bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Plant Essential Oils on Ralstonia solanacearum Race 4 and Bacterial Wilt of Edible Ginger
Authors: Paret Mathews L. , Cabos Roxana , Kratky B. A. , Alvarez Anne M.
Published: April 2010

Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini), lemongrass (C. citratus), and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) oils were investigated for their effects on Ralstonia solanacearum race 4 and their potential use as biofumigants for reducing bacterial wilt disease of edible ginger (Zingiber officinale). Three concentrations of the oils (0.04, 0.07, and 0.14% vol/vol) were evaluated by culture amendment assays, epifluorescence microscopy, and studies in potting medium. In culture amendment assays with palmarosa and lemongrass oils at 0.04%, both oils significantly reduced the growth of the bacterium compared with the control, and at 0.07 and 0.14% they showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth. Epifluorescence microscopic observations showed cell deterioration in 95 to 100% of the cells at all concentrations of palmarosa and lemongrass oils, indicating its bactericidal properties. Eucalyptus oil treatments at 0.04 and 0.07% had bacteriostatic effects on the cells. The pathogen was not detected in R. solanacearum–infested potting medium after treatment with palmarosa and lemongrass oils at 0.07 and 0.14% in any of the experiments. Bacterial wilt incidence on edible ginger was significantly reduced when planted in essential oil–treated potting medium. None of the essential oil treatments reduced the growth or yield of edible ginger grown for 180 days in 5-liter pots.
Effect of Furrow Irrigation on the Severity of False Smut in Susceptible Rice Varieties
Authors: Brooks Steven A. , Anders Merle M. , Yeater Kathleen M.
Published: April 2010

False smut (Ustilaginoidea virens) is an important emerging disease of rice (Oryza sativa) in the southern United States, where all major rice cultivars and hybrids are susceptible to the disease. False smut susceptibility was evaluated in traditional paddy-rice fields and under furrow-irrigated conditions to determine the effects of alternative agricultural practices on the severity of this disease. Highly effective false smut suppression was observed in furrow-irrigated rice, where the disease was nearly eliminated in susceptible rice entries. False smut suppression was observed for two hybrids and one conventional rice cultivar, demonstrating that suppression was not limited to specific germplasm sources. Kernel smut severity was also monitored, but no effect on this disease was observed from the irrigation treatments. Therefore, suppression of disease severity in nonflooded rice appears to be a phenomenon unique to the rice–false smut pathosystem, which can be exploited to achieve effective field resistance to this disease.
Salvia officinalisExtract Can Protect Grapevine AgainstPlasmopara viticola
Authors: Dagostin Silvia , Formolo Tiziano , Giovannini Oscar , Pertot Ilaria , Schmitt Annegret
Published: April 2010

The ability of sage (Salvia officinalis) extract to control grapevine downy mildew under greenhouse and field conditions was tested. The persistence and rainfastness of sage extract were also investigated. Sage extract provided a high level of sustained disease control in artificially inoculated, potted grapevine under greenhouse conditions. However, even small amounts of simulated rainfall (10 mm) significantly reduced efficacy of sage extract. In a field experiment in 2006, sage extract provided 94% reduction in disease incidence and 63% reduction in area under the disease progress curve for disease severity on berries and leaves, respectively, reaching a level of disease control not significantly different from that provided by copper hydroxide. In 2007, the sage extract provided only a partial reduction (less than 30%) of downy mildew on leaves, probably as a result of a long rainy period between two of the consecutive treatments. Overall, sage extract effectively controlled grapevine downy mildew and could be a promising alternative to copper in organic viticulture. However, the low rainfastness of this treatment adversely affected its efficacy.
Fuzzy Pedicel: A New Postharvest Disease of Banana
Authors: Tarnowski Tara L. , Pérez-Martínez José M. , Ploetz Randy C.
Published: April 2010

Banana fruit of the Cavendish subgroup, Musa acuminata, are significant international commodities. Recently, a transnational company attempted to develop single fruit (fingers) as a product in the United States. In the summer of 2007, an unknown problem developed (hereafter, “fuzzy pedicel”), wherein mats of fluffy gray to white mycelial mats covered large portions of the pedicel surface of fruit when they were packed in gas-permeable containers. Fungi from two genera sporulated on examined pedicels: Sporothrix, which occurred on 72% of the affected pedicels, and Fusarium (6%); other fungi were sterile. From pedicel tissue, four genera of fungi were isolated on potato dextrose agar: Sporothrix and Fusarium and, less frequently, Pestalotiopsis and Nigrospora. Based on alignment with internal transcribed spacer and β-tubulin sequence data, the Sporothrix isolates were closely related to those in an environmental Ophiostoma/Sporothrix clade that contains Sporothrix stylites, S. humicola, and S. pallida but not the human pathogen S. schenkii. Based on EF1α gene sequences, four species in the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (Fusarium proliferatum, F. pseudocircinatum, F. sacchari, and F. verticillioides) and two unnamed taxa in the F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex were identified. After artificial inoculation, representative Sporothrix and Fusarium isolates caused fuzzy pedicel symptoms on fruit of ‘Grand Nain,’ a commercial Cavendish cultivar. Fuzzy pedicel development was inhibited at 14°C (temperature at which fruit are shipped) but developed at 25°C (temperature at which fruit are marketed). Sporothrix isolates were insensitive to thiophanate-methyl fungicide in vitro and when used to treat pedicel surfaces prior to inoculation. Thus, it appears that benzimidazole fungicides would be ineffective as postharvest treatments for this problem. In summary, a new postharvest disease of banana, fuzzy pedicel, affects single fingers. It is caused by Sporothrix sp. and several species of Fusarium. Sporothrix spp. and F. pseudocircinatum have not been reported previously on banana.
First Report of Rust Disease Caused by Puccinia sparganioides on Spartina alterniflora in Louisiana
Authors: Kaur R. , Knott C. , Aime M. C.
Published: April 2010

