bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Genomics in Salt Tolerance between Arabidopsis and Arabidopsis-Related Halophyte Salt Cress Using Arabidopsis Microarray
Authors: Taji Teruaki , Seki Motoaki , Satou Masakazu , Sakurai Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masatomo , Ishiyama Kanako , Narusaka Yoshihiro , Narusaka Mari , Zhu Jian-Kang , Shinozaki Kazuo
Published: July 2004

Salt cress (Thellungiella halophila), a halophyte, is a genetic model system with a small plant size, short life cycle, copious seed production, small genome size, and an efficient transformation. Its genes have a high sequence identity (90%–95% at cDNA level) to genes of its close relative, Arabidopsis. These qualities are advantageous not only in genetics but also in genomics, such as gene expression profiling using Arabidopsis cDNA microarrays. Although salt cress plants are salt tolerant and can grow in 500 mm NaCl medium, they do not have salt glands or other morphological alterations either before or after salt adaptation. This suggests that the salt tolerance in salt cress results from mechanisms that are similar to those operating in glycophytes. To elucidate the differences in the regulation of salt tolerance between salt cress and Arabidopsis, we analyzed the gene expression profiles in salt cress by using a full-length Arabidopsis cDNA microarray. In salt cress, only a few genes were induced by 250 mm NaCl stress in contrast to Arabidopsis. Notably a large number of known abiotic- and biotic-stress inducible genes, including Fe-SOD, P5CS, PDF1.2, AtNCED, P-protein, β-glucosidase, and SOS1, were expressed in salt cress at high levels even in the absence of stress. Under normal growing conditions, salt cress accumulated Pro at much higher levels than did Arabidopsis, and this corresponded to a higher expression of AtP5CS in salt cress, a key enzyme of Pro biosynthesis. Furthermore, salt cress was more tolerant to oxidative stress than Arabidopsis. Stress tolerance of salt cress may be due to constitutive overexpression of many genes that function in stress tolerance and that are stress inducible in Arabidopsis.
Ice-Cap. A High-Throughput Method for Capturing Plant Tissue Samples for Genotype Analysis
Authors: Krysan Patrick
Published: July 2004

High-throughput genotype screening is rapidly becoming a standard research tool in the post-genomic era. A major bottleneck currently exists, however, that limits the utility of this approach in the plant sciences. The rate-limiting step in current high-throughput pipelines is that tissue samples from living plants must be collected manually, one plant at a time. In this article I describe a novel method for harvesting tissue samples from living seedlings that eliminates this bottleneck. The method has been named Ice-Cap to reflect the fact that ice is used to capture the tissue samples. The planting of seeds, growth of seedlings, and harvesting of tissue are all performed in a 96-well format. I demonstrate the utility of this system by using tissue harvested by Ice-Cap to genotype a population of Arabidopsis seedlings that is segregating a previously characterized mutation. Because the harvesting of tissue is performed in a nondestructive manner, plants with the desired genotype can be transferred to soil and grown to maturity. I also show that Ice-Cap can be used to analyze genomic DNA from rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings. It is expected that this method will be applicable to high-throughput screening with many different plant species, making it a useful technology for performing marker assisted selection.
β-Amylase Induction and the Protective Role of Maltose during Temperature Shock
Authors: Kaplan Fatma , Guy Charles L.
Published: July 2004

A number of studies have demonstrated β-amylase induction in response to abiotic stress. In the present work, a temperature response profile in 5°C increments from 45°C to 0°C showed that induction at temperature extremes was specific for two members of the gene family (BMY7 and BMY8). Both members encode proteins that possess apparent transit peptides for chloroplast stromal localization. However, induction was not observed for other key starch degrading enzymes demonstrating a rather specific response to temperature stress for BMY7 and BMY8. Time course experiments for heat shock at 40°C and cold shock at 5°C showed that β-amylase induction correlated with maltose accumulation. Maltose has the ability, as demonstrated by in vitro assays, to protect proteins, membranes, and the photosynthetic electron transport chain at physiologically relevant concentrations. Therefore, β-amylase induction and the resultant maltose accumulation may function as a compatible-solute stabilizing factor in the chloroplast stroma in response to acute temperature stress.
The orf13 T-DNA Gene of Agrobacterium rhizogenes Confers Meristematic Competence to Differentiated Cells
Authors: Stieger Pia A. , Meyer Alain D. , Kathmann Petra , Fründt Corinne , Niederhauser Isabel , Barone Mario , Kuhlemeier Cris
Published: July 2004

