bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MARKETING STRATEGIES: GAINING A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THROUGH THE USE OF EMOTION
Authors: Taylor Ronald K.
Published: February 2008

Top marketing executives and middle managers understanding and utilizing emotions when attempting to gain a competitive advantage through developing various marketing strategies may find this to be of added value when reaching their customers. To enhance the marketing executive's arsenal of weapons when waging competitive battles, this article will review some appropriate theories of emotions and then attempt to develop various advertising, merchandising and selling strategies based on these propositions. This article demonstrates ways in which marketing managers may match various marketing strategies with the various emotional states of typical customers. Also, to counter customer defense mechanisms, battlefield tactics are presented when engaging in a competitive war.
HITLER'S SECRET, EINSTEIN'S FEAR: USING ENEMIES TO EMPOWER TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Denton D. Keith
Published: February 2008

The shooting at Columbine high school in Colorado and the Oklahoma City bombing have at least one thing in common: Perceived enemies were a powerful motivator for these horrible acts. Enemies can be and are powerful motivators. They give us a sense of community. Top executives at Unisys Corporation, General Electric, Coca‐Cola and Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation know about these powerful motivators—that if people do not have a natural enemy, they will create their own. These executives know how to create external ones so that their employees do not create internal ones. They focus their people on looking outward, on finding positive goals.
THE IMPACT OF MARKET LIBERALIZATION ON FIRMS' EXCHANGE RATE EXPOSURE
Authors: Chiao Chaoshin , Hung Ken , Nwanna Gladson I.
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of market liberalization programs on firms' exchange‐rate exposure. We consider, in particular, the effects of the timing of the three liberalization events through which the government of Taiwan carried out explicit policies to gradually open its foreign exchange and stock markets. Although we cannot corroborate that most exporting firms are individually exposed to exchange‐rate risk, we cannot, however, reject that the exporting firms are jointly exposed to exchange‐rate risk in all sub‐periods. Furthermore, we find that Taiwanese exporting firms are greatly affected by timing of the three liberalization events.
COMPETITIVENESS OF FOREIGN PRODUCTS AS PERCEIVED BY CONSUMERS IN THE EMERGING INDIAN MARKET
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Soumava
Published: February 2008

Following the economic liberalization in recent years, consumer products from many countries are now competing with each other in the ‘big emerging market’ of India. In this paper, Indian consumers' perceptions of electronic and electrical products from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Britain, and India are compared by means of an empirical study. The consumers are found to hold distinctly different views of products from different countries in terms of quality, value, image, promotion, and availability. Based on the results, managerial implications are drawn for marketers from different countries who are trying to make themselves more competitive in the Indian market.
CROSS‐CULTURAL PUBLIC RELATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR AMERICAN AND ARAB PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONERS
Authors: Kanso Ali , Karim Sinno Abdul , Adams William
Published: February 2008

This study provides practical guidelines for public relations campaigns targeted at Arab and American audiences. The authors examine various cultural frameworks for conceptualizing differences and similarities in the Arab and American cultures. They conclude that both cultures suffer considerably from biases and stereotypes.
Research Note: Genetic Engineering and Genetic Screening
Authors: Victor Maafo E.
Published: February 2008

Genetic engineering is an ultra‐modern form of biotechnology. It is a broad term used to describe a multitude of closely related processes such as crossbreeding, plant hybridization and fermentation—all of which promise to transform, for the better, many important areas of concern in the world. Genetic scientists working in the medical field, for instance, are close to finding cures for diseases such as cystic fibrosis by experimenting with the transfer of genes between microbes, plants and animals. There are currently about 1,000 genetic diseases that can be diagnosed by DNA methodologies. In the process, however, genetic scientists are altering life forms and even creating new ones.
ENRON AND THE NEW ECONOMY
Authors: Carson Margaret M.
Published: February 2008

A quote from Gary Hamel and C.K. Prahalad's book Competing for the Future‐provides a useful framework for new economy companies like Enron to live by. To quote Hamel and Prahalad: “To be a leader, a company must take charge of the process of industry transformation.” Enron has been at the forefront of change in the energy industry since its formation in 1985—and more recently it has been an active agent for change in the broadband communications and the global e‐commerce industries. Today Enron is a $50 billion dollar company with 17,900 employees.
ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR: KEY OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY INTER FIRM CLUSTERING
Authors: Davies Theresa‐Anne
Published: February 2008

The traditional models of economic development are being challenged and the role of stakeholders is being reprioritised, resulting in an increased emphasis on the SMME sector. A practical strategy is needed in South Africa for reducing input costs and promoting the implementation and sustainability of a technology transfer initiative aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the small/micro manufacturing enterprises. However, there is insufficient knowledge to inform this process. The aim of this paper is to understand the constraints to manufacturing competitiveness and to proffer a model for inter‐firm linkages appropriate to the South African context.
CHINA: THE BITTER ROOTS OF FOREIGN TRADE THROUGH THE EYES OF ASIAN CULTURE
Authors: Morris Daniel J. , Ettkin Lawrence P. , Helms Marilyn M.
Published: February 2008

