bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kordiimonas lacus sp. nov., isolated from a ballast water tank, and emended description of the genus Kordiimonas
Authors: Xu Xue-Wei , Huo Ying-Yi , Bai Xue-Dong , Wang Chun-Sheng , Oren Aharon , Li Sui-Yan , Wu Min
Published: March 2010

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated S3-22T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a ballast water tank of a commercial ship and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The isolate formed small, light-yellow, semi-translucent and circular colonies on solid complex media. The strain was oxidase- and catalase-positive and metabolized a large number of carbon sources. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed ubiquinone Q-10 as predominant respiratory quinone, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid as major polar lipids and iso-C17 : 1
ω9c, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1
ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1
ω7c as major fatty acids and the hydroxy fatty acids iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 3-OH. The genomic DNA G+C content was 54.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate has 96.1 % similarity to the type strain of Kordiimonas gwangyangensis, the sole described species within the order Kordiimonadales, and less than 91.0 % similarity to other recognized species. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain S3-22T represents a novel species of the genus Kordiimonas, for which the name Kordiimonas lacus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain S3-22T (=CGMCC 1.9109T =JCM 16261T). An emended description of the genus Kordiimonas is also presented.
Hydrocarboniphaga daqingensis sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater lake
Authors: Liu Ying , Song Xue-Feng , Jiang Jia-Tong , Liu Ying-Hao , Xu Cheng-Jun , Li Hao , Liu Zhi-Pei
Published: March 2010

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated B2-9T, was isolated from water of a slightly alkaline lake, Longhu Lake in Daqing, north-east China. Strain B2-9T was an aerobic rod, heterotrophic, catalase- and oxidase-positive and motile by means of a single polar flﬂagellum. The isolate grew well on n-alkanes C9–C17 and weakly on C6–C8, C18 and C19. Growth occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum 20–25 °C), at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and with ≤1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1
ω7c (41.4 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1
ω7c; 18.5 %) and C16 : 0 (10.9 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain B2-9T belonged to the genus Hydrocarboniphaga of the class Gammaproteobacteria and shared 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Hydrocarboniphaga effusa AP103T. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain B2-9T and H. effusa DSM 16095T was 24 %. The DNA G+C content of strain B2-9T was 66 mol%. Strain B2-9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hydrocarboniphaga, for which the name Hydrocarboniphaga daqingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B2-9T (=CGMCC 1.7049T =NBRC 104238T).
Roseovarius marinus sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Jung Yong-Taek , Lee Jong Suk , Oh Ki-Hoon , Oh Tae-Kwang , Yoon Jung-Hoon
Published: March 2010

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterium, designated HDW-9T, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria, was isolated from seawater of the Yellow Sea, Korea. Strain HDW-9T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and with 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HDW-9T clustered with Roseovarius crassostreae CV919-312T, with which it exhibited 95.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain HDW-9T exhibited 92.5–94.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the other type strains of species of the genus Roseovarius. Strain HDW-9T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1
ω7c as the major fatty acid. The DNA G+C content was 58.3 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties distinguished strain HDW-9T from the other members of the genus Roseovarius. Strain HDW-9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HDW-9T (=KCTC 22805T =CCUG 58403T).
Frateuria terrea sp. nov., isolated from forest soil, and emended description of the genus Frateuria
Authors: Zhang Jia-Yue , Liu Xing-Yu , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: March 2010

A bacterial strain, designated VA24T, was isolated from forest soil of the Changbai Mountains, Heilongjiang province, China. Cells of strain VA24Twere Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, long rods, 0.3–0.5×2.0–3.0 μm in size and were motile by means of a subpolar flagellum. Strain VA24Twas oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Growth occurred at 21–36 °C, pH 5–10 and in 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl but did not occur at 37 °C. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8, the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0(14.9 %), iso-C17 : 1ω9c(14.1 %), iso-C17 : 0(10.8 %) and iso-C16 : 0(10.3 %). The DNA G+C content was 67.4 mol% (Tm). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain VA24Twas closely related toFrateuria aurantiaIFO 13300Twith 96.9 % sequence similarity. DNA–DNA relatedness of strain VA24TtoF. aurantiaDSM 6220Twas 15.8 %. Based on its phenotypic and genotypic features, strain VA24Trepresents a novel species of the genusFrateuria, for which the nameFrateuria terreasp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VA24T(=CGMCC 1.7053T=NBRC 104236T).
Sympodiomycopsis kandeliae sp. nov., a basidiomycetous anamorphic fungus from mangroves, and reclassification of Sympodiomycopsis lanaiensis as Jaminaea lanaiensis comb. nov.
Authors: Wei Yu-Hui , Liou Guey-Yuh , Liu Hsin-Yi , Lee Fwu-Ling
Published: March 2010

