bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintenance strategy in Malaysian manufacturing companies: a total productive maintenance (TPM) approach
Authors: Mad Lazim Halim , Ramayah T. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the extent of TPM practices in Malaysian manufacturing companies, as TPM practices have been shown to lead to better performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted in Malaysian manufacturing companies to examine the extent of TPM practices. The correlations among TPM practices were also evaluated accordingly.FindingsCorrelation analysis was carried out and the results show that there is a positive relationship among TPM practices. In general, TPM practices, for instance autonomous maintenance, planned maintenance and TPM strategy, show positive and significant correlations among this sample of Malaysian manufacturing companies.Research limitation/implicationsSince the sample was rather small, caution is required when making generalizations.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the need to improve the collaboration between the maintenance function and other functions in organizations. TPM can be established as an aggressive strategy to face stiff competitive environments that require zero breakdowns, stoppages, and failures of equipment.Originality/valueThe achievements of Malaysian manufacturing companies through TPM practices are evaluated and important TPM practices are identified for enhancing the effectiveness of TPM implementation programs in the Malaysian context.
Product innovation among ICT technopreneurs in Malaysia
Authors: Khin Sabai , Hazlina Ahmad Noor , Ramayah T. 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe first purpose of this study is to discuss a brief review of the literature in product innovation, innovation strategies and resources. The second purpose is to present qualitative findings related to product innovation as well as their strategies and resources among ICT (information and communication technology) technopreneurs in the software sector of Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study is a preliminary study to a larger empirical study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with five ICT technopreneurs in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings generate insights into the kind of market that ICT technopreneurs are in, the problems they are facing, their practices and opinions towards product innovation, and their strategies as well as the resources required.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of the work could be related to the small sample size.Practical implicationsThe findings imply that resource constraints, market factors such as market need, and strategic orientation towards customer and market needs may play a part in product innovation practices among ICT technopreneurs. Practitioners should pay attention to these factors to achieve innovative advantage.Originality/valueThis study adds knowledge regarding product innovation among software firms by shedding light on ICT technopreneurs in terms of product innovation and the factors associated with it. The implications provide an impetus for further research in related areas.
Organisational change and innovation in small accounting practices: evidence from the field
Authors: Alam Manzurul , Nandan Ruvendra 
Published: November 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of context specific issues and challenges facing small accounting practices (SAPs) in Australian regional and rural centres. It is argued that these firms face a dynamic and continuously changing environment which requires strategic responses on the part of SAP owners. The paper explores how SAPs accommodate and respond to their contextual environment, and in turn, shape that environment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a qualitative case study research approach involving the review and analysis of the prior literature and relevant archival documents, and semi‐structured interviews with the key SAP owner/managers.FindingsThe findings suggest that SAPs adopt innovative strategies and structures. The SAPs in this study were generally found to be resilient and dynamic in responding to the changes in their contextual environment. Significant differences between SAPs were also found, particularly on how they addressed contextual uncertainties.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a case study research on SAPs in rural and regional centres. Any generalization of the conclusions from this study should be undertaken with care, even though there are similarities between SAPs operating in rural and regional centres and those operating in large metropolitan areas.Originality/valueThis paper makes an important contribution by highlighting the SAPs' responses depending on their contextual environment.
Analysis ofven3andven6reticulate mutants reveals the importance of arginine biosynthesis in Arabidopsis leaf development
Authors: Mollá‐Morales Almudena , Sarmiento‐Mañús Raquel , Robles Pedro , Quesada Víctor , Pérez‐Pérez José M. , González‐Bayón Rebeca , Hannah Matthew A. , Willmitzer Lothar , Ponce María R. , Micol José L. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryArabidopsis thalianareticulate mutants exhibit differential pigmentation of the veinal and interveinal leaf regions, a visible phenotype that often indicates impaired mesophyll development. We performed a metabolomic analysis of oneven6(venosa6) and threeven3reticulate mutants that revealed altered levels of arginine precursors, namely increased ornithine and reduced citrulline levels. In addition, the mutants were more sensitive than the wild‐type to exogenous ornithine, and leaf reticulation and mesophyll defects of these mutants were completely rescued by exogenous citrulline. Taken together, these results indicate thatven3andven6mutants experience a blockage of the conversion of ornithine into citrulline in the arginine pathway. Consistent with the participation of VEN3 and VEN6 in the same pathway, the morphological phenotype ofven3 ven6double mutants was synergistic. Map‐based cloning showed that theVEN3andVEN6genes encode subunits of Arabidopsis carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS), which is assumed to be required for the conversion of ornithine into citrulline in arginine biosynthesis. Heterologous expression of the ArabidopsisVEN3andVEN6genes in a CPS‐deficientEscherichia colistrain fully restored bacterial growth in minimal medium, demonstrating the enzymatic activity of the VEN3 and VEN6 proteins, and indicating a conserved role for CPS in these distinct and distant species. Detailed study of the reticulate leaf phenotype in theven3andven6mutants revealed that mesophyll development is highly sensitive to impaired arginine biosynthesis.
