bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oleibacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium that degrades petroleum aliphatic hydrocarbons in a tropical marine environment
Authors: Teramoto Maki , Ohuchi Motoyuki , Hatmanti Ariani , Darmayati Yeti , Widyastuti Yantyati , Harayama Shigeaki , Fukunaga Yukiyo
Published: March 2010

Three Gram-negative, motile, mesophilic, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated 2O1T, 1O14 and 1O18, were isolated from Indonesian seawater after enrichment with crude oil and a continuous supply of supplemented seawater. The strains exhibited high n-alkane-degrading activity, which indicated that the strains were important degraders of petroleum aliphatic hydrocarbons in tropical marine environments. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of members of theGammaproteobacteriashowed that the isolates formed a coherent and distinct cluster in a stable lineage containingOceanobacter kriegiiIFO 15467T(96.4–96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) andThalassolituus oleivoransMIL-1T. DNA G +C content was 53.0–53.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7 and C18 : 1ω9 and the hydroxy fatty acids were C12 : 03-OH and C10 : 03-OH. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, a ninhydrin-positive phospholipid(s) and glycolipids. The major quinone was Q-9 (97–99 %), which distinguished the isolates fromOceanobacter kriegiiNBRC 15467T(Q-8; 91 %). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, including DNA–DNA hybridization, the isolates represent a novel genus and species, for which the nameOleibacter marinusgen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain ofOleibacter marinusis 2O1T(=NBRC 105760T=BTCC B-675T).
Fontibacillus panacisegetis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field
Authors: Lee Keun Chul , Kim Kwang Kyu , Eom Mi Kyung , Kim Mi Jeong , Lee Jung-Sook
Published: March 2010

A facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain P11-6T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field located in Geumsan County, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain P11-6T were Gram-stain-negative, catalase-negative, motile rods and produced semi-translucent, circular, white colonies on tryptic soy agar. The isolate contained MK-7 as the only menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acid. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown aminophosphoglycolipid, an unknown aminophospholipid, two unknown phospholipids, three unknown glycolipids and three unknown lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. The DNA G+C content of strain P11-6T was 41.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain P11-6T was most closely related to Fontibacillus aquaticus GPTSA 19T (97.2 % sequence similarity) and that it formed a separate lineage with F. aquaticus in the family Paenibacillaceae. Combined phenotypic and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the conclusion that strain P11-6T represents a novel species in the genus Fontibacillus, for which the name Fontibacillus panacisegetis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is P11-6T (=KCTC 13564T =CECT 7605T).
Micromonospora rhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil
Authors: Wang Cheng , Xu Xiao-Xiong , Qu Zhi , Wang Hai-Long , Lin Hai-Peng , Xie Qing-Yi , Ruan Ji-Sheng , Hong Kui
Published: March 2010

Strain 211018T was isolated from mangrove Excocaria agallocha rhizosphere soil. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the highest similarity to the type strains of Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T (98.6 %) and Micromonospora pattaloongensis TJ2-2T (98.4 %). gyrB gene sequence analysis also indicated that strain 211018T should be assigned to the genus Micromonospora. The characteristic whole-cell sugars are xylose, mannose and arabinose. The predominant menaquinone is MK-9(H4) and the major fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0 (27.5 %), 10-methyl C17 : 0 (14.2 %), C17 : 1
ω8c (12.8 %), iso-C16 : 0 (12.6 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (6.1 %), iso-C17 : 0 (4.1 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (4.0 %). The phospholipid profile comprises phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The DNA G+C content is 70.8 mol%. The chemotaxonomic data of the strain coincided with those of the genus Micromonospora. Furthermore, a combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that the novel strain could be readily distinguished from the closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 211018T represents a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 211018T (=CGMCC 4.5599T =DSM 45431T).
Borrelia carolinensis sp. nov., a novel species of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex isolated from rodents and a tick from the south-eastern USA
Authors: Rudenko Nataliia , Golovchenko Maryna , Grubhoffer Libor , Oliver James H.
Published: March 2010

