bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bean pod mottle virus Spread in Insect-Feeding-Resistant Soybean
Authors: Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Molineros Julio E. , Vacha Jean , Berry Sue Ann , Hammond Ronald B. , Madden Laurence V. , Dorrance Anne E.
Published: January 2010

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) infection reduces yield and seed quality in soybean. To test the hypothesis that virus incidence and movement within plots would be reduced in soybean with resistance to feeding by the virus' bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) vector, BPMV spread was evaluated in five soybean genotypes at two inoculum levels over 2 years at two locations in Ohio. Soybean genotypes included two insect-feeding-susceptible genotypes (Williams 82 and Resnik), two insect-feeding-resistant, semidwarf genotypes (HC95-15 and HC95-24), and an insect-feeding-susceptible, semidwarf genotype (Troll). BPMV incidence was assessed in individual plants at growth stages R5/R6 and R7/R8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Beetle feeding was visually assessed in 2004. Data for infection of individual plants were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model, with a binomial distribution and logit-link. Within plots, BPMV incidence was highest in Resnik and Williams 82 and significantly lower in Troll. Incidence in HC95-15 was not significantly different than in Williams 82 and Resnik but incidence in HC95-24 was lower than in Resnik. BPMV incidence was also significantly (P < 0.05) affected by year, location, inoculum level and sampling date, with increasing incidence over time and higher incidence at the higher inoculum level. Beetle feeding damage was affected by the interaction of location–genotype. Significant spatial aggregation of infected plants was found for most plots but aggregation was independent of host genotype and inoculum level. Although the results indicate that BPMV infection varied by genotype, they do not support the hypothesis that insect-feeding resistance is sufficient to reduce the incidence and spread of BPMV.
First Report of Pilidium concavum on Paeonia suffruticosa in China
Authors: Duan Y. B. , Kang Y. B. , Yu Z. Z.
Published: January 2010

Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, a deciduous perennial shrub, is known for its beautiful and charming flowers. It is regarded as the flower symbol of China and cultivated throughout the country. Since 2006, large, brown necrotic spots have been observed on numerous P. suffruticosa plants in gardens in Luoyang, China. Spots appeared each year and were observed on more than 50% of the plants, sometimes affecting more than half of the leaf. Initial symptoms appeared as small, round, water-soaked lesions in the middle or on the margin of leaves. These areas enlarged up to 1 to 3 cm in diameter and were circular or irregular, brown to dark brown, and pale brown on the margins. In a humid atmosphere, black, sessile, discoid conidiomata developed on the spots and exuded a pink spore mass that turned brown with age. Conidiophores were hyaline, unicellular, cylindrical, and fusiform and 5.0 to 8.0 μm long and 1.4 to 2.0 μm wide. Pure cultures were obtained by plating the spores on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. In culture, the fungus produced a gray-to-brown colony with whitish aerial mycelium. The morphology and size of conidia were comparable with previous descriptions of Pilidium concavum (Desm.) Höhn. (1). The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the isolate was amplified by PCR with primers ITS1 and ITS4 and sequenced. The 472-nt sequence was 100% identical to that of the Pilidium concavum specimen voucher BPI 1107275 (GenBank Accession No. AY487094). To validate Koch's postulates, pathogenicity was tested by inoculating 10 leaves of P. suffruticosa with mycelia plugs from a colony growing on PDA; leaves inoculated with the plugs of PDA medium only served as the control. Leaves were covered with plastic for 24 h to maintain high relative humidity. After 7 days, 100% of the mycelium-inoculated leaves showed symptoms identical to those observed on P. suffruticosa leaves affected in the field, whereas all leaves inoculated with PDA medium only remained free of symptoms. Reisolation of the fungus from leaf lesions confirmed that the causal agent was Pilidium concavum. Thus, we concluded that Pilidium concavum is the causal agent of leaf spots of P. suffruticosa. This disease has been reported to be frequently occurring on P. suffruticosa stems imported from Japan (1), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of Pilidium concavum on P. suffruticosa in China.

