bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of short-interval fire occurrence on post-fire recovery of fire-prone shrublands in California, USA
Authors: Lippitt Caitlin L. , Stow Douglas A. , O'Leary John F. , Franklin Janet
Published: August 2012

In recent decades, fire frequency has increased with population growth at the wildland–urban interface in southern California, USA. Short intervals (<5 years) between successive fires can be detrimental to plant species that require longer intervals between fires to reach reproductive maturity. The resilience of vegetation to changes in fire regimes is of particular interest for shrublands in Mediterranean climates, which in general are susceptible to high frequencies of wildfire. Research on how fire has shaped the life histories of shrubs in Mediterranean climates is central to understanding how to protect sensitive habitat while allowing for the natural occurrence of wildfire in these regions. Frequently burned chamise chaparral shrublands in San Diego County, California, were mapped in the field with the aid of satellite imagery and analysed to investigate changes in vegetation condition and composition associated with short intervals between fires. Fire history, terrain and land-cover characteristics of mapped stands were tested to determine the factors associated with disturbed and converted vegetation. Results indicate that number of burns and mean fire interval are contributing factors in post-fire change in chaparral stands. Chamise chaparral is vulnerable to alteration and type conversion when fire return intervals are 4–5 years or less.
Mutation of plasma membrane Ca
2+
ATPase isoform 3 in a family with X-linked congenital cerebellar ataxia impairs Ca
2+
homeostasis
Authors: Zanni Ginevra , Calì Tito , Kalscheuer Vera M. , Ottolini Denis , Barresi Sabina , Lebrun Nicolas , Montecchi-Palazzi Luisa , Hu Hao , Chelly Jamel , Bertini Enrico , Brini Marisa , Carafoli Ernesto
Published: August 2012

Ca
2+
in neurons is vital to processes such as neurotransmission, neurotoxicity, synaptic development, and gene expression. Disruption of Ca
2+
homeostasis occurs in brain aging and in neurodegenerative disorders. Membrane transporters, among them the calmodulin (CaM)-activated plasma membrane Ca
2+
ATPases (PMCAs) that extrude Ca
2+
from the cell, play a key role in neuronal Ca
2+
homeostasis. Using X-exome sequencing we have identified a missense mutation (G1107D) in the CaM-binding domain of isoform 3 of the PMCAs in a family with X-linked congenital cerebellar ataxia. PMCA3 is highly expressed in the cerebellum, particularly in the presynaptic terminals of parallel fibers–Purkinje neurons. To study the effects of the mutation on Ca
2+
extrusion by the pump, model cells (HeLa) were cotransfected with expression plasmids encoding its mutant or wild-type (wt) variants and with the Ca
2+
-sensing probe aequorin. The mutation reduced the ability of the PMCA3 pump to control the cellular homeostasis of Ca
2+
. It significantly slowed the return to baseline of the Ca
2+
transient induced by an inositol-trisphosphate (InsP
3
)-linked plasma membrane agonist. It also compromised the ability of the pump to oppose the influx of Ca
2+
through the plasma membrane capacitative channels.
Rapid self-assembly of brush block copolymers to photonic crystals
Authors: Sveinbjörnsson Benjamin R. , Weitekamp Raymond A. , Miyake Garret M. , Xia Yan , Atwater Harry A. , Grubbs Robert H.
Published: August 2012

The reduced chain entanglement of brush polymers over their linear analogs drastically lowers the energetic barriers to reorganization. In this report, we demonstrate the rapid self-assembly of brush block copolymers to nanostructures with photonic bandgaps spanning the entire visible spectrum, from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR). Linear relationships were observed between the peak wavelengths of reflection and polymer molecular weights. This work enables “bottom-up” fabrication of photonic crystals with application-tailored bandgaps, through synthetic control of the polymer molecular weight and the method of self-assembly. These polymers could be developed into NIR-reflective paints, to combat the “urban heat island effect” due to NIR photon thermalization.
Stock Origin of Migratory Atlantic Sturgeon in Minas Basin, Inner Bay of Fundy, Canada, Determined by Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses
Authors: Wirgin Isaac , Maceda Lorraine , Waldman John R. , Wehrell Sierra , Dadswell Michael , King Tim
Published: August 2012

