bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hidden Host Plant Associations of Soilborne Fungal Pathogens: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Malcolm Glenna M. , Kuldau Gretchen A. , Gugino Beth K. , Jiménez-Gasco María del Mar
Published: January 2013

Much of the current knowledge on population biology and ecology of soilborne fungal pathogens has been derived from research based on populations recovered from plants displaying disease symptoms or soil associated with symptomatic plants. Many soilborne fungal pathogens are known to cause disease on a large number of crop plants, including a variety of important agronomical, horticultural, ornamental, and forest plants species. For instance, the fungus Verticillium dahliae causes disease on >400 host plants. From a phytopathological perspective, plants on which disease symptoms have not been yet observed are considered to be nonhosts for V. dahliae. This term may be misleading because it does not provide information regarding the nature of the plant–fungus association; that is, a nonhost plant may harbor the fungus as an endophyte. Yet, there are numerous instances in the literature where V. dahliae has been isolated from asymptomatic plants; thus, these plants should be considered hosts. In this article, we synthesize scattered research that indicates that V. dahliae, aside from being a successful and significant vascular plant pathogen, may have a cryptic biology on numerous asymptomatic plants as an endophyte. Thus, we suggest here that these endophytic associations among V. dahliae and asymptomatic plants are not unusual relationships in nature. We propose to embrace the broader ecology of many fungi by differentiating between “symptomatic hosts” as those plants in which the infection and colonization by a fungus results in disease, and “asymptomatic hosts” as those plants that harbor the fungus endophytically and are different than true nonhosts that should be used for plant species that do not interact with the given fungus. In fact, if we broaden our definition of “host plant” to include asymptomatic plants that harbor the fungus as an endophyte, it is likely that the host ranges for some soilborne fungal pathogens are much larger than previously envisioned. By ignoring the potential for soilborne fungal pathogens to display endophytic relationships, we leave gaps in our knowledge about the population biology and ecology, persistence, and spread of these fungi in agroecosystems.
Human cytochromes P450 in health and disease
Authors: Nebert Daniel W. , Wikvall Kjell , Miller Walter L.
Published: January 2013

There are 18 mammalian cytochrome P450 (CYP) families, which encode 57 genes in the human genome.CYP2,CYP3andCYP4families contain far more genes than the other 15 families; these three families are also the ones that are dramatically larger in rodent genomes. Most (if not all) genes in theCYP1,CYP2,CYP3andCYP4families encode enzymes involved in eicosanoid metabolism and are inducible by various environmental stimuli (i.e. diet, chemical inducers, drugs, pheromones, etc.), whereas the other 14 gene families often have only a single member, and are rarely if ever inducible or redundant. Although theCYP2andCYP3families can be regarded as largely redundant and promiscuous, mutations or other defects in one or more genes of the remaining 16 gene families are primarily the ones responsible for P450-specific diseases—confirming these genes are not superfluous or promiscuous but rather are more directly involved in critical life functions. P450-mediated diseases comprise those caused by: aberrant steroidogenesis; defects in fatty acid, cholesterol and bile acid pathways; vitamin D dysregulation and retinoid (as well as putative eicosanoid) dysregulation during fertilization, implantation, embryogenesis, foetogenesis and neonatal development.
The cytochrome P450 genesis locus: the origin and evolution of animal cytochrome P450s
Authors: Nelson David R. , Goldstone Jared V. , Stegeman John J.
Published: January 2013

The neighbourhoods of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes in deuterostome genomes, as well as those of the cnidariansNematostella vectensisandAcropora digitiferaand the placozoanTrichoplax adhaerenswere examined to find clues concerning the evolution ofCYPgenes in animals.CYPgenes created by the 2R whole genome duplications in chordates have been identified. Both microsynteny and macrosynteny were used to identify genes that coexisted nearCYPgenes in the animal ancestor. We show that all 11CYPclans began in a common gene environment. The evidence implies the existence of a single locus, which we term the ‘cytochrome P450 genesis locus’, where one progenitorCYPgene duplicated to create a tandem set of genes that were precursors of the 11 animalCYPclans:CYPClans 2, 3, 4, 7, 19, 20, 26, 46, 51, 74 and mitochondrial. These earlyCYPgenes existed side by side before the origin of cnidarians, possibly with a few additional genes interspersed. The Hox gene cluster,WNTgenes, anNKgene cluster and at least oneARFgene were close neighbours to this originalCYPlocus. According to this evolutionary scenario, theCYP74clan originated from animals and not from land plants nor from a common ancestor of plants and animals. TheCYP7andCYP19families that are chordate-specific belong toCYPclans that seem to have originated in theCYPgenesis locus as well, even though this requires many gene losses to explain their current distribution. The approach to uncovering theCYPgenesis locus overcomes confounding effects because of gene conversion, sequence divergence, gene birth and death, and opens the way to understanding the biodiversity ofCYPgenes, families and subfamilies, which in animals has been obscured by more than 600 Myr of evolution.
Vertebrate attenuated West Nile virus mutants have differing effects on vector competence in Culex tarsalis mosquitoes
Authors: Van Slyke Greta A. , Jia Yongqing , Whiteman Melissa C. , Wicker Jason A. , Barrett Alan D. T. , Kramer Laura D.
Published: January 2013

