bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The predictive values of beta1‐adrenergic and M2 muscarinic receptor autoantibodies for sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Pei Juanhui , Li Ning , Chen Jingzhou , Li Xian , Zhang Yinhui , Wang Zengwu , Zhang Ping , Cao Kejiang , Pu Jielin
Published: June 2012

Aims

Clinical and animal studies suggest that beta1‐adrenergic and M2 muscarinic receptor autoantibodies (beta1‐AAbs and M2‐AAbs) play important roles in the pathophysiological process of chronic heart failure (CHF). Removal of these autoantibodies improved haemodynamic parameters and left ventricular ejection fraction patients with CHF. The goal of this project is to evaluate whether beta1‐AAbs and M2‐AAbs predict prognosis and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in CHF.

Methods and results

A total of 2062 patients with CHF and 824 control subjects were recruited. Beta1‐AAbs and M2‐AAbs were detected by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and the correlation between these autoantibodies and the prognosis of CHF was analysed. During a median follow‐up period of 36 months (0.40 ± 65 months), 379 (21.56%) cases died—164 had dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 215 had ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Of these, SCD occurred in 69 cases (40.37%) of DCM and in 84 cases (39.07%) of ICM. Positivity for beta1‐AAbs in DCM and ICM was significantly higher than for the controls (8.1% and 8.25% v.s 2.2%, both P < 0.01). However, positive M2‐AAbs did not show any statistical difference between the three groups. Cox regression analysis revealed that positive beta1‐AAbs were associated with higher mortality in CHF and that it predicted SCD for DCM [hazard ratio (HR) 4.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.405–8.471] and ICM (HR 3.749, 95% CI 2.389–5.884) patients, but not non‐SCD (NSCD) patients.

Conclusions

The rates of positive beta1‐AAbs were higher in CHF patients than in the controls. Positive beta1‐AAbs might serve as an independent predictor for SCD in patients with CHF.
Prognostic impact of sleep‐disordered breathing and its treatment with nocturnal ventilation for chronic heart failure
Authors: Damy Thibaud , Margarit Laurent , Noroc Ala , Bodez Diane , Guendouz Soulef , Boyer Laurent , Drouot Xavier , Lamine Aurélia , Paulino Alexandra , Rappeneau Stéphane , Stoica Maria‐Hermann , Dubois‐Randé Jean‐Luc , Adnot Serge , Hittinger Luc , d'Ortho Marie Pia
Published: June 2012

Aims

To determine whether severity patterns or nocturnal ventilation to treat sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) during chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with adverse outcomes. Although SDB is frequent during CHF, the relationships between SDB and CHF outcomes are unknown.

Methods and results

A total of 384 CHF patients (82% men, mean age 59 ± 13 years) with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤45% (mean LVEF 29 ± 9%) were assessed by polygraphy in our clinic between 2001 and 2009. Nocturnal ventilation was started according to the severity of SDB. Combined endpoints were death, heart transplant, and implant of a ventricular assist device. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), central sleep apnoea (CSA), and Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR) was 62, 26, and 29%, respectively. A primary endpoint occurred in 31%. Mean follow‐up for survivors was 47 ± 25 months. Those with moderate [apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≤5–20/h] and severe SDB (AHI ≥20/h), and OSA and CSA, had poor prognoses compared with patients without SDB (P = 0.036, P = 0.003, respectively). A total of 31% of SDB patients were treated with nocturnal ventilation. Treated SDB had a better outcome than untreated severe SDB after adjustment for confounding factors [P = 0.031; hazard ratio (HR) 0.56; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33–0.95]. Subgroup analysis that included only OSA showed a similar result after adjustment (P = 0.017; HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.19–0.95).

Conclusions

In CHF, SDB is associated with a poor prognosis whatever the SDB pattern, and nocturnal ventilation is associated with a better outcome.
Development and initial validation of a simple clinical decision tool to predict the presence of heart failure in primary care: the MICE (Male, Infarction, Crepitations, Edema, MICE) rule
Authors: Roalfe Andrea K. , Mant Jonathan , Doust Jenny A. , Barton Pelham , Cowie Martin R. , Glasziou Paul , Mant David , McManus Richard J. , Holder Roger , Deeks Jonathan J. , Doughty Robert N. , Hoes Arno W. , Fletcher Kate , Hobbs F.D. Richard
Published: June 2012

Aims

Diagnosis of heart failure in primary care is often inaccurate, and access to and use of echocardiography is suboptimal. This study aimed to develop and provisionally validate a clinical prediction rule to optimize referral for echocardiography of people identified in primary care with suspected heart failure.

Methods and results

A systematic review identified studies of diagnosis of heart failure set in primary care. The individual patient data for five of these studies were obtained. Logistic regression models to predict heart failure were developed on one of the data sets and validated on the others using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and goodness‐of‐fit calibration plots. A model based upon four simple clinical features (Male, history of myocardial Infarction, Crepitations, Edema: MICE) and natriuretic peptide had good validity when applied to other data sets, with AUROCs between 0.84 and 0.93, and reasonable calibration. The rule performed well across the data sets, with sensitivity between 81% and 96% and specificity between 57% and 74%.

