bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF OVERSEAS CHINESE MANAGERIAL IDEOLOGY*
Authors: Redding S.G. , HSIAO Michael
Published: September 2007

This study of managerial ideology focuses on the question of legitimacy and attempts to reconstruct the way in which the role of the chief executive is perceived in the context of Overseas Chinese economic cultures. The location of the study is Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and those studied were 72 chief executives in Chinese business organizations. Three determinants of present‐day beliefs are traced to the socio‐historical legacy of China, and these are identified as paternalism, personalism and a defensiveness derived from insecurity. The workings of their influence are traced via perceptions of the self, of relationships, of organization, and of society at large, to explain how executives rationalize their behaviour and their roles.
INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT — JOINT VENTURES IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Authors: Wilpert Bernhard , Scharpf Sophia Yen
Published: September 2007

The paper describes a comprehensive interdisciplinary and international research project on factors influencing success and failures of Sino—German joint ventures in the Peoples' Republic of China. It outlines the Gestalt‐psychological theoretical basis for the study of cultural and socio‐structural factors that induce values and preferences impacting on the efficiency of managerial interactions in joint ventures. After illustrating the role of such factors by providing examples of critical incidents the authors reflect the implications of the study for training purposes.
CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS AND DIFFUSION FOR MANAGERIAL STRATEGIES AND RESPONSES IN HONG KONG
Authors: Kao Henry S.R. , NG Sek Hong , Chan Yee Kwan
Published: September 2007

This paper addresses the issue of cultural adaptations and diffusion for managerial strategies in host societies to which work enterprises are not indigenous in terms of their capital and management or either. With illustrations drawn from a series of case‐studies of work organisations in Hong Kong managed respectively by Chinese, British and Japanese capital, there was an appearance of support for the thesis of ‘cultural’ determinism and its implications for strategical adaptations in work organisations. The implication was drawn that the Oriental nexus of altruism, trust and subtlety could be rooted in the more laudible and perhaps global influence of Confucianism. Some subsequent issues are raised. First, the problem of cultural adaptation is not specific to multinationals or foreign firms visiting from outside but also applies where the management and their ethic background are not indigenous. The other issue is the extent of cultural adaptation within work organisations, as determined by the degree of affinity with a common mother culture. The paper suggests that a common denominating mother culture can serve a strategical starting point to bring about intra‐organisational and organisation‐society link and harmony.
CULTURE AND WORK‐RELATED VALUES IN THAI ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Komin Suntaree
Published: September 2007

In the context of the Thai socio‐cultural system, this paper analyzes the work‐related values, factors that motivate workers and managers and their patterns of behavior in government and private sectors. Two nation‐wide surveys identified 9 value orientations: the Ego, Grateful relationship, Smooth interpersonal relationship, Flexibility and adjustment, Religio‐psychical orientation, Education and competence. Interdependence, Fun‐pleasure, and Achievement‐task. The findings show that for the Thai, task achievement value is usually inhibited by social relationship values. However, for the lower class of Thai society like farmers and skilled workers, work values are more oriented towards hard work as there is only a small chance that their work would be in conflict with relations. In conclusion, the author argues for the concept of cultural relativity in the formulation of management and organizational theories.
ROLE OF SOCIAL VALUES IN INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Sinha Jai B.P. , Sinha D.
Published: September 2007

The transplant of the western form of industrial organizations in India was expected to bring a radical shift from a dependency and personalized to a contractual work relationship, from a steeply hierarchical to a reasonably egalitarian authority structure, ascribed to occupational bases of identity formation. The shift did not occur to the extent it was expected. Instead, technological requirements and job demands at many places were unduly compromised with the socio‐cultural factors leading to soft management style which proved to be dysfunctional. At other places, the same socio‐cultural factors helped develop a synergetic work culture where workers and managers worked together for higher productivity and greater viability. The critical factor which made the difference was the establishment of work as the master value. The other social values played a facilitating role in establishing and realizing the work values.
INTERPLAY OF VALUES IN THE FUNCTIONING OF INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Tripathi R.C.
Published: September 2007

Indian work organizations display a mixed set of values, characteristic of both western and non‐western societies. A belief in Detachment is found to coexist with Materialistic Orientation, Collectivism with Individualism and Humanism with Power Orientation. To substantiate this, results from two studies on member integration, carried out in four public sector organizations (Prakash 1982) and a multinational organization (Katju 1986) are discussed. Personal values and organizational values in the two types of organizations were analysed. Factor analysis of these values in public sector organizations yielded factors based on indigenous as well as universal values. The value clusters in the case of the multinational organization were largely based on universal values. Member integration in the public sector organizations was found associated with certain background variables, such as the level of professional education, the family's exposure to work organizations, prior work experience, etc. Nurturance of subordinates by supervisors, organizational expectation of universalism and peer leadership enhanced member integration. In the multinational organization, the length of service and the level of professional education, among the background variables, and participation in decision making, support from the boss, team‐work and control, among the organizational variables, were associated with member integration. It is argued that indigenous values, such as familism, need to be synthesized with the values of industrial democracy to make Indian organizations more effective.
CONCEPTUALIZATIONS OF WORK, FAMILY AND LEISURE BY MANAGERS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY*
Authors: Knowles M.C. , Taylor Diana
Published: September 2007