References: (1) M. E. Palm. Mycologia 83:787, 1991.
First Report of Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus on Bitter Gourd in Pakistan
Authors: Ali I. , Malik A. H. , Mansoor S.
Published: January 2010

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is widely grown and consumed as a vegetable in Pakistan and other countries in the region. In 2007, a severe disease appeared on bitter gourd that reduced yield significantly. Symptoms of the disease included chlorosis, leaf crumpling, vein thickening, and stunting of plants that were suggestive of a virus infection. Symptomatic leaf samples were collected from fields in the vicinity of Faisalabad, Pakistan (Thikriwala, 12 km from Faisalabad, 31°22′0″N, 72°53′0″E). Seven infected samples were tested for the presence of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), Cucumber mosaic virus, Papaya ringspot virus, Melon necrotic spot virus, and Squash mosaic virus by double-antibody sandwich-ELISA according to the manufacturer's instructions (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). All samples of bitter gourd were found to be negative for all five RNA viruses, whereas melon samples collected from the same area (Thikriwala) were infected by ZYMV as reported earlier (3). Samples were also screened for begomoviruses by molecular tests. Total DNA was extracted with the cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide method (4). All seven symptomatic samples were positive for a begomovirus when DNA A of Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) was used as a general probe by Southern hybridization. A probe of the movement protein (MP) gene of ToLCNDV was also positive by Southern hybridization, suggesting the infection of a bipartite begomovirus. The presence of a begomovirus was confirmed by PCR with universal primers designed for amplification of begomoviruses (BegomoRe F 5′ACGCGT GCCGTGCTGCTGCCCCCATTGTCC3′ and BegomoRe R 5′ACGCGT ATGGGCTGYCGAAGTTSAGACG3′). A fragment of the expected length (approximately 2.8 kb) was cloned in a T/A cloning vector (ptz57R/t; Fermentas, Burlington, Ontario, Canada) and partially sequenced. Sequence analysis of partial sequences (925 bp, GenBank Accession No. FN555137; 719 bp, GenBank Accession No. FN555138) showed maximum identity (97%) with Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (ToLCPaV) recently reported from India and Iran (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of ToLCPaV in Pakistan and the first report of the virus on bitter gourd.

References: (1) J. Heydarnejad et al. Arch. Virol. 154:1015, 2009. (2) Y. Kumar et al. Virus Genes 38:193, 2009. (3) A. H. Malik et al. Plant Pathol. 55:285, 2006. (4) M. G. Murray and W. F. Thompson. Nucleic Acids Res.8:4321, 1980.
First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera leucotricha on Callery Pear in North America
Authors: Minnis A. M. , Rossman A. Y. , Clement D. L. , Malinoski M. K. , Rane K. K.
Published: January 2010

Callery pear, often referred to as Bradford pear, is a species native to China that is planted throughout North America as an ornamental tree for its white flowers in spring, bright colored foliage in autumn, and resistance to disease. In some regions it is becoming an invasive species that is replacing native trees. In May 2009, leaves of Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland Select’ showing distortion and signs of powdery mildew were collected in Columbia (Howard County), Maryland. A survey of the surrounding area found numerous similarly diseased trees of this cultivar. Microscopic observation of the leaves revealed a fungus with an Oidium anamorph having nipple-shaped appressoria; conidiophores erect, foot cells cylindric, straight, of terminal origin, 41 to 55 × 9.5 to 12.5 μm, with the following cells present in variable numbers; conidia catenulate, broadly ellipsoid to rarely slightly ovoid, 22 to 27 × 11 to 17 μm, with fibrosin bodies. Chasmothecia were absent. On the basis of morphology and host, the fungus was identified as Podosphaera leucotricha (Ellis & Everh.) E.S. Salmon (Leotiomycetes, Erysiphales) (1). The specimen on P. calleryana was deposited in the U.S. National Fungus Collections as BPI 879141. Additional confirmation resulted from a comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region DNA sequence data (GenBank Accession No. GU122230) obtained with the custom designed primer, Podoprimer Forward (5′-3′ ACTCGTTCTGCGCGGCTGAC), and the ITS4 primer. The sequence of the fungus on Callery pear was identical to available GenBank sequences of P. leucotricha. P. leucotricha is the etiological agent of a powdery mildew disease that occurs on rosaceous plants, primarily Malus and Pyrus. This fungus occurs nearly worldwide (1), and the pathology of the disease on Callery pear is similar to that of known hosts (1,4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. leucotricha on Pyrus calleryana in North America. P. leucotricha has been reported previously only once on Callery pear, Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’, in Hungary (4). Additionally, the powdery mildew fungus was heavily parasitized by Ampelomyces quisqualis Ces. sensu lato, a cosmopolitan coelomycetous mycoparasite of the Erysiphales that is well known on this species (2,3). ITS region DNA sequence data from the Ampelomyces (GenBank Accession No. GU122231) obtained with the ITS1 and ITS4 primers was identical to that of other isolates parasitic on P. leucotricha (2).

