bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Between Agnelli and Mussolini: Ford's Unsuccessful Attempt to Penetrate the Italian Automobile Market in the Interwar Period
Authors: Toninelli Pier Angelo
Published: March 2009

This article discusses a chapter of the interwar history of the Ford Motor Company in Europe rather neglected by historians, namely its unsuccessful attempt to erect a solid base of operations in Italy. Expansion onto the Italian market had been part of the post-WWI Ford's strategy of internationalization. It seemed to go well beyond the exploitation of an additional demand as its most interesting and promising aspect was the utilization of the Italian branch as a bridgehead into the Balkans, the East Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and North-East Africa. At the beginning this strategy turned out successful. But when in the late 1920s the Company tried to strenghten its position in the country—either setting up its own assembly plant or establishing a joint venture with an Italian firm—its attempt was blocked. To date scholars have focused exclusively on the political and economic barriers to entry erected by the fascist regime, urged by the powerful Fiat lobby. This was certainly the main cause. Yet, this study shows that on several occasions Ford hesitated and even hung back from acting. Therefor a few chances were missed: the most glamorous being an agreement with Fiat itself, so far ignored by historiography.
Correlation Between Transcript Abundance of the RB Gene and the Level of the RB-Mediated Late Blight Resistance in Potato
Authors: Kramer Lara C. , Choudoir Mallory J. , Wielgus Susan M. , Bhaskar Pudota B. , Jiang Jiming
Published: March 2009

Numerous disease-resistance genes have been cloned and characterized in various plant species. Only a few of these reported genes were transcriptionally induced or had enhanced transcription upon pathogen infection. Here, we report that transcription of the RB gene, which was cloned from the wild potato species Solanum bulbocastanum and confers resistance to potato late blight, was significantly increased after inoculation with the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Different RB transgenic lines showed different levels of resistance, which were correlated with the amounts of RB transcript in the transgenic plants. Different transgenic lines also showed different patterns of RB transcription 1, 3, and 5 days after P. infestans inoculation. Interestingly, the RB gene showed a higher basal level of transcription and a more dramatic transcriptional increase upon inoculation in S. bulbocastanum than in all potato transgenic lines. Our results revealed a predictive correlation between transcript abundance of the RB gene and the level of the RB-mediated late blight resistance. High level of resistance was associated with a combination of rapid RB transcript induction immediately after pathogen infection followed by the steady production of RB transcript. Thus, the transcription level of the RB gene provides a valuable marker for selecting and deploying RB-containing potato lines for late blight control.
Helleborus net necrosis virus: A NewCarlavirusAssociated with ‘Black Death’ ofHelleborusspp.
Authors: Eastwell K. C. , du Toit L. J. , Druffel K. L.
Published: March 2009

Symptoms of ‘black death’ were observed on Helleborus spp. in each of three independent nurseries from across the United States. A new virus of the genus Carlavirus was identified in association with this disease. Symptomatic plants contained curved, rod-shaped particles averaging 800 by 17 nm, and yielded predominant bands of double-stranded (ds)RNA corresponding to approximately 9.0, 2.6, and 1.7 kbp. Amplification with degenerate primers for carlaviruses yielded a product of approximately 3,000 bp from diseased plants. Complete genomic sequences of two virus isolates were determined. Particle size, dsRNA patterns, genome organization, and sequence were consistent with members of the family Flexiviridae, genus Carlavirus. The name Helleborus net necrosis virus (HeNNV) is proposed for the virus associated with black death of Helleborus spp. in the United States. The sequence of the 3′ terminus of Helleborus mosaic virus (HeMV) (genus Carlavirus) was also determined. Nucleotide sequences of HeNNV and HeMV were only 49% identical, revealing the distinct nature of these viruses. Assays for other viruses failed to reveal a consistent association of any other virus with black death symptoms. Cucumber mosaic virus was detected in hellebore specimens both with and without distinct black death symptoms.
Survey for the Three Major Leafroll Disease-Associated Viruses in Finger Lakes Vineyards in New York
Authors: Fuchs M. , Martinson T. E. , Loeb G. M. , Hoch H. C.
Published: March 2009

Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region in New York were surveyed for the three major viruses associated with leafroll disease, i.e., Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1), Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2 (GLRaV-2), and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3). Target viruses were detected in nearly two-thirds (68%, 65 of 95) of the vineyard blocks surveyed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Single infections by GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2, and GLRaV-3 occurred in 10% (113 of 1,124), 3% (36 of 1,124), and 15% (173 of 1,124) of the samples tested, respectively, whereas mixed infections affected 3.6% (40 of 1,124) of them, essentially with GLRaV-1 and GLRaV-3 (2.5%, 28 of 1,124). Presence of the target viruses was confirmed in selected samples by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Comparative analysis indicated moderate to high nucleotide sequence identities in the second diverged copy of the GLRaV-1 coat protein gene (81.0 to 86.7%), GLRaV-2 coat protein gene (87.6 to 99.2%), and GLRaV-3 heat shock protein 70 homologue gene (91.5 to 98.3%) of New York isolates with corresponding virus reference strains. The prevalence of the three major leafroll disease-associated viruses in Finger Lakes vineyards results likely from poor sanitary status of planting materials, stressing the need to reinstate a certification program in New York.
First Report of Botrytis cinerea Causing Leaf Spot of Aquilegia vulgaris in Japan
Authors: Zhang M. , Tsukiboshi T. , Okabe I.
Published: March 2009

European columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris L., Ranunculaceae, is an herbaceous flower widely used in gardens, parterres, and courtyards and is a traditional herbal plant. During the summer of 2008, leaf spots were observed on a plant cultivated along a roadside area in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan. In some courtyards, the leaf spot affected more than 60% of the plants. Early symptoms appeared as small, round or elliptic, brown lesions on the leaves. Lesions expanded to 5 to 15 × 4 to 10 mm, irregular spots that were dark brown to black in the middle, with pale yellow-brown or purple-brown margins. In continuously wet or humid conditions, thick, gray mycelium and conidia appeared on the surface of leaf spots. Conidiophores were melanized at the base and hyaline near the apex, branched, and septated (approximately 3 mm × 16 to 18 μm). Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, ellipsoidal to obovoid, with a slightly protuberant hilum, and ranged from 9 to 14.5 × 5.5 to 6.5 μm. The pathogen was identified as Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr on the basis of morphology and sequence of ITS1-5.8s-ITS2 region of rDNA. The sequence (GenBank Accession No. FJ424510) exactly matched the sequences of two Botryotinia fuckeliana (anamorph Botrytis cinerea), (e.g., GenBank Accession Nos. AY686865 and FJ169666) (2). The fungus was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) from a single conidium found on the symptomatic leaf tissue. Colonies of B. cinerea were first hyaline and later turned gray to black when the spores differentiated. Koch's postulates were performed with three whole plants of potted aquilegia. Leaves were inoculated with mycelia plugs harvested from the periphery of a 7-day-old colony; an equal number of plants were inoculated with the plugs of PDA medium only and served as controls. All plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h to maintain high relative humidity and incubated at 25°C. After 8 days, all mycelium-inoculated plants showed symptoms identical to those observed on leaves from A. vulgaris infected in the field, whereas controls remained symptom free. Reisolation of the fungus from lesions on inoculated leaves confirmed that the causal agent was B. cinerea. B. cinerea has been previously reported on A. vulgaris in the United States and China (1,3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spots caused by B. cinerea on A. vulgaris in Japan.

References: (1) Anonymous. Index of Plant Diseases in the United States. USDA Agric. Handb. No 165, 1960. (2) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew, England, 1971. (3) Z. Y. Zhang. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum. Vol. 26. Botrytis, Ramularia. Science Press, Beijing, 2006.
First Report of Orange Rust of Sugarcane Caused by Puccinia kuehnii in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Authors: Chavarría E. , Subirós F. , Vega J. , Ralda G. , Glynn N. C. , Comstock J. C. , Castlebury L. A.
Published: March 2009

Symptoms and signs of orange rust on sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum L. species) were observed from July 2007 on cv. SP 71-5574 in Costa Rica at the Coopeagri Sugar Mill located in Pérez Zeledón, San José and on multiple cultivars (CP 72-2086, Pindar, Q 132, Q 138, SP 71-5574, and SP 79-2233) at the Providencia Sugar Mill near Muelle, San Carlos and Cutris Sugar Mill near Los Chiles during August 2007. The same symptoms and signs were observed on cv. CP 72-2086 during September 2007 in Nicaragua at Ingenio San Antonio, located near Chinandega, and Ingenio Monte Rosa near El Viejo, Nicaragua. Disease symptoms and uredinia appeared different from brown rust caused by Puccinia melanocephala, and brown rust usually does not occur on these cultivars. Uredinia and urediniospores were similar to those described for orange rust (1,2). Cvs. SP 71-5574 and SP 79-2233 are susceptible and cv. CP 72-2086 is moderately susceptible to orange rust in Costa Rica and cvs. ISACP 00-1075, ISA 00-1000, and CP 72-2086 are moderately susceptible in Nicaragua. Samples from both locations (Costa Rica BPI No. 878816 and Nicaragua BPI No. 878817) examined at the USDA-ARS Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD showed morphological characteristics consistent with those of P. kuehnii. Analysis of ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA sequences of the rust infecting cv. CP 72-2086 (GenBank Accession No. FJ532477) from Costa Rica and cv. ISA 00-1000 from Nicaragua (GenBank Accession No. FJ532476) confirmed the identity as P. kuehnii, the causal agent of sugarcane orange rust. Beside the cultivars already mentioned, orange rust also was confirmed on cvs. RB 73-9735 and CPCL 02-2130 in Costa Rica. To our knowledge, this is the first report of orange rust of sugarcane in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and the third confirmation of the disease in the Western Hemisphere and Caribbean Basin.