This study analysed the way 20 managers in the information technology industry in Australia viewed their lives, and identified two dimensions of central importance cutting across the work, family and leisure spheres encompassed by them. One dimension was positively loaded towards activities which were challenging, creative and under the individual's control. These activities were enjoyable, and included examples such as consulting with clients, creating new business, and communicating and dealing with others, whether at work or at home. The opposite pole of this dimension involved activities such as completing paperwork, general administration, doing the shopping, and disciplining the children. Such activities were seen as necessary, routine or stressful, and were generally disliked. The other dimension dealt with activities which, at one pole, were emotionally involving or involved moral standards, and included examples such as attending meetings, doing things as a family, and settling disputes, either at work or at home. At the other pole were activities which were usually done alone and involved no sense of social or moral obligation. Leisure activities typically fell into this category. The results indicated that these managers generally pursued a lifestyle which was seen to be non‐stressful, and one valued for the challenge, enjoyment, freedom of choice and personal control which it offered.
WOMEN'S GROWING ROLE IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN
Authors: Tanaka Yasumasa
Published: September 2007

This paper discusses the ongoing changes in socio‐cultural values regarding women in business and industrial infrastructure accruing from the emerging womenpower in contemporary Japan. Women are becoming an important part of corporate culture. Their role in political life is also increasing. The mass media programmes are frequently targeted to female audiences. In contrast, the fate of men, especially that of husbands, seems to be getting increasingly obscure in contemporary Japanese society. From the perspective of work organizations, a true picture of ongoing changes in socio‐cultural values regarding women and in the infrastructure accrued from the emerging womenpower in Japan deserves future research attention.
SOCIAL VALUES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AFRICA*
Authors: Myambo Kathleen
Published: September 2007

This study was conducted in Southern Africa in the country of Zimbabwe where 75% of the population reside in economically underdeveloped rural areas. Two groups of rural‐dwelling subsistence farmers were interviewed in their homes with respect to life‐style, stressors and coping mechanisms. The experimental group consisted of 62 farmers who had recently moved to a newly‐developed government‐sponsored farming community and the control group consisted of 75 farmers who had been resident on their farms for an average of 15 years. The results showed that subjects in the development scheme experienced more stress than those in the control group but viewed themselves as coping adequately. The development scheme appeared to be successful from a psychological perspective in that the subjects were able to continue their traditional lifestyle as well as incorporate modern values based on a cash economy.
DIVERSITY AND COMMUNALITY IN VENEZUELA AROUND THE CONCEPTS OF PROGRESS AND WORK: THEIR EFFECTS ON ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Salazar Jose Miguel
Published: September 2007

Venezuela has experienced quite a rapid rate of change at mid century but has not been able to attain real economic development. Yet the desirability of progress is a commonly shared value, although there are important differences within the society; for example, in the ways in which work is conceived, or the degree to which the common Latin American values are ascribed. Besides, the concern with power, which is also identified as important within Venezuelan society and often gets combined with the socio‐centric values into ‘political partisanship’, is a factor affecting organizational functioning, particularly in the public sector. Examples are given of unsuccessful and successful organizations, pointing out the need to take into account the commonalities and diversities in values identified within the society in the search of organizational alternatives more viable within the particular context.
CULTURE AND WORK ALIENATION: WESTERN MODELS AND EASTERN REALITIES
Authors: Kanungo Rabindra N.
Published: September 2007

This paper argues that the existing theoretical explanations of work alienation and corrective management practices developed in the Western world have limited cross‐cultural applicability. This argument is supported first by identifying the cultural bias inherent in the Western explanatory models of alienation and then by indicating how such a bias fails to adequately explain work alienation and its opposite work involvement phenomena in Eastern societies like India. Finally, the paper probes into the role of some critical indigenous variables responsible for the development of alienation among workers in India. The case of Indian workers provides an illustrative example of what is needed for alienation research in a developing country context: to avoid the folly of uncritically accepting the Western explanatory models and to encourage the discovery of indigenous explanations.
THE JAPANESE MEANING OF WORK AND SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES IN JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Misumi Jyuji
Published: September 2007