Although the Peoples Republic of China's (PRC) is becoming more progressive, they are still criticized for their overcautious stance on entering the free market arena. This article explores China's reluctance toward foreign trade by examining past and present trade patterns along with future trade goals. The themes of culture, history and politics that remain blurred in Chinese culture are explored. The paper examines why foreign trade and capitalism cannot reproduce similar, instantaneous results in China to mirror western standards. Finally, the paper assesses the current and future economic climate and the emerging force of China in the global marketplace.
ADVERTISING CONTENT FOR THE GLOBAL AUDIENCE: A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Authors: Sciulli Lisa M. , Taiani Vincent
Published: February 2008

This paper provides a theoretical framework for examining a global (standardized) versus specialized (adaptive) print advertising strategy for the global audience. Likelihood of standardization will depend upon the information content and emotional appeals conveyed in the advertisements. A research design is provided which may study and compare advertisements of identified product types and sponsors using content analysis. Development of a comparative frame of reference for competitive product positioning is explored as an alternative to direct comparative advertising.
CROSS CULTURAL PATTERNS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Authors: Bures Allen L. , Vloeberghs Daniël
Published: February 2008

Eight European Union organizations are examined to assess cross cultural patterns of internationalization and human resource management practices and issues impacting organizational effectiveness and competitiveness. A framework is developed, and linkages explored among and between the characteristics of the sample set.
CAPITAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT DISTORTIONS
Authors: Brian Lee B. , Press Eric , [Ben] Choi Byeonghee
Published: February 2008

This paper investigates distortions in financial statements that arise from employing capital assets. Use of historical cost depreciation tends to overstate earnings because of inflation effects, which in turn misrepresents firms' capacities to expand operations or to distribute dividends. We argue that the financial statement effects of inflation can be traced to two main sources: understated depreciation, and interest expense. Depending on a firm's capital structure choices, the distortion from historical cost depreciation is heightened or mitigated. Measurement errors in accounting numbers obscure the relation between price and earnings. We develop value relevant adjustments that enhance the informativeness of earnings. We also show that the effects of measurement errors from using historical cost depreciation are most pronounced in firms that carry lower levels of debt.
PRESCRIPTS: CREATING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
Authors: Anell Barbro I. , Wilson Timothy L.
Published: February 2008

One recurring theme in the discourse on global competition is the major shift in thinking about what constitute resources in the economy. It is assumed that the economists' traditional categorization into land, labor and capital has been superseded by knowledge as the prime resource. As a consequence, this belief has led to an increased interest in human resource management, human capital, and the problem of attracting and keeping good knowledge workers. It is maintained in this paper that attracting and keeping good knowledge workers will be essential for survival in the knowledge economy, but that it will not necessarily lead to a competitive advantage. Instead, the competitive advantage resides in the competence of the firm to depersonalize knowledge and codify it into software “prescripts” that can be used to duplicate markets or marketed worldwide.
LESSONS FROM MALAYSIAN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCES, 1960–99
Authors: Salih Thamir M.
Published: February 2008

Like other high performing Asian economies (HPAEs) in South East Asia, Malaysia experienced negative growth from 1997–1999. This setback in economic growth can be attributed to internal as well as external factors. Inter alia, relaxed foreign currency regulations, financial system reforms and stability, together with speculation resulted in one of the most severe recessions in Malaysia's modern history. This, in turn, revived the domino and the house of cards effect in Malaysia and other HPAEs in South East Asia. To be back on track on the secular trend of the last four decades, Malaysia has adopted bold, continuous and pragmatic measures. Cooperation with other members of the HPAEs in terms of trade and finance is seen to be a long run conduit for better regional growth and development.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS: BUILDING PERFORMANCE AND LEARNING
Authors: Twomey Daniel F.
Published: February 2008

Organization structures are as important to competitiveness as strategy because structures enable both performance and learning. Yet, organization design factors and considerations are often overlooked. The matrix structure and similar types of adhocracies have the potential to transform organizational learning and thereby create a continuous acceleration of innovation. Unlike some adhocracies, the matrix structure focuses on performance and learning. Because of deficiencies in organization culture and management skills, the matrix structure has been less than fully effective. This paper seeks to clarify the issues that continue to block organizational competitiveness as they relate to performance and learning in matrix structures.
COMPETITIVENESS, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND INEQUALITY: A CROSS‐NATIONAL COMPARATIVE INQUIRY
Authors: Waheeduzzaman A.N.M.
Published: February 2008

The ultimate goal of competitiveness is the well being of the citizens of a country. From this perspective, this study investigates the contribution of international competitiveness on per capita income, human development, and inequality in 45 countries of the world. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to determine the relationships. The results indicate that international competitiveness positively influences per capita income and human development. Competitiveness also influences the reduction of inequality in a country. Longitudinal studies with more country data needs to be conducted to further the relationships established through cross‐sectional research.
GAINING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN E‐TAILING THROUGH MARKETING MANAGEMENT AND VALUE‐ADDED USES OF TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Bertsch Thomas , Busbin James , Wright Newell
Published: February 2008