References: (1) U. Braun. The Powdery Mildews (Erysiphales) of Europe. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, Germany, 1995. (2) C. Liang et al. Fungal Divers. 24:225, 2007. (3) B. C. Sutton. The Coelomycetes. Fungi Imperfecti with Pycnidia, Acervuli and Stromata. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, England, 1980. (4) L. Vajna and L. Kiss. Plant Dis. 92:176, 2008.
Occurrence of Powdery Mildew Caused by Leveillula taurica on Onion (Allium cepa) in Iran
Authors: Mirzaee M. R. , Mohammadi M.
Published: January 2010

During September of 2009, leaves of a local cultivar (yellow bulb) of onion (Allium cepa L.) in the late vegetative growth stage were heavily infected with powdery mildew in the Birjand Region (Giuq Sofla), southern Khorasan, Iran. Disease symptoms included circular to oblong, chlorotic to necrotic lesions that were 1 to 2 cm in diameter as well as white and effuse colonies on young and mature leaves. On the basis of microscopic examination, the whitish powdery colonies consisted of conidiophores and conidia. Conidiophores emerged from stomata, singly or branched in groups of two to three, and formed dimorphic conidia. The primary conidia were lanceolate with a narrowed apex (17.5 to 20 × 55.4 to 67.5 μm) and the secondary conidia were cylindrical to ellipsoid (17.5 to 22.5 × 55 to 70 μm). The teleomorph of the fungus was not observed. Leveillula taurica (Lév.) G. Arnaud (anamorph Oidiopsis sicula Scalia) was subsequently identified by the presence of endophytic mycelia emerging through stomata, branched conidiophores, and hyaline, single-celled, dimorphic conidia borne singly (1,3). To confirm pathogenicity, conidia from diseased onion leaves were brushed onto leaves of 35- to 40-day-old onion plants in triplicate. The inoculated plants were subsequently covered with plastic bags for 3 days to maintain high humidity. After 12 to 14 days, symptoms of powdery mildew appeared on the leaves of inoculated plants. No symptoms developed on the noninoculated plants. Powdery mildew caused by L. taurica on onion has previously been reported from the United States, Brazil, Israel, and Sudan (4). Although this pathogen has previously been reported on Allium spp. by Khodaparast et al. (2) in Iran, to our knowledge, this is the first record of powdery mildew of onion (A. cepa L.) from Iran. The disease outbreak has recently been noted on onion in Aryan Shahr, 70 km north of Giuq Sofla where the pathogen was originally identified. Voucher specimens have been deposited at the Fungal Collection of the Ministry of Agriculture, Tehran, Iran.

References: (1) L. J. du Toit et al. Online publication. doi:10.1094.PHP/1129-01-HN. Plant Health Progress. 2004. (2) S. A. Khodaparast et al. Rostaniha 4:108, 2003. (3) S. K. Mohan and N. D. Molenaar. Plant Dis. 89:431, 2005. (4) A. Reis et al. Hortic. Bras. 22:758, 2004.
First Report of Southern Blight of Pepper Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in Southern Spain
Authors: Remesal E. , Lucena C. , Azpilicueta A. , Landa B. B. , Navas-Cortés J. A.
Published: January 2010

In May 2009, a stem rot of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) occurred in a 20-ha field in Hacienda de Tarazona, Seville, in southern Spain. Affected plants appeared singly or were grouped in circular patches as much as 8 to 10 m in diameter. Early symptoms consisted of water-soaked lesions on crown and lower stem tissue in contact with the soil. Plant foliage became pale green and wilted, followed by a complete collapse of the plant. A dense white mycelial mat formed on the lower stem and crown with 1- to 2-mm-diameter, spherical, tan-to-dark brown sclerotia. Lower stem pieces of 12 plants with early disease symptoms were surface sterilized in 0.5% NaOCl, dried, transferred to acidified potato dextrose agar, and incubated at 25 ± 1°C in the dark. Fast-growing fungal colonies with white mycelium and abundant sclerotia developed after 6 to 10 days of incubation. On the basis of morphological characters, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. (2). To confirm the identity of the pathogen, the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer was amplified and sequenced for two isolates (one of the two exact sequences was deposited as GenBank Accession No. GU080230). The sequence was 99% similar to sequences of Athelia rolfsii (S. rolfsii) in GenBank. Pathogenicity of two isolates was determined by placing two oat seeds colonized by each isolate 0.5 to 1 cm from the stem of 2-week-old pepper plants cv. Cristal (one plant per pot, eight replicates). Plants were incubated in a growth chamber maintained at 28 ± 1°C with a 14-h photoperiod of 360 μE·m–2·s–1 and 60 to 90% relative humidity for 10 days. By the sixth day, discoloration and blight of the foliage and stem was observed. Sclerotia formed around the crown and 88% of the plants died 7 days after inoculation. S. rolfsii was recovered from all affected pepper plants. Noninoculated control plants did not develop symptoms. In southern Spain, S. rolfsii is widely distributed in areas of sugar beet production (1). Because of the wide host range of the pathogen, southern blight could become an important disease of vegetable production in southern Spain.

