bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bizionia hallyeonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater in an oyster farm
Authors: Yoon Jung-Hoon , Kang Chul-Hyung , Jung Yong-Taek , Kang So-Jung
Published: April 2012

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain T-y7T, was isolated from seawater collected in an oyster farm in the South Sea, South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain T-y7T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain T-y7T fell within a clade comprising

Bizionia

species. It formed a coherent cluster with the type strains of

Bizionia algoritergicola

,

B. argentinensis

,

B. echini

and

B. myxarmorum

, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.4–98.9 % and mean DNA–DNA relatedness values of 11–27 %. Strain T-y7T had MK-6 as its predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as its major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 37.1 mol%. Its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness and differential phenotypic properties revealed that strain T-y7T does not belong to any established

Bizionia

species. On the basis of the data presented, strain T-y7T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Bizionia

, for which the name Bizionia hallyeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T-y7T ( = KCTC 23881T  = CCUG 62110T).
Sphingobium cupriresistens sp. nov., a copper-resistant bacterium isolated from copper mine soil, and emended description of the genus

Sphingobium
Authors: Li Liqiong , Liu Hongliang , Shi Zunji , Wang Gejiao
Published: April 2012

A Gram-negative, aerobic, copper-resistant bacterium, designated strain CU4T, was isolated from copper mine soil in Daye, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed highest similarity to

Sphingobium rhizovicinum

CC-FH12-1T (98.4 %), followed by

Sphingobium francense

Sp+T (97.2 %),

Sphingobium japonicum

UT26T (97.1 %),

Sphingobium abikonense

NBRC 16140T (97.0 %),

Sphingobium xenophagum

DSM 6383T (96.9 %) and

Sphingobium yanoikuyae

DSM 7462T (95.5 %). The major fatty acids (>5 %) were summed feature 7 (C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω9t and/or C18 : 1ω12t), summed feature 4 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH, and the predominant quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. Spermidine was the major polyamine component. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CU4T was 64.9 mol%. Comparison of DNA–DNA hybridization, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics between strain CU4T and phylogenetically related strains revealed that the new isolate represents a novel species of the genus

Sphingobium

, for which the name Sphingobium cupriresistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CU4T ( = KCTC 23865T = CCTCC AB 2011146T). An emended description of the genus

Sphingobium

is also proposed.
‘Candidatus Phytoplasma balanitae’ associated with witches’ broom disease of Balanites triflora
Authors: Win Nang Kyu Kyu , Lee Seung-Yeol , Bertaccini Assunta , Namba Shigetou , Jung Hee-Young
Published: April 2012

A phytoplasma was identified in naturally infected wild Balanites triflora plants exhibiting typical witches’ broom symptoms (Balanites witches’ broom: BltWB) in Myanmar. The 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that BltWB phytoplasma had the highest similarity to that of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ and it was also closely related to that of ‘Candidatus

Phytoplasma ulmi
’. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the BltWB phytoplasma clustered as a discrete subclade with Elm yellows phytoplasmas. RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene including the 16S–23S spacer region differentiated the BltWB phytoplasma from ‘Ca.
P. ziziphi
’, ‘Ca.
P. ulmi
’ and ‘Candidatus

Phytoplasma trifolii
’. Analysis of additional ribosomal protein (rp) and translocase protein (secY) gene sequences and phylogenetic analysis of BltWB showed that this phytoplasma was clearly distinguished from those of other ‘Candidatus

Phytoplasma
’ taxa. Taking into consideration the unique plant host and the restricted geographical occurrence in addition to the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the BltWB phytoplasma is proposed to represent a novel taxon, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma balanitae’.
Endozoicomonas numazuensis sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium isolated from marine sponges, and emended description of the genus

Endozoicomonas

Kurahashi and Yokota 2007
Authors: Nishijima Miyuki , Adachi Kyoko , Katsuta Atsuko , Shizuri Yoshikazu , Yamasato Kazuhide
Published: April 2012

Two non-motile, rod-shaped gammaproteobacteria were isolated from marine sponges collected from the coast of Japan at Numazu. The isolates were oxidase- and catalase-positive facultative anaerobes that fermented carbohydrates. They required sodium ions for growth and were slightly halophilic, growing in the presence of 1.0–5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum of 2.0 % NaCl). Under aerobic conditions, the major isoprenoid quinones were ubiquinone-9 and menaquinone-9 and the minor quinones were ubiquinone-8 and menaquinone-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 and the hydroxy acids were C10 : 0 3-OH and C12 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 48.3–48.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolates within the radiation of the genus

Endozoicomonas

in a broad clade of uncultured clones recovered from various marine invertebrates. The isolates exhibited 96.5–96.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with

Endozoicomonas elysicola

MKT110T and

Endozoicomonas montiporae

CL-33T, with which the isolates formed a monophyletic cluster with 100 % bootstrap support. The phenotypic features (carbohydrate fermentation, quinone system and some major cellular fatty acids) differed from those of members of the genus

