bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of the regulator in combating financial crimes – a Caribbean perspective
Authors: Pusey Ingrid 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the evolving role of financial sector regulators in the global effort to combat financial crimes. In particular, it seeks to address the factors that shaped the role of Caribbean regulators in this effort.Design/methodology/approachCase studies, secondary research and analyses of international requirements and domestic legislation.FindingsFinancial sector regulators in the Caribbean face numerous challenges endemic to small economies in meeting international expectations in relation to the fight financial crimes. This is particularly true of states that rely on the provision of off‐shore financial services as the economic mainstay. In spite of this, the region has made significant strides in addressing global demands.Originality/valueThis paper offers a perspective from the Caribbean region. It should be of interest to regulators and practicing lawyers.
Usability of pattern customising technology in the achievement and testing of fit for mass customisation
Authors: Apeagyei Phoebe R. , Otieno Rose 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to evaluate and present the usability of one pattern customising technology in the achievement and testing of garment fit.Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on the use of 3D technology in the testing of garment fit. It examines the usability of one pattern customising technology in the achievement and testing of fit and presents primary data from experiments on the provision and testing of garment fit of specified size patterns for a jacket and skirt. Findings on virtual and human fit trials and an evaluation of the 3D technology are presented.FindingsThe study found that 3D software for fit provision and testing is still in its infancy, although advancements are currently being made in this area. It establishes that while fit can be virtually tested with 3D technology, its usability is not yet fine‐tuned. It evaluates procedures and presents problematic features of the 3D software. It underscores that although some issues concerning efficient provision and testing of fit still exist, 3D technology overall provides adequate evaluation of fit.Originality/valueThis study highlights areas for fine tuning and provides a basis for further research. While discussing usability of one pattern technology, this paper presents a platform for comparative evaluation of other technology.
Social responsibility: key terms and their uses in property investment
Authors: Roberts Claire , Rapson Dan , Shiers David 
Published: July 2007

PurposeCorporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate governance (CG) and socially responsible investment (SRI) are now established terms among most large corporations, particularly in the field of investment. The aim of this paper is to explore the issue of social responsibility (SR) in property investment in the UK.Design/methodology/approachA review of existing literature across different disciplines sought to explore the scope and boundaries of these issues. This was followed by a review of the approaches to, and reporting protocols of the activities of the five largest property investment management companies in the UK.FindingsThe study revealed a significant variation in the way UK property investment management companies define and use SR‐related terms, both within and between companies in the same industry.Originality/valueThe potential for confusion, difficulties in communication (both within and between companies) and dilution of the true meaning of these terms is significant for the sector. These issue need to be addressed to ensure that SR‐related activities can make a more widely‐adopted contribution to the property in particular and to society in general.
ISO quality as a driver of continuous improvement
Authors: Sacchetti Luciana 
Published: July 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe some of the benefits received from a four‐year implementation of a Quality Management System in a small Italian Academic Library.Design/methodology/approachThe Library of the Department of Statistics at University of Bologna, is one of the few Italian academic libraries currently with a Quality Management System accredited to the International UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 standard. This paper examines six knowledge‐based tools developed as part of the QMS, including the student and junior researchers' customer satisfaction survey, the stakeholder Focus Group, and the statistical indicators.FindingsThe paper finds that ISO Quality Management System has proved to be a powerful instrument for improving performance and increasing user satisfaction. By describing in documented procedures how the Library's services should be run, each member of staff effectively shares their personal knowledge with their fellows, and with the staff of the future.Research limitations/implicationsThe Library's statistical environment enabled it to create and develop more sophisticated performance measurement tools and metrics than would have been the case in a different cultural environment.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a useful overview of the implementation of a Quality Management System in an academic context and its positive side effects on human resources development, user satisfaction, and continual service improvement. Other Academic Libraries could gain considerable benefits through adopting a similar quality standard approach.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new outlook on using an international quality standard as a process to improve knowledge and awareness of an existing library system, enabling targeted service improvements. As such it is a valuable innovative tool for academic librarians.
