bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Pestalotiopsis microspora Causing Leaf Spot of Hidcote (Hypericum patulum) in Japan
Authors: Zhang M. , Wu H. Y. , Tsukiboshi T. , Okabe I. 
Published: July 2010

Hidcote, Hypericum patulum Thunb. ex Murray, is a deciduous shrub that is cultivated as an ornamental in landscape gardens and courtyards in Japan. In early August 2008, severe leaf spotting was observed on plants growing in a courtyard in Nasushiobara, Tochigi, Japan. More than 30% of the leaves on five shrubs exhibited leaf spot symptoms. Small, round, pale brown lesions were initially observed. Later, they expanded to 5 to 12 mm in diameter, round to irregular-shaped with pale brown centers and dark brown margins. Under continuously wet or humid conditions, black acervuli developed on the leaf lesions. Conidia were straight or slightly curved, fusiform to clavate, and five-celled with constrictions at the septa. Conidia ranged from 17 to 21 × 5 to 8 μm with hyaline apical and basal cells. Fifteen percent of apical cells had two and the rest had three appendages (setulae) ranging from 10 to 21 μm long. The basal hyaline cell tapered into a 2 to 4 μm pedicel. The three median cells ranged from light or dark brown to olive green. These morphological characteristics matched those of Pestalotiopsis microspora (Speg.) G.C. Zhao & N. Li (1,2). The identity of the fungus was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (GenBank Accession No. GU908473) from single-spore isolates, which revealed 100% homology with those of other P. microspora isolates (e.g., GenBank Accession Nos. FJ459950 and DQ456865). Koch's postulates were confirmed using leaves of three detached branches of a field-grown asymptomatic plant of H. patulum. Thirty leaves of each branch were inoculated by placing mycelial plugs obtained from the periphery of 7-day-old single-spore cultures on the leaf surface. Potato dextrose agar plugs without mycelium served as controls. Leaves on branches were covered with plastic bags for 24 h to maintain high relative humidity in a greenhouse (approximately 24 to 28°C). After 5 days, all inoculated leaves showed symptoms identical to those described above, whereas control leaves remained symptom free. Reisolation of the fungus from lesions on inoculated leaves confirmed that the causal agent was P. microspora. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spots on H. patulum caused by P. microspora in Japan. Management options may have to be developed and implemented to protect Hidcote plants in areas where leaf spot cannot be tolerated. References: (1) P. A. Saccardo. Sylloge Fungorum III:789, 1884. (2) G. C. Zhao and N. Li. J. Northeast For. Univ. 23(4):21, 1995.
First Report of Phytophthora pseudosyringae Associated with Ink Disease of Castanea sativa in Italy
Authors: Scanu B. , Linaldeddu B. T. , Franceschini A. 
Published: July 2010

Since December 2008, a severe outbreak of ink disease has been observed in a chestnut grove in the Sardinia Region in Italy (40°01′N, 9°13′E, 1,200 m above sea level). Trees have shown symptoms such as microphylly and yellowish foliage as well as necrosis on the main roots and collar. Isolations were made from infected roots and soil using green apples as baits. Small pulp pieces were cut from the lesions that developed in the apples and plated on Phytophthora selective medium (1). In addition to Phytophthora cambivora, another Phytophthora sp. was detected from 60% of 25 symptomatic trees sampled. Colonies subcultured onto carrot agar (CA) were generally appressed and stellate. Growth occurred from 2 to 26°C with an optimum at 20°C (mean radial growth rate of 4.5 mm/day). Sporangia were produced abundantly in unsterile pond water; they were semipapillate, rarely bipapillate, limoniform or ovoid, occasionally caducous with short pedicels (<5 μm), and 35.2 to 58.1 (46.3) × 22.1 to 35.3 (31.9) μm, with a length/breadth ratio of 1.5:1. Catenulate hyphal swellings were frequently present, whereas no chlamydospores were observed. Isolates produced numerous homothallic oogonia with diameters from 23.7 to 31.7 (27.3) μm. Antheridia were predominantly paragynous. Cultural and morphological features were in close agreement with those described for P. pseudosyringae (2). Identity was confirmed by analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of rDNA. BLAST searches at GenBank showed 100% identity with reference sequences of P. pseudosyringae (Accession Nos. AY230190 and EU074793). The representative sequence of one P. pseudosyringae strain (CST2A), stored in the culture collection of the Department of Plant Protection-University of Sassari, was submitted to GenBank (Accession No. GU460375). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating 10 5-month-old chestnut seedlings grown in pots. One shallow cut was made into the bark on the main stem and an agar plug colonized by P. pseudosyringae was inserted beneath the flap. Seedlings were kept at the laboratory at temperatures varying from 16 to 22°C and watered as necessary. After 20 days, extensive, sunken, necrotic lesions measuring 27.2 ± 1.9 mm (mean + standard error) developed around the inoculation sites. Control plants inoculated with sterile CA plugs did not show any disease symptoms. The pathogen was consistently reisolated from infected tissues. P. pseudosyringae has recently been reported as the causal agent of stem necroses on chestnut seedlings in a nursery in Spain (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. pseudosyringae on Castanea sativa in Italy. References: (1) C. M. Brasier and S. A. Kirk. Plant Pathol. 50:218, 2001. (2) T. Jung et al. Mycol. Res. 107:772, 2003. (3) C. Pintos Varela et al. Plant Dis. 91:1517, 2007.