Spartina alterniflora Loisel. (smooth cordgrass) is the dominant plant species of intertidal salt marshes in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. It is a perennial deciduous grass that can reduce and reverse coastal erosion by buffering wave energy and storm surges and by accumulating suspended solids from intertidal waters. Therefore, smooth cordgrass is utilized extensively in coastal restoration projects in Louisiana. In July 2009, smooth cordgrass leaf samples with signs and symptoms of a rust disease were collected from plant material grown at the Aquaculture Research Station near Baton Rouge, LA. Numerous hypophyllous, narrow, linear lesions were observed in which the uredinia were pale orange, erumpent, and arranged seriately. Urediniospores were yellowish to orange, obovoid to oblong, echinulate with a thickened apical wall and obscure germ pores, and measured 27.5 to 44.9 (–48.3) × 17.3 to 27.6 (–31.05) μm. Telia and teliospores were not observed. The pathogen was identified as Puccinia sparganioides Ellis & Tracy based on the DNA sequence of nuclear ribosomal large subunit (28S) and internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2) amplified with rust-specific primers (1). The sequence (deposited in GenBank as No. GU327649) was found to share 99.8% identity (1,077/1,079 bp) with sequence No. GU058027 of P. sparganioides from S. patens (Aiton) Muhl. and did not match any other species of Puccinia in GenBank. P. sparganioides has previously been reported on S. alterniflora in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia (2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. sparganioides on S. alterniflora from Louisiana. Efforts to screen for rust-resistant lines for use in coastal restoration projects are underway to prevent land loss that could occur due to smooth cordgrass stress from infection. Voucher material (LSU00121657) has been deposited in the Bernard Lowy Mycological Herbarium (LSUM).

References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, Online publication. ARS, USDA, October, 2009.
First Report from Turkey of European Plum Line Pattern Caused by Apple mosaic virus
Authors: Akbaş B. , Değirmenci K.
Published: April 2010

European plum line pattern was first described in Bulgaria (1) and can now be found nearly worldwide. Characteristic symptoms in infected plum (Prunus domestica) include line and oak leaf patterns with chlorotic lines and rings in leaves. The causal agent of this economically damaging plum disease is Apple mosaic virus (ApMV). ApMV has been reported to naturally infect a number of hosts in the Rosaceae, including Rosa, Malus, and Rubus spp. as well as Humulus, Betula, and Corylus spp. in other plant families (3), but has not been reported to naturally infect plum in Turkey. In this study, disease symptoms were observed in only one local cultivar (Süt eriği) during the growing season of 2008–2009 in Amasya and Tokat provinces, situated between the Black Sea and inner Anatolia regions. Leaf samples were collected from 22 plum trees and tested by serological and molecular methods. In serological tests, double-antibody sandwich-ELISA was used with antisera to ApMV and Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) according to the manufacturer's (Agdia, Inc., Elkhart, IN) protocol. While none of the samples reacted positively to PNRSV antisera, 19 samples reacted positively to ApMV antisera. The presence of ApMV in symptomatic plum trees was confirmed by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. RT-PCR was conducted with ApMV-specific primers (Forward 5′-ATCCGAGTGAACAGTCTATCCTCTAA-3′; reverse 5′-GTAACTCACTCGTTATCACGTACAA-3′) as previously described (4) to specifically amplify a 262-bp product from viral sequences. Total RNA was extracted from plum leaf samples with a modified protocol based on silica-capture (2). Using serological and RT-PCR tests, ApMV was detected in all 19 samples that showed virus symptoms, but not from symptomless plants. To our knowledge, this is the first record of the presence of European plum line pattern in Turkey and provides a starting point for investigation of the incidence of ApMV in plum orchards of Turkey.