Plant infections by the soil bacterium Agrobacterium rhizogenes result in neoplastic disease with the formation of hairy roots at the site of infection. Expression of a set of oncogenes residing on the stably integrated T-DNA is responsible for the disease symptoms. Besides the rol (root locus) genes, which are essential for the formation of hairy roots, the open reading frame orf13 mediates cytokinin-like effects, suggesting an interaction with hormone signaling pathways. Here we show that ORF13 induced ectopic expression of KNOX (KNOTTED1-like homeobox) class transcription factors, as well as of several genes involved in cell cycle control in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). ORF13 has a retinoblastoma (RB)-binding motif and interacted with maize (Zea mays) RB in vitro, whereas ORF13, bearing a point mutation in the RB-binding motif (ORF13*), did not. Increased cell divisions in the vegetative shoot apical meristem and accelerated formation of leaf primordia were observed in plants expressing orf13, whereas the expression of orf13* had no influence on cell division rates in the shoot apical meristem, suggesting a role of RB in the regulation of the cell cycle in meristematic tissues. On the other hand, ectopic expression of LeT6 was not dependent on a functional RB-binding motif. Hormone homeostasis was only altered in explants of leaves, whereas in the root no effects were observed. We suggest that ORF13 confers meristematic competence to cells infected by A. rhizogenes by inducing the expression of KNOX genes and promotes the transition of infected cells from the G1 to the S phase by binding to RB.
Activities of Key Enzymes in Sucrose-to-Starch Conversion in Wheat Grains Subjected to Water Deficit during Grain Filling
Authors: Yang Jianchang , Zhang Jianhua , Wang Zhiqing , Xu Guowei , Zhu Qingsen
Published: July 2004

This study tested the hypothesis that a controlled water deficit during grain filling of wheat (Triticum aestivum) could accelerate grain-filling rate through regulating the key enzymes involved in Suc-to-starch pathway in the grains. Two high lodging-resistant wheat cultivars were field grown. Well-watered and water-deficit (WD) treatments were imposed from 9 DPA until maturity. The WD promoted the reallocation of prefixed 14C from the stems to grains, shortened the grain-filling period, and increased grain-filling rate or starch accumulation rate (SAR) in the grains. Activities of Suc synthase (SuSase), soluble starch synthase (SSS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE) in the grains were substantially enhanced by WD and positively correlated with the SAR. ADP Glc pyrophosphorylase activity was also enhanced in WD grains initially and correlated with SAR with a smaller coefficient. Activities of granule-bound starch synthase and soluble and insoluble acid invertase in the grains were less affected by WD. Abscisic acid (ABA) content in the grains was remarkably enhanced by WD and very significantly correlated with activities of SuSase, SSS, and SBE. Application of ABA on well-watered plants showed similar results as those by WD. Spraying with fluridone, an ABA synthesis inhibitor, had the opposite effect. The results suggest that increased grain-filling rate is mainly attributed to the enhanced sink activity by regulating key enzymes involved in Suc-to-starch conversion, especially SuSase, SSS, and SBE, in wheat grains when subjected to a mild water deficit during grain filling, and ABA plays a vital role in the regulation of this process.
Expression Profiling-Based Identification of CO2-Responsive Genes Regulated by CCM1 Controlling a Carbon-Concentrating Mechanism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Miura Kenji , Yamano Takashi , Yoshioka Satoshi , Kohinata Tsutomu , Inoue Yoshihiro , Taniguchi Fumiya , Asamizu Erika , Nakamura Yasukazu , Tabata Satoshi , Yamato Katsuyuki T. , Ohyama Kanji , Fukuzawa Hideya
Published: July 2004

Photosynthetic acclimation to CO2-limiting stress is associated with control of genetic and physiological responses through a signal transduction pathway, followed by integrated monitoring of the environmental changes. Although several CO2-responsive genes have been previously isolated, genome-wide analysis has not been applied to the isolation of CO2-responsive genes that may function as part of a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in photosynthetic eukaryotes. By comparing expression profiles of cells grown under CO2-rich conditions with those of cells grown under CO2-limiting conditions using a cDNA membrane array containing 10,368 expressed sequence tags, 51 low-CO2 inducible genes and 32 genes repressed by low CO2 whose mRNA levels were changed more than 2.5-fold in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard were detected. The fact that the induction of almost all low-CO2 inducible genes was impaired in the ccm1 mutant suggests that CCM1 is a master regulator of CCM through putative low-CO2 signal transduction pathways. Among low-CO2 inducible genes, two novel genes, LciA and LciB, were identified, which may be involved in inorganic carbon transport. Possible functions of low-CO2 inducible and/or CCM1-regulated genes are discussed in relation to the CCM.
Activity Profiling of Papain-Like Cysteine Proteases in Plants
Authors: van der Hoorn Renier A. L. , Leeuwenburgh Michiel A. , Bogyo Matthew , Joosten Matthieu H. A. J. , Peck Scott C.
Published: July 2004

