bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite element exterior calculus: from Hodge theory to numerical stability
Authors: Arnold Douglas , Falk Richard , Winther Ragnar
Published: February 2010

This article reports on the confluence of two streams of research, one emanating from the fields of numerical analysis and scientific computation, the other from topology and geometry. In it we consider the numerical discretization of partial differential equations that are related to differential complexes so that de Rham cohomology and Hodge theory are key tools for exploring the well-posedness of the continuous problem. The discretization methods we consider are finite element methods, in which a variational or weak formulation of the PDE problem is approximated by restricting the trial subspace to an appropriately constructed piecewise polynomial subspace. After a brief introduction to finite element methods, we develop an abstract Hilbert space framework for analyzing the stability and convergence of such discretizations. In this framework, the differential complex is represented by a complex of Hilbert spaces, and stability is obtained by transferring Hodge-theoretic structures that ensure well-posedness of the continuous problem from the continuous level to the discrete. We show stable discretization is achieved if the finite element spaces satisfy two hypotheses: they can be arranged into a subcomplex of this Hilbert complex, and there exists a bounded cochain projection from that complex to the subcomplex. In the next part of the paper, we consider the most canonical example of the abstract theory, in which the Hilbert complex is the de Rham complex of a domain in Euclidean space. We use the Koszul complex to construct two families of finite element differential forms, show that these can be arranged in subcomplexes of the de Rham complex in numerous ways, and for each construct a bounded cochain projection. The abstract theory therefore applies to give the stability and convergence of finite element approximations of the Hodge Laplacian. Other applications are considered as well, especially the elasticity complex and its application to the equations of elasticity. Background material is included to make the presentation self-contained for a variety of readers.
Geometric cycles, arithmetic groups and their cohomology
Authors: Schwermer Joachim
Published: February 2010

It is the aim of this article to give a reasonably detailed account of a specific bundle of geometric investigations and results pertaining to arithmetic groups, the geometry of the corresponding locally symmetric space

X

/

Γ

X/\Gamma

attached to a given arithmetic subgroup

Γ
⊂
G

\Gamma \subset G

of a reductive algebraic group

G
G

and its cohomology groups

H

∗

(
X

/

Γ
,

C

)

H^{\ast }(X/\Gamma , \mathbb C)

. We focus on constructing totally geodesic cycles in

X

/

Γ

X/\Gamma

which originate with reductive subgroups

H
⊂
G

H \subset G

. In many cases, it can be shown that these cycles, to be called geometric cycles, yield non-vanishing (co)homology classes. Since the cohomology of an arithmetic group

Γ
\Gamma

is strongly related to the automorphic spectrum of

Γ
\Gamma

, this geometric construction of non-vanishing classes leads to results concerning, for example, the existence of specific automorphic forms.
Unitary genuine principal series of the metaplectic group
Authors: Pantano Alessandra , Paul Annegret , Salamanca-Riba Susana
Published: February 2010

This paper presents some recent progress on the classification of the unitary genuine irreducible representations of the metaplectic group

M
p
(
2
n
)

Mp(2n)

. Our focus will be on Langlands quotients of genuine minimal principal series; the main result is an embedding of the set of unitary parameters of such representations into the union of spherical unitary parameters for certain split orthogonal groups. The latter are known from work of D. Barbasch; hence we obtain the non-unitarity of a large (conjecturally complete) set of parameters for Langlands quotients of genuine principal series of

M
p
(
2
n
)

Mp(2n)

.
Characteristics, outcomes, and predictors of mortality at 3 months and 1 year in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure
Authors: Harjola Veli‐Pekka , Follath Ferenc , Nieminen Markku S. , Brutsaert Dirk , Dickstein Kenneth , Drexler Helmut , Hochadel Matthias , Komajda Michel , Lopez‐Sendon Jose L. , Ponikowski Piotr , Tavazzi Luigi
Published: February 2010

Aims

Acute heart failure (AHF) has a poor prognosis. We evaluated 3‐ and 12‐month mortality in different clinical classes of AHF patients from 30 European countries who were included in the EuroHeart Failure Survey (EHFS) II.

Methods and results

Follow‐up data were available for 2981 AHF patients, of these 62% had a history of chronic HF. One‐year mortality after discharge was lower in patients with de novo AHF when compared with acutely decompensated chronic HF (ADCHF), 16.4 vs. 23.2% (P < 0.001). Cardiogenic shock conferred the highest cumulative 1‐year mortality (52.9%) as a result of in‐hospital mortality of 39.3%. Long‐term prognosis in decompensated AHF was also dismal. Hypertensive HF was associated with the lowest mortality (13.7% at 1 year). Age, prior myocardial infarction, creatinine level, and low plasma sodium were independently associated with mortality during the whole follow‐up period. Diabetes, anaemia, and history of chronic HF were associated with worse and hypertension with better long‐term survival. History of cerebrovascular disease was associated with worse short‐term outcome.