Japan has modernized itself by using Western countries as its model of development. Japanese management is, however, not necessarily an imitation of European or American management. It is unique and deeply rooted in the tradition of Japanese society, which has nourished such practices as periodic recruitment of employees, life‐time employment, seniority wage system and company unions. In this paper, the meaning of Japanese working life, work motivation and values will be discussed first. This is followed by a review of Japanese manager—employee relations from the standpoint of the author's PM leadership theory. Finally, organizational development experience in the Nishitetsu Railroad Company and the Mitsubishi Shipyard will be presented to illustrate intervention schemes in solving accident and safety problems with special reference to leadership development and small group activities.
THE EFFICIENT MANAGERS OF SELF‐MANAGED ENTERPRISES IN YUGOSLAVIA
Authors: Kavcic Bogdan
Published: September 2007

Managerial function in the Yugoslav system of socialist self‐management is assumed to be merely coordinative. Top managers are elected by the Workers' Councils. However, in practice, even in such a system, the efficiency of an enterprise depends to a large extent on its top manager. This article reports on the main results of an empirical study into factors determining the efficiency of managers of self‐managed enterprises. The study was conducted in Yugoslavia in 1987. The basic assumption was that a manager can be considered as efficient only if he manages a successful enterprise. The case‐study method was used for an in‐depth study of eleven highly efficient enterprises. Organizational structure, production programme, technology, qualification structure, innovations, strategy, position of the manager in the power structure, and some other aspects were studied.
INDONESIAN MANAGERS, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Authors: Munandar Ashar Sunyoto
Published: September 2007

The Indonesian people are from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds, each with its own cultural heritage, and socio‐cultural manifestations. Three main cultural levels can be distinguished: the ethnic‐regional, the regional‐national, and the national‐international level. The managers belong to the last level where intensive interchanges take place between the ‘national’ values and the ‘international’ values. Research results show a typical profile of the Indonesian managers who also share the same characteristics of successful managers in other countries. In an ever‐changing environment, the Indonesian managers today, should possess not only characteristics unique to Indonesians, but also those of their counterparts in other countries in order to be effective.
INDUSTRIALIZATION AS A SELF‐FULFILLING PROPHECY: THE ROLE OF EXPECTATIONS IN DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Eden Dov
Published: September 2007

A self‐fulfilling prophecy (SFP) occurs when the expectation of an event induces the behavior that increases the likelihood of the event's occurrence. Work organizations can be more or less effective as a result of SFP effects, whether naturally‐occurring or deliberately induced by managers or consultants. Evidence for SFP at the individual level and at the collective level in work organizations is reviewed, including the Pygmalion, Galatea, Golem, and Messiah effects. Next, the SFP concept is extended beyond the single organization to the industrialization process at the national level. This leads to the novel hypothesis that, to the extent that persons in a developing nation expect industrialization to progress rapidly and successfully, the development process is facilitated. Several examples of SFP on Israel's path to industrialization are described, and emulation of these examples by other newly industrialized countries is proposed.
ROLE OF INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS IN SUPPORTING SOCIAL VALUES TO SUSTAIN ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN NEWLY‐INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS
Authors: Ho Thomas I.M. , Sung Kai
Published: September 2007

Organizations are evolving into a flatter structure with fewer intermediate organizational levels. Especially, fewer middle managers are needed to relay communications up and down the hierarchy. As information technology is deployed for competitive advantage, fulfilling internal communication becomes as crucial as fulfilling external communications with suppliers and customers. Fulfilling internal communications is especially crucial because incorporation of social (organizational) values and corporate culture requires communication. As the role of communication expands, the role of information technology in promoting communication is fostering experimentation in organizing work and in management practices. For example, electronic mail promotes equality and consensus in a manner that enables participatory rather than authoritarian management. An infrastructure network is a telecommunications network that provides basic communication services on which public, e.g. government, or private organizations depend for their survival. An infrastructure network is distinguished from any ordinary communications facility because it is both pervasive and comprehensive to promote group participation. An infrastructure network is further distinguished by its robustness that allows sufficient bandwidth for substantial resource sharing. Infrastructure networks represent a vital opportunity for newly‐industrialized nations in Asia. In these nations, through effective communication, social values related to the ‘group’ will produce a better payoff. This payoff would result from the momentum and partnership experience generated by recent economic success. Also, the relatively smaller size of these nations would enable easier networking. Finally, as demonstrated by their success and as a result of their smaller scale, the ability of these nations to focus on what needs to be done will ensure the wise investment of funds earned from economic success in projects that will guarantee future success. This paper recommends the development of infrastructure networks including national and local networks as well as gateways (to other national networks) and other network, e.g. data bases, resources. The involvement of all constituencies, government and education as well as the private sector, will encourage experiments with information technology in organizing work and in management practices that incorporate social values.
ORGANIZATION ISSUES IN SMALL BUSINESS COMPUTERIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Authors: Farn Cheng‐Kiang , Jiang Rui‐Kai
Published: September 2007