The analysis of quartz c‐axis fabrics using a modified optical microscope
Authors: WILSON C. J. L. , RUSSELL‐HEAD D. S. , KUNZE K. , VIOLA G. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA new fully automated microfabric analyzer (MiFA) is described that can be used for the fast collection of high‐resolution spatial c‐axis orientation data from a set of digital polarized light images. At the onset of an analysis the user is presented with an axial‐distribution diagram (AVA –‘Achsenverteilungsanalyse’) of a thin section. It is then a simple matter to build‐up c‐axis pole figures from selected areas of interest. The c‐axis inclination and colatitudes at any pixel site is immediately available to create bulk fabric diagrams or to select measurements in individual areas. The system supports both the interactive selection of c‐axis measurement sites and grid array selection. A verification process allows the operator to exclude dubious measurements due to impurities, grain boundaries or bubbles. We present a comparison of bulk and individual c‐axis MiFA measurements to pole figures measured with an X‐ray texture goniometer and to data collected from a scanning electron microscope furnished with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) facility. A second sample, an experimentally deformed quartzite, illustrates that crystal orientations can be precisely linked to any location within an individual grain.
Imaging applications of synchrotron X‐ray phase‐contrast microtomography in biological morphology and biomaterials science. I. General aspects of the technique and its advantages in the analysis of millimetre‐sized arthropod structure
Authors: BETZ OLIVER , WEGST ULRIKE , WEIDE DANIELA , HEETHOFF MICHAEL , HELFEN LUKAS , LEE WAH‐KEAT , CLOETENS PETER 
Published: July 2007

SummarySynchrotron‐generated X‐rays provide scientists with a multitude of investigative techniques well suited for the analysis of the composition and structure of all types of materials and specimens. Here, we describe the properties of synchrotron‐generated X‐rays and the advantages that they provide for qualitative morphological research of millimetre‐sized biological organisms and biomaterials. Case studies of the anatomy of insect heads, of whole microarthropods and of the three‐dimensional reconstruction of the cuticular tendons of jumping beetles, all performed at the beamline ID19 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), are presented to illustrate the techniques of phase‐contrast tomography available for anatomical and structural investigations. Various sample preparation techniques are described and compared and experimental settings that we have found to be particularly successful are given. On comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the technique with traditional histological thin sectioning, we conclude that synchrotron radiation microtomography has a great potential in biological microanatomy.
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation with transarterial embolization is useful for treatment of stage 1 renal cell carcinoma with surgical risk: Results at 2‐year mean follow up
Authors: Arima Kiminobu , Yamakado Kouichirou , Kinbara Hiroyuki , Nakatsuka Atsuhiro , Takeda Kan , Sugimura Yoshiki 
Published: July 2007

Objectives:  Despite laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic cryotherapy being performed lately, an even less invasive treatment would be desirable in high‐risk patients. Under local anesthesia with i.v. sedation, we were able to perform percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with renal arterial embolization for unresectable stage 1 (T1NoMo) renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We evaluated the feasibility, safety and therapeutic effects of this technique after a 2‐year mean follow up.Methods:  Thirty‐one patients who were not candidates for surgery underwent RFA for 36 stage 1 RCC. Twenty‐eight tumors were percutaneously ablated 6 days after the tumor vessels were embolized. Dynamic contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to evaluate treatment at completion.Results:  Tumor enhancement was eliminated after two RFA sessions in all tumors. Thirty tumors remained free of enhancement during a mean follow‐up period of 24.3 months. There were no major complications related to the procedures though one instance of pyonephrosis, two of subcapsular hematomas, one of retroperitoneal hemorrhage and one of nausea were seen after RFA. Two patients died of other diseases (i.e. colon cancer and cerebral bleeding) 20 and 26 months after RFA treatment. One patient had a local recurrence of tumor and underwent re‐RFA. The recurrence rate of RCC after successful RFA was 2.8%. There was no recurrence in patients who had tumors of less than 4 cm after RFA at a mean follow‐up period of 24.3 months. Local control was achieved in 100% of T1NoMo tumors including the recurrence case that underwent re‐RFA.Conclusions:  The result of the present study at 2‐year mean follow up showed percutaneous RFA was a feasible, safe and promising therapy for the treatment of unresectable stage 1 RCC, especially those smaller than 4 cm.