Endozoicomonas

, which are aerobic, produce little or no menaquinone under aerobic conditions and possess different amounts of C14 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Although some phenotypic differences were identified, the isolates should be assigned to the genus

Endozoicomonas

on the basis of congruity of phylogeny and should be classified as representatives of a novel species, for which the name Endozoicomonas numazuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HC50T ( = NBRC 108893T  = DSM 25634T). An emended description of the genus

Endozoicomonas

is presented.
Angustibacter aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from air
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Jang Yun-Hee , Hamada Moriyuki , Tamura Tomohiko , Ahn Jae-Hyung , Weon Hang-Yeon , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Kwon Soon-Wo
Published: April 2012

A novel actinomycete strain, 7402J-48T, was isolated from an air sample collected from Jeju island, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-positive, aerobic, flagellated, short rods. Strain 7402J-48T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.6 %) with

Angustibacter luteus

TT07R-79T, and had relatively low sequence similarities (below 95.1 %) with other members of the family

Kineosporiaceae

. The cell wall of strain 7402J-48T contained alanine, glutamic acid and 2,6-diaminopimelic acid, suggesting A1γ-type peptidoglycan. The menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-8(H4). The acyl type of the cell-wall muramic acid was acetyl. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown lipid were present. The cellular fatty acid profile comprised a large amount of anteiso-C15 : 0, moderate amounts of C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (including C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 N alcohol and C17 : 1ω8c, and small amounts of other fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain 7402J-48T was 73 mol%. Based on its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain 7402J-48T ( = KACC 15527T = NBRC 108730T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Angustibacter aerolatus sp. nov. An emended description of the genus

Angustibacter

is provided.
Novosphingobium fuchskuhlense sp. nov., isolated from the north-east basin of Lake Grosse Fuchskuhle
Authors: Glaeser Stefanie P. , Bolte Kathrin , Martin Karin , Busse Hans-Jürgen , Grossart Hans-Peter , Kämpfer Peter , Glaeser Jens
Published: April 2012

A yellow pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium designated FNE08-7T was isolated from subsurface water of the north-east basin of the bog lake Grosse Fuchskuhle (Brandenburg, Germany). A first analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis including environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences derived from freshwater ecosystems showed that strain FNE08-7T is the first cultured representative, to our knowledge, of the freshwater tribe Novo-A2. Further analysis indicates highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of

Novosphingobium stygium

(98.0 %) and

Novosphingobium taihuense

(97.4 %) and between 94.0 % and 96.9 % sequence similarity to other members of the genus

Novosphingobium

. Reconstruction of phylogenetic trees showed that strain FNE08-7T formed a distinct cluster with the type strains of

N. stygium

and

N. taihuense

supported by high bootstrap values. DNA–DNA hybridization of strain FNE08-7T with

N. stygium

SMCC B0712T and

N. taihuense

DSM 17507T revealed low similarity values of 18.4 % (reciprocal: 11.4 %) and 23.1 % (reciprocal: 54.2 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acid of the isolate is C18 : 1ω7c (56.4 %) and two characteristic 2-hydroxy fatty acids, C14 : 0 2-OH (16.5 %) and C15 : 0 2-OH (3.3 %) occur. Ubiquinone Q-10 is the major respiratory quinone. The predominant polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine and minor amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol. Spermidine is the predominant polyamine. Characterization by genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analysis indicate that strain FNE08-7T represents a novel species of the genus

Novosphingobium

within the

Alphaproteobacteria

. Therefore, we propose the species Novosphingobium fuchskuhlense sp. nov., with FNE08-7T ( = DSM 25065T = CCM 7978T = CCUG 61508T) as the type strain.
Biosynthesis of Indole-3-Acetic Acid by NewKlebsiella oxytocaFree and Immobilized Cells on Inorganic Matrices
Authors: Celloto Valéria R. , Oliveira Arildo J. B. , Gonçalves José E. , Watanabe Cecília S. F. , Matioli Graciette , Gonçalves Regina A. C.
Published: May 2012

While many natural and synthetic compounds exhibit auxin-like activity in bioassays, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is recognized as the key auxin in most plants. IAA has been implicated in almost all aspects of plant growth and development and a large array of bacteria have been reported to enhance plant growth. Cells ofKlebsiella oxytocaisolated from the rhizosphere ofAspidosperma polyneuronand immobilized by adsorption on different inorganic matrices were used for IAA production. The matrices were prepared by the sol-gel method and the silica-titanium was the most suitable matrix for effective immobilization. In operational stability assays, IAA production was maintained after four cycles of production, obtaining42.80±2.03 μg mL−1of IAA in the third cycle, which corresponds to a 54% increase in production in relation to the first cycle, whereas free cells began losing activity after the first cycle. After 90 days of storage at 4°C the immobilized cells showed the slight reduction of IAA production without significant loss of activity.
Synthesis of NanoscaleTiO2and Study of the Effect of Their Crystal Structure on Single Cell Response
Authors: Ismagilov Z. R. , Shikina N. V. , Mazurkova N. A. , Tsikoza L. T. , Tuzikov F. V. , Ushakov V. A. , Ishchenko A. V. , Rudina N. A. , Korneev D. V. , Ryabchikova E. I.
Published: May 2012

