bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgery on codimension one immersions in 𝑅ⁿ⁺¹: removing 𝑛-tuple points
Authors: Carter J. Scott
Published: July 2010

The self-intersection sets of immersed

n
n

-manifolds in

(
n
+
1
)

(n + 1)

-space provide invariants of the

n
n

th stable stem and the

(
n
+
1
)

(n + 1)

st stable homotopy of infinite real projective space. Theorems of Eccles [5] and others [1, 8, 14, 19] relate these invariants to classically defined homotopy theoretic invariants. In this paper a surgery theory of immersions is developed; the given surgeries affect the self-intersection sets in specific ways. Using such operations a given immersion may be surgered to remove

(
n
+
1
)

(n + 1)

-tuple and

n
n

-tuple points, provided the

Z

/

2

{\mathbf {Z}}/2

-valued

(
n
+
1
)

(n + 1)

-tuple point invariant vanishes

(
n
≥
5
)

(n \geq 5)

. This invariant agrees with the Kervaire invariant for

n
=
4
k
+
1

n = 4k + 1

. These results first appeared in my dissertation [2]; a summary was presented in [3]. Some results and methods have been improved since these works were written. In particular, the proof of Theorem 14 has been simplified.
Frobenius reciprocity and extensions of nilpotent Lie groups
Authors: Fox Jeffrey
Published: July 2010

In

§
1

\S 1

we use

C
∞

{C^\infty }

-vector methods, essentially Frobenius reciprocity, to derive the Howe-Richardson multiplicity formula for compact nilmanifolds. In

§
2

\S 2

we use Frobenius reciprocity to generalize and considerably simplify a reduction procedure developed by Howe for solvable groups to general extensions of nilpotent Lie groups. In

§
3

\S 3

we give an application of the previous results to obtain a reduction formula for solvable Lie groups.
Affine semigroups and Cohen-Macaulay rings generated by monomials
Authors: Trung Ngô Viêt , Hoa Lê Tuân
Published: July 2010

We give a criterion for an arbitrary ring generated by monomials to be Cohen-Macaulay in terms of certain numerical and topological properties of the additive semigroup generated by the exponents of the monomials. As a consequence, the Cohen-Macaulayness of such a ring is dependent upon the characteristic of the ground field.
Polar classes and Segre classes on singular projective varieties
Authors: Yokura Shoji
Published: July 2010

We investigate the relation between polar classes of complex varieties and the Segre class of

K
K

. Johnson [Jo]. Results are obtained for hypersurfaces of projective spaces and for certain varieties with isolated singularities.
Simplexwise linear untangling
Authors: Henderson David W.
Published: July 2010

In this paper we show how to canonically untangle simplexwise linear spanning arcs of a convex

2
2

-cell. Specifically, we show that the space of such arcs is contractible. The main step in the contraction is a flow along the gradient field of an energy function. A

3
3

-dimensional version of this result would imply the Smale Conjecture—Hatcher Theorem.
Rational Moore 𝐺-spaces
Authors: Kahn Peter J.
Published: July 2010

This paper obtains some existence and uniqueness results for Moore spaces in the context of the equivariant homotopy theory of Bredon. This theory incorporates fixed-point-set data as part of the structure and so is a refinement of the classical equivariant homotopy theory. To avoid counterexamples to existence in the classical case and to focus on new phenomena involving the fixed-point-set structure, most of the results involve rational spaces. In this setting, there are no obstacles to existence, but a notion of projective dimension presents an obstacle to uniqueness: uniqueness is proved, subject to constraint on the projective dimension, and an example shows that this constraint is sharp. Various related existence results are proved and computations are given of certain equivariant mapping sets

[
X
,

Y
]

[X,\,Y]

,

X
X

an equivariant Moore space.
Equivariant homology decompositions
Authors: Kahn Peter J.
Published: July 2010

This paper presents some results on the existence of homology decompositions in the context of the equivariant homotopy theory of Bredon. To avoid certain obstructions to the existence of equivariant Moore spaces occurring already in classical equivariant homotopy theory, most of the work of this paper is done “over the rationals.” The standard construction of homology decompositions by Eckmann and Hilton can be followed in the present equivariant context until it is necessary to produce appropriate

k
′

k’

-invariants. For these, the Eckmann-Hilton construction uses a certain Universal Coefficient Theorem for homotopy sets. The relevant extension of this to the equivariant situation is an equivariant Federer spectral sequence, which is developed in

§
2

\S 2

. Using this, we can formulate conditions which imply the existence of the desired

k
′

k’

-invariants, and hence the existence of the homology decomposition. The conditions involve a certain notion of projective dimension. For one application, equivariant homology decompositions always exist when the group has prime order.
The chromatic number of Kneser hypergraphs
Authors: Alon N. , Frankl P. , Lovász L.
Published: July 2010