Conclusions

A simple clinical rule based upon gender, history of myocardial infarction, presence of ankle oedema, and presence of basal lung crepitations can discriminate between people with suspected heart failure who should be referred straight for echocardiography and people for whom referral should depend upon the result of a natriuretic peptide test. Prospective validation and an implementation evaluation of the rule is now warranted.
Cinaciguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase activator: results from the randomized, controlled, phase IIb COMPOSE programme in acute heart failure syndromes
Authors: Gheorghiade Mihai , Greene Stephen J. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Erdmann Erland , Ferrari Roberto , Levy Phillip D. , Maggioni Aldo , Nowack Christina , Mebazaa Alexandre ,   on behalf of the COMPOSE Investigators and Coordinators
Published: June 2012

Aims

Cinaciguat (BAY 58‐2667) is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator that, in a previous study among patients with acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS), improved pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at the expense of significant hypotension at doses ≥200 µg/h. The aim of the COMPOSE programme was to investigate the safety and efficacy of fixed, low doses of intravenous cinaciguat (<200 µg/h for 24–48 h) as add‐on to standard therapy in adults hospitalized with AHFS.

Methods and results

COMPOSE comprised three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies in patients with [COMPOSE 1 and 2 (NCT01065077 and NCT01067859)] or without [COMPOSE EARLY (NCT01064037)] a requirement for invasive haemodynamic monitoring. COMPOSE 1 and COMPOSE EARLY assessed the effects of cinaciguat (50, 100, and 150 µg/h) on haemodynamics and dyspnoea, respectively. COMPOSE 2 assessed the haemodynamic effects of 10 and 25 µg/h cinaciguat. COMPOSE was terminated early due to an excess of non‐fatal hypotension and recruitment difficulties. In COMPOSE 1 (n = 12), cinaciguat reduced PCWP at 8 h compared with placebo, but there was no relevant change in cardiac index. In COMPOSE EARLY (n = 62), no meaningful difference in dyspnoea was shown between cinaciguat and placebo.

Conclusion

In this limited database, short‐term use of intravenous cinaciguat decreased blood pressure without improving dyspnoea or cardiac index. Given the lack of effect on dyspnoea and cardiac index and the hypotensive effect seen even with low doses, it is doubtful that further studies with intravenous cinaciguat would prove beneficial in this patient population.
Left ventricular dysfunction due to diffuse multiple vessel coronary artery spasm can be concealed in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Inami Takumi , Kataoka Masaharu , Shimura Nobuhiko , Ishiguro Haruhisa , Kohshoh Hideyasu , Taguchi Hiroki , Yanagisawa Ryoji , Hara Yukiko , Satoh Toru , Yoshino Hideaki
Published: June 2012

Aims

Many patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have been diagnosed on the basis of the exclusion of significant coronary stenosis and the presence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that coronary multispasm is one of the mechanisms leading to diffuse idiopathic DCM‐like LV dysfunction.

Methods and results

Forty‐two patients with severely depressed LV function but without significant coronary stenosis were enrolled (baseline LV ejection fraction, 33 ±11%). An acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test was performed at the time of coronary angiography. In patients with a positive ACh provocation test (n = 20), coronary angiography revealed multivessel diffuse coronary spasm with marked electrocardiogram changes. In patients with a negative ACh provocation test (n = 22), significant findings compatible with idiopathic DCM were more frequently observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or in LV biopsies compared with the ACh‐positive group (MRI, 73% vs. 12%; and LV biopsy, 71% vs. 0%, respectively; P < 0.01). In the ACh‐positive group, LV function significantly improved after the administration of calcium channel blockers (LV ejection fraction, 34 ±12% vs. 54 ±10%; and brain natriuretic peptide, 803 ± 482 pg/mL vs. 69 ± 84 pg/mL, at baseline and 1 year, respectively; P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results raise the possibility that patients with LV dysfunction due to repeated coronary multispasm are being diagnosed as idiopathic DCM, and that calcium channel blockers may prove to be a promising therapeutic strategy in those patients.
Spawning history influence on fecundity, egg size, and egg survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Reid Jenny E. , Chaput Gérald
Published: June 2012