To study the effect of nanoscale titanium dioxide (TiO2) on cell responses, we synthesized four modifications of the TiO2(amorphous, anatase, brookite, and rutile) capable of keeping their physicochemical characteristics in a cell culture medium. The modifications of nanoscale TiO2were obtained by hydrolysis of TiCl4and Ti(i-OC3H7)4(TIP) upon variation of the synthesis conditions; their textural, morphological, structural, and dispersion characteristics were examined by a set of physicochemical methods: XRD, BET, SAXS, DLS, AFM, SEM, and HR-TEM. The effect of synthesis conditions (nature of precursor, pH, temperature, and addition of a complexing agent) on the structural-dispersion properties of TiO2nanoparticles was studied. The hydrolysis methods providing the preparation of amorphous, anatase, brookite, and rutile modifications of TiO2nanoparticles 3–5 nm in size were selected. Examination of different forms of TiO2nanoparticles interaction with MDCK cells by transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections revealed different cell responses after treatment with different crystalline modifications and amorphous form of TiO2. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that direct contact of the nanoparticles with cell plasma membrane is the primary and critical step of their interaction and defines a subsequent response of the cell.
Brain Reorganization in Patients with Brachial Plexus Injury: A Longitudinal Functional MRI Study
Authors: Yoshikawa Takeharu , Hayashi Naoto , Tajiri Yasuhito , Satake Yoshirou , Ohtomo Kuni
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study is to assess plastic changes of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Twenty patients with traumatic BPI underwent fMRI using blood oxygen level-dependent technique with echo-planar imaging before the operation. Sixteen patients underwent their second fMRI at approximately one year after injury. The subjects performed two tasks: a flexion-extension task of the affected elbow and a task of the unaffected elbow. After activation, maps were generated, the number of significantly activated voxels in SMC contralateral to the elbow movement in the affected elbow task study (Naf) and that in the unaffected task study (Nunaf) were counted. An asymmetry index (AI) was calculated, whereAI=(Naf−Nunaf)/(Naf+Nunaf). Ten healthy volunteers were also included in this fMRI study. The AI of the first fMRI of the patients with BPI was significantly lower than that of the healthy subjects (P=0.035). The AI of the second fMRI significantly decreased compared with that of the first fMRI (P=0.045). Brain reorganization associates with peripheral nervous changes after BPI and after operation for functional reconstruction.
Diagnostic Value of Breast Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 1.5T in Different Histopathological Types
Authors: Baek Hyeon-Man
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) for characterizing breast lesions at 1.5T, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance ofin vivobreast1H-MRS using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. 112 patients (99 malignant and 13 benign tumors) who were scanned with the MRI/MRS protocol were included in this study. Choline-containing compounds (tCho) levels were measured and compared with histological findings. The measured tCho levels in this work had range of 0.08–9.99 mmol/kg from 65 (66%) of 99 patients with malignant tumors. Of the 13 benign lesions,1H-MRS detected one as false positive, with tCho level of 0.66 mmol/kg. The optimal tCho level cutoff point that yielded the highest accuracy was found to be >0.0 mmol/kg. The resulting sensitivity was 66% and specificity 92% for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions. The tCho levels were found to be higher in invasive cancer compared to ductal carcinoma in situ or benign lesions, possibly associated with more aggressive behavior or faster cell replication in invasive cancer. Quantitativein vivo  1H-MRS may provide useful information for characterizing histopatholoigical types in breast cancer.
LOXGene Transcript Accumulation in Olive (Olea europaeaL.) Fruits at Different Stages of Maturation: Relationship between Volatile Compounds, Environmental Factors, and Technological Treatments for Oil Extraction
Authors: Muzzalupo Innocenzo , Macchione Barbara , Bucci Cristina , Stefanizzi Francesca , Perri Enzo , Chiappetta Adriana , Tagarelli Antonio , Sindona Giovanni
Published: May 2012

The quality of olive oil is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and by the maturation state of drupes, but it is equally affected by technological treatments of the process. This work investigates the possible correlation between oliveLOXgene transcript accumulation, evaluated in fruits collected at different stages of maturation, and chemical biomarkers of its activity. During olive fruit ripening, the same genotype harvested from two different farms shows a positive linear trend betweenLOXrelative transcript accumulation and the content of volatile compounds present in the olive oil aroma. Interestingly, a negative linear trend was observed betweenLOXrelative transcript accumulation and the content of volatile compounds present in the olive pastes obtained from olive fruits with and without malaxation. The changes in the oliveLOXtranscript accumulation reveal its environmental regulation and suggest differential physiological functions for the LOXs.
Expressions of MMPs and TIMP-1 in Gastric Ulcers May DifferentiateH. pylori-Infected from NSAID-Related Ulcers
Authors: Cheng Hsiu-Chi , Yang Hsiao-Bai , Chang Wei-Lun , Chen Wei-Ying , Yeh Yi-Chun , Sheu Bor-Shyang
Published: May 2012