Suppose the

r
r

-subsets of an

n
n

-element set are colored by

t
t

colors. THEOREM 1.1. If

n
≥
(
t
−
1
)
(
k
−
1
)
+
k
⋅
r

n \geq (t - 1)(k - 1) + k \cdot r

, then there are

k
k

pairwise disjoint

r
r

-sets having the same color. This was conjectured by Erdös

[

E

]

[{\mathbf {E}}]

in 1973. Let

T
(
n
,

r
,

s
)

T(n,\,r,\,s)

denote the Turán number for

s
s

-uniform hypergraphs (see

§
1

\S 1

). THEOREM 1.3. If

ε
>
0
,

t
≤
(
1
−
ε
)
T
(
n
,

r
,

s
)

/

(
k
−
1
)

\varepsilon > 0,\,t \leq (1 - \varepsilon )T(n,\,r,\,s)/(k - 1)

, and

n
>

n
0

(
ε
,

r
,

s
,

k
)

n > {n_0}(\varepsilon ,\,r,\,s,\,k)

, then there are

k
k

r
r

-sets

A
1

,

A
2

,
…
,

A
k

{A_1},{A_2}, \ldots ,{A_k}

having the same color such that

|

A
i

∩

A
j

|

>
s

\left | {{A_i} \cap {A_j}} \right | > s

for all

1
≤
i
>
j
≤
k

1 \leq i > j \leq k

. If

s
=
2
,

ε

s = 2,\,\varepsilon

can be omitted. Theorem 1.1 is best possible. Its proof generalizes Lovász’ topological proof of the Kneser conjecture (which is the case

k
=
2

k = 2

). The proof uses a generalization, due to Bárány, Shlosman, and Szücs of the Borsuk-Ulam theorem. Theorem 1.3 is best possible up to the

ε
\varepsilon

-term (for large

n
n

). Its proof is purely combinatorial, and employs results on kernels of sunflowers.
Large-time behavior of solutions to a scalar conservation law in several space dimensions
Authors: Bauman Patricia , Phillips Daniel
Published: July 2010

We consider solutions of the Cauchy problem in

R

+

n
+
1

{\mathbf {R}}_ + ^{n + 1}

for the equation

u
t

+

div
x

f
(
u
)
=
0

{u_t} + {\operatorname {div}_x}f(u) = 0

. The initial data is assumed to be a compact perturbation of a function of the form,

φ
(
x
)
=
a

\varphi (x) = a

for

⟨

x
,

μ

⟩

>
0

\left \langle {x,\,\mu } \right \rangle > 0

,

φ
(
x
)
=
b

\varphi (x) = b

for

⟨

x
,

μ

⟩

>
0

\left \langle {x,\,\mu } \right \rangle > 0

, where

a
a

and

b
b

are constants and

μ
\mu

is a given unit vector. The Cauchy problem together with an entropy condition on

u
u

is known to be well posed. The solution with unperturbed initial data,

φ
(
x
)

\varphi (x)

, is a traveling shock,

φ
(
x
−

k
→

t
)

\varphi (x - \overrightarrow k t)

, provided that

φ
(
x
−

k
→

t
)

\varphi (x - \overrightarrow k t)

satisfies the entropy condition (an inequality on

a
,

b
,

μ

a,\,b,\,\mu

, and

f
f

). Assuming this type of condition on

φ
\varphi

, we study the large-time behavior of

u
u

. In particular, we show that

u
u

converges to a traveling shock whose profile agrees with

⟨

x
,

μ

⟩

=
0

\left \langle {x,\,\mu } \right \rangle = 0

outside of a compact set.
Ontogenomic study of the relationship between number of gene splice variants and GO categorization
Authors: Kahn Ari B. , Zeeberg Barry R. , Ryan Michael C. , Jamison D. Curtis , Rockoff David M. , Pommier Yves , Weinstein John N.
Published: July 2010

Motivation: Splice variation plays important roles in evolution and cancer. Different splice variants of a gene may be characteristic of particular cellular processes, subcellular locations or organs. Although several genomic projects have identified splice variants, there have been no large-scale computational studies of the relationship between number of splice variants and biological function. The Gene Ontology (GO) and tools for leveraging GO, such as GoMiner, now make such a study feasible.

Results: We partitioned genes into two groups: those with numbers of splice variants ≤b and >b (b=1,…, 10). Then we used GoMiner to determine whether any GO categories are enriched in genes with particular numbers of splice variants. Since there was no a priori ‘appropriate’ partition boundary, we studied those ‘robust’ categories whose enrichment did not depend on the selection of a particular partition boundary. Furthermore, because the distribution of splice variant number was a snapshot taken at a particular point in time, we confirmed that those observations were stable across successive builds of GenBank. A small number of categories were found for genes in the lower partitions. A larger number of categories were found for genes in the higher partitions. Those categories were largely associated with cell death and signal transduction. Apoptotic genes tended to have a large repertoire of splice variants, and genes with splice variants exhibited a distinctive ‘apoptotic island’ in clustered image maps (CIMs).