Five distinct population segments of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus were recently listed (April 2012) as endangered or threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Atlantic sturgeon are anadromous, spawning occurs in rivers from the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, to the Satilla River, Georgia, and subadults and adults undertake extensive coastal migrations. Bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in coastal fisheries may have resulted in the slowed or failed rebuilding of many populations despite the imposition of a U.S. federal moratorium on their harvest in 1998. Canada's Bay of Fundy hosts weir and trawl fisheries which bycatch Atlantic sturgeon of unknown origin. Additionally, tidal power development projects for the Bay of Fundy have been proposed which could detrimentally impact migratory sturgeon. We hypothesized that the Atlantic sturgeon that occur in Minas Basin in the Bay of Fundy are of local Saint John River, New Brunswick, origin with little or no U.S. contribution. We used microsatellite DNA (11 loci) and mitochondrial DNA control region sequence analysis along with previously determined characterizations of nine reference spawning populations to quantify their stock origin. We determined that the summer assemblage of Atlantic sturgeon collected within Minas Basin was of mixed origin, with a greater than 60% contribution from the nearby Saint John River but with a substantial (34–36%) contribution from the Kennebec River, Maine, and a smaller (1–2%) contribution from the Hudson River, New York. There was significant genetic heterogeneity between smaller (<130 cm) and larger individuals (≥130 cm) in Minas Basin; however, the smaller specimens were not exclusively of proximal Saint John River origin. Our results indicate that Atlantic sturgeon of U.S. origin are vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts in the Bay of Fundy, particularly those of Kennebec River origin.
Glycemic Response to Extruded Oat Bran Cereals Processed to Vary in Molecular Weight
Authors: Brummer Yolanda , Duss Ruedi , Wolever Thomas M. S. , Tosh Susan M.
Published: August 2012

Oat β‐glucan enriched extruded cereals with molecular weights (MWs) ranging from 2,180,000 to 326,000 were produced. Test meals composed of 31 g of available carbohydrate, 8.3–8.7 grams of β‐glucan, and milk were administered to subjects and their postprandial blood glucose levels monitored for 2 hr. White bread plus milk and a control wheat bran cereal plus milk were administered, and white bread alone served as a reference food for estimation of glycemic index (GI) of the cereals, after adjusting for the effect of adding milk to white bread. Both oat bran and wheat bran cereals significantly reduced peak blood glucose rise (PBGR) and area under the curve (AUC) versus white bread alone or white bread plus milk. There was a significant inverse relationship between AUC and log10[weight average MW] (r2 = 0.96, P = 0.0192). There was a significant inverse relationship between PBGR and log10[viscosity] of in vitro extracts from all cereals, including the wheat control (r2 = 0.96, P = 0.0031). However, no significant differences in glycemic responses among the oat bran cereals were found with pairwise comparisons. All cereals were low GI (<55) and were significantly lower than white bread alone or white bread plus milk. Among the oat bran cereals, palatability was positively correlated with MW (r2 = 0.98, P = 0.0110).
Effects of Allelic Variations in Wx‐1, Glu‐D1, Glu‐B3, and Pinb‐D1 Loci on Flour Characteristics and White Salted Noodle‐Making Quality of Wheat Flour
Authors: Kang Chon‐Sik , Jeung Ji‐Ung , Baik Byung‐Kee , Park Chul Soo
Published: August 2012

Doubled haploid wheat lines developed from a cross between a hard white winter wheat variety of normal starch endosperm and a waxy wheat variety were used to determine the effects of allelic variation in Wx‐1, Glu‐D1, Glu‐B3, and Pinb‐D1 loci on physiochemical properties of flour, noodle dough properties, and textural quality of cooked noodles. Milling yield, damaged starch content, protein content, and SDS sedimentation volume of flour were influenced the most by allelic composition of Pinb‐D1 loci, less by Wx‐1 loci, and least by Glu‐B3. Wheat lines carrying Pinb‐D1b or Glu‐B3h alleles exhibited higher milling yield and damaged starch content of flour than those with Pinb‐D1a and Glu‐B3d alleles. Wheat lines carrying the Pinb‐D1b allele were higher in protein content and SDS sedimentation volume than those carrying Pinb‐D1a. Mixograph water absorption was largely influenced by allelic composition of Wx‐1 loci, whereas mixograph mixing time and mixing tolerance were predominantly determined by allelic composition of Glu‐D1 loci. Amylose content and pasting properties of starch were mainly determined by allelic composition of Wx‐1 loci with little influence by allelic compositions of Glu‐D1, Glu‐B3, and Pinb‐D1 loci. Allelic composition of Wx‐1 loci contributed 53.4% of the variation in optimum water absorption of noodle dough and 26.7% of the variation in thickness of the noodle dough sheet. The variation of 7.8% in optimum water absorption of noodle dough was contributed by the allelic composition of Pinb‐D1 loci. Allelic composition of Wx‐1 loci was responsible for 73.2, 74.4, and 59.6% in the variation of hardness, springiness, and cohesiveness of cooked noodles, respectively. Cohesiveness of cooked noodles was also influenced by the allelic compositions of Glu‐B3 and Pinb‐D1 loci to a smaller extent.
First Report of Bacterial Foot Rot of Rice Caused by a Dickeya zeae in China
Authors: Pu X. M. , Zhou J. N. , Lin B. R. , Shen H. F.
Published: August 2012

