bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza in children and young adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Strouse John J. , Reller Megan E. , Bundy David G. , Amoako Martha , Cancio Maria , Han Rachel N. , Valsamakis Alexandra , Casella James F.
Published: July 2010

Influenza causes excess morbidity in sickle cell disease (SCD). H1N1 pandemic influenza has been severe in children. To compare H1N1 with seasonal influenza in SCD (patients younger than 22), we reviewed medical records (1993-2009). We identified 123 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza (94 seasonal, 29 H1N1). Those with seasonal influenza were younger (median 4.4 vs 8.7 years old, P = .006) and had less asthma (24% vs 56%, P = .002). Those with H1N1 influenza more often had acute chest syndrome (ACS; 34% vs 13%, P = .01) and required intensive care (17% vs 3%, P = .02), including mechanical ventilation (10% vs 0%, P = .02). In multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1 per year, P = .04) and H1N1 influenza (OR 3.0, P = .04) were associated with ACS, and older age (OR 1.1 per year, P = .02) and prior ACS (OR 3.3 per episode in last year, P < .006) with intensive care. Influenza, especially H1N1, causes critical illness in SCD and should be prevented.
Accuracy and Inaccuracy in Teachers’ Perceptions of Young Children’s Cognitive Abilities
Authors: Ready Douglas D. , Wright David L.
Published: July 2010

Teachers’ subjective understandings of their students’ cognitive abilities have important implications for classroom interactions, children’s access to resources and opportunities, and educational equity more broadly. Using nationally representative data and three-level hierarchical linear models, this study explored the links between teacher perceptions and children’s sociodemographic backgrounds. The authors find that teachers perceive substantial racial-ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender differences in children’s literacy skills. Roughly half of these disparities are explained by actual between-group differences. The remaining perceptual inaccuracies flow more from classroom characteristics than from teachers’ professional or personal backgrounds (e.g., their own race or ethnicity). Specifically, holding students’ social and academic backgrounds constant, the authors find that teachers in lower-socioeconomic-status and lower-achieving contexts more often underestimate their students’ abilities. These results highlight the importance of recent policy efforts to avoid isolating traditionally disadvantaged children.
A Tale of Two Montréal Communities: Parents’ Perspectives on Their Children's Language and Literacy Development in a Multilingual Context
Authors: Riches Caroline , Curdt-Christiansen Xiao Lan
Published: July 2010

This comparative inquiry examines the multi-/bilingual nature and cultural diversity of two distinctly different linguistic and ethnic communities in Montréal – English speakers and Chinese speakers – with a focus on the multi/bilingual and multi/biliterate development of children from these two communities who attend French-language schools, by choice in one case and by law in the other. In both of these communities, children traditionally achieve academic success. The authors approach this investigation from the perspective of the parents’ aspirations and expectations for, and their support of and involvement in, their children's education. These two communities share key similarities and differences that, when considered together, help to clarify a number of issues involving multi/biliteracy development, socio-economic and linguistic capital, minority/majority language status, mother-tongue support, home–school continuities, and linguistic identity.
Bioconcentration of perfluorinated compounds in blackrock fish, Sebastes schlegeli, at different salinity levels
Authors: Jeon Junho , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Lim Han Kyu , Moon Hyo Bang , Kim Sang D.
Published: July 2010

Bioconcentration of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) was studied in a biphasic (uptake and elimination) study with blackrock fish, Sebastes schlegeli. The blackrock fish was acclimated to varying salinities over a two-week period before the present study. Among the four selected PFCs: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), PFUnDA accumulated significantly in serum, followed by PFDA, PFOS, and PFOA, in that order, while the accumulation profile in liver was PFOS > PFUnDA > PFDA > PFOA. Total PFC levels in plasma were approximately four times greater than those found in liver. The uptake and elimination rate constants (Ku and Ke) of PFCs decreased as salinity decreased, suggesting delayed diffusion of PFCs between water and fish, possibly associated with the osmolality gradient. A significant correlation was found between bioconcentration factors (BCF) of PFCs and salinity, except for PFOA, possibly resulting from the effects of salinity on biological responses and chemical activity of PFCs. Even though salinity did not affect the kinetics of PFC accumulation in serum and liver, the results provide useful information on the toxicokinetics of PFCs for saltwater fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2529–2535. © 2010 SETAC
Linking toxicity in algal and bacterial assays with chemical analysis in passive samplers deployed in 21 treated sewage effluents
Authors: Vermeirssen Etiënne L.M. , Hollender Juliane , Bramaz Nadine , Voet Jürgen van der , Escher Beate I.
Published: July 2010