Reid, J. E., and Chaput, G. 2012. Spawning history influence on fecundity, egg size, and egg survival of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, Canada. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1678–1685. There is an increasing abundance of repeat spawners in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population in the Miramichi River that, owing to their larger size, can be expected to contribute greater egg depositions and better offspring survival than primarily maiden spawning populations. Currently, there is little information on the reproductive contribution of repeat-spawning salmon. In this study, the fecundity, egg size, and egg survival for 235 maiden and repeat-spawning wild female Atlantic salmon were examined over a period of 3 years. Relative fecundity did not differ among the largest body size group of salmon, but consecutive repeat spawners had a higher fecundity than maiden 2SW salmon and alternate repeat spawners. Egg diameter also increased with body size, but consecutive repeat spawners had significantly smaller eggs, in absolute terms and relative to their body size, than maiden 2SW salmon and alternate repeat spawners. The egg survival rate of consecutive repeat spawners was significantly lower than that of 2SW maiden salmon and alternate repeat spawners. Consecutive repeat spawners are different in that egg diameter and egg survival did not follow the general positive association with female body size, probably because of the short time that they spend reconditioning in the ocean and consequently their available energy reserves.
The low-resolution solution structure of
Vibrio cholerae
Hfq in complex with Qrr1 sRNA
Authors: Vincent Helen A. , Henderson Charlotte A. , Stone Carlanne M. , Cary Peter D. , Gowers Darren M. , Sobott Frank , Taylor James  E. N. , Callaghan Anastasia J.
Published: June 2012

In Vibrio cholerae , the RNA binding protein and chaperone Hfq (VcHfq) facilitates the pairing of the quorum regulatory RNA (Qrr) small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) to the 5′ untranslated regions of the mRNAs for a number of global regulators that modulate the expression of virulence genes. This Qrr-mediated sRNA circuit is an attractive antimicrobial target, but characterization at the molecular level is required for this to be realized. Here, we investigate the interactions between VcHfq and the Qrr sRNAs using a variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques. We show that the ring-shaped VcHfq hexamer binds the Qrrs with 1:1 stoichiometry through its proximal face, and the molecular envelope of the VcHfq-Qrr complex is experimentally determined from small angle scattering data to present the first structural glimpse of a Hfq-sRNA complex. This structure reveals that the VcHfq protein does not change shape on complex formation but the RNA does, suggesting that a chaperone role for VcHfq is a critical part of the VcHfq-Qrr interaction. Overall, these studies enhance our understanding of VcHfq-Qrr interactions.
The Effects of Fiscal Stimulus: Evidence from the 2009 Cash for Clunkers Program*
Authors: Mian Atif , Sufi Amir
Published: June 2012

We evaluate the impact of the 2009 Cash for Clunkers program on short- and medium-run auto purchases. Our empirical strategy exploits variation across U.S. cities in ex ante exposure to the program as measured by the number of “clunkers” in the city as of summer 2008. We find that the program induced the purchase of an additional 370,000 cars in July and August 2009. However, we find strong evidence of reversal; high clunker counties bought fewer autos in the 10 months after the program expired, which offset most of the initial purchases. We find no evidence of an effect on employment, house prices, or household default rates in cities with higher exposure to the program.
Friction enhancement in concertina locomotion of snakes
Authors: Marvi Hamidreza , Hu David L.
Published: June 2012

Narrow crevices are challenging terrain for most organisms and biomimetic robots. Snakes move through crevices using sequential folding and unfolding of their bodies in the manner of an accordion or concertina. In this combined experimental and theoretical investigation, we elucidate this effective means of moving through channels. We measure the frictional properties of corn snakes, their body kinematics and the transverse forces they apply to channels of varying width and inclination. To climb channels inclined at 60°, we find snakes use a combination of ingenious friction-enhancing techniques, including digging their ventral scales to double their frictional coefficient and pushing channel walls transversely with up to nine times body weight. Theoretical modelling of a one-dimensionaln-linked crawler is used to calculate the transverse force factor of safety: we find snakes push up to four times more than required to prevent sliding backwards, presumably trading metabolic energy for an assurance of wall stability.
Gluconacetobacter medellinensis sp. nov., cellulose- and non-cellulose-producing acetic acid bacteria isolated from vinegar
Authors: Castro Cristina , Cleenwerck Ilse , Trček Janja , Zuluaga Robin , De Vos Paul , Caro Gloria , Aguirre Ricardo , Putaux Jean-Luc , Gañán Piedad
Published: June 2012