A bacterial disease of rice, bacterial foot rot, was found in Guangdong Province, China in September 2011, with an incidence about 10%. The typical symptom was a dark brown decay of the tillers. In the early stages of the disease, a brown sheath rot seemed to spread from the ligulae regions. The lesions quickly extended down to the nodes, culms, and finally to the crowns. Neighboring tillers of the same crown were invaded systemically, causing foot rot symptoms. A soft rot with an unpleasant odor developed in young tissues of infected tillers. In the advanced stage, many tillers decayed, so that entire diseased plants could easily be pulled from the soil. Six diseased samples were collected and bacteria were isolated from the edge of symptomatic tissues, after samples were sterilized in 0.3% NaOCl for 10 min, rinsed in sterile water three times, and placed on nutrient agar (beef extract 3 g, yeast extract 1 g, peptone 5 g, glucose 10 g, agar 16 g, distilled water 1 L, pH 6.8 to 7.0). For identification, a total of 12 representative isolates were selected. All strains were Gram negative, grew at 37°C, were positive for indole production, and utilized malonate, glucose, and sucrose, but not glucopyranoside, trehalose, or palatinose. Biolog identification (Version 4.20.05, Hayward, CA) identified isolate EC1 as Pectobacterium chrysanthemi (SIM 0.827), which has since been transferred to genus Dickeya. PCR was used to amplify the 16S rDNA gene with primers 27f and 1492r, the dnaX gene with primers dnaXf and dnaXr (2), and the gyrB gene with primers gyrBf1 (5′-ATGTCGAATTCTTATGACTCCTC-3′) and gyrB-r1 (5′-TCARATATCRATATTCGCYGCTTTC-3′), which were designed based on published gyrB gene sequences of genus Dickeya. A BLASTn search of all three loci [16S rDNA (JQ284040), dnaX (JQ284041), and gyrB (JQ284042)] revealed that EC1 had 100% sequence identify to Dickeya zeae [16S rDNA (AB713560), dnaX (AB713593), gyrB (AB713635)]. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by injecting 10 rice seedlings with 100 μl of the bacterial suspension (1 × 108 CFU/ml) in the stem base, and an additional 10 rice seedlings were injected with 100 μl of sterile water as negative controls. Inoculations were carried out in a greenhouse at 28 to 32°C and 90% relative humidity. Foot rot symptoms identical to those described above were observed after 7 days on inoculated plants, but not on the negative controls. The bacterium was reisolated from the lesions and had 100% sequence identity for all three loci to EC1. Previously, similar symptoms were reported on rice in Guangdong province of China, and the causal agent was identified as Erwinia chrysanthemi (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. zeae causing foot rot disease on rice in China.

References: (1) Q. G. Liu et al. J. South China Agric. Univ. 18:128, 1997. (2) M. Sławiak et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 125:245, 2009.
Using Soil-Applied Fungicides to Manage Phytophthora Crown and Root Rot on Summer Squash
Authors: Meyer M. D. , Hausbeck M. K.
Published: August 2012

Phytophthora crown and root rot (Phytophthora capsici) of summer squash is especially difficult to manage because all commercial cultivars are highly susceptible to P. capsici. Producers have traditionally relied on foliar fungicide applications to control Phytophthora crown and root rot despite their limited efficacy. Soil fungicide applications, including via subsurface drip chemigation, have recently gained interest as a method of improving control of P. capsici infections. In this study, soil drenches and foliar applications of 11 fungicides were compared for control of Phytophthora crown and root rot of summer squash in replicated field and greenhouse trials. Fungicides were applied at 7-day intervals. Incidence (%) of plant death was assessed from 7 to 42 days post inoculation (dpi) in field trials. Crown rot severity was rated on a scale of 1 (no wilting) to 5 (plant death) from 5 to 21 dpi in greenhouse trials. Results of field and greenhouse trials were similar. Plant death of ‘Cougar’ following inoculation with P. capsici isolate 12889 occurred at all growth stages from first true-leaf to full maturity in field trials. Plant death 42 dpi differed significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) among fungicides and application methods. The fungicide–application method interaction also was significant. Some fungicides were ineffective regardless of application method. In general, soil drenches were more effective than foliar applications at limiting plant death but no treatment completely controlled disease symptoms. Mean plant death 42 dpi was 41% for soil drenches and 92% for foliar sprays. Drenches of fluopicolide, mandipropamid, or dimethomorph limited plant death to ≤10% and prevented yield loss associated with root and crown rot. Foliar applications generally did not reduce plant death compared with the untreated, inoculated control, and were unable to prevent yield loss in field trials. In greenhouse trials, crown rot severity differed significantly (P ≤ 0.0001) among fungicides, application methods, and cultivars when plants were inoculated with P. capsici isolate 12889 or SP98. Crown rot was less severe and disease progress was slower following soil drenches than foliar applications. Some fungicide treatments were more effective on ‘Leopard,’ which was less susceptible to P. capsici than ‘Cougar.’ Soil application methods, including soil drench and drip chemigation, should be evaluated when fungicides are registered for soilborne disease control, because these methods provide better control of Phytophthora crown and root rot than foliar application.
Multifractal Analysis of Hemodynamic Behavior
Authors: Bishop Steven M. , Yarham Sarah I. , Navapurkar Vilas U. , Menon David K. , Ercole Ari
Published: August 2012

Background

Physiologic instability is a common clinical problem in the critically ill. Many natural feedback systems are nonlinear, and seemingly random fluctuations may result from the amplification of external perturbations or even arise de novo as a consequence of their underlying dynamics. Characterization of the underlying nonlinear state may be of clinical importance, providing a technique to monitor complex physiology in real-time, guiding patient care and improving outcomes.

