bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of Novel Isolates of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis from Arkansas
Authors: Ali Shaukat , Gurung Suraj , Adhikari Tika B.
Published: January 2010

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is an important foliar disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) worldwide. In a preliminary study, P. tritici-repentis isolates from Arkansas were shown to vary in virulence relative to isolates from other regions of the United States. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to characterize both pathogenic and molecular variations in P. tritici-repentis isolates from Arkansas. The virulence of 93 isolates of P. tritici-repentis was evaluated by inoculating five differential wheat cultivars/lines. Based on virulence phenotypes, 63 isolates were classified as race 1, and 30 isolates were assigned to race 3. A subset of 42 isolates was selected for molecular characterization with the presence or absence of the ToxA and ToxB genes. The results showed that 36 isolates out of 42 tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern analysis lacked the ToxA and ToxB genes. Six isolates harboring the ToxA and ToxB genes induced necrosis and chlorosis on Glenlea and 6B365, respectively. Thirteen ToxA gene-deficient isolates also caused necrosis and chlorosis on Glenlea and 6B365, respectively; however, they did not fit current race classification. In contrast, the remaining 23 ToxA gene-deficient isolates did not cause necrosis, but induced chlorosis on 6B365, showing a disease profile for race 3. When the virulence of AR LonB2 (an isolate with unclassified race) was compared with known races 1, 3, and 5 of P. tritici-repentis on 20 winter wheat cultivars from Arkansas, the virulence phenotypes differed substantially. Taken together, the ToxA and ToxB gene-deficient isolates of P. tritici-repentis that induce necrosis and/or chlorosis may produce a novel toxin(s) on wheat.
A Survey for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ Species in South Africa Confirms the Presence of Only ‘Ca. L. africanus’ in Commercial Citrus
Authors: Pietersen G. , Arrebola E. , Breytenbach J. H. J. , Korsten L. , le Roux H. F. , la Grange H. , Lopes S. A. , Meyer J. B. , Pretorius M. C. , Schwerdtfeger M. , van Vuuren S. P. , Yamamoto P.
Published: January 2010

Greening disease of citrus is a serious disease known in South Africa since the late 1920s. In South Africa, it is associated with infection by ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’, a heat sensitive, phloem-limited, noncultured alpha-proteobacterium. Huanglongbing (HLB), a similar, but more devastating disease that was described initially from China but which now occurs in several citrus producing countries, is associated with a different Liberibacter species, ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’. A ‘Ca. L. africanus’ subspecies, ‘Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis’, has been found only in South Africa infecting an indigenous Rutaceous species, Calodendrum capense (Cape Chestnut), in the Western Cape in 1995. The discovery of a new Liberibacter species in Brazil, ‘Ca. L. americanus’, and the spread of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ to a number of additional countries over the last few years prompted us to assess whether only ‘Ca. L. africanus’ is present in commercial citrus orchards in South Africa. Samples displaying greening or similar symptoms were collected from 249 citrus trees from 57 orchards distributed throughout the greening affected citrus production areas of South Africa. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on DNA extracts to detect the known citrus Liberibacters. Amplicons were obtained from 197 samples. None of the samples yielded a 1,027-bp amplicon indicative of ‘Ca. L. americanus’ infection. The amplicons of 84 samples were sequenced, and all were identical to the cognate ‘Ca. L. africanus’ Nelspruit sequence in GenBank. No instance of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ or ‘Ca. L. africanus subsp. capensis’ sequence was found. Geographically representative samples that tested negative for Liberibacter also tested negative for phytoplasmas based on real-time PCR results. Based on the results of this survey, it is concluded that to date only ‘Ca. L. africanus’ is associated with citrus greening in commercial citrus in South Africa.
A New Disease, Arboricola Leaf Spot of Bell Pepper, Caused by Xanthomonas arboricola
Authors: Myung I.-S. , Jeong I. H. , Moon S. Y. , Lee S. W. , Shim H. S.
Published: January 2010