Experts cite the lack of a sound business plan and a diminished regard for basic marketing and management practices as major reasons for the failure rate of Web‐based retailers. The dot‐com platform alone was often viewed as a sufficient basis for business success. This article provides a guide in applying marketing management principles to Internet‐based retailers. The format for this guide uses marketing management plans, providers, access, distribution, markets, products, prices, and promotions. The practices and examples provided in this guide are useful for gaining competitive advantage in the retail, dot‐com marketplace.
B2B INTERNET APPLICATIONS: STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS
Authors: Erickson G. Scott , Rothberg Helen N.
Published: February 2008

The collapse of market valuations for many internet retailers has unfairly tarred other web‐based firms with the same brush. Despite anxiety in the equity markets, firms are embracing the world wide web as a business tool. Spending on business‐to‐business, or B2B, applications is particularly strong. But a quick jump to B2B systems is not for everyone. As with any major investment, spending on B2B applications needs to be reviewed from a strategy perspective, particularly if a firm is a player in international markets and seeking to stay competitive during this revolution.
THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY: DOES R&D DELIVER SUCCESS?
Authors: Christoffersen Susan
Published: February 2008

Centuries of protection have impeded innovation in the textile industry. As these protections elapse, the industry must contend with increasing competition from abroad. This raises the question: will more R&D expenditure enhance competitiveness? To assess this, we measure firm profitability using Tobin's q, the ratio of the stock market valuation of the firm compared to the book value of the firm's assets. Q values are compared to other financial ratios, and then used to assess the impact of research and development (R&D) spending. A Mann‐Whitney rank test indicates firms that conduct R&D are not more profitable, as measured by q, than those that do not conduct R&D.
HOW TO START A NON‐PROFIT CHARITABLE TRUST — THE CASE OF TED TURNER CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Authors: Firoz Nadeem M. , Wightman Gloria
Published: February 2008

This paper provides broad guidelines to start a non‐profit organization. Once the non‐profit organization has been legally incorporated, it is crucial that it applies for a tax exemption status. The application is time consuming but worth the effort. Obtaining the status of tax exemption places the organization in an advantageous position and increases its capacity to raise funds for its operations and charitable activities, since the contributions become tax deductible for the donors. A case study is presented in the second segment of this paper. In September 1997, businessman and philanthropist Ted Turner donated 1 billion dollars to the United Nations. The creation and operations of the UN Foundation, (501) (c)(3) established to disburse Turner's funds to the United Nations, are also covered in this research.
“THINKING THE UNTHINKABLE” — LEADERSHIP'S ROLE IN CREATING BEHAVIORAL READINESS FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Authors: Smits Stanley J. , Ezzat Ally Niveen
Published: February 2008

Even highly competitive, successful organizations face crisis, defined as “a low‐probability, high‐impact event that threatens the viability of the organization and is characterized by ambiguity of cause, effect, and means of resolution, as well as by a belief that decisions must be made swiftly” (Pearson & Clair, 1998; p. 60.). This paper describes the challenges facing leaders and managers attempting to prepare their organizations to engage in effective crisis management. The paper contends that when behavioral readiness is absent, crisis management effectiveness is a matter of chance. The behavioral model draws salient contributions from role theory, learning theory, and multilevel theory and applies them to the body of crisis management theory developed over the past two decades by Mitroff and his associates as well as the recent work of Pearson and Carr (1998). Five propositions are developed and implications for research and practice are presented.
JAPANESE MANAGERS: THEIR CANDID VIEWS ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Authors: Helms Marilyn M.
Published: February 2008

With the growing financial crisis and collapse of the bubble economy of Japan, small, innovative, companies can offer the catalyst the economy needs. Yet the traditional culture of Japan, its educational system, and entrenched employment and promotion practices have not encouraged risk‐taking. This exploratory study surveys Japanese managers' views on entrepreneurship as well as the challenges that face their own personal self‐employment. Results indicate the lack of a risk‐taking culture as well as fear of failure will continue to hinder rapid new business start‐ups in Japan in the coming future. Findings include ways to encourage entrepreneurship intraditional companies.
THE REFINEMENT OF MEASURING CONSUMER INVOLVEMENT — AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
Authors: Hsu Tsuen‐Ho , Lee Monle
Published: February 2008

In order to understand why consumers choose certain products over others, marketers study consumer behavior. This concept of involvement is significant in understanding and explaining consumer behavior (Bloch 1981; Bloch, 1982; Zaichkowsky, 1985; Celsi and Olson, 1988; Engel, et al., 1990; Assael, 1995). The term became popular in marketing circles through Krugman's research in television advertising and low‐involvement learning in 1965 (Krugman, 1965).
ETHICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES IN BUSINESS: AN UPDATED COMMUNICATION PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Nelson Richard Alan
Published: February 2008