Methods

We employ the wavelet modulus maxima technique to characterize the multifractal properties of heart rate and mean arterial pressure physiology retrospectively for four patients during open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We calculated point-estimates for the dominant Hölder exponent (hm, hm) and multifractal spectrum width-at-half-height for both heart rate and mean arterial pressure signals. We investigated how these parameters changed with the administration of an intravenous vasoconstrictor and examined how this varied with atropine pretreatment.

Results

Hypotensive patients showed lower values of hm, consistent with a more highly fluctuating and complex behavior. Treatment with a vasoconstrictor led to a transient increase in hm, revealing the appearance of longer-range correlations, but did not impact hm. On the other hand, prior treatment with atropine had no effect on hm behavior but did tend to increase hm.

Conclusions

Hypotension leads to a reduction in dominant Hölder exponents for mean arterial pressure, demonstrating an increasing signal complexity consistent with the activation of important homeokinetic processes. Conversely, pharmacological interventions may also alter the underlying dynamics. Pharmacological restoration of homeostasis leads to system decomplexification, suggesting that homeokinetic mechanisms are derecruited as homeostasis is restored.
What is macroecology?
Authors: Keith Sally A. , Webb Tom J. , Böhning-Gaese Katrin , Connolly Sean R. , Dulvy Nicholas K. , Eigenbrod Felix , Jones Kate E. , Price Trevor , Redding David W. , Owens Ian P. F. , Isaac Nick J. B.
Published: August 2012

The symposium ‘What is Macroecology?’ was held in London on 20 June 2012. The event was the inaugural meeting of the Macroecology Special Interest Group of the British Ecological Society and was attended by nearly 100 scientists from 11 countries. The meeting reviewed the recent development of the macroecological agenda. The key themes that emerged were a shift towards more explicit modelling of ecological processes, a growing synthesis across systems and scales, and new opportunities to apply macroecological concepts in other research fields.
Schools of fish and flocks of birds: their shape and internal structure by self-organization
Authors: Hemelrijk Charlotte K. , Hildenbrandt Hanno
Published: August 2012

Models of self-organization have proved useful in revealing what processes may underlie characteristics of swarms. In this study, we review model-based explanations for aspects of the shape and internal structure of groups of fish and of birds travelling undisturbed (without predator threat). Our models attribute specific collective traits to locomotory properties. Fish slow down to avoid collisions and swim at a constant depth, whereas birds fly at low variability of speed and lose altitude during turning. In both the models of fish and birds, the ‘bearing angle’ to the nearest neighbour emerges as a side-effect of the ‘blind angle’ behind individuals and when group size becomes larger, temporary subgroups may increase the complexity of group shape and internal structure. We discuss evidence for model-based predictions and provide a list of new predictions to be tested empirically.
Effects of worker size on the dynamics of fire ant tunnel construction
Authors: Gravish Nick , Garcia Mateo , Mazouchova Nicole , Levy Laura , Umbanhowar Paul B. , Goodisman Michael A. D. , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: August 2012

Social insects work together to complete tasks. However, different individuals within a colony may vary in task proficiency. We investigated if fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) worker body size influenced the ability to construct tunnels—a key component of subterranean nests. We monitored excavation by worker groups in a substrate of small wetted glass particles in quasi-two-dimensional arenas. Morphological and network features of the tunnel system were measured. Total tunnel area did not differ significantly between groups of large and small workers, although the tunnel area of control sized workers was significantly larger than that of large workers. Moreover, large workers created wider but shorter tunnels, with slower growth rate of tunnel number. However, edge–vertex scaling and degree distribution of the tunnel network were similar across all treatments. In all cases, the amount of excavated material was correlated with the number of active workers. Our study reveals that morphological features of excavated tunnels show modest variation when constructed by workers of varying sizes, but topological features associated with the tunnel network are conserved. These results suggest that important behavioural aspects of tunnel construction—and thus nest building—are similar among morphologically distinct members of fire ant societies.
Triply resonant penetrative convection
Authors: Straughan B.
Published: August 2012