The phylogenetic position of a cellulose-producing acetic acid bacterium, strain ID13488, isolated from commercially available Colombian homemade fruit vinegar, was investigated. Analyses using nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, nearly complete 16S–23S rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, as well as concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genesdnaK,groELandrpoB, allocated the micro-organism to the genusGluconacetobacter, and more precisely to theGluconacetobacter xylinusgroup. Moreover, the data suggested that the micro-organism belongs to a novel species in this genus, together with LMG 1693T, a non-cellulose-producing strain isolated from vinegar by Kondo and previously classified as a strain ofGluconacetobacter xylinus. DNA–DNA hybridizations confirmed this finding, revealing a DNA–DNA relatedness value of 81 % between strains ID13488 and LMG 1693T, and values <70 % between strain LMG 1693Tand the type strains of the closest phylogenetic neighbours. Additionally, the classification of strains ID13488 and LMG 1693Tinto a single novel species was supported by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and (GTG)5-PCR DNA fingerprinting data, as well as by phenotypic data. Strains ID13488 and LMG 1693Tcould be differentiated from closely related species of the genusGluconacetobacterby their ability to produce 2- and 5-keto-d-gluconic acid fromd-glucose, their ability to produce acid from sucrose, but not from 1-propanol, and their ability to grow on 3 % ethanol in the absence of acetic acid and on ethanol,d-ribose,d-xylose, sucrose, sorbitol,d-mannitol andd-gluconate as carbon sources. The DNA G+C content of strains ID13488 and LMG 1693Twas 58.0 and 60.7 mol%, respectively. The major ubiquinone of LMG 1693Twas Q-10. Taken together these data indicate that strains ID13488 and LMG 1693Trepresent a novel species of the genusGluconacetobacterfor which the nameGluconacetobacter medellinensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 1693T( = NBRC 3288T = Kondo 51T).
Candida ficus sp. nov., a novel yeast species from the gut of Apriona germari larvae
Authors: Hui Feng-Li , Niu Qiu-Hong , Ke Tao , Liu Zheng
Published: June 2012

A novel yeast species is described based on three strains from the gut of wood-boring larvae collected in a tree trunk of Ficus carica cultivated in parks near Nanyang, central China. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that these strains occurred in a separate clade that was genetically distinct from all known ascomycetous yeasts. In terms of pairwise sequence divergence, the novel strains differed by 15.3 % divergence from the type strain of Pichia terricola, and by 15.8 % divergence from the type strains of Pichia exigua and Candida rugopelliculosa in the D1/D2 domains. All three are ascomycetous yeasts in the Pichia clade. Unlike P. terricola, P. exigua and C. rugopelliculosa, the novel isolates did not ferment glucose. The name Candida ficus sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these highly divergent organisms, with STN-8T ( = CICC 1980T = CBS 12638T) as the type strain.
Candida coquimbonensis sp. nov., a link between Australian and Nearctic/Neotropical Phaffomyces
Authors: Cardinali Gianluigi , Antonielli Livio , Corte Laura , Roscini Luca , Ganter Philip F.
Published: June 2012

A novel species of ascomycetous yeast, Candida coquimbonensis sp. nov., from the necrotic tissue of cacti in Chile and Australia is described. C. coquimbonensis sp. nov. is closely related and phenotypically similar to Phaffomyces opuntiae. There is no overlap in the geographical distribution between C. coquimbonensis and any species in the Phaffomyces clade. However, this is the first member of the clade to be collected in both native (Chile) and non-native (Australia) cactus habitats. The type strain of C. coquimbonensis sp. nov. is TSU 00-206.4BT ( = CBS 12348T = USCFST 12-103T).
Transcription factor redundancy and tissue-specific regulation: Evidence from functional and physical network connectivity
Authors: Kuntz Steven G. , Williams Brian A. , Sternberg Paul W. , Wold Barbara J.
Published: June 2012

Two major transcriptional regulators of Caenorhabditis elegans bodywall muscle (BWM) differentiation, hlh-1 and unc-120, are expressed in muscle where they are known to bind and regulate several well-studied muscle-specific genes. Simultaneously mutating both factors profoundly inhibits formation of contractile BWM. These observations were consistent with a simple network model in which the muscle regulatory factors drive tissue-specific transcription by binding selectively near muscle-specific targets to activate them. We tested this model by measuring the number, identity, and tissue-specificity of functional regulatory targets for each factor. Some joint regulatory targets (218) are BWM-specific and enriched for nearby HLH-1 binding. However, contrary to the simple model, the majority of genes regulated by one or both muscle factors are also expressed significantly in non-BWM tissues. We also mapped global factor occupancy by HLH-1, and created a genetic interaction map that identifies hlh-1 collaborating transcription factors. HLH-1 binding did not predict proximate regulatory action overall, despite enrichment for binding among BWM-specific positive regulatory targets of hlh-1. We conclude that these tissue-specific factors contribute much more broadly to the transcriptional output of muscle tissue than previously thought, offering a partial explanation for widespread HLH-1 occupancy. We also identify a novel regulatory connection between the BWM-specific hlh-1 network and the hlh-8/twist nonstriated muscle network. Finally, our results suggest a molecular basis for synthetic lethality in which hlh-1 and unc-120 mutant phenotypes are mutually buffered by joint additive regulation of essential target genes, with additional buffering suggested via newly identified hlh-1 interacting factors.
Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Strigolactone-Related Molecules for Branching Inhibition in Garden Pea: Molecule Design for Shoot Branching
Authors: Boyer François-Didier , de Saint Germain Alexandre , Pillot Jean-Paul , Pouvreau Jean-Bernard , Chen Victor Xiao , Ramos Suzanne , Stévenin Arnaud , Simier Philippe , Delavault Philippe , Beau Jean-Marie , Rameau Catherine
Published: June 2012