Availability:  Supplementary tables and figures are available at URL http://discover.nci.nih.gov/OG/supplementaryMaterials.html. The Safari browser appears to perform better than Firefox for these particular items.

Contact:  barry@discover.nci.nih.gov
METAL: fast and efficient meta-analysis of genomewide association scans
Authors: Willer Cristen J. , Li Yun , Abecasis Gonçalo R.
Published: July 2010

Summary: METAL provides a computationally efficient tool for meta-analysis of genome-wide association scans, which is a commonly used approach for improving power complex traits gene mapping studies. METAL provides a rich scripting interface and implements efficient memory management to allow analyses of very large data sets and to support a variety of input file formats.

Availability and implementation: METAL, including source code, documentation, examples, and executables, is available at http://www.sph.umich.edu/csg/abecasis/metal/

Contact:  goncalo@umich.edu
Global sequence characterization of rice centromeric satellite based on oligomer frequency analysis in large-scale sequencing data
Authors: Macas Jiří , Neumann Pavel , Novák Petr , Jiang Jiming
Published: July 2010

Motivation: Satellite DNA makes up significant portion of many eukaryotic genomes, yet it is relatively poorly characterized even in extensively sequenced species. This is, in part, due to methodological limitations of traditional methods of satellite repeat analysis, which are based on multiple alignments of monomer sequences. Therefore, we employed an alternative, alignment-free, approach utilizing k-mer frequency statistics, which is in principle more suitable for analyzing large sets of satellite repeat data, including sequence reads from next generation sequencing technologies.

Results:  k-mer frequency spectra were determined for two sets of rice centromeric satellite CentO sequences, including 454 reads from ChIP-sequencing of CENH3-bound DNA (7.6 Mb) and the whole genome Sanger sequencing reads (5.8 Mb). k-mer frequencies were used to identify the most conserved sequence regions and to reconstruct consensus sequences of complete monomers. Reconstructed consensus sequences as well as the assessment of overall divergence of k-mer spectra revealed high similarity of the two datasets, suggesting that CentO sequences associated with functional centromeres (CENH3-bound) do not significantly differ from the total population of CentO, which includes both centromeric and pericentromeric repeat arrays. On the other hand, considerable differences were revealed when these methods were used for comparison of CentO populations between individual chromosomes of the rice genome assembly, demonstrating preferential sequence homogenization of the clusters within the same chromosome. k-mer frequencies were also successfully used to identify and characterize smRNAs derived from CentO repeats.

Contact:  macas@umbr.cas.cz

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Computational analysis of tissue-specific gene networks: application to murine retinal functional studies
Authors: Hu Jianfei , Wan Jun , Hackler Laszlo , Zack Donald J. , Qian Jiang
Published: July 2010

Motivation: The vertebrate retina is a complex neuronal tissue, and its development, normal functioning and response to injury and disease is subject to a variety of genetic factors. To understand better the regulatory and functional relationships between the genes expressed within the retina, we constructed an interactive gene network of the mouse retina by applying a Bayesian statistics approach to information derived from a variety of gene expression, protein–protein interaction and gene ontology annotation databases.

Results: The network contains 673 retina-related genes. Most of them are obtained through manual literature-based curation, while the others are the genes preferentially expressed in the retina. These retina-related genes are linked by 3403 potential functional associations in the network. The prediction on the gene functional association using the Bayesian approach outperforms predictions using only one source of information. The network includes five major gene clusters, each enriched in different biological activities. There are several applications to this network. First, we identified ∼50 hub genes that are predicted to play particularly important roles in the function of the retina. Some of them are not yet well studied. Second, we can predict novel gene functions using ‘guilt by association’ method. Third, we also predicted novel retinal disease-associated genes based on the network analysis.

Availability: To provide easy access to the retinal network, we constructed an interactive web tool, named MoReNet, which is available at http://bioinfo.wilmer.jhu.edu/morenet/

Contact:  jiang.qian@jhmi.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
KBP interacts with SCG10, linking Goldberg–Shprintzen syndrome to microtubule dynamics and neuronal differentiation
Authors: Alves Maria M. , Burzynski Grzegorz , Delalande Jean-Marie , Osinga Jan , van der Goot Annemieke , Dolga Amalia M. , de Graaff Esther , Brooks Alice S. , Metzger Marco , Eisel Ulrich L.M. , Shepherd Iain , Eggen Bart J.L. , Hofstra Robert M.W.
Published: July 2010