A group of 16 isolates with genotypic characteristics different from those of known species of theBorrelia burgdorferisensu latocomplex were cultured from ear biopsies of the rodentsPeromyscus gossypinusandNeotoma floridanatrapped at five localities in South Carolina, USA, and from the tickIxodes minorfeeding onN. floridana. Multilocus sequence analysis of members of the novel species, involving the 16S rRNA gene, the 5S–23S (rrf–rrl) intergenic spacer region and the flagellin,ospAandp66genes, was conducted and published previously and was used to clarify the taxonomic status of the novel group ofB. burgdorferisensu latoisolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequences of the five analysed genomic loci showed that the 16 isolates clustered together but separately from other species in theB. burgdorferisensu latocomplex. The analysed group therefore represents a novel species, formally described here asBorrelia carolinensissp. nov., with the type strain SCW-22T(=ATCC BAA-1773T=DSM 22119T).
Microbacterium mitrae sp. nov., isolated from salted turban shell
Authors: Kim Yun-Ji , Roh Seong Woon , Jung Mi-Ja , Kim Min-Soo , Park Eun-Jin , Bae Jin-Woo
Published: March 2010

A novel bacterium (strain M4-8T) belonging to the genus Microbacterium was isolated from salted turban shell, which is a traditional fermented food in Korea. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Cells of this strain were Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods that formed yellow-pigmented colonies. It grew in 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl and at 15–37 °C, with optimal growth occurring in 1 % (w/v) NaCl and at 30 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain M4-8T is associated with members of the genus Microbacterium. Within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shared a branching point with Microbacterium hominis IFO 15708T (97.8 % similarity). The DNA G+C content was 71.3 mol% and DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed a low level (<29 %) of DNA–DNA relatedness between M4-8T and its closest relatives. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 and the major cell-wall diamino acid was ornithine. Data obtained from DNA–DNA hybridization and chemotaxonomic phenotypic analysis support the conclusion that strain M4-8T represents a novel species within the genus Microbacterium. The name Microbacterium mitrae sp. nov. is proposed, with M4-8T (=KACC 21129T =JCM 16363T) as the type strain.
Deep RNA sequencing at single base-pair resolution reveals high complexity of the rice transcriptome
Authors: Zhang Guojie , Guo Guangwu , Hu Xueda , Zhang Yong , Li Qiye , Li Ruiqiang , Zhuang Ruhong , Lu Zhike , He Zengquan , Fang Xiaodong , Chen Li , Tian Wei , Tao Yong , Kristiansen Karsten , Zhang Xiuqing , Li Songgang , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Wang Jun
Published: March 2010

Understanding the dynamics of eukaryotic transcriptome is essential for studying the complexity of transcriptional regulation and its impact on phenotype. However, comprehensive studies of transcriptomes at single base resolution are rare, even for modern organisms, and lacking for rice. Here, we present the first transcriptome atlas for eight organs of cultivated rice. Using high-throughput paired-end RNA-seq, we unambiguously detected transcripts expressing at an extremely low level, as well as a substantial number of novel transcripts, exons, and untranslated regions. An analysis of alternative splicing in the rice transcriptome revealed that alternative cis-splicing occurred in ∼33% of all rice genes. This is far more than previously reported. In addition, we also identified 234 putative chimeric transcripts that seem to be produced by trans-splicing, indicating that transcript fusion events are more common than expected. In-depth analysis revealed a multitude of fusion transcripts that might be by-products of alternative splicing. Validation and chimeric transcript structural analysis provided evidence that some of these transcripts are likely to be functional in the cell. Taken together, our data provide extensive evidence that transcriptional regulation in rice is vastly more complex than previously believed.
Cytosolic Action of Phytochelatin Synthase
Authors: Blum Ralph , Meyer Katrin C. , Wünschmann Jana , Lendzian Klaus J. , Grill Erwin
Published: March 2010

Glutathionylation of compounds is an important reaction in the detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics and in the biosynthesis of endogenous molecules. The glutathione conjugates (GS conjugates) are further processed by peptidic cleavage reactions. In animals and plants, γ-glutamyl transpeptidases initiate the turnover by removal of the glutamate residue from the conjugate. Plants have a second route leading to the formation of γ-glutamylcysteinyl (γ-GluCys) conjugates. Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) is well known to mediate the synthesis of heavy metal-binding phytochelatins. In addition, the enzyme is also able to catabolize GS conjugates to the γ-GluCys derivative. In this study, we addressed the cellular compartmentalization of PCS and its role in the plant-specific γ-GluCys conjugate pathway in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Localization studies of both Arabidopsis PCS revealed a ubiquitous presence of AtPCS1 in Arabidopsis seedlings, while AtPCS2 was only detected in the root tip. A functional AtPCS1:eGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) fusion protein was localized to the cytosolic compartment. Inhibition of the vacuolar import of GS-bimane conjugate via azide treatment resulted in both a strong accumulation of γ-GluCys-bimane and a massive increase of the cellular cysteine to GS-bimane ratio, which was not observed in PCS-deficient lines. These findings support a cytosolic action of PCS. Analysis of a triple mutant deficient in both Arabidopsis PCS and vacuolar γ-glutamyl transpeptidase GGT4 is consistent with earlier observations of an efficient sequestration of GS conjugates into the vacuole and the requirement of GGT4 for their turnover. Hence, PCS contributes specifically to the cytosolic turnover of GS conjugates, and AtPCS1 plays the prominent role. We discuss a potential function of PCS in the cytosolic turnover of GS conjugates.
Patterns of web linking to heterogeneous groups of companies
Authors: Romero‐Frías Esteban , Vaughan Liwen
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to extend co‐link analysis to web sites of heterogeneous companies belonging to different industries and countries, and to cluster companies by industries and compare results from different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Web sites of 255 companies that belong to five stock exchange indexes were included in the study. Data on co‐links pointing to these web sites were gathered using Yahoo!. Co‐link data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling (MDS) to generate MDS maps that would position companies based on their co‐link counts.