Conclusion

Early and late mortality differ between de novo AHF and ADCHF and between clinical classes of AHF. EHFS II identifies clinical risk markers and demonstrates the importance of a thorough characterization of AHF populations according to history and clinical presentation.
Mechanism of the inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on endoglin expression induced by transforming growth factor‐β1 in cultured cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Shyu Kou‐Gi , Wang Bao‐Wei , Chen Wei‐Jan , Kuan Peiliang , Hung Chi‐Ren
Published: February 2010

Aims

Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and endoglin play a causal role in promoting cardiac fibrosis. Atorvastatin has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on cardiac fibroblasts in vitro. However, the effects of statins on TGF‐β1 and endoglin are poorly understood. We therefore sought to investigate the molecular mechanisms of atorvastatin on endoglin expression after TGF‐β1 stimulation in cardiac fibroblasts.

Methods and results

Cultured cardiac fibroblasts were obtained from adult male Sprague–Dawley rat hearts. TGF‐β1 stimulation increased endoglin and collagen I expression and atorvastatin inhibited the induction of endoglin and collagen I by TGF‐β1. Phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI‐3) and Akt inhibitors (wortmannin and Akt inhibitor X) completely attenuated the endoglin protein expression induced by TGF‐β1. TGF‐β1 induced phosphorylation of PI‐3 kinase and Akt, while atorvastatin and wortmannin and Akt inhibitor X inhibited the phosphorylation of PI‐3 kinase and Akt induced by TGF‐β1. The gel shift and promoter activity assay showed that TGF‐β1 increased Smad3/4‐binding activity and endoglin promoter activity, while wortmannin and atorvastatin inhibited the Smad3/4‐binding activity and endoglin promoter activity induced by TGF‐β1. TGF‐β1 increased collagen I protein expression, while endoglin siRNA attenuated collagen I protein expression induced by TGF‐β1. Atorvastatin decreased left ventricular TGF‐β1, endoglin, and collagen I protein expression and fibrotic area in a rat model of volume overload heart failure.

Conclusion

Atorvastatin inhibits endoglin expression through the inhibition of PI‐3 kinase, Akt, and Smad3 phosphorylation, and reduced Smad3/4 binding activity and endoglin promoter activity in cardiac fibroblasts.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue of intractable ventricular fibrillation and bridge to heart transplantation
Authors: Fux Thomas , Svenarud Peter , Grinnemo Karl‐Henrik , Albåge Anders , Bredin Fredrik , van der Linden Jan , Hagerman Inger , Gabrielsen Anders , Lund Lars H.
Published: February 2010

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) systems have undergone rapid technological improvements and are now feasible options for medium‐term support of severe cardiac or pulmonary failure. Intractable ventricular arrhythmia is a rare but well‐established indication for heart transplantation. We report a case of persistent ventricular fibrillation (VF) that was rescued by insertion of peripheral veno‐arterial ECMO during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which provided support for 30 h of continuous VF and subsequently permitted urgent heart transplantation.
Polyhedral nine-atom clusters of tetrel elements and intermetalloid derivatives
Authors: Scharfe Sandra , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: February 2010

Homoatomic polyanions have the basic capability for a bottom-up synthesis of nanostructured materials. Therefore, the chemistry and the structures of polyhedral nine-atom clusters of tetrel elements [E9]4−is highlighted. The nine-atom Zintl ions are available in good quantities for E = Si–Pb as binary alkali metal (A) phases of the composition A4E9or A12E17. Dissolution or extraction of the neat solids with aprotic solvents and crystallization with alkali metal-sequestering molecules or crown ethers leads to a large variety of structures containing homoatomic clusters with up to 45 E atoms. Cluster growth occurs via oxidative coupling reactions. The clusters can further act as a donor ligand in transition metal complexes, which is a first step to the formation of bimetallic clusters. The structures and some nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic properties of these so-called intermetalloid clusters are reviewed, with special emphasis on tetrel clusters that are endohedrally filled with transition metal atoms.
Metal clusters inside out
Authors: Simon Arndt
Published: February 2010