Goldberg–Shprintzen syndrome (GOSHS) is a rare clinical disorder characterized by central and enteric nervous system defects. This syndrome is caused by inactivating mutations in the Kinesin Binding Protein (KBP) gene, which encodes a protein of which the precise function is largely unclear. We show that KBP expression is up-regulated during neuronal development in mouse cortical neurons. Moreover, KBP-depleted PC12 cells were defective in nerve growth factor-induced differentiation and neurite outgrowth, suggesting that KBP is required for cell differentiation and neurite development. To identify KBP interacting proteins, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen and found that KBP binds almost exclusively to microtubule associated or related proteins, specifically SCG10 and several kinesins. We confirmed these results by validating KBP interaction with one of these proteins: SCG10, a microtubule destabilizing protein. Zebrafish studies further demonstrated an epistatic interaction between KBP and SCG10 in vivo . To investigate the possibility of direct interaction between KBP and microtubules, we undertook co-localization and in vitro binding assays, but found no evidence of direct binding. Thus, our data indicate that KBP is involved in neuronal differentiation and that the central and enteric nervous system defects seen in GOSHS are likely caused by microtubule-related defects.
Deinococcus depolymerans sp. nov., a gamma- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterium, isolated from a naturally radioactive site
Authors: Asker Dalal , Awad Tarek S. , McLandsborough Lynne , Beppu Teruhiko , Ueda Kenji
Published: July 2010

Four gamma- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterial strains, designated TDMA-24T, TDMA-24-2, TDMA-24-3 and TDMA-24-4, were isolated from a fresh-water sample collected at Misasa, Tottori, Japan. Cells of these strains were Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and formed red colonies. The genomic DNA G+C contents ranged from 70.5 to 70.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolates belong to the genus Deinococcus, the highest sequence similarities being with Deinococcus aquaticus PB314T (98 %) and Deinococcus caeni Ho-08T (97 %). The polar lipid profile of strain TDMA-24T comprised three unidentified phosphoglycolipids, five unidentified glycolipids and seven unidentified polar lipids. MK-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 1ω6c, C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). On the basis of their phylogenetic positions and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, the novel isolates represent a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus depolymerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TDMA-24T ( = JCM 14369T  = NBRC 102115T  = CCUG 53609T).
Identification by computer-simulated RFLP of phytoplasmas associated with eggplant giant calyx representative of two subgroups, a lineage of 16SrIII-J and the new subgroup 16SrIII-U
Authors: Amaral Mello Ana Paula de Oliveira , Eckstein Bárbara , Flores Daniela , Kreyci Patrícia Fabretti , Bedendo Ivan Paulo
Published: July 2010

Symptoms resembling giant calyx, a graft-transmissible disease, were observed on 1–5 % of eggplant (aubergine; Solanum melongena L.) plants in production fields in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Phytoplasmas were detected in 12 of 12 samples from symptomatic plants that were analysed by a nested PCR assay employing 16S rRNA gene primers R16mF2/R16mR1 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. RFLP analysis of the resulting rRNA gene products (1.2 kb) indicated that all plants contained similar phytoplasmas, each closely resembling strains previously classified as members of RFLP group 16SrIII (X-disease group). Virtual RFLP and phylogenetic analyses of sequences derived from PCR products identified phytoplasmas infecting eggplant crops grown in Piracicaba as a lineage of the subgroup 16SrIII-J, whereas phytoplasmas detected in plants grown in Bragança Paulista were tentatively classified as members of a novel subgroup 16SrIII-U. These findings confirm eggplant as a new host of group 16SrIII-J phytoplasmas and extend the known diversity of strains belonging to this group in Brazil.
Comparative chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies on the genus Arcanobacterium Collins et al. 1982 emend. Lehnen et al. 2006: proposal for Trueperella gen. nov. and emended description of the genus Arcanobacterium
Authors: Yassin A. F. , Hupfer H. , Siering C. , Schumann P.
Published: July 2010

The results of a study comparing the chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic positions of members of the genus Arcanobacterium indicated that the genus was not monophyletic and, therefore, was in need of taxonomic revision. Phylogenetically, the genus Arcanobacterium consisted of two distinct lines; a group comprising the species Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (the type species of the genus), A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium and a robust group consisting of the species A. abortisuis, A. bernardiae, A. bialowiezense, A. bonasi and A. pyogenes. On the basis of 16S rRNA signature nucleotide comparisons and menaquinone and phospholipid compositions, it is proposed that of these nine species only four, A. haemolyticum, A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium, should be affiliated with the genus Arcanobacterium and the species A. abortisuis, A. bernardiae, A. bialowiezense, A. bonasi and A. pyogenes should be reclassified as members of a new genus, Trueperella, as Trueperella abortisuis comb. nov., Trueperella bernardiae comb. nov., Trueperella bialowiezensis comb. nov., Trueperella bonasi comb. nov. and Trueperella pyogenes comb. nov. Positive results in Christie–Atkins–Munch-Petersen (CAMP) tests on A. haemolyticum, A. hippocoleae, A. phocae and A. pluranimalium also supported the rearrangement of the nine species in to separate genera. As such, an emended description of the genus Arcanobacterium is provided.
Methanocaldococcus villosus sp. nov., a heavily flagellated archaeon that adheres to surfaces and forms cell–cell contacts
Authors: Bellack Annett , Huber Harald , Rachel Reinhard , Wanner Gerhard , Wirth Reinhard
Published: July 2010