References: (1) D. Atanasoff et al. Phytopathol. Z. 8:197, 1935. (2) X. Foissac et al. Acta Hortic. 550:37, 2001. (3) R. W. Fulton. CMI/AAB Descriptions of Plant Viruses. No. 83. 1972. (4) W. Menzel et al. J. Virol. Methods 99:81, 2002.
First Report of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in Hawaii
Authors: Melzer M. J. , Ogata D. Y. , Fukuda S. K. , Shimabuku R. , Borth W. B. , Sether D. M. , Hu J. S.
Published: April 2010

Tomato yellow leaf curl disease, caused by the begomovirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV; family Geminiviridae), is an economically important disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) that can be very destructive in tropical and subtropical regions (1). In October 2009, tomato plants showing stunted new growth, interveinal chlorosis, and upward curling of leaf margins were reported by a residential gardener in Wailuku, on the island of Maui. Similar symptoms were observed in approximately 200 tomato plants at a University of Hawaii research farm in Poamoho, on the island of Oahu in November 2009. The similarity between these symptoms and those of tomato yellow leaf curl disease and the presence of whiteflies (Bemisia spp.), the vector of TYLCV, suggested the causal agent was a geminivirus such as TYLCV. Total nucleic acids were extracted from a tomato plant sample from Wailuku and Poamoho and used in a PCR assay with degenerate primers PAR1c715 and PAL1v1978 for geminivirus detection (4). The ~1.5-kbp amplicon expected to be produced from a geminivirus template was generated from the symptomatic tomato plant samples but not from a greenhouse-grown control tomato plant. The amplicons were cloned by the pGEM-T Easy vector (Promega, Madison, WI). Three clones from each sample were sequenced, revealing 97 to 99% nucleotide identity to TYLCV sequences in GenBank and a 98.9% nucleotide identity between the Wailuku (Accession No. GU322424) and Poamoho (Accession No. GU322423) isolates. A multiplex PCR assay for the detection and discrimination between the IL and Mld clades of TYLCV was also performed on these isolates (2). A ~0.8-kbp amplicon was generated from both isolates confirming the presence of TYLCV and their inclusion into the TYLCV-IL clade (2). Seven symptomatic and three asymptomatic tomato plant samples from Poamoho were tested for TYLCV using a squash-blot hybridization assay (3) utilizing a digoxigenin-labeled probe derived from the ~1.5-kbp PCR amplicon. All symptomatic tomato plants and one asymptomatic tomato plant were found to be infected with TYLCV. How the virus entered Hawaii and how long it has been present is unknown. The most plausible route is through infected plant material such as an asymptomatic alternative host rather than viruliferous whiteflies. It appears TYLCV is not a recent introduction into Hawaii since the Wailuku gardener observed similar disease symptoms for a few years before submitting samples for testing. In January 2010, TYLCV was also detected in two commercial tomato farms on Oahu, posing a serious threat to the state's $10 million annual tomato crop.

References: (1) H. Czosnek and H. Laterrot. Arch. Virol. 142:1392, 1997. (2) P. Lefeuvre et al. J. Virol. Methods 144:165, 2007. (3) N. Navot et al. Phytopathology 79:562, 1989. (4) M. R. Rojas et al. Plant Dis. 77:340, 1993.
Adaptation of Fusarium graminearum to Tebuconazole Yielded Descendants Diverging for Levels of Fitness, Fungicide Resistance, Virulence, and Mycotoxin Production
Authors: Becher Rayko , Hettwer Ursula , Karlovsky Petr , Deising Holger B. , Wirsel Stefan G. R.
Published: April 2010

Azole fungicides play a prominent role for reliable plant disease management. However, quantitative azole resistance has been shown to develop in fungal pathogens, including Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB). Due to widespread application of azole fungicides, resistance may accumulate to higher degrees in fungal field populations over time. Although azole fungicides are prominent components in FHB control, little effort has been made to investigate azole resistance in F. graminearum. We allowed F. graminearum strain NRRL 13383 to adapt to an azole fungicide in vitro, applying a strongly growth-reducing but sublethal dose of tebuconazole. Two morphologically distinguishable azole-resistant phenotypes were recovered that differed with regard to levels of fitness, fungicide resistance, virulence, and mycotoxin production. Isolates of the adapted “phenotype 1” exhibited azole-specific cross-resistance, whereas “phenotype 2” isolates displayed the phenomenon of multidrug resistance because the sensitivity to amine fungicides was also affected. Assessment of individual infected spikelets for mycotoxin contents by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and for Fusarium DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that some of the adapted isolates produced significantly higher levels of nivalenol per fungal biomass than the NRRL 13383 strain.
Stable and Extreme Resistance to Common Scab of Potato Obtained Through Somatic Cell Selection
Authors: Wilson Calum R. , Tegg Robert S. , Wilson Annabel J. , Luckman Gregory A. , Eyles Alieta , Yuan Zi Qing , Hingston Leon H. , Conner Anthony J.
Published: April 2010