While governmental agencies and large corporations were the first to make use of computing technologies, small businesses have expanded their use of the technologies substantially in recent years. In many cases these efforts to adopt computer‐based systems failed, due to a variety of contextual and organizational factors. This paper presents the results of one of a series of studies of the organizational and environmental factors affecting introduction of computing technology into small businesses. The research is exploratory at this stage in the overall research effort. In‐depth interviews were carried out to ascertain the nature of each of the computerization efforts and to identify the factors which contributed to success or failure. Preliminary results on organizational factors affecting the implementation of information systems in these companies are reported.
Le Développement de l'Identité Notionnelle
Authors: Boudreau Ginette
Published: September 2007

Cette étude vise à déterminer, dans le domaine des surfaces, les relations entre la genèse des invariants qualitatifs (identité, transitivité de l'identité) et celle des invariants' quantitatifs (identité, transitivité de l'identité). Afin d'éliminer les effets possibles d'interaction dans la mesure de ces notions, un groupe ‘A’ (n = 56, âges moyens: 5;6 et 6;6 ans) subit les épreuves Identité Qualitative et Transitivité Qualitative alors qu'un autre groupe ‘B’ (n = 82, âges moyens: 5;6, 6;6 et 7;6 ans) subit les épreuves Identité Quantitative et Transitivité Quantitative. L'analyse statistique nonparamétrique des résultats permet d'attester l'authenticité des principaux stades obtenus pour les invariants qualitatifs et les invariants quantitatifs. Pour chaque type d'invariants, le stade 3 marque le synchronisme d'acquisition des notions d'identité et de transitivité. En outre, l'âge d'acquisition des invariants qualitatifs (6;3 ans) et celui des invariants quantitatifs (7;2 ans) confirment l'antériorité génétique des premiers.
Structure and Semantic Differential Placement of Specific Causes: Academic Causal Attributions by Chinese Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Hau Kit‐Tai , Salili Farideh
Published: September 2007

The present study explored the structure and dimensional meaning of causal attributions for actual academic performance. Chinese high school students were asked to rate the importance as well as dimensional meaning (along locus, controllability, stability, and globality dimensions) of thirteen specific causes. A principal components analysis of the importance ratings generated four factors among which three were loaded on partially overlapping dimensions and the fourth was unrelated to any dimension. Results also revealed that effort, interest in study, study skill, and ability in study shared common characteristics in that they were the most important causes and were very internal, controllable, stable, and global. The findings were discussed in terms of socio‐cultural values in the Chinese culture.
Reaction Times and Intelligence in Japanese Children
Authors: Shigehisa T. , Lynn Richard
Published: September 2007

The hypothesis that reaction times are positively associated with intelligence was tested on 444 nine‐year‐old Japanese children. Intelligence was measured by the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, and 12 reaction time parameters were obtained to give measures of movement times, reaction times proper (decision times), differentiated into simple and complex reaction times, and variabilities. Factor analysis of the reaction time tasks indicated the presence of a general factor and three primary factors identifiable as movement times, simple reaction times, and complex reaction times. Of these, only complex reaction times showed significant associations with intelligence.
Social Change and Change in Intentions of Iranian Youth Regarding Education, Marriage, and Careers
Authors: Tashakkori Abbas , Thompson Vaida
Published: September 2007

Effects of large‐scale socio‐political movements and policy changes on individual attitudes and behaviours have been the focus of attention of social scientists and policy‐makers in different countries. For example, concerns have been expressed regarding the effects of the so‐called “fundamentalist” Islamic movements on attitudes and behaviours in relation to marriage, family structure, and the roles/rights of women. The Islamic Revolution of 1978 in Iran is usually assumed to have affected such beliefs and behaviours. To test the accuracy of such an assumption, three data sets collected in the same geographical location in 1982, 1984, and 1986 were compared within sex and SES groups. The intentions and aspirations of high school seniors regarding education, marriage, and careers were closer to conservative/traditional expectations in the 1982 sample than in the 1984 and 1986 samples. It is concluded that, even if there was an increase in traditionalism shortly after the Revolution, traditional tendencies have not returned to extreme levels within the few years surveyed, at least among the urban educated youth under study. Alarm regarding a ‘return to fundamentalism” in relation to marriage, family, and women's roles/rights might be less warranted than is commonly assumed.
Construction et Validation de l'Échelle de Motivation pour les Personnes Âgées (EMPA)
Authors: Vallerand Robert J. , O'connor Brian P.
Published: September 2007