References: (1) J. C. Comstock et al. Plant Dis. 92:175, 2008. (2) W. Ovalle et al. Plant Dis. 92:973, 2008.
A Recurrent Epiphytotic of Guava Rust on Rose Apple, Syzygium jambos, in Hawaii
Authors: Uchida J. Y. , Loope L. L.
Published: March 2009

A Neotropical rust of the Myrtaceae, Puccinia psidii Winter, was described from Psidium guajava L., or guava, in Brazil in 1884 (1). It was first discovered in Hawaii on potted Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud. on Oahu in April 2005 (2) with pathogenicity and identity established (3). It spread quickly, and by January 2006, severe outbreaks of this rust occurred statewide on new leaves of Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston, or rose apple. Rose apple, a native to South and Southeast Asia, was introduced to Hawaii in 1825 and is locally abundant to invasive from just above sea level to as high as 1,000 m in elevation in wet sites. Healthy, reddish green immature leaves on new twigs become deformed, yellow-red, and covered with masses of yellow urediniospores following infection. As the disease progresses, infected leaves are blackened and defoliate, with no functional leaves formed. Stem tips and branches are killed and the canopy becomes progressively smaller. Repeated mortality of juvenile leaves was observed to kill 8 to12 m tall trees in the Haiku area of Maui. Wind dispersal of urediniospores resulted in heavy infection of even small groups of S. jambos isolated by 1 km or more and billions of urediniospores covered the ground under diseased trees. On Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu, trees with many dead branches are becoming common with concerns about the fire hazard of these dead trees surrounded by dry grasses. At low humidity levels, or on more mature leaves characterized by soft expanded yellow-green tissue, fewer, mostly circular spots are formed that do not expand. S. jambos is an example of a highly vulnerable host in Hawaii and represents one of approximately 3,500 species of Myrtaceae outside the Neotropics growing in Australasia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and tropical Africa, which have evolved unexposed to P. psidii. Severely infected S. jambos plants have been the major source of spores in the environment, exposing many Myrtaceae hosts to P. psidii. The pathogenicity of P. psidii has been consistent among and within islands with S. jambos severely infected and M. polymorpha, Melaleuca quinquenervia, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Myrtus communis, and Eugenia species commonly infected. Other hosts such as S. cumini, S. malaccense, and Myriciaria cauliflora are also infected, although guava and Eucalyptus spp. are rarely infected. Strain differences within P. psidii are suspected (4). In the tropics, it is rare for mature trees to be killed by a foliar pathogen, but given the devastation of new growth, death of more S. jambos trees is likely.

References: (1) T. A. Coutinho et al. Plant Dis. 82:819, 1998. (2) E. M. Killgore and R. A. Heu. New Pest Advisory No. 05-04. Hawaii Department of Agriculture, 2007. (3) J. Y. Uchida et al. Plant Dis. 90:524, 2006. (4) S. Zhong et al. Mol. Ecol. Res. 8:348. 2008.
Post-Anthesis Moisture Increased Fusarium Head Blight and Deoxynivalenol Levels in North Carolina Winter Wheat
Authors: Cowger Christina , Patton-Özkurt Jennifer , Brown-Guedira Gina , Perugini Leandro
Published: March 2009

Current models for forecasting Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) levels in wheat are based on weather near anthesis, and breeding for resistance to FHB pathogens often relies on irrigation before and shortly after anthesis to encourage disease development. The effects of post-anthesis environmental conditions on FHB are poorly understood. We performed a field experiment at Kinston, NC, to explore the effects of increasing duration of post-anthesis moisture on disease incidence, disease severity, Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), percent infected kernels, and DON. The experiment had a split-plot design, and one trial was conducted in each of two successive years. Main plots consisted of post-anthesis mist durations of 0, 10, 20, or 30 days. Subplots were of eight cultivars in the first year and seven in the second year, two being susceptible to FHB and the remainder each with varying degrees of apparent type I and type II resistance. Plots were inoculated by spraying Fusarium graminearum macroconidia at mid-anthesis. Averaging across years and cultivars, 10 or 20 days of post-anthesis mist had the same effect (P ≥ 0.198) and were associated with an approximately fourfold increase in mean disease incidence and eightfold increase in disease severity compared with 0 days of mist (P ≤ 0.0002). In both years, mean FDK percentages at 0 and 10 days post-anthesis mist were the same and significantly lower than FDK percentages under 20 or 30 days of post-anthesis mist. Mist duration had a significant effect on percent kernels infected with Fusarium spp. as detected by a selective medium assay of 2007 samples. Averaging across all cultivars, in both years, DON levels increased significantly for 10 days compared with 0 days of mist, and increased again with 20 days of mist (P ≤ 0.04). This is the first investigation to show that extended post-flowering moisture can have a significant enhancing effect on FHB, FDK, DON, and percent infected kernels of wheat. For all disease and toxin assays, cultivar rankings were significantly noncorrelated among mist durations in at least 1 year, suggesting that FHB screening programs might rank genotypes differently under extended post-anthesis moisture than without it. Our findings also imply that accurate forecasts of DON in small grains must take account of post-anthesis weather conditions.
Characterization of Resistance Mechanisms to Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe betae) in Beet (Beta vulgaris)
Authors: Fernández-Aparicio Mónica , Prats Elena , Emeran Amero A. , Rubiales Diego
Published: March 2009