References: (1) R. Jordán-Ramírez et al. IOBC/WPRS Bull. 42:101. 2009. (2) J. E. M. Mordue. CMI Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. No. 410, 1974.
Genotyping of Acanthamoeba isolates and clinical characteristicsof patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis in China
Authors: Zhao Ge , Sun Shiying , Zhao Jing , Xie Lixin
Published: January 2010

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a sight-threatening cornealinfection, the epidemiology of which is related to the specific genotype of Acanthamoeba. In this study, the genotypes of 14 Acanthamoebaisolates, each from a patient with AK, were identified according to the highlyvariable DF3 region in the 18S rRNA gene at Shandong Eye Institute, PR China,from 2000 to 2009, and the clinical characteristics of these patients wereanalysed. All 14 amoebae were genotype T4, representing nine different DF3sequence types, seven of which were newly identified. Cornea infestation wasthe main risk factor for these 14 AK patients. Amoebic cysts could be detectedin all corneal scrapes. Corneal ulcers were located mainly at the cornealcentre, accompanied by eye pain, and some appeared with a Wessely ring. Surgerywas carried out on all patients. Acanthamoeba genotypes T4/26and T4/27 were found to cause a more severe keratitis, whilst the othersshowed no significant differences in clinical characteristics. In conclusion,the majority of the keratitis-causing Acanthamoeba isolates weregenotype T4, with Acanthamoeba genotypes T4/26 and T4/27from PR China causing a more severe keratitis.
Characterization of type IV pili in the life cycle of the predator bacterium Bdellovibrio
Authors: Mahmoud Khaled K. , Koval Susan F.
Published: January 2010

Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are obligate prokaryotic predators of other Gram-negative bacteria. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is the most studied organism among BALOs. It has a periplasmic life cycle with two major stages: a motile, non-replicative stage spent searching for prey (the attack phase) and a stage spent inside the periplasm of the Gram-negative prey cell (the growth phase) after forming an osmotically stable body termed the bdelloplast. Within Bdellovibrio, there are also strains exhibiting an epibiotic life cycle. The genome sequence of the type strain B. bacteriovorus HD100T revealed the presence of multiple dispersed pil genes encoding type IV pili. Type IV pili in other bacteria are involved in adherence to and invasion of host cells and therefore can be considered to play a role in invasion of prey cells by Bdellovibrio. In this study, genes involved in producing type IV pili were identified in the periplasmic strain B. bacteriovorus 109J and an epibiotic Bdellovibrio sp. strain JSS. The presence of fibres on attack-phase cells was confirmed by examining negative stains of cells fixed with 10 % buffered formalin. Fibres were at the non-flagellated pole on approximately 25 % of attack-phase cells. To confirm that these fibres were type IV pili, a truncated form of PilA lacking the first 35 amino acids was designed to facilitate purification of the protein. The truncated PilA fused to a His-tag was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) plysS. The fusion protein, accumulated in the insoluble fraction, was purified under denaturing conditions and used to produce polyclonal antisera. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that polar fibres present on the cell surface of the predator were composed of PilA, the major subunit of type IV pili. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the presence of pilin on attack-phase cells of B. bacteriovorus 109J during attachment to prey cells and just after penetration, inside the bdelloplast. Antibodies against PilA delayed and inhibited predation in co-cultures of Bdellovibrio. This study confirms that type IV pili play a role in invasion of prey cells by Bdellovibrio.
Genome-wide evidence for selection acting on single amino acid repeats
Authors: Haerty Wilfried , Golding G. Brian
Published: January 2010

Low complexity and homopolymer sequences within coding regions are known to evolve rapidly. While their expansion may be deleterious, there is increasing evidence for a functional role associated with these amino acid sequences. Homopolymer sequences are thought to evolve mostly through replication slippage and, therefore, they may be expected to be longer in regions with relaxed selective constraint. Within the coding sequences of eukaryotes, alternatively spliced exons are known to evolve under relaxed constraints in comparison to those exons that are constitutively spliced because they are not included in all of the mature mRNA of a gene. This relaxed exposure to selection leads to faster rates of evolution for alternatively spliced exons in comparison to constitutively spliced exons. Here, we have tested the effect of splicing on the structure (composition, length) of homopolymer sequences in relation to the splicing pattern in which they are found. We observed a significant relationship between alternative splicing and homopolymer sequences with alternatively spliced genes being enriched in number and length of homopolymer sequences. We also observed lower codon diversity and longer homocodons, suggesting a balance between slippage and point mutations linked to the constraints imposed by selection.
Education and training for accessible web design
Authors: Willson Jonathan , Craven Jenny , Eskins Richard
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the web_access project, funded through the EC Lifelong Learning Programme. The paper aims to provide a context for the proposed study programme and describe current work in the development of the curriculum and content.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis has been undertaken of the state of the art in education and training for accessible web design in the English language, starting with the national situation in the UK and then further‐a‐field by highlighting international resources. The main outcome of the two‐year multilateral, multi‐partner project is to develop a joint study programme in accessible web design.