Somatic cell selection with thaxtomin A as a positive selection agent was used to isolate variants of potato cv. Russet Burbank with strong to extreme resistance to common scab. Glasshouse and field trials identified 51 variants with significantly reduced disease incidence (frequency of infected tubers) and severity (tuber lesion coverage) compared with the parent cultivar. The most promising variants exhibited extreme disease resistance, rarely showing lesions, which were invariably superficial and shallower than those on the parent. Resistance traits were consistently expressed both in 10 glasshouse and two field trials at different locations, with varied inoculum and disease pressure. Disease-resistant variants differed in their response to thaxtomin A in tuber slice bioassays. Of 23 variants tested, 10 showed reduced thaxtomin A susceptibility, with the remaining 13 responding similar to that of the parent. Thus, toxin tolerance was not the only factor responsible for observed disease resistance; however, four of the five most disease-resistant variants had enhanced thaxtomin A tolerance, suggesting that this factor is important in the expression of strong disease resistance. Pathogenicity and toxin tolerance remained stable over a 6-year period, demonstrating that selected phenotypes were robust and genetic changes stable. The majority of disease-resistant variants had tuber yields equivalent to the parent cultivar in glasshouse trials. This suggests that selection for disease resistance was not associated with negative tuber attributes and that certain variants may have commercial merit, worthy of further agronomic testing.
Role of Essential Oils in Control of Rhizoctonia Damping-Off in Tomato with Bioactive Monarda Herbage
Authors: Gwinn Kimberly D. , Ownley Bonnie H. , Greene Sharon E. , Clark Miranda M. , Taylor Chelsea L. , Springfield Tiffany N. , Trently David J. , Green James F. , Reed A. , Hamilton Susan L.
Published: April 2010

Plants in the genus Monarda produce complex essential oils that contain antifungal compounds. The objectives of this research were to identify selections of monarda that reduce Rhizoctonia damping-off of tomato, and to determine relationships between essential oil composition of 13 monarda herbages (dried and ground leaves) and disease suppression. Herbages were grouped into five chemotypes, based on essential oil composition and effective concentrations for reducing growth by 50% for Rhizoctonia solani. Replicated and repeated disease control assays were conducted with monarda herbages in greenhouse medium, with or without Rhizoctonia. Percent survival, seedling height, and stem diameter were evaluated at 8 weeks. Survival, seedling height, and stem diameter in herbage-only treatments were not different from the control (no-herbage, no-pathogen) for most herbage treatments. In the pathogen control (no-herbage + Rhizoctonia), seedling survival was 10% that of the control. In pathogen-infested media, seedling survival ranged from 65 to 80% for treatments with thymol chemotypes and 55 to 65% for carvacrol chemotypes. Effective control of Rhizoctonia damping-off was correlated with phenolic monoterpenes; herbages classified as carvacrol chemotypes effectively protected tomato seedlings from Rhizoctonia damping-off disease without phytotoxicity. This study provides evidence that monarda herbages have potential as growing media amendments for control of Rhizoctonia damping-off disease.
Generation and Characterization of Isolates of Peronophythora litchii Resistant to Carboxylic Acid Amide Fungicides
Authors: Wang Hancheng , Sun Haiyan , Stammler Gerd , Ma Jianxia , Zhou Mingguo
Published: April 2010

Four isolates of Peronophythora litchii with resistance to carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides were selected on fungicide-amended agar. These isolates had various levels of resistance, as evidenced by their resistance factor (RF), which is the 50% effective concentration (EC50) value of a particular isolate divided by that of the wild-type parent. RF values to dimethomorph for the four isolates were 15, 24, 141, and >1,500. Resistance was stable for two isolates, while the EC50 values decreased for the other two after repeated subculturing on fungicide-free medium. Cross-resistance occurred with all CAAs tested here (dimethomorph, mandipropamid, flumorph, and pyrimorph), but not with strobilurins (azoxystrobin and famoxadone) or other fungicides (metalaxyl, cymoxanil, and mancozeb). Studies on fitness parameters (mycelial growth, sporulation, spore germination, zoospore formation, aggressiveness, and temperature tolerance) in the parent wild-type and resistant isolates demonstrated that penalties in different parameters may be associated with CAA resistance, depending on the isolate. These studies show that Peronophythora litchii is able to express CAA resistance under laboratory conditions but it is not known if resistant strains could become established in the field and sensitivity monitoring studies are recommended.
Validity of the Spanish 8-item Short-form Generic Health-related Quality-of-Life Questionnaire in Surgical Patients
Authors: Vallès Jordi , Guilera Magda , Briones Zahara , Gomar Carmen , Canet Jaume , Alonso Jordi
Published: April 2010

Background

Health-related quality of life is usually reported for specific rather than heterogeneous populations such as those treated in routine anesthesia practice. The 8-item short-form generic health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-8) is a candidate instrument for this setting. The authors evaluated the feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change of the Spanish version of SF-8 in a population-based surgical cohort.

Methods

Recruiting patients from a large population-based study of risk factors for pulmonary complications, before surgery, the authors administered the 1-week recall SF-8 to 2,991 patients undergoing nonobstetric elective or emergency surgery in 59 hospitals, each of which collected data on seven randomly assigned days in 2006. The SF-8 was administered again 3 months later. Reliability was evaluated using the Cronbach alpha coefficient and validity by comparing physical and mental component summary SF-8 scores with clinical variables. Responsiveness after surgery was evaluated using the standardized response mean.

Results

Cronbach alpha for the overall test was 0.92. Physical and mental component summary scores and all individual scores were lower (worse quality of life) in women (P < 0. 01) and decreased with age (P < 0.01). Preoperative scores were lower for those in worse clinical condition (higher body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class, or surgical risk scores), with preoperative respiratory symptoms, and in emergency situations (P < 0.01). The standardized response mean ranged from 0.1 to 0.5.