Beet powdery mildew incited by Erysiphe betae is a serious foliar fungal disease of worldwide distribution causing losses of up to 30%. In the present work, we searched for resistance in a germplasm collection of 184 genotypes of Beta vulgaris including fodder (51 genotypes), garden (60 genotypes), leaf (51 genotypes), and sugar (22 genotypes) beet types. Resistant genotypes were identified in the four beet types under study. In addition, mechanisms underlying resistance were dissected through histological studies. These revealed different resistance mechanisms acting at different fungal developmental stages, i.e., penetration resistance, early and late cell death, or posthaustorial resistance. Most genotypes were able to hamper fungal development at several stages. The later are interesting for breeding aiming to resistance durability. Furthermore, characterization of defense mechanisms will be useful for further cellular and molecular studies to unravel the bases of resistance in this species.
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping of Increased Fusarium Head Blight Susceptibility Associated with a Wild Emmer Wheat Chromosome
Authors: Garvin David F. , Stack Robert W. , Hansen Jana M.
Published: March 2009

Chromosome 2A of wild emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides) genotype Israel A increases Fusarium head blight (FHB) severity when present in durum wheat (T. turgidum var. durum) cv. Langdon (LDN). The goal of this study was to identify regions of Israel A chromosome 2A associated with this difference in resistance. A recombinant inbred chromosome line population (RICL) from a cross between LDN and the LDN-Israel A chromosome 2A substitution line [LDN(DIC-2A)] was employed for analysis. Three greenhouse FHB evaluations were completed on the RICL to obtain phenotypic data on variation for FHB resistance, and a simple sequence repeat (SSR)-based molecular map of chromosome 2A was developed. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping identified a region on the long arm of chromosome 2A that was associated with FHB resistance in each independent FHB evaluation. Depending on the evaluation, the single best SSR marker in this region accounted for between 21 and 26% of the variation for FHB resistance, with the Israel A marker alleles associated with increased FHB susceptibility. The single best markers from each evaluation reside within an interval of approximately 22 cM. This study identifies one or more new QTL on chromosome 2A in tetraploid wheat that can contribute to significant variation in FHB resistance.
Novel model for the in vivo study of central nervous system infection due to Acanthamoeba spp. (T4 genotype)
Authors: Mortazavi Parisa Nakhostin , Goldsworthy Graham , Kirk Ruth , Khan Naveed Ahmed
Published: March 2009

In this study it was shown for what is believed to be the first time that the African migratory locust can be used as a model for the study of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis. Mature adult locusts were injected intra-abdominally with 10 μl suspension of 106
Acanthamoeba (a clinical isolate of the T4 genotype) in culture medium, or with the same volume of sterile culture medium. Locusts injected with Acanthamoeba showed significant weight loss and reduced production of faeces compared with control locusts. Furthermore, injection of amoebae killed all of the locusts within 17 days at room temperature, although the speed of kill was temperature and dose dependent. When samples of faecal pellets and various tissues of infected locusts were cultured on non-nutrient agar plates containing bacterial lawns, live amoebae were recovered from haemolymph, flight muscle and fat body samples, but not from faeces. When brains dissected from locusts were incubated with an anti-amoebic drug (100 μM chlorhexidine) to kill extracellular amoebae, and then washed, homogenized and cultured on bacteria-seeded non-nutrient agar plates, only lysates from amoebae-infected locusts were positive for Acanthamoeba. This strongly suggests that amoebae invade the locust brain and, indeed, trophozoites of Acanthamoeba could be identified within the brain in histological sections of brains from infected locusts, but not from uninfected locusts. These findings support the view that locusts can be used as a model for the study of Acanthamoeba pathogenesis in vivo.
Complete genome of the cellulolytic thermophile Acidothermus cellulolyticus 11B provides insights into its ecophysiological and evolutionary adaptations
Authors: Barabote Ravi D. , Xie Gary , Leu David H. , Normand Philippe , Necsulea Anamaria , Daubin Vincent , Médigue Claudine , Adney William S. , Xu Xin Clare , Lapidus Alla , Parales Rebecca E. , Detter Chris , Pujic Petar , Bruce David , Lavire Celine , Challacombe Jean F. , Brettin Thomas S. , Berry Alison M.
Published: March 2009