Background. Two major causes of gastric ulcers areHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use.Aims. This study aimed to determine if there were different expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) betweenH. pylori-infected and NSAID-related ulcers.Methods. The 126 gastric ulcer patients (H. pyloriinfectedn=46; NSAID relatedn=30; combined with two factorsn=50) provided ulcer and nonulcer tissues for assessment of MMP-3, -7, and -9 and TIMP-1 expression by immunohistochemical staining.Results. Gastric ulcer tissues had significantly higher MMP-3, -7, and -9 and TIMP-1 expressions than nonulcer tissues (P<0.05).H. pylori-infected gastric ulcers had even higher MMP-7, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 expressions in epithelial cells than NSAID-related gastric ulcers (P<0.05). In patients with the two combined factors, gastric ulcers expressed similar proportions of antral ulcers and MMP-7 and MMP-9 intensities to NSAID-related gastric ulcers, but lower MMP-9 and TIMP-1 thanH. pylori-infected gastric ulcers (P<0.05).Conclusions. H. pylori-infected gastric ulcers express higher MMP-7, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 than NSAID-related ulcers. In patients with the two combined factors, ulcer location and MMP-7 and MMP-9 intensities are similar to NSAID use.
Factors Associated with Road Accidents among Brazilian Motorcycle Couriers
Authors: da Silva Daniela Wosiack , Andrade Selma Maffei de , Soares Dorotéia Fátima Pelissari de Paula , Mathias Thais Aidar de Freitas , Matsuo Tiemi , de Souza Regina Kazue Tanno
Published: May 2012

The objective of the study was to identify factors associated with reports of road accidents, among motorcycle couriers in two medium-sized municipalities in southern Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire was answered by motorcycle couriers that had worked for at least 12 months in this profession. The outcomes analyzed were reports on accidents and serious accidents over the 12 months prior to the survey. Bivariate and multivariate analyses by means of logistic regression were carried out to investigate factors that were independently associated with the outcomes. Seven hundred and fifty motorcycle couriers, of mean age 29.5 years (standard deviation=8.1), were included in the study. Young age (18 to 24 years compared to ≥25 years, odds ratio[OR]=1.77) speeding (OR=1.48), and use of cell phones while driving (OR=1.43) were factors independently associated with reports of accidents. For serious accidents, there was an association with alternation of work shifts (OR=1.91) and speeding (OR=1.67). The characteristics associated with accidents—personal (young age), behavioral (use of cell phones while driving and speeding), and professional (speeding and alternation of work shifts)—reveal the need to adopt wide-ranging strategies to reduce these accidents, including better work conditions for these motorcyclists.
CD4+CD25highCD127low Regulatory T Cells in Peripheral Blood Are Not an Independent Factor for Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Perz Jolanta B. , Gürel Selma , Schonland Stefan O. , Hegenbart Ute , Ho Anthony D. , Dreger Peter
Published: May 2012

Background. The therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) largely relies on the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. Uncontrolled graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a feared complication of HSCT. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a subset of CD4+ T-helper cells believed to maintain tolerance after HSCT. It remains unclear whether low peripheral blood Treg have an impact on the risk for acute (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD).Methods. In this paper we enumerated the CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg in the peripheral blood of 84 patients after at least 150 days from HSCT and in 20 healthy age-matched controls.Results. Although similar mean lymphocyte counts were found in patients and controls, CD3+CD4+ T-cell counts were significantly lower in patients. Patients also had significantly lower Treg percentages among lymphocytes as compared to controls. Patients with cGVHD had even higher percentages of Treg if compared to patients without cGVHD. In multivariate analysis, Treg percentages were not an independent factor for cGVHD.Conclusions. This paper did not show a relation between deficient peripheral blood Treg and cGVHD, therefore cGVHD does not seem to occur as a result of peripheral Treg paucity.
HigherP-Wave Dispersion in Migraine Patients with Higher Number of Attacks
Authors: Koçer A. , Eryılmaz M. , Tutkan H. , Ercan N. , Küçükbayrak Z. S.
Published: May 2012