Conclusions

The SF-8 is a feasible, reliable, valid, and responsive instrument for assessing health-related quality of life in a broad-spectrum surgical population.
Maximum entropy production and plant optimization theories
Authors: Dewar Roderick C.
Published: April 2010

Plant ecologists have proposed a variety of optimization theories to explain the adaptive behaviour and evolution of plants from the perspective of natural selection (‘survival of the fittest’). Optimization theories identify some objective function—such as shoot or canopy photosynthesis, or growth rate—which is maximized with respect to one or more plant functional traits. However, the link between these objective functions and individual plant fitness is seldom quantified and there remains some uncertainty about the most appropriate choice of objective function to use. Here, plants are viewed from an alternative thermodynamic perspective, as members of a wider class of non-equilibrium systems for which maximum entropy production (MEP) has been proposed as a common theoretical principle. I show how MEP unifies different plant optimization theories that have been proposed previously on the basis of ad hoc measures of individual fitness—the different objective functions of these theories emerge as examples of entropy production on different spatio-temporal scales. The proposed statistical explanation of MEP, that states of MEP are by far the most probable ones, suggests a new and extended paradigm for biological evolution—‘survival of the likeliest’—which applies from biomacromolecules to ecosystems, not just to individuals.
The two-box model of climate: limitations and applications to planetary habitability and maximum entropy production studies
Authors: Lorenz Ralph D.
Published: April 2010

The ‘two-box model’ of planetary climate is discussed. This model has been used to demonstrate consistency of the equator–pole temperature gradient on Earth, Mars and Titan with what would be predicted from a principle of maximum entropy production (MEP). While useful for exposition and for generating first-order estimates of planetary heat transports, it has too low a resolution to investigate climate systems with strong feedbacks. A two-box MEP model agrees well with the observed day : night temperature contrast observed on the extrasolar planet HD 189733b.
Streptomyces caeruleatus sp. nov., with dark blue diffusible pigment
Authors: Zhu Hong-hui , Guo Jun , Yao Qing , Yang Song-zhen , Deng Ming-rong , Li Tai-hui
Published: April 2010

An actinomycete, designated strain GIMN4.002T, was isolated from a tomato rhizosphere soil sample in Guangzhou, China. The strain produces white aerial mycelium and dark blue diffusible pigment on Gause's synthetic agar, and microscopic observation revealed that it produces looped chains of spiny spores. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain are typical of the genus Streptomyces. Melanin was produced and antibacterial activity was detected against Gram-positive micro-organisms, such as Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain GIMN4.002T had highest similarity (99.4 %) to Streptomyces lincolnensis B91; however, DNA–DNA relatedness between strain GIMN4.002T and S. lincolnensis NBRC 13054T was only 32.17 %. Further, the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of strain GIMN4.002T are distinct from S. lincolnensis and other species of the genus Streptomyces with which this strain has high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98–99 %). On the basis of the physiological and molecular properties observed, it is proposed that strain GIMN4.002T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces caeruleatus sp. nov. is proposed, with GIMN4.002T (=CCTCC M 208213T =NRRL B-24802T) as the type strain.
Genetic diversity and phylogeography of begomoviruses infecting legumes in Pakistan
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Qazi Javaria , Mansoor Shahid , Briddon Rob W.
Published: April 2010

Grain legumes are an important source of dietary protein across southern Asia, but they suffer extensive losses due to several viruses that are members of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae), which are collectively known as legume yellow mosaic viruses (LYMVs). Despite their economic importance, little attention has been paid to LYMVs in Pakistan and only partial sequences of virus isolates originating from this country are available in the databases. Here, a survey of LYMVs occurring across Pakistan is described. Complete sequences of 44 components (23 DNA-A, 19 DNA-B and 2 betasatellites) were determined. The results show that only the mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) is of agricultural significance in Pakistan having been isolated from all cultivated grain legumes examined. Mungbean yellow mosaic virus, a significant crop pathogen in India, was only identified in a weed, which together with a novel species of LYMV we reported earlier, represents the first LYMV identified in non-cultivated plants. MYMIV was shown to occur as two types in Pakistan that show phylogeographical segregation. Additionally, two begomovirus species not considered pathogens of legumes and a betasatellite were isolated. This is of grave concern since it suggests that the presumed genetic isolation of the LYMVs in legumes may be being breached. LYMVs show little, if any, evidence of interspecific recombination with non-legume infecting begomoviruses. Thus, either recombination with non-legume viruses or interaction with betasatellites, which are host range and pathogenicity determining satellites of begomoviruses, could lead to the appearance of more aggressive virus variants/strains affecting legumes.
Internet in the development of future road‐traffic control systems
Authors: Barrero Federico , Toral Sergio , Vargas Manuel , Cortés Francisco , Manuel Milla Jose
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are defined as new infrastructures that combine people, roads and vehicles over the basis of modern embedded systems with enhanced digital connectivity. ITS is fast becoming a reality, favored in their development by the use of the internet. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the feasibility of road‐traffic management systems, using the internet as the communication link.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review is presented to give a background in the progressive role that ITS and road safety and control applications play in society. The combination of internet and the ITS architecture is covered, and an electronic prototype providing web services for road‐traffic management is designed as an example. The scope of road traffic security research is extensive, and the use of artificial vision systems in road‐traffic analysis (technology which is on the basis of the developed prototype) is also discussed. The hardware and software characteristics of the prototype are defined.