Findings

While there is evidence of the inclusion of design for all in ICT teaching, as well as the provision of free and commercial tutorials and workshops, analysis has found provision to be fragmented and none to date has been identified as leading to a professional qualification or certificate in accessible web design that is recognised by industry or employers. The proposed curriculum for the study programme described in this paper aims to address this issue.

Originality/value

While there is evidence of the inclusion of design for all in ICT teaching, as well as the provision of free and commercial tutorials and workshops, analysis has found provision to be fragmented and none to date has been identified as leading to a professional qualification or certificate in accessible web design that is recognised by industry or employers.
The usability and functionality of an online catalogue
Authors: Craven Jenny , Johnson Frances , Butters Geoff
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the usability of the user interface to an online catalogue and to explore how user assessment of both system usability and functionality can provide recommendations for the improved design.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on previous studies, the usability testing used a mixture of search tasks, interviews and a structured focus group. Representative users completed tasks designed to test the system's features and a “think aloud” protocol collected data about the users' responses when using the system and on its perceived functionality.

Findings

The analysis of the data on users' evaluation, preferences and expectations by a set of usability attributes enabled recommendations to be made with respect to key areas of the system functionality.

Practical implications

The usability study helped to improve the “look and feel” of the interface and demonstrates how the user expectation of what constitutes a supported experience can help make recommendations for the design of a system that is both usable and useful.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the benefits of using a mixture of approaches to test system usability and to gain a better understanding of usability from the perspective of the system's users, their expectations and perceived usefulness of the system.
The information needs of UK historic houses: mapping the ground
Authors: Brine Alan , Feather John
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to concentrate on establishments that are known as the “built heritage”, often described as “historic houses”. Many operate in a similar vein to small businesses and often have a more diverse range of needs. In the UK historic houses form part of the tourism and leisure market. Heritage encompasses a wide variety of establishments including historic houses, historic gardens, heritage centres, town centres, countryside and museums.

Design/methodology/approach

A model was developed for the study to show the information needs of historic houses and the information‐seeking behaviour of those managing historic houses. Data have been collected both via questionnaires to and interviews of those managing properties. The collection of data focused on diversity of activities, information provision, use of information, developments (including technology) and collaboration.

Findings

The conclusions discuss the management of information and the difficulties expressed for those managing historic houses as discovered during the research. Properties need to be able to make effective use of this to protect the heritage for future generations. Building on the empirical work recommendations are made on policy making, education, audits, co‐operation and technology to improve the provision and management of information within the sector to support these establishments.

Originality/value

The research represents the first study to investigate the existing situation of historic houses and their information needs in the UK, to try and provide an overview of the sector and information provision and how that might be improved.
Source preference criteria in the context of everyday projects
Authors: Savolainen Reijo
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate how source preference criteria are defined in the context of everyday projects that require the seeking of problem‐specific information. More specifically, to find out how information seekers explain their preference criteria by characterizing the perceived strengths and weaknesses of diverse sources.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach takes the form of qualitative content analysis of empirical data gathered by semi‐structured interviews with 16 prospective home buyers in 2008. The source preference criteria were elicited by making use of the construct of information source horizon.

Findings

Networked sources were favoured most strongly, followed by printed media, human sources and organizational sources. Content of information was the primary source preference criterion. Availability of information was a fairly important criterion, while user characteristics, usability of information and situational factors were fairly marginal in this regard. In the definition of the preference criteria, more emphasis was placed on the perceived strengths than weaknesses of sources. Positive qualities such as “provides updated information” were referred to particularly while judging the relevance of the networked sources. Negative qualities like “outdated information” were primarily associated with printed media and organizational sources.

Research limitations/implications

The study is exploratory, drawing on a relatively small sample recruited through a web‐based service. Thus, the findings cannot be generalized to prospective home buyers.

Practical implications

Prospective home buyers tend to favour web‐based information sources and services. They should provide the customers with detailed information about the property, including photos.

Originality/value

The paper specifies the picture of user‐defined relevance judgment in the context of everyday life information seeking.
Information behaviour of women: theoretical perspectives on gender
Authors: Urquhart Christine , Yeoman Alison
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether there is a need to consider gender or sex differences as variables in information behaviour research and, if so, how?