Objective and Aim. An imbalance of the sympathetic system may explain many of the clinical manifestations of the migraine. We aimed to evaluateP-waves as a reveal of sympathetic system function in migraine patients and healthy controls.Materials and Methods. Thirty-five episodic type of migraine patients (complained of migraine during 5 years or more, BMI < 30 kg/m2) and 30 controls were included in our study. We measuredP-wave durations (minimum, maximum, and dispersion) from 12-lead ECG recording during pain-free periods. ECGs were transferred to a personal computer via a scanner and then used for magnification of x400 by Adobe Photoshop software.Results.P-wave durations were found to be similar between migraine patients and controls. AlthoughPWD (P-wave dispersion) was similar, the mean value was higher in migraine subjects.PWD was positively correlated withPmax (P<0.01). Attacks number per month and male gender were the factors related to thePWD (P<0.01).Conclusions. Many previous studies suggested that increased sympathetic activity may cause an increase inPWD. We found thatPWD of migraine patients was higher than controls, andPWD was related to attacks number per month and male gender. Further studies are needed to explain the chronic effects of migraine.
Prosocial Norms as a Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review
Authors: Siu Andrew M. H. , Shek Daniel T. L. , Law Ben
Published: May 2012

Prosocial norms like reciprocity, social responsibility, altruism, and volunteerism are ethical standards and beliefs that youth development programs often want to promote. This paper reviews evolutionary, social-cognitive, and developmental theories of prosocial development and analyzes how young people learn and adopt prosocial norms. The paper showed that very few current theories explicitly address the issue of how prosocial norms, in form of feelings of moral obligations, may be challenged by a norm of self-interest and social circumstances when prosocial acts are needed. It is necessary to develop theories which put prosocial norms as a central construct, and a new social cognitive theory of norm activation has the potential to help us understand how prosocial norms may be applied. This paper also highlights how little we know about young people perceiving and receiving prosocial norms and how influential of school policies and peer influence on the prosocial development. Lastly, while training of interpersonal competence (e.g., empathy, moral reasoning, etc.) was commonly used in the youth development, their effectiveness was not systematically evaluated. It will also be interesting to examine how computer and information technology or video games may be used in e-learning of prosocial norms.
Regulating the regulators: the pervasive effects of Pol II pausing on stimulus-responsive gene networks
Authors: Gilchrist Daniel A. , Fromm George , dos Santos Gilberto , Pham Linh N. , McDaniel Ivy E. , Burkholder Adam , Fargo David C. , Adelman Karen
Published: May 2012

The expression of many metazoan genes is regulated through controlled release of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) that has paused during early transcription elongation. Pausing is highly enriched at genes in stimulus-responsive pathways, where it has been proposed to poise downstream targets for rapid gene activation. However, whether this represents the major function of pausing in these pathways remains to be determined. To address this question, we analyzed pausing within several stimulus-responsive networks in Drosophila and discovered that paused Pol II is much more prevalent at genes encoding components and regulators of signal transduction cascades than at inducible downstream targets. Within immune-responsive pathways, we found that pausing maintains basal expression of critical network hubs, including the key NF-κB transcription factor that triggers gene activation. Accordingly, loss of pausing through knockdown of the pause-inducing factor NELF leads to broadly attenuated immune gene activation. Investigation of murine embryonic stem cells revealed that pausing is similarly widespread at genes encoding signaling components that regulate self-renewal, particularly within the MAPK/ERK pathway. We conclude that the role of pausing goes well beyond poising-inducible genes for activation and propose that the primary function of paused Pol II is to establish basal activity of signal-responsive networks.
HOT DNAs: a novel class of developmental enhancers: Figure 1.
Authors: Farley Emma , Levine Michael
Published: May 2012

Enhancers mediate localized patterns of gene expression during development. A common feature of “traditional” enhancers is the presence of clustered binding motifs for sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs). In this issue of Genes & Development, Kvon and colleagues (pp. 908–913) present new evidence that HOT (highly occupied transcription) DNAs direct specific patterns of gene expression, despite being depleted for TF-binding motifs.
Fluorescence Imaging of Transgenic Zebrafish Embryos: Figure 1.
Authors: Jontes James D. , Emond Michelle R.
Published: May 2012

The embryonic zebrafish is a nearly ideal model system in which to use time-lapse imaging to study the development of the vertebrate nervous system in vivo. The embryos are small and transparent, they develop externally and rapidly, and the embryonic central nervous system is relatively simple and highly stereotyped. With the refinement of green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a genetically encoded fluorescent tag of neuronal proteins, along with advances in imaging technology, it is possible to follow the cellular and molecular events underlying development as they occur in the living embryo. This protocol describes methods for imaging synapse formation in embryonic zebrafish. Injection of DNA into early embryos is followed by mounting of the transgenic embryos in agarose and then time-lapse data collection.
Two-Photon Imaging of Microglia in the Mouse Cortex In Vivo
Authors: Nimmerjahn Axel
Published: May 2012