A novel chemolithoautotrophic, hyperthermophilic methanogen was isolated from a submarine hydrothermal system at the Kolbeinsey Ridge, north of Iceland. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain belongs to the order Methanococcales within the genus Methanocaldococcus, with approximately 95 % sequence similarity to Methanocaldococcus jannaschii as its closest relative. Cells of the novel organism stained Gram-negative and appeared as regular to irregular cocci possessing more than 50 polar flagella. These cell appendages mediated not only motility but also adherence to abiotic surfaces and the formation of cell–cell contacts. The new isolate grew at 55–90 °C, with optimum growth at 80 °C. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 2.5 % (w/v), and the optimal pH was 6.5. The cells gained their energy exclusively by reduction of CO2 with H2. Selenate, tungstate and yeast extract stimulated growth significantly. The genome size was determined to be in the range 1.8–2.0 kb, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 30 mol%. Despite being physiologically nearly identical to the other members of the genus Methanocaldococcus, analysis of whole-cell proteins revealed significant differences. Based on the results from phylogenetic, morphological and protein analyses, we conclude that the novel strain represents a novel species of the genus Methanocaldococcus, for which the name Methanocaldococcus villosus sp. nov. is proposed (type strain KIN24-T80T  = DSM 22612T  = JCM 16315T).
Description of Actinomycetospora chibensis sp. nov., Actinomycetospora chlora sp. nov., Actinomycetospora cinnamomea sp. nov., Actinomycetospora corticicola sp. nov., Actinomycetospora lutea sp. nov., Actinomycetospora straminea sp. nov. and Actinomycetospora succinea sp. nov. and emended description of the genus Actinomycetospora
Authors: Tamura Tomohiko , Ishida Yuumi , Hamada Moriyuki , Otoguro Misa , Yamamura Hideki , Hayakawa Masayuki , Suzuki Ken-ichiro
Published: July 2010

Eight actinomycete strains that form bud-like spore chains were isolated from various samples collected in Japan. Phylogenetically, the isolates formed a single clade with the type strain of Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, d-glutamic acid and d- and l- alanine in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, arabinose and galactose as characteristic sugars, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as diagnostic phospholipids, MK-8(H4) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone, iso-C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acid and DNA G+C contents of 72–74 mol%. Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis, the type species of the genus Actinomycetospora, was also found to contain MK-8(H4) predominantly in our study, although it was earlier reported to contain MK-9(H4) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. On the basis of the morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, we concluded that the isolates can be accommodated in the genus Actinomycetospora with emendation of the description of the genus and are assigned to the following seven novel species: Actinomycetospora chibensis sp. nov. (type strain TT04-21T  = NBRC 103694T  = KACC 14256T), Actinomycetospora chlora sp. nov. (type strain TT07I-57T  = NBRC 105900T  = KACC 14252T), Actinomycetospora cinnamomea sp. nov. (type strain IY07-53T  = NBRC 105527T  = KACC 14250T), Actinomycetospora corticicola sp. nov. (type strain 014-5T  = NBRC 103689T  = KACC 14253T), Actinomycetospora lutea sp. nov. (type strain TT00-04T  = NBRC 103690T  = KACC 14254T), Actinomycetospora straminea sp. nov. (type strain IY07-55T  = NBRC 105528T  = KACC 14251T) and Actinomycetospora succinea sp. nov. (type strain TT00-49T  = NBRC 103691T  = KACC 14255T).
Nitratireductor pacificus sp. nov., isolated from a pyrene-degrading consortium
Authors: Lai Qiliang , Yu Zhiwei , Wang Jianning , Zhong Huanzi , Sun Fengqin , Wang Liping , Wang Baojiang , Shao Zongze
Published: July 2010

Strain pht-3BT was isolated from a pyrene-degrading consortium of an enriched sediment from the Pacific Ocean, collected during the screening of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. Cells were Gram-negative, short rods that were motile by means of flagella. Growth was observed at 0–7 % NaCl and 10–41 °C. The isolate was able to reduce nitrate to nitrite, but not to nitrogen. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain pht-3BT was most closely related to Nitratireductor aquibiodomus NL21T (97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), N. indicus C115T (97.1 %), N. basaltis J3T (96.8 %) and N. kimnyeongensis KY 101T (96.7 %). DNA–DNA hybridization between strain pht-3BT and these reference strains revealed 55, 54, 28 and 42 % DNA–DNA relatedness, respectively. The dominant fatty acids were C19 : 0ω8c cyclo (22.6 %) and summed feature 8 (consisting of C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c; 60.4 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 63 mol%. These characteristics were in good agreement with those of members of the genus Nitratireductor. According to cell morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness, the isolate belonged to the genus Nitratireductor but could be readily distinguished from recognized species of the genus. Therefore a novel species is proposed to accommodate strain pht-3BT, for which the name Nitratireductor pacificus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is pht-3BT ( = CCTCC AB 209302T = LMG 25541T = MCCC 1A01024T).
Polaribacter gangjinensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Lee Young Sun , Lee Dong-Heon , Kahng Hyung-Yeel , Sohn San Ho , Jung Jae Sung
Published: July 2010