A diverse mix of micropollutants, including pesticides, biocides, and pharmaceuticals, reaches the aquatic environment through treated sewage effluents. We sampled 21 final effluents with polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) and investigated to what extent chemical analyses of six photosystem II (PS-II) inhibitors and 12 other chemicals explain the toxic burdens quantified with two bioassays. Baseline toxicity equivalent concentrations (TEQ) were determined with a bacterial bioluminescence inhibition assay using Vibrio fischeri (baseline-TEQbacteria) and by assessing toxicity on algal growth using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (baseline-TEQalgae). Inhibition PS-II was also determined with algae and expressed using diuron equivalent concentrations (DEQbio). Concentrations of chemicals and toxicities varied appreciably between effluents, typically spanning two orders of magnitude. Across 21 independent effluents, a DEQ calculated by concentration addition of PS-II inhibitors (DEQchem) proved a very good predictor of DEQbio; DEQchem explained 65% of DEQbio. However, baseline-TEQbacteria,bio correlated poorly with baseline-TEQalgae,bio, because baseline-TEQalgae were strongly influenced by PS-II inhibitors. Using data on the 18 quantified compounds, and their estimated toxicities in the bacterial assay, we calculated a baseline-TEQbacteria,chem. With one exception, a site with a high load of diclofenac, less than 1% of baseline-TEQbacteria,bio was explained by the analyzed chemicals. We conclude that for the analyses of final effluents, DEQbio is a robust endpoint and useful screening tool for PS-II inhibitors; in the presence of herbicides, baseline-TEQbacteria,bio proves a more robust measure of baseline toxicity than baseline-TEQalgae,bio. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2575–2582. © 2010 SETAC
Gemeinsam für Europa am Lago Maggiore
Authors: Kotzias Dimitrios , Anklam Elke
Published: July 2010

Das nachhaltige Management von Ressourcen hat eine hohe Priorität für die Gemeinsame Forschungsstelle der Europäischen Kommission. Das Zentrum unterstützt wissenschaftlich‐technisch und nachfrageorientiert die Entwicklung und Überwachung europäischer Politik.
Wasserstoff durch mehrkernige Metallkomplexe
Authors: Rau Sven , Schwalbe Matthias , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen
Published: July 2010

Gelänge es, Wasser durch Licht effizient in Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff zu spalten, wäre das die Lösung der Energieprobleme der Menschheit. Ein inspirierendes Vorbild für diese katalytische Umsetzung ist die biologische Photosynthese. Die Herausforderung für die Chemie besteht darin, geeignete Photokatalysatoren zu entwickeln.
Aufbruch in die Champions League
Authors: Remenyi Christian
Published: July 2010

Bis 2010 wollen Universität und Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe zum Karlsruher Institut für Technologie fusionieren. Mit diesem Zukunftskonzept überzeugte die Universität bei der ersten Runde der Exzellenzinitiative. Wächst jetzt zusammen, was zusammen gehört? Ein Gespräch mit Horst Hippler, dem Rektor der Universität Karlsruhe.
Erfolgreich mit Karriere‐Coaching im Team
Authors: Schmitz Karin
Published: July 2010

Ab 2008 unterstützt der GDCh‐Karriereservice mit einem Gruppen‐Coaching Chemiker bei ihrer beruflichen Entwicklung.
A Quantitative Trait Locus for Chlorophyll Content and its Association with Leaf Photosynthesis in Rice
Authors: Takai Toshiyuki , Kondo Motohiko , Yano Masahiro , Yamamoto Toshio
Published: July 2010

Leaf photosynthesis, an important determinant of yield potential in rice, can be estimated from measurements of chlorophyll content. We searched for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Soil and Plant Analyzer Development (SPAD) value, an index of leaf chlorophyll content, and assessed their association with leaf photosynthesis. QTL analysis derived from a cross between japonica cultivar Sasanishiki and high-yielding indica cultivar Habataki detected a QTL for SPAD value on chromosome 4. This QTL explained 31% of the total phenotypic variance, and the Habataki allele increased the SPAD value. Chromosomal segment substitution line (CSSL) with the corresponding segment from Habataki had a higher leaf photosynthetic rate and SPAD value than Sasanishiki, suggesting an association between SPAD value and leaf photosynthesis. The CSSL also had a lower specific leaf area (SLA) than Sasanishiki, reflecting its thicker leaves. Substitution mapping under Sasanishiki genetic background demonstrated that QTLs for SPAD value and SLA were co-localized in the 1,798-kb interval. The results suggest that the phenotypes for SPAD value and SLA are controlled by a single locus or two tightly linked loci, and may play an important role in increasing leaf photosynthesis by increasing chlorophyll content or leaf thickness, or both.
Self‐efficacy is more important than fear of movement in mediating the relationship between pain and disability in chronic low back pain
Authors: Costal Luciola da C. Menezes , Maherl Christopher G. , McAuleyl James H. , Hancockl Mark J. , Smeetsl Rob J.E.M.
Published: July 2010

Pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement have been proposed to explain how pain can lead to disability for patients with chronic low back pain. However the extent to which pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain and disability over time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether pain self‐efficacy and/or fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain intensity and disability in patients with recent onset chronic low back pain. In a two‐wave longitudinal design, 184 chronic low back pain patients completed measures for pain intensity, disability, pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement at baseline and 12 months after the onset of chronic low back pain. Regression analyses were used to test the mediational hypothesis. We found that, when measured at the same time, both pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement beliefs partially mediated the effects of pain intensity on disability at the onset of chronic low back pain. However, in the longitudinal analyses, only improvements in self‐efficacy beliefs partially mediated the relationship between changes in pain and changes in disability over a 12 months period. We found no support for the theory that fear of movement beliefs mediate this relationship. Therefore, we concluded that pain self‐efficacy may be a more important variable than fear of movement beliefs in terms of understanding the relationship between pain and disability.
TERRA biogenesis, turnover and implications for function
Authors: Feuerhahn Sascha , Iglesias Nahid , Panza Andrea , Porro Antonio , Lingner Joachim
Published: July 2010

Telomeres are heterochromatic structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. As other heterochromatin regions, telomeres are transcribed, from the subtelomeric region towards chromosome ends into the long non‐coding RNA TERRA. Telomere transcription is a widespread phenomenon as it has been observed in species belonging to several kingdoms of the eukaryotic domain. TERRA is part of telomeric heterochromatin in addition to being present in the nucleoplasm. Here, we review the current knowledge of TERRA structure, biogenesis and turnover. In addition, we discuss presumed roles of this RNA during replication of telomeric DNA, heterochromatin formation and the regulation of telomerase.
Effects of product unit image on consumption of snack foods
Authors: Madzharov Adriana V. , Block Lauren G.
Published: July 2010

Across a series of three studies, we demonstrate that the number of product units displayed on a package biases consumers' perceptions of product quantity (i.e., the number of snack items the package contains) and actual consumption. Specifically, we demonstrate that consumers use an anchoring heuristic to infer that packages that display a greater number of product units (e.g., 15 pretzels vs. 3 pretzels) have a higher product quantity inside. Importantly, we demonstrate that actual consumption of the food product follows this anchor judgment. The studies demonstrate that these effects are moderated by level of visual processing and that they are robust even in the presence of verbal information.
Alliance diversity, environmental context and the value of manufacturing capabilities among new high technology ventures
Authors: Terjesen Siri , Patel Pankaj C. , Covin Jeffrey G.
Published: July 2010

Manufacturing capabilities have often been shown to predict various indicators of firm performance. However, the association between manufacturing capabilities and firm performance has seldom been studied in the context of high technology new ventures. Using a sample of 167 UK‐based, high technology manufacturing ventures, the current study examines the relationship between manufacturing capabilities (in particular, those contributing to low operating costs and product quality) and venture performance. Additionally, the moderating effects of the ventures’ alliance portfolios and environmental contexts on the capability–performance relationships are explored. Results indicate that venture performance (as reflected in sales growth, return on sales (ROS), and return on assets (ROA)) is significantly predicted by manufacturing capabilities that promote low operating costs and product quality. Further, the data generally support the hypothesized moderating effects of two alliance diversity variables (alliance partner diversity and alliance geographic diversity) and two environmental context variables (environmental dynamism and environmental munificence) on the capability–performance relationships. Overall, the study supports the premise that the value of manufacturing capabilities (i.e., the strength of the capability–performance relationship) among high technology ventures is contingent upon the alliance and environmental contexts within which those ventures operate. Specifically, alliance partner diversity, alliance geographic diversity, and environmental munificence enhance the value of manufacturing capabilities that promote low operating costs. Alliance partner diversity, environmental munificence, and environmental stability enhance the value of manufacturing capabilities that promote product quality. The study's theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Sexuelle Außenkontakte und -beziehungen in heterosexuellen Partnerschaften
Authors: Kröger Christoph
Published: July 2010

Zusammenfassung. In der Wertehierarchie hat „Treue” für eine überwiegende Mehrheit der Bevölkerung einen hohen Stellenwert in der Partnerschaft. Die Enthüllung sexueller Außenkontakte und -beziehungen ist daher für Paare eine große Herausforderung. Ziel des Beitrags ist es, die Auftretenshäufigkeit, assoziierten Merkmale und Auswirkungen einer Enthüllung sexueller Außenkontakte bzw. -beziehungen kritisch zusammenzufassen. Nach einer systematischen Literaturrecherche werden verschiedene methodische Aspekte und Einschränkungen der referierten Studien erörtert (u.a. mehrdeutige Operationalisierungen, fast ausschließlich Querschnittstudien). In Deutschland gaben 15–26% der Frauen bzw. 17–32% der Männer im reproduktiven Alter (16–45 Jahre) sexuelle Außenkontakte bzw. -beziehungen während der aktuellen Beziehung an. Damit lagen die Auftretenshäufigkeiten etwas höher als in den US-amerikanischen, aber im Bereich der europäischen Studien. Zusammenhänge ergaben sich zu soziodemographischen, psychischen und beruflichen Merkmalen sowie Bedingungen vor und während der primären Partnerschaft. Die Enthüllung einer Außenbeziehung führte meist zu einer erheblichen psychischen Belastung beider Partner und der Partnerschaft. Sexuelle Außenkontakte können als Verbreitungsweg sexuell übertragbarer Erkrankungen gelten. Basierend auf den methodischen Einschränkungen und den Ergebnissen werden Anregungen für verschiedene Teildisziplinen der Psychologie gegeben.
Cucumber (
Cucumis sativus
) and melon (
C. melo
) have numerous wild relatives in Asia and Australia, and the sister species of melon is from Australia
Authors: Sebastian Patrizia , Schaefer Hanno , Telford Ian R. H. , Renner Susanne S.
Published: July 2010

