bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide and cGMP Signaling in Calcium-Dependent Development of Cell Polarity inCeratopteris richardii
Authors: Salmi Mari L. , Morris Kacey E. , Roux Stanley J. , Porterfield D. Marshall 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSingle-celled spores of the fern Ceratopteris richardii undergo gravity-directed cell polarity development that is driven by polar calcium currents. Here we present results that establish a role for nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling in transducing the stimulus of gravity to directed polarization of the spores. Application of specific NO donors and scavengers inhibited the calcium-dependent gravity response in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of NO donor exposure were antagonized by application of NO scavenger compounds. Similarly, the guanylate cyclase inhibitors 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin, and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor Viagra, which modulate NO-dependent cGMP levels in the cells, disrupted gravity-directed cell polarity in a dose-dependent manner. Viagra effects were antagonized by application of NO scavengers, consistent with the postulate that NO and cGMP are linked in the signaling pathway. To identify other components of the signaling system we analyzed gene expression changes induced by Viagra treatment using microarrays and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Preliminary microarray analysis revealed several genes whose expression was significantly altered by Viagra treatment. Three of these genes had strong sequence similarity to key signal transduction or stress response genes and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to more rigorously quantify the effects of Viagra on their expression in spores and to test how closely these effects could be mimicked by treatment with dibutyryl cGMP. Taken together our results implicate NO and cGMP as downstream effectors that help link the gravity stimulus to polarized growth in C. richardii spores.
Nitric Oxide Synthase-Dependent Nitric Oxide Production Is Associated with Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Min-Gui , Tian Qiu-Ying , Zhang Wen-Hao 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key molecule involved in many physiological processes in plants. To characterize roles of NO in tolerance of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) to salt stress, effect of NaCl on Arabidopsis wild-type and mutant (Atnoa1) plants with an impaired in vivo NO synthase (NOS) activity and a reduced endogenous NO level was investigated. Atnoa1 mutant plants displayed a greater Na+ to K+ ratio in shoots than wild-type plants due to enhanced accumulation of Na+ and reduced accumulation of K+ when exposed to NaCl. Germination of Atnoa1 seeds was more sensitive to NaCl than that of wild-type seeds, and wild-type plants exhibited higher survival rates than Atnoa1 plants when grown under salt stress. Atnoa1 plants had higher levels of hydrogen peroxide than wild-type plants under both control and salt stress, suggesting that Atnoa1 is more vulnerable to salt and oxidative stress than wild-type plants. Treatments of wild-type plants with NOS inhibitor and NO scavenger reduced endogenous NO levels and enhanced NaCl-induced increase in Na+ to K+ ratio. Exposure of wild-type plants to NaCl inhibited NOS activity and reduced quantity of NOA1 protein, leading to a decrease in endogenous NO levels measured by NO-specific fluorescent probe. Treatment of Atnoa1 plants with NO donor sodium nitroprusside attenuated the NaCl-induced increase in Na+ to K+ ratio. Therefore, these findings provide direct evidence to support that disruption of NOS-dependent NO production is associated with salt tolerance in Arabidopsis.
Impairment of Cellulose Synthases Required forArabidopsisSecondary Cell Wall Formation Enhances Disease Resistance
Authors: Hernández-Blanco Camilo , Feng Dong Xin , Hu Jian , Sánchez-Vallet Andrea , Deslandes Laurent , Llorente Francisco , Berrocal-Lobo Marta , Keller Harald , Barlet Xavier , Sánchez-Rodríguez Clara , Anderson Lisa K. , Somerville Shauna , Marco Yves , Molina Antonio 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCellulose is synthesized by cellulose synthases (CESAs) contained in plasma membrane–localized complexes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, three types of CESA subunits (CESA4/IRREGULAR XYLEM5 [IRX5], CESA7/IRX3, and CESA8/IRX1) are required for secondary cell wall formation. We report that mutations in these proteins conferred enhanced resistance to the soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum and the necrotrophic fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina. By contrast, susceptibility to these pathogens was not altered in cell wall mutants of primary wall CESA subunits (CESA1, CESA3/ISOXABEN RESISTANT1 [IXR1], and CESA6/IXR2) or POWDERY MILDEW–RESISTANT5 (PMR5) and PMR6 genes. Double mutants indicated that irx-mediated resistance was independent of salicylic acid, ethylene, and jasmonate signaling. Comparative transcriptomic analyses identified a set of common irx upregulated genes, including a number of abscisic acid (ABA)–responsive, defense-related genes encoding antibiotic peptides and enzymes involved in the synthesis and activation of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. These data as well as the increased susceptibility of ABA mutants (abi1-1, abi2-1, and aba1-6) to R. solanacearum support a direct role of ABA in resistance to this pathogen. Our results also indicate that alteration of secondary cell wall integrity by inhibiting cellulose synthesis leads to specific activation of novel defense pathways that contribute to the generation of an antimicrobial-enriched environment hostile to pathogens.