Three ustilaginomycetous anamorphic strains were isolated from flowers of Kandelia candel in mangrove forests of Taiwan. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combined sequences of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)-5.8S-ITS2 and the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit (LSU) rDNA indicated that the closest recognized species was Sympodiomycopsis paphiopedili. The results of a DNA–DNA hybridization experiment and the physiological characteristics showed that the three strains represent a novel species within the genus Sympodiomycopsis. The name Sympodiomycopsis kandeliae sp. nov. is proposed, with FIRDI 007T (=BCRC 23165T =CBS 11676T) as the type strain. In addition, based on phenotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic analyses of the combined sequences of the ITS region and D1/D2 domain of the LSU rDNA, Sympodiomycopsis lanaiensis was clustered with the genus Jaminaea. A new combination, Jaminaea lanaiensis comb. nov. (type strain LM418T =DSM 18755T =ATCC MYA-4092T =NRRL Y-48466T =CBS 10858T =BCRC 23177T), is proposed.
Aquimarina spongiae sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge Halichondria oshoro
Authors: Yoon Byoung-Jun , You Han-Su , Lee Dong-Heon , Oh Duck-Chul
Published: March 2010

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding and oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterium, designated A6T, was isolated from a marine sponge, Halichondria oshoro, collected on the coast of Jeju Island, South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain A6T was a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The closest relatives were Aquimarina intermedia LMG 23204T, A. latercula ATCC 23177T, A. brevivitae SMK-19T and A. muelleri KMM 6020T, with which strain A6T shared 95.7, 95.1, 94.7 and 94.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. The dominant fatty acids of strain A6T were iso-C15 : 0 (32.2 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (20.0 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (12.3 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (7.2 %) and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1
ω7c; 6.8 %). The DNA G+C content of strain A6T was 36.0 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was MK-6. On the basis of combined phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain A6T represents a novel species of the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina spongiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A6T (=KCTC 22663T =DSM 22623T).
Candida saraburiensis sp. nov. and Candida prachuapensis sp. nov., xylose-utilizing yeast species isolated in Thailand
Authors: Nitiyon Sukanya , Boonmak Chanita , Am-In Somjit , Jindamorakot Sasitorn , Kawasaki Hiroko , Yongmanitchai Wichien , Limtong Savitree
Published: March 2010

Four strains of two novel xylose-utilizing yeast species were obtained from samples collected in Thailand from decaying corncobs (strains KU-Xs13T and KU-Xs18), a decaying grass (KU-Xs20) and estuarine water from a mangrove forest (WB15T). On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene, the four strains were found to represent two novel species of the genus Candida in the Candida albicans/Lodderomyces elongisporus clade. Three strains (KU-Xs13T, KU-Xs18 and KU-Xs20) were assigned as a single novel species, which was named Candida saraburiensis sp. nov. The type strain is KU-Xs13T (=CBS 11696T=NBRC 106721T=BCC 39601T). Strain WB15T represented another novel species of the genus Candida that was named Candida prachuapensis sp. nov. The type strain is WB15T (=CBS 11024T=NBRC 104881T=BCC 29904T).
Stress response recruits the hippocampal endocannabinoid system for the modulation of fear memory
Authors: de Oliveira Alvares Lucas , Engelke Douglas Senna , Diehl Felipe , Scheffer-Teixeira Robson , Haubrich Josué , de Freitas Cassini Lindsey , Molina Victor Alejandro , Quillfeldt Jorge Alberto
Published: March 2010

The modulation of memory processes is one of the several functions of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the brain, with CB1 receptors highly expressed in areas such as the dorsal hippocampus. Experimental evidence suggested an important role of the ECS in aversively motivated memories. Similarly, glucocorticoids released in response to stress exposure also modulates memory formation, and both stress and dexamethasone activate the ECS. Here, we investigate the interaction between the ECS and glucocorticoids in the hippocampus in the modulation of fear memory consolidation. Two protocols with different shock intensities were used in order to control the level of aversiveness. Local infusion of AM251 into the hippocampus immediately after training was amnestic in the strong, but not in the weak protocol. Moreover, AM251 was amnestic in animals stressed 0, but not 30-min prior to the weak protocol, reverting the stress-induced facilitatory effect. Finally, intrahippocampal AM251 infusion reduced memory in animals that received dexamethasone immediately, but not 30 min before training. These results are (1) consistent with the view that the dorsal hippocampus ECS is activated on demand, in a rapid and short-lived fashion in order to modulate the consolidation of an aversive memory, and (2) show that this recruitment seems to be mediated by glucocorticoids, either in the hippocampus or in other brain regions functionally associated with the hippocampus.
The Dual-Targeted Purple Acid Phosphatase Isozyme AtPAP26 Is Essential for Efficient Acclimation of Arabidopsis to Nutritional Phosphate Deprivation
Authors: Hurley Brenden A. , Tran Hue T. , Marty Naomi J. , Park Joonho , Snedden Wayne A. , Mullen Robert T. , Plaxton William C.
Published: March 2010