Transcriptomic and proteomic technologies are generating a wealth of data that are frequently used by scientists to predict the function of proteins based on their expression or presence. However, activity of many proteins, such as transcription factors, kinases, and proteases, depends on posttranslational modifications that frequently are not detected by these technologies. Therefore, to monitor activity of proteases rather than their abundance, we introduce protease activity profiling in plants. This technology is based on the use of biotinylated, irreversible protease inhibitors that react with active proteases in a mechanism-based manner. Using a biotinylated derivative of the Cys protease inhibitor E-64, we display simultaneous activities of many papain-like Cys proteases in extracts from various tissues and from different plant species. Labeling is pH dependent, stimulated with reducing agents, and inhibited specifically by Cys protease inhibitors but not by inhibitors of other protease classes. Using one-step affinity capture of biotinylated proteases followed by sequencing mass spectrometry, we identified proteases that include xylem-specific XCP2, desiccation-induced RD21, and cathepsin B- and aleurain-like proteases. Together, these results demonstrate that this technology can identify differentially activated proteases and/or characterize the activity of a particular protease within complex mixtures.
Overexpression of OsRAA1 Causes Pleiotropic Phenotypes in Transgenic Rice Plants, including Altered Leaf, Flower, and Root Development and Root Response to Gravity
Authors: Ge Lei , Chen Hui , Jiang Jia-Fu , Zhao Yuan , Xu Ming-Li , Xu Yun-Yuan , Tan Ke-hui , Xu Zhi-Hong , Chong Kang
Published: July 2004

There are very few root genes that have been described in rice as a monocotyledonous model plant so far. Here, the OsRAA1 (Oryza sativa Root Architecture Associated 1) gene has been characterized molecularly. OsRAA1 encodes a 12.0-kD protein that has 58% homology to the AtFPF1 (Flowering Promoting Factor 1) in Arabidopsis, which has not been reported as modulating root development yet. Data of in situ hybridization and OsRAA1::GUS transgenic plant showed that OsRAA1 expressed specifically in the apical meristem, the elongation zone of root tip, steles of the branch zone, and the young lateral root. Constitutive expression of OsRAA1 under the control of maize (Zea mays) ubiquitin promoter resulted in phenotypes of reduced growth of primary root, increased number of adventitious roots and helix primary root, and delayed gravitropic response of roots in seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa), which are similar to the phenotypes of the wild-type plant treated with auxin. With overexpression of OsRAA1, initiation and growth of adventitious root were more sensitive to treatment of auxin than those of the control plants, while their responses to 9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylic acid in both transgenic line and wild type showed similar results. OsRAA1 constitutive expression also caused longer leaves and sterile florets at the last stage of plant development. Analysis of northern blot and GUS activity staining of OsRAA1::GUS transgenic plants demonstrated that the OsRAA1 expression was induced by auxin. At the same time, overexpression of OsRAA1 also caused endogenous indole-3-acetic acid to increase. These data suggested that OsRAA1 as a new gene functions in the development of rice root systems, which are mediated by auxin. A positive feedback regulation mechanism of OsRAA1 to indole-3-acetic acid metabolism may be involved in rice root development in nature.
Oxidative Stress-Induced Calcium Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Rentel Maike C. , Knight Marc R.
Published: July 2004

Many environmental stresses result in increased generation of active oxygen species in plant cells. This leads to the induction of protective mechanisms, including changes in gene expression, which lead to antioxidant activity, the recovery of redox balance, and recovery from damage/toxicity. Relatively little is known about the signaling events that link perception of increased active oxygen species levels to gene expression in plants. We have investigated the role of calcium signaling in H2O2-induced expression of the GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE1 (GST1) gene. Challenge with H2O2 triggered a biphasic Ca2+ elevation in Arabidopsis seedlings. The early Ca2+ peak localized to the cotyledons, whereas the late Ca2+ rise was restricted to the root. The two phases of the Ca2+ response were independent of each other, as shown by severing shoot from root tissues before H2O2 challenge. Modulation of the height of Ca2+ rises had a corresponding effect upon H2O2-induced GST1 expression. Application of the calcium channel blocker lanthanum reduced the height of the first Ca2+ peak and concomitantly inhibited GST1 expression. Conversely, enhancing the height of the H2O2-triggered Ca2+ signature by treatment with l-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis) lead to enhancement of GST1 induction. This finding also indicates that changes in the cellular redox balance constitute an early event in H2O2 signal transduction as reduction of the cellular redox buffer and thus the cell's ability to maintain a high GSH/GSSG ratio potentiated the plant's antioxidant response.
Phototropins Mediate Blue and Red Light-Induced Chloroplast Movements in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Kasahara Masahiro , Kagawa Takatoshi , Sato Yoshikatsu , Kiyosue Tomohiro , Wada Masamitsu
Published: July 2004