In June 2007, a leaf spot disease was observed on seedlings of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. angulosum) in a commercial greenhouse in Iksan City, Korea. Symptoms on leaves included small, irregularly shaped, brown lesions with yellow halos and marginal necrosis. Four bacterial isolates, BC2526, BC2527, BC2528, and BC2529, were obtained from the diseased plants. The isolates were gram-negative aerobic rods with a single flagellum. On peptone sucrose agar, colonies were yellow and raised with smooth margins. Pathogenicity was confirmed by spraying cell suspensions containing 106 CFU/ml onto seedlings of bell pepper (cv. Fieste), tomato (Solanum lycopersicon cv. Seokwang), and hot pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Daekwang) in a greenhouse maintained at 26 ± 3°C. The isolates induced symptoms, spots, and margin blights on leaves of bell pepper, tomato, and hot pepper 2 weeks after inoculation. No symptoms were noted on the control plants inoculated with sterilized distilled water. The identity of the bacteria was confirmed with the Biolog Microbial Identification System, version 4.2 (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA). The gyrB region was partially sequenced to aid in identification of four isolates using PCR primers reported by Parkinson et al. (1). A 701-bp fragment of the gyrB region from the isolates was compared with sequences of the reference strains of Xanthomonas available in the DDBL/EMBL/GenBank databases (4). The bacterial isolates clustered with Xanthomonas arboricola pathovars in a phylogenetic tree generated with the neighbor-joining method in MEGA (version 4.1) (3). The sequence of the gyrB from the isolates had distance indexes of 0.016, 0.014, 0.016, 0.013, 0.037, and 0.019 as determined by the Jukes-Cantor model (2) with sequences of the reference strains of X. arboricola pvs. pruni (EU498953), celebensis (EU498984), corylina (EU499002), juglandis (EU 498951), populi (EU 499035), and a X. arboricola strain from bell pepper (EU 499039) (4), respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a leaf disease on bell pepper caused by X. arboricola. We propose the name arboricola leaf spot for the disease. Further studies are required for determining pathovar status of the strain. Nucleotide sequence data reported are available under Accession Nos. GQ502678, GQ502679, GQ502680, and GQ502681 for gyrB of BC2626, BC2527, BC2528, and BC2923, respectively. The disease is expected to have a significant economic impact on tomato and pepper production in Korea.

References: (1) N. Parkinson et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:264, 2009. (2) N. Saitou and M. Nei. Mol. Biol. Evol. 4:406, 1987. (3) K. Tamura et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 24:1596, 2007. (4) J. M. Young et al. Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 31:366, 2008.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces biocellatus on Peppermint in California
Authors: Marcum D. B. , Perez K. , Davis R. M.
Published: January 2010

In August of 2009, powdery mildew was observed on peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) in several commercial fields in the Fall River Valley of eastern Shasta County, California. Plant growth was apparently reduced by the disease, but its impact on yield was unknown. White fungal growth was restricted to the adaxial surfaces, where colonies were thin and effused. Heavily infected leaves developed a reddish tint as growth prematurely ceased. Doliform conidia ([26.6-] 29.2 [-31.7] × [13.2-] 15.6 [-16.8] μm) were produced in chains of approximately six conidia. Foot cells were cylindrical ([41.3-] 55.2 [-75.0] × [11.2-] 12.0 [-12.8] μm). Immature chasmothecia were yellowish brown and approximately 100.0 μm in diameter with flexuous, mycelium-like appendages up to 200 μm long. All these features were consistent with those of Golovinomyces biocellatus. Asci were not observed. To confirm the identity of the fungus, nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified by PCR with universal primers ITS4 and ITS5. The sequence (537 bp) was an exact match for several submissions of G. biocellatus in GenBank (e.g., Accession No. EU035602, a sequence of the fungus from mint in Australia [1]). Pathogenicity was confirmed by brushing spores from naturally infected leaves onto three rooted cuttings of M. piperita ‘Black Mitchum’. After the plants were covered with a plastic bag for 36 h to maintain high humidity, they were kept on a greenhouse bench at 23 to 28°C. Three noninoculated plants, which served as controls, were placed in another greenhouse in similar conditions. The experiment was repeated once. All inoculated plants developed signs of powdery mildew within 7 days of inoculation whereas noninoculated plants remained disease free. The fungus on inoculated leaves was morphologically indistinguishable from the one used to inoculate the plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. biocellatus on peppermint in California.

References: (1) J. R. Liberato and J. H. Cunnington. Australas, Plant Dis. Notes 2:38, 2007.
First Report of Waitea circinata from Turfgrass in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: de la Cerda K. , Hsiang T. , Joshi V.
Published: January 2010

In Canada, Waitea circinata was first identified from buckwheat (Fagopyrum sp.) in 1965 in Ontario (4). In 2004, the fungus was found on diseased putting greens of Poa annua and Agrostis stolonifera near Toronto, Ontario (2). In late July 2009, symptoms on A. stolonifera resembling those of brown ring patch were seen at a golf course in Kelowna, British Columbia. Brown rings with light-colored, cottony growth were observed on a putting green with mixed P. annua and A. stolonifera, originally seeded with A. stolonifera cv. Penncross. Following a short incubation of the diseased grass at 25°C, hyphae of a Rhizoctonia-like fungus, not matching the characteristics of R. cerealis or R. solani, were seen. Symptomatic leaves were surface sterilized in 1% hypochlorite and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin. After 1 week at 23°C, the plates contained white colonies that were 5 cm across. DNA was extracted and amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced with ITS1. The 600-bp sequence (deposited in GenBank as GU176409) from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA showed a 100% match in the overlapping range with sequence FJ755879 from GenBank, which is annotated as W. circinata var. circinata. Pathogenicity was tested at 23°C by inoculating 3-week-old A. stolonifera ‘Penncross’ plants grown in Magenta boxes and incubated for 15 days after inoculation with ground wheat seed inoculum of W. circinata. Within 1 week, significant blighting of leaves and sheaths was observed as well as spherical orange brown sclerotia that were 2 to 5 mm in diameter on sheaths. These sclerotial features match characteristics of W. circinata var. circinata (1). Symptomatic leaves were plated on PDA and fungal growth characteristic of W. circinata was recovered. W. circinata was previously reported as the causal agent of brown ring patch on A. stolonifera in Japan (3), as a pathogen of P. annua in the United States (1), and as a pathogen of both species in Ontario, Canada (2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of W. circinata from turfgrass in western Canada.