A thermal convection model is considered that consists of a layer of viscous incompressible fluid contained between two horizontal planes. Gravity is acting vertically downward, and the fluid has a density maximum in the active temperature range. A heat source/sink that varies with vertical height is imposed. It is shown that in this situation there are three possible (different) sub-layers that may induce convective overturning instability. The possibility of resonance between the motion in these layers is investigated. A region is discovered where a very sharp increase in Rayleigh number is observed. In addition to a linearized instability analysis, two global (unconditional) nonlinear stability thresholds are derived.
The dilemma of controlling cultural eutrophication of lakes
Authors: Schindler David W.
Published: August 2012

The management of eutrophication has been impeded by reliance on short-term experimental additions of nutrients to bottles and mesocosms. These measures of proximate nutrient limitation fail to account for the gradual changes in biogeochemical nutrient cycles and nutrient fluxes from sediments, and succession of communities that are important components of whole-ecosystem responses. Erroneous assumptions about ecosystem processes and lack of accounting for hysteresis during lake recovery have further confused management of eutrophication. I conclude that long-term, whole-ecosystem experiments and case histories of lake recovery provide the only reliable evidence for policies to reduce eutrophication. The only method that has had proven success in reducing the eutrophication of lakes is reducing input of phosphorus. There are no case histories or long-term ecosystem-scale experiments to support recent claims that to reduce eutrophication of lakes, nitrogen must be controlled instead of or in addition to phosphorus. Before expensive policies to reduce nitrogen input are implemented, they require ecosystem-scale verification. The recent claim that the ‘phosphorus paradigm’ for recovering lakes from eutrophication has been ‘eroded’ has no basis. Instead, the case for phosphorus control has been strengthened by numerous case histories and large-scale experiments spanning several decades.
Restructuring BOD : COD Ratio of Dairy Milk Industrial Wastewaters in BOD Analysis by Formulating a Specific Microbial Seed
Authors: Dhall Purnima , Siddiqi T. O. , Ahmad Altaf , Kumar Rita , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2012

BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand) is the pollution index of any water sample. One of the main factors influencing the estimation of BOD is the nature of microorganisms used as seeding material. In order to meet the variation in wastewater characteristics, one has to be specific in choosing the biological component that is the seeding material. The present study deals with the estimation of BOD of dairy wastewater using a specific microbial consortium and compares of the results with seeding material (BODSEED). Bacterial strains were isolated from 5 different sources and were screened by the conventional BOD method. The selected microbial seed comprises ofEnterobactersp.,Pseudomonassp. BOD : COD (Chemical oxygen demand) ratio using the formulated seed comes in the range of 0.7-0.8 whereas that using BODSEED comes in the ratio of 0.5-0.6. The ultimate BOD (UBOD) was also performed by exceeding the 3-day dilution BOD test. After 90 days, it has been observed that the ratio of BOD : COD increased in case of selected consortium 7 up to 0.91 in comparison to 0.74 by BODSEED. The results were analyzed statistically byt-test and it was observed that selected consortium was more significant than the BODSEED.
Colistin Resistance inEscherichia coliandSalmonella entericaStrains Isolated from Swine in Brazil
Authors: Morales Adriano Savoia , Fragoso de Araújo Juliana , de Moura Gomes Vasco Túlio , Reis Costa Adrienny Trindade , Prazeres Rodrigues Dália dos , Porfida Ferreira Thais Sebastiana , de Lima Filsner Pedro Henrique Nogueira , Felizardo Maria Roberta , Micke Moreno Andrea
Published: August 2012

Reports about acquired resistance to colistin in different bacteria species are increasing, includingE. coliof animal origin, but reports of resistance in wildS. entericaof different serotypes from swine are not found in the literature. Results obtained with one hundred and twenty-sixE. colistrains from diseased swine and one hundred and twenty-fourS. entericastrains from diseased and carrier swine showed a frequency of 6.3% and 21% of colistin-resistant strains, respectively. When comparing the disk diffusion test with the agar dilution test to evaluate the strains, it was confirmed that the disk diffusion test is not recommended to evaluate colistin resistance as described previously. The colistin MIC 90 and MIC 50 values obtained toE. coliwere 0.25 μg/mL and 0.5 μg/mL, the MIC 90 and MIC 50 toS. entericawere 1 μg/mL and 8 μg/mL. Considering the importance of colistin in control of nosocomial human infections with Gram-negative multiresistant bacteria, and the large use of this drug in animal production, the colistin resistance prevalence in enterobacteriaceae of animal origin must be monitored more closely.
MATN3 Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Osteoarthritis in Chinese Han Population: A Community-Based Case-Control Study
Authors: Gu Jiaao , Rong Jiesheng , Guan Fulin , Jiang Liying , Tao Shuqing , Guan Guofa , Tao Tianzun
Published: August 2012