Induction of intracellular and secreted acid phosphatases (APases) is a widespread response of orthophosphate (Pi)-starved (−Pi) plants. APases catalyze Pi hydrolysis from a broad range of phosphomonoesters at an acidic pH. The largest class of nonspecific plant APases is comprised of the purple APases (PAPs). Although the biochemical properties, subcellular location, and expression of several plant PAPs have been described, their physiological functions have not been fully resolved. Recent biochemical studies indicated that AtPAP26, one of 29 PAPs encoded by the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome, is the predominant intracellular APase, as well as a major secreted APase isozyme up-regulated by −Pi Arabidopsis. An atpap26 T-DNA insertion mutant lacking AtPAP26 transcripts and 55-kD immunoreactive AtPAP26 polypeptides exhibited: (1) 9- and 5-fold lower shoot and root APase activity, respectively, which did not change in response to Pi starvation, (2) a 40% decrease in secreted APase activity during Pi deprivation, (3) 35% and 50% reductions in free and total Pi concentration, respectively, as well as 5-fold higher anthocyanin levels in shoots of soil-grown −Pi plants, and (4) impaired shoot and root development when subjected to Pi deficiency. By contrast, no deleterious influence of AtPAP26 loss of function occurred under Pi-replete conditions, or during nitrogen or potassium-limited growth, or oxidative stress. Transient expression of AtPAP26-mCherry in Arabidopsis suspension cells verified that AtPAP26 is targeted to the cell vacuole. Our results confirm that AtPAP26 is a principal contributor to Pi stress-inducible APase activity, and that it plays an important role in the Pi metabolism of −Pi Arabidopsis.
DONGLE and DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 Lipases Are Not Essential for Wound- and Pathogen-Induced Jasmonate Biosynthesis: Redundant Lipases Contribute to Jasmonate Formation
Authors: Ellinger Dorothea , Stingl Nadja , Kubigsteltig Ines Ingeborg , Bals Thomas , Juenger Melanie , Pollmann Stephan , Berger Susanne , Schuenemann Danja , Mueller Martin Johannes
Published: March 2010

Lipases are involved in the generation of jasmonates, which regulate responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Two sn-1-specific acyl hydrolases, DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 (DAD1) and DONGLE (DGL), have been reported to be localized in plastids and to be essential and sufficient for jasmonate biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves. Here, we show that levels of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA) and jasmonic acid in three different DGL RNA interference lines and the dad1 mutant were similar to wild-type levels during the early wound response as well as after Pseudomonas infection. Due to the lack of sn-2 substrate specificity, synthesis of dinor OPDA was not expected and also not found to be affected in DGL knockdown and DGL-overexpressing lines. As reported, DAD1 participates in jasmonate formation only in the late wound response. In addition, DGL protein was found to be localized in lipid bodies and not in plastids. Furthermore, jasmonate levels in 16 additional mutants defective in the expression of lipases with predicted chloroplast localization did not show strong differences from wild-type levels after wounding, except for a phospholipase A (PLA) PLA-Iγ1 (At1g06800) mutant line that displayed diminished wound-induced dinor OPDA, OPDA, and jasmonic acid levels. A quadruple mutant defective in four DAD1-like lipases displayed similar jasmonate levels as the mutant line of PLA-Iγ1 after wounding. Hence, we identify PLA-Iγ1 as a novel target gene to manipulate jasmonate biosynthesis. Our results suggest that, in addition to DAD1 and PLA-Iγ1, still unidentified enzymes with sn-1 and sn-2 hydrolase activity are involved in wound- and pathogen-induced jasmonate formation, indicating functional redundancy within the lipase family.
Common Genetic Pathways Regulate Organ-Specific Infection-Related Development in the Rice Blast Fungus
Authors: Tucker Sara L. , Besi Maria I. , Galhano Rita , Franceschetti Marina , Goetz Stephan , Lenhert Steven , Osbourn Anne , Sesma Ane
Published: March 2010