Design/methodology/approach

A metasynthesis approach is used. A preliminary framework to categorise information behaviour research on women is developed by integrating main themes from feminist research and information behaviour research. Within each category, studies are compared and contrasted, to identify similar and divergent themes. Themes are then compared across categories, to synthesise the main concepts.

Findings

The categorisation works for most studies, apart from a group of studies on health information use, communicating risk and decision making. The meta‐synthesis indicates the importance of concepts such as situation (as mesh), intermediaries (as node with connections), and connecting behaviour. Gender‐related or, rather gender‐ascribed, constructs, such as concern for others, not gender alone are likely to be important variables in information behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The meta‐synthesis is a top‐level synthesis, as the number of studies prohibited a more detailed approach. Further meta‐synthesis of a few high quality research studies would help to confirm the findings.

Practical implications

The synthesis illuminates a different perspective on information behaviour: the network of information users rather than the individual information seeker.

Originality/value

The synthesis integrates some feminist research themes with information behaviour research, and the findings have implications for general information behaviour research.
The autonomous detection and guiding of start welding position for arc welding robot
Authors: Chen X.Z. , Chen S.B.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The recognition and positioning of start welding position (SWP) is the first step and one of the key technologies to realize autonomous robot welding. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method developed to accomplish successful autonomous detection and guiding of SWP.

Design/methodology/approach

The images of workpieces are snapped by charge coupled device (CCD) cameras in a relative large range without additional light. The recognized methods of SWP are analyzed according to the given definition. A two‐step method named “coarse‐to‐fine” is proposed to recognize the SWP accurately. The first step is to solve the curve functions of seam and workpieces boundaries by fitting. The intersection point is regarded as initial value of SWP. The second step is to establish a small window that takes the initial value of SWP as centre. Then, the SWP is obtained exactly by corner detection in the window. Both the abundant information of original image and the structured information of recognized image are used according to given rules, which takes full advantage of the image information and improves the recognized precision.

Findings

The detected results show that the actual and calculated positions by first step of SWP are identical for regular seam, but different for the irregular curve seam. The exact results can be calculated by the two‐step method in the paper for both regular and irregular seams. The typical planar “S‐shape” and spatial arc curved seams are selected to carry out autonomous guiding of SWP.

Originality/value

The experimental results are given based on the introduction of 3D reconstructed and guided method. The guided precision is less than 1.1 mm, which meets the requirements of practical production. The proposed two‐step method recognizes the SWP rapidly and exactly from coarse to fine.
Modular care and service packages for independently living elderly
Authors: de Blok Carolien , Luijkx Katrien , Meijboom Bert , Schols Jos
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how modularity manifests in a service context, more specifically in the provision of care and services to independently living elderly.

Design/methodology/approach

Four case studies provide insight into the specification of relevant components and their subsequent assembly into a customized package of care and services.

Findings

In all cases, component specification and package construction take place in two phases: partly before and partly during care delivery. Early client involvement allows for a combination of standard components that have a lower level of customization, whereas late client involvement allows for adaptation of these components resulting in a higher level of customization. The paper proposes that modularity theory should distinguish between the creation of modular offerings in care provision versus their creation in goods production, since the findings are the exact reverse of the state‐of‐the art knowledge in manufacturing modularity.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical part of this paper is limited to providers of elderly care and services in The Netherlands and is exploratory in nature. However, the newness of care and service modularity justifies the exploratory research approach.

Practical implications

This paper offers elderly care organizations in‐depth understanding of their complex and multi‐faceted specification process. The insights help both care and service providers to make well‐considered decisions as to what level of client involvement to allow and the type of modularity to apply.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the emerging literature on service modularity.
Poets House Showcase – selected titles 2009
Authors: Balistreri Maggie
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an annotated bibliography of the new poetry volumes from the Poets House 2009 Poetry Showcase.

Design/methodology/approach

The titles were selected from the Poets House 2009 Poetry Showcase as titles that are both challenging and accessible.

Findings

This list provides the librarian and reader with a guide to collection development in poetry.

Originality/value

This is one of the few lists of its kind showcasing contemporary poetry.
The availability of e‐books: examples of nursing and business
Authors: Pomerantz Sarah
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether aggregator packages might be appropriate to replace or supplement print collections in business and nursing, it aims to identify e‐book equivalents for print books acquired for an academic library's collections.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a list of the library's acquisitions in two disciplines checked against e‐book aggregators' holdings. The comparison is analyzed and discussed.

Findings

The results confirm findings of a previous study showing that less than one‐third of print books acquired for this library's nursing and business collections have e‐book equivalents available from aggregators, so the aggregators' holdings do not strongly match the library's collecting profile.