References: (1) C. M. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 93:906. 2009. (2) T. Hsiang and P. Masilamany. Plant Pathol. J. 56:350, 2007. (3) T. Toda et al. Plant. Dis. 89:536, 2005. (4) O. Vaartaja. Bi-Mon. Progr. Rep. Can. Dep. For. 21(5):2. 1965.
First Report of Fusarium proliferatum Causing Rot of Garlic Bulbs in Spain
Authors: Palmero D. , De Cara M. , Iglesias C. , Moreno M. M. , González N. , Tello J. C.
Published: January 2010

In October of 2008, decayed garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L. cv. Blancomor de Vallelado) were received from a producer in Segovia, Spain. In November of 2009, similar symptoms were observed on stored bulbs (cvs. Blancomor de Vallelado and Garcua) from each of 30 municipalities in northwest Segovia and Valladolid. A minimum of one sample was collected from 12 localities. Pieces of symptomatic bulbs were surface disinfested for 2 to 3 min in 0.5% NaOCl and transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Komada's media. Colonies had catenate microconidia and curved macroconidia that were usually three to five septate. Microconidia were club shaped with a flattened base, aseptate, and were produced on both mono- and polyphialides. On the basis of morphological features, the fungus was identified as Fusarium proliferatum (T. Matsushima) Nirenberg (2,3). Pathogenicity tests were conducted with 12 isolates of the fungi following the method of Dugan et al. (1). Each assay with an isolate consisted of six cloves (cv. Blancomor de Vallelado) disinfested in 0.5% NaOCl for 45 s, rinsed with sterile water, and injured to a depth of 4.5 mm with a probe 1 mm in diameter. The wound was filled with PDA colonized by the appropriate isolate. Six cloves for each tested isolate received sterile agar as a control. The cloves were incubated at 25°C for 5 weeks. The test was repeated once with cv. Garcua. All isolates produced water-soaked, tan lesions. An isolate of the fungus was deposited in the collection of the Plant Production Department of the University of Almeria. No fungi were recovered from the control cloves. F. proliferatum has been reported on garlic in the northwestern United States (1) and Serbia (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Fusarium sp. in the section Liseola attacking garlic in Spain. The fungus seems to be well established on this host in Spain.

References: (1) F. M. Dugan et al. Phytopathology 155:437, 2007. (2) P. E. Nelson et al. Fusarium Species: An Illustrated Manual for Identification. Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, 1983. (3) H. Nirenberg et al. Mycologia 90:434, 1998. (4) S. Stankovic et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 118:165, 2007.
First Report of Pyricularia grisea Causing Gray Leaf Spot on Lily in Korea
Authors: Zhang Y. P. , Wang J. H. , Wu L. F. , Wu X. W. , Cui G. F. , Lim K. B. , Hwang Y. J.
Published: January 2010

Lily is an economically important ornamental crop in Korea. In August 2008, severe leaf spot symptoms were observed on an oriental Lily ‘Action’ in a plant nursery in Daegu, Korea. Disease incidence was 20 to 30%. Initial symptoms were olive green-to-brown lesions on the leaf that developed into tan, elliptical, necrotic lesions. On severely infected leaves, lesions coalesced and killed the entire leaf blade. Infected leaves were surface disinfested with 70% ethanol for 30 s and 2% chlorox for 15 min before plating 1 cm2 sections onto potato dextrose agar. Hyphae appeared 5 days after inoculation and pure culture. Conidia were hyaline, transversely septate with one to three septa; most had two. Conidia were obpyriform and measured 29 to 46 μm long and 7 to 17 μm wide. Mycelia morphology and conidia production were consistent with that described previously for Pyricularia grisea (1). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by spraying five, healthy, vegetative-stage plants with 2 × 105 conidia per ml of sterile distilled water plus 0.05% Tween 20. As a control, five similar plants were sprayed with sterile water plus 0.05% Tween 20 only. Plants were placed inside plastic bags to maintain high relative humidity and incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C under fluorescent light for 14 h and at 20°C in darkness for 10 h. After 3 days, the plastic bags were removed and plants were maintained under the same conditions. Initial symptoms were observed 7 days after inoculation. Ten days after inoculation, disease symptoms on inoculated plants were similar to those previously described in the nursery. Control plants did not show any symptoms. Fungi isolated from these lesions had the same morphological characteristics as the ones isolated previously from plants in the nursery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gray leaf spot on lily caused by P. grisea in Korea.

