were initiated at or near the vascular cambium as small clumps of hypertrophied parenchyma. Disorganization of segments of the vascular cambium occurred in association with tumor initiation. Subsequent growth of tumors caused disorganization of the phloem and formation of wedge-shaped masses of tumorous parenchyma in the xylem. Isolated tumors occurred in the pith of 14-node plants.The stem xylem of tumorous 10-node plants had increased levels of the flavanols catechin and gallocatechin, normally present only in a few scattered parenchyma cells in nontumorous xylem tissue. Several terpenoid aldehydes, predominantly hemigossypol and methoxyhemigossypol, occurred in tumorous xylem tissue, but were absent in nontumorous tissues. Histochemical reagents showed that the flavanols and terpenoid aldehydes were associated with incipient and advanced stages of tumors in the stem xylem.
Etude des ectomycorhizes de Dryas octopetala. Obtention de synthèses mycorhiziennes et de carpophores d’Hebeloma alpinum et H. marginatulum
Authors: Debaud J. C. , Pepin R. , Bruchet G.
Published: October 2007

The mycorrhizal synthesis between Dryas octopetala L. and two Agaricales from alpine area: Hebeloma alpinum (Favre) Bruchet and Hebeloma marginatulum (Favre) Bruchet, have been produced in the laboratory. Both fungi yielded normal fructification after 8 months in culture. After light and scanning electron microscopic examination, macro- and microscopical features of these mycorhizae are described. This symbiotic association, existing in the field between D. octopetala and those fungi typical of the alpine area, is discussed from an ecological point of view.
Thermal adaptation and acclimation of ecotypic populations of Spirodela polyrhiza (Lemnaceae): thermostability and apparent activation energy of NAD malate dehydrogenase
Authors: Davidson Dominique , Simon Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2007

Eleven ecotypes of Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid., an aquatic plant possessing an extensive geographic distribution, were studied to detect adaptive and acclimatory metabolic changes through a study of the thermostability and activation energy of malate dehydrogenase. Colonies were grown under controlled conditions with temperature (18, 23, and 28 °C) as the only variable. Thermostability is found to be affected by experimental temperatures (acclimation) but not by origin temperatures; there is genetic differentiation but related to some other environmental conditions than average temperature at the site of origin. Activation energy is unaffected by experimental temperatures or origin. It is suggested that, as S. polyrhiza naturally grows in bodies of water, it is less exposed to temperature variations than terrestrial plants, but is more affected by other physicochemical environmental factors; its main metabolic regulatory systems do not appear to be associated with thermal controls.
Somatic embryogenesis and artificial seed production in Zonal (Pelargonium × hortorum) and Regal (Pelargonium × domesticum) geranium
Authors: Marsolais A. A. , Wilson D. P. M. , Tsujita M. J. , Senaratna T.
Published: October 2007

Somatic embryos have been produced from petioles and hypocotyls of Zonal geranium and from petioles of Regal geranium. Somatic embryos of both species have been desiccated and subsequently germinated. Some important factors that influence the rate of somatic embryo production in geranium are discussed. They include culture medium factors such as auxin and auxin dosage, carbohydrates, amino acids, pH, and basal medium composition. The donor plant genotype also appeared to have an effect on somatic embryogenesis and survival after desiccation. Key words: Pelargonium × hortorum, Pelargonium × domesticum, geranium, somatic embryo, artificial seed.
Isolation of monocentric and polycentric fungi from the rumen and feces of cows in Georgia
Authors: Wubah D. A. , Fuller M. S. , Akin D. E.
Published: October 2007

Three monocentric and two polycentric obligately anaerobic zoosporic fungi were isolated from the rumen, freshly voided feces, and dry and moist feces. Rumen isolates were morphologically similar to fecal isolates from the same animal. The monocentric isolates were Piromyces communis, Neocallimastix frontalis, and Caecomyces communis. The polycentric isolates were Orpinomyces bovis and Orpinomyces sp. type PC3. Piromyces communis and N. frontalis were obtained from feces stored for 3 and 6 months, respectively. Orpinomyces bovis and Orpinomyces sp. type PC3 were isolated from dry feces, but not moist feces, stored for 3 and 6 months, respectively. Caecomyces communis was isolated only from feces stored for 6 weeks. All the isolates, except C. communis, formed melanized sporangia in pure culture. Structures that were morphologically similar to the melanized sporangia of rumen fungi were observed in fecal smears.The fecal isolates grew under conditions similar to the rumen, but not under aerobic conditions. Key words: rumen fungi, Chytridiomycetes, fecal fungi.
Updates on some species of Discosia
Authors: Raj T. R. Nag
Published: October 2007

Affinities of Discosia grammita lie in Seimatosporium. Discosia baarnensis is shown to have an earlier name, D. poikilomera, which is redescribed from a lectotype. Discosia julia is redisposed in Pilidium. Key words: Seimatosporium grammitum, Discosia artocreas, Discosia poikilomera.
Apical dominance in Phaseolus vulgaris: effect of the nitrogen supply
Authors: McIntyre G. I. , Cessna A. J.
Published: October 2007