Solid-state chemistry of cluster compounds with metals in the left part of the periodic table is described. As a function of the metal valence electron concentration (VEC), characteristic changes occur with stepwise changing features. Strongly metal–metal-bonded and ligand-encapsulated clusters exist for large values of VEC. At decreased values, endohedral atoms stabilize the clusters, and with the lowest values, only clusters exist with no ligand shell. This general trend holds for systems with discrete, as well as condensed, clusters as illustrated for d metals, including the lanthanides, alkaline earth and alkali metals.
Syntheses, structures and properties of primarily nanosized homo/heterometallic palladium CO/PR
3
-ligated clusters
Authors: Mednikov Evgueni G. , Dahl Lawrence F.
Published: February 2010

Syntheses, properties and structures of nanosized palladium CO/PR
3
-ligated homo- and heterometallic clusters containing up to 165 metal atoms are the focus of this review. The work discussed is primarily that of the authors and their coworkers. We propose that the unparalleled variety of structural types and the distinctive reactivities of neutral Pd

n

(CO)

x

(PR
3
)

y

clusters composed of zerovalent Pd atoms are a consequence of relatively weak Pd–L(ligand) and Pd(0)–Pd(0) interactions that result from the stable 5s
0
4d
10
closed-shell electron configuration of atomic Pd in its ground state.
Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles and their non-ordered superstructures
Authors: Bigall Nadja C. , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: February 2010

This article highlights our recent work concerning the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their non-ordered superstructures. After a short introduction, the basic synthetic procedures are explained for the nanoparticles used for the assemblies. Furthermore, a fabrication method is itemized for very monodisperse platinum nanoparticles in aqueous solution ranging in diameter from 10 to 100 nm showing distinct optical properties. The next section deals with the synthesis of non-ordered hydro- and aerogels from the as-prepared sols. Very light large surface materials from gold, silver, platinum and gold–silver and platinum–silver sols can be fabricated with the given method. Another way to ultralight superstructures of noble metal nanoparticles using fungi as templates is described in the third section. Although fungi grow inside the colloidal solutions they can assemble the nanoparticles onto their surfaces. These hybrid systems are thus extremely interesting supported superstructures for applications in heterogeneous catalysis, since the numbers of nanoparticles on the fungus can easily be tuned, and the fabrication process is cost-effective, environmentally friendly and the organic templates can be easily removed by simple combustion for regaining the noble metal.
Metal chalcogenide nanoclusters with ‘tailored’ surfaces via ‘designer’ silylated chalcogen reagents
Authors: MacDonald Daniel G. , Corrigan John F.
Published: February 2010

Silylated chalcogen reagents are proven entry points for the preparation of ligand-stabilized, nanometre-sized metal–chalcogen clusters. More recently, these reagents have been developed to incorporate specific functionalities onto the surfaces of nanoclusters. The group 11 metals Cu and Ag in particular yield a wealth of structural types, the features for which are dependent on the nature of the surface chalcogenolate ligands. The content of this review focuses on complexes that have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and illustrates the ease by which these frameworks can be assembled.
Ruthenium–tin cluster complexes and their applications as bimetallic nanoscale heterogeneous hydrogenation catalysts
Authors: Adams Richard D. , Trufan Eszter
Published: February 2010

This review describes recent studies on the synthesis and characterization of new polynuclear ruthenium–tin cluster complexes, their conversion to heterometallic nanoparticles, and some studies on their applications as catalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated organic molecules of commercial interest.
Synthesis and catalytic activity of metal nanoclusters inside functional resins: an endeavour lasting 15 years
Authors: Corain Benedetto , Zecca Marco , Canton Patrizia , Centomo Paolo
Published: February 2010

Cross-linked functional polymers (functional resins) are versatile, designable and useful supports for metal nanoclusters that are able to provide reasonably thermally and mechanically stable multi-functional metal catalysts characterized by good activity and selectivity. The paper reviews authors’ contributions to the field from the early 1990s to the present.
Magnetic coordination clusters and networks: synthesis and topological description
Authors: Kostakis George E. , Hewitt Ian J. , Ako Ayuk M. , Mereacre Valeriu , Powell Annie K.
Published: February 2010

With the discovery of the phenomenon of single-molecule magnetism, coordination chemists have turned their attention to synthesizing cluster aggregates of paramagnetic ions. This has led to a plethora of coordination clusters with various topologies and diverse magnetic properties. In this paper, we present ways of describing and understanding such compounds as well as outlining a new approach, which we have recently developed, to describing cluster topology. Our approach is based upon and pays tribute to the huge contribution made to coordination chemistry through the development of the Schläfli symbols for describing architectures. To illustrate the developments that are taking place in modern coordination chemistry, we start with some basic definitions of relevance to what follows. Then we describe approaches to discovering new magnetically interesting 3d/4f clusters, assigning their topological descriptions. Finally, we show how the concepts behind the construction of metal–organic frameworks can be extended to using clusters as nodes in the frameworks to give super metal–organic frameworks.
Is bigger always better? A critical appraisal of the use of volumetric analysis in the study of the hippocampus
Authors: Roth Timothy C. , Brodin Anders , Smulders Tom V. , LaDage Lara D. , Pravosudov Vladimir V.
Published: February 2010