Phototropin is the blue-light receptor that mediates phototropism, chloroplast movement, and stomatal opening in Arabidopsis. Blue and red light induce chloroplast movement in the moss Physcomitrella patens. To study the photoreceptors for chloroplast movement in P. patens, four phototropin genes (PHOTA1, PHOTA2, PHOTB1, and PHOTB2) were isolated by screening cDNA libraries. These genes were classified into two groups (PHOTA and PHOTB) on the basis of their deduced amino acid sequences. Then phototropin disruptants were generated by homologous recombination and used for analysis of chloroplast movement. Data revealed that blue light-induced chloroplast movement was mediated by phototropins in P. patens. Both photA and photB groups were able to mediate chloroplast avoidance, as has been reported for Arabidopsis phot2, although the photA group contributed more to the response. Red light-induced chloroplast movement was also significantly reduced in photA2photB1photB2 triple disruptants. Because the primary photoreceptor for red light-induced chloroplast movement in P. patens is phytochrome, phototropins may be downstream components of phytochromes in the signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this work is the first to show a function for the phototropin blue-light receptor in a response to wavelengths that it does not absorb.
Transcriptional Programs of Early Reproductive Stages in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hennig Lars , Gruissem Wilhelm , Grossniklaus Ueli , Köhler Claudia
Published: July 2004

The life cycle of flowering plants alternates between a diploid sporophytic and a haploid gametophytic generation. After fertilization of each the egg and central cells by one male gamete, the development of both fertilization products occurs coordinated with the maternally derived seed coat and carpel tissues forming the fruit. The reproduction program is likely to involve the concerted activity of many genes. To identify genes with specific functions during reproduction, we have analyzed the expression profile of more than 22,000 genes present on the Arabidopsis ATH1 microarray during three stages of flower and fruit development. We found 1,886 genes regulated during reproductive development and 1,043 genes that were specifically expressed during reproduction. When compared to cells from an Arabidopsis suspension culture, S-phase genes were underrepresented and G2 and M-phase genes were strongly enriched in the set of specific genes, indicating that important functions during reproduction are exerted in the G2 and M phases of the cell cycle. Many potential signaling components, such as receptor-like protein kinases, phosphatases, and transcription factors, were present in both groups of genes. Members of the YABBY, MADS box, and Myb transcription factor families were significantly overrepresented in the group of specific genes, revealing an important role of these families during reproduction. Furthermore, we found a significant enrichment of predicted secreted proteins smaller than 15 kD that could function directly as signaling molecules or as precursors for peptide hormones. Our study provides a basis for targeted reverse-genetic approaches aimed to identify key genes of reproductive development in plants.
Metabolic Responses to the Reduction in Palmitate Caused by Disruption of the FATB Gene in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bonaventure Gustavo , Bao Xiaoming , Ohlrogge John , Pollard Mike
Published: July 2004

Disruption of the FATB gene in Arabidopsis results in a two-thirds reduction in saturated fatty acids, largely palmitate, in the leaf extra-plastidic phospholipids and a reduction in the growth rate of the mutant compared to wild type (Bonaventure G, Salas JJ, Pollard MR, Ohlrogge JB [2003] Plant Cell 15: 1020–1033). In this study, we report that although fatb-ko seedlings grow more slowly than wild type, the rate of fatty acid synthesis in leaves of the mutant increases by 40%. This results in approximately the same amount of palmitate exported from the plastid as in wild type but an increase in oleate export of about 55%. To maintain constant amounts of fatty acids in leaves, thereby counterbalancing their higher rate of production, the mutant also increases its rate of fatty acid degradation. Although fatb-ko leaves have higher rates of fatty acid synthesis and turnover, the relative proportions of membrane lipids are similar to wild type. Thus, homeostatic mechanisms to preserve membrane compositions compensate for substantial changes in rates of fatty acid and glycerolipid metabolism in the mutant. Pulse-chase labeling studies show that in fatb-ko leaves there is a net increase in the synthesis of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic lipids and consequently of their turnover. The net loss of palmitate from phosphatidylcholine plus phosphatidylethanolamine is similar for wild type and mutant, suggesting that mechanisms are not present that can preferentially preserve the saturated fatty acids. In summary, the leaf cell responds to the loss of saturated fatty acid production in the fatb-ko mutant by increasing both fatty acid synthesis and degradation, but in doing so the mechanisms for increased fatty acid turnover contribute to the lowering of the percentage of saturated fatty acids found in eukaryotic lipids.
Abscisic Acid Induces CBF Gene Transcription and Subsequent Induction of Cold-Regulated Genes via the CRT Promoter Element
Authors: Knight Heather , Zarka Daniel G. , Okamoto Haruko , Thomashow Michael F. , Knight Marc R.
Published: July 2004