Findings

The paper provides new insights into the use of the internet for road‐traffic management applications.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to one particular road‐traffic management system. Results could be extended if more real equipments were analyzed. Also, end‐users' perception and their acceptance of the new technology could be examined using an information system theory like the technology acceptance model.

Originality/value

The paper shows the utility of the internet in the development of novel ITS.
Analysis of neonatal health in South Asia
Authors: Haider Muhiuddin , Mukherjee Avinandan
Published: April 2010

Purpose

Neonatal healthcare is a critical issue in public health management. The purpose of this paper is to analyze neonatal health in South Asia. This paper specifically examines the neonatal period of an infant's development, the time from birth to the first 28 days, and the importance of providing each newborn with the necessary vaccines, treatments, and care they may require. In addition to examining neonatal health and those diseases/problems that afflict children without proper care, a closer look will be taken at Southern Asia, where research shows nearly 75 percent of the neonatal deaths that take place in the world, occur.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review using recently published works, government documents, and organizational reports is employed. The research is based on case studies of six South Asian countries and several international participating agencies and non‐governmental organizations working on the improvement of neonatal health.

Findings

The research shows that the majority of the countries in this region lack the funds necessary to provide aide, health services, and other preventative care to their populations. Without the global attention, intervention, and resources provided by these organizations, any progress made in the area of neonatal health in these regions will continue to be hampered. A social marketing framework designed to address this critical public health challenge is presented.

Originality/value

In the modern world, much advancement has been made in terms of neonatal and maternal health and well‐being. As the years have passed, the world has seen many improvements on clinical procedures, health policies and regulations, the quality of training for doctors, nurses, and related specialists, and the various pieces of medical equipment used throughout those hospitals and clinics located within the developing world. Unfortunately, data provided by various research efforts have shown that neonatal mortality continues to occur at high rates throughout countries in South Asia. Individuals in these countries lack access to health care, health education, and other essential components that influence a mother's ability to produce a healthy child and keep that child safe and illness/issue free throughout this fragile period.
Exploring Muslim consumers' information sources for fatwa rulings on products and behaviors
Authors: Muhamad Hashim Nazlida , Mizerski Dick
Published: April 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of fatwa and the dissemination of fatwa rulings among Muslim consumers using two studies. Results from these studies show that contemporary fatwa often extend beyond Muslims' religious beliefs and practices. By advising Muslims on the brands and product categories that are permissible and prohibited for consumption, fatwa rulings can cause boycotts and bans of products or brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analyses are performed in Study 1 to explore the types of fatwa rulings that are declared by the Malaysian fatwa authorities. In Study 2, a survey instrument is used to collect responses from Muslims regarding their sources of fatwa ruling for two products, their religious motivation and gender. Cluster analysis and an independent χ2‐test are used to test the study's predictions.

Findings

Fatwa rulings in the area of social issues and economics have a known tendency to affect Muslim consumers' marketplace behavior. Muslim consumers tend to acquire information on more controversial fatwa rulings through less formal sources, compared to less controversial fatwa rulings. Several clusters of Muslim consumers were found to have their sources of fatwa associated with the product category, gender of respondent, and religious orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to Malaysian Muslim University students and Malaysia's fatwa system. This use of young Malaysian Muslims probably restricts the findings to this cohort, rather than the general population of Malaysian Muslims.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights into how fatwa rulings affect marketplace behaviors and how information sources are accessed and fatwa information is disseminated among Muslim consumers. The findings lead to suggestions on how marketers can manage fatwa rulings concerning their products.

Originality/value

The paper provides an understanding of the nature and types of fatwa rulings circulating in the Muslim world, and identifies factors related to Muslims' knowledge of fatwa rulings.
Genomic approaches with natural fish populations
Authors: Oleksiak M. F.
Published: April 2010

Natural populationsv.inbred stocks provide a much richer resource for identifying the effects of nucleotide substitutions because natural populations have greater polymorphism. Additionally, natural populations offer an advantage over most common research organisms because they are subject to natural selection, and analyses of these adaptations can be used to identify biologically important changes. Among fishes, these analyses are enhanced by having a wide diversity of species (>28 000 species, more than any other group of vertebrates) living in a huge range of environments (from below freezing to > 46° C, in fresh water to salinities >40 ppt.). Moreover, fishes exhibit many different life‐history and reproductive strategies and have many different phenotypes and social structures. Although fishes provide numerous advantages over other vertebrate models, there is still a dearth of available genomic tools for fishes. Fishes make up approximately half of all known vertebrate species, yet <0·2% of fish species have significant genomic resources. Nonetheless, genomic approaches with fishes have provided some of the first measures of individual variation in gene expression and insights into environmental and ecological adaptations. Thus, genomic approaches with natural fish populations have the potential to revolutionize fundamental studies of diverse fish species that offer myriad ecological and evolutionary questions.
Diversity and aboveground biomass in three tropical forest types in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon
Authors: Djuikouo Marie Noël K. , Doucet Jean‐Louis , Nguembou Charlemagne K. , Lewis Simon L. , Sonké Bonaventure
Published: April 2010