A well-developed spatial memory is important for many animals, but appears especially important for scatter-hoarding species. Consequently, the scatter-hoarding system provides an excellent paradigm in which to study the integrative aspects of memory use within an ecological and evolutionary framework. One of the main tenets of this paradigm is that selection for enhanced spatial memory for cache locations should specialize the brain areas involved in memory. One such brain area is the hippocampus (Hp). Many studies have examined this adaptive specialization hypothesis, typically relating spatial memory to Hp volume. However, it is unclear how the volume of the Hp is related to its function for spatial memory. Thus, the goal of this article is to evaluate volume as a main measurement of the degree of morphological and physiological adaptation of the Hp as it relates to memory. We will briefly review the evidence for the specialization of memory in food-hoarding animals and discuss the philosophy behind volume as the main currency. We will then examine the problems associated with this approach, attempting to understand the advantages and limitations of using volume and discuss alternatives that might yield more specific hypotheses. Overall, there is strong evidence that the Hp is involved in the specialization of spatial memory in scatter-hoarding animals. However, volume may be only a coarse proxy for more relevant and subtle changes in the structure of the brain underlying changes in behaviour. To better understand the nature of this brain/memory relationship, we suggest focusing on more specific and relevant features of the Hp, such as the number or size of neurons, variation in connectivity depending on dendritic and axonal arborization and the number of synapses. These should generate more specific hypotheses derived from a solid theoretical background and should provide a better understanding of both neural mechanisms of memory and their evolution.
The ecological relevance of sleep: the trade-off between sleep, memory and energy conservation
Authors: Roth Timothy C. , Rattenborg Niels C. , Pravosudov Vladimir V.
Published: February 2010

All animals in which sleep has been studied express signs of sleep-like behaviour, suggesting that sleep must have some fundamental functions that are sustained by natural selection. Those functions, however, are still not clear. Here, we examine the ecological relevance of sleep from the perspective of behavioural trade-offs that might affect fitness. Specifically, we highlight the advantage of using food-caching animals as a system in which a conflict might occur between engaging in sleep for memory/learning and hypothermia/torpor to conserve energy. We briefly review the evidence for the importance of sleep for memory, the importance of memory for food-caching animals and the conflicts that might occur between sleep and energy conservation in these animals. We suggest that the food-caching paradigm represents a naturalistic and experimentally practical system that provides the opportunity for a new direction in sleep research that will expand our understanding of sleep, especially within the context of ecological and evolutionary processes.
Integrating ecology, psychology and neurobiology within a food-hoarding paradigm
Authors: Pravosudov Vladimir V. , Smulders Tom V.
Published: February 2010

Many animals regularly hoard food for future use, which appears to be an important adaptation to a seasonally and/or unpredictably changing environment. This food-hoarding paradigm is an excellent example of a natural system that has broadly influenced both theoretical and empirical work in the field of biology. The food-hoarding paradigm has played a major role in the conceptual framework of numerous fields from ecology (e.g. plant–animal interactions) and evolution (e.g. the coevolution of caching, spatial memory and the hippocampus) to psychology (e.g. memory and cognition) and neurobiology (e.g. neurogenesis and the neurobiology of learning and memory). Many food-hoarding animals retrieve caches by using spatial memory. This memory-based behavioural system has the inherent advantage of being tractable for study in both the field and laboratory and has been shaped by natural selection, which produces variation with strong fitness consequences in a variety of taxa. Thus, food hoarding is an excellent model for a highly integrative approach to understanding numerous questions across a variety of disciplines. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the complexity of animal cognition such as future planning and episodic-like-memory as well as in the relationship between memory, the environment and the brain. In addition, new breakthroughs in neurobiology have enhanced our ability to address the mechanisms underlying these behaviours. Consequently, the field is necessarily becoming more integrative by assessing behavioural questions in the context of natural ecological systems and by addressing mechanisms through neurobiology and psychology, but, importantly, within an evolutionary and ecological framework. In this issue, we aim to bring together a series of papers providing a modern synthesis of ecology, psychology, physiology and neurobiology and identifying new directions and developments in the use of food-hoarding animals as a model system.
The history of scatter hoarding studies
Authors: Brodin Anders
Published: February 2010

