bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Erwinia amylovora Causing Fire Blight on Plum (Prunus domestica) in Hungary
Authors: Végh A. , Némethy Zs. , Hajagos L. , Palkovics L. 
Published: February 2012

During July 2011, a severe, unusual disease symptom was observed on young shoots on a 10-year old plum tree (Prunus domestica L. ‘d'Agen’) in the city of Budaörs, near Budapest. The naturally infected shoots showed typical symptoms of fire blight including terminal shoots with brown-to-black necrotic lesions and later, shepherd's crook deformation. Symptoms were the same as fire blight, symptoms reported from other hosts and locations. The first occurrence of fire blight on European plum was recorded in Germany in 2002 (4). Shoots containing regions of dead and healthy tissue were surface sterilized with ethanol (50-mg sample homogenized with 500 μl of sterile water and 50 μl of the homogenate streaked to King's B agar medium). After 48 h of incubation at 26°C, the medium contained pure cultures of a bacterium with white mucoid colonies, which is morphologically consistent with E. amylovora (1). Isolates were gram negative and induced a hypersensitive reaction in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘White Burley’) leaves (2). Biochemical tests were also used for identification, and the results of API 20E and API 50 CH kits (Biomérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France), demonstrated that the bacterium belongs to Enterobacteriaceae. Pathogenicity was tested by injecting five healthy young plum shoots from the same tree with a 10-μl bacterial suspension of 107 CFU/ml. Controls were injected with sterile distilled water. Shoots were kept at 26°C and 80 to 100% relative humidity. Five days after inoculation, dark brown-to-black lesions and shepherd's crook symptoms were observed only on inoculated shoots. The bacterium was reisolated from lesions on inoculated shoots, fulfilling Koch's postulates. No lesions were observed on controls. For molecular identification of the pathogen, the 16S rDNA region was amplified from isolate EA-PlumBo1 with a general bacterial primer pair (63f forward and 1389r reverse) (3). The PCR products were cloned into a pGEM T-Easy plasmid vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and were transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α cells. A recombinant plasmid (2A2.5) was sequenced by M13 forward and reverse primers. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. HE610678) and showed 99 to 100% sequence homology with a number of E. amylovora isolates, including type strain AJ233410 with 99% similarity and 100% homology with sequences FN434113 and FN666575, where the complete genomes are known. On the basis of the symptoms, colony morphology, biochemical tests, and 16S rDNA sequence homology, the pathogen was identified as E. amylovora. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural outbreak of fire blight on plum in Hungary and the presence of the pathogen may seriously influence local stone fruit production in the future. References: (1) E. O. King et al. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 44:301, 1954. (2) Z. Klement. Nature 199:299, 1963. (3) A. M. Osborn et al. Environ. Microbiol. 2:39, 2000. (4) J. L. Vanneste et al. Acta Hortic. 590:89, 2002.
Mechanisms Involved in Cardioprotective Effects of Pravastatin Administered during Reoxygenation in Human Myocardium In Vitro
Authors: Lemoine Sandrine , Allouche Stéphane , Coulbault Laurent , Cornet Valérie , Massetti Massimo , Galera Philippe , Gérard Jean-Louis , Hanouz Jean-Luc 
Published: February 2012

Background
The authors investigated the effect of pravastatin during reoxygenation after myocardial hypoxia and examined the involvement of nitric oxide synthase, mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and expression of markers of apoptosis in human myocardium in vitro.

Methods
Human atrial trabeculae were exposed to hypoxia for 30 min and reoxygenation for 60 min (control group; n = 10). Pravastatin (5, 10, 50, 75 μM; n = 6 in each group) was administered throughout the reoxygenation. In separate groups (n = 6 in each group), pravastatin 50 μM was administered in the presence of 200 μM L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and 50 μM atractyloside, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opener. The primary endpoint was the developed force of contraction at the end of reoxygenation, expressed as a percentage of baseline (mean ± SD). Protein expression of BAD, phospho-BAD, caspase 3, Pim-1 kinase, and Bcl-2 were measured using Western immunoblotting.

Results
The administration of 10 (77 ± 5% of baseline), 50 (86 ± 6%), and 75 μM (88 ± 13%) pravastatin improved the force of contraction at the end of reoxygenation, compared with that of the control group (49 ± 11%; P < 0.001). These beneficial effects were prevented by L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester and atractyloside. Compared with control group, the administration of 5 μM pravastatin did not modify the force of contraction. Pravastatin increased the phosphorylation of BAD, activated the expression of Pim-1 kinase and Bcl-2, and maintained the caspase 3 concentration relative to that of the respective untreated controls.