References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1971.
Modulation of transcription and characterization of the promoter organization of the autotransporter adhesin heptosyltransferase and the autotransporter adhesin AIDA-I
Authors: Benz Inga , van Alen Tessa , Bolte Julia , Wörmann Mirka E. , Schmidt M. Alexander
Published: January 2010

In Gram-negative bacteria, autotransporter proteins constitute the largest family of secreted proteins, and exhibit many different functions. In recent years, research has largely focused on mechanisms of autotransporter protein translocation, where several alternative models are still being discussed. In contrast, the biogenesis of only a few autotransporters has been studied and, likewise, regulation of expression has received only very limited attention. The glycosylated autotransporteradhesininvolved indiffuseadherence (AIDA)-I system consists of theaahgene, encoding a specific autotransporter adhesin heptosyltransferase (AAH), and theaidAgene, encoding the autotransporter protein (AIDA-I). In this study, we investigated the promoter organization and transcription of these two genes using reporter plasmids carryinglacZtranscriptional fusions. The two genes,aahandaidA, are transcribed as a bicistronic message. However,aidAis additionally transcribed from its own promoter. There are two distinct start sites for each of the two genes. Interestingly, transcription of both genes is enhanced inhnsandrfaHmutant backgrounds. Furthermore, we addressed the influence of environmental factors and different genetic backgrounds ofEscherichia coliK-12 strains on transcription activity. We found that transcription varied considerably in differentE. coliK-12 laboratory strains and under different growth conditions.
A transcriptome study of the QseEF two-component system and the QseG membrane protein in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 : H7
Authors: Reading Nicola C. , Rasko David , Torres Alfredo G. , Sperandio Vanessa
Published: January 2010

QseE is a sensor kinase that responds to epinephrine, sulfate and phosphate. QseE constitutes a two-component signalling system together with the QseF σ
54-dependent response regulator. Encoded within the same operon as qseEF is the qseG gene, which encodes a membrane protein involved in the translocation of a type III secretion effector protein of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) into epithelial cells. The qseEGF genes also form an operon with the glnB gene, which encodes the E. coli nitrogen sensor PII protein. Here we report a transcriptome analysis comparing qseE, qseF andqseG single mutants with the wild-type strain. This study revealed that the proteins encoded by these genes play a modest but significant role in iron uptake. Although QseEFG regulate genes involved in nitrogen utilization, these proteins do not play a notable role in nitrogen metabolism. In addition, QseEFG regulate transcription of the rcsBC and phoPQ two-component systems, linking several signal transduction pathways. The similarity of the microarray profiles of these mutants also indicates that these proteins work together. These data indicate that QseEFG are involved in the regulation of virulence and metabolism in EHEC.
Staurosporine-induced programmed cell death in Blastocystis occurs independently of caspases and cathepsins and is augmented by calpain inhibition
Authors: Yin Jing , Howe Josephine , Tan Kevin S. W.
Published: January 2010

Previous studies have shown that the protozoan parasiteBlastocystisexhibits apoptotic features with caspase-like activity upon exposure to a cytotoxic monoclonal antibody or the anti-parasitic drug metronidazole. The present study reports that staurosporine (STS), a common apoptosis inducer in mammalian cells, also induces cytoplasmic and nuclear features of apoptosis inBlastocystis, including cell shrinkage, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, maintenance of plasma membrane integrity, extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. STS-induced PS exposure and DNA fragmentation were abolished by the mitochondrial transition pore blocker cyclosporine A and significantly inhibited by the broad-range cysteine protease inhibitor iodoacetamide. Interestingly, the apoptosis phenotype was insensitive to inhibitors of caspases and cathepsins B and L, while calpain-specific inhibitors augmented the STS-induced apoptosis response. While the identities of the proteases responsible for STS-induced apoptosis warrant further investigation, these findings demonstrate that programmed cell death inBlastocystisis complex and regulated by multiple mediators.
Mutations in rpsL that confer streptomycin resistance show pleiotropic effects on virulence and the production of a carbapenem antibiotic in Erwinia carotovora
Authors: Barnard Anne M. L. , Simpson Natalie J. L. , Lilley Kathryn S. , Salmond George P. C.
Published: January 2010