Among the fundamental questions regarding cultivated plants is their geographic origin and region of domestication. The genus
Cucumis
, which includes cucumber (
Cucumis sativus
) and melon (
Cucumis melo
), has numerous wild African species, and it has therefore been assumed that melon originated in Africa. For cucumber, this seemed less likely because wild cucumbers exist in India and a closely related species lives in the Eastern Himalayas. Using DNA sequences from plastid and nuclear markers for some 100
Cucumis
accessions from Africa, Australia, and Asia, we show here that melon and cucumber are of Asian origin and have numerous previously overlooked species-level relatives in Australia and around the Indian Ocean. The wild progenitor of
C. melo
occurs in India, and our data confirm that the Southeast Asian
Cucumis hystrix
is the closest relative of cucumber. Most surprisingly, the closest relative of melon is
Cucumis picrocarpus
from Australia.
C. melo
diverged from this Australian sister species approximately 3 Ma, and both diverged from the remaining Asian/Australian species approximately 10 Ma. The Asian/Australian
Cucumis
clade comprises at least 25 species, nine of them new to science, and diverged from its African relatives in the Miocene, approximately 12 Ma. Range reconstruction under maximum likelihood suggests Asia as the ancestral area for the most recent common ancestor of melon and cucumber, fitting with both having progenitor populations in the Himalayan region and high genetic diversity of
C. melo
landraces in India and China. Future investigations of wild species related to melon and cucumber should concentrate on Asia and Australia.
The impact force acting on a flat plate exposed normally to a rarefied plasma plume issuing from an annular or circular nozzle
Authors: Chen Xi
Published: July 2010

With the indirect thrust measurement of electric thrusters working at a low vacuum chamber pressure as the research background, this paper analyses the impact force acting on a flat plate exposed normally to a rarefied plasma plume issuing from a thruster with an annular or circular exit section for the free-molecule flow regime (at large Knudsen numbers). The constraint relation proposed by Cai and Boyd (2007 J. Spacecr. Rockets
44 619, 1326) about the velocity components of gas particles leaving a location on the nozzle exit section and arriving at a given spatial point outside the nozzle has been employed here to derive the analytical expressions for calculating the impact force. Sample calculation results show that if the flat plate is sufficiently large, the impact force acting on the flat plate calculated for the case without accounting for gas particle reflection at the plate surface agrees well with the axial momentum flux calculated at the thruster exit or the theoretical thrust force of the studied thruster, while accounting for the contribution of gas particles reflected from the plate surface to the impact force production may significantly increase the calculated impact force acting on the flat plate. For a Hall-effect thruster in which the thrust force is dominantly produced by the ions with high directional kinetic energy and the ions are not directly reflected from the plate surface, the contribution to the impact force production of atom species and of gas particles reflected from the plate surface is negligibly small and thus the measured axial impact force acting on a sufficiently large plate can well represent the thrust force of the thruster. On the other hand, if the contribution of the gas particles reflected from the plate surface to the impact force production cannot be neglected (e.g. for the electric thrusters with comparatively low thruster exit temperatures), appreciable error would appear in the indirect thrust measurement.
A Twentieth-Century Triangle Trade: Selling Black Beauty at Home and Abroad, 1945–1965
Authors: McAndrew Malia
Published: July 2010