First Report of Black Spot Disease Caused by Alternaria alternata in Persimmon Fruits in Turkey
Authors: Kurt Ş. , Soylu E. M. , Soylu S. 
Published: July 2010

In recent years, postharvest rot symptoms have been observed in persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki L.) during long storage in Hatay Province, one of the main production areas of Turkey. Infection appeared to begin through small cracks around and beneath the calyx. Symptoms developed as small, slightly depressed, dark brown spots. Slices of infected peel were surface sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA), and then incubated at 24°C in darkness for 7 days. Hyphal tips from the margin of each developing colony were subcultured on PDA. Fungal colonies were initially white, becoming olivaceous, and turning brown with age. Conidiophores were brown, short, simple, or sometimes branched. Conidia were obclavate, obpyriform or ellipsoidal with a short conical beak, and 18 to 32 μm long and 5 to 14 μm wide at the broadest point. The pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternata (Fr.:Fr.) Keissler based on morphological characteristics (2). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on previously wounded persimmon fruit (cv. Fuyu) by spraying 12 fruits with a conidial suspension (106 conidia per ml). Six control fruits were treated with sterilized water only. All fruit were kept in a moist chamber (100% relative humidity) at 25°C for 3 days, and then moved to a growth chamber at 26°C with a 16-h photoperiod. Many, small, and black sporulating spots were observed on inoculated fruit 5 days after treatment. After 21 days, these spots developed into lesions similar to those produced on naturally infected fruit. No lesions developed on the control fruit. A. alternata was reisolated from inoculated fruit. The disease was previously reported in Israel (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata infecting persimmons in Turkey. References: (1) D. Prusky et al. Phytopathology 71:1124, 1981. (2) E. G. Simmons. Alternaria: An Identification Manual. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2007.
First Report of Crown Rot Caused by Phytophthora tropicalis on Gloxinia in North Carolina
Authors: Olson Heather A. , Benson D. Michael 
Published: July 2010

In 2007, wilting and crown rot were observed on recently transplanted gloxinias (a popular ornamental houseplant) in a commercial greenhouse in North Carolina. The pathogen was identified as Phytophthora tropicalis based on morphology and sequencing of the ITS rDNA region. Pathogenicity of the isolates to gloxinia was confirmed by successful completion of Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Phytophthora tropicalis on gloxinia. Accepted for publication 2 June 2010. Published 8 July 2010.
How to get the best out of drama based training
Authors: Swales Robbie 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to help readers understand why drama based training is effective and how it can be incorporated into learning and development initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes the basic methodologies of drama based training and presents three examples of its use.FindingsDrama based training is at its most effective when it is engaging participants to reflect on their own behaviors and how they might adapt their behavior for their own and others benefit.Practical implicationsThis approach can be used with various group sizes. It is suggested that organizations wanting to use this type of initiative should contract with an experienced provider, who knows how to research and write a drama based program and has an experienced and talented pool of actors to call upon.Originality/valueThe use of drama based training has grown over the last 20 years, but it is still an original and innovative method of learning and development.
Assembly semantics modeling for assembling process planning in virtual environment
Authors: Zhu Hongmin , Wu Dianliang , Fan Xiumin 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a modeling and interactive operating method for virtual assembly (VA) to support assembly process generation based on interactive operation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper puts forward an assembly semantic modeling method for interactive assembly and process generation after the analysis on requirements of operation process generation. Based on this semantic model, methods for semantic generation, semantic processing and assembly motion extraction from interactive operation are presented. Partial process generation of auto engine is proposed to verify the approaches in this paper.FindingsThe application shows that assembly semantic modeling and operating methods can support process generation based on VA operations.Originality/valueThe approaches presented in this paper improve the efficiency of assembly process, making assembly process intuitive and natural.