Microglia are the primary immune effector cells of the brain parenchyma. They are distributed throughout the brain at various densities. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy, together with expression of fluorescent proteins in microglia, has enabled study of these fascinating cells in vivo. Imaging studies have shown, for example, that microglia continually survey their cellular environment and immediately respond to injury. However, we still know very little about their roles in various parts of the developing and adult brain or their diverse effector functions in aging and different disease states. Experimental procedures have been developed for minimally invasive short- and long-term two-photon imaging of microglial cells in cortical regions of the intact mouse brain. This protocol describes two-photon imaging of microglia in the mouse cortex in vivo, using mice which have had a head plate implanted and have been prepared with either a thinned skull or optical window. Technical pitfalls, limitations, and alternative approaches are also discussed.
Analysis of Feeding Behavior of Drosophila Larvae on Solid Food
Authors: Shen Ping
Published: May 2012

The food responses of Drosophila larvae offer an excellent opportunity to study the genetic and neural regulation of feeding behavior. Compared with fed larvae, hungry larvae are more likely to display aggressive foraging, rapid food intake, compensatory feeding, and stress-resistant food procurement. Behavioral assays have been developed to quantitatively assess particular aspects of the hunger-driven food response. In combination, these assays help define the specific role of signaling molecules or neurons in the regulation of feeding behavior in foraging larvae. This protocol is designed for quantitative assessment of the willingness of individual larvae to procure solid food under different energy states. It provides a simple and reliable way to measure the graded modification of the baseline feeding rate of larvae as the period of food deprivation is increased. The test is applicable to routine functional testing and larger-scale screening of genetic mutations and biologics that might affect food consumption.
Aversive Training Methods in Xenopus laevis: General Principles
Authors: Blackiston Douglas J. , Levin Michael
Published: May 2012

Xenopus laevis is an ideal organism in which to study the mechanisms linking genetics, the embryogenesis of the central nervous system, and the generation of cognitive behavior. Frog embryos facilitate the targeting of many pathways of importance to neuroscience via pharmacological, genetic, and surgical manipulations. A limiting factor for investigations of memory and learning has been the difficulty of eliciting learning in Xenopus. Here, we outline a simple strategy for aversive conditioning (associative learning) in Xenopus tadpoles, and present sample data using a quantitative automated analysis system. We also discuss the factors and variables that must be considered to ensure optimal learning and recall performance, for use as behavioral endpoints in any experiment.
12α-Hydroxy-3,27-dioxooleanano-28,13-lactone
Authors: Hu Jun-yi , Wu Gang-gang , Xu Ying-qian , Xiao Guo-yong , Lei Peng
Published: May 2012

There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C30H44O5. They comprise a triterpenoid skeleton of five six-membered rings and a five-membered lactone ring. The five six-membered rings are all trans-fused. In both independent molecules the D rings adopt a slightly distorted half-chair conformation due the presence of the lactone ring while the other four six-membered rings all adopt chair conformations. The characteristic carbon–carbon double bond of the oleanoic skeleton is absent. Intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy and carbonyl groups occur in the crystal structure.
(E)-(2,4-Dichlorobenzylidene)amino cyclopropanecarboxylate
Authors: Wang Mei-Yi , Zhang Ya
Published: May 2012

In the title compound C11H9Cl2NO2, the dihedral angle between the benzene and cyclopropane ring planes is 89.95 (13)°. The carbonyl–oxime grouping is almost coplanar with the benzene ring [dihedral angle = 4.08 (6)°]. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O interactions into [100] chains.
1-(Adamantan-1-ylcarbonyl)-3-(2,6-difluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)thiourea
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Jaber Abdel-Aal M. , Saeed Sohail , Ahmad Khuram Shahzad , Wong Wing-Tak
Published: May 2012

In the title molecule, C18H20F2N2O2S, the 2,6-difluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl ring and the carbonylthiourea group are each essentially planar, with maximum deviations of atoms from their mean planes of 0.0113 (14) and 0.1017 (15) Å, respectively; the dihedral angle between these two planes is 71.03 (6)°. An intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, N—H...O and O—H...S hydrogen bonds connect the molecules into chains running diagonally across the bc plane. C—H...S and C—H...F contacts are also observed.
Wyllieite-type Ag1.09Mn3.46(AsO4)3
Authors: Frigui Wafa , Zid Mohamed Faouzi , Driss Ahmed
Published: May 2012