A strictly aerobic, orange-pigmented and Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated K17-16T, was isolated from seawater of Gangjin Bay, Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain K17-16T was a member of the genus Polaribacter in the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed 94.0–95.6 % sequence similarity with the type strains of recognized species of the genus Polaribacter. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34.6 mol% and the major respiratory lipoquinone was MK-6. The major polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified amino-group-containing lipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (15.4 %), C15 : 0 (12.4 %), summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c; 10.6 %), C15 : 1ω6c (9.8 %) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (8.6 %). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain K17-16T represents a novel species in the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter gangjinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K17-16T ( = KCTC 22729T = JCM 16152T).
Armatimonas rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., of a novel bacterial phylum, Armatimonadetes phyl. nov., formally called the candidate phylum OP10
Authors: Tamaki Hideyuki , Tanaka Yasuhiro , Matsuzawa Hiroaki , Muramatsu Mizuho , Meng Xian-Ying , Hanada Satoshi , Mori Kazuhiro , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: July 2010

A novel aerobic, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, strain YO-36T, isolated from the rhizoplane of an aquatic plant (a reed, Phragmites australis) inhabiting a freshwater lake in Japan, was morphologically, physiologically and phylogenetically characterized. Strain YO-36T was Gram-negative and ovoid to rod-shaped, and formed pinkish hard colonies on agar plates. Strain YO-36T grew at 20–40 °C with optimum growth at 30–35 °C, whilst no growth was observed at 15 °C or 45 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.5–8.5 with an optimum at pH 6.5. Strain YO-36T utilized a limited range of substrates, such as sucrose, gentiobiose, pectin, gellan gum and xanthan gum. The strain contained C16 : 0, C16 : 1, C14 : 0 and C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids and menaquinone-12 as the respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YO-36T belonged to the candidate phylum OP10 comprised solely of environmental 16S rRNA gene clone sequences except for two strains, P488 and T49 isolated from geothermal soil in New Zealand; strain YO-36T showed less than 80 % sequence similarity to strains P488 and T47. Based on the phylogetic and phenotypic findings, a new genus and species, Armatimonas rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed for the isolate (type strain YO-36T  = NBRC 105658T  = DSM 23562T). In addition, a new bacterial phylum named Armatimonadetes phyl. nov. is proposed for the candidate phylum OP10 represented by A. rosea gen. nov., sp. nov. and Armatimonadaceae fam. nov., Armatimonadales ord. nov., and Armatimonadia classis nov.
Vocational education and training attrition and the school‐to‐work transition
Authors: Masdonati Jonas , Lamamra Nadia , Jordan Marine
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the issue of dual vocational education and training (VET) attritions as indicating difficulties in the transition from school to work.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of a content analysis of semi‐structured interviews with 46 young people who interrupted their dual VET during the first year.

Findings

The findings showed that VET “dropouts” experience transitional problems. These can be one of two sorts: diachronic or synchronic. Diachronic problems are related to difficulties with the shift from a standard school system to VET. Synchronic problems are due to difficulties in learning, relational or working environments.

Research limitations/implications

The results stress the need to widen the definition of transition and to consider the context in which the transition takes place. Further research could compare these results with employers' and trainers' points‐of‐view.

Practical implications

Accordingly, interventions should be taken before and after the precise moment of the shift from school to VET and should include all stakeholders of VET.

Originality/value

The paper encompasses three original aspects: it considers school‐to‐work transition as a process beginning before and ending after the concrete shift to VET, suggesting that a transition is achieved only when the person reaches a relatively stable situation on the workplace; consequently, it conceives VET attrition as an indicator of a failure of the school‐to‐work transition process; and it stresses the influence of the social and the learning environment on the quality of VET.
Individual heat metering and charging of multi‐dwelling residential housing
Authors: Siggelsten Simon , Olander Stefan
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look more closely at the residents' attitude to individual heat metering and charging systems (IMC) of multi‐family dwellings in residential properties, and to evaluate the tenant's perception of IMC and how it may affect the continued expansion of such systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The research in this paper is based on a questionnaire and interviews with tenants at two municipal housing companies, in Sweden, that currently are using IMC.

Findings

The studies in this paper show certain dissatisfaction with the applied IMC systems. This depends partly on the tenant's perceived lack of knowledge and partly because of the technical shortcomings of the IMC system.

Originality/value

In order to increase the extension of IMC a better understanding is required of how the systems work and why they are used. Information to the tenants needs to be improved and techniques need to be developed to create fairer systems of IMC and thus increase the level of acceptance from both landlords and tenants.
Establishment of KPIs for facility performance measurement: review of literature
Authors: Lavy Sarel , Garcia John A. , Dixit Manish K.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and categorize them based on specific aspects of facility performance measurement in order to facilitate a holistic performance assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach, based on the literature, is adopted. This approach relies on an extensive literature search of extant research papers, assessment reports, surveys and presentations to identify KPIs. The KPIs are arranged in appropriate categories based on their purpose and content.