Previous mutational analyses of naturally occurring West Nile virus (WNV) strains and engineered mutant WNV strains have identified locations in the viral genome that can have profound phenotypic effect on viral infectivity, temperature sensitivity and neuroinvasiveness. We chose six mutant WNV strains to evaluate for vector competence in the natural WNV vector Culex tarsalis, two of which contain multiple ablations of glycosylation sites in the envelope and NS1 proteins; three of which contain mutations in the NS4B protein and an attenuated natural bird isolate (Bird 1153) harbouring an NS4B mutation. Despite vertebrate attenuation, all NS4B mutant viruses displayed enhanced vector competence by Cx. tarsalis. Non-glycosylated mutant viruses displayed decreased vector competence in Cx. tarsalis mosquitoes, particularly when all three NS1 glycosylation sites were abolished. These results indicate the importance of both the NS4B protein and NS1 glycosylation in the transmission of WNV by a significant mosquito vector.
Alternative lengthening of telomeres in normal mammalian somatic cells
Authors: Neumann Axel A. , Watson Catherine M. , Noble Jane R. , Pickett Hilda A. , Tam Patrick P.L. , Reddel Roger R.
Published: January 2013

Some cancers use alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a mechanism whereby new telomeric DNA is synthesized from a DNA template. To determine whether normal mammalian tissues have ALT activity, we generated a mouse strain containing a DNA tag in a single telomere. We found that the tagged telomere was copied by other telomeres in somatic tissues but not the germline. The tagged telomere was also copied by other telomeres when introgressed into CAST/EiJ mice, which have telomeres more similar in length to those of humans. We conclude that ALT activity occurs in normal mouse somatic tissues.
Structure-based whole-genome realignment reveals many novel noncoding RNAs
Authors: Will Sebastian , Yu Michael , Berger Bonnie
Published: January 2013

Recent genome-wide computational screens that search for conservation of RNA secondary structure in whole-genome alignments (WGAs) have predicted thousands of structural noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The sensitivity of such approaches, however, is limited, due to their reliance on sequence-based whole-genome aligners, which regularly misalign structural ncRNAs. This suggests that many more structural ncRNAs may remain undetected. Structure-based alignment, which could increase the sensitivity, has been prohibitive for genome-wide screens due to its extreme computational costs. Breaking this barrier, we present the pipeline REAPR (RE-Alignment for Prediction of structural ncRNA), which efficiently realigns whole genomes based on RNA sequenceandstructure, thus allowing us to boost the performance of de novo ncRNA predictors, such as RNAz. Key to the pipeline's efficiency is the development of a novel banding technique for multiple RNA alignment. REAPR significantly outperforms the widely used predictors RNAz and EvoFold in genome-wide screens; in direct comparison to the most recent RNAz screen onD. melanogaster, REAPR predicts twice as many high-confidence ncRNA candidates. Moreover, modENCODE RNA-seq experiments confirm a substantial number of its predictions as transcripts. REAPR's advancement of de novo structural characterization of ncRNAs complements the identification of transcripts from rapidly accumulating RNA-seq data.
Lessons on RNA Silencing Mechanisms in Plants from Eukaryotic Argonaute Structures
Authors: Poulsen Christian , Vaucheret Hervé , Brodersen Peter
Published: January 2013

RNA silencing refers to a collection of gene regulatory mechanisms that use small RNAs for sequence specific repression. These mechanisms rely on ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins that directly bind small RNAs and thereby constitute the central component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). AGO protein function has been probed extensively by mutational analyses, particularly in plants where large allelic series of several AGO proteins have been isolated. Structures of entire human and yeast AGO proteins have only very recently been obtained, and they allow more precise analyses of functional consequences of mutations obtained by forward genetics. To a large extent, these analyses support current models of regions of particular functional importance of AGO proteins. Interestingly, they also identify previously unrecognized parts of AGO proteins with profound structural and functional importance and provide the first hints at structural elements that have important functions specific to individual AGO family members. A particularly important outcome of the analysis concerns the evidence for existence of Gly-Trp (GW) repeat interactors of AGO proteins acting in the plant microRNA pathway. The parallel analysis of AGO structures and plant AGO mutations also suggests that such interactions with GW proteins may be a determinant of whether an endonucleolytically competent RISC is formed.
4-Methyl-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine
Authors: Sreenivasa S. , ManojKumar K. E. , Srinivasan T. , Suchetan P. A. , Palakshamurthy B. S. , Velumurgan D.
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C10H16N4, crystalizes with two molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit in which the dihedral angles between the piperidine and pyrimidine rings are 47.5 (1) and 10.3 (1)°. The four C atoms of the pyrimidine ring in one of the molecules are disordered over two sets of sites with occupancy factors 0.508 (11):0.492 (11). In the crystal, theAmolecules are linked to one another through N—H...N hydrogen bonds, generatingR22(8) ring patterns and forming inversion dimers. These dimers are further connected on either side to aBmolecule through pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, resulting in a tetrameric unit.
Di-μ-thiosemicarbazide-κ4S:S-bis[chloridobis(triphenylphosphane-κP)silver(I)]
Authors: Wattanakanjana Yupa , Pakawatchai Chaveng , Nimthong Ruthairat
Published: January 2013