Research limitations/implications

The present study applies previous research to a different type of collection, and tests previous conclusions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to assessment of the value of e‐book collections for academic libraries.
Odd girl in: expanding lesbian fiction holdings at Barnard College
Authors: Yan Lee Kam , Freedman Jenna
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a specialty collection implementation: lesbian fiction, in the Barnard College Library.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a multistep approach to implement the development of a lesbian fiction collection. First, a collection profile was created to assess the current state of collection, and then a checklist was developed to serve as a collection development tool.

Findings

The collection profile provides important information for the collection development process. Consistent subject heading access control is essential for collection assessment and maintenance.

Practical implications

The collection proposal and the suggestions drawn by the study were adopted by Barnard Library for collection development and maintenance. The methodology applied and the resources consulted in the study can serve as references for academic librarians with similar collection development goals.

Originality/value

Very few studies have been done to discuss issues related to the collection development of GLBT themed fiction, particularly lesbian fiction in an academic library. This paper provides a concrete example of how Barnard Library carried out the selection of lesbian novels.
Latin American and Spanish online videos: vendor offerings for US academic libraries
Authors: Alonso‐Regalado Jesús
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the availability and features of Latin American and Spanish online videos available through video vendors and other providers to US academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines US, Spanish, and Latin American video vendors that offer online videos about and/or are produced in Latin America and Spain. The study focuses on: content, technical aspects, and terms of purchase. For video vendors providing digital delivery systems, searching capabilities and special features are also analyzed. The paper also evaluates video providers interested in working with academic libraries. The availability of videos integrated in major multimedia databases is also explored.

Findings

The paper concludes that the Spanish and Latin American online video marketplace for academic libraries is still emerging, especially for those video vendors located abroad. The relatively small number of offerings are mostly documentaries. Streaming via internet protocol access is the most common way of delivery. Term licenses are standard and access is allowed both off‐campus and on‐campus.

Originality/value

Little research has been done on the availability of Latin American and Spanish online videos. This research would be especially useful for librarians responsible for collection development in these subject areas.
Interview with Dan Roam
Authors: by Juliet Norton Interview
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and an interview with Dan Roam, the founder and president of Digital Roam Inc., a management‐consulting firm that helps business executives solve complex problems through visual thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.

Findings

Dan Roam's current work concentrates on helping business executives solve complex problems through visual thinking. He claims that if we look to the technologies, people, and businesses that define true innovation today, we see that they thrive on being open, clear, and simple, which is why the power of pictures will become the business tool of this century.

Originality/value

The interview provides insights into how executives can solve complex problems through the use of pictures..
Taguchi techniques‐based study on the effect of mobile phone conversation on drivers' reaction time
Authors: Khan Zahid A. , Al‐Darrab Ibrahim A.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate application of the Taguchi method‐based conceptual signal‐to‐noise (S/N) approach and Pareto analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine optimum level of three important factors related to mobile phone conversation during driving, namely time of drive (day or night), distance between cars, and mobile phone call duration that minimizes drivers' reaction time (RT) in braking response.

Design/methodology/approach

Three levels of each factor based on the experience, are considered in the present study. The design of experiment, in the form of an L18 orthogonal array, as proposed by Genichi Taguchi is used to conduct 18 experiments. A total of 27 young male subjects participated in the experimental study. The experimental task involved pressing the brake pedal of the car by the driver upon seeing another car in front while the driver is talking on a mobile phone. Drivers' performance, measured in terms of RT in braking response, is recorded. Conceptual S/N ratio and Pareto ANOVA are employed to investigate the drivers' performance.

Findings

Results show that within the test range, drivers' performance, i.e. RT in braking response is optimum (minimum) when they performed the driving task at day time, distance between cars is long (20 meters), and mobile phone call duration is short (30 seconds). Mobile call duration is found to be the dominant parameter with a percentage contribution ratio of 41.882 percent towards the laid down objective followed by time of driving, 32.003 percent and distance between cars, 1.353 percent.