We present here the complete 2.4-Mb genome of the cellulolytic actinobacterial thermophile Acidothermus cellulolyticus 11B. New secreted glycoside hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases were identified in the genome, revealing a diverse biomass-degrading enzyme repertoire far greater than previously characterized and elevating the industrial value of this organism. A sizable fraction of these hydrolytic enzymes break down plant cell walls, and the remaining either degrade components in fungal cell walls or metabolize storage carbohydrates such as glycogen and trehalose, implicating the relative importance of these different carbon sources. Several of the A. cellulolyticus secreted cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes are fused to multiple tandemly arranged carbohydrate binding modules (CBM), from families 2 and 3. For the most part, thermophilic patterns in the genome and proteome of A. cellulolyticus were weak, which may be reflective of the recent evolutionary history of A. cellulolyticus since its divergence from its closest phylogenetic neighbor Frankia, a mesophilic plant endosymbiont and soil dweller. However, ribosomal proteins and noncoding RNAs (rRNA and tRNAs) in A. cellulolyticus showed thermophilic traits suggesting the importance of adaptation of cellular translational machinery to environmental temperature. Elevated occurrence of IVYWREL amino acids in A. cellulolyticus orthologs compared to mesophiles and inverse preferences for G and A at the first and third codon positions also point to its ongoing thermoadaptation. Additional interesting features in the genome of this cellulolytic, hot-springs-dwelling prokaryote include a low occurrence of pseudogenes or mobile genetic elements, an unexpected complement of flagellar genes, and the presence of three laterally acquired genomic islands of likely ecophysiological value.
Involvement of Phytosulfokine in the Attenuation of Stress Response during the Transdifferentiation of Zinnia Mesophyll Cells into Tracheary Elements
Authors: Motose Hiroyasu , Iwamoto Kuninori , Endo Satoshi , Demura Taku , Sakagami Youji , Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Moore Kevin L. , Fukuda Hiroo
Published: March 2009

Phytosulfokine (PSK) is a sulfated peptide hormone required for the proliferation and differentiation of plant cells. Here, we characterize the physiological roles of PSK in transdifferentiation of isolated mesophyll cells of zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Canary Bird’) into tracheary elements (TEs). Transcripts for a zinnia PSK precursor gene, ZePSK1, show two peaks of expression during TE differentiation; the first accumulation is transiently induced in response to wounding at 24 h of culture, and the second accumulation is induced in the final stage of TE differentiation and is dependent on endogenous brassinosteroids. Chlorate, a potent inhibitor of peptide sulfation, is successfully applied as an inhibitor of PSK action. Chlorate significantly suppresses TE differentiation. The chlorate-induced suppression of TE differentiation is overcome by exogenously applied PSK. In the presence of chlorate, expression of stress-related genes for proteinase inhibitors and a pathogenesis-related protein is enhanced and changed from a transient to a continuous pattern. On the contrary, administration of PSK significantly reduces the accumulation of transcripts for the stress-related genes. Even in the absence of auxin and cytokinin, addition of PSK suppresses stress-related gene expression. Microarray analysis reveals 66 genes down-regulated and 42 genes up-regulated in the presence of PSK. The large majority of down-regulated genes show significant similarity to various families of stress-related proteins, including chitinases, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis enzymes, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase, and receptor-like protein kinases. These results suggest the involvement of PSK in the attenuation of stress response and healing of wound-activated cells during the early stage of TE differentiation.
Roles forArabidopsisCAMTA Transcription Factors in Cold-Regulated Gene Expression and Freezing Tolerance
Authors: Doherty Colleen J. , Van Buskirk Heather A. , Myers Susan J. , Thomashow Michael F.
Published: March 2009

The Arabidopsis thaliana CBF cold response pathway plays a central role in cold acclimation. It is characterized by rapid cold induction of genes encoding the CBF1-3 transcription factors, followed by expression of the CBF gene regulon, which imparts freezing tolerance. Our goal was to further the understanding of the cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors involved in expression of CBF2. We identified seven conserved DNA motifs (CM), CM1 to 7, that are present in the promoters of CBF2 and another rapidly cold-induced gene encoding a transcription factor, ZAT12. The results presented indicate that in the CBF2 promoter, CM4 and CM6 have negative regulatory activity and that CM2 has both negative and positive activity. A Myc binding site in the CBF2 promoter was also found to have positive regulatory effects. Moreover, our results indicate that members of the calmodulin binding transcription activator (CAMTA) family of transcription factors bind to the CM2 motif, that CAMTA3 is a positive regulator of CBF2 expression, and that double camta1  camta3 mutant plants are impaired in freezing tolerance. These results establish a role for CAMTA proteins in cold acclimation and provide a possible point of integrating low-temperature calcium and calmodulin signaling with cold-regulated gene expression.
The Web 2.0 challenge to libraries
Authors: Joint Nicholas
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate issues surrounding Web 2.0 technologies and their relevance to libraries by general discussion and examples from library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A broad narrative account of Web 2.0 developments combined with illustrations of how one library in particular reacted to these developments.