We present tree community diversity, species composition, basal area and aboveground biomass of three forest types in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, in South‐East Cameroon, part of the contiguous tropical forest of the Congo Basin. A total of fourteen, 1 ha, plots were established in heterogeneousterra firmeforests (TFF),Gilbertiodendron dewevreiforests (GDF) and periodically flooded forests (PFF). A total of 281 tree species with diameter ≥10 cm were recorded. The Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in TFF (5.7 ± 0.28) and PFF (5.6 ± 0.23) than in GDF (2.29 ± 0.48) (ANOVA, F2,11 = 139.75,P < 0.001). While tree density did not differ between forest types (F2,11 = 3.50,P = 0.06), basal area differed significantly (F2,11 = 7.38,P = 0.009), as did aboveground biomass (F2,11 = 17.95,P < 0.001). Mean AGB values were respectively, 596.1 ± 62.24, 401.67 ± 58.06 and 383.14 ± 61.91 Mg ha−1in GDF, TFF and PFF. Variation in the abundance of trees with large diameter was the main reason for these differences. Few dominant species made the greatest contribution to the AGB.G. dewevrei, accounted for 83% of AGB in GDF,Penthaclethra macrophyllafor 9.9% in TFF andUapaca heudolotiifor 10.6% in PFF. The importance of preservingG. dewevreiforest in the context of ‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation’ (REDD) policies is discussed.
Livestock predation in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia
Authors: Atickem Anagaw , Williams Stuart , Bekele Afework , Thirgood Simon
Published: April 2010

In the Web Valley of the Bale Mountains National Park, the pastoral people suffer from livestock predation by wild carnivores. A total of 704 livestock were reported to be killed by wild carnivores over a 3‐year period, causing a loss of potential revenue of 12 USD per year per household. Reported annual predation rates equated to 1.4% of the livestock population of the study area. Spotted hyaenas were responsible for most livestock predation (57%), followed by leopards (18%), common jackals (16%) and servals (9%). Hyaenas killed all livestock types (horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, goats and sheep) whilst leopards, common jackals and servals killed mostly goats and sheep. A survey of 362 households revealed that the pastoral people keep dogs to protect livestock from carnivores. During 250 nights of observation in the ten settlements, pastoralists were alerted to the presence of hyaenas on 80 occasions by the barking of their dogs. Such tradition of keeping dogs presents a threat to the persistence of the endangered Ethiopian wolf through diseases transmission. Given the frequency of carnivore attacks on livestock, it is desirable to develop alternative livestock protection methods that both minimize livestock losses and reduce the risk of disease transmission to Ethiopian wolves.
Age and the timing of breeding in a long‐lived bird: a role for stress hormones?
Authors: Goutte Aurélie , Antoine Élodie , Weimerskirch Henri , Chastel Olivier
Published: April 2010

1. Young birds often reproduce later in the season than older ones, with poorer breeding success, but the proximate mechanisms involved in such a pattern remain poorly studied, especially in long‐lived species. One possible mechanism is the endocrine stress response which is accompanied by the release of corticosterone. Elevated corticosterone levels can trigger physiological and behavioural responses that may delay or even suppress reproduction.

2. We tested the hypothesis that the delayed timing of breeding of young birds may be related to a greater susceptibility to stress compared with older ones during the pre‐laying period of the breeding season. For this purpose, known‐age (7–44 years old) pre‐laying snow petrels, Pagodroma nivea, were monitored for baseline and acute stress‐induced corticosterone levels. We examined whether baseline and stress‐induced corticosterone levels were related to age, and whether they could influence the decision to breed and egg‐laying date.

3. Young snow petrels were more likely to skip the breeding season and to breed later than middle‐aged birds. In addition, the oldest birds bred later than middle‐aged ones, suggesting a possible senescence on laying dates. Baseline corticosterone levels were independent of age but young and very old birds were more sensitive to stress than middle‐aged ones. However, there was no effect of stress‐induced corticosterone levels on breeding decision and egg‐laying date. Elevated baseline corticosterone levels during the pre‐laying period were associated with a higher probability of skipping breeding in females and a delayed timing of egg‐laying in both sexes.

4. These results suggest that the greater susceptibility of young breeders to stress was not the functional mechanism explaining their delayed timing of breeding. Baseline corticosterone levels, although independent of age, appear to be a more likely mediator of breeding decision and egg‐laying date. In long‐lived birds, the relationship between age and timing of breeding may be rather indirect, as other age‐related factors such as breeding experience or foraging skills may have a deeper impact on baseline corticosterone than age per se.
Germinal center‐associated nuclear protein (GANP) is involved in mRNA export of Shugoshin‐1 required for centromere cohesion and in sister‐chromatid exchange
Authors: Okamoto Nobukazu , Kuwahara Kazuhiko , Ohta Kazutaka , Kitabatake Masahiro , Takagi Katsumasa , Mizuta Hiroshi , Kondo Eisaku , Sakaguchi Nobuo
Published: April 2010