This study examines the careers of African American beauty culturists as they worked in the United States, Europe, and Africa between 1945 and 1965. Facing push back at home, African American beauty entrepreneurs frequently sought out international venues that were hospitable and receptive to black Americans in the years following World War II. By strategically using European sites that white Americans regarded as the birthplace of Western fashion and beauty, African American entrepreneurs in the fields of modeling, fashion design, and hair care were able to win accolades and advance their careers. In gaining support abroad, particularly in Europe, these beauty culturists capitalized on their international success to establish, legitimize, and promote their business ventures in the United States. After importing a positive reputation for themselves from Europe to the United States, African American beauty entrepreneurs then exported an image of themselves as the world's premier authorities on black beauty to people of color around the globe as they sold their products and marketed their expertise on the African continent itself. This essay demonstrates the important role that these black female beauty culturists played, both as businesspeople and as race leaders, in their generation's struggle to gain greater respect and opportunity for African Americans both at home and abroad. In doing so it places African American beauty culturists within the framework of transatlantic trade networks, the Black Freedom Movement, Pan-Africanism, and America's Cold War struggle.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Tunicothrix (Ciliophora, Stichotrichia), with the description of two novel species, Tunicothrix brachysticha n. sp. and Tunicothrix multinucleata n. sp., and the establishment of Parabirojimidae n. fam.
Authors: Dai Renhai , Xu Kuidong
Published: July 2010

The morphology and molecular phylogeny of two novel urostylid ciliates,Tunicothrix brachystichan. sp. andTunicothrix multinucleatan. sp., were investigated using the techniques of living observation, protargol impregnation and small-subunit rRNA gene sequencing. Both species were found to be frequent in muddy-sand sediment but very rare in sandy sediment of the intertidal zone of Qingdao Bay, China.Tunicothrix brachystichais about 90 × 30 µmin vivo, with a broadly clavate body shape, and is characterized by a rather short midventral row terminating at 40 % of the body length and a right marginal row 1 terminating at mid-body.Tunicothrix multinucleatais about 190 × 30 µmin vivo, and is characterized by a clavate body shape and the presence of 7–10 macronuclear nodules. Phylogenetic analyses showed thatTunicothrixclustered robustly withParabirojimia, forming a clade that branches from the Urostylida core clade with high bootstrap values. Based on the morphological and molecular data, we establish a new family, Parabirojimidae n. fam., which comprisesParabirojimiaandTunicothrixand is distinguished by a unique, roughly T-shaped bipartite adoral zone of membranelles, three enlarged frontal cirri and a midventral complex with midventral pairs confined to the buccal field.
Mucilaginibacter boryungensis sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Kang So-Jung , Jung Yong-Taek , Oh Ki-Hoon , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: July 2010

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, BDR-9T, was isolated from soil collected from Boryung on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain BDR-9T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.0–7.5 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BDR-9T fell within the clade comprising species of the genus Mucilaginibacter within the phylum Bacteroidetes. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain BDR-9T and the type strains of species of the genus Mucilaginibacter were in the range 94.0–95.6 %. Strain BDR-9T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 44.3 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain BDR-9T demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BDR-9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter boryungensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BDR-9T ( = KCTC 23157T  = CCUG 59599T).
Microbacterium arthrosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of the pill millipede Arthrosphaera magna Attems
Authors: Kämpfer P. , Rekha P. D. , Schumann P. , Arun A. B. , Young Chiu-Chung , Chen Wen-Ming , Sridhar K. R.
Published: July 2010

A Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-VM-YT, was isolated from the faeces of the pill millipedeArthrosphaera magnaAttems from India and was subsequently studied to determine its taxonomic position. Based on16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, the isolate clearly grouped with members of the genusMicrobacterium. On the basis of pairwise comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CC-VM-YTwas most closely related toMicrobacterium insulaeDS-66T(98 %),Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydansDSM 160809T(97.8 %) andMicrobacterium hominisNBRC 15708T(97.9 %). The peptidoglycan contained the amino acids ornithine (Orn), alanine (Ala), glycine (Gly), homoserine (Hsr) and glutamic acid (Glu) in an approximate molar ratio of 1.0 : 0.8 : 2.2 : 0.8 : 0.3. In addition, substantial amounts ofthreo-3-hydroxy glutamic acid (Hyg) were detected, which is characteristic of peptidoglycan type B2β. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. The menaquinones of strain CC-VM-YTwere MK-13 (72 %), MK-12 (25 %) and MK-11 (3 %). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid and one unknown glycolipid. The fatty acid profile comprised anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0and anteiso-C17 : 0as the major fatty acids, which was congruent with fatty acid profiles of other members of the genusMicrobacterium. The results of physiological and biochemical tests as well as DNA–DNA hybridizations with the most closely related species,M. insulae,M. hydrocarbonoxydansandM. hominis, revealed clear phenotypic and genotypic differences between strain CC-VM-YTand other members of the genusMicrobacterium. Based on these results, strain CC-VM-YT( = DSM 22421T = CCM 7681T) represents a new species of the genusMicrobacterium, for which the nameMicrobacterium arthrosphaeraesp. nov. is proposed.
Candida albicans-produced farnesol stimulates Pseudomonas quinolone signal production in LasR-defective Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains
Authors: Cugini Carla , Morales Diana K. , Hogan Deborah A.
Published: July 2010