Findings

It was found that all libraries need to evolve a Web 2.0 strategy to promote this aspect of their services, but that they will need to devise solutions to specific problems as part of this strategy. These include the range of Web 2.0 platforms that are on offer and the authentication and workload issues associated with this diversity. A single, unified library system‐based approach to Web 2.0 is offered as a viable alternative to using disparate external services.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not resolve the difference between a multi‐platform Web 2.0 strategy and the single, unified library system‐based approach, although a preference for the systems‐based approach is suggested. The relative strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches is worthy of further research.

Practical implications

At the level of practice, this viewpoint article offers two alternative Web 2.0 strategies which can be applied quite readily in everyday library work.

Originality/value

This paper tries to offer a clear range of options for librarians interested in pursuing Web 2.0 services, facilitating successful service enhancement in the working library.
Online book clubs for preteens and teens
Authors: Scharber Cassandra M. , Melrose Ann , Wurl Jody
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight and examine public‐library‐based, online book clubs for preteens and teens.

Design/methodology/approach

Two online book clubs are discussed.

Findings

Overall, the online book clubs proved to be a fun, engaging, and convenient activity for preteen and teens. Parents and librarians also found these clubs to be motivating and flexible.

Research limitations/implications

This case‐based manuscript would benefit from insights from other libraries that offer online book clubs, further investigation and empirical research.

Practical implications

This manuscript offers theoretical grounding and rich, practical details so that other libraries can capitalize and create their own online book clubs.

Originality/value

Online book clubs offer a forum that capitalizes on youths' familiarity with computers and new literacy practices while staying rooted in traditional practices. Public library online book clubs are sites of possibility – a medium through which libraries can more readily encourage literate practices in younger generations.
The case for video games in libraries
Authors: Adams Suellen S.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case for including and expanding the use of video gaming in the library to support the educational, recreational and democratizing goals of the institution.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination of traditional models of the understanding of libraries and how video games fit into the picture.

Findings

Video games can be seen to support educational, recreational and democratizing goals of the library.

Practical implications

While many public libraries in the USA use video games for a variety of purposes, there are still many librarians who resist the trend. Even those who see the value of gaming in the library often have a limited view about how video games can be used in the library setting.

Originality/value

This paper examines video games in contexts beyond the recreational and young adult uses.
Go back to start: gathering baseline data about gaming in libraries
Authors: Nicholson Scott
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop some baseline data about games in libraries in North America. The term games is taken broadly in this piece to mean all types of games from card and board games to video games. The focus is primarily on public libraries, but there is some discussion of school and academic libraries as well.

Design/methodology/approach

There were two surveys done. The first was a phone survey of 400 public libraries, selected at random. The second survey was a Web‐based convenience sample of libraries of different types. In both studies, we asked questions about the support of gaming in the library, the types of gaming programs run in the library, and the goals and outcomes of those gaming programs.

Findings

Around 78 per cent of public libraries support gaming of some type. About 40 per cent run formal gaming programs, and about 20 per cent circulate games. The larger the library, the more likely they are to support gaming. The primary goals of gaming in libraries are to attract the underserved, attract current library patrons, and to create a space for social interactions between members of the community.

Research limitations/implications

The first study is a random sample and therefore is a statistically significant representation of the population. The second study, being a Web‐based convenience sample, is not statistically representative of a population.

Originality/value

This type of baseline data is not available. Understanding how libraries are supporting games is valuable to researchers in asking appropriate questions. In addition, it helps libraries considering adding games to their services to learn how other libraries are doing it.
Making games seriously
Authors: Cross Carl
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the initial stages of a year to 18 month project to design and produce a peer designed video game for teenagers for use across Derbyshire Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The context is set with an overview of educational games focusing on the UK experience before examining both commercial off the shelf and bespoke games in schools, universities and libraries in the USA and UK.

Findings

The paper posits a specification it is believed will result in a game which is both educational and fun.

Originality/value

Describes the initial development of a peer designed game for young people.
Crashing the Facebook party
Authors: Graham Jamie M. , Faix Allison , Hartman Lisa
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Facebook has become one of the fastest growing social networking sites on the Internet. Due to its increasing popularity, using Facebook presents a prime opportunity to engage with students in the virtual environment. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the experimental group librarians at Kimbel Library created to try and connect with students.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins with a brief overview of social networking as well a basic literature review. Although most of the paper focuses on Kimbel Library's experiences with Facebook, a brief survey of 100 academic librarians is also included. The main purpose of conducting the survey was to determine how and if other libraries were using Facebook to connect with their students.