Spontaneous streptomycin-resistant derivatives ofErwinia carotovorasubsp.carotovorastrain ATTn10 were isolated. Sequencing of therpsLlocus (encoding the ribosomal protein S12) showed that each mutant was missense, with a single base change, resulting in the substitution of the wild-type lysine by arginine, threonine or asparagine at codon 43. Phenotypic analyses showed that therpsLmutants could be segregated into two groups: K43R mutants showed reduced production of theβ-lactam secondary metabolite 1-carbapen-2-em-3 carboxylic acid (Car), but little effect on exoenzyme production or virulence in potato tuber tests. By contrast, the K43N and K43T mutations were pleiotropic, resulting in reduced exoenzyme production and virulence, as well as diminished Car production. The effect on Car production was due to reduced transcription of the quorum-sensing-dependentcarbiosynthetic genes. The effects of K43N and K43T mutations on Car production were partially alleviated by provision of an excess of the quorum-sensing signalling moleculeN-(3-oxohexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone. Finally, a proteomic analysis of the K43T mutant indicated that the abundance of a subset of intracellular proteins was affected by thisrpsLmutation.
Nitrogen fixation by the verrucomicrobial methanotroph ‘Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum’ SolV
Authors: Khadem Ahmad F. , Pol Arjan , Jetten Mike S. M. , Op den Camp Huub J. M.
Published: January 2010

The ability to utilize atmospheric nitrogen (N2) as a sole nitrogen source is an important trait for prokaryotes. Knowledge of N2 fixation by methanotrophs is needed to understand their role in nitrogen cycling in different environments. The verrucomicrobial methanotroph ‘Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum’ strain SolV was investigated for its ability to fix N2. Physiological studies were combined with nitrogenase activity measurements and phylogenetic analysis of the nifDHK genes, encoding the subunits of the nitrogenase. ‘M. fumariolicum’ SolV was able to fix N2 at low oxygen (O2) concentration (0.5 %, v/v) in chemostat cultures. This low oxygen concentration was also required for an optimal nitrogenase activity [47.4 nmol ethylene h−1 (mg cell dry weight)−1]. Based on acetylene reduction assay and growth experiments, the nitrogenase of strain SolV seems to be extremely oxygen sensitive compared to most proteobacterial methanotrophs. The activity of the nitrogenase was not inhibited by ammonium concentrations up to 94 mM. This is believed to be the first report on the physiology of N2 fixation within the phylum Verrucomicrobia.
The microbiology of Lascaux Cave
Authors: Bastian F. , Jurado V. , Nováková A. , Alabouvette C. , Saiz-Jimenez C.
Published: January 2010

Lascaux Cave (Montignac, France) contains paintings from the Upper Paleolithic period. Shortly after its discovery in 1940, the cave was seriously disturbed by major destructive interventions. In 1963, the cave was closed due to algal growth on the walls. In 2001, the ceiling, walls and sediments were colonized by the fungusFusarium solani. Later, black stains, probably of fungal origin, appeared on the walls. Biocide treatments, including quaternary ammonium derivatives, were extensively applied for a few years, and have been in use again since January 2008. The microbial communities in Lascaux Cave were shown to be composed of human-pathogenic bacteria and entomopathogenic fungi, the former as a result of the biocide selection. The data show that fungi play an important role in the cave, and arthropods contribute to the dispersion of conidia. A careful study on the fungal ecology is needed in order to complete the cave food web and to control the black stains threatening the Paleolithic paintings.
The transcriptional regulators RamA and RamB are involved in the regulation of glycogen synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Seibold Gerd M. , Hagmann Christian T. , Schietzel Melanie , Emer Denise , Auchter Marc , Schreiner Joy , Eikmanns Bernhard J.
Published: January 2010

When grown in glucose-, fructose- or sucrose-containing medium, the amino acid producer Corynebacterium glutamicum transiently accumulates large amounts of glycogen (up to 10 % of its dry weight), whereas only a marginal amount of glycogen is formed during growth with acetate. This carbon-source-dependent regulation is at least partially due to transcriptional control of glgC, encoding ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, the first enzyme of glycogen synthesis from glucose-1-phosphate. Here, we have analysed a possible regulatory role for the transcriptional regulators RamA and RamB on glycogen content of the cells and on control of expression of glgC and of glgA, which encodes the second enzyme of glycogen synthesis, glycogen synthase. Determination of the glycogen content of RamA- and RamB-deficient C. glutamicum indicated that RamA and RamB influence glycogen synthesis positively and negatively, respectively. In accordance with the identification of putative RamA and RamB binding sites upstream of glgC and glgA, both regulators were found to bind specifically to the glgC–glgA intergenic promoter region. Promoter activity assays in wild-type and RamA- and RamB-deficient strains of C. glutamicum revealed that (i) RamA is a positive regulator of glgC and glgA, (ii) RamB is a negative regulator of glgA and (iii) neither RamA nor RamB alone is responsible for the carbon-source-dependent regulation of glycogen synthesis in C. glutamicum.
Contributions from the Department of Information and Communications, Manchester Metropolitan University
Authors: Johnson Frances , Rowley Jennifer
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on research carried out at the Department of Information and Communications at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reflects on two factors: the context of the Department within the University; and beyond that in the “city region” of Manchester. It also introduces the contributions to the special issue from the Department.