Le but de cet article consiste à présenter les résultats de quatre études ayant pour objectif de construire et valider un nouvel instrument mesurant la motivation des personnes âgées vis‐à‐vis les activités importantes de leur vie, soit l'échelle de Motivation pour les Personnes Âgées (EMPA). L'EMPA est formée de quatre sous‐échelles mesurant la motivation intrinsèque, la motivation extrinsèque autodéterminée, la motivation extrinsèque non‐autodéterminée et l'amotivation, et ce dans six domaines de vie jugés importants par les personnes âgées: la santé, la religion, les informations, les loisirs, les relations interpersonnelles et les besoins biologiques. Dans l'ensemble, les résultats révèlent que l'EMPA possède une cohérence interne élevée ainsi qu'une stabilité temporelle satisfaisante. En plus, la validité de l'EMPA a été soutenue par: (1) l'existence d'un pattern de corrélations de type simplex entre les quatre sous‐échelles, (2) des corrélations significatives entre les réponses des personnes âgées et l'évaluation des intervieweures quant à la motivation des personnes âgées et enfin (3) par des analyses de tests‐t qui révèlent, en accord avec la théorie de Deci et Ryan (1985), que les personnes âgées qui se perçoivent très autodéterminées dans leur centre d'accueil ont des pointages plus élevés sur les sous‐échelles de motivation intrinsèque et de motivation extrinsèque autodéterminée, mais des pointages plus faibles sur les sous‐échelles de motivation extrinsèque non‐autodéterminée et d'amotivation, que celles qui se perçoivent comme étant peu autodéterminées. Les présents résultats démontrent donc, du moins dans un premier temps, la validité et la fidélité de l'EMPA. Celle‐ci semble donc prěte à ětre utilisée en recherche auprès des personnes âgées. A cet effet, on suggère un certain nombre de pistes pour les recherches futures quant à son utilisation dans ce secteur.
Personality Characteristics and Self‐esteem in Pet Owners and Non‐owners
Authors: Johnson Suzanne B. , Rule Warren R.
Published: September 2007

Previous research suggests that pet owners are psychologically different than non‐owners in terms of self‐esteem and other personality characteristics. In this study, 82 pet owners and 48 non‐owners were tested on self‐esteem, extraversion, neuroticism, and social self‐esteem. Special emphasis was placed on highly attached pet owners compared with non‐owners. Level of attachment was determined by scores from the CENSHARE pet attachment survey. No significant differences were found between the groups using analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance statistical procedures. It was concluded that pet owners and non‐owners may not be different in terms of personality but may have become victims of stereotyping by both the general population and scientific researchers. Discussion was given to related significant findings and recommendations for further research.
Assessing the Impact of Western Psychology in Hong Kong
Authors: Blowers Geoffrey H.
Published: September 2007

The impact of Western psychology in Hong Kong can be seen in its institutions and practices. Local students however acquire their knowledge of psychology through the medium of at least two foreign languages; English (the medium of instruction) and the technical language of its subject matter, which does not find ready equivalents in Chinese. Some examples of psychological terms in Chinese and English are presented to support this. Problems of translation and of the models implicit in much of psychology's subject matter reduce its impact. Because indigenous beliefs are more likely to shape psychology's development than imported ones, they should be made explicit in psychological practice and reworked into future educational curricula so that the discipline as a whole may benefit.
Cultural Ethnocentrism and Imperialism in Citations of American and Scandinavian Psychological Research
Authors: Greeson Larry E.
Published: September 2007

The present study was conducted in order to document the extent to which ethnocentrism and imperialism exist in American and Scandinavian reports of psychological research. Journal citation analyses indicated that articles appearing in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology referenced numerous U.S. resources but also many resources from Europe and other parts of the world. In contrast, articles published in American journals cited a preponderance of U.S. sources and, for the most part, excluded reference to Scandinavian psychological research. These findings were interpreted as indicating the existence of empirical ethnocentrism in U.S. journal citations, and media‐based cultural imperialism in Scandinavian reports of psychological research.
Recovery Frequency of Phytophthora ramorum and Other Phytophthora spp. in the Soil Profile of Ornamental Retail Nurseries
Authors: Dart N. L. , Chastagner G. A , Rugarber E. F. , Riley K. L.
Published: October 2007

We tested the hypothesis that inoculum of the aboveground exotic plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum would be limited to the organic layer (top layer of plant debris) of soils at infested retail nurseries located outside of the area where the pathogen has become established in the landscape. To test this hypothesis and compare inoculum levels of P. ramorum with levels of other Phytophthora spp. in the soil profile, soil cores were collected and sampled from three Washington State retail nurseries at which the soil had previously tested positive for P. ramorum. Phytophthora was isolated from soil using rhododendron leaves as bait, and pure cultures were obtained and stored on V8 juice agar. Isolates were identified to species using a combination of DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic testing, and culture morphology. Recovery frequencies were tabulated and compared by species at the organic layer, 0 to 5 cm, 5 to 10 cm, and 10 to 15 cm depth classes. The three most common Phytophthora spp. recovered from the soil cores were P. citricola (32%), P. drechsleri (32%), and P. ramorum (27%). P. citricola and P. drechsleri were more evenly distributed throughout the soil profile, whereas P. ramorum was primarily recovered from the organic and 0 to 5 cm depth class (86% of recoveries). P. ramorum was not detected below 10 cm.
Effect of Extended Irrigation and Host Resistance on Deoxynivalenol Accumulation in Fusarium-Infected Wheat
Authors: Culler M. D. , Miller-Garvin J. E. , Dill-Macky R.
Published: October 2007