Many cold-regulated genes of Arabidopsis are inducible by abscisic acid (ABA) as well as by cold. This has been thought to occur via two separate signaling pathways, with ABA acting via ABA-responsive promoter elements and low temperature activating the C-repeat element (CRT; dehydration-responsive) promoter element via CBF (DREB1) transcription factors. We show here that ABA is also capable of activating the CRT promoter element. Although the more recently discovered ABA-inducible CBF4 transcription factor might have accounted for this, we show here that CBF1-3 transcript levels also increase in response to elevated ABA levels. This increase in CBF1-3 transcript levels appears to be at least in part due to increased activity of the CBF promoters in response to ABA. A total of 125 bp of the CBF2 promoter, which has previously been shown to be sufficient for cold-, mechanical-, and cycloheximide-induced expression, was also sufficient for ABA-induced expression. However, the ABA-responsive promoter element-like motif within this region is not needed for ABA-induced expression. An observed increase in CBF protein levels after ABA treatment, together with previous data showing that increased CBF levels are sufficient for cold-regulated gene induction, suggests that ABA-induced increases in CBF1-3 transcript levels do have the potential to activate the CRT. Our data indicate therefore that activation of the CRT may also occur via a novel ABA-inducible signaling pathway using the normally cold-inducible CBFs.
A Plant-Specific Subclass of C-Terminal Kinesins Contains a Conserved A-Type Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Site Implicated in Folding and Dimerization
Authors: Vanstraelen Marleen , Torres Acosta Juan Antonio , De Veylder Lieven , Inzé Dirk , Geelen Danny
Published: July 2004

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control cell cycle progression through timely coordinated phosphorylation events. Two kinesin-like proteins that interact with CDKA;1 were identified and designated KCA1 and KCA2. They are 81% identical and have a similar three-partite domain organization. The N-terminal domain contains an ATP and microtubule-binding site typical for kinesin motors. A green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion of the N-terminal domain of KCA1 decorated microtubules in Bright Yellow-2 cells, demonstrating microtubule-binding activity. During cytokinesis the full-length GFP-fusion protein accumulated at the midline of young and mature expanding phragmoplasts. Two-hybrid analysis and coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that coiled-coil structures of the central stalk were responsible for homo- and heterodimerization of KCA1 and KCA2. By western-blot analysis, high molecular mass KCA molecules were detected in extracts from Bright Yellow-2 cells overproducing the full-length GFP fusion. Treatment of these cultures with the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate caused an accumulation of these KCA molecules. In addition to dimerization, interactions within the C-terminally located tail domain were revealed, indicating that the tail could fold onto itself. The tail domains of KCA1 and KCA2 contained two adjacent putative CDKA;1 phosphorylation sites, one of which is conserved in KCA homologs from other plant species. Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved phosphorylation sites in KCA1 resulted in a reduced binding with CDKA;1 and abolished intramolecular tail interactions. The data show that phosphorylation of the CDKA;1 site provokes a conformational change in the structure of KCA with implications in folding and dimerization.
Identification of Genes Required for Embryo Development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tzafrir Iris , Pena-Muralla Rosanna , Dickerman Allan , Berg Michael , Rogers Rebecca , Hutchens Steven , Sweeney T. Colleen , McElver John , Aux George , Patton David , Meinke David
Published: July 2004

A long-term goal of Arabidopsis research is to define the minimal gene set needed to produce a viable plant with a normal phenotype under diverse conditions. This will require both forward and reverse genetics along with novel strategies to characterize multigene families and redundant biochemical pathways. Here we describe an initial dataset of 250 EMB genes required for normal embryo development in Arabidopsis. This represents the first large-scale dataset of essential genes in a flowering plant. When compared with 550 genes with other knockout phenotypes, EMB genes are enriched for basal cellular functions, deficient in transcription factors and signaling components, have fewer paralogs, and are more likely to have counterparts among essential genes of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and worm (Caenorhabditis elegans). EMB genes also represent a valuable source of plant-specific proteins with unknown functions required for growth and development. Analyzing such unknowns is a central objective of genomics efforts worldwide. We focus here on 34 confirmed EMB genes with unknown functions, demonstrate that expression of these genes is not embryo-specific, validate a strategy for identifying interacting proteins through complementation with epitope-tagged proteins, and discuss the value of EMB genes in identifying novel proteins associated with important plant processes. Based on sequence comparison with essential genes in other model eukaryotes, we identify 244 candidate EMB genes without paralogs that represent promising targets for reverse genetics. These candidates should facilitate the recovery of additional genes required for seed development.
Nanotechnology: what are the prospects for sensors?
Authors: Bogue Robert W.
Published: July 2004

This paper aims to assess the impact of nanotechnology on sensors. Examples of recent nanosensor developments are given and future prospects are briefly considered.
Switches and pressure sensors benefit from novel composite material
Authors: Connolly Christine
Published: July 2004

A new material has been developed consisting of metal particles intimately distributed in a polymer. This composite becomes a conductor under compression, tension or twisting, exhibiting a resistive range of one trillion to one, and following a smooth, repeatable curve. It has been shown that the conductivity arises from the quantum tunnelling effect. The material is used in a wide range of switches and sensors, as a replacement in standard components and also in novel applications.
A visual programming environment for machine vision engineers
Authors: Whelan Paul F. , Sadleir Robert
Published: July 2004