Magnaporthe oryzae is the most important fungal pathogen of rice (Oryza sativa). Under laboratory conditions, it is able to colonize both aerial and underground plant organs using different mechanisms. Here, we characterize an infection-related development in M. oryzae produced on hydrophilic polystyrene (PHIL-PS) and on roots. We show that fungal spores develop preinvasive hyphae (pre-IH) from hyphopodia (root penetration structures) or germ tubes and that pre-IH also enter root cells. Changes in fungal cell wall structure accompanying pre-IH are seen on both artificial and root surfaces. Using characterized mutants, we show that the PMK1 (for pathogenicity mitogen-activated protein kinase 1) pathway is required for pre-IH development. Twenty mutants with altered pre-IH differentiation on PHIL-PS identified from an insertional library of 2885 M. oryzae T-DNA transformants were found to be defective in pathogenicity. The phenotypic analysis of these mutants revealed that appressorium, hyphopodium, and pre-IH formation are genetically linked fungal developmental processes. We further characterized one of these mutants, M1373, which lacked the M. oryzae ortholog of exportin-5/Msn5p (EXP5). Mutants lacking EXP5 were much less virulent on roots, suggesting an important involvement of proteins and/or RNAs transported by EXP5 during M. oryzae root infection.
Innate Immune Responses Activated in Arabidopsis Roots by Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns
Authors: Millet Yves A. , Danna Cristian H. , Clay Nicole K. , Songnuan Wisuwat , Simon Matthew D. , Werck-Reichhart Danièle , Ausubel Frederick M.
Published: March 2010

Despite the fact that roots are the organs most subject to microbial interactions, very little is known about the response of roots to microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). By monitoring transcriptional activation of β-glucuronidase reporters and MAMP-elicited callose deposition, we show that three MAMPs, the flagellar peptide Flg22, peptidoglycan, and chitin, trigger a strong tissue-specific response in Arabidopsis thaliana roots, either at the elongation zone for Flg22 and peptidoglycan or in the mature parts of the roots for chitin. Ethylene signaling, the 4-methoxy-indole-3-ylmethylglucosinolate biosynthetic pathway, and the PEN2 myrosinase, but not salicylic acid or jasmonic acid signaling, play major roles in this MAMP response. We also show that Flg22 induces the cytochrome P450 CYP71A12-dependent exudation of the phytoalexin camalexin by Arabidopsis roots. The phytotoxin coronatine, an Ile-jasmonic acid mimic produced by Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, suppresses MAMP-activated responses in the roots. This suppression requires the E3 ubiquitin ligase COI1 as well as the transcription factor JIN1/MYC2 but does not rely on salicylic acid–jasmonic acid antagonism. These experiments demonstrate the presence of highly orchestrated and tissue-specific MAMP responses in roots and potential pathogen-encoded mechanisms to block these MAMP-elicited signaling pathways.
The Coiled-Coil Protein VIG1 Is Essential for Tethering Vacuoles to Mitochondria during Vacuole Inheritance ofCyanidioschyzon merolae
Authors: Fujiwara Takayuki , Kuroiwa Haruko , Yagisawa Fumi , Ohnuma Mio , Yoshida Yamato , Yoshida Masaki , Nishida Keiji , Misumi Osami , Watanabe Satoru , Tanaka Kan , Kuroiwa Tsuneyoshi
Published: March 2010

Vacuoles/lysosomes function in endocytosis and in storage and digestion of metabolites. These organelles are inherited by the daughter cells in eukaryotes. However, the mechanisms of this inheritance are poorly understood because the cells contain multiple vacuoles that behave randomly. The primitive red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae has a minimum set of organelles. Here, we show that C. merolae contains about four vacuoles that are distributed equally between the daughter cells by binding to dividing mitochondria. Binding is mediated by VIG1, a 30-kD coiled-coil protein identified by microarray analyses and immunological assays. VIG1 appears on the surface of free vacuoles in the cytosol and then tethers the vacuoles to the mitochondria. The vacuoles are released from the mitochondrion in the daughter cells following VIG1 digestion. Suppression of VIG1 by antisense RNA disrupted the migration of vacuoles. Thus, VIG1 is essential for tethering vacuoles to mitochondria during vacuole inheritance in C. merolae.
Alkylresorcinol Synthases Expressed in Sorghum bicolor Root Hairs Play an Essential Role in the Biosynthesis of the Allelopathic Benzoquinone Sorgoleone
Authors: Cook Daniel , Rimando Agnes M. , Clemente Thomas E. , Schröder Joachim , Dayan Franck E. , Nanayakkara N.P. Dhammika , Pan Zhiqiang , Noonan Brice P. , Fishbein Mark , Abe Ikuro , Duke Stephen O. , Baerson Scott R.
Published: March 2010