Findings

The papers are opinion pieces, exploratory studies, evaluation of practice and critical perspectives and reflects the research of the Department of Information and Communications in the context of developments in the information and knowledge disciplines. The scope ranges from the detailed study of a particular system or organization to the understanding of the sector, which enables the information and communications industry.

Originality/value

The paper is important in the face of the renewed focus on the applicability of the academic enterprise.
Evolving mobile communication practices of Irish teenagers
Authors: Cawley Anthony , Hynes Deirdre
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the social adoption of the mobile phone by Irish teenagers in city, town and rural settings. It aims to investigate two key areas that have influenced the teenagers' social adoption of the mobile phone: first, the influence of locational and socio‐economic factors on mobile phone usage; second, how the teenagers' adoption of recently emergent Web 2.0 applications (social‐networking web sites and instant messaging services) tends to bring about a re‐positioning of the mobile phone's role as a communications channel.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on a social shaping and domestication of media technologies approach, using original empirical data from a survey of teenage respondents and six focus groups.

Findings

The findings suggest that the teenagers' relationship to the mobile phone is evolving as newer communications applications emerge. In particular, the technical competencies and media literacies necessary for multi‐model communication are evolving fastest where locational and socio‐economic conditions are most favourable.

Originality/value

Although access to the mobile phone cuts across the strata of society, people's capacity to benefit from it – and from other forms of multi‐modal communication – is not evenly distributed. The paper argues that, despite universal ownership of the technological device among the sample of teenagers, the mobile phone is caught up in wider digital and socio‐economic divides.
Novel polymeric inhibitor for corrosion of 57S aluminium in 2M NaOH solutions
Authors: Elango A. , Periasamy V.M. , Paramasivam M. , Rakesh E.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how to develop inhibition 57S aluminium in 2M NaOH solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is used to measure gravimetric and polarization measurements.

Findings

The results of the paper clearly reveal that the 0.2 M ZnO with 700 ppm polyaniline in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone solution is found to offer inhibition up to 71.2 per cent.

Originality/value

The paper deals with the development of newer inhibitor based on polyaniline. Gravimetric and galvanostatic methods were employed to evaluate inhibition efficiency.
Aluminium corrosion inhibition using benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDH)
Authors: Shahnavaz Zohreh , Jeffrey Basirun Wan , Zain Sharifuddin Mohd.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the inhibitory activity of benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDH) on aluminium corrosion in hydrochloric acid 1 M HCl.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibitive effect of PMDH towards the corrosion of aluminium in 1 M HCl solution is studied by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curves (LSV) and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The effect of inhibitor concentration and temperature against inhibitor action is investigated.

Findings

In the presence of inhibitor (PMDH), the corrosion resistance of aluminium is improved and the corrosion rate and corrosion current are reduced, therefore the inhibition efficiency and polarization resistance are increased. With increasing temperature and decreasing inhibitor concentrations, the rate of aluminium corrosion increased. The surfactant acts as mixed type inhibitor and obeys a Langmuir isotherm.

Originality/value

The results shown in this paper are an insight to the understanding of the corrosion resistance and electrochemical behaviour of aluminium for future industrial applications and development.
Turning weakness into strength: strategies for future LIS
Authors: Nolin Jan , Åström Fredrik
Published: January 2010

Purpose

LIS has been described as a fragmented field in crisis, with an increased competition from other fields; and lacking in development of theories. The purpose of this paper is to articulate a strategy in which the perceived weakness can be seen as a source of strength.

Design/methodology/approach

The text builds mostly on reflections on meta‐theoretical and science‐organisation literature. Ten distinct problems for the research field are identified and discussed in order to provide a viable strategy for the future.

Findings

While it is common to suggest a convergent movement toward the idealised characteristics of the strong research discipline as a recipe against fragmentation, a strong convergent movement is suggested that feeds off the fragmented character of the field. What is commonly perceived as a weakness, the multidimensional character of the field, can be translated into a strategic resource.

Originality/value

The paper provides a fresh perspective on the strategic situation of LIS.
Developing scales for information‐seeking behaviour
Authors: Timmers Caroline F. , Glas Cees A.W.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an instrument designed to measure information‐seeking behaviour of undergraduate students during study assignments.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature research, internal consistency and reliability computed with Cronbach's Alpha (α), Factor Analyses with Varimax rotation, and item response theory form the approach to examining the subject.