Findings

The paper identifies indicators for performance measurement and classifies them into four major categories: financial, physical, functional, and survey‐based. Indicators are arranged from general to the most specific indicators. The list presents indicators with their description, units of measurement, and literature sources.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could focus on further analysis of the list of KPIs in order to generate a more concise list of easily measurable indicators that exhibit wide applicability and valid categorization.

Practical implications

The lack of proper categorization hampers frequent and widespread use of performance metrics by the industry. This study proposes a list of KPIs and presents it in appropriate categories so it can be used more practically by facility management practitioners.

Originality/value

The list of KPIs generated covers aspects of facility performance assessment and shows wider applicability; thus, it could be utilized by practitioners for a holistic assessment of a wide range of facilities.
Building operation and maintenance: education needs in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Joseph H.K.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Built facilities, in order to be sustainable, have to be operated and maintained by practitioners who possess the appropriate types and levels of knowledge. The study reported in this paper aims to identify the available higher education programmes in this relation and to investigate what kinds of education are needed by the operation and maintenance (O&M) practitioners in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

The published information of the building‐related programmes offered by the local higher education institutions was reviewed. A questionnaire, designed, piloted and distributed with the support given by the leading O&M society in Hong Kong, was used to survey the perceptions and opinions of the practitioners.

Findings

No education programme had been tailored for producing professionals to meet the rising demand for O&M works. The practitioners indicated their strong wish to learn more, in particular, about energy and environmental management, and testing and commissioning. Their desire for dedicated O&M programmes was also overwhelming.

Research limitations/implications

The survey and analysis method used in the study may be taken to investigate the education needs in other developing industries.

Practical implications

The relatively low levels that the practitioners perceived about their knowledge in most aspects of their works imply that there is room for improving work quality through enhancing O&M education.

Originality/value

The survey findings unveiled the contemporary education needs of the O&M practitioners, which are essential information that supports the development of some matching courses.
New procedure for wind farm maintenance
Authors: Orosa Jose Antonio , Oliveira Armando C. , Martín Costa Angel
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Conditions monitoring system (CMS) is a tool for describing the present condition of the components of a system. To achieve this objective, there is a need to develop an efficient fault prediction algorithm. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses four real wind farms with control charts of indices derived from UNE EN15341:2008 standard indicators, as the main CMS algorithm to define which index must be considered for improving wind farm maintenance and related costs.

Findings

The findings show that climatic conditions are related to maintenance cost indices. Employing the statistical control process of various wind energy converter (WEC) indices proposed by wind farm operators is an adequate procedure to monitor and control wind farm performance. In particular, only the maintenance cost index and the hourly maintenance cost index presented a clear relationship with respect to weather conditions.

Practical implications

Climatic conditions must form the basis for organising maintenance activities. Despite this, future maintenance models must be centred on indices obtained from experience, like the maintenance cost index and hourly maintenance cost index, and not solely in general indicators defined by standards.

Originality/value

A practical case study of wind farm maintenance based in the new UNE EN15341:2008 standard and wind farm operators experience is shown, defining real indices to be employed in future maintenance procedures.
The effect of flow experience on mobile SNS users' loyalty
Authors: Zhou Tao , Li Hongxiu , Liu Yong
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of flow experience on mobile social networking service (SNS) users' loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 305 valid responses collected from a survey questionnaire, structural equation modeling (SEM) technology was employed to examine the research model.

Findings

The results show that both information quality and system quality significantly affect users' trust and flow experiences, which further determine their loyalty. The results indicate that flow experience is the strongest determinant of users' loyalty.

Practical implications

Mobile SNS providers need to consider user experience when seeking users' loyalty. They should enhance information quality and system quality in order to improve user trust and flow experience.

Originality/value

Although much research has been conducted to explore the effects of extrinsic motivations, such as perceived usefulness, on mobile commerce user behavior, the effect of intrinsic motivations, such as flow experience, is seldom tested. This research found the effect of flow experience on mobile SNS users' loyalty to be significant.
China and the Olympics: views of insiders and outsiders
Authors: Heslop Louise A. , Nadeau John , O'Reilly Norm
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of residents and foreigners of the Olympics and the host country before and after the mega‐event within the context of marketing theory on country image effects and psychology theories attribution.

Design/methodology/approach

This is achieved by studying the views of American and Chinese respondents of China and the Olympics before and after the Beijing Olympics. Samples of Chinese and Americans were surveyed before and after the Beijing Summer Olympics concerning their images of the Olympics, China and its people, and China as a vacation destination. Cross‐national and pre‐post comparisons are made and interaction effects are noted using MANOVA.