Single crystals of wyllieite-type silver(I) manganese(II) trisorthoarsenate(V), Ag1.09Mn3.46(AsO4)3, were grown by a solid-state reaction. The three-dimensional framework is made up from four Mn2+/Mn3+ cations surrounded octahedrally by O atoms. The MnO6 octahedra are linked through edge- and corner-sharing. Three independent AsO4 tetrahedra are linked to the framework through common corners, delimiting channels along [100] in which two partly occupied Ag+ sites reside, one on an inversion centre and with an occupancy of 0.631 (4), the other on a general site and with an occupancy of 0.774 (3), both within distorted tetrahedral environments. One of the Mn sites is also located on an inversion centre and is partly occupied, with an occupancy of 0.916 (5). Related compounds with alluaudite-type or rosemaryite-type structures are compared and discussed.
Bis(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium) tetrachloridomercurate dihydrate
Authors: Liu Ming-Liang
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, (C8H6F3N2)2[HgCl4]·2H2O, the HgII cation is coordinated by four Cl− anions in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. In the crystal, the 2-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzimidazolium cations link to the [HgCl4]2− complex anions and lattice water molecules via N—H...Cl and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, and the lattice water molecules further link to the Hg complex anion and the organic cations via O—H...Cl and O—H...F hydrogen bonding. One of the trifluoromethyl groups is disordered over two orientations in a 0.59 (4):0.41 (4) ratio.
Content analysis and assessment of international codes of franchising associations
Authors: Rondán‐Cataluña Francisco Javier , Navarro‐García Antonio , Gámez‐González Juan , Rodríguez‐Rad Carlos J.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to improve the knowledge about ethical content of franchising associations at a worldwide level.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, the authors compared the content of 46 deontological codes of franchising associations from five continents to the standards established in the so‐called C‐40 or model of franchising deontological codes.

Findings

Results show that, in general, ethical content included in deontological codes of franchising associations is not very large, requiring progress in improving its structure and content. In any case, according to the contents of their deontological codes, there are two groups of franchising associations worldwide. On the one hand, those taking the archetype of the European Franchise Federation code (30 associations), which show a greater number of ethical issues and have a better structured code than the other group that do not follow the European code (16 associations).

Originality/value

Although currently the majority of franchisees and franchisors associations' have or are in the process of developing a deontological code, there is little knowledge about “how a good code should be”, “what is the content it must include to perform properly” and if “existing codes of franchise associations are appropriated”. The answer to these questions, given the existing gap in the literature, is the value of this work.
Are Spanish SMEs good places to work?
Authors: Adame‐Sánchez Consolación , Miquel‐Romero María‐José
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to perform a descriptive analysis of the current degree of development and application of work‐life balance policies in Spanish SMEs, examining the differences that arise due to ownership structure (family owned business versus non‐family owned business) and presenting an in‐depth analysis of the variables that influence managers' attitudes towards work‐life balance policies.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured interviews with SME managers were performed.

Findings

The presence of those polices is small, although the situation differs depending on the type of policy. Differences in ownership structure do not imply significantly different behavior with regard to the introduction and application of these human resource policies, nor do they affect the attitude of managers towards them, although the variables that influence managers' attitudes differ.

Research limitations/implications

Only Spanish SMEs are considered, so cultural context can condition results generalizations.

Practical implications

Results reveal the need for SMEs to engage in WLB policies, and the importance of improving their managers' attitudes towards those polices, taking into consideration ownership structure of that company.

Originality/value

Little information exists on the extent to which WLB policies are used, especially in family business versus non‐family business; moreover, the study reveals the relevance of understanding managers' attitudes towards those policies, as variables determining it differ when ownership structure of the firm is taken into consideration.
From design driven innovation to meaning strategy
Authors: Battistella Cinzia , Biotto Gianluca , De Toni Alberto F.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

In the stream of works showing the semantic dimension as a core concept of the product innovation (e.g. design driven innovation), the paper aims to present a new business modeling approach driven by design and meanings. Similarly to the concept that the product is not represented only by form and function but also by meaning, the entire business model of a company does not transmit economic and technological value only, but tells a lot of the company from a semantic point of view. The work seeks to point out that companies can focus on the management of meanings to “make sense” of their entire business model moulded in building blocks, and realize what the authors called meaning strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

After a detailed overview of the theoretical background grounded in the strategy literature and design one, to support the authors' perspective, an in‐depth study of meaning strategy performed by illycaffè is presented.

Findings

The value of the work lies in underlining that the design driven (product) innovation's application can be extended further than only describing successful (product) strategies of design‐intensive manufactures and in the suggestions on how to implement a meaning strategy, creating new meanings not only in the products, but also in the building blocks of a company's business model.

Originality/value

The meaning strategy content and action‐oriented framework proposed and the matrix business model meanings versus building blocks can become tools to communicate the company strategy's pivotal elements and its evolution and they can drive strategists in developing and managing new/existing meanings and building blocks.
When is a team a team? “Teamworking” and the reorganisation of work in commercial cleaning
Authors: Ryan Shaun
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The article seeks to analyse and explore the contradictions and variations in the concepts “team” and “teamwork” and their use in the NSW, Australia, commercial cleaning industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The article utilises an ethnographic study of a large Australian cleaning firm. Data were collected using participant observation, field notes, and interviews with managers.

Findings

The study provides evidence for the limited uptake of the idealised form of teamwork in commercial cleaning and suggests that teamworking is another means of coordinating groups of workers. Furthermore, the findings support previous research into the paradox of teams without teamwork.