This paper details a free image analysis and software development environment for machine vision application development. The environment provides high‐level access to over 300 image manipulation, processing and analysis algorithms through a well‐defined and easy to use graphical interface. Users can extend the core library using the developer's interface via a plug‐in which features automatic source code generation, compilation with full error feedback and dynamic algorithm updates. Also discusses key issues associated with the environment and outline the advantages in adopting such a system for machine vision application development.
Flexural strain sensing using carbon nanotube film
Authors: Dharap Prasad , Li Zhiling , Nagarajaiah Satish , Barrera Enrique V.
Published: July 2004

Strain sensing characteristic of carbon nanotubes has been established in the past at nanoscale. In this study, it is shown that the carbon nanotube film sensors, made up of randomly oriented carbon nanotubes, can be used as strain sensors at macro level. A nearly linear trend between the change in voltage, measured using a movable four point probe, and strains, measured using conventional electrical strain gage, indicates the potential of such carbon nanotube films for measuring flexural strains at macro level. Isotropic strain sensing capability of the carbon nanotube film sensors, due to randomly oriented carbon nanotubes, allows multidirectional and multi‐location measurements.
A novel PVDF microforce/force rate sensor for practical applications in micromanipulation
Authors: Shen Yantao , Xi Ning , Lai King W.C. , Li Wen J.
Published: July 2004

This paper presents our development of a novel force and force rate sensory system to advance applications in micromanipulation using anin situpolyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric sensor. To allow close monitoring of magnitude and direction of microforces acting on microdevices during manipulation, PVDF ploymer films are used to fabricate highly sensitive 1D and 2D sensors to detect real‐time microforce and force rate information during the manipulation process. The sensory system with a resolution in the range of sub‐micronewtons can be applied effectively to develop a technology on the force‐reflection microassembly of surface MEMS structures. In addition, a tele‐micromanipulation platform, which can be used to perform tele‐microassembly of the MEMS structures and tele‐cell‐manipulation with force/haptic feedback via Internet was also built successfully.
A supported membrane type sensor for medical tactile mapping
Authors: Dargahi Javad , Najarian Siamak
Published: July 2004

This paper describes the design, fabrication, testing, and mathematical modeling of a supported membrane type polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) tactile sensor. Using the designed membrane type sensor (MTS), it is shown that the entire surface of the PVDF film can be employed as a means of detecting the force magnitude and its application point. This is accomplished by utilizing only three sensing elements. Unlike the array type tactile sensors, in which the regions between the neighboring sensing elements are not active, all the surface points of the sensor are practically active in this MTS. A geometric mapping process is introduced, thereby, the loci of the isocharge contours for the three sensing elements are determined by applying force on various points of the sensor surface. In order to form a criterion for the comparison between the experimental findings and the theoretical analysis data, and also to determine the magnitude of the stresses generated in the membrane, finite element modeling is used. The correlation between the theoretical predictions and experimental findings is proven to be reasonable. Potentially, the designed MTS can be incorporated into various medical probes for tactile imaging.
A stereo imaging system for the metric 3D recovery of porcine surface anatomy
Authors: Ju Xiangyang , Paul Siebert J. , McFarlane Nigel J.B. , Wu Jiahua , Tillett Robin D. , Patrick Schofield Charles
Published: July 2004

We have succeeded in capturing porcine 3D surface anatomyin vivoby developing a high‐resolution stereo imaging system. The system achieved accurate 3D shape recovery by matching stereo pair images containing only natural surface textures at high (image) resolution. The 3D imaging system presented for pig shape capture is based on photogrammetry and comprises: stereo pair image acquisition, stereo camera calibration and stereo matching and surface and texture integration. Practical issues have been addressed, and in particular the integration of multiple range images into a single 3D surface. Robust image segmentation successfully isolated the pigs within the stereo images and was employed in conjunction with depth discontinuity detection to facilitate the integration process. The capture and processing chain is detailed here and the resulting 3D pig anatomy obtained using the system presented.
Information architecture
Authors: White Martin
Published: July 2004

Information architecture has gradually crept into prominence over the last few years as one of the new buzz words in Web design. This article examines the definition and history of information architecture.
Electronic libraries and the emergence of new service paradigms
Authors: Moyo Lesley M.
Published: July 2004

Enabling technologies have led to the transformation of library services from traditional services incorporating card catalogs, printed books and periodicals, bibliographic instruction, in‐person/face‐to‐face reference, to new services and delivery modes incorporating: electronic collections, such as e‐books, e‐journals and databases; virtual reference services, and other online services. Innovation of new services that are peculiar to the online/Web environment is the trend in modern electronic libraries. During the last decade, many libraries, particularly those serving academic communities, have witnessed the emergence of new service paradigms in areas of information access and delivery, reference, instruction, technology facility and support to patrons. Libraries continue to harness new technologies to offer services in innovative ways to meet the changing needs of their patrons. This paper explores some of these emerging service paradigms in electronic libraries. The concept of “service paradigm” in this paper is used to refer to predominant service patterns.
Health and safety and piracy: legal risk minimisation in libraries
Authors: Van Hoorebeek Mark
Published: July 2004