Background. The matrilin, especially matrilin-3 (MATN3), are reported to play important roles in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA). To explore the relationship between MATN3 SNP6 (rs8176070) and primary OA, we conducted a community-based case-control study.Methods. A total of 732 community residents aged 40–84 years participated in the community-based study in Northeast China. After taking physical and radiographic examinations, 420 of the residents were diagnosed OA (216 women and 204 men). The other 312 individuals without any symptoms of osteoarthritis or signs in the radiographs (156 women and 156 men) were considered as healthy controls. After obtaining the DNA of case and control groups, genotypes of the MATN3 SNP6 were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction enzyme digestion. The numbers of patients with different OA subtypes were also calculated.Results. The distribution of genotypes and alleles of the MATN3 SNP6 between OA patients and controls was different significantly. The BB carrier tends to be associated with the increased osteoarthritis (P= 0.025, OR = 1.724, 95% CI = 1.071–2.77), especially the knee osteoarthritis (P= 0.021, OR = 2.402, 95% CI = 1.141–5.060) and lumber osteoarthritis (P= 0.020, OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 1.103–3.204). Bb carrier increased hand osteoarthritis risk (P= 0.002, OR = 5.380, 95% CI = 1.828–15.835). The B allele might have an effect on the increased knee osteoarthritis (P= 0.000, OR = 3.143, 95% CI = 2.283–4.328).Conclusion. These findings suggest that the MATN3 gene polymorphism might be associated with osteoarthritis in the Chinese Han population.
Characterization of the Fungal Gibberellin Desaturase as a 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase and Its Utilization for Enhancing Plant Growth
Authors: Bhattacharya Anjanabha , Kourmpetli Sofia , Ward Dennis A. , Thomas Stephen G. , Gong Fan , Powers Stephen J. , Carrera Esther , Taylor Benjamin , de Caceres Gonzalez Francisco Nuñez , Tudzynski Bettina , Phillips Andrew L. , Davey Michael R. , Hedden Peter
Published: August 2012

The biosynthesis of gibberellic acid (GA3) by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi is catalyzed by seven enzymes encoded in a gene cluster. While four of these enzymes are characterized as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, the nature of a fifth oxidase, GA4 desaturase (DES), is unknown. DES converts GA4 to GA7 by the formation of a carbon-1,2 double bond in the penultimate step of the pathway. Here, we show by expression of the des complementary DNA in Escherichia coli that DES has the characteristics of a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. Although it has low amino acid sequence homology with known 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, putative iron- and 2-oxoglutarate-binding residues, typical of such enzymes, are apparent in its primary sequence. A survey of sequence databases revealed that homologs of DES are widespread in the ascomycetes, although in most cases the homologs must participate in non-gibberellin (GA) pathways. Expression of des from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter in the plant species Solanum nigrum, Solanum dulcamara, and Nicotiana sylvestris resulted in substantial growth stimulation, with a 3-fold increase in height in S. dulcamara compared with controls. In S. nigrum, the height increase was accompanied by a 20-fold higher concentration of GA3 in the growing shoots than in controls, although GA1 content was reduced. Expression of des was also shown to partially restore growth in plants dwarfed by ectopic expression of a GA 2-oxidase (GA-deactivating) gene, consistent with GA3 being protected from 2-oxidation. Thus, des has the potential to enable substantial growth increases, with practical implications, for example, in biomass production.
Consumer preferences for wine applying best‐worst scaling: a Spanish case study
Authors: Bernabéu Rodolfo , Díaz Mónica , Olivas Raquel , Olmeda Miguel
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to identify the most important attributes that the consumer uses in the process of choosing wine, which can then be used by wine‐producing companies in marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consisted of a survey of 421 wine consumers using the best‐worst scaling methodology. Various consumer segmentations were made by gender, income and age groups.

Findings

The two main attributes that condition consumers in choosing wine are previous tasting and region of origin. The latter attribute is valued mainly by women and in general by consumers over 34 years old who have a net monthly family income above €1,500. The previously tasted attribute, which on many occasions is associated with the price attribute, is valued basically by men and particularly by younger consumers and those with lower incomes.

Practical implications

It must be pointed out that in the short term the basic strategy of wine‐producing enterprises from any given region of origin is to compete on price. However, in the long term increasing their prestige is all that remains to compete actively with the various regions of origin.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a greater knowledge of Spanish consumer habits by analysing the most important wine attributes in the process of purchasing wine.
Colour kinetics and storage characteristics of carrot, pulse and rice by‐product based extrudates
Authors: Kumar Navneet , Sarkar B.C. , Sharma H.K. , Jha Sunil Kumar
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The utilisation of food waste/by‐products helps to increase produce recovery and enhances nutrition in low‐cost food without any appreciable increase in product cost. The storage behaviour of the product must be studied before commercialisation of the product. This paper aims to focus on this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Extrudates (25 g) prepared under optimised conditions of proportion (rice flour, pulse powder and carrot pomace), moisture content, screw speed and die temperature, were sealed using a polythene sealing machine in LDPE bags and aluminium laminated LDPE bags. The bags were then stored for six months in an incubator at temperature of 38±2°C to evaluate the stability of the product. The extrudates were analysed for change in colour, hardness, moisture content and sensory characteristics.