Perceptions of insulin therapy amongst Asian patients with diabetes in Singapore
Authors: Wong S. , Lee J. , Ko Y. , Chong M. F. , Lam C. K. , Tang W. E. 
Published: November 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 206–211 (2011)AbstractAims  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of insulin refusal amongst Singaporean patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, to compare perceptions regarding insulin therapy use between patients who were willing to use insulin and those who were not and to identify demographic factors that might predict insulin refusal.Methods  A cross‐sectional interviewer‐administered survey incorporating demographic variables and 17 perceptions regarding insulin use (14 negative and three positive) was conducted among a sample of 265 patients attending a public primary healthcare centre.Results  Seven of every 10 patients expressed unwillingness to use insulin therapy (70.6%). The greatest differences in perceptions between patients willing to use insulin therapy and those who were not included fear of not being able to inject insulin correctly (47.4 vs. 70.6%), fear of pain (44.9 vs. 65.8%), belief that insulin therapy would make it difficult to fulfil responsibilities at work and home (46.2 vs. 66.8%) and belief that insulin therapy improved diabetes control (82.1 vs. 58.3%). A tertiary level of education was associated with willingness to use insulin (odds ratio 3.3, confidence interval 1.8–6.1), and significant differences in perceptions were present in patients with different educational levels.Conclusions  Insulin refusal is an important problem amongst our patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Findings of this study suggest that interventions aimed at increasing insulin therapy use should focus on injection‐related concerns, perceived lifestyle adaptations and correction of misconceptions. Different interventions may also be required for patients of different educational groups.
Alterations of tendons in patients with diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Authors: de Oliveira R. R. , Lemos A. , de Castro Silveira P. V. , da Silva R. J. , de Moraes S. R. A. 
Published: November 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 886–895 (2011)AbstractAims  To perform a systematic review of observational studies which analyse tendon alterations in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with healthy individuals.Methods  Data collection was performed, with no language restriction, using the databases of PubMed/Medline, BIREME, CINAHL, LILACS and Cochrane, as well as the references found in these studies. Three reviewers performed independent extractions of articles. Subsequently, these reviewers analysed the articles, focusing on their methodological quality, using the appropriate scale to evaluate observational studies from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Results  Six articles were included in the analysis. Of these, four had used ultrasonographic diagnostics, one computed tomography and one magnetic resonance imaging. The patient pool comprised 396 individuals. All the articles evaluated tendon thickness and presented heterogeneous results. Two articles stated thickening or increased volume of the tendons in diabetic people, one article did not report any alteration, the fourth failed to determine any alterations and the fifth showed thinning of the tendons. The arrangement of collagen fibrils and the presence of calcification were analysed in only one article (n = 80), showing that 88.10% (n = 68) of individuals with diabetes presented disorientation of collagen fibril arrangement, while only 10% (n = 1) of healthy individuals presented this condition. Regarding tendon calcification, the article showed diabetic individuals with higher values than healthy individuals.Conclusions  All the articles indicated some relation between diabetes mellitus and tendon alterations in human beings, but due to methodological drawbacks, this association could not be sustained.