This article presents a preliminary discussion of two points of interest. Part one puts forward that libraries need to be actively aware of the health and safety issues relating to computer work‐stations, this awareness will allow sensible steps to be taken not just to mitigate potential liability concerns but to ensure that computer technology is accessible and also easily and comfortably used by library employees and public users of the library. Part two argues that libraries will need to be versed in the dual disciplines of computer technology and copyright law to allow librarians and the library's computer support service to prevent copyright infringement. Libraries must distance themselves from potential piracy such as e‐book, music, games and computer software downloads facilitated by the peer‐to‐peer network. The article reviews, dissects and finally presents some tentative solutions that may mitigate the potential litigation from health and safety and piracy.
Metadata and cataloging practices
Authors: El‐Sherbini Magda , Klim George
Published: July 2004

Metadata standards existing today range from very complex to very simple. Relative simplicity or complexity of metadata standards depends in large part on the resources for which they were created and the depth of description that is deemed necessary to make these resources accessible. This paper reviews the differences between metadata standards and current cataloging practices, and discusses how the various metadata standards are applied in libraries. In addressing these issues, the authors introduce definitions of key concepts of metadata and cataloging standards and provide an overview of the most common metadata schemes. The discussion of current cataloging practices includes an overview of the most commonly used cataloging practices and standards, the impact of metadata on library practice and the role of librarians related to metadata. The authors will discuss the OHIOLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertations (ETD) as an example of how Anglo‐American Cataloging Rules 2nd (AACR2) and Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC21) are used as metadata to store, describe and access this unique information resource.
Melody‐based retrieval of music
Authors: Jin Yi , Huang Min
Published: July 2004

Nowadays, available music information is increasing rapidly from fast growing digital libraries and the Internet. How to effectively retrieve music data is a challenging task and content‐based retrieval of music is a relatively large area. Much work that aims at creating acoustical waveforms of music has been carried out. But to many people, the most important and useful feature of music is the melody. This paper focuses on the melody‐based retrieval of music, which can be regarded as a kind of content‐based retrieval of music but much closer to the actual nature of music. It can be divided into three parts for studying: the extraction of melodic attributes, the melody input methods and the matching methods.
Levels of information technology (IT) applications in Muslim world libraries
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad
Published: July 2004

The utilisation of information technology (IT) has become an indicator of a country's wealth level. Countries, which fail to prepare for information technology and do not use it properly, are likely to lose their global competitiveness. Muslim countries have paid little attention to leverage the benefits offered by the IT use in their library and information centres. The first part of this paper reports the status of information technology applications in libraries and information centres of Muslim countries. The second part of the paper reports the level of hardware, software, and IT‐based resources available in libraries and information centres in Pakistan. The third part of this paper discusses the problems hindering the wider use of information technology in libraries and information centres in Pakistan. Based on the findings of the survey and documentary research the final part of this paper puts forward overall suggestions to solve the problems hindering the wider use of information technology in libraries and information centres in general, and in Muslim countries in particular.
Privacy in libraries
Authors: Falk Howard
Published: July 2004

The American Library Association views privacy as essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association. Many libraries have written policies designed to preserve the privacy of patrons and visitors. Statements of intentions to preserve privacy are important as guides to the behavior of library personnel. This article looks at the problems associated with privacy in libraries.
The changing face of marketing academia
Authors: Tapp Alan
Published: July 2004

This commentary was stimulated by two things. First, the apparently growing concerns within marketing academia with the gap between academia and practice. Throughout Europe academics are expressing the need to link their work closely with practitioners, yet there is little sign of urgency from those who influence research output. Second, the opportunities for changing academic practices illustrated by cultural changes taking place in commercial market research. Market researchers now approach their task differently: to begin with they are adopting a more relaxed attitude to their methodologies. Eclecticism and bricolage are the new vogue. They have become much more focused on what their internal customers want: help in making decisions. The change of name from market research to customer insight is but one symptom of this re‐evaluation. This commentary questions the existing cultures of academic marketing research and publication, and asks what lessons we can learn from commercial market research. The paper concludes that applied marketing academics need to adopt a different set of priorities in comparison to their classical marketing colleagues. Commercial market researchers and applied academics share a requirement to make their research accessible, engaging and even actionable. There is little overt acknowledgement of this at present, and until this changes, the current academic cultural norms may erect barriers to our messages getting across.
Strategy paradigms for the management of quality:dealing with complexity
Authors: Combe Ian A. , Botschen Günther
Published: July 2004

Quality management is dominated by rational paradigms for the measurement and management of quality, but these paradigms start to “break down”, when faced with the inherent complexity of managing quality in intensely competitive changing environments. In this article, the various theoretical strategy paradigms employed to manage quality are reviewed and the advantages and limitations of these paradigms are highlighted. A major implication of this review is that when faced with complexity, an ideological stance to any single strategy paradigm for the management of quality is ineffective. A case study is used to demonstrate the need for an integrative multi‐paradigm approach to the management of quality as complexity increases.
Some tests for suitability of brand switching model
Authors: Roy Dilip , Lahiri Isita
Published: July 2004