Candida albicans has been previously shown to stimulate the production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phenazine toxins in dual-species colony biofilms. Here, we report that P. aeruginosa lasR mutants, which lack the master quorum sensing system regulator, regain the ability to produce quorum-sensing-regulated phenazines when cultured with C. albicans. Farnesol, a signalling molecule produced by C. albicans, was sufficient to stimulate phenazine production in LasR− laboratory strains and clinical isolates. P. aeruginosa ΔlasR mutants are defective in production of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) due to their inability to properly induce pqsH, which encodes the enzyme necessary for the last step in PQS biosynthesis. We show that expression of pqsH in a ΔlasR strain was sufficient to restore PQS production, and that farnesol restored pqsH expression in ΔlasR mutants. The farnesol-mediated increase in pqsH required RhlR, a transcriptional regulator downstream of LasR, and farnesol led to higher levels of N-butyryl-homoserine lactone, the small molecule activator of RhlR. Farnesol promotes the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a variety of species. Because the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine suppressed farnesol-induced RhlR activity in LasR− strains, and hydrogen peroxide was sufficient to restore PQS production in las mutants, we propose that ROS are responsible for the activation of downstream portions of this quorum sensing pathway. LasR mutants frequently arise in the lungs of patients chronically infected with P. aeruginosa. The finding that C. albicans, farnesol or ROS stimulate virulence factor production in lasR strains provides new insight into the virulence potential of these strains.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG attenuates interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α-induced barrier dysfunction and pro-inflammatory signalling
Authors: Donato Kevin A. , Gareau Mélanie G. , Wang Yu Jing Jenny , Sherman Philip M.
Published: July 2010

The intestinal epithelium forms a protective barrier against luminal contents and the external environment, mediated via intercellular tight junctions (TJs). The TJ can be disrupted via cell signalling induced by either enteric pathogens or pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby contributing to various intestinal disorders ranging from acute infectious diarrhoea to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Probiotics, such asLactobacillus rhamnosusGG (LGG), are reported to confer beneficial effects on epithelial cells, including antagonizing infections and reducing overt pro-inflammatory responses, but the underlying mechanisms of these observed effects require further characterization. We hypothesized that probiotics preserve barrier function by interfering with pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling. Caco-2bbe cells were seeded into Transwells to attain polarized monolayers with intercellular TJs. Monolayers were inoculated apically with the probiotic LGG 3 h prior to the addition of IFN-γ(100 ng ml−1) to the basolateral medium overnight. The monolayers were then placed in fresh basal medium±TNF-α(10 ng ml−1) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurements were taken over the time-course of TNF-αstimulation. To complement the TER findings, cells were processed for zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunofluorescence staining. As a measure of TNF-αdownstream signalling, cells were immunofluorescently stained for NF-κB p65 subunit and CXCL-8 mRNA was quantified by qRT-PCR. Basal cell culture medium was collected after overnight TNF-αstimulation to measure secreted chemokines, including CXCL-8 (interleukin-8) and CCL-11 (eotaxin). Following LGG inoculation, IFN-γpriming and 24 h TNF-αstimulation, epithelial cells maintained TER and ZO-1 distribution. LGG diminished the nuclear translocation of p65, demonstrated by both immunofluorescence and CXCL-8 mRNA expression. CXCL-8 and CCL-11 protein levels were decreased in LGG-inoculated, cytokine-challenged cells. These findings indicate that LGG alleviates the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on epithelial barrier integrity and inflammation, mediated, at least in part, through inhibition of NF-κB signalling.
Role of two-component sensory systems of Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin in the pathogenesis of systemic salmonellosis in cattle
Authors: Pullinger Gillian D. , van Diemen Pauline M. , Dziva Francis , Stevens Mark P.
Published: July 2010

Salmonella entericaserovar Dublin (S. Dublin) is associated with enteritis, typhoid and abortion in cattle. Infections are acquired by the oral route, and the bacteria transit through varied anatomical and cellular niches to elicit systemic disease.S. Dublin must therefore sense and respond to diverse extrinsic stimuli to control gene expression in a spatial and temporal manner. Two-component systems (TCSs) play key roles in such processes, and typically contain a membrane-associated sensor kinase (SK) that modifies a cognate response regulator. Analysis of the genome sequence ofS. Dublin identified 31 conserved SK genes. Each SK gene was separately disrupted by lambda Red recombinase-mediated insertion of transposons harbouring unique sequence tags. Calves were challenged with a pool of the mutants together with control strains of defined virulence by the oral and intravenous routes. Quantification of tagged mutants in output pools derived from various tissues and cannulated lymphatic vessels allowed the assignment of spatial roles for each SK following oral inoculation or when the intestinal barrier was bypassed by intravenous delivery. Mutant phenotypes were also assigned in cultured intestinal epithelial cells. Mutants with insertions inbarA,envZ,phoQ,ssrAorqseCwere significantly negatively selected at all enteric and systemic sites sampled after oral dosing. Mutants lackingbaeS,dpiBorcitAwere negatively selected at some but not all sites. After intravenous inoculation, onlybarAandphoQmutants were significantly under-represented at systemic sites. The novel role ofbaeSin intestinal colonization was confirmed by oral co-infection studies, with a mutant exhibiting modest but significant attenuation at a number of enteric sites. This is the first systematic analysis of the role of allSalmonellaTCSs in a highly relevant model of enteric fever. Spatial roles were assigned to eightS. Dublin SKs, but most were not essential for intestinal or systemic infection of the target host.
Arginine metabolism in Trichomonas vaginalis infected with Mycoplasma hominis
Authors: Morada Mary , Manzur Mafruha , Lam Brian , Tan Cho , Tachezy Jan , Rappelli Paola , Dessì Daniele , Fiori Pier L. , Yarlett Nigel
Published: July 2010