Findings

After evaluating the survey it was a surprise to find out that most of Kimbel Library's experiences were consistent with other academic libraries. Although use of Facebook began for the express purpose of engaging with students, it was a surprise how well using this technology allowed professional relationships to develop as well. Results from the survey, as well as suggestions for integrating and improving the usage of Facebook, are also discussed.

Originality/value

The value of social networking technology in higher education is still being determined. However, it is evident from the experiences presented that these technologies are here to stay. This paper attempts to address gaps in the current literature about the use of Facebook in academic libraries.
Untangling the relationship between libraries, young adults and Web 2.0
Authors: Cedeira Serantes Lucia
Published: March 2009

Purpose

This paper addresses a gap in the analysis of the dynamic and challenging relationship between libraries, Web 2.0 and young adults, suggesting the relevance of a critical approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper represents an exploratory literature review with the objective of identifying a possible gap in the way the library and information science (LIS) community is addressing the concept of Web 2.0.

Findings

Findings indicate that the research produced in other fields, such as communication or computer science; the way young adults interrelate with new technologies; and the need for collaboration between practitioners and researchers justify and support the use of a critical perspective to analyze the suggested topic.

Originality/value

The call for a critical approach to technology is certainly not a novel suggestion in the LIS scholarship; however, its resurgence is extremely relevant for the LIS field because of the significant role that technology is playing in the daily life of the library and its users.
Chemical and proximate composition of (Zizyphus spina‐christi) nabag fruit
Authors: Osman Magdi A. , Asif Ahmed Mohammed
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential food and industrial values of a tropical and underutilized indigenous plant.

Design/methodology/approach

Specimens of a dry‐milled plant, namely: Zizyphus spina‐christi, were subjected to chemical analysis to determine their proximate, mineral, sugar, and amino acid compositions using standard procedures.

Findings

The fruit pulp was found to be a good source of energy, carbohydrates and rich in Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn, whereas the seeds are rich in crude fiber. Essential amino acids are 32.96 percent in fruit pulp and 25.22 percent in seeds, whereas non‐essential amino acids are 61.25 percent in fruit pulp and 73 percent in seeds.

Originality/value

The nutritional composition of the plant materials suggests that they may find use in food formulation operations and as industrial raw materials.
Metal working fluids: finding green in the manufacturing process
Authors: Siniawski Matthew , Bowman Chris
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical review of metal working fluids and their implications to the machining practice. Despite their widespread use and applications, there are several scientific and economic factors that call for an investigation of current practices and development of new approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

There are numerous methods that diverge from traditional “wet” machining, which move towards an environmentally friendly and cost effective machining process. This includes looking at both minimum quantity lubrication and dry machining as methods to reduce recurring costs, lower health care premiums associated to metalworking fluid exposure, and to minimize the environmental footprint attributed to machining.

Findings

Traditional machine lubrication techniques are in use today despite a lack of scientific or economic evidence that they function efficiently. Depending on the machine type and material used, there are several possible methods that can minimize or eliminate metalworking fluids from the machining process.

Practical implications

This paper provides a practical assessment of current industrial practices and offers opportunities for improvement from both an economic and an environmental perspective.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview of previously conducted research to suggest areas of improvement in manufacturing processes utilizing metalworking fluids.
Wear behavior of as‐cast and heat treated triple particle size SiC reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites
Authors: Maleque Abdul , Karim Rezaul
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the wear behavior of as‐cast (AC) and heat treated (HT) triple particle size (TPS) silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced aluminum alloy‐based metal matrix composites (SiCp/Al‐MMC).

Design/methodology/approach

Al‐MMCs were prepared using 20 vol.% SiC reinforcement into aluminum metal matrix and developed using a stir casting process. Stir casting is a primary process of composite production whereby the reinforcement ingredient material is incorporated into the molten metal by stirring. The TPS composite consist of SiC of three different sizes viz., coarse, intermediate, and fine. The solution heat treatment was done on AC composite at 540°C for 4 h followed by precipitation treatment. The wear test was carried out using a pin‐on‐disc type tribo‐test machine under dry sliding condition. A mathematical analysis was also done for power factor values based on wear and friction results. The wear morphology of the damaged surface was also studied using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in this investigation.

Findings

The test results showed that HT composite exhibited better wear resistance properties compared to AC composite. It is anticipated that heat treatment could be an effective method of optimizing the wear resistance properties of the developed Al‐MMC material.

Practical implications

This paper provides a way to enhance the wear behavior of automotive tribo‐components such as brake rotor (disc and drum), brake pad, piston cylinder, etc.

Originality/value

This paper compares the wear behavior of AC and HT TPS reinforced Al‐MMC material under dry sliding condition.
Tribological behaviour when face milling AISI 4140 steel with minimum quantity fluid application
Authors: Sales Wisley , Becker Marcelo , Barcellos Clovis S. , Landre Jánes , Bonney John , Ezugwu Emmanuel O.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of cutting fluid applied by minimum quantity technique when milling AISI 4140 steel with TiAlN coated cemented carbide inserts.