Findings

Four scales were found within a 46‐item survey on information‐seeking behaviour: a ten‐item scale for applying search strategies (α=0.68), a 14‐item scale for evaluating information (α=0.74), a six‐item scale for referring to information (α=0.81) and a 12‐item scale for regulation activities when seeking information (α=0.75).

Originality/value

The four scales for information‐seeking behaviour can be used to monitor and evaluate this behaviour of students in higher education.
Robot Show 2009: music to the ears, literally
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the biannual Robot Show in Chicago with emphasis on innovative robot applications on display.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.

Findings

Robots are rapidly moving from the industrial environment into all types of service applications. They are also becoming more autonomous, more mobile, finding their own way and delivering critical loads in office, hospital, and laboratory settings and even providing security functions.

Practical implications

Users who investigated robot solutions in the past and found that they did not meet applications requirements may find it is time to revisit robotics. Robot builders and system integrators are providing more suitable solutions that can better address application needs in a more cost‐effective manner than ever before.

Originality/value

Robots for non‐industrial applications are receiving lots of attention. Many first time exhibitors at the recent biannual Robot Show featured units for personal service, healthcare, and other non‐industrial applications.
Recent developments in miniature flying robots
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent developments in miniaturised flying robots.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a brief consideration of micro‐ and nano‐aerial vehicles, the paper discusses recent US and European research into the development of miniaturised flying robots.

Findings

This paper shows that research into miniaturised flying robots is gaining pace and much is being funded by the US military. Two major strands of research are devices which mimic the flight dynamics of insects and living insect‐microtechnology hybrids (cyborgs). The technologies remain at an early stage of development but covert surveillance and intelligence gathering are key future applications.

Originality/value

The paper provides a technical review of the latest developments in miniaturised flying robots.
A practical approach for minimum‐time trajectory planning for industrial robots
Authors: Kim Joonyoung , Kim Sung‐Rak , Kim Soo‐Jong , Kim Dong‐Hyeok
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to maximize the speed of industrial robots by obtaining the minimum‐time trajectories that satisfy various constraints commonly given in the application of industrial robots.

Design/methodology/approach

The method utilizes the dynamic model of the robot manipulators to find the maximum kinematic constraints that are used with conventional trajectory patterns, such as trapezoidal velocity profiles and cubic polynomial functions.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can decrease the motion times substantially compared with the conventional kinematic method.

Practical implications

Although the method used a dynamic model, the computational burden is minimized by calculating dynamics only at certain points, enabling implementation of the method online. The proposed method is tested on more than 40 different types of robots made by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (HHI). The method is successfully implemented in Hi5, a new generation of HHI robot controller.

Originality/value

The paper shows that the method is computationally very simple compared with other minimum‐time trajectory‐planning methods, thus making it suitable for online implementation.
A novel control algorithm for weld pool control
Authors: Lü Fenglin , Chen Huabin , Fan Chongjian , Chen Shanben
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Quality control of arc welding process is the key component in robotic welding system. The purpose of this paper is to address vision‐sensing technology and model‐free adaptive control (MFC) of weld pool size during automatic arc welding system.

Design/methodology/approach

The shape and size parameters for the weld pool are used to describe the weld pool geometry, which is specified by the backside weld width. The welding current and wire‐feeding speed are selected as the control variable, and the backside width of weld pool is selected as the controlled variable. To achieve the goal of full penetration and fine weld seam formation, a multiple input single output (MISO) MFC is designed for control of the backside pool width.

Findings

The research findings show that it is feasible to develop such a MISO MFC of weld pool size, which is independent on mathematic model of weld pool dynamics. And the control algorithm is simple to use and has a minimal computational burden.

Research limitations/implications

This is a work in progress. The controlled process results are mainly influenced by the period of competing control algorithm and image processing, which could be improved by the hardware and enhancing computation speed. The closed‐loop control is a two inputs‐one output system. Thus, the means by which the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) control method is applied to weld pool dynamics is work for the future.

Practical implications

The control system is applicable to automatic gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

Originality/value

The MISO MFC has been set up for automatic GTAW to overcome the nonlinear and uncertainty of GTAW process, in which two welding parameters can be adjusted simultaneously. In addition, this controller is independent on welding pool dynamic model.
Managing collection development and organization in globalizing Indian university libraries
Authors: Mannan Khan Abdul
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of the study is to identify the current status of collection development organizational patterns and to make a comparative analysis of collection development organizational patterns of the four central university libraries of Uttar Pradesh (UP) i.e. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Allahabad University (ALU) and Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (BBRAU).

Design/methodology/approach

A well structured questionnaire was administered to the librarians and acquisitions librarians of the four central university libraries under study.

Findings

It has been found that there is a conspicuous difference between the two categories and that the newly centralized universities are lagging far behind the old centralized universities in collection development organizational patterns.