Findings

Comparisons of results across different countries and economies showed the following overall pattern: companies whose businesses are information‐based tend to form well‐defined clusters, while companies operating on a more traditional business model tend not to form clear groups. A comparison between the EU zone and the USA suggests that the EU economy is not well integrated yet.

Practical implications

The findings from the study suggest the possibility of using co‐link analysis to distinguish information‐based industries from traditional industries.

Originality/value

The paper extends co‐link analysis from a single industry to heterogeneous industries with global and complex business phenomena.
Mood foods: working mothers
'
receptiveness to food with stress-relief properties
Authors: Clare Gamble Joanna , Maree Bava Christina , Wohlers Mark
Published: March 2010

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand stress triggers frequently experienced by relatively affluent working mothers of young children, to explore the situational context surrounding the various coping strategies used and to assess the value of foods specifically targeted at affecting stress (i.e. “mood foods”). Women with young children were selected as the focus because the greater dependency of young children creates the potential for significant work-family conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two-staged study explored the stressors that mothers with young children encounter and identified their means of coping. Four fruit-based products (atomiser, pill, chocolate, drink) were then presented and the mothers
'
receptivity to them assessed.

Findings

– Some common coping strategies were viewed positively as behaviours the women wished to retain, but other strategies such as crying, yelling/shouting or drinking alcohol involved behaviours with which they were less happy. Time restraints limited the choice of coping strategy. Over three-quarters of the women in the study were interested in a fruit-based product with naturally occurring stress-relief properties that could either replace these behaviours or be used in tandem with acceptable behaviours, preference depending on the situation.

Research limitations/implications

– Once beyond a conceptual stage, further research using techniques such as non-hypothetical markets should be conducted with a broader section of the public in order to determine the true value of such products.

Originality/value

– The research demonstrates that the range of stress-relief strategies, and their use by women with young children are highly dependent on the situation. In addition, it confirms the willingness to try a novel fruit-based product that could assist in stress relief.
The effect of environmental information on professional purchasers
'
preference for food products
Authors: Biel Anders , Grankvist Gunne
Published: March 2010

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine how variation in product information about environmental consequences could make professional food purchasers inclined to choose more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

– In an internet-based experiment, the paper systematically varies environmental and price information about food products and measures the effects on product choice. In addition, the paper varies the condition of choice.

Findings

– More complex and detailed environmental information, compared with simpler and less detailed information, was paired with a stronger preference for environmentally benign products. This effect was accentuated when the task was to minimize costs compared with that to promote the environment. Negative information, which is bad for the environment, had a stronger effect than positive information.

Originality/value

– The research shows that detailed information emphasising potentially destructive environmental consequences may promote the choice of environmentally sustainable products among professional purchasers.
Experts
'
perspectives on the implementation of traceability in Europe
Authors: V. Kher Swaroop , J. Frewer Lynn , De Jonge Janneke , Wentholt Meike , Howell Davies Olivia , B. Lucas Luijckx Niels , J. Cnossen Hilde
Published: March 2010

Purpose

– The research presented in this paper aims at understanding the views of European food risk management experts on food traceability implementation, implementation of the general food law, and the advantages the system can offer for effective risk mitigation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Delphi methodology was applied to understand experts
'
views on the efficiency of existing traceability systems in Europe following the implementation of the General Food Law. An internet survey was administered in two rounds, in order to elicit expert views on changes needed to current traceability practices, if traceability systems are to contribute to improved food safety.

Findings

– Traceability was considered to be an effective safety- and quality-monitoring system with potential to improve safety within food chains, as well as increasing consumer confidence in food safety and consumer protection. However, the results underlined the need for further improvements, particularly regarding the definition of food chain traceability, enforcement of regulations, and harmonisation of practice.