Initially known for their role in the rhizosphere in stimulating the seed germination of parasitic weeds such as the Striga and Orobanche species, and later as host recognition signals for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, strigolactones (SLs) were recently rediscovered as a new class of plant hormones involved in the control of shoot branching in plants. Herein, we report the synthesis of new SL analogs and, to our knowledge, the first study of SL structure-activity relationships for their hormonal activity in garden pea (Pisum sativum). Comparisons with their action for the germination of broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) are also presented. The pea rms1  SL-deficient mutant was used in a SL bioassay based on axillary bud length after direct SL application on the bud. This assay was compared with an assay where SLs were fed via the roots using hydroponics and with a molecular assay in which transcript levels of BRANCHED1, the pea homolog of the maize TEOSINTE BRANCHED1 gene were quantified in axillary buds only 6 h after application of SLs. We have demonstrated that the presence of a Michael acceptor and a methylbutenolide or dimethylbutenolide motif in the same molecule is essential. It was established that the more active analog 23 with a dimethylbutenolide as the D-ring could be used to control the plant architecture without strongly favoring the germination of P. ramosa seeds. Bold numerals refer to numbers of compounds.
Control of Pollen-Mediated Gene Flow in Transgenic Trees
Authors: Zhang Chunsheng , Norris-Caneda Kim H. , Rottmann William H. , Gulledge Jon E. , Chang Shujun , Kwan Brian Yow-Hui , Thomas Anita M. , Mandel Lydia C. , Kothera Ronald T. , Victor Aditi D. , Pearson Leslie , Hinchee Maud A.W.
Published: June 2012

Pollen elimination provides an effective containment method to reduce direct gene flow from transgenic trees to their wild relatives. Until now, only limited success has been achieved in controlling pollen production in trees. A pine (Pinus radiata) male cone-specific promoter, PrMC2, was used to drive modified barnase coding sequences (barnaseH102E, barnaseK27A, and barnaseE73G) in order to determine their effectiveness in pollen ablation. The expression cassette PrMC2-barnaseH102E was found to efficiently ablate pollen in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), pine, and Eucalyptus (spp.). Large-scale and multiple-year field tests demonstrated that complete prevention of pollen production was achieved in greater than 95% of independently transformed lines of pine and Eucalyptus (spp.) that contained the PrMC2-barnaseH102E expression cassette. A complete pollen control phenotype was achieved in transgenic lines and expressed stably over multiple years, multiple test locations, and when the PrMC2-barnaseH102E cassette was flanked by different genes. The PrMC2-barnaseH102E transgenic pine and Eucalyptus (spp.) trees grew similarly to control trees in all observed attributes except the pollenless phenotype. The ability to achieve the complete control of pollen production in field-grown trees is likely the result of a unique combination of three factors: the male cone/anther specificity of the PrMC2 promoter, the reduced RNase activity of barnaseH102E, and unique features associated with a polyploid tapetum. The field performance of the PrMC2-barnaseH102E in representative angiosperm and gymnosperm trees indicates that this gene can be used to mitigate pollen-mediated gene flow associated with large-scale deployment of transgenic trees.
ASPARTATE OXIDASE Plays an Important Role in Arabidopsis Stomatal Immunity
Authors: Macho Alberto P. , Boutrot Freddy , Rathjen John P. , Zipfel Cyril
Published: June 2012

Perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as bacterial flagellin (or the peptide flg22), by surface-localized receptors activates defense responses and subsequent immunity. In a previous forward-genetic screen aimed at the identification of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) flagellin-insensitive (fin) mutants, we isolated fin4, which is severely affected in flg22-triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts. Here, we report that FIN4 encodes the chloroplastic enzyme ASPARTATE OXIDASE (AO), which catalyzes the first irreversible step in the de novo biosynthesis of NAD. Genetic studies on the role of NAD have been hindered so far by the lethality of null mutants in NAD biosynthetic enzymes. Using newly identified knockdown fin alleles, we found that AO is required for the ROS burst mediated by the NADPH oxidase RBOHD triggered by the perception of several unrelated PAMPs. AO is also required for RBOHD-dependent stomatal closure. However, full AO activity is not required for flg22-induced responses that are RBOHD independent. Interestingly, although the fin4 mutation dramatically affects RBOHD function, it does not affect functions carried out by other members of the RBOH family, such as RBOHC and RBOHF. Finally, we determined that AO is required for stomatal immunity against the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. Altogether, our work reveals a novel specific requirement for AO activity in PAMP-triggered RBOHD-dependent ROS burst and stomatal immunity. In addition, the availability of viable mutants for the chloroplastic enzyme AO will enable future detailed studies on the role of NAD metabolism in different cellular processes, including immunity, in Arabidopsis.
PIN1-Independent Leaf Initiation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Guenot Bernadette , Bayer Emmanuelle , Kierzkowski Daniel , Smith Richard S. , Mandel Therese , Žádníková Petra , Benková Eva , Kuhlemeier Cris
Published: June 2012