Deoxynivalenol (DON) levels are not easily predicted from visual disease assessment, and it is thought likely that environmental conditions such as temperature and moisture influence DON accumulation. This field study examined the influence of environmental moisture on DON accumulation in Fusarium-infected wheat (Triticum aestivum). The effect of extended mist irrigation applied from inoculation (at anthesis) until harvest was compared with mist irrigation applied from inoculation until disease assessment (at early dough), as is generally applied in screening nurseries used for germplasm selection and cultivar improvement. DON concentrations were quantified in kernels at early dough, hard dough, kernel hard, and maturity. Kernels from plots with extended mist irrigation generally had lower DON concentrations than those from plots where mist irrigation was not applied following disease assessment. DON concentrations tended to decrease from disease assessment until harvest, regardless of the irrigation treatment. DON concentrations in the cultivars moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight were lower than those in the susceptible cultivar. Environmental moisture is an important factor determining the DON content of Fusarium-infected wheat.
First Report of Soilborne wheat mosaic virus on Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the Columbia Basin of Oregon
Authors: Hamm P. B. , Gieck S. L. , David N. L. , Hunger R. M.
Published: October 2007

The Columbia Basin of Oregon consists of six counties (Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Wasco, and Umatilla) and is the major wheat-producing region in the state. In 2005, these counties produced 300,277 ha of mostly fall-planted wheat. While primarily a dryland production area, wheat (approximately 8,094 ha) is also grown as a rotational crop under irrigation. Stunted and chlorotic winter wheat plants with leaves exhibiting a mosaic pattern consistent with that caused by Soilborne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) were observed in March 2005. These plants originated from four center-pivot irrigated fields in Umatilla County with each field approximately 50.6 ha. One-half of one field was planted with cv. Western Breeders 470 (WB470) and the other half with cv. Tubbs, while the three other fields were planted to Tubbs. In the split-planted field, symptoms were widespread in the WB470 half but only observed in low-lying areas planted with Tubbs. ELISA with a monoclonal antibody (Agdia Inc., Elkhart, IN) confirmed the presence of SBWMV, which is transmitted by the soilborne organism Polymyxa graminis. Electron microscopy confirmed rigid, rod-shaped particles that were 19 nm wide and of two size classes, 138 to 222 and 416 to 471 nm long. Presence of SBWMV was further verified by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using SBWMV RNA-2 specific primers (sense 5′-AAAGAGTCTIGCGTRTARCAYTC-3′ and antisense 5′-AACGGTGTTAGTAARYTRGGKGA-3′), which amplified the predicted 338-bp product from the coat protein gene (1). Additional positive samples were found in 2006 from fall-planted wheat cvs. WB 528 and MJ9 from two additional 50.6-ha fields in Umatilla County. In 2005, yield of WB470 in the split-planted field was reduced by approximately 15% compared with yields obtained in similar fields planted with WB470 not exhibiting symptoms. SBWMV has been reported previously in Oregon (2) but nearly 322 km to the west in an area that is not the major wheat-producing region in Oregon. Because of the apparent reduced susceptibility of Tubbs, which is an older cultivar, as compared with WB470, WB528, and MJ9, which are three new high-yielding cultivars, additional research is needed to identify the reaction to SBWMV of cultivars adapted for production in the Pacific Northwest, particularly if this disease becomes widely distributed in both irrigated and dryland production areas.

References: (1) G. R. G. Clover et al. Plant Pathol. 50:761, 2001. (2) M. L. Putman et al. Plant Dis. 78:102, 1994.
First Report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in Italy
Authors: Lahoz E. , Caiazzo R. , Carella A. , Cozzolino E.
Published: October 2007

In each of two fields of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) grown in Benevento Province (southern Italy), 60 to 70% of the plants developed severe root and crown rot. Symptoms included irregular, water-soaked spots on stems that were eventually covered with cottony mycelia as the lesions enlarged. Black sclerotia usually developed within the mycelium. The fungus was isolated on potato dextrose agar and 2% water agar. On the basis of colony morphology, including the production of black sclerotia (1), the fungus was identified as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Bary. The identity of the fungus was confirmed by near exact identity of internal transcribed spacer sequences (99%) with two isolates of S. sclerotiorum in GenBank (Accession Nos. Z73800 and Z73799). Pathogenicity of the fungus on buckwheat was evaluated by transplanting 20 20-day-old healthy plants in a mixture of soil and fungal inoculum (0.5% of wet millet seeds colonized by four isolates of S. sclerotiorum). Lesions on crowns and roots developed after 12 days and sclerotia appeared approximately 20 days later. No symptoms developed on noninoculated plants. Reisolation from inoculated plants yielded colonies of S. sclerotiorum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum on buckwheat in Italy. The high incidence and severity of the disease may be limiting factors in the development of buckwheat as an alternative crop of tobacco in southern Italy.