Sorghum bicolor is considered to be an allelopathic crop species, producing phytotoxins such as the lipid benzoquinone sorgoleone, which likely accounts for many of the allelopathic properties of Sorghum spp. Current evidence suggests that sorgoleone biosynthesis occurs exclusively in root hair cells and involves the production of an alkylresorcinolic intermediate (5-[(Z,Z)-8′,11′,14′-pentadecatrienyl]resorcinol) derived from an unusual 16:3Δ9,12,15 fatty acyl-CoA starter unit. This led to the suggestion of the involvement of one or more alkylresorcinol synthases (ARSs), type III polyketide synthases (PKSs) that produce 5-alkylresorcinols using medium to long-chain fatty acyl-CoA starter units via iterative condensations with malonyl-CoA. In an effort to characterize the enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of the pentadecyl resorcinol intermediate, a previously described expressed sequence tag database prepared from isolated S. bicolor (genotype BTx623) root hairs was first mined for all PKS-like sequences. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed that three of these sequences were preferentially expressed in root hairs, two of which (designated ARS1 and ARS2) were found to encode ARS enzymes capable of accepting a variety of fatty acyl-CoA starter units in recombinant enzyme studies. Furthermore, RNA interference experiments directed against ARS1 and ARS2 resulted in the generation of multiple independent transformant events exhibiting dramatically reduced sorgoleone levels. Thus, both ARS1 and ARS2 are likely to participate in the biosynthesis of sorgoleone in planta. The sequences of ARS1 and ARS2 were also used to identify several rice (Oryza sativa) genes encoding ARSs, which are likely involved in the production of defense-related alkylresorcinols.
Genomic and Coexpression Analyses Predict Multiple Genes Involved in Triterpene Saponin Biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Naoumkina Marina A. , Modolo Luzia V. , Huhman David V. , Urbanczyk-Wochniak Ewa , Tang Yuhong , Sumner Lloyd W. , Dixon Richard A.
Published: March 2010

Saponins, an important group of bioactive plant natural products, are glycosides of triterpenoid or steroidal aglycones (sapogenins). Saponins possess many biological activities, including conferring potential health benefits for humans. However, most of the steps specific for the biosynthesis of triterpene saponins remain uncharacterized at the molecular level. Here, we use comprehensive gene expression clustering analysis to identify candidate genes involved in the elaboration, hydroxylation, and glycosylation of the triterpene skeleton in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Four candidate uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases were expressed in Escherichia coli, one of which (UGT73F3) showed specificity for multiple sapogenins and was confirmed to glucosylate hederagenin at the C28 position. Genetic loss-of-function studies in M. truncatula confirmed the in vivo function of UGT73F3 in saponin biosynthesis. This report provides a basis for future studies to define genetically the roles of multiple cytochromes P450 and glycosyltransferases in triterpene saponin biosynthesis in Medicago.
The kindness of strangers
Authors: Stanbury David
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that curriculum‐based careers education is part of a wider move to treat higher education students as holistic learners and to reframe the ways in which careers educators can learn from, and contribute to, these wider developments.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conceptualises students as “embodied learners” who require opportunities for reflection to understand and process the existential, affective and pedagogic challenges inherent in their learning. Drawing on Palmer's notion of “paradoxical spaces”, careers education is shown to be one of many related responses to these student needs.

Findings

Consequently, while sometimes perceived as an anomalous feature of the higher education landscape, careers education is found to share important commonalities with other pedagogic initiatives which inform and extend current debates about careers in the curriculum.

Originality/value

By showing the familial characteristics that careers education shares with related initiatives, a new basis for including careers within the curriculum is proposed and a new collaborative mode for careers educators to engage with other teaching staff is encouraged. A new rationale for curriculum based careers education is advanced, that differs from utilitarian and vocational arguments by being derived from a pedagogic discourse, which seeks to establish common ground between careers educators and other academics.
Promoting entrepreneurship education: the role of the teacher?
Authors: Seikkula‐Leino Jaana , Ruskovaara Elena , Ikavalko Markku , Mattila Johanna , Rytkola Tiina
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to show how entrepreneurship education focuses on the teacher's learning and reflection and how, according to the data, undeveloped reflections impede the development of entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through content typing in 2008 from 29 teachers at the basic, upper secondary and vocational educational levels. The focus is on self‐reflection – how and what teachers reflect on when writing about entrepreneurship education.

Findings

The teachers stress the need for coordination between subjects in developing a more entrepreneurially oriented working community. There appears to be confusion between aims and practices in entrepreneurship education: when asked to give the aims, the teachers describe the practices. Moreover, they “outsource” themselves but refer to aims from the pupils' perspective.

Research limitations/implications

This study only presents preliminary data from the project.

Practical implications/implications

The development of teacher learning in terms of reflection, which should be developed in their basic and in‐service training; the implementation of changes in the educational arena, such as curriculum reform, from the perspective of learning and reflection; and the connection between aims and results in the context of entrepreneurship education.