The use of persuasive mass communication techniques by public relations and advertising practitioners, rather than abating in influence as early theorists hoped because of more widespread education, is an increasing component of both private and government communication. In an information environment, persuasion serves a public interest when it assists social utility, but there has been no “macro‐ethical” consistency by practitioners. Indeed, today's global business environment demands an ethically conscious corporate attitude since various publics expect business organizations to take on a greater role in solving community problems—they want to see corporations be ethical in word and act. However, the lack of a single common framework for deciding what is ethical and what is not thus ultimately influences the outcome of public policymaking and the reputation of public relations. This article argues that business ethics matter for the bottom line, with ethical practice and openness in communication the keys to survival in the 21st century. Amoral leadership, exemplified by situational management theories, is outdated (and worse, increasingly ineffective). Change, however, also requires action and a willingness to be open to communication to many constituencies and cultures. Old internal divisions in firms also must be dissolved, with more flexible structures and communications interplay encouraged. Experienced international public relations practitioners must be part of this change.
THE NEW AGE OF COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Lattimer Robert L.
Published: February 2008

The premise is that organizations that are successful in the future, will develop and implement strategies that are based on the economic realities of the roots of the entity, but understands the economic realities of which they currently compete; an additional premise is that organizational strategies must be designed within the context of the “real delivery time” environment.
STRATEGIC CAPABILITIES OF BUSINESS PROCESS: LOOKING FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Authors: Sussan Aysar Philip , Johnson William C.
Published: February 2008

Global competition is forcing American Managers to rethink the way they do business. It is no longer the “big that eat the small” it is now the “fast that eat the slow”. This paper will examine how business process orientation (BPO) has a positive impact on esprit de corps, reduced conflict and improve connectedness and overall business performance. This implies that there is a ROI for becoming more business process oriented and reengineering an organization to more horizontal structures.
HOT IPOS AND LOCKUP EXPIRATION — AN ANOMA LY?
Authors: Tolia Bijesh , Mun Yip Yew
Published: February 2008

IPO lockup is defined as the restricted period during which certain insiders are prohibited from selling their holdings in the open market. Usually, the lead underwriter imposes the restriction, and the customary restriction period lasts for about 6 months. Different theories have been extended to predict the stock price behavior around the expiration day of IPO‐lockup. In this study, we will investigate whether the stock price behavior around the expiration day of IPO lockup is different for ‘Hot’ and ‘Cold’ IPOs. We hypothesize that the stock prices of ‘Hot’ IPOs, in terms of average returns, are less affected by the unlocking of a large volume of shares. On the other hand, for ‘Cold’ IPOs, investors, in particular, venture capitalists will have a tendency to dispose of their shares in order to preempt further decline in their wealth, and as a result we anticipate a significant decline in stock prices for Cold IPOs. Our initial results show that on the lockup expiration day, the market adjusted returns for all four categories of IPOs decline by more 1 percent however, only the decline for Hot IPOS is statistically significant. The results are robust even after controlling for various specifications of the market index.
NORTH KOREA MOVING FROM ISOLATION TO AN OPEN MARKET ECONOMY: IS IT TIME TO INVEST OR TO CONTINUE OBSERVING?
Authors: Choe Sang T.
Published: February 2008

After a half century in seclusion from the Western world, North Korea is in slow transition to an open market economy. This change presents oppor‐tunities to multinationals in the. Korean peninsula, the U.S. and elsewhere, but creates a dilemma for their government policymakers. North Korea is improving regional stability and has an affordable labor force that is attractive to contract manufacturers, retail goods importers, and large turnkey project contractors. The country holds a promising market, possesses abundant undeveloped natural resources, and offers a strategic location for transportation savings. The study stresses the significance of North Korea in the global marketplace.
ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING AND THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: THE EASE OF INTEGRATING INFORMATION BETWEEN CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND FACTORIES IN MEXICO
Authors: Utecht Kathleen M. , Hayes Randall B. , Okonkwo Patrick A.
Published: February 2008

The current interest in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software systems is based primarily on the principle of the system: generating real time data, enabling linkages across functional areas and divisions, and, thereby, promoting the integration of information across all of the units of a business at one time. Indeed, in practice, such a system not only cultivates accurate and timely information which is available for all operations in a company, including those in global locations, but also fosters more effective decision making and the attainment of the competitive advantage. This study, therefore, examines the benefits of implementing an ERP system, in general, and SAP R/3, a type of ERP system in particular, in the headquarters of major corporations in the United States, as well as in the factories of these corporations located in Guadalajara, Mexico. More specifically, eight corporations which have adopted SAP R/3 and include AT&T, Compaq, Eastman Kodak, Hershey Foods, Hewlett‐Packard, IBM, Intel, and Motorola are examined, and the benefits and merit of having the same SAP R/3 software system in their installations in Guadalajara, Mexico are explored.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AS A COMPETITIVE PRESCRIPT: 88 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AT BOEING
Authors: Wilson Timothy L. , Anell Barbro I.
Published: February 2008