BothMycoplasma hominisandTrichomonas vaginalisutilize arginine as an energy source via the arginine dihydrolase (ADH) pathway. It has been previously demonstrated thatM. hominisforms a stable intracellular relationship withT. vaginalis; hence, in this study we examined the interaction of two localized ADH pathways by comparingT. vaginalisstrain SS22 with the laboratory-generatedT. vaginalisstrain SS22-MOZ2 infected withM. hominisMOZ2. The presence ofM. hominisresulted in an approximately 16-fold increase in intracellular ornithine and a threefold increase in putrescine, compared with controlT. vaginaliscultures. No change in the activity of enzymes of the ADH pathway could be demonstrated in SS22-MOZ2 compared with the parent SS22, and the increased production of ornithine could be attributed to the presence ofM. hominis.Using metabolic flow analysis it was determined that the elasticity of enzymes of the ADH pathway in SS22-MOZ2 was unchanged compared with the parent SS22; however, the elasticity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in SS22 was small, and it was doubled in SS22-MOZ2 cells. The potential benefit of this relationship to bothT. vaginalisandM. hominisis discussed.
The effects of hierarchical culture on knowledge management processes
Authors: Tseng Shu‐Mei
Published: July 2010

Purpose

In order to make knowledge management (KM) successful, the most important aspect is to nurture an appropriate organizational culture. Furthermore, many studies indicate that hierarchical cultures can significantly hinder the success of KM activities. The purpose of this paper, therefore, based on the antecedents of hierarchical culture, is to utilize four activities of knowledge conversion to explore the impact of hierarchical culture on the effectiveness of KM processes.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to understand the influences of hierarchical culture on knowledge conversion and KM processes, both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze the data. A case study of two large companies included interviews with several senior managers. A survey questionnaire was also administered to senior managers in 31 Taiwanese companies that had hierarchical cultures.

Findings

Through interpretative case studies and questionnaire analyses, the research finds that a hierarchical culture influences KM practices and can act as a mediator for knowledge conversion and KM processes. For instance, developing a hierarchical culture will be suitable for combination and externalization. Moreover, it would be beneficial to the implementation of KM. In contrast, it would not be helpful for socialization and internalization. In addition, it would not be beneficial to KM strategy and planning.

Research limitations/implications

The results need to be validated with a robust survey.

Practical implications

The conceptual framework provides a convenient way to illustrate the effects of hierarchical culture on knowledge conversion and KM processes. Enterprises can make corrections and adjustments accordingly to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing KM through the appropriate organizational culture.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a conceptual framework to illustrate the influences of hierarchical culture on knowledge conversion and KM processes in Taiwanese organizations.
Slicing and dicing the gender/racial earnings differentials
Authors: Yap Margaret
Published: July 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore an extensive set of determinants of earnings and to offer recent empirical evidence of their effects on gender and racial earnings gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

Most previous studies looked at gender and racial comparisons independently of each other. This study extends previous studies by considering the interaction between gender and race. Using administrative data from a large Canadian firm, this paper explores the determinants of earnings based on a standard human capital model, comparing the earnings of white females, minority males and minority females with their white male counterparts. Both the dummy variable approach and a decomposition analysis are employed.

Findings

The results show that ranking in the organizational hierarchy accounts for most of the differences in gender and racial earnings, and ranking, together with human capital and job characteristics variables, explains over 90 percent of the earnings gap.

Research limitations/implications

The analyses in the paper are based on data from a Canadian organization with nation‐wide operations. The findings may not apply to small or medium sized enterprises in Canada and in other non‐Western economies.

Practical implications

To eliminate the earnings gap, equal pay programs need to be supplemented by effective employers' programs and policies targeted at equal advancement opportunity.

Originality/value

The paper uses firm‐level data, which provides natural controls for variations across firms and allows for more in‐depth analysis of the impact of various factors on earnings differentials.
From policy to practice: engaging and embedding the third mission in contemporary universities
Authors: Nelles Jen , Vorley Tim
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Over the past 20 years public policy has sought to promote and formalise the socio‐economic role of universities under the auspices of the so called “third mission”. The purpose of this paper is to consider how the third mission relates to, and has the capacity to reinforce the core missions of teaching and research.