The dinuclear title complex, [Ag2Cl2(CH5N3S)2(C18H15P)2], lies across an inversion center. The AgIion exhibits a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry formed by a P atom from a triphenylphosphane ligand, two metal-bridging S atoms from thiosemicabazide ligands and one chloride ion. The S atoms bridge two symmetry-related AgIions, forming a strictly planar Ag2S2core with an Ag...Ag separation of 2.7802 (7) Å. There is an intramolecular N—H...Cl hydrogen bond. In the crystal, N—H...Cl and N—H...S hydrogen bonds link complex molecules, forming layers parallel to (001). These layers are connected through π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.665 (2) Å], leading to the formation of a three-dimensional network.
Bis(2,2′,2′′-nitrilotriacetamide-κ3O,N,O′)nickel(II) dinitrate tetrahydrate
Authors: Deng Xiao-Hui , Nie Qi-Jun , Zhu Feng-Juan
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, [Ni(C6H12N4O3)2](NO3)2·4H2O, the NiIIcation is located on an inversion center and isN,O,O′-chelated by two nitrilotris(acetamide) molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. The complex cations, nitrate anions and lattice water molecules are connected by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
Penikisite, BaMg2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3, isostructural with bjarebyite
Authors: Bowman Michael G. , Downs Robert T. , Yang Hexiong
Published: January 2013

The bjarebyite group of minerals, characterized by the general formula BaX2Y2(PO4)3(OH)3, withX= Mg, Fe2+or Mn2+, andY= Al or Fe3+, includes five members: bjarebyite BaMn2+2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3, johntomaite BaFe2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3, kulanite BaFe2+2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3, penikisite BaMg2Al2(PO4)3(OH)3, and perloffite BaMn2+2Fe3+2(PO4)3(OH)3. Thus far, the crystal structures of all minerals in the group, but penikisite, have been determined. The present study reports the first structure determination of penikisite (barium dimagnesium dialuminium triphosphate trihydroxide) using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of a crystal from the type locality, Mayo Mining District, Yukon Territory, Canada. Penikisite is isotypic with other members of the bjarebyite group with space groupP21/m, rather than triclinic (P1 orP-1), as previously suggested. Its structure consists of edge-shared [AlO3(OH)3] octahedral dimers linkingviacorners to form chains along [010]. These chains are decorated with PO4tetrahedra (one of which has site symmetrym) and connected along [100]viaedge-shared [MgO5(OH)] octahedral dimers and eleven-coordinated Ba2+ions (site symmetrym), forming a complex three-dimensional network. O—H...O hydrogen bonding provides additional linkage between chains. Microprobe analysis of the crystal used for data collection indicated that Mn substitutes for Mg at the 1.5% (apfu) level.
(6-Methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl morpholine-4-carbodithioate
Authors: Devarajegowda H. C. , Kumar K. Mahesh , Seenivasa S. , Arunkashi H. K. , Kotresh O.
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C16H17NO4S2, the 2H-chromene ring system is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.070 (1) Å, and the morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation; the bond-angle sum for its N atom is 357.9°. The dihedral angle between the the 2H-chromene ring and the best plane through the morpholine ring is 89.09 (6)°. An intramolecular C—H...S hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds generateR22(8) rings and π–π interactions occur between fused benzene rings of the chromene system [shortest centroid–centroid distance = 3.5487 (8) Å].
2,2′-Dihydroxy-N,N′-(ethane-1,2-diyl)dibenzamide
Authors: Costa Daniel Pereira da , Nobre Sabrina Madruga , Lisboa Bruna Gonçalves , Vicenti Juliano Rosa de Menezes , Back Davi Fernando
Published: January 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C16H16N2O4, contains one half-molecule, the whole molecule being generated by an inversion center located at the mid-point of the C—C bond of the central ethane group. An intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond forms anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are connectedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating infinite chains along [1-10].
cis-Bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)bis(pyridin-4-amine-κN1)ruthenium(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate)
Authors: Camilo Mariana R. , Martins Felipe T. , Malta Valéria R. S. , Ellena Javier , Carlos Rose M.
Published: January 2013