Phyllotaxis, the regular arrangement of leaves and flowers around the stem, is a key feature of plant architecture. Current models propose that the spatiotemporal regulation of organ initiation is controlled by a positive feedback loop between the plant hormone auxin and its efflux carrier PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1). Consequently, pin1 mutants give rise to naked inflorescence stalks with few or no flowers, indicating that PIN1 plays a crucial role in organ initiation. However, pin1 mutants do produce leaves. In order to understand the regulatory mechanisms controlling leaf initiation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) rosettes, we have characterized the vegetative pin1 phenotype in detail. We show that although the timing of leaf initiation in vegetative pin1 mutants is variable and divergence angles clearly deviate from the canonical 137° value, leaves are not positioned at random during early developmental stages. Our data further indicate that other PIN proteins are unlikely to explain the persistence of leaf initiation and positioning during pin1 vegetative development. Thus, phyllotaxis appears to be more complex than suggested by current mechanistic models.
The Arabidopsis szl1 Mutant Reveals a Critical Role of β-Carotene in Photosystem I Photoprotection
Authors: Cazzaniga Stefano , Li Zhirong , Niyogi Krishna K. , Bassi Roberto , Dall’Osto Luca
Published: June 2012

Carotenes and their oxygenated derivatives, the xanthophylls, are structural determinants in both photosystems (PS) I and II. They bind and stabilize photosynthetic complexes, increase the light-harvesting capacity of chlorophyll-binding proteins, and have a major role in chloroplast photoprotection. Localization of carotenoid species within each PS is highly conserved: Core complexes bind carotenes, whereas peripheral light-harvesting systems bind xanthophylls. The specific functional role of each xanthophyll species has been recently described by genetic dissection, however the in vivo role of carotenes has not been similarly defined. Here, we have analyzed the function of carotenes in photosynthesis and photoprotection, distinct from that of xanthophylls, by characterizing the suppressor of zeaxanthin-less (szl) mutant of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) which, due to the decreased activity of the lycopene-β-cyclase, shows a lower carotene content than wild-type plants. When grown at room temperature, mutant plants showed a lower content in PSI light-harvesting complex I complex than the wild type, and a reduced capacity for chlorophyll fluorescence quenching, the rapidly reversible component of nonphotochemical quenching. When exposed to high light at chilling temperature, szl1 plants showed stronger photoxidation than wild-type plants. Both PSI and PSII from szl1 were similarly depleted in carotenes and yet PSI activity was more sensitive to light stress than PSII as shown by the stronger photoinhibition of PSI and increased rate of singlet oxygen release from isolated PSI light-harvesting complex I complexes of szl1 compared with the wild type. We conclude that carotene depletion in the core complexes impairs photoprotection of both PS under high light at chilling temperature, with PSI being far more affected than PSII.
Mapping the network structure of science parks
Authors: Minguillo David , Thelwall Mike
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a method based on link analysis to investigate the structure of the R&D support infrastructure associated with science parks in order to determine whether this webometric approach gives plausible results.

Design/methodology/approach

Three science parks from Yorkshire and the Humber in the UK were analysed with webometric and social network analysis techniques. Interlinking networks were generated through the combination of two different data sets extracted from three sources (Yahoo!, Bing, SocSciBot).

Findings

These networks suggest that institutional sectors, representing business, universities and public bodies, are primarily tied together by a core formed by research institutions, support structure organisations and business developers. The comparison of the findings with traditional indicators suggests that the web‐based networks reflect the offline conditions and policy measures adopted in the region, giving some evidence that the webometric approach is plausible to investigating science park networks.

Originality/value

This is the first study that applies a web‐based approach to investigate to what extent the science parks facilitate a closer interaction between the heterogeneous organisations that converge in R&D networks. This indicates that link analysis may help to get a first insight into the organisation of the R&D support infrastructure provided by science parks.
Reference accuracy in library and information science journals
Authors: Davies Karen
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the percentage of reference errors and type of errors in four library and information science (LIS) journals.

Design/methodology/approach

Research articles from issues published in 2007 were selected for analysis. The references were compared to online freely available tables of contents. The errors identified were categorised into six elements: journal title; author(s); article title; publication year; volume; and page numbers.

Findings

The highest percentage of reference errors was 49.1 percent (Information and Management). The overall error rates were: author (56 percent), page number (22 percent), article title (15 percent), volume (3 percent), publication year (2 percent) and journal title (2 percent).

Research limitations/implications

The tables of contents (ToCs) used to compare the article references may not have correctly recorded the article details. Not all journal references could be reviewed as not all journal ToCs are available online. This one year, 2007, may not accurately reflect the citation accuracy of the journal in other years. This study did not differentiate between errors that would prevent the location of the article and those that could still be located with perseverance.