In this review, I will present an overview of the development of the field of scatter hoarding studies. Scatter hoarding is a conspicuous behaviour and it has been observed by humans for a long time. Apart from an exceptional experimental study already published in 1720, it started with observational field studies of scatter hoarding birds in the 1940s. Driven by a general interest in birds, several ornithologists made large-scale studies of hoarding behaviour in species such as nutcrackers and boreal titmice. Scatter hoarding birds seem to remember caching locations accurately, and it was shown in the 1960s that successful retrieval is dependent on a specific part of the brain, the hippocampus. The study of scatter hoarding, spatial memory and the hippocampus has since then developed into a study system for evolutionary studies of spatial memory. In 1978, a game theoretical paper started the era of modern studies by establishing that a recovery advantage is necessary for individual hoarders for the evolution of a hoarding strategy. The same year, a combined theoretical and empirical study on scatter hoarding squirrels investigated how caches should be spaced out in order to minimize cache loss, a phenomenon sometimes called optimal cache density theory. Since then, the scatter hoarding paradigm has branched into a number of different fields: (i) theoretical and empirical studies of the evolution of hoarding, (ii) field studies with modern sampling methods, (iii) studies of the precise nature of the caching memory, (iv) a variety of studies of caching memory and its relationship to the hippocampus. Scatter hoarding has also been the subject of studies of (v) coevolution between scatter hoarding animals and the plants that are dispersed by these.
Physiological mechanisms for food-hoarding motivation in animals
Authors: Keen-Rhinehart Erin , Dailey Megan J. , Bartness Timothy
Published: February 2010

The study of ingestive behaviour has an extensive history, starting as early as 1918 when Wallace Craig, an animal behaviourist, coined the terms ‘appetitive’ and ‘consummatory’ for the two-part sequence of eating, drinking and sexual behaviours. Since then, most ingestive behaviour research has focused on the neuroendocrine control of food ingestion (consummatory behaviour). The quantity of food eaten, however, is also influenced by the drive both to acquire and to store food (appetitive behaviour). For example, hamster species have a natural proclivity to hoard food and preferentially alter appetitive ingestive behaviours in response to environmental changes and/or metabolic hormones and neuropeptides, whereas other species would instead primarily increase their food intake. Therefore, with the strong appetitive component to their ingestive behaviour that is relatively separate from their consummatory behaviour, they seem an ideal model for elucidating the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying the control of food hoarding and foraging. This review focuses on the appetitive side of ingestive behaviour, in particular food hoarding, attempting to integrate what is known about the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating this relatively poorly studied behaviour. An hypothesis is formed stating that the direction of ‘energy flux’ is a unifying factor for the control of food hoarding.
Gordonia humi sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Kämpfer P. , Young Chiu-Chung , Chu Jiunn-Nan , Frischmann A. , Busse H.-J. , Arun A. B. , Shen Fo-Ting , Rekha P. D.
Published: February 2010

A Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (CC-12301T) was isolated from soil attached to a spawn used in the laboratory to grow the edible mushroomAgaricus brasiliensis. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain CC-12301Twas shown to belong to the genusGordoniaand was most closely related to the type strains ofGordonia hydrophobica(97.6 % similarity),Gordonia terrae(97.5 %),Gordonia amarae(97.5 %) andGordonia malaquae(97.4 %). The quinone system was determined to consist predominantly of menaquinone MK-9(H2), minor amounts of MK-8(H2) and MK-7(H2). The polar lipid profile consisted of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, moderate amounts of two phosphatidylinositol mannosides and phosphatidylinositol and minor amounts of phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified glycolipids, two phosphoglycolipids and a phospholipid. Mycolic acids were present. These chemotaxonomic traits and the major fatty acids, which were C16 : 1cis9, C16 : 0, C18 : 1and tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl C18 : 0), supported the affiliation of strain CC-12301Tto the genusGordonia. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strain CC-12301Tfrom the most closely relatedGordoniaspecies. Strain CC-12301Ttherefore represents a novel species, for which the nameGordonia humisp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain CC-12301T(=DSM 45298T=CCM 7727T).
Phycicoccus cremeus sp. nov., isolated from forest soil, and emended description of the genus Phycicoccus
Authors: Zhang Jia-Yue , Liu Xing-Yu , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: February 2010