In the title complex, [Ru(C12H8N2)2(C5H6N2)2](PF6)2, the RuIIatom is bonded to two α-diimine ligands,viz.1,10-phenanthroline (phen), in acisconfiguration, in addition with with two 4-aminopyridine (4Apy) ligands, resulting in a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. N—H...F hydrogen-bonding interactions play an important role in the crystal assembly: 21-screw-axis-related complex molecules and PF6−counter-ions alternate in helical chains formed along theaaxis by means of these contacts. N—H...π contacts (H...centroid = 3.45 Å) are responsible for cross-linking between the helical chains along [001].
1-Benzoylnaphthalene-2,7-diyl dibenzoate
Authors: Sakamoto Rei , Sasagawa Kosuke , Hijikata Daichi , Okamoto Akiko , Yonezawa Noriyuki
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C31H20O5, the phenyl rings of the benzoyloxy and benzoyl groups are twisted away from the naphthalene ring system by 64.27 (6), 73.62 (5) and 80.41 (6)°. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions link the molecules, forming tubular chains parallel to thebaxis. The chains are further connected into a three-dimensional network by C—H...π interactions and π–π stacking contacts [centroid–centroid distances = 3.622 (10)–3.866 (12) Å].
Ethyl 5-bromonaphtho[2,1-b]furan-2-carboxylate
Authors: Shet Prakash M. , Suchetan P. A. , Mahadevan K. M. , Vaidya V. P. , Velumurgan D. , Palakshamurthy B. S.
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C15H11BrO3, the dihedral angle between the naphthofuran ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.022 Å) and the side chain is 4.50 (2)°. In the crystal, short Br...Br [3.4435 (7) Å] contacts propagating along [010] in a zigzag manner and weak π–π interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.573 (2) Å] directedalong [100] are observed.
(E)-4-Bromo-N-{(E)-3-[(4-bromo-2-methylphenyl)imino]butan-2-ylidene}-2-methylaniline
Authors: Yao Jin-Li , Zhang Xu , Li Hong-Yan , Ye Jian-Qing
Published: January 2013

The title compound, C18H18Br2N2, is centrosymmetric with the mid-point of the central C—C bond of the butyl group located on an inversion center. The terminal benzene ring is approximately perpendicular to the central butyl plane [dihedral angle = 71.9 (8)°]. No hydrogen bonding or aromatic stacking is observed in the crystal.
5-Benzoyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one
Authors: Kant Rajni , Gupta Vivek K. , Kapoor Kamini , Patil D. R. , Deshmukh Madhukar B.
Published: January 2013

In the title molecule, C17H13FN2O2, the 3,4-dihydropyrimidine ring adopts a flattened sofa conformation with the flap atom (which bears the fluorophenyl substituent) deviating from the plane defined by the remaining five ring atoms by 0.281 (2) Å. This plane forms dihedral angles of 85.98 (6) and 60.63 (6)° with the 4-fluorophenyl and benzoyl-phenyl rings, respectively. The dihedral angle between the 4-fluorophenyl group and the benzene ring is 71.78 (6)°. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link molecules into inversion dimers that are further connected by another N—H...O interaction into a two-dimensional supramolecular structure parallel to (101).
2-(Naphthalene-2-sulfonamido)-3-phenylpropanoic acid
Authors: Mubashar-ur-Rehman Hafiz , Arshad Muhammad Nadeem , Asiri Abdullah M. , Khan Islam Ullah , Bilal Muhammad
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C19H17NO4S, the phenyl ring and the naphthalene ring system are oriented at a dihedral angle of 4.12 (2)° and the molecule adopts a U-shaped conformation. The Cc—C—N—S (c = carboxy) torsion angle is 90.98 (15)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in (100) chains incorporating centrosymmetricR22(14) andR22(10) loops. Weak aromatic π–π stacking is also observed [centroid–centroid separations = 3.963 (2) and 3.932 (2) Å].
4-(4-Nitrobenzyl)pyridinium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate
Authors: Smith Graham , Wermuth Urs D.
Published: January 2013

In the title salt, C12H11N2O2+·C7H5O6S−, the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyridine rings in the 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridinium cation is 82.7 (2)°. Within the anion there is an intramolecular hydroxy-O—H...O(carboxylic acid) bond. In the crystal, the cation forms a single N+—H...Osulfonatehydrogen bond with the anion. These cation–anion pairs interact through duplex anion carboxylic acid O—H...Osulfonatehydrogen bonds, giving a centrosymmetric cyclic association [graph setR22(16)]. The crystals studied were non-merohedrally twinned.
4-(Octyloxy)phenyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate
Authors: Palakshamurthy B. S. , Sreenivasa S. , Srinivasa H. T. , Roopashree K. R. , Devarajegowda H. C.
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C24H26O5, the 2H-chromene ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.029 (2) Å from the best-fit mean plane incorporating both rings. The dihedral angle between the 2H-chromene ring system and the benzene ring is 21.00 (1)°. In the crystal, pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds generate anR22(8) ring pattern. These contacts are bolstered by weaker bifurcated C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-5-(4-nitrobenzamido)benzoate
Authors: Naz Syeda Sohaila , Islam Nazar Ul , Tahir M. Nawaz , Shah Muhammad Raza
Published: January 2013

In the title compound, C15H12N2O7, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 4.58 (13)° and the nitro group is rotated from its attached ring by 18.07 (17)°. Intramolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds generateS(5) andS(6) rings, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating [001]C(7) chains. The chains are linked by C—H...O interactions, forming a three-dimensional network, which incorporatesR22(7) andR22(10) loops.
Knowledge, documentation and a London location
Authors: Bawden David
Published: January 2013

Purpose

As documents, and the whole information and communication environment, become increasingly digital, it is natural to assume that physical location becomes of less importance. The aim of this paper is to highlight two newly published books, which remind us that this idea should be examined with a critical eye.

Design/methodology/approach

This editorial takes the form of a literature review and a viewpoint.