A concept of “prescripts” has been developed for those firms that apparently have shown an ability to extract, codify, and package knowledge in a manner that can be used both by themselves and others. This paper considers the prescript concept in terms of project management activity. Because projects and project management are important and apparently becoming more so, the activities of a firm such as Boeing are of interest. Their success turns not only on the ability to manage projects themselves, but also on instituting that discipline on their associates — the implication of an active prescript. This ability is discussed in terms of the company's present competitive position.
MANUFACTURING CAPACITY, MARKET SHARE, AND COMPETITIVENESS
Authors: Bloodgood James M. , Katz Jeffrey P.
Published: February 2008

This article examines the relationship between production capacity and the ongoing battle for market share. Many firms use market share as a performance indicator to measure how well they are doing in comparison to their competitors. However, capacity increases can increase the number of firms that regard the firm as a competitor, thereby expanding the firm's competitive arena and limiting the affect of any hoped‐for market share increase. Managers should evaluate the competitive response of a capacity increase, especially with firms that will likely become new competitors, in order to gain an accurate picture of the likely post‐increase scenario.
A DISCUSSION OF CURRENT AND POTENTIAL ISSUES RELATING INFORMATION SECURITY FOR INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS
Authors: Iyengar Jagannathan V.
Published: February 2008

Information security is about protecting three things: the confidentiality, the integrity, and the availability of data. Securing Internet Commerce is probably the biggest challenge that information professionals have yet faced. Five years ago, Internet Commerce did not exist. Today it is attracting enormous financial interest. Investors are enthusiastically backing companies that promise to deliver the hardware and software that Internet Commerce requires. Companies are investing in purchases of hardware and software to permit them to engage in Internet Commerce.
Brain angiotensin‐converting enzymes: role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 in processing angiotensin II in mice
Authors: Elased Khalid M. , Cunha Tatiana Sousa , Marcondes Fernanda Klein , Morris Mariana
Published: February 2008

Angiotensin (Ang)‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) metabolizes Ang II to the vasodilatory peptide Ang(1–7), while neprilysin (NEP) generates Ang(1–7) from Ang I. Experiments used novel Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionization‐Time of Flight (SELDI‐TOF) mass spectroscopic (MS) assays to study Ang processing. Mass spectroscopy was used to measure proteolytic conversion of Ang peptide substrates to their specific peptide products. We compared ACE/ACE2 activity in plasma, brain and kidney from C57BL/6 and NEP−/− mice. Plasma or tissue extracts were incubated with Ang I or Ang II (1296 or 1045, m/z, respectively), and generated peptides were monitored with MS. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 activity was detected in kidney and brain, but not in plasma. Brain ACE2 activity was highest in hypothalamus. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 activity was inhibited by the specific ACE2 inhibitor, DX600 (10 μm, 99% inhibition), but not by the ACE inhibitor, captopril (10 μm). Both MS and colorimetric assays showed high ACE activity in plasma and kidney with low levels in brain. To extend these findings, ACE measurements were made in ACE overexpressing mice. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme four‐copy mice showed higher ACE activity in kidney and plasma with low levels in hypothalamus. In hypothalamus from NEP−/− mice, generation of Ang(1–7) from Ang I was decreased, suggesting a role for NEP in Ang metabolism. With Ang II as substrate, there was no difference between NEP−/− and wild‐type control mice, indicating that other enzymes may contribute to generation of Ang(1–7). The data suggest a predominant role of hypothalamic ACE2 in the processing of Ang II, in contrast to ACE, which is most active in plasma.
Detection of Hepatitis A Virus by Using a Combined Cell Culture-Molecular Beacon Assay
Authors: Yeh Hsiao-Yun , Hwang Yu-Chen , Yates Marylynn V. , Mulchandani Ashok , Chen Wilfred
Published: February 2008

Rapid and efficient methods for the detection and quantification of infectious viruses are required for public health risk assessment. Current methods to detect infectious viruses are based on mammalian cell culture and rely on the production of visible cytopathic effects (CPE). For hepatitis A virus (HAV), viral replication in cell culture has been reported to be nonlytic and relatively slow. It may take more than 1 week to reach the maximum production and subsequent visualization of CPE. A molecular beacon (MB), H1, specifically targeting a 20-bp 5′ noncoding region of HAV, was designed and synthesized. MB H1 was introduced into fixed and permeabilized fetal rhesus monkey kidney (FRhK-4) cells infected with HAV strain HM-175. Upon hybridizing with the viral mRNA, fluorescent cells were visualized easily under a fluorescence microscope. Discernible fluorescence was detected only in infected cells by using the specific MB H1. A nonspecific MB, which was not complementary to the viral RNA sequence, produced no visible fluorescence signal. This MB-based fluorescence assay enabled the direct counting of fluorescent cells and could achieve a detection limit of 1 PFU at 6 h postinfection, demonstrating a significant improvement in viral quantification over current infectivity assays.
Epiphyton as a Niche for Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria: Detailed Comparison with Benthic and Pelagic Compartments in Shallow Freshwater Lakes
Authors: Coci M. , Bodelier P. L. E. , Laanbroek H. J.
Published: February 2008