Findings

Zero‐ and first‐order models were fitted for prediction purposes. The minimum overall change in color ΔE value, minimum increase in moisture content and minimum increase in hardness was observed in aluminium laminated LDPE bags. The zero order model better predicted the variation of L*, b*, ΔE, moisture content and hardness during storage, whereas first order model was better fitted for the a* value.

Originality/value

The carrot pomace has the potential to be used as a food ingredient that enhances the nutritional attributes of products along with a reduction in cost. Extruded products were successfully developed in the laboratory using carrot pomace as one of the ingredients. This study evaluates the kinetic changes during the storage of carrot pomace based extruded snacks.
Coeliac disease: eating habits and quality of life
Authors: Mayer Chaves Araújo Halina , Coelho Araújo Wilma Maria
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Treatment of coeliac disease (CD) is essentially dietary and requires permanent changes in dietary habits. Gluten‐free diet compliance affects every aspect of an individual's quality of life. This paper aims to analyse the difficulties associated with the food practices tried and reported by CD patients and their health and quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire with open, closed and multiple choice questions adapted from an already validated instrument was administered to a sample of 105 CD patients. The inclusion criteria were patients diagnosed with CD living in Distrito Federal (DF) who agreed to participate in the study.

Findings

The greatest concerns of CD patients were eating out (44.23 per cent), having to read food labels (50.00 per cent), believing that foods are not safe (52.88 per cent) and not having dietary alternatives (56.44 per cent). Some (39.42 per cent) patients have no difficulty following the diet, 42.3 per cent have some difficulty and 18.27 per cent find it very difficult to follow the diet.

Originality/value

This study discloses some of the social difficulties faced by CD patients, such as eating with relatives and friends, and discusses the impact of these challenges on their quality of life. The data show that information can help CD patients to maintain their quality of life.
A new approach for managing university‐workplace partnerships
Authors: Ylikoski Teemu , Kortelainen Mika J.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

University‐workplace partnerships are becoming increasingly important as the demands for authentic learning are growing. Partnership management ensures availability of authentic learning environments, joint‐learning tasks, and knowledge‐producing commissions for the students. Universities, however, can have difficulties in managing these crucial partnerships. This paper's purpose is to investigate the problems and to suggest a solution.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on a case study of Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland.

Findings

In the case study, the program is run by business students, who as a part of their education, learn important skills in managing “customers” and projects. This results in improved learning for the students as they not only gain first hand experience in customer relationship management, but also deeper partnerships as the relationships evolve over time. Partnerships are centrally managed and available to all participants. This program is non‐exclusive: it does not assume or require participation from the educators. If an educator wishes to keep his/her own workplace contacts private, this is possible.

Research limitations/implications

The results stem from a case study. Even though good results are reported in the case, every organization is different and using a similar approach is not guaranteed to work.

Practical implications

The paper suggests a way for universities to deepen partnerships, overcoming typical hurdles.

Originality/value

The non‐exclusive approach to partnership management described in the paper is original and will benefit universities in their quest for improving partnerships. The authors believe that the use of students as the task force of the program to this extent is a novel idea and benefits the local workplaces (new knowledge) as well as students (authentic learning).
Driver training in Algeria: areas for improvement
Authors: Bencherif Houria , Boubakour Farès , Mehieddine Kassouri Sabry
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to present a picture of the training and assessment of drivers in Algeria, to identify the key weaknesses that characterize it, and to propose improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted was to question driving instructors, driving examiners and drivers themselves on the operation of driving schools, training programmes and the teaching methods used. The research was conducted from January 2008 to December 2009. The sample consists of 960 individuals, distributed as follows: 240 driving schools, 672 drivers and 48 examiners. The work then involved direct observation of training and assessment to ascertain the actual conditions under which these operate.

Findings

Results shows the adverse conditions in which training takes place on one hand and field practices in contrast with the principles of safety and quality on the other. Quality training requires an improvement of those conditions and practices.

Originality/value

This study is a first qualitative approach to specific driver training in Algeria. The results should produce a statement on the situation and provide recommendations to improve training and evaluation.
Antecedents of knowledge competency and performance in born globals
Authors: Park Taekyung , Rhee Jaehoon
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the antecedents of knowledge competency and international performance in South Korean born globals, with particular focus on the moderating effects of the absorptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on previous studies, the study constructs and tests a research model using structural equation modeling and multiple regression analysis for data collected from 271 early internationalizing SMEs. To secure results of hypothesis testing, non‐response bias was assessed using a t‐test, and tests for data screening and common method bias were conducted.