A bacterial strain, designated V2M29T, was isolated from forest soil collected in the Changbai Mountains, Heilongjiang Province, China. Cells of strain V2M29Twere Gram-positive, rod-shaped (0.5–0.8 μm in diameter and 1.5–2.0 μm in length), strictly aerobic and non-motile. Colonies produced on R2A agar plates were creamy, smooth, circular and 0.3–0.8 mm in diameter. Strain V2M29Tgrew at 14–35 °C (optimum, 29 °C), at pH 4.1–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0) and in the presence of 0–7.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–2.0 %). Strain V2M29Tcontained MK-8(H4) as the major respiratory quinone and iso-C15 : 0(20.9 %), iso-C16 : 0(18.5 %), C17 : 1ω8c(16.7 %) and 10-methyl-C17 : 0(9.2 %) as the major cellular fatty acids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was based onmeso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid and the acyl type of the muramic acid was acetyl. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and six unknown glycolipids were the major polar lipids. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.0 mol% (Tm). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain V2M29Twas phylogenetically related to members of the genusPhycicoccus, with sequence similarities ranging from 96.6–97.8 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain V2M29TtoPhycicoccus dokdonensisDS-8TandPhycicoccus bigeumensisDSM 19264Twere 32.5±3.3 % and 29.2±2.3 %, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain V2M29Trepresents a novel species of the genusPhycicoccus, for which the namePhycicoccus cremeussp. nov. is proposed, with V2M29T(=CGMCC 1.6963T=NBRC 104261T) as the type strain.
Methanoregula boonei gen. nov., sp. nov., an acidiphilic methanogen isolated from an acidic peat bog
Authors: Bräuer Suzanna L. , Cadillo-Quiroz Hinsby , Ward Rebekah J. , Yavitt Joseph B. , Zinder Stephen H.
Published: February 2010

A novel acidiphilic, hydrogenotrophic methanogen, designated strain 6A8T, was isolated from an acidic (pH 4.0–4.5) and ombrotrophic (rain-fed) bog located near Ithaca, NY, USA. Cultures were dimorphic, containing thin rods (0.2–0.3 μm in diameter and 0.8–3.0 μm long) and irregular cocci (0.2–0.8 μm in diameter). The culture utilized H2/CO2 to produce methane but did not utilize formate, acetate, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, butanol or trimethylamine. Optimal growth conditions were near pH 5.1 and 35 °C. The culture grew in basal medium containing as little as 0.43 mM Na+ and growth was inhibited completely by 50 mM NaCl. To our knowledge, strain 6A8T is one of the most acidiphilic (lowest pH optimum) and salt-sensitive methanogens in pure culture. Acetate, coenzyme M, vitamins and yeast extract were required for growth. It is proposed that a new genus and species be established for this organism, Methanoregula boonei gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Methanoregula boonei is 6A8T (=DSM 21154T =JCM 14090T).
The Central Element Protein ZEP1 of the Synaptonemal Complex Regulates the Number of Crossovers during Meiosis in Rice
Authors: Wang Mo , Wang Kejian , Tang Ding , Wei Cunxu , Li Ming , Shen Yi , Chi Zhengchang , Gu Minghong , Cheng Zhukuan
Published: February 2010

ZEP1, a transverse filament (TF) protein, is the rice (Oryza sativa) homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana ZYP1. In the Tos17-insertional zep1 mutants, homologous chromosomes align along the entire length of the chromosome, but the synaptonemal complex is not assembled in early prophase I. Crossovers are well formed, and 12 bivalents could be detected from diakinesis to metaphase I, which leads to equal chromosomal segregation in anaphase I. Moreover, the number of crossovers has a tendency to be increased compared with that in the wild type. These phenomena are different from the TF mutants identified so far in other organisms. Chiasma terminalization of the bivalent, which occurs frequently in the wild type, seldom occurred in zep1. Transmission electron micrographs and immunodetection using an antibody against ZEP1 showed that ZEP1 is the central element of the synaptonemal complex. Although PAIR2 and MER3 were loaded normally in zep1, their dissociation was delayed severely compared with the wild type. In addition, ZEP1 is reloaded onto chromosomes in early microspores as the chromosome decondense, suggesting that ZEP1 might have other biological functions during this process.
Librarians, professionalism and image: stereotype and reality
Authors: Luthmann Abigail
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the professional role of the librarian, examining the images of presented by professional literature, mass media and popular culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The historical development of the library professional is considered. Conceptions of librarians in professional literature, mass media and popular culture are examined. The ongoing dialogue upon the nature of the professional role within the professional press and email discussion lists is also discussed.

Findings

Images of librarians within mass media and culture are often positive and heroic whereas images within professional literature tend to reinforce stereotypes.

Originality/value

An examination of the professional role of the librarian, particularly in the UK, considering images and content from the mass media, popular culture and professional literature.
Digital archives and history research: feedback from an end‐user
Authors: Maxwell Alexander
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mission and implementation of digital libraries from an historian's perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes the abstract qualities that historians look for in their sources, and then compares various digital archives both qualitatively and quantitatively, highlighting design features that enhance or detract from the ease of use.