Germinal center‐associated nuclear protein (GANP) is a 210‐kDa protein that is upregulated in rapidly proliferating B cells. GANP contains regions for RNA‐primase and minichromosome maintenance 3 (MCM3)‐associated activities, as well as a Sac3‐homology region, which is associated with mRNA export in yeast. Here, we examined the role of GANP in mRNA export and cell proliferation in mammalian cells. The ganp small interfering RNA (siRNA) induced cell‐cycle arrest at the G2/M‐phase, but increased abnormal chromosome alignment of metaphase chromosomes and cell apoptosis in HeLa cells. These changes were not associated with either the abnormality of the spindle assembly checkpoint or the expression level of cohesin. ganp siRNA disrupted the assembly and localization of cohesin at the centromeres in metaphase cells, which is a quite similar phenotype caused by Shugoshin‐1 (Sgo1) siRNA‐treatment, which was reported previously. ganp siRNA did induce a selective decrease in Sgo1 transcript levels in the cytoplasm, resulting in a lack of cohesin at the centromeres in metaphase and premature separation of the sister chromatids at mitosis. GANP lacking the Sac3‐homology region caused the dominant‐negative effect with similar abnormalities and impaired mRNA export. Thus, human GANP is critically involved in cell proliferation at the mitotic phase through its selective support of Sgo1 mRNA export.
Molecular cloning and expression profile analysis of a novel β‐D‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase of domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori)
Authors: Kokuho Takehiro , Yasukochi Yuji , Watanabe Satoko , Inumaru Shigeki
Published: April 2010

Lepidoptera such as the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) produce proteins modified with unsialylated, mannose‐rich moieties known as ‘high mannose‐type’N‐glycans. However, we observed that, under intrinsic acetylglucosaminidase (GlcNAcase)‐inhibited conditions, moth cells tend to synthesize different types of glycoform with sialic acid modification. To identify molecules essential to assemble Lepidoptera‐specific N‐glycans, we performed BLAST analysis on the silkworm genetic database and isolated the entire coding sequence of novel Bombyx GlcNAcase, BmGlcNAcase 2. This enzyme showed weak homology to currently known, lysosome‐associated eukaryotic hexosaminidases, but it revealed remarkable similarity with recently reported glycosyl hydrolases of Spodoptera and Bombyx. Interestingly, BmGlcNAcase 2 was found to be expressed in embryos and in certain tissues of molting larvae (i.e. ovary, fat bodies, mid‐intestine, skin), but not in pupae, suggesting its unique function in the carbohydrate metabolism of juvenile silkworm.
Cdc6/Orc1 from Pyrococcus furiosus may act as the origin recognition protein and Mcm helicase recruiter
Authors: Akita Masaki , Adachi Akinori , Takemura Kie , Yamagami Takeshi , Matsunaga Fujihiko , Ishino Yoshizumi
Published: April 2010

Archaea have one or more Cdc6/Orc1 proteins, which share sequence similarities with eukaryotic Cdc6 and Orc1. These proteins are involved in the initiation process of DNA replication, although their specific function has not been elucidated, except for origin recognition and binding. We showed that the Cdc6/Orc1 protein from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus specifically binds to the oriC region in the whole genome. However, it remains unclear how this initiator protein specifically recognizes the oriC region and how the Mcm helicase is recruited to oriC. In the current study, we characterized the biochemical properties of Cdc6/Orc1 in P. furiosus. The ATPase activity of the Cdc6/Orc1 protein was completely suppressed by binding to DNA containing the origin recognition box (ORB). Limited proteolysis and DNase I‐footprint experiments suggested that the Cdc6/Orc1 protein changes its conformation on the ORB sequence in the presence of ATP. This conformational change may have an unknown, important function in the initiation process. Results from an in vitro recruiting assay indicated that Mcm is recruited onto the oriC region in a Cdc6/Orc1‐dependent, but not ATP‐dependent, manner. However, some other function is required for the functional loading of this helicase to start the unwinding of the replication fork DNA.
Comparison of surface and borehole locations of induced seismicity
Authors: Eisner Leo , Hulsey B. J. , Duncan Peter , Jurick Dana , Werner Heigl , Keller William
Published: April 2010

Monitoring of induced microseismic events has become an important tool in hydraulic fracture diagnostics and understanding fractured reservoirs in general. We compare microseismic event and their uncertainties using data sets obtained with surface and downhole arrays of receivers. We first model the uncertainties to understand the effect of different acquisition geometries on location accuracy. For a vertical array of receivers in a single monitoring borehole, we find that the largest part of the final location uncertainty is related to estimation of the backazimuth. This is followed by uncertainty in the vertical position and radial distance from the receivers. For surface monitoring, the largest uncertainty lies in the vertical position due to the use of only a single phase (usually P‐wave) in the estimation of the event location. In surface monitoring results, lateral positions are estimated robustly and are not sensitive to the velocity model.

In this case study, we compare event location solutions from two catalogues of microseismic events; one from a downhole array and the second from a surface array of 1C geophone. Our results show that origin time can be reliably used to find matching events between the downhole and surface catalogues. The locations of the corresponding events display a systematic shift consistent with a poorly calibrated velocity model for downhole dataset. For this case study, locations derived from surface monitoring have less scatter in both vertical and horizontal directions.