Research limitations/implications

– Expert opinion regarding food traceability and its implementation was confined to Europe and the impact of European legislation. Further research at a global level is needed, given the need to trace food and food ingredients across the regional boundaries imposed by European legislation, the increased globalisation of food chains, and the need for pan-global harmonisation of food traceability legislation.

Originality/value

– The results provide important insights into the advantages and shortcomings of the present European traceability approach enshrined in the European General Food Law.
Acting under spatial restrictions: success factors of German local food-marketing networks
Authors: Heer Ines , Mann Stefan
Published: March 2010

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify success variables for local food networks in Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach takes the form of a written questionnaire sent to local food networks and statistical analysis to explain success indicators for networks.

Findings

– The analysis shows that vertical penetration, i.e. the inclusion of many different sectors in the network, increases the success of the network in terms of turnover. Another factor increasing the success of a network is whether small food enterprises like bakers or butchers are in charge of it.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a difficulty in identifying general success factors of networks with different objectives.

Originality/value

– This is the first analysis integrating vertical integration and quantitative integration as success factors.
Food- and situation-specific lifestyle segmentation of kitchen appliance market
Authors: Hur Won-Moo , Kyung Kim Hyun , Park JungKun
Published: March 2010

Purpose

– The primary purpose of this research is to draw out in-depth lifestyle characteristics which can be used in new product development and marketing. To achieve this goal, this research aims to explore US female household consumers
'
lifestyle structures regarding food-related AIO and identify the values that discriminate best among different consumer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 518 US female consumers aged between 20 and 65 participated based on multi-stage stratified random selection of age. The cluster analysis was performed to identify meaningful segments.

Findings

– Six segments of Wellbeing-oriented, Social- and dining-oriented, Family-oriented, Innovation- and action-oriented, Price-conscious, and Convenience-oriented were found. These segments show differences in motivation for buying kitchen appliances, evaluation of quality aspect of foods, consumption situations, and in socio-demographic characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– These results identify that a product-specific lifestyle helps one to understand the market better than product function even in a technology-oriented industry. Consumer electronics companies should concentrate on their potential target market and understand their specific needs.

Originality/value

– The study found that refined and modified AIO-based research is effective in terms of consumer lifestyle analysis. In addition, employing the combination of multivariate analytical techniques made it possible to attain the major objectives of the study
Job satisfaction and career commitment of librarians in federal university libraries in Nigeria
Authors: Adio Gboyega , Popoola S.O.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dissatisfaction of library users and the manager of each federal university library vis‐à‐vis the complaint of the librarians working in those libraries on inadequate funding, lack of promotion, poor condition of service and lack of recognition which affected their career commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were used to gather data from a population of 381 librarians in the 24 federal university Libraries in Nigeria. A total of 363 of them responded and their questionnaires were found to be valid for analysis. The response rate achieved was 95.3 percent.

Findings

The study found that job satisfaction has significant influence on career commitment of librarians working in the federal university libraries (F (9; 352) = 11.058, p < 0.05). The study also revealed that demographic variables and job satisfaction accounted for 20 percent (adj. R2 = 0.2000) in variability of career commitment of the respondents.

Research limitations/implications

The study ought to have generated data on demographic variables and job satisfaction as they affect career commitment of library paraprofessionals (library officers, library attendants and assistants) since they all carry essential library function.

Practical implications

It is recommended that the library administrators and the managers of the university libraries should consider the demographic variables and job satisfaction of librarians when planning and making decisions on their career commitment.

Social implications

The library managers and administrators in federal university libraries in Nigeria should formulate job satisfaction policies such as adequate provision of working facilities, provision of conducive working environment, work incentives (car loan, housing loan, study leave allowance, etc) for improving career commitment of their librarians.

Originality/value

The paper provides valuable information on the career commitment of librarians in federal university libraries in Nigeria.
Participative management in medical college libraries of Orissa: a comparative study
Authors: Jena Puspanjali , Rautaray Bijayalaxmi
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevailing managerial situation in medical college libraries in Orissa, India related to participative management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on survey research with structured questionnaire.

Findings

Allopathic college library professionals in the survey were more participative than their counterparts in other medical areas, although across the board, professionals seemed motivated for their organizations to succeed and were keen to be involved in the management processes in achieving that.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to one state of the country of India, but may be of interest to researchers in other countries investigating similar issues around participative management.