Originality/value

The research provides an insight into the largely neglected area of the reorganisation of work in commercial cleaning. It also provides a critique of the concept of teams and teamworking.
Successful maintenance practice through team autonomy
Authors: Rolfsen Monica , Langeland Camilla
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate how teamwork contributes to successful maintenance practice within maintenance work in an industrial setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were gathered from a single case. This includes interviews, participatory observation and document collection.

Findings

The findings suggest that even though TPM is originally a technologically‐based concept, the explanations for success or failure are mainly organisational, pointing to management style, collaboration between maintenance and production, involvement and teamwork. This case study shows that a high degree of team autonomy was an important contributor to success; a point not previously emphasized in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a deep understanding of a unique case, but should be supplemented with more data in order to reach general conclusions.

Practical implications

Many companies struggle with implementing total productive maintenance. The paper provides an understanding on how TPM can successfully be supported by teamwork.

Originality/value

Few case studies on TPM and teamwork are available. The main contribution of the paper is a deep understanding of teamwork and maintenance practices, and of including autonomy in TPM teams.
Agents of “influence”: exploring the usage, timing, and outcomes of executive coaching tactics
Authors: Lewis‐Duarte Melissa , Bligh Michelle C.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Executive coaching is commonly utilized in organizations to facilitate the personal and professional growth of executives. Executive coaches utilize a variety of proactive influence tactics to create behavioral change in their clients. The current study aimed to examine coaches' perceived use and effectiveness of the outcome, timing, and objective of proactive influence tactics in coaching relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Members of ten organizations affiliated with executive coaching were targeted for participation. A total of 110 participants completed the online survey.

Findings

Influence tactics including coalition, consultation, inspirational appeals, and rational persuasion were more frequently associated with client commitment. Consultation was more frequently utilized during initial influence attempts; pressure was more frequently utilized during follow‐up attempts. Coaches also reported using different tactics depending on the desired outcome of the influence attempt: coalition and pressure were utilized to change behavior, whereas coaches used consultation and rational persuasion to both change behavior and assign work.

Research limitations/implications

The results offer insights into executive coaching engagements, areas for potential training and development of practicing coaches, and techniques for creating more successful outcomes with coaching clients. The findings are limited by sample size, self‐report measures, and the lack of contextual or organizational information. Future research should expand these findings to provide additional information regarding the use of influence tactics in the executive coaching industry.

Originality/value

There is little empirical data regarding how executive coaches effectively influence behavioral change in their clients. The current study applies research on proactive influence tactics to the context of executive coaching, bridging these two previously disparate streams of research.
Unmanned vehicle show makes a capital appearance
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Conference and Show held in Washington DC, with emphasis on unmanned vehicles or service robots and their application on the ground, in the air and in the water.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of unmanned vehicles and the providers of the technologies which are fundamental to their design and deployment.

Findings

The unmanned vehicle industry is largely driven by government requirements, both military and civilian. Unmanned service robots are also found in applications such as crop monitoring and fish school location at sea. Unmanned vehicles are getting smaller, smarter and more rugged to meet new challenges.

Originality/value

Unmanned vehicles continue to address air, ground and marine application needs where human safety is important. The vehicles continue to become more and more autonomous, smaller and ever better to address a wider range of application requirements.
Robots at the International Robot Exhibition 2011 in Tokyo
Authors: Kusuda Yoshihiro
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the International Robot Exhibition (IREX) in Tokyo, Japan 2011, with emphasis on the new trend of the Japanese robot industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on in‐depth interviews with exhibitors and the reporter's insight into the Japanese robot industry.

Findings

A big change is observed in the direction of the Japanese industrial robotics in an attempt to cope with the increasing demand from the emerging nations and to create new business in domestic Japan.

Originality/value

This is the first report describing the change in the Japanese robot industry after the great earthquake and tsunami.
Neural networks‐based adaptive robust control of crawler‐type mobile manipulators using sliding mode approach
Authors: Wang Yaonan , Wu Xiru
Published: April 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the radial basis function (RBF) networks‐based adaptive robust control for an omni‐directional wheeled mobile manipulator in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a dynamic model is obtained based on the practical omni‐directional wheeled mobile manipulator system. Second, the RBF neural network is used to identify the unstructured system dynamics directly due to its ability to approximate a nonlinear continuous function to arbitrary accuracy. Using the learning ability of neural networks, RBFNARC can co‐ordinately control the omni‐directional mobile platform and the mounted manipulator with different dynamics efficiently. The implementation of the control algorithm is dependent on the sliding mode control.

Findings

Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the whole control system, the boundedness of the neural networks weight estimation errors, and the uniformly ultimate boundedness of the tracking error are all strictly guaranteed.

Originality/value

In this paper, an adaptive robust control scheme using neural networks combined with sliding mode control is proposed for crawler‐type mobile manipulators in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances. RBF neural networks approximate the system dynamics directly and overcome the structured uncertainty by learning. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the whole control system, the boundedness of the neural networks weight estimation errors, and the uniformly ultimate boundedness of the tracking error are all strictly guaranteed.