In the context of strategic marketing and market commitment models, modeling of brand switching behaviour of consumers is of extreme use in determining the performance potential of the existing players. This paper revisits the static models of Ehrenberg and Hendry and introduces a dynamic model of brand switching based on market shares. In terms of a χ2 measure of closeness, these three models have been compared to ascertain their modeling performances. A case study has been carried out for the field of sanitary napkin to give some further insight into this problem. Studies have also been included for a few FMCG items. In all the cases, the proposed model gives a better description of the actual situation than the existing static models.
The influence of religion on attitudes towards the advertising of controversial products
Authors: Shyan Fam Kim , Waller David S. , Zafer Erdogan B.
Published: July 2004

In a constantly changing and increasingly globalized world, religion still plays a significant role in influencing social and consumer behavior. This study will analyze what influence religion and intensity of belief has on attitudes towards the advertising of particular controversial products and services. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,393 people across six different countries and resulting in samples of four main religious groups. The results indicated some statistically significant differences between the groups, which can have important implications for global marketers.
Marketing management in a complex adaptive system
Authors: Wollin Drew , Perry Chad
Published: July 2004

This article explores how complexity theory can help marketers to understand a market and to operate within it. Essentially, it argues that complexity theory has the potential to provide both global and some local explanations of markets and is complementary to local theories like relationship marketing that may be more familiar to marketing managers. It establishes four types of complex systems that might be used to model social systems. Of these four types, complex adaptive systems seem most appropriate to describe markets. This is illustrated in an investigation of Honda in the global automobile industry. Implications for marketing managers centre on the need to understand feedback loops at many levels of a path‐dependent system that are inherently difficult to predict and control.
Exploring the accuracy of SME managers' network perceptions
Authors: Grundvåg Ottesen Geir , Foss Lene , Grønhaug Kjell
Published: July 2004

This paper studies the accuracy of small‐ to medium‐sized (SME) managers' perceptions of their information exchanges with important market actors such as customers, competitors and suppliers. In this way, examines an important dimension of managers' network perceptions, which are assumed to be necessary for optimal utilisation of their networks. By comparing managers' perceived frequency of information exchanges with external actors with an “objective” tracking of their actual behaviour, reveals substantial perceptual errors. Findings are discussed and implications highlighted.
Antecedents to new food product purchasing behavior among innovator groups in India
Authors: Choo HoJung , Chung Jae‐Eun , Thorndike Pysarchik Dawn
Published: July 2004

Through structural equation modeling, Fishbein and Ajzen's modified theory of reasoned action model (TORA) is used to study the impact of innovation on Indian consumers’ purchase behavior of new processed foods. The results indicate that subjective norms are a key factor in understanding Indian consumers’ new food purchase decisions regardless of their level of innovation. Specifically, subjective norms are found to have direct effects on attitudes, intention to buy, and purchase behavior for new processed food products. Surprisingly, attitudes have little effect on less innovative consumers’ intention to buy. Additionally, product familiarity had a significant impact on Indian consumers’ attitudes, subjective norms, intention to buy, and, ultimately, purchase behavior of the low innovator and high innovator groups. Marketing implications are discussed.
Age is just a number
Authors: Goulding Christina , Shankar Avi
Published: July 2004

This paper looks at “dance” or “rave”, a phenomenon usually associated with youth culture. It suggests that there is a hidden consumer who falls into the 30‐40 age group. The paper examines the emergence of dance/rave, and the process of commodification of a sub‐cultural movement. It suggests that youth‐related activities are migrating up the age scale and draws on the results of a phenomenological study to support this. The findings suggest that the experience is closely related to cognitive age and the dimensions of “felt” age, “look” age, “do” age, and “interest” age.
How do small business managers make strategic marketing decisions?
Authors: Jocumsen Graham
Published: July 2004

Argues that a deeper understanding of the current strategic marketing decision‐making processes in small businesses is necessary to raise the acceptance rates of interventions to improve the quality of strategic marketing decisions and consequently firm performance. Despite extensive interventionist efforts focussed primarily upon application of theory derived from large organisation studies, the small business sector continues to be plagued by high failure rates and poor performance levels. In this study, a comprehensive literature review and a series of six in‐depth interviews are used to develop a theoretical research framework for the strategic marketing decision‐making process in small business. Second, 46 strategic marketing decisions drawn from 32 small businesses are examined within the context of the research framework and, finally, a model of strategic marketing decision‐making process in small business is proposed. The core of the model is a series of three loosely defined steps or tasks (“information gathering/research”, “financial analyses and assessments” and “”internal matters”), which are conducted non‐sequentially but preceded by “decision initiation” and followed by “final commitment”. Furthermore, the key “methods” used in carrying out these steps or tasks are identified and classified into learned competencies, inherent competencies, internal networks and external networks.