Findings

Preservation is the paramount mission of research libraries. Digital interfaces should contain images of original documents, html text documents hold little interest. Site interfaces should enable users to browse and zoom with minimal mouse clicks. Downloadable viewers should be avoided. Simple browsing is more important than keyword searching. Google Books sets the standard for digital information, and digital librarians can measure their site interface by that yardstick.

Originality/value

This paper provides feedback to administrators of digital libraries. It gives library scientists candid opinions from an intensive end user of digital information, contains several practical suggestions, and explains the reasoning behind those suggestions.
A citation analysis study of MA dissertations in the library and information science field in universities in Tehran
Authors: Riahinia Nosrat
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze citation behaviors of students in the LIS field among a variety of local universities in Tehran.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 259 MA dissertations in Library and Information Science submitted to five universities in Tehran during 2003‐2008 are examined. These universities were selected based on their location and the authors' accessibility to their university libraries. Overall, five out of nine universities in Iran which have Masters Courses in Library and Information Science were selected for this study. The data were gathered using a checklist by the author, who personally attended in university libraries and counted all dissertation references.

Findings

The study shows that students' citation behaviors are in favor of books, and Farsi e‐sources are lesser used by LIS students than English e‐sources. The total number of book citations is far more than total number of other formats. While this study could be useful in library acquisition decisions, it could also inform in areas related to issues students face in finding suitable pieces of information.

Practical implications

This study would be useful for educational and acquisition purposes in university libraries, since it examines citation behavior of students through a specific discipline.

Originality/value

The study deals with MA Library and Information Science dissertations among all universities of Tehran that teach LIS masters courses.
Capacity building for community‐led regeneration
Authors: O'Hare Paul
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of European Union Objective 1 funding on the development and formalisation of a neighbourhood‐based group situated in a regeneration area in the UK. The role, function and impact of a Community Empowerment Network (CEN) (funded by the Labour Government as part of its Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy) is also examined and assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings of the paper are informed by a critique of the policy literature and the ways in which “leadership” roles and responsibilities are played out within neighbourhood settings. The empirical research derives from an analysis of the role and practice of CENs in England.

Findings

The paper argues that the external initiatives restrict the autonomy and independence of community based groups. Furthermore, the paper makes the point that such externally driven programmes are often located within neighbourhoods with little reference to identifying the needs or priorities of residents.

Research limitations/implications

There are important lessons here for policy makers and practitioners in public policy to reflect upon. The paper seeks to draw connections between the literature on community development and planning/regeneration management. These links are important to sustain and to open the discussion to a broader audience of researchers and practice managers.

Practical implications

The paper raises questions concerning how local residents/groups can be facilitated into articulating their needs and exercising agency in terms of changing the decision‐making/resource allocation processes.

Originality/value

The paper adds to understanding the practice of empowerment networks.
The Third Sector, regeneration and sustainable communities
Authors: Smith Amanda
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ways in which concepts of regeneration, sustainability and the Third Sector (TS) are understood and expressed in the policy priorities of the Labour Government in the UK. The paper locates this discussion in the context of a small community action group in Nottingham and seeks to explore the ways in which the experience of activists and practitioners see their “world” as being congruent with that of the “world” represented in the policy literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper combines an analysis of the policy literature and a discussion on the theoretical and conceptual ideas implicit in the programmes with data collected through observation and interview of key activists involved in the group.

Findings

The paper suggests that while small‐scale TS organisations can play an important part in the regeneration/sustainability agenda as a result of their size, values and flexibility it is these values which are at risk given the underlying ideological approach of the reform agenda.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a snap shot of experience and situates that practice in the theoretical/conceptual literature and so raises some important questions for practitioners as well as researchers.

Practical implications

The paper has direct relevance for TS agencies and researchers.

Originality/value

The paper points to the conflict and tension between local/community‐based organisations in which ideas of trust and ethical decision making are negotiated differently compared to public sector agencies.
The changing framework for conservation of the historic environment
Authors: Hudson John , James Philip
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The paper seeks to examine the background to the UK Government White Paper on the conservation of the built environment, and particularly to identify drivers for legislative change and possible consequences of new legislation for conservation practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical review is undertaken of major trends in conservation and management of the historic built environment that may affect future conservation legislation.

Findings

Three major trends are identified: the development of holistic landscape‐based approaches to conservation; the widening of heritage values to include those of particular groups and communities as well as those based on academic disciplines; and a shift from control‐based approaches to conservation towards those based on dynamic management of change. Each of these trends presents opportunities and challenges in framing of legislation and policy.

Research limitations/implications

This is a wide and fast‐developing field. The UK Government's proposals for legislation are not yet in place and the framework for debate may change.