Design/methodology/approach

The vegetable oil based cutting fluid evaluated was applied through a nozzle at the centre of the tool holder under vaporized conditions with a flow rate between 0 (dry cutting) and 200 ml/h, at 50 ml/h increments. Tool wear (based on maximum flank wear, VBmax), surface roughness parameters (Ra and Rt) and burr formation (length of burr, h) were recorded and evaluated. Scanning electron microscope images and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis of the worn tools show adhesion as the dominant wear mechanism.

Findings

Encouraging tool performance was recorded when milling AISI 4140 steel due to improved lubrication and cooling at the cutting interfaces. Increase in cutting fluid flow rate improves tool life with gradual reduction of the surface roughness parameters and negligible influence on the burr length generated.

Practical implications

Results can be immediately applied on the shop floor.

Originality/value

The results show the improvement in tool wear after increase of the flow rate of the cutting fluid, applied by minimum quantity technique.
Measurement of lubrication conditions in a rolling element bearing in a refrigerant environment
Authors: Tuomas Roger , Isaksson Ove
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The ability to build up a film thickness separating the contacts in the bearing is essential to assure long service life of rolling element bearings. Rolling element bearings used in refrigeration suffer from poor film thickness due to decreased viscosity of the lubricant by the dilution of refrigerant in the oil. The purpose of this paper is to redesign a bearing test apparatus equipped with a capacitance measuring device able to monitor the lubrication status in the bearing online and include experiments to verify the capacitance measuring technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is to design a complete system to study film build up in rolling element bearings in a refrigerant environment and to use and evaluate the capacitance/resistance measuring technique.

Findings

The investigation shows good correlation between denting on tested bearings and the identified contacts by the capacitance measuring apparatus. The method is also useful when studying lift‐off or run‐in of a bearing.

Originality/value

In this paper, a bearing test apparatus is redesigned and equipped with a capacitance measuring device able to monitor the lubrication status in the bearing on‐line. The paper includes experiments to verify the capacitance measuring technique.
Frictional stability of pure and internally lubricated polyamides on a meso‐scale tribotester
Authors: Samyn Pieter , Tuzolana Tony M.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify, experimentally, the sliding stability of cast polyamide samples under dry sliding in contact with different steel counterface roughnesses. The effect of catalyser (sodium or magnesium) and addition of internal oil or solid lubricants is investigated and a classification for coefficients of friction in relation to the polyamide intrinsic mechanical properties is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

A new tribotester is designed for meso‐scale testing according to the elastic loading region of polymers. The reliability of the tribotester is verified by preliminary determination of the stick‐slip characteristics. Sliding tests for polyamide are done at 1.15‐5.15 N normal load and 0.125‐20 mm/s sliding velocity on steel counterfaces with roughness Ra=4 and 1.6 μm.

Findings

Pure polyamides sliding against rough steel show severe stick‐slip. The stick‐slip motion is eliminated in contact with smooth steel counterfaces. Magnesium catalysed polyamide has weaker mechanical properties and shows lower friction with better sliding stability compared to sodium catalysed polyamide. Internal oil lubricant is more efficient in reducing coefficients of friction than internal solid lubricants are. Surface energy measurements are related to coefficients of friction, showing the effect of internal lubrication on adhesion.

Research limitations/implications

Present test results are very specific for the present tribotester configuration and should be further compared to macro‐scale testing. The choice of tribotest conditions strongly affects the sliding performance.

Originality/value

Present tests are done on the meso‐scale, being in between traditional macro‐scale testing and nano‐scale testing. It allows for low contact pressures avoiding the effects of frictional heating and relatively large surfaces areas including the effects of long‐range polymer structure such as internal lubrication.
Leader‐member exchange and subordinate outcomes: test of a mediation model
Authors: Bhal Kanika T. , Gulati Namrata , Ansari Mahfooz A.
Published: March 2009

Purpose

Following Hackettet al.'s treatment of the reasonably established role of leader‐member exchange (LMX) in employee outcomes, this paper seeks to examine the mechanism which operates between LMX and various work outcomes in an attempt to bridge this gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested using data from 306 working software professionals in India. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that contained standardized scales of LMX (perceived contribution and affect), satisfaction, commitment, and citizenship behavior (loyalty).

Findings

A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was done to examine the dimensionality of the study variables. Results provide support to all the hypotheses.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected from a single source, direction of causality is assumed (not tested) and all the data were collected through self‐reports. Some measures are taken to control them.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for LMX enhancement interventions. Focusing on enhancement of the LMX‐Contribution dimension is more likely to improve the organization level commitment and citizenship behavior, whereas LMX‐Affect is likely to result in more affective reactions like satisfaction with the supervisor and the job.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature by testing the proposed model in the Indian context, thus providing some empirical cross‐cultural validity to LMX‐subordinate‐related work outcomes relationships.