Research limitations/implications

The present study consists only of collection development organizational patterns in central university libraries of UP. The scope of the study can be extended to some more centrally funded universities.

Originality/value

There are a number of studies on collection development organizational patterns in the world, but this is the first of its kind within Indian central universities.
Resources for selecting popular music recordings
Authors: Tewell Eamon
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assist music selectors at academic and public libraries by providing resources useful for selecting popular sound recordings, while emphasizing the ongoing need for monitoring trends and new releases in popular music.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper identifies key resources to aid the selection of popular music recordings, beginning with the challenges unique to popular music. The resources are divided into four major sections: online tools, print tools, periodical tools, and staying current.

Findings

Popular music is widely collected by libraries, yet selection and acquisition is made difficult by the numerous genres and constant rotation of popular artists and albums. The utilization of a variety of online and print resources is ideal in order to build or maintain a well‐stocked popular music collection.

Originality/value

This paper offers guidance to librarians responsible for sound recordings. No previous discussions of music selection have considered popular music as a whole, while popular music recordings are widely collected by libraries and require a great deal of currency.
Price discovery in German stock and futures markets
Authors: Paul Broussard John , Geoffrey Booth G. , Loistl Otto
Published: January 2010

Compares the trading efficiency of electronic and open outcry futures markets. Argues that the difference between the German DAX (floor) and FDAX (electronic) markets is due to asset type, not to information processing speed. Describes the German trading environment, comparing trading data from 1992 to 1994. Shows that the returns for DAX are positively skewed and for FDAX negatively skewed and more volatile. From regression and Granger causality tests establishes a feedback relationship between the two markets, in which the spot market is slower to digest information than the futures market. Points out that the dominant DAX stocks are also traded electronically, so the means of trade is not the cause of the difference.
A cointegration analysis of interest rates in Germany
Authors: Bessler Wolfgang , Norsworthy John R.
Published: January 2010

Reviews the literature on the term structure of interest rates. Suggests that low German inflation might lead to idiosyncratic interest rate behaviour in Germany. Tests German government securities’ interest rates from 1981 to 1994 for cointegration, using unit root tests, for a range of maturities. Shows skewness and negative kertosis, and cointegration for German bond yields from one to ten year maturities. Concludes that German interest rates behave like US interest rates.
Research and reform in community policing
Authors: Toch Hans
Published: January 2010

Examines the opportunities provided by problem‐oriented community policing to combine research with reform. Advocates the involvement of workers as researchers in this action research. Points out that outcomes which at first appear to be negative can be a tool for change, e.g., an increase in client callbacks after family crisis intervention was an indication of the improved image of police as service‐providers, rather than failure by police to reduce crises. Considers ways of establishing evaluation criteria. Explains the value of exploratory action research whereby the object of the exercise is revised as the data is being gathered. Lists the desiderata for participatory action research.
Lifting the veil of Maya
Authors: Turrini Alex , Cristofoli Daniela , Nasi Greta , Soscia Isabella
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a working definition of public administration's management capacity (PA‐MANCAP) aiming at empirically testing the existence and size of an implementation gap in public management reforms in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

A confirmatory factor analysis is developed to assess the validity of the proposed operational measure. Data are taken from a survey administered on 204 local governments in Italy.

Findings

The validity of the measure is assessed for all the attributes that conceptualize PA‐MANCAP except for the information and communication technology dimension. Findings from a survey of 102 major Italian municipalities indicate a situation with areas of light and shadow with regard to the implementation of public management reforms in Italy.

Originality/value

The paper presents a valuable insight for both academics and practitioners in order to benchmark the managerial capacity of various local governments and to develop additional quantitative research into the determinants of the implementation gap of public management reforms in Italy and abroad.
An institutional review of planning budgeting and monitoring in the Caribbean
Authors: Bissessar Ann Marie
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an institutional overview of the budgeting systems that are employed during three major periods: pre‐1960s, post‐1960s and 1990s to present New Public Management (NPM budgeting) in five Caribbean countries: Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at the budgeting systems that are employed during the period of colonial rule, when the countries attained independence and the budget system that is presently employed. It relies heavily on the financial regulations to explain the procedures that are employed in budgeting during the pre‐independence period.

Findings

It suggests that while the budgeting systems during the pre‐1960s may have been effective, given the scope and functions of government at that period, as countries attained independence the systems would have been found to be inadequate to meet the needs of the country since the scope and size of public sector activities would have increased considerably. The paper then examines the attempt by the various countries, during the 1980s and 1990s, as they attempted to introduce New Financial Management Initiatives as one aspect of the move towards NPM. While a number of these countries attempted to introduce the foundation on which to introduce the initiative, however, it is found that there are a number of challenges in introducing these changes. The paper accordingly examines some of these challenges.

Originality/value

This paper is to date the only attempt to assess budgeting in Caribbean territories.