Effect of LKB1 deficiency on mitochondrial content, fibre type and muscle performance in the mouse diaphragm
Authors: Brown J. D. , Hancock C. R. , Mongillo A. D. , Benjamin Barton J. , DiGiovanni R. A. , Parcell A. C. , Winder W. W. , Thomson D. M. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim:  The liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway is a major regulator of skeletal muscle metabolic processes. During exercise, LKB1‐mediated phosphorylation of AMPK leads to its activation, promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and glucose transport, among other effects. The roles of LKB1 and AMPK have not been fully characterized in the diaphragm.Methods:  Two methods of AMPK activation were used to characterize LKB1/AMPK signalling in diaphragms from muscle‐specific LKB1 knockout (KO) and littermate control mice: (1) acute injection of 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) and (2) 5‐min direct electrical stimulation of the diaphragm. Diaphragms were excised 60 min post‐AICAR injection and immediately after electrical stimulation.Results:  AMPK phosphorylation increased with AICAR and electrical stimulation in control but not KO mice. Acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation increased with AICAR in control but not KO mice, but increased in both genotypes with electrical stimulation. While the majority of mitochondrial protein levels were lower in KO diaphragms, uncoupling protein 3, complex I and cytochrome oxidase IV protein levels were not different between genotypes. KO diaphragms have a lower percentage of IIx fibres and an elevated percentage of IIb fibres when compared with control diaphragms. While in vitro peak force generation was similar between genotypes, KO diaphragms fatigued more quickly and had an impaired ability to recover.Conclusion:  LKB1 regulates AMPK phosphorylation, mitochondrial protein expression, fibre type distribution, as well as recovery of the diaphragm from fatigue.
Differential Protein Expression in
Streptococcus uberis
under Planktonic and Biofilm Growth Conditions
Authors: Crowley R. C. , Leigh J. A. , Ward P. N. , Lappin-Scott H. M. , Bowler L. D. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

The bovine pathogen
Streptococcus uberis
was assessed for biofilm growth. The transition from planktonic to biofilm growth in strain 0140J correlated with an upregulation of several gene products that have been shown to be important for pathogenesis, including a glutamine ABC transporter (SUB1152) and a lactoferrin binding protein (gene
lbp
; protein SUB0145).
Tangential-Flow Ultrafiltration with Integrated Inhibition Detection for Recovery of Surrogates and Human Pathogens from Large-Volume Source Water and Finished Drinking Water
Authors: Gibson Kristen E. , Schwab Kellogg J. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

Tangential-flow ultrafiltration was optimized for the recovery of
Escherichia coli
,
Enterococcus faecalis
,
Clostridium perfringens
spores, bacteriophages MS2 and PRD1, murine norovirus, and poliovirus seeded into 100-liter surface water (SW) and drinking water (DW) samples. SW and DW collected from two drinking water treatment plants were then evaluated for human enteric viruses.
Respiration Response Imaging for Real-Time Detection of Microbial Function at the Single-Cell Level
Authors: Konopka M. C. , Strovas T. J. , Ojala David S. , Chistoserdova L. , Lidstrom M. E. , Kalyuzhnaya M. G. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

The ability to detect specific functions of uncultured microbial cells in complex natural communities remains one of the most difficult tasks of environmental microbiology. Here we present respiration response imaging (RRI) as a novel fluorescence microscopy-based approach for the identification of microbial function, such as the ability to use C
1
substrates, at a single-cell level. We demonstrate that RRI could be used for the investigation of heterogeneity of a single microbial population or for functional profiling of microbial cells from complex environmental communities, such as freshwater lake sediment.
Dynamic Analysis of the
Lactococcus lactis
Transcriptome in Cheeses Made from Milk Concentrated by Ultrafiltration Reveals Multiple Strategies of Adaptation to Stresses
Authors: Cretenet Marina , Laroute Valérie , Ulvé Vincent , Jeanson Sophie , Nouaille Sébastien , Even Sergine , Piot Michel , Girbal Laurence , Le Loir Yves , Loubière Pascal , Lortal Sylvie , Cocaign-Bousquet Muriel 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

Lactococcus lactis
is used extensively for the production of various cheeses. At every stage of cheese fabrication,
L. lactis
has to face several stress-generating conditions that result from its own modification of the environment as well as externally imposed conditions. We present here the first
in situ
global gene expression profile of
L. lactis
in cheeses made from milk concentrated by ultrafiltration (UF-cheeses), a key economical cheese model. The transcriptomic response of
L. lactis
was analyzed directly in a cheese matrix, starting from as early as 2 h and continuing for 7 days. The growth of
L. lactis
stopped after 24 h, but metabolic activity was maintained for 7 days. Conservation of its viability relied on an efficient proteolytic activity measured by an increasing, quantified number of free amino acids in the absence of cell lysis. Extensive downregulation of genes under CodY repression was found at day 7.