Practical implications

There has been a long period of stability and consolidation in the legal framework for conservation of the historic built environment. It is likely that we are moving towards a period of accelerating change in which accepted values may be challenged and new skills may be required.

Originality/value

The paper draws together a diverse set of themes that are likely to affect the future development of conservation legislation.
Challenges and opportunities of e‐government in South Africa
Authors: Mutula Stephen M. , Mostert Janneke
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present challenges and opportunities of e‐government implementation in South Africa with special reference to service delivery and implications for libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an in‐depth literature review from government documents, presidential state of the nation addresses, global and nation reports on e‐government, and reports on service delivery concerns in South Africa.

Findings

The Government of South Africa has put in place enabling policies, poverty alleviation programmes, ICT infrastructures and regulatory frameworks which as yet have not been effectively leveraged to enhance service delivery to its citizens. Furthermore, libraries have yet to make any attempts to benefit from the emergence of e‐government in South Africa.

Practical implications

There is a need to infuse an e‐government ethos in poverty alleviation programmes in order to enhance service delivery. At the moment there is a lack of synergy between the two in South Africa. Additionally, South African ICT infrastructure is under‐utilised to enhance service delivery. Libraries have the opportunity using e‐government infrastructure to improve the provision of information services to the people.

Originality/value

Service delivery remains a priority for the post‐apartheid South African government, and the paper reveals that a disconnect exists between the e‐government vision and the poverty alleviation programmes aimed at enhancing the standard of living of the people. Libraries in South Africa have yet to leverage e‐government to provide information services and the paper may assist them in doing so.
Computer literacy skills of librarians: a case study of Isfahan University libraries, Iran
Authors: Safahieh Hajar , Asemi Asefeh
Published: February 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the level of computer literacy skills of librarians in the University of Isfahan, Iran and attempts to examine their avenue of computer literacy, software used, benefits derived from computer and problems militating against effective usage of computers.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a survey research approach to carry out this investigation.

Findings

The investigation reveals that the majority of the librarians do not yet possess a good level of computer skills and even their long duration experience of computer use has not necessarily improved their level of computer literacy.

Practical implications

The findings can be utilized by library managers in order to organize and offer regular training programmes to train or re‐train librarians with the latest advancement of information technology.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the state of computer literacy of librarians in one of the public universities in Iran. This shows the urgent need for the librarians to be adequately equipped with the computer skills to take advantage of all computerized library facilities.
Public relations in Nigerian university libraries
Authors: Nwezeh Chinwe M.T.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of what public relations in university libraries encompasses. This is especially important in the digital age. Information has economic value and requires an information marketplace in which such value can be exchanged. The paper also aims to educate librarians, information managers/analysts and the library clientele/public about the various benefits associated with public relations and marketing of library services.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature review of available resources (academic literature, journal articles, and books) the benefits associated with public relations in organizations – libraries being client‐oriented organizations – are investigated by means of a questionnaire survey administered to 180 students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile‐Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Findings

From the findings contained in 150 returned questionnaires, it was discovered that some 40 per cent of students do not know where to locate materials in their disciplines within the University's Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library. An even higher number have a poor opinion of the library staff competences. This points to the fact that the library's marketing and promotional efforts were not enough to attract the attention of the library patrons. The library needs to take on a greater role in this respect and use its ICT capabilities more.

Originality/value

The paper increases the understanding of what public relations encompasses and how it can be utilized by librarians and information managers/analysts in discharging their mandate of information provision. The ideas and discussions put forth may give the librarians/managers new insights into the provision of public relations services in their libraries. The study makes recommendations concerning the marketing of library resources in order to create awareness and enhance the library's visibility. It also advocates that the library's web site should be used in promoting library services and activities.
Use of electronic information resources and facilities by humanities scholars
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Mahmood Khalid , Shafique Farzana
Published: February 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the use of electronic information resources and facilities by humanities scholars at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey of faculty from arts and humanities departments at the University of the Punjab was conducted. In total, 62 faculty and research staff participated.

Findings

The results correspond with previous studies conducted in other countries. The humanists still stick to the printed information sources but they pay good attention to electronic resources. Most of them have access to computer and internet at office and home. They are regular users of a variety of electronic technologies. Although faced with many problems, the humanists perceive that modern technology made their work easier.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based only on the humanities faculty in a large university of Pakistan. The survey should be replicated on a larger sample for generalization.

Practical implications

Keeping in view the positive trend of humanists towards modern technology, universities and libraries should give more funding to provide electronic resources and facilities in the arts and humanities discipline. Special training programmes for humanists should be organized.

Originality/value

This is the first study on this topic in Pakistan. The results can be useful to design services and facilities in humanities libraries and information centres in Pakistan and other developing countries.