Originality/value

The paper provides a snapshot of a specific regional approach to organizational characteristics.
Binocular vision system for both weld pool and root gap in robot welding process
Authors: Ma Hongbo , Wei Shanchun , Lin Tao , Chen Shanben , Li Laiping
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a kind of low cost measuring system based on binocular vision sensor to detect both the weld pool geometry and root gap simultaneously for robot welding process.

Design/methodology/approach

Two normal charge coupled device cameras are used for capturing clear images from two directions; one of them is used to measure the root gap and another one is used to measure the geometric parameters of the weld pool. Efforts are made from both hardware and software aspects to decrease the strong interferences in pulsed gas tungsten arc welding process, so that clear and steady images can be obtained. The grey level distribution characteristics of root gap edge and weld pool edge in images are analyzed and utilized for developing the image processing algorithms.

Findings

A solid foundation for seam tracking and penetration control of robot welding process can be established based on the binocular vision sensor.

Practical implications

The results show that the algorithms can extract the root gap edges and the contour of weld pool effectively, and then some geometric parameters can be calculated from the results.

Originality/value

The binocular vision system provides a new method for sensing of robot welding process.
Recovering pose and occlusion consistencies in augmented reality systems using affine properties
Authors: Guan Tao , Duan Li
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Augmented environments superimpose computer enhancements on the real world. The pose and occlusion consistencies between virtual and real objects have to be managed correctly, so that users can look at the natural scene. The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel technique that can be used to resolve pose and occlusion consistencies in real time with a unified affine properties‐based framework.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the method is simple and can resolve pose and occlusion consistencies in a unified framework based on affine properties. It can improve third dimension of the augmented reality system to a large degree while reducing the computing complexity. Second, the method is robust to arbitrary camera motion and does not require multiple cameras, camera calibration, use of fiducials, or a structural model of the scene to work. Third, a novel feature tracking method is proposed combing narrow and wide baseline strategies to match natural features between reference images and current frame directly.

Findings

It is found that the method is still effective even under large changes of viewing angles, while casting off the requirement that the initial camera position should close to the reference images.

Originality/value

This paper describes some experiments which have been carried out to demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.
Interdisciplinary research of options theory and management information systems
Authors: Wu Liang‐Chuan , Wu Liang‐Hong , Wen Yean‐Fu
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review research on options theory (OT) in the management information systems (MIS) field.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews OT and suggests further ways it may be useful for MIS.

Findings

The paper explores current global trends and past uses of OT by MIS researchers within a framework. The objective is to broaden discussion of OT in the MIS field, facilitate theory development, close gaps in existing knowledge, and uncover areas where research is needed. It is believed that MIS researchers will benefit from this study.

Research limitations/implications

The use of OT in MIS is still young. The discussions, issues, and ideas set forth in this paper should stimulate interest in incorporating OT in the field of MIS.

Practical implications

The paper identifies proper application of OT, thus enabling effective development. It seeks to build awareness and understanding of significant works in the field, providing a diversity of perspectives and approaches to MIS and more specific research of OT.

Social implications

The paper helps future theorizing and makes research suggestions regarding OT and the MIS field based on past research, thereby forming a potential basis for future research.

Originality/value

There has been no systematic literature review of real options in the management field. This paper is the pioneer one to do this.
The changing face of current awareness reporting in law libraries
Authors: Ballard Terry , Blaine Anna
Published: March 2010

Purpose

In response to budgetary concerns and feedback from users, the New York Law School's Mendik Library needed to streamline the way it reported current law journal table of contents (TOC) information to its users. As part of this streamlining process, the librarians discovered that most of the journals they provided in paper had web pages that provided full access to all articles in their current issues. The librarians responded to this opportunity by building web pages that provided links to these journals and noted when a new issue had just appeared. The purpose of this paper is to assess the status of current awareness information in the field of legal journals and uncover the options for best using them.

Design/methodology/approach

The library worked from a list of journals that they purchased through paper subscriptions. They determined the web page location of each and then checked whether the journal provided TOC data only, full text through internet protocol recognition or open full text for at least the current issue.

Findings

More than 60 percent of the law journals that Mendik purchased had online TOC available with full, free access to the content.