L. lactis
developed multiple strategies of adaptation to stressful modifications of the cheese matrix. In particular, expression of genes involved in acidic- and oxidative-stress responses was induced.
L. lactis
underwent unexpected carbon limitation characterized by an upregulation of genes involved in carbon starvation, principally due to the release of the CcpA control. We report for the first time that in spite of only moderately stressful conditions, lactococci phage is repressed under UF-cheese conditions.
Diversity of Phytoplankton Nitrate Transporter Sequences from Isolated Single Cells and Mixed Samples from the East China Sea and mRNA Quantification
Authors: Kang Lee-Kuo , Wang Hsuan-Fan , Chang Jeng 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

The transcript abundances of nitrate transporter genes (
Nrt2
) were proposed as potential markers for nitrogen deficiency in marine diatoms. To correctly quantify diatom
Nrt2
mRNA in the East China Sea (ECS), we utilized both mixed-species sequencing and single-cell PCR to expand the sequence database for this region. Using the single-cell method of PCR, 9 new diatom
Nrt2
sequences belonging to 5 genera, the
Nrt2
sequences of which have never been reported before, were obtained. On the other hand, 291 sequences homologous to
Nrt2
were retrieved from mixed-species sequencing using degenerate primers, and these sequences were clustered into 12 major groups according to a phylogenetic analysis. Based on sequence alignments, 11 pairs of group-specific PCR primers were designed to detect
Nrt2
mRNA levels in the ECS, and 3 of these primer pairs showed high specificity to target species. In ECS phytoplankton samples, environmental RNA was amplified via antisense RNA amplification followed by cDNA production. Subsequently,
Nrt2
transcript levels were readily detected using quantitative PCR. Our results indicated that investigating sequence diversity followed by careful primer design and evaluation is a good strategy to quantify the expression of genes of ecologically important phytoplankton.
Detection of Bacterial Indicators and Human and Bovine Enteric Viruses in Surface Water and Groundwater Sources Potentially Impacted by Animal and Human Wastes in Lower Yakima Valley, Washington
Authors: Gibson Kristen E. , Schwab Kellogg J. 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

Tangential flow ultrafiltration (UF) was used to concentrate and recover bacterial indicators and enteric viruses from 100 liters of groundwater (GW;
n
= 10) and surface water (SW;
n
= 11) samples collected in Lower Yakima Valley, WA. Human and bovine enteric viruses were analyzed in SW and GW concentrates by real-time PCR by using integrated inhibition detection.
Colonization of Tomato Plants by
Salmonella enterica
Is Cultivar Dependent, and Type 1 Trichomes Are Preferred Colonization Sites
Authors: Barak Jeri D. , Kramer Lara C. , Hao Ling-yun 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

Nontyphoid salmonellosis caused by
Salmonella enterica
is the most common bacterial food-borne illness in humans, and fresh produce, including tomatoes, is a common vehicle. Accumulating data indicate that human enteric pathogenic bacteria, including
S. enterica
, interact actively with plants. Tomato plants were inoculated with
S. enterica
to evaluate plausible contamination routes and to determine if the tomato cultivar affects
S. enterica
colonization.
S. enterica
population levels on tomato leaves were cultivar dependent.
S. enterica
levels on
Solanum pimpinellifolium
(West Virginia 700 [WVa700]) were lower than on
S. lycopersicum
cultivars.