The Arabidopsis aba4-1 Mutant Reveals a Specific Function for Neoxanthin in Protection against Photooxidative Stress
Authors: Dall'Osto Luca , Cazzaniga Stefano , North Helen , Marion-Poll Annie , Bassi Roberto 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The aba4-1 mutant completely lacks neoxanthin but retains all other xanthophyll species. The missing neoxanthin in light-harvesting complex (Lhc) proteins is compensated for by higher levels of violaxanthin, albeit with lower capacity for photoprotection compared with proteins with wild-type levels of neoxanthin. Detached leaves of aba4-1 were more sensitive to oxidative stress than the wild type when exposed to high light and incubated in a solution of photosensitizer agents. Both treatments caused more rapid pigment bleaching and lipid oxidation in aba4-1 than wild-type plants, suggesting that neoxanthin acts as an antioxidant within the photosystem II (PSII) supercomplex in thylakoids. While neoxanthin-depleted Lhc proteins and leaves had similar sensitivity as the wild type to hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen, they were more sensitive to superoxide anions. aba4-1 intact plants were not more sensitive than the wild type to high-light stress, indicating the existence of compensatory mechanisms of photoprotection involving the accumulation of zeaxanthin. However, the aba4-1 npq1 double mutant, lacking zeaxanthin and neoxanthin, underwent stronger PSII photoinhibition and more extensive oxidation of pigments than the npq1 mutant, which still contains neoxanthin. We conclude that neoxanthin preserves PSII from photoinactivation and protects membrane lipids from photooxidation by reactive oxygen species. Neoxanthin appears particularly active against superoxide anions produced by the Mehler's reaction, whose rate is known to be enhanced in abiotic stress conditions.
Cathodic protection of concrete structures containing calcareous aggregates in tropical‐humid marine environments
Authors: Sosa M. , Camacho R. , Pérez T. , González‐Sánchez J. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTo evaluate the performance of two cathodic protection (CP) systems applied to steel reinforced concrete structures manufactured with calcareous aggregates and exposed to the tropical‐humid marine environment at the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico.Design/methodology/approachRectangular concrete beams were manufactured using a water/cement ratio = 0.65, with and without the addition of NaCl in the mixing water. Specimens subjected to CP, eight to impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) and eight to sacrificial anode cathodic protection (SACP) were partially immersed in natural seawater during 360 days. The half cell potential (HCP) and the current consumption were recorded during the total exposure time.FindingsThe measured HCP values of the steel rebar in the beams subjected to SACP did not attain protection potential levels. However, the galvanic couple Zn‐steel provided enough current for the protection of the steel. Visual inspection of concrete cores extracted from the beams indicated that corrosion products were not present at the steel‐concrete boundary. On the other hand, the ICCP applied to eight concrete beams provided excellent corrosion protection to the steel rebar.Originality/valueThis work revealed that the SACP system (thermally sprayed zinc) works well in high relative humidity environments and can be successfully used to protect steel reinforced concrete structures manufactured with calcareous aggregates which are endemic of the region and commonly used for infrastructure construction in the Yucatán peninsula.
Strategic planning and design in the service sector
Authors: Larsen Povl , Tonge Richard , Lewis Alan 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of a research project into strategic planning and design in the service sector sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and supported by the Design Council into Design for Accounting.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a mail survey questionnaire to gain information on design and strategic issues.FindingsThe findings are that the majority of medium‐sized service enterprises do not have a design function or use design. For those that do use design, the majority see design as very important: the benefits of design relate to the brand image of both the organisation and the services provided, closely followed by increased profits. Design has been used in the past to add value and improve quality, while innovation has been and will in the future be the main strategic area to concentrate on. Key strategic activities in the past have been adding new customers, whereas in the future the key strategic activities will be to understand customer needs.Originality/valueThe findings of the paper are important because they shed light on the importance of design and the benefits of design in the service sector, the service design strategies responsible for current performance, how the performance of service sector medium‐sized enterprises is assessed in terms of financial, market and service supply criteria, how service sector medium‐sized enterprises have reached their current status and how they intend to progress in the future, and the organisational, service supply and market factors employed in the past and how these might change in the future.