Originality/value

The approach taken to teacher learning and reflection in the context of entrepreneurship education has so far been an unexplored field of research. Moreover, our article highlights the crucial factor, the development of the teacher's learning, in the context of entrepreneurship education which, according to our results, has received far too little attention in the discourse on entrepreneuship education, and thus also in the strengthening of entrepreneurship. Our article introduces new trends for international research on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education, in which increasing attention should be paid to the learning processes of teachers and instructors.
The genetic algorithm approach for shape optimization of powder compaction processes considering contact friction and cap plasticity models
Authors: Khoei A.R. , Keshavarz Sh. , Khaloo A.R.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a shape optimization technique for powder forming processes based on the genetic algorithm approach. The genetic algorithm is employed to optimize the geometry of component based on a fixed‐length vector of design variables representing the changes in nodal coordinates. The technique is used to obtain the desired optimal compacted component by changing the boundaries of component and verifying the prescribed constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical modeling of powder compaction simulation is applied based on a large deformation formulation, powder plasticity behavior, and frictional contact algorithm. A Lagrangian finite element formulation is employed for large powder deformations. A cap plasticity model is used in numerical simulation of nonlinear powder behavior. The influence of powder‐tool friction is simulated by the use of penalty approach in which a plasticity theory of friction is incorporated to model sliding resistance at the powder‐tool interface.

Findings

Finally, numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed optimization algorithm for designing powder components in the forming process of powder compaction.

Originality/value

A shape optimization technique is presented for powder forming processes based on the genetic algorithm approach.
Reliability analysis of complex robotic system using Petri nets and fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology
Authors: Sharma S.P. , Sukavanam N. , Kumar Naveen , Kumar Ajay
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate various reliability parameters of a multi‐robot system, arranged in a complex configuration. The effects of failures and course of action on the system performance have also been investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The present work is based on a multi‐robotic system, in which two robots are working independently with a conveyer unit. Petri net (PN) tool is applied to represent the asynchronous and concurrent processing of the system. To enhance the relevance of the reliability study, fuzzy numbers are developed from available data of the components, using fuzzy possibility theory to define membership functions. The use of fuzzy arithmetic in the PN model increases the flexibility for application to various systems and conditions. Various reliability parameters (such as mean time between failures, ENOF, reliability, availability, etc.) are computed using fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology. As the available data are imprecise, incomplete, vague and conflicting, the fuzzy methodology can deal easily with approximations.

Findings

The adopted methodology in the present work improves the shortcomings/drawbacks of the existing probabilistic approaches and gives a better understanding of the system behavior through its graphical representation.

Originality/value

In an earlier study failure behavior of a single robot was analyzed. This paper is an extension of the previous work, in which failure behavior of multi‐robotic system is analyzed. Also, the interactions among the working units of multi‐robotic system are deeply studied. The paper contains a new idea about the reliability analysis of robotic system. Fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology, a fuzzy PROBIST technique, is used for the proposed robotic system and the results obtained are compared with crisp results. Reliability analysis of a multi‐robotic system is presented in this paper, which may help the system analysts to analyze and predict the system behavior and to reallocate the required resources.
Comparison and analysis of bubble growth and foam formation models
Authors: Elshereef R. , Vlachopoulos J. , Elkamel A.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to present and compare two different models for bubble growth and foam formation and to conduct a thorough assessment in terms of their numerical implementation and prediction accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The two models are assessed and validated against experimental measurements. The first model is known as a single bubble growth model and treats the foaming process as a single bubble growing in a large pool with enough gas available for growth, while the second model (cell model) takes into account the finiteness of gas supply availability as well as the effects of surrounding bubbles. The models are based on the application of the conservation of continuity and momentum principles and on constitutive equations to represent the viscosity of the melt. The models are numerically implemented using a finite difference scheme and their predictions are compared against experimental measurements.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the single bubble model predicts an infinite bubble growth with time due to the assumption of unlimited supply of the blowing agent. Meanwhile the cell model gives an equilibrium bubble size because it accounts for gas depletion. From this work, it was concluded that the cell model is the best model that adequately describes experimental data.

Practical implications

The problem of bubble growth and foam formation is of great importance in the process industry as it plays a key role in diverse technological fields such as the production of foamed plastics.

Originality/value

The findings here are important for the appropriate modeling of bubble growth and foam formation and for scheduling and optimizing the process. A simple model will suffice for the early stage of the process while a cell model is more appropriate for the entire duration of the process.
Creating knowledge that makes important contributions to society
Authors: Stone Dianna L.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The primary purposes of this article are to: consider strategies for generating new research ideas that make important contributions to society; offer suggestions for improving manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Managerial Psychology (JMP); and discuss methods for enhancing the validity of inferences made from research.

Design/methodology/approach

The article reviews the challenges facing individuals, organizations, and society in the twenty‐first century. It also provides a review of the limitations of manuscripts submitted to JMP.

Findings

Authors need to consider new research issues that may alleviate some of the problems that organizations and their members face in the twenty‐first century. The article also discusses some of the limitations of submissions to JMP, and suggests strategies for overcoming them.

Research limitations/implications

This article has implications for the creation and dissemination of new knowledge in managerial psychology.