Next to the benthic and pelagic compartments, the epiphyton of submerged macrophytes may offer an additional niche for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in shallow freshwater lakes. In this study, we explored the potential activities and community compositions of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria of the epiphytic, benthic, and pelagic compartments of seven shallow freshwater lakes which differed in their trophic status, distribution of submerged macrophytes, and restoration history. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses demonstrated that the epiphytic compartment was inhabited by species belonging to cluster 3 of the
Nitrosospira
lineage and to the
Nitrosomonas oligotropha
lineage. Both the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial community compositions and the potential activities differed significantly between compartments. Interestingly, both the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial community composition and potential activity were influenced by the restoration status of the different lakes investigated.
Enzymatic Permeabilization of the Thecate DinoflagellateAlexandrium minutum(Dinophyceae) Yields Detection of Intracellularly Associated Bacteria via Catalyzed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Palacios Lucía , Marín Irma
Published: February 2008

The enzymatic permeabilization procedure described here allows the detection of intracellular bacteria in the thecate dinoflagellateAlexandrium minutumby using catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridization. The combined use of propidium iodide and calcofluor for confocal laser scanning microscopy, together with general and specific fluorescent bacterial probes, demonstrated the intracellular presence of bacteria, including members of the phylumBacteroidetes.
Relationship between Solute and Matric Potential Stress, Temperature, Growth, and
FUM1
Gene Expression in Two
Fusarium verticillioides
Strains from Spain
Authors: Jurado Miguel , Marín Patricia , Magan Naresh , González-Jaén Maria Teresa
Published: February 2008

The objective of this work was to study the effect of ecophysiological factors on fumonisin gene expression and growth in
Fusarium verticillioides
. The effects of ionic and nonionic solute water potentials, matric potential, and temperature on in vitro mycelial growth rates and on expression of the
FUM1
gene, involved in fumonisin biosynthesis, were examined.
FUM1
transcript levels were quantified using a specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) protocol. Low temperature and water stress reduced fungal growth. Water stress increased
FUM1
transcript levels, especially in the case of stress caused by nonionic solute. The temporal kinetic assays showed that water stress had opposite effects on fungal growth versus
FUM1
expression. These results indicate that water stress may be an important factor for fumonisin accumulation, particularly in the later phases of maize colonization when water availability decreases. The quantitative RT-PCR methods described here provide a valuable tool for investigating the ecophysiological basis for fumonisin gene expression and ultimately may lead to more effective control strategies for this important mycotoxigenic pathogen.
Identification and Ecophysiological Characterization of Epiphytic Protein-HydrolyzingSaprospiraceae(“CandidatusEpiflobacter” spp.) in Activated Sludge
Authors: Xia Yun , Kong Yunhong , Thomsen Trine Rolighed , Halkjær Nielsen Per
Published: February 2008

The identity and ecophysiology of a group of uncultured protein-hydrolyzing epiphytic rods attached to filamentous bacteria in activated sludge from nutrient removal plants were investigated by using the full-cycle rRNA approach combined with microautoradiography and histochemical staining. The epiphytic group consists of three closely related clusters, each containing 11 to 16 clones. The closest related cultured isolate is the type strainHaliscomenobacter hydrossis(ATCC 27775) (<87% similarity) in the familySaprospiraceaeof the phylumBacteroidetes. Oligonucleotide probes at different hierarchical levels were designed for each cluster and used for ecophysiological studies. All three clusters behaved similarly in their physiology and were specialized in protein hydrolysis and used amino acids as energy and carbon sources. They were not involved in denitrification. No storage of polyphosphate and polyhydroxyalkanoates was found. They all colonized probe-defined filamentous bacteria belonging to the phylaChloroflexi,Proteobacteria, and candidate phylum TM7, with the exception of cluster 1, which did not colonize TM7 filaments. The three epiphytic clusters were all widespread in domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants with or without biological phosphorus removal, constituting, in total, up to 9% of the bacterial biovolume. A new genus, “CandidatusEpiflobacter,” is proposed for this epiphytic group in activated-sludge treatment plants, where it presumably plays an important role in protein degradation.
Differential Selectivity of the
Escherichia coli
Cell Membrane Shifts the Equilibrium for the Enzyme-Catalyzed Isomerization of Galactose to Tagatose
Authors: Kim Jin-Ha , Lim Byung-Chul , Yeom Soo-Jin , Kim Yeong-Su , Kim Hye-Jung , Lee Jung-Kul , Lee Sook-Hee , Kim Seon-Won , Oh Deok-Kun
Published: February 2008