Preventive measures for mitigating fire risks in big box retail facilities
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate a set of preventive measures required for mitigating fire risks in big box retail facilities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies the potential sources of ignition and fuel in big box retail facilities. It describes the variety of hazardous situations commonly found in such facilities worldwide. The paper then endeavors to discuss the series of fire protection challenges that could be faced during fire emergencies. It also explores the challenges of evacuation and rescue in such mega store facilities.FindingsMega stores, distribution centers and large retail stores are amongst the most challenging occupancies from a fire protection perspective. Fires can occur in big box retail facilities at any time and from a number of causes. These facilities represent a type of occupancy that poses considerable challenges to both fixed fire suppression systems and fire departments in cases of fire emergencies. The paper also describes the responsibilities of building management staff towards their employees and the public. Facility managers should always seek proactive measures to reduce the risk of fire and fire spread in big box retail facilities. These measure include providing sufficient number and capacity of exits; clear exit access; efficient smoke detection systems; voice communication systems; and efficient automatic sprinkler systems.Quality/valueThis paper serves to increase the awareness about fire and its effects in mega store facilities. The paper provides practical value to property directors and facility managers responsible for the daily operations of mega store facilities and for surveyors inspecting such properties.
Innovation in facilities management: from trajectories to ownership
Authors: Lindkvist Carmel , Elmualim Abbas 
Published: July 2010

PurposeInnovation in facilities management (FM) is a complex process as FM is a diverse discipline. This paper aims to use innovation trajectories to explore this complex process through the introduction of a technology innovation in two FM services of security and workspace management. It also aims to consider the discourse of individuals within their trajectory to understand their positions toward the innovation.Design/methodology/approachA two‐year case study was conducted and it was based in an in‐house FM department that was part of a financial institution. The specific methods used for the paper were semi‐structured interviews with key participants of the project. Critical discourse analysis was used to examine the data.FindingsIndividuals who were involved in introducing the technology to the FM department were both internal and external to FM as innovation in FM does not happen in isolation to the organisation. Innovation trajectories were often intertwined or occurred simultaneously during the process of a project which sometimes resulted in conflict. Tensions within the discourse of ownership of the project were particularly apparent as this discourse had a power dimension in driving the project through to implementation.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by being a single case study so it is not possible to generalise findings but the findings may have resonances with other organisations.Originality/valueThe paper presents an original idea about how to understand innovation processes in FM services.
The influence of plants on productivity
Authors: Bakker Iris , van der Voordt Theo 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to review available research into the impact of plants on people and labour productivity in order to test a number of hypotheses and the reliability and validity of “evidence based” statements.Design/methodology/approachAn extended literature review was conducted of research concerning the potential impacts of plants on people and labour productivity. In order to be able to compare the findings of different researchers, an analysis was made of similarities and dissimilarities with regard to the research context, starting‐points and test methods.FindingsThe paper identifies a lack of precise descriptions of the research design and poor comparability between different research with regard to the characteristics of the plant, test persons, test procedures, surrounding conditions and contents of the reports. Although it can be concluded that plants can have a positive impact on the productivity of human beings, it is remarkable that in research reports and research papers the properties of the plant itself are only mentioned by exception. The condition of the plant – whether it is healthy or not – is not described at all.Research limitations/implicationsOnly 17 studies and underlying papers were investigated and no new research was conducted with the proposed improvements.Practical implicationsThe findings can be used by managers to legitimate investments in plants and by researchers to improve (the comparability of) research into plants.Originality/valueIn addition to the review of the impact of plants on different types of productivity a vision is presented about the impact of the vitality of plants. Furthermore recommendations are given on how to cope with the methodological problem of poor comparability of research.
Developing a new key performance index for measuring service quality
Authors: Pan Jeh‐Nan , Kuo Tzu‐Chun , Bretholt Abraham 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to develop a new key performance index (KPI) and its interval estimation for measuring the service quality from customers' perceptions, since most service quality data follow non‐normal distribution.Design/methodology/approachBased on the non‐normal process capability indices used in manufacturing industries, a new KPI suitable for measuring service quality is developed using Parasuraman's 5th Gap between customers' expectation and perception. Moreover, the confidence interval of the proposed KPI is established using the bootstrapping method.FindingsThe quantitative method for measuring the service quality through the new KPI and its interval estimation is illustrated by a realistic example. The results show that the new KPI allows practising managers to evaluate the actual service quality level delivered within each of five SERVQUAL categories and prioritize the possible improvement projects from customers' perspectives. Moreover, compared with the traditional method of sample size determination, a substantial amount of cost savings can be expected by using the suggested sample sizes.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a structured approach of opportunity assessment for improving service quality from a strategic alignment perspective, particularly in the five dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The new approach provides practising managers with a decision‐making tool for measuring service quality, detecting problematic situations and selecting the most urgent improvement project. Once the existing service problems are identified and improvement projects are prioritized, it can lead to the direction of continuous improvement for any service industry.Originality/valueGiven a managerial target on any desired service level as well as customers' perceptions and expectations, the new KPI could be applied to any non‐normal service quality and other survey data. Thus, the corporate performance in terms of key factors of business success can also be measured by the new KPI, which may lead to managing complexities and enhancing sustainability in service industries.