Practical implications

The article provides practical suggestions for enhancing the quality of manuscripts submitted to JMP, and increasing the validity of inferences made from research in the field.

Social implications

The article urges authors to conduct research that makes important contributions to society. Thus, it has important implications for enhancing the well being of individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.

Originality/value

The article provides a unique contribution to the literature because it considers the extent to which many of the most important research contributions in applied psychology have been triggered by the challenges that affect peoples' lives. It also offers suggestions for generating new research ideas that can be used to ameliorate the problems facing individuals and organizations in today's world.
Perceptions of politics and fairness in merit pay
Authors: Salimäki Aino , Jämsén Sini
Published: March 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to look into employee perceptions of politics and fairness in a work setting where a new merit pay system had recently been implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are based on employee survey responses from three governmental organizations (n=367) that had implemented analogous merit pay systems.

Findings

Hierarchical moderated regression results indicated that perceptions of politics and fairness distinctively and interactively predicted whether the pay system was perceived effective in achieving its objectives. The results suggest that some forms of politics in performance appraisals (e.g. compression) might be perceived less detrimental than others (e.g. favoritism). In a high politics environment, the pay system effectiveness varied as a function of the level of distributive justice. Voice in the pay system development only mattered in a situation where there was a low level of organizational politics.

Research limitations/implications

One of the main limitations of this study is its reliance on cross‐sectional data. Future research should complement employee perceptions about pay system effectiveness with objective data from the organizations studied. Research on the effect of contextual factors, such as national culture on the motives, in and reactions to, organizational politics, is desired.

Practical implications

The result suggests that the adopted merit pay systems were not ineffective or detrimentalper se,but that the effectiveness varied as a function of the established political and fairness climates at different levels of the organization.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the discussion on what are the conditions under which politics and fairness are antithetical, and when they are interactively associated with outcomes.
The role of social socialization tactics in the relationship between socialization content and newcomers' affective commitment
Authors: Simosi Maria
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the role of social socialization tactics on the relationship between task‐ and organization‐related information (socialization content) and newcomers' affective commitment to their work organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 280 new hires in a Greek service company participated in a survey. Moderated regression analyses were conducted to test research hypotheses.

Findings

The results supported the role of investiture‐divestiture tactics as a moderator in the relationship between newcomers' task‐related information acquisition and organizational affective commitment. In addition, serial‐disjunctive tactics were found to moderate the relationship between organization‐related information acquisition and newcomers' affective commitment. The study also demonstrated that both task‐related and organization‐related information acquisition are important to the development of newcomers' affective commitment at the early stages of the socialization process.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the cross‐sectional design of the research, causality cannot be drawn.

Practical implications

The knowledge of whether, and the extent to which, particular socialization tactics and content areas contribute to newcomers' adjustment would provide organizations a competitive advantage by incorporating them into their socialization programs.

Originality/value

Provision of feedback affirming newcomers' personal characteristics as well as assignment of established role models were found to provide the framework within which the acquisition of task and organization‐related information respectively are related to new hires' affective commitment towards their work organization.
Is there an East‐European social model?
Authors: Neesham Cristina , Tache Ileana
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the recent social welfare performance of old and new members of the European Union, and to establish whether a specific East‐European social model (ESM) is emerging.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of social model is explored in the context of the historical development of economic and social policy integration in the European Union, with emphasis on reform measures and the EU enlargement process post‐1990. Guided by Sapir's typology of ESMs, the performance of 15 West‐European countries is analysed and compared with that of ten East‐European countries, relative to key economic and social indicators. The results are then used to determine whether a typology of East‐ESMs could be produced.

Findings

Social welfare performance in the new EU members indicates two different patterns and levels of development, which at this stage separate East‐European countries into two distinct groups. While two divergent trends may be emerging, it is perhaps too soon to conclude that any specific East‐ESM is taking shape. Results so far suggest that, in Eastern Europe, the influence of a welfarist social model appears more beneficial than that of market liberalism.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to the comparative analysis of social welfare performance in six country groups. To obtain a full picture of the current development of social models in the European Union, it should be complemented by a separate examination of deliberate efforts by national governments towards in integrating economic and social policies in normative social models. The analysis itself could be expanded to include other significant social indicators, such as the level of employment protection or the Human Development Index.

Practical implications

While deliberate policy efforts are not always necessary for a social model to emerge, public awareness of cultural and regional trends in social welfare performance, analysed through the filter of social model typology, can significantly inform future social and cultural practices, as well as national government policies, directed towards improving national welfare.

Social implications

This analysis can provide a theoretical basis for the integration of national economic and social policies in a coherent philosophy of multi‐dimensional development in Eastern Europe.