An
Escherichia coli
galactose kinase gene knockout (Δ
galK
) strain, which contains the
l
-arabinose isomerase gene (
araA
) to isomerize
d
-galactose to
d
-tagatose, showed a high conversion yield of tagatose compared with the original
galK
strain because galactose was not metabolized by endogenous galactose kinase. In whole cells of the Δ
galK
strain, the isomerase-catalyzed reaction exhibited an equilibrium shift toward tagatose, producing a tagatose fraction of 68% at 37°C, whereas the purified
l
-arabinose isomerase gave a tagatose equilibrium fraction of 36%. These equilibrium fractions are close to those predicted from the measured equilibrium constants of the isomerization reaction catalyzed in whole cells and by the purified enzyme. The equilibrium shift in these cells resulted from the higher uptake and lower release rates for galactose, which is a common sugar substrate, than for tagatose, which is a rare sugar product. A Δ
mglB
mutant had decreased uptake rates for galactose and tagatose, indicating that a methylgalactoside transport system, MglABC, is the primary contributing transporter for the sugars. In the present study, whole-cell conversion using differential selectivity of the cell membrane was proposed as a method for shifting the equilibrium in sugar isomerization reactions.
Calcineurin-Responsive Zinc Finger Transcription Factor CRZ1 of
Botrytis cinerea
Is Required for Growth, Development, and Full Virulence on Bean Plants
Authors: Schumacher Julia , de Larrinoa Inigo F. , Tudzynski Bettina
Published: February 2008

Recently, we showed that the α subunit BCG1 of a heterotrimeric G protein is an upstream activator of the Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase calcineurin in the gray mold fungus
Botrytis cinerea
. To identify the transcription factor acting downstream of BCG1 and calcineurin, we cloned the gene encoding the
B. cinerea
homologue of CRZ1 (“CRaZy,”
c
alcineurin-
r
esponsive
z
inc finger transcription factor), the mediator of calcineurin function in yeast. BcCRZ1 is able to partially complement the corresponding
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
mutant, and the subcellular localization of the green fluorescent protein-BcCRZ1 fusion product in yeast cells depends on the calcium level and calcineurin activity. Bc
crz1
deletion mutants are not able to grow on minimal media and grow slowly on media containing plant extracts. Hyphal morphology, conidiation, and sclerotium formation are impaired. The cell wall and membrane integrity, stress response (extreme pH, H
2
O
2
, Ca
2+
, Li
+
), and ability of the hyphae to penetrate the intact plant surface are affected in the mutants. However, BcCRZ1 is almost dispensable for the conidium-derived infection of bean plants. The addition of Mg
2+
restores the growth rate, conidiation, and penetration and improves the cell wall integrity but has no impact on sclerotium formation or hypersensitivity to Ca
2+
and H
2
O
2
. The expression of a set of recently identified BCG1- and calcineurin-dependent genes is also affected in ΔBc
crz1
mutants, confirming that this transcription factor acts downstream of calcineurin in
B. cinerea
. Since the Bc
crz1
mutants still respond to calcineurin inhibitors, we conclude that BcCRZ1 is not the only target of calcineurin.
Creation of a Chloroplast Microsatellite Reporter for Detection of Replication Slippage in
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: GuhaMajumdar Monica , Dawson-Baglien Ethan , Sears Barbara B.
Published: February 2008

Microsatellites are composed of short tandem direct repeats; deletions or duplications of those repeats through the process of replication slippage result in microsatellite instability relative to other genomic loci. Variation in repeat number occurs so frequently that microsatellites can be used for genotyping and forensic analysis. However, an accurate assessment of the rates of change can be difficult because the presence of many repeats makes it difficult to determine whether changes have occurred through single or multiple events. The current study was undertaken to experimentally assess the rates of replication slippage that occur in vivo in the chloroplast DNA of
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
. A reporter construct was created in which a stretch of AAAG repeats was inserted into a functional gene to allow changes to be observed when they occurred at the synthetic microsatellite. Restoration of the reading frame occurred through replication slippage in 15 of every million viable cells. Since only one-third of the potential insertion/deletion events would restore the reading frame, the frequency of change could be deduced to be 4.5 × 10
−5
. Analysis of the slippage events showed that template slippage was the primary event, resulting in deletions rather than duplications. These findings contrasted with events observed in
Escherichia coli
during maintenance of the plasmid, where duplications were the rule.
Plasmid Transfer via Transduction from
Streptococcus thermophilus
to
Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Ammann Andreas , Neve Horst , Geis Arnold , Heller Knut J.
Published: February 2008

Using
Streptococcus thermophilus
phages, plasmid transduction in
Lactococcus lactis
was demonstrated. The transduction frequencies were 4 orders of magnitude lower in
L. lactis
than in
S. thermophilus
. These results are the first evidence that there is phage-mediated direct transfer of DNA from
S. thermophilus
to
L. lactis
. The implications of these results for phage evolution are discussed.
Altering the Ratio of Phenazines inPseudomonas chlororaphis(aureofaciens) Strain 30-84: Effects on Biofilm Formation and Pathogen Inhibition
Authors: Maddula V. S. R. K. , Pierson E. A. , Pierson L. S.
Published: February 2008