Findings

The paper finds books of this kind remind us that a physical place, a locality, has sometimes been a very powerful stimulus to the development of collections, of memory institutions, and of the advances in education and dissemination of knowledge which are associated with them. This is worth remembering as we move into a digital information world.

Originality/value

The paper offers the author's viewpoint as well as highlighting these two books which join a small number which have analysed and celebrated the history of intellectual advances in London.
“Sustainable management” of commercial electronic research resources and of its use in bibliometrics
Authors: Regolini Amanda , Gentilini Emilie , Baligand Marie‐Pascale , Jannès‐Ober Emmanuelle
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the pertinence of Bradford's law applied to a set of electronic periodical collections in a given discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied Bradford's law using citations rather than articles from a theme, thus ensuring the pertinence of the periodicals cited. Concentrating on citations in articles focuses on the stage following research rather than prior stages. The sources are actually used because they have been cited.

Findings

The study demonstrates the data centrality phenomenon based on the leading periodicals in a theme. There was a relationship between the electronic periodical collection and the number of citations in the relevant journals in a theme.

Originality/value

Although today's use of periodical titles is defined first and foremost by readership statistics, a more detailed analysis on the qualitative aspect can be an additional benefit in the negotiations conducted on a macro scale. Using Bradford's law could be envisaged as a complementary tool for a sustainable management of commercial electronic resources.
Embedding innovation for scholarly information and research
Authors: Sparks JoAnne , O'Brien Linda , Richardson Joanna , Wolski Malcolm , Tadic Sanja , Morris Joanne
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on “turning a new page” (TNP), a business improvement initiative undertaken by Scholarly Information & Research (SIR). The aim is to embed innovation and integrate e‐research and library services. SIR is part of the Information Services (INS) division at Griffith University, one of the top research universities in Australia. SIR provides library services, publication support and eResearch services to over 43,000 students and staff at five campuses and online.

Design/methodology/approach

TNP combines methods from best practices around continuous improvement, change management and business planning to achieve better alignment operationally and to prioritise potential improvements to services. The focus is on services required in three to five years for the “new generation” of users who will need them.

Findings

Existing services were unevenly delivered and resources unevenly distributed. A key initial step is restructuring to collocate similar capabilities and redistribute resources, and provides a framework for developing future capacity. The integrated staffing approach nurtures innovation and skills development.

Originality/value

Integrating e‐research services with library services to this extent has not been achieved in an Australian context before. The combination of methods applied and the progress achieved to date illustrates the value of the approach and may be relevant for other research‐intensive universities.
Embedding information literacy in an MA TESOL program
Authors: Soules Aline , Nielsen Sarah , Youn Lee Hee , Al Rifae Kinda
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This case study aims to describe the collaborative process used to embed an information literacy curriculum into the MA Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program at university.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on how this curriculum was conceived, implemented, and has evolved based on new ideas from the MA coordinator, the librarian, the students, and continuing review of the literature of librarianship and TESOL. The coordinator and librarian describe their approach to curriculum development and their analysis of curricular outcomes, and two graduates from the program describe the program's impact from the student perspective.

Findings

The paper finds that the MA TESOL coordinator and the librarian embedded information literacy through structured assignments, reflective essays, and librarian in‐person classroom visits. Ongoing assessment of student survey results and reflective essays provide impetus for ongoing changes to the curriculum. Students' perceptions about and practice of information literacy enrich their program experiences and improve their preparation for further academic work or subsequent TESOL teaching.

Research limitations/implications

More follow up is needed with the three cohorts that have completed the MA program since the development of the embedded information literacy curriculum.

Practical implications

In their own teaching, graduates emphasize information literacy to their students, further increasing the impact of this program.

Social implications

Students develop a closer relationship with the librarian and think differently and more regularly about libraries and information literacy principles.

Originality/value

There is a growing body of library literature on embedded librarianship and language learning students, but none focusing exclusively on the role of information literacy in the preparation of teachers of language learning students.
Beyond eco‐efficiency: understanding CS through the IC practice lens
Authors: Wasiluk Kendra L.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to draw a conceptual bridge between the intellectual capital (IC) and corporate sustainability (CS) literature to investigate how firms mobilise their IC in order to implement sustainable development into their business practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of the Australian property and construction sector was undertaken and the results are discussed.

Findings

The finding offered in this paper is that in order to progress beyond the efficiency phase of CS, firms need to shift from justifying the business case for sustainability, to understanding how to mobilise their IC to progress towards a more ecological sustainable and socially equitable enterprise. Ongoing evolution, with regard to the approach adopted for the management of IC, is also helping to drive organisational change towards more sustainable business models. Each category of IC plays a role with regard to operationalising CS into practice and supporting organisational change. The identified roles include motivating, supporting, implementing and performance.

Research limitations/implications

In relation to the interview data collected it is generally limited to the views of the senior management and as such may not reflect the views of the employees of the organisation.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the conversation of the third stage of IC research, based on the proposition that the performative approach to IC can help move business beyond the eco‐efficiency stage of corporate sustainability and in doing so improves the relevance and usefulness of the IC concept for business organisations.
Robust project portfolio management: capability evolution and maturity
Authors: Killen Catherine P. , Hunt Robert A.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of project portfolio management (PPM) capability evolution, in order to guide the implementation and ongoing development of robust capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a dynamic capabilities perspective and draws on organizational learning theory to investigate the path‐dependent nature of PPM implementation and development. It employs a multiple‐case study of six organizations.