Findings

The results indicate that, for early internationalizing small firms, the prior international business experience of managers and networks affect building knowledge competencies. In the relationship between the use of networks and knowledge competencies, in particular, absorptive capacity is found to play a moderating role. It also finds that international business performance is driven by knowledge competencies the small firms accumulate. The findings imply that firms shortly after inception should raise their ability to acquire and utilize external resources and knowledge to secure international performance.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to the body of literature on rapid internationalization of small firms by examining the moderating effects of absorptive capacity on the relationship between founding teams' prior international business experience and firms' networks and knowledge competencies. The present study thus helps move forward our understanding on drivers of knowledge competency building and performance of the early internationalizing firm.
Does the firm's market orientation behaviour influence innovation's success?
Authors: Vega‐Vázquez Manuela , Cossío‐Silva Francisco J. , Martín‐Ruíz David
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between a firm's market orientation, product innovation success and market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the empirical research is obtained from a sample of innovative industrial enterprises based in Andalusia (Southern Spain), all of which were required to have introduced a new product in the preceding three years and to have more than 20 employees. Data collection was conducted by means of a postal survey of 294 firms. The respondents were either the director of the marketing department or the general manager. In all, 85 questionnaires were completed correctly by firms and included in the study, a response rate of 28.91 per cent.

Findings

The results support a positive relationship between market orientation and new product success, providing also partial confirmation of the moderating role of “product newness” in the relationship between market orientation and new product performance.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the literature as follows. First, it addresses the previously neglected question of the influence of MO on dimensions other than organisational performance (in the broad sense). The literature has suggested that MO improves the performance of innovations, but few studies have examined the relationship between MO and the characteristics of new products (such as degree of newness and success); nor have they examined the moderating role of degree of product newness. Second, the study provides empirical evidence that the relationship between MO and product innovation is influenced by the degree of product newness for the market (NM).
Government size, public debt and real economic growth: a panel analysis
Authors: DiPeitro William R. , Anoruo Emmanuel
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the size of government and public debt on real economic growth, for a panel of 175 countries around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes the fixed‐effects and random‐effects techniques to estimate the panel regressions.

Findings

The results indicate that both the size of government and the extent of government indebtedness have negative effects on economic growth.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that the authorities ought to take the necessary steps to curtail excessive government spending and public debts, in order to promote economic growth.

Originality/value

The contribution of the paper is its application of the fixed‐ and random‐effects techniques in modeling the relation of real economic growth to the size of government and public debt, for a panel of 175 countries around the world.
Conceptualisation of the consultancy pricing paradox
Authors: Owusu‐Manu De‐Graft , Badu Edward , Edwards David J. , Adesi Michael , Holt Gary D.
Published: August 2012

Purpose

Despite widespread demand for consultants and especially within the surveying profession, driving forces of service/pricing/quality are not fully understood and have received minimal research attention. The purpose of this paper is to review contemporary knowledge in this field, highlightingen routethe dilemmas of the consultancy pricing paradox.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodology is of axiological, philosophical tradition – induction and inference, generalized concepts and theories. A critique of extant literature underpins a theoretical pricing problem framework, a future research agenda, and a model of the pricing paradox.

Findings

The study elucidates paradoxical aspects regarding value perceptions, objectives, strategies, cost recovery, competition and systematic processes. It conceptually models the dilemma of service pricing and suggests a research agenda based on process and value, nature of service, competence and branding.

Research limitations/implications

The formalisation of the paradox and development of the conceptual model opens opportunities for a new research agenda in the future, which is highlighted as part of the study.

Practical implications

Advancement of theory will impact pricing paradigms.

Originality/value

The paper presents a novel conceptualisation of the subject.
Predictors of self‐directed learning for low‐qualified employees: a multi‐level analysis
Authors: Raemdonck Isabel , van der Leeden Rien , Valcke Martin , Segers Mien , Thijssen Jo
Published: August 2012

Purpose

This study aims to examine which variables at the level of the individual employee and at the company level are predictors of self‐directed learning in low‐qualified employees.

Methodology

Results were obtained from a sample of 408 low‐qualified employees from 35 different companies. The companies were selected from the energy sector, the chemical industry and the food industry. Multilevel analysis was applied to examine which variables are significant predictors of perceived self‐directed learning.

Findings

At the company level, the economic sector in which the employee is employed in particular played a striking role in the prediction of self‐directedness, as did presence of a participatory staff policy. At the level of the individual employee, a proactive personality (a disposition to take personal initiative in a broad range of activities and situations), striving for knowledge work, past learning initiative, task variety and the growth potential of the job were significant predictors of self‐directed learning.

Originality/value

Research on the predictors of self‐directed learning has primarily focused on correlational studies examining the relation between individual variables and level of self‐directedness. There is little research available that systematically traces the extent to which individual as well as company factors play a role in level of self‐directed learning. Nor is it clear which category of variables should be considered as the most critical. In addition, earlier research on this subject has mainly focused on a higher‐qualified group of workers (employees with at least a diploma of secondary education). Factors that are predictors of self‐directed learning and their relative weight might differ for certain groups of employees. This issue has hardly been addressed up to now.