Conclusions
Pravastatin, administered at reoxygenation, protected the human myocardium by preventing the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, phosphorylating BAD, activating nitric oxide synthase, Pim-1 kinase, and Bcl-2, and preserving the myocardium against the caspase 3 activation.
Amino Acid Residues Critical for the Specificity for Betaine Aldehyde of the Plant ALDH10 Isoenzyme Involved in the Synthesis of Glycine Betaine
Authors: Díaz-Sánchez Ángel G. , González-Segura Lilian , Mújica-Jiménez Carlos , Rudiño-Piñera Enrique , Montiel Carmina , Martínez-Castilla León P. , Muñoz-Clares Rosario A. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Plant Aldehyde Dehydrogenase10 (ALDH10) enzymes catalyze the oxidation of ω-primary or ω-quaternary aminoaldehydes, but, intriguingly, only some of them, such as the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (SoBADH), efficiently oxidize betaine aldehyde (BAL) forming the osmoprotectant glycine betaine (GB), which confers tolerance to osmotic stress. The crystal structure of SoBADH reported here shows tyrosine (Tyr)-160, tryptophan (Trp)-167, Trp-285, and Trp-456 in an arrangement suitable for cation-π interactions with the trimethylammonium group of BAL. Mutation of these residues to alanine (Ala) resulted in significant K m(BAL) increases and V max/K m(BAL) decreases, particularly in the Y160A mutant. Tyr-160 and Trp-456, strictly conserved in plant ALDH10s, form a pocket where the bulky trimethylammonium group binds. This space is reduced in ALDH10s with low BADH activity, because an isoleucine (Ile) pushes the Trp against the Tyr. Those with high BADH activity instead have Ala (Ala-441 in SoBADH) or cysteine, which allow enough room for binding of BAL. Accordingly, the mutation A441I decreased the V max/K m(BAL) of SoBADH approximately 200 times, while the mutation A441C had no effect. The kinetics with other ω-aminoaldehydes were not affected in the A441I or A441C mutant, demonstrating that the existence of an Ile in the second sphere of interaction of the aldehyde is critical for discriminating against BAL in some plant ALDH10s. A survey of the known sequences indicates that plants have two ALDH10 isoenzymes: those known to be GB accumulators have a high-BAL-affinity isoenzyme with Ala or cysteine in this critical position, while non GB accumulators have low-BAL-affinity isoenzymes containing Ile. Therefore, BADH activity appears to restrict GB synthesis in non-GB-accumulator plants.
Myths and realities of digital reference services
Authors: Bakeri Abu Bakar Ahmad 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine whether differences exist between public and private universities' web sites in terms of visibility and accessibility of the web sites.Design/methodology/approachThe approach that was taken to study the issue of visibility and accessibility is using the software Alexa and EvalAccess respectively. Alexa is able to determine web site usage, which is an indicator of online quality by showing the number of in‐links and web traffic volume of the web sites. Using Alexa ten public universities' web sites and ten private universities' web sites were ranked. Similarly, EvalAccess is used to evaluate the accessibility problems of these web sites.FindingsIt is found, in the case of public universities' web sites, that the International Islamic University Malaysia has the highest in‐links while Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has the highest web traffic volume. In the case of private universities' web sites, the Multimedia University has the highest in‐links, while the Malaysia University of Science and Technology has the highest web traffic volume. In respect of accessibility problems, the private universities' web sites are having more problems compared to public universities' web sites.Research limitations/implicationsThis research on the visibility and accessibility issues of universities' web sites is limited to the situation in Malaysia where public universities are more prominent and seldom face financial constraints if compared with private universities. This research shows that top ranked universities' web sites, whether they are from public or private universities, are highly visible and accessible.Social implicationsIt is highly important for those universities' web sites that are not highly visible and accessible that the universities should initiate the necessary measures to improve the development of their web sites.Originality/valueNot much research has been addressed to issues on visibility and accessibility of universities' web sites in developing countries and this research is conducted to fill that gap.
User satisfaction surveys as decision making resources at the University of Bologna
Authors: Citti Alessandra , Politi Angela , Sabattini Fulvia , Semenzato Chiara 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe academic libraries of the University of Bologna situated in Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini carried out two surveys about users' satisfaction, in order to improve services. This paper aims to present the results of these surveys.Design/methodology/approachTwo surveys were carried out: in 2007 and in 2010. The second one aimed to verify whether the actions adopted following the 2007 questionnaire had been appreciated. The 2007 survey adopted the interviewer‐assisted administration technique, the 2010 was online.FindingsThe 2010 questionnaire gave information about users' expectations and actions to be taken: the number of students unaware of advanced services is high. Librarians will work to broaden the use of them.Research limitations/implicationsThe online questionnaire was adopted because in 2007 many professors could not come to the library during the two‐weeks survey. The result was that a higher number of professors answered the questionnaire, but fewer students. That was probably due to the fact that most students do not use the institutional e‐address. The authors aim to move to a double questionnaire giving in 2013: interviewer‐assisted administration and online.Practical implicationsThe number of students unaware of advanced services is high; librarians need to work to broaden the use of them.Social implicationsThe survey was an opportunity to focus on the importance of the collaboration between faculty and librarians. The best results are achieved by working together: they share the same mission. If they join their different competencies, they can be integrated.Originality/valueThe paper has a double approach: quantitative and qualitative. Moreover, during the same week of the survey a focus group is carried out, to focus on the critical areas of the questionnaire and offer support for actions.
Case study on digital library's user viscosity in Chongqing University Library
Authors: Yang Xinya , Yuan Hui , Cheng Huanwen , Liu Pak‐sing Andrew 
Published: February 2012