S. enterica
preferentially colonized type 1 trichomes and rarely interacted with stomata, unlike what has been reported for cut lettuce leaves. Early
S. enterica
leaf colonization led to contamination of all fruit, with levels as high as 10
5
CFU per fruit. Reduced bacterial speck lesion formation correlated with reduced
S. enterica
populations in the phyllosphere. Tomato pedicels and calyxes also harbored large
S. enterica
populations following inoculation via contaminated water postharvest. WVa700 green fruit harbored significantly smaller
S. enterica
populations than did red fruit or
S. lycopersicum
fruit. We found that plants irrigated with contaminated water had larger
S. enterica
populations than plants grown from seeds planted in infested soil. However, both routes of contamination resulted in detectable
S. enterica
populations in the phyllosphere. Phyllosphere
S. enterica
populations pose a risk of fruit contamination and subsequent human disease. Restricting
S. enterica
phyllosphere populations may result in reduced fruit contamination. We have identified WVa700 as a tomato cultivar that can restrict
S. enterica
survival in the phyllosphere.
Real-Time PCR Assay To Differentiate Listeriolysin S-Positive and -Negative Strains ofListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Clayton Evelyn M. , Hill Colin , Cotter Paul D. , Ross R. Paul 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTDue to the severity of the food-borne infection listeriosis, strict legislation governs the detectable and permissible limits at whichListeria monocytogenesis permitted in foods. These requirements, coupled with the ubiquitous nature ofL. monocytogenesstrains and the potential for epidemic outbreaks, mean that the pathogen can devastate affected sectors of the food industry. Although almost allL. monocytogenesstrains have the potential to cause listeriosis, those implicated in the vast majority of epidemics belong to a subset of strains belonging to evolutionary lineage I. It has been established that a significant proportion of these strains, including those implicated in the majority of outbreaks, produce an additional hemolysin, designated listeriolysin S (LLS), which may be responsible for the enhanced virulence of these strains. In order to ultimately establish this definitively, it is important to first be able to rapidly discriminate between LLS-positive and -negative strains. Here, after essential genes within the LLS-encoding cluster,Listeriapathogenicity island 3, were identified by deletion mutagenesis, a real-time PCR assay which targets one such gene,llsX, was developed as a means of identifying LLS-positiveL. monocytogenes. The specificity of the assay was validated against a panel of 40L. monocytogenesstrains (20 of which were LLS positive) and 25 strains representative of otherListeriaspecies. Furthermore, 1 CFU of an LLS-positive strain per 25 g/ml of spiked foods was detected in less than 30 h when the assay was coupled with culture enrichment. The detection limit of this assay was 10 genome equivalents.
Engineered Biosynthesis of Gilvocarcin Analogues with Altered Deoxyhexopyranose Moieties
Authors: Shepherd Micah D. , Liu Tao , Méndez Carmen , Salas Jose A. , Rohr Jürgen 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT

A combinatorial biosynthetic approach was used to interrogate the donor substrate flexibility of GilGT, the glycosyltransferase involved in
C
-glycosylation during gilvocarcin biosynthesis. Complementation of gilvocarcin mutant
Streptomyces lividans
TK24 (cosG9B3-U
−
), in which the biosynthesis of the natural sugar donor substrate was compromised, with various deoxysugar plasmids led to the generation of six gilvocarcin analogues with altered saccharide moieties. Characterization of the isolated gilvocarcin derivatives revealed five new compounds, including 4-β-
C
-
d
-olivosyl-gilvocarcin V (
d
-olivosyl GV), 4-β-
C
-
d
-olivosyl-gilvocarcin M (
d
-olivosyl GM), 4-β-
C
-
d
-olivosyl-gilvocarcin E (
d
-olivosyl GE), 4-α-
C
-
l
-rhamnosyl-gilvocarcin M (polycarcin M), 4-α-
C
-
l
-rhamnosyl-gilvocarcin E (polycarcin E), and the recently characterized 4-α-
C
-
l
-rhamnosyl-gilvocarcin V (polycarcin V). Preliminary anticancer assays showed that
d
-olivosyl-gilvocarcin and polycarcin V exhibit antitumor activities comparable to that of their parent drug congener, gilvocarcin V, against human lung cancer (H460), murine lung cancer (LL/2), and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Our findings demonstrate GilGT to be a moderately flexible
C
-glycosyltransferase able to transfer both
d
- and
l
-hexopyranose moieties to the unique angucyclinone-derived benzo[
d
]naphtho[1,2
b
]pyran-6-one backbone of the gilvocarcins.