Nitrogen is one of the most effective of the many factors that can influence the degree of apical dominance, but the mechanism involved has not been determined. In experiments with Phaseolus vulgaris, grown in sand culture under controlled conditions, increasing the nitrogen concentration in the nutrient solution from 52.5 to 315 mg/L released the bud at the primary leaf node from inhibition. Precise measurements (± 1 μm) with a strain gauge transducer showed that the bud growth response was initiated ca. 3 h after increasing the N supply. The increase in the total N content of the buds of the high-N plants was significantly correlated with their uptake of water. Increases in the amino-N content of the buds of the high-N plants over the first 24 h of the treatment period were correlated with significant increases in their total water potential and pressure potential, but their solute potential was unaffected. The absence of any reduction in their solute potential was attributed to the dilution effect of the increased uptake of water. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that N initiates the release of buds from apical dominance by an osmotic effect that increases their capacity to compete for water with the parent shoot. Key words: apical dominance, nitrogen, Phaseolus, water potential.
Effects of water stress on the leaf demography of Agropyron desertorum, Agropyron dasystachyum, Bromus inermis, and Stipa viridula
Authors: Reekie E. G. , Redmann R. E.
Published: October 2007

We examined the effect of water stress on leaf demography in four grass species known to differ in degree of drought resistance. Stress was imposed by growing plants in solution culture and lowering water potential of the solution either slowly, or rapidly, by the addition of polyethylene glycol. Rapid stress reduced the number of leaves by increasing leaf death rate and decreasing birth rate. Gradual stress reduced the number of leaves by temporarily decreasing leaf birth rate; death rate also decreased, partially compensating for the reduction in birth rate. Death rates were age specific; rapid stress had little effect on young leaves, and gradual stress increased leaf longevity to the greatest extent in those leaves that emerged immediately prior to the imposition of stress. As a result, plants subjected to rapid stress had a young leaf age structure, while plants subjected to gradual stress had an older age structure. Differences among species in tolerance to water stress were related in part to differences in leaf age structure. Species with a young leaf age structure exhibited less of an increase in leaf mortality in response to rapid stress, and more of an increase in leaf longevity in response to gradual stress than other species. Key words: drought tolerance, leaf turnover, leaf age structure, polyethylene glycol, leaf senescence.
Vegetative compatibility and genetic diversity in the Aspergillus flavus population of a single field
Authors: Bayman Paul , Cotty Peter J.
Published: October 2007

Aspergillus flavus was isolated from soil from a single Arizona cotton field in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Isolates from infected cotton bolls were collected from the same field in 1988. Isolates were assigned to vegetative compatibility groups via complementation tests between nitrate-nonutilizing mutants. Sixty-one of 105 isolates composed 13 vegetative compatibility groups; the remaining 44 isolates could not be assigned to groups. Forty-three isolates from other fields in Arizona composed 21 groups, 6 of which were also found in the test field. Distribution of vegetative compatibility groups in and outside the field was significantly different, based on a G-test. One vegetative compatibility group included 20% of all isolates from the test field, but was not found elsewhere. It was common in the test field in 1987 and 1988, but was not found in 1989. Boll and soil populations from 1988 were not significantly different. Single infected boll locules and 25-g soil samples often contained A. flavus individuals from more than one group. These results suggest that although many vegetative compatibility groups are widely distributed, a single field may have a unique population profile that changes significantly from year to year. Key words: Aspergillus flavus, vegetative compatibility, Nit−, imperfect fungi.
Caractérisation des taxons du genre Ornithogalum, sous-genre Heliocharmos (Hyacinthaceae), en Afrique du Nord et en France : analyse morphologique et biogéographique
Authors: Moret J. , Galland N.
Published: October 2007

Two species of Ornithogalum subg. Heliocharmos are present in North Africa: O. algeriense and O. kochii. These are often confused with O. umbellatum from Europe. Several populations covering the spread of variation of these species were studied biometrically using macromorphological characters. Multivariate analysis results suggest that O. kochii is close to the diploid cytotype of O. umbellatum. The diploid cytotypes are closer to the popyploid series of O. umbellatum than to O. algeriense. These results are discussed in relation to biogeography and evolution. Key words: Angiosperms, Hyacinthaceae, Ornithogalum, subg. Heliocharmos, numerical taxonomy, systematic, biogeography, flora of Marocco, flora of France. [Journal translation]
In vitro production of the teleomorph of Guignardia bidwellii, causal agent of black rot of grapevine
Authors: Jailloux F.
Published: October 2007

The control of in vitro differentiation of perithecia of Guignardia bidwellii was made possible by the manipulation of the light and temperature of cultures grown on oatmeal agar medium. Perithecia were initiated during a 2-week period of growth at 25 °C in the dark, which was favorable for mycelial growth. Perithecial differentiation was dependent on light and temperature (5–15 °C) conditions. Under these conditions, perithecia were formed in sclerotia, which also contained pycnidia, at a minimum interval of 4 weeks. The ability of seventeen monoascospore cultures to differentiate mature perithecia demonstrates the homothallism of the fungus. Key words: Guignardia bidwellii, black rot, sexual cycle in vitro, homothallism, grapevine, Vitis vinifera.