PurposeIt is important for digital library to attract users to be reliant on the library. Besides providing research resources, the library still has many ways to achieve this goal. This article aims to experiment on the library merit system which provides different ways to enhance users' viscosity on using library.Design/methodology/approachFor the experiment, a merit system was developed and implemented; users' feedback was collected by a questionnaire survey for analysis.FindingsThe results showed that the degree of users' viscosity on the digital library was increased and several areas for a successful digital library portal should be paid more attention to.Originality/valueThe merit system can successfully increase users' viscosity with digital library.
Smart materials use in active disassembly
Authors: Chiodo Joseph , Jones Nick 
Published: February 2012

PurposeSmart materials (SMs) have the potential for facilitating active disassembly (AD). Select SMs are used in the design of devices to aid product disassembly. The purpose of this paper is to compare different AD approaches and highlight future work and potential.Design/methodology/approachThis work is a survey of the collated AD research employing only Smart and “made Smart” materials work from various published work in the field from companies and academia since its original invention. The introduction gives general discussion of AD with cost implications and how the technology could offer very lean dismantling. An overview of the history of the work is given with the context of the implications for the need for a technology like AD to retain critical materials.FindingsBesides a survey to date, comparisons were made of each AD technology application highlighting advantages and challenges. Comparisons were also made prior to this in alternative disassembly strategies to give context to the potential usefulness of the technology.Practical implicationsOnly AD with SMs or “made Smart” were highlighted with some considerations for potential candidates.Originality/valueA survey of AD work only employing SMs and “made‐Smart” materials to date. Comparisons of each AD application were made highlighting advantages and challenges. Comparisons were made between AD and alternative disassembly strategies to give context to the potential usefulness of the technology. The conclusion included an overview of work with consideration for future work. A candidate technology with the most potential was discussed.
Modeling and analyzing of variation propagation in aeronautical thin‐walled structures automated riveting
Authors: Cheng Hui , Wang Run‐Xiao , Li Yuan , Zhang Kai‐Fu 
Published: February 2012

PurposeAssembly variations, which will propagate along the assembly process, are inevitable and difficult to analyze in Aeronautical Thin‐Walled Structures (ATWS) assembly. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for analyzing the variation propagation of ATWS with automated riveting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper addresses the variation propagation model and method by first, forming a novel Stage‐State model to represent the process of automated riveting. Second, the effect of positioning error on assembly variation is defined as propagation variation (PV), and propagation matrix of key characteristic points (KCP) is discussed. Third, the effect between the variations in each stage is defined as expansion variation (EV). According to the analysis of mismatch error and the reference transformation, the expansion matrix is formed.FindingsThe model can solve the variation propagation problem of ATWS with automated riveting efficiently, which is shown as an example of this paper.Practical implicationsThe variation obtained by the model and method presented in this paper is in conformity with the variation measured in experiments.Originality/valueThe propagation variation and expansion variation is proposed for the first time, and variations are studied according to novel propagation matrix and expansion matrix.
Separation of concerns on the orchestration of operations in flexible manufacturing
Authors: Veiga Germano , Malaca Pedro , Norberto Pires J. , Nilsson Klas 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe growing complexity of industrial robot work‐cells calls for the use of advanced orchestration techniques to promote flexibility and reusability. This paper aims to present a solution based on service‐oriented platforms that endorses the separation of concerns, coordination and execution.Design/methodology/approachThis paper starts with the evaluation of available tools for the orchestration and service generation. Endorsing the missing features depicted in that evaluation, the paper describes developments of concepts and software and the evaluation made.FindingsFrom the early evaluations made in this paper, the SCXML‐based purposed language is more adapted to the industrial robotic cell scenario than existing alternatives. The generation of services allow the integration without knowledge from any programming language.Practical implicationsThis approach's main drawback, as described by some users, was the lack of some programming features: simple math operations and conditional statements.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils two partially unsolved problems: adequate languages for orchestration of service oriented on the device level and purposes techniques for the specification of services using robot programming languages.
Integration of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly using a simulation approach
Authors: Pisuchpen Roongrat 
Published: February 2012