Originality/value

Librarians can begin to explore replacing TOC reporting with virtual journal shelves that contain full content to the articles.
Mentoring interactively (MIing): new tools for librarian recruitment and retention
Authors: Gieskes Lisa
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the viability of social networking software as a new tool for librarian recruitment and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

Emerging technologies such as social networking software enable new and unique opportunities for the recruitment and retention of librarians. Social networking software can bridge the generational divide that exists between current library and information science graduates and library professionals. Boomer librarians, Bridge generation librarians and Next‐Gen librarians all have things in common that may not be readily apparent when meeting face to face. However, in a virtual setting, a more egalitarian environment can be achieved. This paper aims to present how corporate, academic and government librarians – Bridge and Next‐gens – created the first (as far as is known) virtual e‐mentoring program using social networking software (IM, wikis, blogs, and virtual worlds). This virtual mentoring program was offered through the University of South Carolina College of Mass Communications and Information Studies Alumni Association (USC‐CMCIS). This program was a partnership with the University of South Carolina's School of Library and Information Science (USC‐SLIS), the University of South Carolina College of Mass Communication (USC‐CMS), and the University of South Carolina's Library and Information Science Student Association (USC‐LISSA).

Findings

It was found that librarians and library and information science students benefit from increased opportunities and formats in which to network.

Originality/value

Mentoring programs, including e‐mentoring programs, which allow for networking, including online social networking, should be a key component in the recruitment and retention of librarians and in strengthening SLIS programs.
“Why should the library collect immigrants' memories?”
Authors: Ulvik Synnøve
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the work of a multicultural memory group in a Norwegian public library. The project aims to establish the library as a physical meeting place for people from different cultures, and thus facilitate integration, common understanding and trust.

Design/methodology/approach

The method of unstructured participating observation is used in studying the group's work, while the method of reminiscence work is used in the group itself. The paper describes and discusses both of these methods.

Findings

The library definitely provides an arena for meetings between people from different cultures. The consequences of the project are network building, increased language skills among the immigrants participating, stronger feelings of belonging, increased trust and self‐confidence. However, this regular activity initiated by the library did not succeed until a connection to another organized activity, the local language school, was established.

Research limitations/implications

Because closeness and a certain emotional involvement are important conditions for the group to succeed, there might be a danger of less research objectivity.

Practical implications

The memory group might be a model for similar work in other public libraries in multicultural communities.

Originality/value

Using the library as an arena for reminiscence work among immigrants is new.
A view from the floor
Authors: Fisher Biddy
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to present a short explanation of the complexity of the IFLA organization and specifically a descriptive account of the 2009 IFLA Congress held in Milan, Italy, 23‐27 August.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers the viewpoint of an attendee with some IFLA experience. The author is an IFLA activist and there is mention of the work of one specific Standing Committee, as well as the more general aspects of the major international conference for Library and Information Professionals.

Findings

The paper is intended to be a personal summary that would be of interest to anyone considering attending IFLA. There is an emphasis on the outstanding opportunities for continuing professional development and networking.

Originality/value

Whilst there are no practical or intellectual implications stemming from this paper, it provides a report of a major annual international conference of value to international information and library professionals.
Non‐uniform Chebyshev distributed chirped dumbbell‐shaped photonic bandgap structure (PBGs) low‐pass filter
Authors: Fu Jeffrey S. , Yang Dong‐Hua , Yeh Chin‐I , Chiu Hsien‐Chin , Chin Kuo‐Sheng , Kao Hsuan‐Ling , Cheng Jui‐Ching
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a non‐uniform Chebyshev distributed low‐pass filter (LPF) with dumbbell‐shaped photonic bandgap structure (PBGs), implemented in the 50 Ω microstrip line, with improved defected ground structure.

Design/methodology/approach

The non‐uniform distribution of PBGs and dumbbell‐shaped DGS of PBGs have been discussed in open literatures. In this study, the influence of FF of PBGs in dumbbell‐shaped PBG is represented.

Findings

By varying filling factor (FF) of the periodic structure from 0.25 to 0.8 of the dumbbell squares can generate better rejection band than uniform dumbbell LPF. Different FF of each square can produce different band rejection range and then yields the LPF with different cutoff. By using chirp adjustment of distance between PBGs, the band rejection performance can be optimized.

Originality/value

It can be seen that the chirped and non‐uniform dumbbell‐shaped PBGs generate excellent bandgap performances in linearly varying period (chirped devices) than those of structures with constant period (non‐chirped or uniform devices).
Design and verification of an ALU‐based universal FIR filter
Authors: Liao Y.B. , Li P. , Ruan A.W. , Li W.C.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Traditionally, each time a new design for a finite impulse response (FIR) filter is required, a new algorithm has to be developed specially for the FIR filter. Furthermore, corresponding hardware architecture must be designed specially to meet the requirement of the FIR specifications. The purpose of this paper is to propose an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)‐based universal FIR filter suitable for realization in field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), where various FIR filters can be implemented just by programming instructions in the ROM with identical hardware architecture.