Findings

Significant cross‐national and time differences and several interaction effects are found across all three focal objects of image measurements. Large country differences are found. Despite how technically successful the Games might have looked, post‐event assessments are overwhelmingly lower. Additional differences in views and interaction effects are discussed in terms of the intended and unintended impacts of the event on local and foreign respondents.

Research limitations/implications

Only one location in China and one foreign country are surveyed.

Practical implications

The paper has important implications for both the effects of mega‐events on country images and the effects of the host country on the event brand image. These issues have relevance for countries seeking to host mega‐events and those who manage these events and make decision about where they will be held.

Originality/value

This is the first cross‐national study of the Olympics and their effects using before‐and‐after event measures. It also combines analyses of both the event and the place images from the perspectives of both those who live in the country and residents of other countries. Attribution theory is a useful reference theory for mega‐event assessments.
Consumer‐based brand equity for Australia as a long‐haul tourism destination in an emerging market
Authors: Pike Steven , Bianchi Constanza , Kerr Gayle , Patti Charles
Published: July 2010

Purpose

Although the branding literature emerged during the 1940s, research relating to tourism destination branding has only gained momentum since the late 1990s. There remains a lack of theory in particular that addresses the measurement of the effectiveness of destination branding over time. The purpose of this paper is to test the effectiveness of a model of consumer‐based brand equity (CBBE) for a country destination.

Design/methodology/approach

A model of CBBE was adapted from the marketing literature and applied to a nation context. The model was tested by using structural equation modelling with data from a large Chilean sample (n=845) comprising a mix of previous visitors and non‐visitors. The model fits the data well.

Findings

The paper reports the results of an investigation into brand equity for Australia as a long‐haul destination in an emerging market. The research took place just before the launch of the nation's fourth new brand campaign in six years. The results indicate Australia is a well‐known but not compelling destination brand for tourists in Chile, which reflects the lower priority the South American market has been given by the national tourism office.

Practical implications

The paper suggested that CBBE measures could be analysed at various points in time to track any strengthening or weakening of market perceptions in relation to brand objectives. A standard CBBE instrument could provide long‐term effectiveness performance measures regardless of changes in destination marketing organisation staff, advertising agency, other stakeholders and budget.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the nation‐branding literature by being one of the first to test the efficacy of a model of CBBE for a tourism destination brand.
Group decision making based on the LCLR method
Authors: Chen Zhijie , Chen Weizhen , Chen Qile
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new group decision‐making approach, which can only use simple mathematical calculations to perform a group decision‐making task.

Design/methodology/approach

The large column and large row (LCLR) method is designed and applied.

Findings

The paper finds four propositions to support LCLR methods to be a simple and effectual means for group decision making.

Research limitations/implications

The aggregated matrix constructed in LCLR methods should be generated from non‐contradictory circles.

Practical implications

Effective group decision‐making results can be obtained by easily used methods, not necessarily by using complex mathematics technology to conduct the task.

Originality/value

The new approach based on LCLR methods proposed in this paper may be one of the most easily used and effective means for group decision making.
A study of improvement of D* algorithms for mobile robot path planning in partial unknown environments
Authors: Guo Jianming , Liu Liang
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the D* algorithm which has been used usually in robotics for mobile robot navigation in unknown or dynamic environments.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the model of 2D workspace with some obstacles is expressed in regularity grids. The optimal path is planned by using the improved D* algorithm by searching in the neighbor grid cells in 16 directions. It makes the robot that the smallest turning angle drops to π/8. The robot moving angle discrete precision is raised and the unnecessary cost of path planning is reduced so the robot motion path is smoother. Then, the improved D* algorithm is simulated in MOBOTSIM software environment and is tested by the WiRobotX80 mobile robot.

Findings

To search in the neighbor grid cells in 16 directions instead of eight directions by using D* algorithms for path planning.

Research limitations/implications

The map should be expressed in regularity grids.

Originality/value

The improved D* algorithm is effective and it can result in a higher quality path than the conventional D* algorithm at the same map environment.
Lp‐maximal regularity for incomplete second‐order Cauchy problems
Authors: Huang Yongzhong , Feng Yan
Published: July 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Lp‐maximal regularity for the abstract incomplete second order problem.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the paper gives the definition of the Lp‐maximal regularity for incomplete second‐order Cauchy problems and lists their basic properties based on Chill and Srivastava's recent work for completing second order problem. Second, the paper establishes its characterization by means of Fourier multiplier and the operator‐sum theorem. Finally, it considers an application to quasilinear systems by the regularity and linearization techniques.

Findings

Two criteria of Lp‐maximal regularity are obtained, and the existence of the local solution for the second order quasilinear problem is given. In addition, the connection on maximal regularity between second order problems with initial values and that with periodic problems is investigated. A perturbation result is given.

Originality/value

The maximal regularity is an important tool in the theory of non‐linear differential equations. The results obtained in this paper are universal because the operator is not necessarily the generator of a cosine operator function. Using this unifying approach it is possible to clarify the Lp‐maximal regularity and the existence of the solution for some systems described by partial differential equations, such as wave equations.