Development of three scales to measure leader accountability
Authors: Wood James A. (Andy) , Winston Bruce E. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to focus on the development of three scales to measure the three dimensions of accountability presented by Wood and Winston (2005): responsibility; openness; and answerability.Design/methodology/approachThe scale development process followed the method proposed by Spector in 1992 and DeVellis in 2003 in that each of the three constructs were defined and through a search of the literature the authors generated pools of 26, 21, and 19 items respectively. The items were submitted to a panel of six experts, who reviewed them for relevance to the construct and who made suggestions for the general improvement of the scales. The scales were then tested online by 148 participants.FindingsFactor analyses revealed that the item pools measured one construct in each of the scales. Reliability analysis revealed Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.98 (Responsibility), 0.99 (Openness) and 0.98 (Answerability). The scales were reduced to 10 items by removing items deemed redundant or confusing. Alpha scores for the ten‐item scales were 0.97 (Responsibility), 0.97 (Openness) and 0.98 (Answerability).Research limitations/implicationsThe study participants were primarily Caucasian males. Further study should be done to validate the instrument in other ethnic groups.Originality/valueThe three scales may be useful for leadership selection, development, and research in overall leadership effectiveness.
A cartographic analysis of the correlation between document supply and citations in pharmacology: a case study from INIST in France (part 2)
Authors: Bador Pascal , Boukacem‐Zeghmouri Chérifa , Lafouge Thierry , Prost Hélène , Schöpfel Joachim 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe article aims to investigate the correlation between citations and the document supply of print serials.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on data from INIST‐CNRS for document supply requests and from ISI for citations from 89 serials with JCR impact factors in pharmacology. Data were collected from 1992 to 2004.FindingsThe results distinguish four groups of serials with different relationships between document supply requests and citations. The characteristics of the serials of the four groups are described (year of creation, price, etc.). The evolution of the correlation between document supply and citations is analysed.Originality/valueThis is the second of three articles on a longitudinal study over 13 years on different aspects of the relationship between document supply and impact factor (citations) in pharmacology, a scientific domain with a high use of scientific information.
Taming the Tasman: international interlending under the Southern Cross
Authors: Ong David , Reid David , Simons Natasha 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis article seeks to provide an update of two papers presented to the VDX Users Group of Australia and New Zealand during 2006. It aims to explore the issues associated with the implementation of Trans Tasman Interlending and its subsequent success, and is written primarily from a technical perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe first part describes the issues addressed, processes used and resolutions adopted in the period leading up to the go‐live of Trans Tasman Interlending. The second part provides a review of the first six months of operation.FindingsTrans Tasman Interlending has produced interesting results and is clearly more significant for interlending in New Zealand than it is Australia. This article looks at a variety of result areas and delves into the issues the linked service has highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsWhile both countries have based their analysis on readily available report data, it is only in the Australian context that a formalised user survey was used. New Zealand reporting relies more on anecdotal evidence.Practical implicationsIn highlighting the issues involved in linking two utilities this article potentially provides a checklist for others to follow and a yardstick against which to measure success.Originality/valueTrans Tasman Interlending is a first for the linking of two national interlending utilities.
Lee C. Nehrt (1926‐): a pioneering international business scholar
Authors: Niamat Elahee Mohammad 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present a biographical sketch of Lee C. Nehrt, who, in 1962, became the first person to obtain a PhD in International Business.Design/methodology/approachThis study is mainly based on an in‐depth interview of Lee Nehrt followed up by several telephone and e‐mail interviews as well as e‐mail interviews of a number of Nehrt's former colleagues and students. In addition, Nehrt's published works were extensively reviewed and utilized.FindingsThe findings are reported in the form of a biography. In particular, the paper documents Nehrt's contribution to the emergence of international business as an important field of study, his role in internationalizing business curricula within the USA and in popularizing the American model of business education across the world. The paper also reflects on Nehrt's contribution to the Academy of International Business and his efforts in forging closer ties between international business academics and practitioners.Originality/valueThe dearth of biographical research in the international business discipline points to a need that has yet to be fulfilled. This is the first published article on Nehrt's life and career as a pioneering international business scholar.