Findings

Each of the case organizations reported a high level of evolution and change within their PPM capabilities, both purposeful and unintended. Potential “fragilities” are identified, such as the emergence of a “success trap” that inhibits explorative innovation and difficulties in stopping poor projects to reallocate resources. Based on findings from the literature and the multiple‐case study, a capability maturity model is proposed to assist in the development of robust PPM capabilities that will continue to evolve and stay relevant in dynamic environments.

Research limitations/implications

The research is based on six organizations and may not be representative of all environments. The proposed maturity model has only been used in initial trials to evaluate capability maturity, and its use in guiding capability development has not been studied. Further research is required to test and evolve the maturity model.

Practical implications

The maturity model will be of interest to managers as a tool to analyze PPM maturity and identify areas for further development or to guide new PPM implementations.

Originality/value

The proposed maturity model extends existing maturity models by incorporating organizational learning capabilities, by recognizing antecedents for maturity stages that build upon other capabilities, and by including steps to recognize and avoid potential “fragilities” and to ensure robust PPM performance over time.
Association between inotrope treatment and 90‐day mortality in patients with septic shock
Authors: WILKMAN E. , KAUKONEN K.‐M. , PETTILÄ V. , KUITUNEN A. , VARPULA M.
Published: January 2013

Background

Administration of inotropes in septic patients with low cardiac output or low central/mixed venous saturation is recommended in current guidelines. However, the impact of inotrope use on the outcome of these patients is controversial. We aimed to analyse the association of inotrope treatment with 90‐day mortality.

Methods

Data from 420 consecutive patients with septic shock were retrospectively collected from the intensive care unit (ICU) data management system. Factors associated with inotrope treatment were assessed. The association of 90‐day mortality with inotrope treatment was first analysed using logistic regression analysis, and second including propensity score based on observed variables for selection to inotrope treatment. A subgroup analysis was performed for the 252 patients with pulmonary artery catheter.

Results

One hundred eighty‐six (44.3%) patients received inotrope treatment during the first 24 h in ICU. Of those, 168 (90.3%) received dobutamine, 29 (15.6%) levosimendan, and 23 (12.4%) epinephrine. Blood lactate (P < 0.001), central venous pressure, (P < 0.001), and norepinephrine dose (P = 0.03) were independently associated with inotrope treatment. Patients with inotrope treatment had a higher 90‐day mortality (42.5% vs. 23.9%, P < 0.001). Age (P < 0.001), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P < 0.001), and inotrope treatment (P = 0.003) were independently associated with 90‐day mortality also after adjustment with propensity score.

Conclusion

The use of inotrope treatment in septic shock was associated with increased 90‐day mortality without and after adjustment with propensity to receive inotrope. To differentiate between non‐observed biases of severity of septic shock and an unfavourable effect of inotropes, prospective studies are needed.
A randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of venlafaxine‐extended release for co‐occurring cannabis dependence and depressive disorders
Authors: Levin Frances R. , Mariani John , Brooks Daniel J. , Pavlicova Martina , Nunes Edward V. , Agosti Vito , Bisaga Adam , Sullivan Maria A. , Carpenter Kenneth M.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To evaluate whether venlafaxine‐extended release (VEN‐XR) is an effective treatment for cannabis dependence with concurrent depressive disorders.

Design

This was a randomized, 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of out‐patients (n = 103) with DSM‐IV cannabis dependence and major depressive disorder or dysthymia. Participants received up to 375 mg VEN‐XR on a fixed‐flexible schedule or placebo. All patients received weekly individual cognitive–behavioral psychotherapy that primarily targeted marijuana use.

Settings

The trial was conducted at two university research centers in the United States.

Participants

One hundred and three cannabis‐dependent adults participated in the trial.

Measurements

The primary outcome measures were (i) abstinence from marijuana defined as at least two consecutive urine‐confirmed abstinent weeks and (ii) improvement in depressive symptoms based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Findings

The proportion of patients achieving a clinically significant mood improvement (50% decrease in Hamilton Depression score from baseline) was high and did not differ between groups receiving VEN‐XR (63%) and placebo (69%) (χ12 = 0.48, P = 0.49). The proportion of patients achieving abstinence was low overall, but was significantly worse on VEN‐XR (11.8%) compared to placebo (36.5%) (χ12 = 7.46, P < 0.01; odds ratio = 4.51, 95% confidence interval: 1.53, 13.3). Mood improvement was associated with reduction in marijuana use in the placebo group (F1,179 = 30.49, P < 0.01), but not the VEN‐XR group (F1,186 = 0.02, P = 0.89).