Practical implications

Error rates in these LIS journals are considerable. The current method of authors being responsible for the references is not resulting in accurate bibliographic information.

Originality/value

Based on the findings, possible solutions are suggested that could improve the accuracy of references.
Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library
Authors: Baro Emmanuel E.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Since 2004 the Niger Delta University Library has adopted a job rotation program to help solve manpower and skills acquisition problems. The study reported in this paper aimed to evaluate the Niger Delta University Library job rotation program, including the impact of the program on newly employed librarians and their job performance, and the university library.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has two parts. Firstly, the paper reports results from focus group interviews with Niger Delta University librarians who participated in the job rotation program. Secondly, an interview was conducted with the Niger Delta University librarian who adopted the job rotation program to elicit insights into the impact and challenges of the library job rotation program. The Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick four‐level evaluation framework was chosen to use as a framework for the evaluation of the responses.

Findings

The study revealed that the job rotation program is an important program for allowing librarians to acquire new skills, enhance staff productivity, develop new relationships across the university library and gain skills needed for future career advancement. The participants in the job rotation program who were interviewed showed a high level of satisfaction with the program.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will inform library administrators or management about the adoption of job rotation programs in their libraries. Many university libraries have problems with a lack of skills experienced by new librarians and also as a staff development tool in the workplace.

Originality/value

The paper calls for proactive effort by university libraries to adopt new strategies to enhance skills development for efficient productivity.
Persistence and half‐life of URL citations cited in LIS open access journals
Authors: Sampath Kumar B.T. , Manoj Kumar K.S.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The main purpose of the present study is to examine the availability and persistence of URL citations in two LIS open access journals. It also intended to calculate the half‐life period of URL citations cited in journal articles.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 2,890 URL citations cited in 689 research articles published in LIS journals spanning a period of 14 years (1996‐2009) were extracted. In order to check the accessibility of URL citations, W3C link checker was used. After the initial check, inactive URL citations were listed. Domains and HTTP errors associated with inactive URL citations were identified for further analysis. The half‐life period was calculated using the formula t(h)=[t ln(0.5)]/[ln W(t)−ln W(0)].

Findings

The research findings indicated that 57.61 percent (397 of 689) of articles have URL citations and percentage of URL citations increased from 5.98 percent in 1996 to 27.79 percent in 2009. It was found that 26.08 percent of all citations were not accessible during the time of testing and the majority of errors were due to HTTP 404 error code (not found). The domains.net and.gov were more stable compared to the domains.com/.co,.org, and.edu. The half‐life was computed to be approximately 11.5 years, which compares favorably against earlier research works.

Originality/value

This is a comprehensive study on the availability and persistence of URL citations cited in LIS journals articles spanning a period of 14 years. The findings of the study will be helpful to authors, publishers and editorial staff to improve existing URL citation conventions and to promote URL use to ensure that URL citations are accessible in future.
A compound correlation model for disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery
Authors: Huang Shuiqing , He Lin , Yang Bo , Zhang Ming
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The algorithm of disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery provides a convenient, efficient and effective auxiliary method for scientific research. Based on an analysis of Swanson's A‐B‐C model of disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery and Gordon's intermediate literature theory, this paper seeks to propose a more comprehensive compound correlation model for disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery.

Design/methodology/approach

A new algorithm of vector space model (VSM) based disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery is designed to implement the compound correlation model.

Findings

The validity tests showed that this new model not only simulated both of Swanson's early and well‐known discoveries of Raynaud's disease‐fish oil and migraine‐magnesium connections successfully, but also applied to knowledge discovery in the agricultural economics literature in the Chinese language.

Research limitations/implications

Although the workload was reduced to the minimum under the compound correlation model compared with other algorithms and models, part of the work needed some manual intervention in the process of disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery with the VSM‐based compound correlation model.

Practical implications

The algorithm was capable of knowledge discovery with a large‐scale dataset and had an advantage in identifying a series of hidden connections among a set of literatures. Therefore, application of the model might be extended to more fields.

Originality/value

Traditional two‐step knowledge discovery procedures were integrated into the model, which contained open and closed disjoint literature‐based knowledge discovery.
A proposed cooperation framework for organisations and their leaders
Authors: Heavey Colm , Murphy Eamonn
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide new insights into cooperation for organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review of cooperation, risk and trust. The emergent themes from the literature review form the basis for a proposed cooperation framework.

Findings

The power of cooperation for organisational leaders lies in its ability to enhance group effectiveness and increase performance. The emergent elements of trust and risk provide a basis for the proposed cooperation framework. The proposed framework has utility for organisations and their leadership and informs us that trust has the potential to reduce risk and increase cooperation.