Originality/value

The paper selects historically relevant indicators of economic and social performance, undertakes a comparative analysis of six European country groups, draws conclusions on the current state of social welfare in East‐European countries relative to their Western counterparts and makes recommendations regarding the development of social model conceptions in Eastern Europe.
Perfect competition and sustainability: a brief note
Authors: Thampapillai Dodo J.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Perfect competition (PC), despite its abstract nature, is central to the literature on shadow prices and remains an important benchmark in economic policy analysis. Adding sustainability to the conditions of PC, results in a meaningful benchmark, especially in the context of pursuing sustainability as a policy goal. On this basis, some standard explanations involving the comparisons with imperfect competition can be questioned. But, importantly the recognition of sustainability besides the standard conditions of PC provides the basis for expositing voluntary environmental stewardship. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper focuses on PC and sustainability (PCS) and PC and PCS vs monopoly.

Findings

The implications of this simple analysis are at least three‐fold. First, in the sphere of applied economics and policy analysis, PC has served as an important benchmark – especially in the shadow pricing literature dealing with project appraisal and cost‐benefit analysis. The main argument in this paper is that PCS would prove to be a better benchmark because it would facilitate the choice of decisions that would satisfy the criteria for sustainability. Second, the recognition PCS prompts the reassessment of comparisons with imperfect market organizations such as monopoly. Within an unregulated context, monopolies, if able to exploit economies of scale, can expand output beyond the limits dictated by PC and PCS and hence compromise the possibilities of sustainability. Finally, and more importantly, the introduction of PCS as a benchmark enables the exposition of voluntary stewardship as a potential measure towards sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into PCS.
The reputation of the party leader and of the party being led
Authors: Davies Gary , Mian Takir
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the similarity of the reputation of political leaders with those of their parties and to assess the claim of causal links.

Design/methodology/approach

A multidimensional measure of brand personality is used to measure the reputation among voters of the three main parties and their leaders in two surveys each prior to British General Elections in 2001 and 2005.

Findings

The reputations of leader and party are highly correlated, but statistically distinct in both studies. The leader's reputation appears to influence that of the party more than vice versa. However, the decline in Tony Blair's reputation between 2001 and 2005 appears to have influenced more those loyal to other parties.

Research limitations/implications

Further work would be useful to compare the relative value of cognitive and affective measures of reputation, particularly in predicting voting behaviour.

Practical implications

The findings emphasise the role of the leader's reputation in managing that of a political party. A change of leader will, inevitably, produce a change in party reputation. The two reputations interact and monitoring such effects will require similar ways of measuring both.

Originality/value

Links between the reputations of organisations and their leaders have been claimed but never demonstrated empirically.
Interpersonal and political trust: modeling levels of citizens' trust
Authors: Schiffman Leon , Thelen Shawn T. , Sherman Elaine
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine whether generally trusting people are any more likely to be the same people who are also more politically trusting. In particular, the research focuses on the relationship between interpersonal trust and three political trust‐related constructs: trust of government form, political cynicism, and incumbent trust.

Design/methodology/approach

The intention was to model the impact of general or interpersonal trust – i.e. Rotter's Interpersonal Trust scale, on three specific dimensions of political trust – i.e. “trust in government form”, “political cynicism”, and “incumbent trust”. This was achieved through a questionnaire, which was mailed to a random sample of 4,000 American households.

Findings

The structural aspects of the model reveal a significantly strong path between Rotter's broad‐based interpersonal trust scale and the more specific incumbent trust measure. The model also indicates a modestly strong relationship between interpersonal trust and trust in form of government, and a weak relationship between interpersonal trust and political cynicism.

Originality/value

This research should prove useful to academic research, campaign managers, and political strategists in terms of reinforcing the importance of different aspects or components of trust, as well as their interrelationship, and how they might impact political strategy and campaign development.
An investigation into the relationship between political activity levels and political market orientation
Authors: Ormrod Robert P. , Henneberg Stephan C.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

The key objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between party member activity‐levels and perceptions of their party's political market orientation. Specifically, it aims to scrutinise the differences in the interplay of attitudinal and behavioural aspects of political market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a wide variety of respondent groups within the party, the research draws on an existing conceptualisation of political market orientation and empirically test its relationship with party member activity levels. Three models, plus a baseline model, are developed and data from 1,156 questionnaires are used to investigate a structural equation model using the partial least square method.

Findings

While the baseline model exhibits a robust pattern of positive relationships between the attitudinal and behavioural constructs, the comparative analysis of the different models shows that party activity levels have a significant impact on these relationships. The study identified that less active members perceive a wider range of attitudinal concepts to be of significance, compared to active members, politicians and party professionals.

Originality/value

This is one of a few studies empirically investigating the concept of political market orientation. Especially the focus on a wide range of respondents, in line with recent development in the literature on commercial market orientation, provides a nuanced analysis of the varying perception‐patterns of party stakeholders.