Practical implications

This paper provides valuable information to the drivers with respect to the use of optimum level of these factors in order to minimize their RT in braking response.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been conducted in the past to investigate the effect of these factors on the performance of drivers when they use mobile phones for conversation during driving. In addition, no attempt has yet been made to find the optimal level of these factors from drivers' performance in braking response view point. This paper is an original research work of authors and in the opinion it carries significantly important values as it provides new information to the persons who talk on mobile phones during driving.
Some evidence on regime shifts in international stock markets
Authors: Nishiyama Kazume
Published: January 2010

Compares the aggregate stock returns of five countries in order to understand their behaviour, bearing in mind shocks and regime shifts. Applies a Markov‐switching model to examine discrete shifts in regime in equity markets from 1976 to 1991 in Germany, Japan, USA, United Kingdom and Canada. Finds the German market takes by far the longest time to return to normality after a shock, and Canada the shortest, but that German stock return variance has the lowest mean return in the high‐volatility state. Detects an increase in volatility well before the stock market crash of 1987. Concludes that stock returns are time varying and the conditional variance is state‐dependent, and that markets vary widely in frequency of regime shifts and persistence.
Interaction of volatility and autocorrelation: evidence from major stock exchanges
Authors: Geoffrey Booth G. , Koutmos Gregory
Published: January 2010

Compares stock market returns behaviour for six stock markets in order to find out whether nonlinearities are a result of conditional heteroscedasticity or of previous performance. Uses LeBaron’s exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model to link conditional variance with first order correlation. Applies it to daily stock market indexes from 1986 to 1991 in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Finds that the links exist in all the markets, with high autocorrelation during stable periods, and none under high volatility, for daily but not weekly returns. Concludes that nonsynchronous trading leads to an inverse relationship between volatility and autocorrelation.
Community‐oriented policing across the US: facilitators and impediments to implementation
Authors: Zhao Jihong , Thurman Quint C. , Lovrich Nicholas P.
Published: January 2010

Reviews the rise of community‐oriented policing (CP) in the USA. Analyses data from a survey of police chiefs across the USA which investigated the extent of organizational change and CP implementation. Explores the extent of current CP training and identifies some facilitators and impediments to its implementation, e.g., education; training; middle‐management resistance; maintenance of adequate response time to calls for service while pursuing CP goals. Calls for further study on strategies for balancing the outcomes of a traditional approach against the expected benefits of CP; identification of agencies which have achieved this balance; comparison of employees’ value orientation over time. Notes that successful CP requires a change in officers’ values.
Customer relationship management as a business process
Authors: Lambert Douglas M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose

Increasingly, customer relationship management (CRM) is being viewed as a strategic, process‐oriented, cross‐functional, value‐creating for buyer and seller, and a means of achieving superior financial performance. However, there is a need for a more holistic view of cross‐functional as it relates to CRM. The purpose of this paper is to describe a macro level cross‐functional view of CRM and provide a structure for managing business‐to‐business relationships to co‐create value and increase shareholder value.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify the sub‐processes of CRM at the strategic and operational levels as well as the activities that comprise each sub‐process, focus group sessions were conducted with executives from a range of industries. The focus groups were supplemented with visits to companies identified in the focus groups as having the most advanced CRM practices.

Findings

The research resulted in a framework that managers can use to implement a cross‐functional, cross‐firm, CRM process in business‐to‐business relationships. Also, it should be useful to researchers interested in broadening their view of CRM.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on focus groups with executives in 15 companies representing nine industries and multiple positions in the supply chain including retailers, distributors, manufacturers and suppliers. While all companies had global operations, only one was based outside of the USA. Nevertheless, the framework has been presented in executive seminars in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia with very positive feedback.

Practical implications

The framework can be used by managers. The view of CRM presented involves all business functions which extends the current thinking in the marketing literature.

Originality/value

The most common view of CRM involves fewer business functions than the one identified in this research.
The role of leadership in international retail divestment
Authors: Cairns Patricia , Quinn Barry , Alexander Nicholas , Doherty Anne Marie
Published: January 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role played by leadership in divestment decision making and indeed during the corporate restructuring phase for retail organisations. In doing so, the paper aims to contribute to a growing body of research that seeks to develop understanding of the factors leading to retail divestment and the nature of corporate response to divestment.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case approach is utilised. The cases are selected from a database of international retail divestment activity over a longitudinal period.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that divestment can be a response to “failure”, however, support is also provided for the assertion that divestment can be a strategic decision to devote resources more efficiently elsewhere, either at home or abroad. A key finding is the role of leadership and managerial stability in relation to divestment and restructuring at home and abroad.

Research limitations/implications

The themes presented in this paper are developed from observational data. The validity of the themes should be examined further through in‐depth, qualitative case studies of divestment activity. Future research could examine the role of new CEOs both in relation to the divestment itself and during the process of restructuring following divestment.

Practical implications

The role of leadership and managerial stability in divestment and corporate restructuring processes are highlighted. Insights are provided into the organisational response to divestment actions and the implications for further international strategies.

Originality/value

Academic debate on divestment has highlighted a wide range of reasons that lead to retailers divesting international operations and the strategic value of divestment. This paper adds to existing knowledge by examining the role of leadership within the divestment process.