Design/methodology/approach

Rather than multiplier‐accumulator‐based architecture for conventional FIR, the proposed ALU architecture implements the FIR functions by using accumulators and shift‐registers controlled by the instructions of ROM. Furthermore, time division multiplexing access (TDMA) technique is employed to reduce the chip size. In addition, the proposed FIR architecture is verified in a SOC hardware and/or software co‐emulation system.

Findings

An ALU‐based universal FIR filter suitable for realization in FPGA is designed and verified in a SOC hardware/software co‐emulation system with example of a 64‐tap FIR filter design.

Originality/value

A software‐based design method as well as TDMA scheme for the ALU‐based FIR filter are introduced, making FIR filter architecture universal, programmable, and consuming less FPGA resources.
Visual detection of sub‐surface defects using enhanced eddy current microscope
Authors: Cheng Yu‐hua , Jiang Shu‐yan , Luo Gang
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new device with eddy current microscope (ECM) to test the invisible and buried subsurface flaws in metallic specimens.

Design/methodology/approach

When coil is excited by intermittent impulse signal, the eddy current effect happens among the tested metal specimen which is near the coil. Because of magnetic‐optic effect caused by eddy current magnetic field, the magnetic‐optic film changes the polarization direction of the passing linear polarization beam. The beam, containing the defects' information, can be accepted by charge‐coupled device (CCD) after being reflected through beamsplitter, and the imperceptible flaws in subsurface of mental product can be visually tested.

Findings

Integrating the eddy effect fully with Faraday's magneto‐optic (MO) effect can realize the visual non‐destructive testing for the subsurface defects.

Research limitations/implications

Manufacturing defected specimens and improving the resolving power of the MO image remain difficult and need further research. A better image processing system needs to be developed to ascertain the characters of the defects.

Practical implications

After additional experiments, this device may find practical application on the inspection of flaws under the surface of metal specimens.

Originality/value

The device presented in this paper can detect the small defects that are hardly seen by eyes at the surface and the subsurface of metal specimens, and have them detected by the CCD.
Design and development of wiring harness test based on S3C44B0
Authors: Jiang Shu‐yan , Luo Gang , Cheng Yu‐hua
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a design method of an embedded advanced RISC machines (ARM) hardware circuit using the microprocessor S3C44B0 as a core according to a testing principle of wiring harness.

Design/methodology/approach

The microprocessor module is designed with the S3C44B0 of Samsung Corp. The microprocessor send test instructions to the wiring harness circuit, receive and store the test data, get and display the test results by the liquid crystal display, and the wiring harness testing circuit is implemented by complex programmable logic device. The uClinux operating system is transplanted into the ARM hardware platform, and the developing and loading code of the uClinux device driver and a basic flow chart is given.

Findings

The combination of S3C44B0 and uClinux embedded microprocessors achieved a powerful wiring harness tester driver development. This structure leads to a flexible configuration and convenient extension.

Research limitations/implications

A Linux development environment is established and the device drivers compiled into the kernel. But the development of the application program and the user operating interface of the wiring harness have not been completed yet.

Practical implications

After the development of the application program and the user operating interface of the wiring harness, this device should be able to find practical application in the industry.

Originality/value

This wiring harness tester can detect different failures at the first time through the wiring harness on‐test to ensure the product quality, reduce the labor intensity, improve the working efficiency, and enhance the test accurately.
An adaptive distance‐based location management of LEO system using coordinates approach
Authors: Zhao Cong , Guo Wei , Liu Fang
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a simplified method to do the mobility management in the low earth orbit (LEO) system. With experimentations, the method is thereafter evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is introduced to implement the distance‐based strategy by using the coordinates. The users update their coordinates to the networking and the system computers which satellite and which beam can cover the user being called at real time.

Findings

In managing the location of mobile users in mobile communication systems, the distance‐based strategy has been proven to have better performance than other dynamic strategies, but difficult to implement. The approach introduced in this paper implements the distance‐based strategy by using the coordinates.

Originality/value

This method makes full use of the characters of the LEO system and refutes the apparent weakness that location management area is restricted by the establishment on the ground. The simulation result proves that this method is efficient.
A study on QCM sensor for identification of acetone vapor
Authors: Ying Zhihua , Jiang Yadong , Qin Huibin , Zheng Liang , Du Xiaosong
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how a quartz crystal microbalance modified with poly (epichlorohydrin) (PECH) is fabricated and used for detection of acetone vapor using a spin‐coating method.

Design/methodology/approach

Measurements are based on the frequency shifts due to the adsorption of acetone vapor on the surface of the modified electrodes. A first‐order linear time‐invariant (LTI) system model is used to simulate the sensor response.