Pseudomonas chlororaphisstrain 30-84 is a plant-beneficial bacterium that is able to control take-all disease of wheat caused by the fungal pathogenGaeumannomyces graminisvar. tritici. The production of phenazines (PZs) by strain 30-84 is the primary mechanism of pathogen inhibition and contributes to the persistence of strain 30-84 in the rhizosphere. PZ production is regulated in part by the PhzR/PhzI quorum-sensing (QS) system. Previous flow cell analyses demonstrated that QS and PZs are involved in biofilm formation inP. chlororaphis(V. S. R. K. Maddula, Z. Zhang, E. A. Pierson, and L. S. Pierson III, Microb. Ecol. 52:289-301, 2006).P. chlororaphisproduces mainly two PZs, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and 2-hydroxy-PCA (2-OH-PCA). In the present study, we examined the effect of altering the ratio of PZs produced byP. chlororaphison biofilm formation and pathogen inhibition. As part of this study, we generated derivatives of strain 30-84 that produced only PCA or overproduced 2-OH-PCA. Using flow cell assays, we found that these PZ-altered derivatives of strain 30-84 differed from the wild type in initial attachment, mature biofilm architecture, and dispersal from biofilms. For example, increased 2-OH-PCA production promoted initial attachment and altered the three-dimensional structure of the mature biofilm relative to the wild type. Additionally, both alterations promoted thicker biofilm development and lowered dispersal rates compared to the wild type. The PZ-altered derivatives of strain 30-84 also differed in their ability to inhibit the fungal pathogenG. graminisvar. tritici. Loss of 2-OH-PCA resulted in a significant reduction in the inhibition ofG. graminisvar. tritici. Our findings suggest that alterations in the ratios of antibiotic secondary metabolites synthesized by an organism may have complex and wide-ranging effects on its biology.
The HopZ Family ofPseudomonas syringaeType III Effectors Require Myristoylation for Virulence and Avirulence Functions inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Lewis Jennifer D. , Abada Wasan , Ma Wenbo , Guttman David S. , Desveaux Darrell
Published: February 2008

Pseudomonas syringaeutilizes the type III secretion system to translocate effector proteins into plant cells, where they can contribute to the pathogen's ability to infect and cause disease. Recognition of these effectors by resistance proteins induces defense responses that typically include a programmed cell death reaction called the hypersensitive response. The YopJ/HopZ family of type III effector proteins is a common family of effector proteins found in animal- and plant-pathogenic bacteria. The HopZ family inP. syringaeincludes HopZ1aPsyA2, HopZ1bPgyUnB647, HopZ1cPmaE54326, HopZ2Ppi895Aand HopZ3PsyB728a. HopZ1a is predicted to be most similar to the ancestralhopZallele and causes a hypersensitive response in multiple plant species, includingArabidopsis thaliana. Therefore, it has been proposed that host defense responses have driven the diversification of this effector family. In this study, we further characterized the hypersensitive response induced by HopZ1a and demonstrated that it is not dependent on known resistance genes. Further, we identified a novel virulence function for HopZ2 that requires the catalytic cysteine demonstrated to be required for protease activity. Sequence analysis of the HopZ family revealed the presence of a predicted myristoylation sequence in all members except HopZ3. We demonstrated that the myristoylation site is required for membrane localization of this effector family and contributes to the virulence and avirulence activities of HopZ2 and HopZ1a, respectively. This paper provides insight into the selective pressures driving virulence protein evolution by describing a detailed functional characterization of the diverse HopZ family of type III effectors with the model plantArabidopsis.
Identification of a Second Lipopolysaccharide inPorphyromonas gingivalisW50
Authors: Rangarajan Minnie , Aduse-Opoku Joseph , Paramonov Nikolay , Hashim Ahmed , Bostanci Nagihan , Fraser Owen P. , Tarelli Edward , Curtis Michael A.
Published: February 2008

We previously described a cell surface anionic polysaccharide (APS) inPorphyromonas gingivalisthat is required for cell integrity and serum resistance. APS is a phosphorylated branched mannan that shares a common epitope with posttranslational additions to some of the Arg-gingipains. This study aimed to determine the mechanism of anchoring of APS to the surface ofP. gingivalis. APS was purified on concanavalin A affinity columns to minimize the loss of the anchoring system that occurred during chemical extraction.1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the lectin-purified APS confirmed the previous structure but also revealed additional signals that suggested the presence of a lipid A. This was confirmed by fatty acid analysis of the APS and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry of the lipid A released by treatment with sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.5). Hence,P. gingivalissynthesizes two distinct lipopolysaccharide (LPS) macromolecules containing different glycan repeating units: O-LPS (with O-antigen tetrasaccharide repeating units) and A-LPS (with APS repeating units). Nonphosphorylated penta-acylated and nonphosphorylated tetra-acylated species were detected in lipid A fromP. gingivalistotal LPS and in lipid A from A-LPS. These lipid A species were unique to lipid A derived from A-LPS. Biological assays demonstrated a reduced proinflammatory activity of A-LPS compared to that of total LPS. Inactivation of a putative O-antigen ligase (waaL) at PG1051, which is required for the final step of LPS biosynthesis, abolished the linkage of both the O antigen and APS to the lipid A core of O-LPS and A-LPS, respectively, suggesting that WaaL inP. gingivalishas dual specificity for both O-antigen and APS repeating units.