Design/methodology/approach

By highlighting the key limitations of contemporary debate the paper bridges the conceptual model/case‐study dichotomy that characterises the literature. The paper draws on an ongoing study of higher education institutions in the UK and Europe.

Findings

The paper contends that triangulating teaching, research, and third stream activities reinforces the respective dynamics of each component through their recursive and reciprocal development.

Research limitations/implications

The paper forms the foundations of ade novoresearch agenda to better understand the dynamics of the third mission as a central facet of the contemporary university.

Practical implications

The paper has implications for policy‐makers and institutional strategy alike – identifying an unparalleled opportunity for institutional development by linking teaching, research, and third stream activities.

Originality/value

By highlighting the importance that universities need to embody an “inherent idea” the paper contends the third mission presents the capacity for institutional development beyond the third mission.
Generalising Darwinism to study socio‐cultural change
Authors: Breslin Dermot
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate the use of the evolutionary approach, and in particular the generalisation of Darwinian principles beyond biology to study socio‐cultural change.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a review of developments in generalising Darwinism to study socio‐cultural change, including key criticisms against using the approach. In the process key disagreements between the different conceptual approaches taken by evolutionary scholars, and key criticisms against using an evolutionary approach are highlighted.

Findings

It was seen that a number of critics fail to grasp the abstracted concept of Universal and Generalised Darwinism, focusing their arguments on detailed differences between socio‐cultural and biological evolution. Future research within the field should be directed towards building consensus regarding the definitions of key concepts, and using detailed empirical investigations to shed light on the usefulness of the different approaches taken for research and practice.

Originality/value

The key contribution of this paper is the presentation of a critical review of developments made in generalising Darwinism. It is further argued that the universal appeal of the approach offers researchers an opportunity for cross‐fertilising ideas, generating new insights across disciplines and learning from developments being made in parallel fields of study.
Service offshoring: the evolution of offshore operations
Authors: Youngdahl William E. , Ramaswamy Kannan , Dash Kishore C.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of economic development on culture and the significance of cultural change on the evolution of offshoring of services and knowledge‐based activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a conceptual model that links economic development, national cultural predispositions, and the future of offshoring service and knowledge functions. It builds on a range of academic literatures within these core areas to derive a set of propositions that offer insights into the manner in which the relative success and evolution of offshoring service and knowledge work would be impacted by a country's economic development posture and its cultural roots and value systems. The model presented here is also well complemented by examples from real offshoring projects to offer the reader a comprehensive picture of the central propositions put forth.

Findings

Several propositions, formulated at the multidisciplinary intersection of service operations management, strategy, and international studies, provide ample opportunities for further discipline‐specific and cross‐disciplinary examination of complex interactions of economic development, culture, and offshoring approaches.

Research limitations/implications

This form of conceptual research provides the basis for more rigorous theory development and testing. The aim of the conceptual analysis was to begin linking nascent research in the area of service and knowledge offshoring to an area of research that examines the links between economic development and culture.

Practical implications

Global operations managers dealing with extended service value chains that include offshore service providers must not only focus on dealing with cultural differences but they must also identify requisite cultural attributes for evolving service center roles.

Originality/value

By integrating perspectives from service operations management, strategy, and international studies, the paper provides new perspectives on offshoring of service and knowledge operations.
May I work from home? Views of the employment relationship reflected in line managers' telework attitudes in six financial‐sector organizations
Authors: Peters Pascale , den Dulk Laura , de Ruijter Judith
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to two related contemporary debates on the changing views of the employment relation and on the adoption of telework as a new work practice by analyzing line managers' general telework‐attitude formation processes, and possible outcomes in concrete request situations, mirroring managers' views of the employment relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This multi‐method study among 65 managers in six financial‐sector organizations comprises two parts. The interview part focuses on managers' arguments for or against telework in their departments, and how these are weighed in the telework‐attitude formation process. In the vignette study, managers assess their attitudes towards specific, hypothetical, but realistic telework requests of fictive employees in their departments.

Findings

Combining the results of both studies, it is shown that the governance view dominates. Some managers, however, consider telework an “idiosyncratic deal.” Particularly in telework‐request situations, also the exchange view enters into the managers' perceptual frames. In order to decrease managers' ambivalence towards telework, the human resource management (HRM)‐system needs to be internally consistent and based on a view of the employment relationship which stresses commitment and trust as guiding principles, rather than control and coordination.

Originality/value

Employing a “configurational approach to strategic HRM,” this paper focuses on the importance of the “embeddedness” of telework practices in larger HRM‐systems in general, and the role of cultural obstacles in particular. Telework arguments are considered the HR principles guiding the telework‐attitude formation process, and mirroring managers' views of the employment relationship as part of their workforce philosophies.