Findings

It is found that frequency shifts are linear to the concentrations of analyte, and cycle test examination shows good repeatability. The sensitivity to acetone vapor is better than other volatile compounds. A good match result is obtained with the LTI system model.

Originality/value

The device performance opens a potential way for analyzing acetone vapor.
Design of heartbeat invalidation detecting mechanism in triple modular redundancy multi‐machine system
Authors: Zou Jian‐xiao , Zhang Zheng‐qian , Xu Hong‐bing
Published: March 2010

Purpose

According to the high‐reliability requirement and especial structure of triple modular redundancy (TMR) emergent trip multi‐machine system, the purpose of this paper is to introduce a highly effective invalidation detecting mechanism based on heartbeat mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure of TMR system is designed to be multi‐master and multi‐save. According to the multi‐machine environment, an invalidation detecting mechanism is designed. Considering the advantage and weakness of the traditional PULL and PUSH heartbeat model, the mechanism combines PUSH model with PULL model. To further enhance real‐time ability and reliability of the invalidation detecting mechanism, hierarchy heartbeat monitor and integrating the heartbeat message into data transmission are designed in the mechanism.

Findings

The invalidation detecting mechanism combines PUSH with PULL heartbeat monitor model can enhance reliability and decrease the system misdiagnosis rate greatly. By adapting hierarchy heartbeat mechanism and integrating the heartbeat detecting message into the data transmission, the system communication cost is decreased and the input‐to‐output response time is shortened. The effectiveness and reliability of this mechanism are proved by system field commissioning and MATLAB simulation.

Originality/value

Using a new heartbeat invalidation detecting mechanism, this paper provides a new way of fault diagnosis of TMR multi‐machine system.
Novel 4H‐SiC BJT utilizing floating buried layer in base for high current gain, high current gain stability and high breakdown voltage
Authors: Zhang Yourun , Zhang Bo , Li Zhaoji , Deng Xiaochuan , Liu Xilin
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel structure of 4H‐SiC bipolar junction transistor (BJT) to realize high current gain, high current gain stability, and high breakdown voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel structure of 4H‐SiC BJT with floating buried layer in the base epilayer is presented. The simulation and optimization are done using the TCAD tool.

Findings

This novel structure is increasing the current gain effectively, at the same time, the current gain stability and breakdown voltage are higher comparing with the conventional structure.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new “4H‐SiC FBL‐BJT” with high current gain, high current gain stability and high breakdown voltage.
Output characteristics analysis for n‐buried‐PSOI sandwiched RF power LDMOS
Authors: Li Zehong , Liu Yong , Wu Lijuan , Yi Li , Zhang Bo , Li Zhaoji
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel n‐buried‐PSOI sandwiched radio frequencies (RF) power lateral diffused metal‐oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) and analyze its output characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The small‐signal equivalent circuit for RF power LDMOS method is used to analyze the proposed structure and the simulation and optimization are done using the computer‐aided design tools.

Findings

This improved structure is clearly decreasing drain‐substrate parasitic capacitance. At 1 dB compression point, its output power, the power‐added efficiency and the breakdown voltage are higher than that of the conventional LDMOS.

Originality/value

This paper puts forward a novel n‐buried‐PSOI sandwiched structure of RF power LDMOS. The analysis indicates that the output characteristics of this device are a great improvement on the conventional LDMOS and the n‐buried‐PSOI, RF power LDMOS proposed by earlier authors.
Comparison between theoretical and measured shielded microstrip dispersion properties in a wide‐frequency range
Authors: Gao Bo , Tong Ling
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the research on the effect of the shielding box to the dispersion properties of the microstrip lines, obtained by both theory analysis and the experimental test. Additionally, some principles about the effect of the shielding box are given, which could provide some useful information for the design of monolithic microwave integrated circuits.

Design/methodology/approach

The dispersion of the shielded microstrip line is analysis by the MOL. The measured data are obtained by using vector network analyzer and the calibration method is through, reflect, line. The structure of the test fixtures will also be illustrated in this paper.

Findings

The size of the shielding box has a great impact on the dispersion properties of the microstrip lines. The shielding box will lead to the decrease of the effective dielectric constant of the shielded microstrip lines. The effects of shielding box have a big relation to the ratio of the size of the shielding box to the size of the microstrip lines. When this ratio becomes bigger, the effects will decrease and can even be ignored completely.

Originality/value

This paper presents the effects of the shielding box on the dispersion properties of the microstrip lines. Both the measured results and the theory analysis are given in a wide‐frequency range and the structures of the test fixture are also illustrated in detail.