Reference: (1) J. E. M. Mordue and P. Holliday. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. No. 513 in: Descriptions of Pathogenic Fungi and Bacteria. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1976.
Penicillium digitatumSuppresses Production of Hydrogen Peroxide in Host Tissue During Infection of Citrus Fruit
Authors: Macarisin D. , Cohen L. , Eick A. , Rafael G. , Belausov E. , Wisniewski M. , Droby S.
Published: October 2007

During the infection of citrus fruit by Penicillium digitatum there is little evidence of a host defense response. This suggests that P. digitatum has the ability to suppress host defenses. The current study demonstrates that P. digitatum suppresses a defense-related hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) burst in host tissue. In contrast, the nonhost pathogen, Penicillium expansum, triggers production of a significant amount of H2O2in citrus fruit exocarp. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that P. digitatum suppressed an elevation in H2O2up to 42 h after inoculation. Nevertheless, H2O2levels around wounds inoculated with P. expansum increased by 63-fold above the control. P. digitatum continued to suppress H2O2production in citrus fruit exocarp up to 66 h postinoculation and H2O2levels were actually threefold below that of noninoculated controls. In contrast, the H2O2level was still about 11-fold above the control value in wound sites inoculated with P. expansum. Studies on the effect of organic acids (as pH modulators) on the response of citrus fruit to compatible and noncompatible pathogens indicated that pathogenicity was enhanced only when host-tissue acidification was accompanied by the suppression of H2O2. Additionally, pathogenicity of both P. digitatum and P. expansum on citrus fruit was significantly enhanced by the H2O2-scavenging enzyme catalase. Based on our study and previous reports regarding the potential involvement of citric acid and catalase in green mold pathogenesis, we suggest that these compounds are strongly associated with the virulence of P. digitatum.
Development of a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Quantifying Verticillium albo-atrum DNA in Resistant and Susceptible Alfalfa
Authors: Larsen R. C. , Vandemark G. J. , Hughes T. J. , Grau C. R.
Published: October 2007

A precise real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for quantifying Verticillium albo-atrum DNA. The assay was used in a repeated experiment to examine the relationship between the quantity of pathogen DNA detected in infected leaves and shoots and the severity of Verticillium wilt symptoms in several alfalfa cultivars expressing a range of disease symptoms. Plants were visually inspected for symptoms and rated using a disease severity index ranging from 1 to 5, and the quantity of pathogen DNA present in leaves and stems was determined with real-time PCR. No significant differences in pathogen DNA quantity or disease severity index were observed for experiments or for cultivar–experiment interactions. Significant differences were observed between cultivars for the quantity of pathogen DNA detected with real-time PCR and also for disease severity index ratings. In both experiments, the highly resistant check cultivar Oneida VR had significantly less pathogen DNA, and significantly lower disease severity index ratings than the resistant cultivar Samauri, the moderately resistant cultivar Vernema, and the susceptible check cultivar Saranac. In both experiments, the Spearman rank correlation between the amount of V. albo-atrum DNA detected in leaves and stems with real-time PCR and disease severity index ratings based on visual examination of symptoms was positive (>0.52) and significant (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that resistance to Verticillium wilt in alfalfa is characterized by a reduced colonization of resistant genotypes by the fungus.
Mutations associated with succinate dehydrogenase d‐related malignant paragangliomas
Authors: Timmers Henri J. L. M. , Pacak Karel , Bertherat Jérôme , Lenders Jacques W. M. , Duet Michèle , Eisenhofer Graeme , Stratakis Constantine A. , Niccoli‐Sire Patricia , Huy Patrice Tran Ba , Burnichon Nelly , Gimenez‐Roqueplo Anne‐Paule
Published: September 2007

Objective  Hereditary paraganglioma (PGL) syndromes result from germline mutations in genes encoding subunits B, C and D of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB, SDHC and SDHD). SDHB‐related PGLs are known in particular for their high malignant potential. Recently, however, malignant PGLs were also reported among a small minority of Dutch carriers of the SDHD founder mutation D92Y. The aim of the study was to investigate which SDHD mutations are associated with malignant PGL.

Design  Case histories; collaborative study between referral centres in France, the USA, and the Netherlands.

Patients  Six unrelated patients with metastatic PGLs of either sympathetic or parasympathetic origin.

Measurements  Assessment of SDHD mutations underlying malignant PGL.

Results  Germline SDHD mutations underlying metastatic PGL were G148D, Y114X, L85X, W43X, D92Y, and IVS2+5G→A.

Conclusion  Our findings indicate that malignant SDHD‐related PGL is associated with several mutations besides D92Y.
The impact of thyroid eye disease upon patients’ wellbeing: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Estcourt Stephanie , Vaidya Bijay , Quinn Anthony , Shepherd Maggie
Published: September 2007

Background  Previous studies using quality of life (QoL) questionnaires have shown poor QoL in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). However, predetermined questionnaires limit in‐depth investigation of psychosocial and emotional effects of TED. A qualitative approach allows detailed exploration of patients’ perceptions of wellbeing and can capture their lived experiences.