Practical implications

This research provides practitioners and business leaders with a greater understanding of how cooperation, risk and trust are interconnected. Also, the researchers contend that the cooperation framework proposed in this paper has the potential to enhance cooperation in organisations.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new framework that shows how cooperation is connected to risk and trust. The proposed framework has utility in organisations by providing a deeper understanding of the value of trust to organisations and their leaders.
Planning, capabilities, and performance: an integrated value approach
Authors: Bronzo Marcelo , Paulo Valadares de Oliveira Marcos , McCormack Kevin
Published: June 2012

Purpose

How do planning and capabilities affect operational performance? This paper aims to formulate hypotheses comprising correlations amongst those constructs in an integrated approach for industrial companies, considering the source, make and deliver process areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 164 Brazilian industrial companies, analysis of data was conducted including descriptive statistics, evaluation of a research model's internal scale reliability, statistical construct path analysis, and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings indicate that planning and capabilities must be taken as inter‐related initiatives that jointly influence operations performance. Significant correlations were found amongst these constructs in the source, make and deliver process areas. The model tested on this study was able to explain 84 percent of the variation in the overall performance of the companies sampled.

Research limitations/implications

The reference model was tested using a diversified sample of Brazilian industrial organizations and did not include service or other types of organizations, thereby limiting the generalizability of the results and conclusions. The findings suggest a balanced weight of operations capabilities and planning. Both play an important role on performance. These results can drive organizational strategy, indicating that companies should look to their capabilities, but that developing planning activities driven to the market should be considered mandatory.

Originality/value

Whereas some aspects of the relationship between planning and performance as well as the relationship between capabilities and performance have been reviewed in early contributions, few studies have addressed these complex mediations using an integrated process value approach.
Boosting firm performance via enterprise agility and network structure
Authors: Yang Chyan , Liu Hsian‐Ming
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Drawing on a network perspective on enterprise agility, the purpose of this paper is to explore whether firms with superior network structure not only may be better able to generate direct effect on firm performance, but whether a superior network structure may also help firms to create better firm agility and thus enhance their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a survey method and data were collected from 250 companies in Taiwan's glass industry. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) technology, it specified the measurement properties of survey instrument such as reliabilities and validities and then identified causal relation among latent constructs to examine causal effects of hypotheses testing.

Findings

The results show that a firm's agility capability and its network structure are a critical competitive strategy source of firm performance. Moreover, network structure also partially mediates the impact of enterprise agility on firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

Because the data were collected from a single industry and firm performance is evaluated by subjective managerial assessments, further research may be necessary by using the data involving multiple industries with objective performance indices for more meaningful and generalized results.

Practical implications

The findings confirm the importance of enterprise agility for contemporary firms in today's dynamic business environment. By reinforcing enterprise agility, firms could react better to unpredictable changes. In addition, firms also are suggested to put more effort into developing and maintaining their network structures, both as repositories of external resources and as boosters of enterprise agility.

Originality/value

The paper provides evidence regarding the impact of enterprise agility and network structure on firm performance.
Effect of ITC on the international competitiveness of firms
Authors: Peña‐Vinces Jesús C. , Cepeda‐Carrión Gabriel , Chin Wynne W.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

This paper's aim is to evaluate the effect of the use of information technology and communications (ITC) on the international competitiveness of firms in developing countries. The study also seeks to evaluate other factors that allow or condition the use of ITC such as: human resources, collaboration of the industrial sector, and local environment.

Design/methodology/approach

These effects are examined through an empirical research of 100 small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) from a developing country – Peru.

Findings

SMEs from developing countries follow an isomorphic approach. This is because they tend to imitate or copy the better practices from developed countries. The results have shown that ITCs have a positive effect on the international competitiveness of firms.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation is the cross‐sectional character of this research.

Practical implications

Firms use ITC to manage their inventory, for the communication between manufacturers and offices, and suppliers, for bill payments, and for the management of sales and marketing, and for the management of their networks.

Originality/value

According to the literature reviewed, this study is one of the pioneers in contrasting empirically whether the use of ITC contributes positively to the international competitiveness of firms in the developing countries of Latin America.
Re‐examining mimetic isomorphism
Authors: Yang Monica , Hyland MaryAnne
Published: June 2012

Purpose

In this study the aim is to analyze multiple decisions in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) strategy to verify whether isomorphism appears in these decisions when a firm imitates others and to determine under what conditions the link between imitation and the degree of similarity in M&As is weakened.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 4,881 completed M&As in the financial service industry, the authors adopt the generalized multivariate regression model to test the hypothesized effects of the independent variables on the degree of similarity in M&As.

Findings

Support is found for the mimetic isomorphism argument. Furthermore, firm experience and local market segmentation weaken the positive relationship between imitation and the degree of similarity in M&As.

Originality/value

This study enhances the understanding of mimetic isomorphism by not only verifying the relationship between imitation and isomorphism, but also integrating the role of organizational active agency (firm experience) and the extent to which local market competitors affect imitation and isomorphism within the industry as a whole.