The values of IT in elderly care
Authors: Hedström Karin 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the values of IT in elderly care.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is an empirical investigation based on four in‐depth case studies concerning IT in elderly care. The study draws on Actor‐Network Theory (ANT) and Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) with a focus on different actor groups' sense‐making regarding the role of IT in elderly care. The empirical analysis is, however, influenced by Grounded Theory (GT). Values are studied through the concept of “value areas”, which is a categorization of various actor groups' anticipated and experienced effects of developing, implementing, and using IT in elderly care.FindingsThe paper finds that the values of IT in elderly care can be organized in four related value areas: administration values, integration values, care values, and professional values. Research limitations/implications – Although the findings in this paper are related to elderly care it is believed that the value areas could be valid for all kinds of care work. Practical implications – The paper illustrates how different values are present during the development of IT, and discusses the importance of not only including, but also permitting, various actor groups' interests and values to influence the design process.Originality/valueThis paper examines the value of IT in elderly care, as well as presenting an approach for analyzing the values of IT. The paper and its findings should be valid for researchers, as well as for practitioners.
Hotel managers' career strategies for success
Authors: Akrivos Christos , Ladkin Adele , Reklitis Panayiotis 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore career strategies used by Greek hotel managers in order to advance their careers successfully.Design/methodology/approachUsing a case study sample of 65 hotel general managers working in deluxe hotels in Greece, data on career strategies were collected using a postal questionnaire.FindingsIt is revealed that the managers use a range of different strategies in order to advance their careers. The most commonly used are in relation to career opportunities, skills, mobility, interpersonal relations and handling diverse situations. The least commonly used ones relate to family contacts, job search techniques and pay.Practical implicationsThe strategies are discussed in terms of recruitment, training and retention of managers in the hotel industry.Originality/valueThis paper builds on the knowledge of careers strategies used for career success.
Image edge detection
Authors: Folorunso O. , Vincent O.R. , Dansu B.M. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe the use of edge‐detection as an approach to support the process of analyzing visual scenes.Design/methodology/approachEdges‐detection is considered as a KM technique task. Several edge‐detection algorithms were discussed but Canny method was chosen in conjunction with JAVA to find the edges of an image.FindingsThe paper provides an overview of knowledge need by the visual scene analyst. It reviews the process of extracting knowledge from image data. Finally, the paper looks at the management aspects of image‐edge detection.Originality/valueExperiments herein have proved the method robustness by considering edge‐detection as a knowledge management technique for visual scene analysis by deriving knowledge from semantic information based on object boundaries shadow.
Solvable problems in enterprise digital rights management
Authors: Sebes E. John , Stamp Mark 
Published: March 2007

PurposeDigital rights management (DRM) is often promoted as the technical basis for solutions to enterprise security problems requiring persistent protection. Yet to date, DRM has failed to take hold within the enterprise sphere. This paper aims to examine some possible reasons for the slow adoption of enterprise DRM.Design/methodology/approachIt is argued that contrary to the common perception current DRM technology is sufficiently robust for use in enterprise applications. Then three problems that may serve as barriers to enterprise DRM adoption, namely, trustworthy authentication, access policy management and the lack of compelling enterprise applications that require DRM are discussed. Finally, brief examples are presented drawn from the real world that illustrate that the first two barriers can be overcome, and it is argued that regulatory compliance is the “killer app” that will drive enterprise DRM adoption.FindingsFinds, amongst other things, that technical weakness in enterprise DRM systems, especially regarding authentication and authorization, can be addressed with relatively simple mechanisms.Originality/valueThis paper points up the need for more sophisticated enterprise DRM solutions.
Evaluating the security controls of CAIS in developing countries
Authors: Abu‐Musa Ahmad A. 
Published: March 2007

PurposeThe main objective of the paper is to investigate the existence and adequacy of implemented Computerized Accounting Information Systems (CAIS) security controls to prevent, detect and correct security breaches in Saudi Arabian organizations. This is the first part of a two‐part paper on the subject.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents and examines the literature review related to CAIS security controls.FindingsFinds that the results of the study will enable managers and practitioners to better secure their CAIS and to champion IT development for the success of their business.Originality/valueThis paper fills a vacuum by conducting research in Saudi Arabia, a developing country, whereas previous research has mainly involved developed countries.
Spending consulting dollars wisely: a guide for management teams
Authors: Brotheridge Celeste , Power Jacqueline 
Published: March 2007

PurposeTeams must evaluate carefully the promises of consultants. This article seeks to provide clear criteria to guide teams in the purchasing of consulting services. Danger signs are provided to help team leaders recognize when they are being manipulated.Design/methodology/approachThe buying process for management consulting services is outlined. Potential pitfalls of dealing with consultants are discussed and recommendations are given for team leaders to follow.FindingsTeam leaders can make more objective decisions in evaluating consulting services if they remain objective in evaluating the proposed program and refuse to allow their emotions to be manipulated.Originality/valueThe article is a useful tool for team leaders who wish to avoid buying programs that are expensive, unnecessary and perhaps even harmful to their organizations.