PurposeIn the real world many companies combine the operations of manufacturing, assembly and disassembly. Thus, the integration of just‐in‐time FMS, FAS, and flexible disassembly system (DAS) models poses an interesting problem. The purpose of this paper is to provide major emphasis on a new simulation model for design and performance evaluation of a flexible assembly and disassembly system with dual Kanban under a stochastic system. This paper also primarily investigates the effect of varying the number of kanban cards, mean inter‐arrival time of demand and locations of the bottlenecks on the performance integration of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly systems.Design/methodology/approachSimulation is carried out in ARENA and data is analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). This paper investigates the effect of varying number of kanban cards, mean inter‐arrival time of demand, and locations of the bottlenecks on the performance integration of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly systems. The performance measures that are simultaneously considered are the fill rate, work in process, and mean cycle time. This paper emphasizes that understanding the interactions between the variables and their effects on system performance is of utmost importance for managers in improving performance processes.FindingsIn manufacturing practice, there are many industrial units that represent the mixture of the referred three models. This paper presents a new simulation model for design and performance evaluation of a flexible assembly and disassembly system with dual kanban. The simulation results are statistically compared with MANOVA. MANOVA is used to perform the test with multiple objective functions, e.g. with the average production cycle time, percentage average fill rate, and work‐in‐process. The conclusion to be drawn is that minimized WIP can be obtained by higher percentage average fill rate, lower WIP, small average part cycles times, and increasing in kanban cards while simultaneously retaining full customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThe researcher presents the newly developed kanban system into the production system of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly system with simulation technique. Furthermore, by assigning time factors to the models, several performance measures can be easily computed. Then, the researcher tests the effect of the number of kanban card on integration of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly systems using a simulation approach, the simulation model is developed using the ARENA simulation package. The results are applied to a small case study. For a single product under the integration of JIT flexible manufacturing, assembly and disassembly systems, as the number of kanban cards increase, the fill rate along with work in process and the mean cycle time increases as well.
Sensor‐less insertion strategy for an eccentric peg in a hole of the crankshaft and bearing assembly
Authors: Su Jianhua , Qiao Hong , Ou Zhicai , Zhang Yuren 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give a novel sensor‐less manipulation strategy for the high‐precision assembly of an eccentric peg into a hole.Design/methodology/approachBased on the authors' previous work on the attractive region, this paper proposes the sensorless eccentric peg‐hole insertion strategy. The analysis is based on the visible strategic behaviors by decomposing the high‐dimensional configuration space of the eccentric peg‐hole into two low dimensional configuration subspaces. Then, the robotic manipulations can be designed in the configuration subspaces. Finally, a typical industry application, fitting an eccentric crankshaft into a bearing hole of the automotive air‐conditioners, is used to validate the presented strategy.FindingsThe attractive region constructed in the configuration space has been applied to guide the robotic manipulations, such as, the locating and the insertion.Practical implicationsThe designed robotic assembly system without using force sensor or flexible wrist has an advantage in terms of expense and durability for the automotive air‐conditioners manufacturing industry.Originality/valueMost previous work on sensorless manipulation strategy has concentrated on inserting a symmetric peg into a hole. However, for the assembly of an eccentric peg into a hole, the robotic manipulations should be explored in a high‐dimensional configuration space as the six‐DOFs of the eccentric peg. In this paper, the decomposition method of the high‐dimensional configuration space would make the system analysis visible; then, the assembly strategy can be easily designed in the two subspaces.
Resource sharing in a cloud computing age
Authors: Goldner Matt , Birch Katie 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the historical development of interlibrary loan, identify key milestones such as the codification of ILL practices and development of new technologies to facilitate those practices, and assess the impact that changes in technology and publishing are having upon resource sharing in the digital age.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct an extensive historical review of global developments in resource sharing and then conduct a PEST analysis of societal factors affecting present day resource sharing.FindingsResource sharing continues to grow but there is a need to work together to find solutions to problems of distributed knowledge bases, incompatible systems, and electronic formats which often prohibit sharing of materials between libraries. Librarians must work with publishers, politicians, and systems developers to ensure that there is the same or equivalent rights to electronic materials as there is to print publications and that resource sharing systems can support new models of sharing and acquiring materials in multiple formats.Originality/valueThis paper provides a global perspective on the challenges of library resource sharing in the digital age.