Conclusions

For depressed, cannabis‐dependent patients, venlafaxine‐extended release does not appear to be effective at reducing depression and may lead to an increase in cannabis use.
Molecular regulation of GABAergic neuron differentiation and diversity in the developing midbrain
Authors: Lahti L. , Achim K. , Partanen J.
Published: January 2013

The midbrain GABAergic neurones control several aspects of behaviour, play important roles in psychiatric disease and are targets of medical treatments as well as drugs of abuse. However, their molecular diversity and regulation of development are only beginning to be understood. In this review, we briefly introduce distinct subpopulations of the midbrain GABAergic neurones and discuss knowledge on their development, including the developmental origins of midbrain GABAergic neurones as well as transcriptional regulatory mechanisms guiding their differentiation and identity. Important GABAergic neuron subpopulations are found within the dopaminergic (DA) nuclei in the ventral midbrain. GABAergic substantia nigra pars reticulata is the main output pathway of the basal ganglia system regulating voluntary movements. Recent studies have also highlighted importance of the GABAergic neurones associated with the ventral tegmental area for the control of DA neuron activity and motivated behaviours. Interestingly, the development of the GABAergic neurones associated with the DA nuclei is very different from the rest of the midbrain. Knowledge on developmental regulation can lead to insights into the molecular, structural and functional diversity of the midbrain GABAergic neurones and their subpopulations, cell groups of great physiological and medical interest.
Silencing of ASXL1 impairs the granulomonocytic lineage potential of human CD34+ progenitor cells
Authors: Davies Carwyn , Yip Bon Ham , Fernandez‐Mercado Marta , Woll Petter S. , Agirre Xabier , Prosper Felipe , Jacobsen Sten E. , Wainscoat James S. , Pellagatti Andrea , Boultwood Jacqueline
Published: January 2013

The ASXL1 gene encodes a chromatin‐binding protein involved in epigenetic regulation in haematopoietic cells. Loss‐of‐function ASXL1 mutations occur in patients with a range of myeloid malignancies and are associated with adverse outcome. We have used lentiviral‐based shRNA technology to investigate the effects of ASXL1 silencing on cell proliferation, apoptosis, myeloid differentiation and global gene expression in human CD34+ cells differentiated along the myeloid lineage in vitro. ASXL1‐deficient cells showed a significant decrease in the generation of CD11b+ and CD15+ cells, implicating impaired granulomonocytic differentiation. Furthermore, colony‐forming assays showed a significant increase in the number of multipotent mixed lineage colony‐forming unit (CFU‐GEMM) colonies and a significant decrease in the numbers of granulocyte‐macrophage CFU (CFU‐GM) and granulocyte CFU (CFU‐G) colonies in ASXL1‐deficient cells. Our data suggests that ASXL1 knockdown perturbs human granulomonocytic differentiation. Gene expression profiling identified many deregulated genes in the ASXL1‐deficient cells differentiated along the granulomonocytic lineage, and pathway analysis showed that the most significantly deregulated pathway was the LXR/RXR activation pathway. ASXL1 may play a key role in recruiting the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) to specific loci, and we found over‐representation of PRC2 targets among the deregulated genes in ASXL1‐deficient cells. These findings shed light on the functional role of ASXL1 in human myeloid differentiation.
Asymmetric Contribution of Isotopically Contrasting Food Sources to Vertebrate Consumers in a Subtropical Semi‐arid Ecosystem
Authors: Herrera Montalvo L. Gerardo , Rodríguez Galindo Malinalli , Ibarra López M. Pilar
Published: January 2013

Habitat heterogeneity is a primary ecological factor that is particularly pronounced in arid ecosystems. The Tehuacán valley is a subtropical semi‐arid ecosystem in which several species of columnar cacti and agave (i.e., CAM plants) constitute the dominant elements accompanied by patches of trees and shrubs (i.e., C3 plants). Vegetation in Tehuacán is isotopically heterogenous because CAM plants have less depleted δ13C values than C3 plants. Fruits and flowers of cactus and agaves offer abundant food to vertebrates, but their leaves might be less attractive to insects than the leaves of C3 plants. Therefore, we use carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to test the hypothesis that C3 and CAM food would contribute asymmetrically to different guilds of birds and bats. We predict that granivorous and frugivorous birds and nectarivorous and frugivorous bats will consume a CAM diet, whereas insectivorous birds and bats will consume a C3 diet. Due to omnivory of bird and bat consumers, we predict that the importance of CAM food will decrease as the trophic level of the animal increases. Our results showed that CAM food predominated in plant‐eating birds and in some flower‐visiting bats, whereas C3 food predominated in insect‐eating bats and birds and frugivorous bats. Habitat heterogeneity in Tehuacán is important for conservation due to the asymmetric role of CAM and C3 food in the nutrition of different feeding guilds of vertebrates. Our study provides basic information to evaluate the potential impact of habitat loss on functional groups of consumers in a semi‐arid ecosystem.
Textile applications of photochromic dyes. Part 5: application of commercial photochromic dyes to polyester fabric by a solvent‐based dyeing method
Authors: Aldib Mohanad , Christie Robert M
Published: January 2013