A cluster concentration typology for making location decisions
Authors: Zelbst Pamela J. , Frazier Gregory V. , Sower Victor E. 
Published: July 2010

PurposeLocation decisions are among the most costly decisions that organizations make. This research aims to examine location decisions from a macro perspective and to utilize findings for the development of a typology.Design/methodology/approachCounty level source information from the US Census Bureau, the United States (US) Department of Commerce: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), National Association of Counties (NACO), and Fedstats is used in this analysis. Discriminant analysis as a profile analysis is utilized as an objective assessment of differences between the cluster concentrations.FindingsThe resulting typology of clusters concentrations is based on four constructs identified in the literature: innovation, specialization, complementariness and transfer of knowledge. This typology can serve as an aid in making these critical location decisions for practitioners as well as identifying future research topics for academia.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is an exploratory study and limited by its nature; therefore cause and effect cannot be definitively stated. Variables such as politics, environment, geography and cultural differences could have confounding effects on the study. The generalizability of the study could be affected because of the geographic location in relationship to national differences based on these and other variables.Practical implicationsThis typology of cluster concentrations can be used as a tool for managers when making crucial location decisions.Originality/valueThe research is original in that it takes a more holistic approach to developing a typology of cluster concentrations. Rather than looking at specific industries and focusing on industry clusters, the research focuses on concentrations of industry clusters.
Study on risk assessment of water security of drought periods based on entropy weight methods
Authors: Dong Qianjin , Ai Xueshan , Cao Guangjing , Zhang Yanmin , Wang Xianjia 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to obtain risk indicators of water security of drought periods in which the indices of reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability are integrated.Design/methodology/approachIt is not reasonable that weight coefficients of different risk indices are often determined subjectively in conventional procedures, so the entropy weight method is introduced and chosen to solve the problem. Entropy weight method can get the weight coefficients of different risk indices objectively and is valid from the case study.FindingsThe feasibility and validity of entropy weight methods to determine weight coefficients of different risk indices objectively are recognized.Research limitations/implicationsAccessibility and availability of data are the main limitations.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a more objective risk indicator of water security of drought periods for water resources managers.Originality/valueThis paper determines the weight coefficients of different risk indices for risk assessment of water security of drought periods based on hazard entropy. The paper is aimed at water resources managers and relative researchers, especially those who deal with risk assessment of water security of drought periods.
Sliding mode control for a class of nonlinear systems based on robust adaptive neural network estimation
Authors: Deng Yigao , Zhang Youan 
Published: July 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a sliding mode controller design method for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with uncertainties and to demonstrate a recursive derivative estimation procedure for the derivatives of system outputs.Design/methodology/approachA recursive derivative estimation procedure for the derivatives of system outputs is demonstrated. Radial basis function(RBF) neural networks are used to approximate the uncertainties and filters are introduced to estimate the derivatives of system outputs step‐by‐step. The adaptive tuning rules of RBF neural network weight matrices are derived by the Lyapunov stability theorem, which guarantees filter errors and network weight errors are bounded and exponentially converge to a neighborhood of the origin globally. The sliding mode controller is designed based on the estimation for the derivatives of system outputs such that the sliding surface converges to zero and the system control input is bounded.FindingsThe sliding mode controller can make the system output track the desired output with arbitrarily small tracking error. The filter errors and network weight estimation errors can be made arbitrarily small, and all the system signals are bounded. The proposed method does not need the supper bounds of the unmatched uncertainties and their any order derivatives.Research limitations/implicationsThe system output and uncertainties are required to be sufficiently smooth in the proposed method. In practice, this condition is always satisfied generally.Practical implicationsThis paper contains very useful advice for researchers on the sliding mode control and the use of neural networks.Originality/valueThe paper presents a new sliding mode controller design method based on recursive derivative estimation of system outputs using neural networks. The paper is aimed at theoretical researchers, especially those who have interest in sliding mode control, neural networks, adaptive techniques, and recursive estimation.