Objective  To explore the experience of living and coping with TED.

Design and patients  A qualitative study involving individual, tape‐recorded, semistructured interviews with 25 participants with TED (20 female subjects, median age 54 years, range 28–90 years). Thematic content analysis identified themes, from which theoretical interpretations were formed.

Results  Three key themes were identified: (1) development of an altered identity as a result of changes in appearance, abilities and roles due to physical consequences of TED. This was described in the context of life before and after TED; (2) creation of coping strategies including denial, social avoidance, adjustment and stoicism; (3) difficult interactions with healthcare practitioners due to uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choices, resulting in patients’ disengagement, anger and frustration.

Conclusion  This qualitative study has identified the phenomenon of an altered identity due to direct consequences of TED that impact upon patients’ wellbeing, coping strategies and interactions with healthcare professionals.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu298Asp, 4b/a, and T‐786C polymorphisms in type 2 diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Ezzidi Intissar , Mtiraoui Nabil , Mohamed Manel Ben Hadj , Mahjoub Touhami , Kacem Maha , Almawi Wassim Y.
Published: September 2007

Objective  The possible association between the endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) gene T‐786C (promoter region), 27‐bp repeat 4b/4a (intron 4), and Glu298Asp (exon 7) polymorphisms with diabetic retinopathy (DR) was investigated.

Design  A retrospective case‐control study.

Patients  A total of 872 type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients were studied, of whom 383 presented with preproliferative/proliferative retinopathy (DR group), and 489 with absent/mild retinopathy (DWR group).

Measurements  Glu298Asp and T‐786C genotyping was carried out by PCR‐RFLP analysis, while 4b/4a was assessed by PCR. Genotype distribution was compared using the χ2‐test, and the contributions of the polymorphisms to DR were analysed by haplotype analysis and multivariate regression analysis.

Results  Lower prevalence of mutant 4a (P = 0·011), and heterozygous 4b/4a (P = 0·042) were seen in the DR compared to the DWR groups; the allele and genotype distribution of the Glu298Asp and T‐786C polymorphisms were comparable between DR and DWR groups. Three‐loci haplotype analysis demonstrated significant association between eNOS variants and DR, with protective [haplotype 122 (Glu298/4a/‐786C)], and susceptible haplotypes [haplotypes 112 (Glu298/4b/‐786C) and 222 (Asp298/4a/‐786C)] identified. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed the association between haplotypes 122 (P = 0·015); 112 (P = 0·027), and 222 (P = 0·048) and DR, after controlling for potential covariates (including age, sex, age of disease onset; HbA1c; hypertension, total cholesterol).

Conclusions  This study identifies genetic variation at the eNOS locus as genetic risk factor for diabetic retinopathy, which may serve as a useful marker of increased susceptibility to the risk of retinopathy.
Homozygosity of the d3‐growth hormone receptor polymorphism is associated with a high total effect of GH on growth and a low BMI in girls with Turner syndrome
Authors: Binder Gerhard , Trebar Branko , Baur Friederike , Schweizer Roland , Ranke Michael B.
Published: September 2007

Objective  The protein polymorphism of the GH receptor caused by genomic deletion of exon 3 (d3) has been linked to the magnitude of the first‐year‐growth response to GH in girls with Turner syndrome. Here, we studied the long‐term effect of GH therapy in Turner syndrome in correlation to this polymorphism.

Design  The study was mainly retrospective.

Patients  The women with Turner syndrome (n = 48) had been treated with GH over the past 18 years at our hospital. The mean GH dose used was 38 µg/kg/day (SD 8).

Measurements  The GHR‐exon 3 locus was genotyped using a PCR multiplex assay for both alleles and a second PCR assay for the full length (fl) allele only.

Results  The fl/fl, d3/fl and d3/d3 genotypes were present in 24, 17 and 7 women, respectively. Mean Turner height standard deviation scores (SDS) at start of therapy was 0·09 (1·09), mean age was 9·1 years (3). Age, height, target height, age at start of puberty and mode of GH therapy were not different between the groups. Total gain in height (difference between final adult height and initial height) was significantly higher in the d3/d3 group [+1·84 SDS (0·31)] than in the fl/fl group [+0·72 SDS (0·92)] and in the d3/fl group [+0·83 SDS (0·93)] (P < 0·001). A covariance analysis confirmed the effect of the polymorphism. Mean BMI SDS at the start and end of therapy was low in the d3/d3 group and significantly lower than in the fl/fl group (P < 0·04).

Conclusions  Our data suggest that homozygosity for the d3‐GHR polymorphism is associated with a unique GH responsiveness and a weight regulation towards a lower BMI in girls with Turner syndrome.