A series of commercial photochromic dyes was applied to polyester by a solvent dyeing process followed by thermal fixation using dichloromethane as the solvent. The process was optimised in terms of solvent/fabric ratio, dye concentration and the conditions of thermal fixation. The dyed fabrics showed reversible photochromism, developing colour on ultraviolet exposure and fading after removal of the ultraviolet source. The degree of photocoloration, background colours, fading characteristics, fatigue resistance and storage stability of the dyes were evaluated and comparisons made with the outcomes of a traditional aqueous disperse dyeing method. A study of the visible spectra of concentrated solutions of the dyes in a range of solvents provided evidence for the origin of the permanent background colours on the fabric when applied from solvents. Relationships were established between the magnitudes of the visible absorption in solution and the background colours developed, in relation to the nature of the solvents. The results suggest that toluene and ethyl acetate may offer certain advantages as solvents for the application of these dyes.
The Right Kind of Wrong: A “Knowledge in Pieces” Approach to Science Learning in Museums
Authors: Davis Pryce R. , Horn Michael S. , Sherin Bruce L.
Published: January 2013

Research has highlighted the vast gulf that exists between experts' and novices' understandings of science, and how difficult it is to bridge this gulf. When this research is applied to the design of museum exhibits and outreach material, it becomes clear that there is a tension between being scientifically correct and communicating effectively to a broad, diverse audience. In this paper we present a new approach to thinking about science learning in museums. Drawing on decades of research from the learning sciences, we argue that being “wrong” is an inescapable part of learning, and that not all simplifications are problematic. Instead, being “wrong” involves the gradual restructuring of many fine‐grained intuitive or commonsense notions that persist throughout the learning process and play an essential role in scientific expertise. We discuss the implications of adopting this approach for museum design.
The Great Immensity: A Theatrical Approach to Climate Change
Authors: Wasserman Sherri , Young Marion Friedman
Published: January 2013

In 2010, the Civilians—a New York based investigative theater company—received a three‐year grant from the National Science Foundation to develop The Great Immensity, a play addressing the complexity of climate change. The rigorous research that the Civilians puts into each production, the balance of scientific content and public engagement, the inclusion of scientists within the artistic development process, and the effort to engage a varied audience via a multi‐platform media approach, make the project a relevant case study for curators working with public science communication.
Mutualizing Museum Knowledge: Folksonomies and the Changing Shape of Expertise
Authors: Cairns Susan
Published: January 2013

The networking of knowledge in the Internet age is calling into question the relationship between experts and non‐experts in the development, preservation, and communication of knowledge. There is a growing movement towards knowledge co‐creation and “mutualization.” These changes in the roles of expertise will have implications for museums as traditional gatekeepers of knowledge. This paper will explore social tagging as one tactic for broaching the divide between experts and non‐experts in the online museum. Although tagging cannot mutualize museum knowledge itself, it can increase access to online collections, provide insight into users and their frameworks of perception, and begin to turn the online collection catalogue into a living historical document in its own right.
Prognostic impact of immune status and hematopoietic recovery before and after fludarabine, IV busulfan, and antithymocyte globulins (FB2 regimen) reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen (RIC) allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT)
Authors: Le Bourgeois Amandine , Lestang Elsa , Guillaume Thierry , Delaunay Jacques , Ayari Sameh , Blin Nicolas , Clavert Aline , Tessoulin Benoit , Dubruille Viviane , Mahe Beatrice , Roland Virginie , Gastinne Thomas , Le Gouill Steven , Moreau Philippe , Mohty Mohamad , Planche Lucie , Chevallier Patrice
Published: January 2013

This retrospective analysis aimed to assess hematopoietic and immune recovery in a cohort of 53 patients [males: n = 33; median age: 59 yr (range: 22–70)] who received a FB2 (fludarabine 120–150 mg/m² + IV busulfan 6.4 mg/kg + antithymocyte globulin thymoglobulin 5 mg/kg) reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) allo‐stem cells transplantations (SCT). With a median follow‐up of 19 months (range: 2–53), the 2‐yr overall survival, disease‐free survival (DFS), relapse incidence, and non‐relapse mortality were 63%, 59.5%, 35%, and 6%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the factors correlated with a significantly higher 2‐yr OS and DFS were a higher total circulating lymphocytes count at transplant (>730/mm3; OS: 81% vs. 43%, P = 0.02; DFS: 73% vs. 45.5%, P = 0.03) and a higher recovery of leukocytes (>5300/mm3) (2‐yr OS: 81% vs. 44%, P = 0.007; 2‐yr DFS: 72% vs. 46%, P = 0.08), neutrophils (>3200/mm3) (2‐yr OS: 76% vs. 50%, P = 0.03; 2‐yr DFS: 67% vs. 52.0%, P = 0.1), and monocytes (>590/mm3; 2‐yr OS: 80% vs. 45%, P = 0.004; 2‐yr DFS: 76% vs. 42%, P = 0.01) at day +30 post‐transplant. In multivariate analysis, the only independent factors associated with a significantly higher OS and DFS were a better immune status at transplant (lymphocytes count >730/mm3) and a higher monocytes count (>590/mm3) at day +30 post‐transplant. These results suggest that immune status and hematopoietic recovery before and after FB2 RIC allo‐SCT can be significant predictors of outcome. This paves the way for future studies aiming to closely monitor the kinetics of immune recovery after RIC allo‐SCT and to evaluate the impact of growth factors and other immunostimulatory cytokines in the setting of RIC allo‐SCT.