Seasonal Dynamics of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Roots in a Seminatural Grassland
Authors: Santos-González Juan C. , Finlay Roger D. , Tehler Anders 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been shown to influence both the diversity and productivity of grassland plant communities. These effects have been postulated to depend on the differential effects of individual mycorrhizal taxa on different plant species; however, so far there are few detailed studies of the dynamics of AMF colonization of different plant species. In this study, we characterized the communities of AMF colonizing the roots of two plant species,
Prunella vulgaris
and
Antennaria dioica
, in a Swedish seminatural grassland at different times of the year. The AMF small subunit rRNA genes were subjected to PCR, cloning, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Nineteen discrete sequence types belonging to
Glomus
groups A and B and to the genus
Acaulospora
were distinguished. No significant seasonal changes in the species compositions of the AMF communities as a whole were observed. However, the two plant species hosted significantly different AMF communities.
P. vulgaris
hosted a rich AMF community throughout the entire growing season. The presence of AMF in
A. dioica
decreased dramatically in autumn, while an increased presence of
Ascomycetes
species was detected.
Selection and Characterization of Cyanophage Resistance in Marine
Synechococcus
Strains
Authors: Stoddard Lauren I. , Martiny Jennifer B. H. , Marston Marcia F. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Marine viruses are an important component of the microbial food web, influencing microbial diversity and contributing to bacterial mortality rates. Resistance to cooccurring cyanophages has been reported for natural communities of
Synechococcus
spp.; however, little is known about the nature of this resistance. This study examined the patterns of infectivity among cyanophage isolates and unicellular marine cyanobacteria (
Synechococcus
spp.). We selected for phage-resistant
Synechococcus
mutants, examined the mechanisms of phage resistance, and determined the extent of cross-resistance to other phages. Four strains of
Synechococcus
spp. (WH7803, WH8018, WH8012, and WH8101) and 32 previously isolated cyanomyophages were used to select for phage resistance. Phage-resistant
Synechococcus
mutants were recovered from 50 of the 101 susceptible phage-host pairs, and 23 of these strains were further characterized. Adsorption kinetic assays indicate that resistance is likely due to changes in host receptor sites that limit viral attachment. Our results also suggest that receptor mutations conferring this resistance are diverse. Nevertheless, selection for resistance to one phage frequently resulted in cross-resistance to other phages. On average, phage-resistant
Synechococcus
strains became resistant to eight other cyanophages; however, there was no significant correlation between the genetic similarity of the phages (based on
g20
sequences) and cross-resistance. Likewise, host
Synechococcus
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (
rpoC1
) genotypes could not be used to predict sensitivities to phages. The potential for the rapid evolution of multiple phage resistance may influence the population dynamics and diversity of both
Synechococcus
and cyanophages in marine waters.
Pathotyping
Escherichia coli
by Using Miniaturized DNA Microarrays
Authors: Anjum Muna F. , Mafura Muriel , Slickers Peter , Ballmer Karin , Kuhnert Peter , Woodward Martin J. , Ehricht Ralf 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

The detection of virulence determinants harbored by pathogenic
Escherichia coli
is important for establishing the pathotype responsible for infection. A sensitive and specific miniaturized virulence microarray containing 60 oligonucleotide probes was developed. It detected six
E. coli
pathotypes and will be suitable in the future for high-throughput use.
Changes in the Catalytic Properties of
Pyrococcus furiosus
Thermostable Amylase by Mutagenesis of the Substrate Binding Sites
Authors: Yang Sung-Jae , Min Byoung-Chul , Kim Young-Wan , Jang Sang-Mok , Lee Byong-Hoon , Park Kwan-Hwa 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Pyrococcus furiosus
thermostable amylase (TA) is a cyclodextrin (CD)-degrading enzyme with a high preference for CDs over maltooligosaccharides. In this study, we investigated the roles of four residues (His414, Gly415, Met439, and Asp440) in the function of
P. furiosus
TA by using site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis. A variant form of
P. furiosus
TA containing two mutations (H414N and G415E) exhibited strongly enhanced α-(1,4)-transglycosylation activity, resulting in the production of a series of maltooligosaccharides that were longer than the initial substrates. In contrast, the variant enzymes with single mutations (H414N or G415E) showed a substrate preference similar to that of the wild-type enzyme. Other mutations (M439W and D440H) reversed the substrate preference of
P. furiosus
TA from CDs to maltooligosaccharides. Relative substrate preferences for maltoheptaose over β-CD, calculated by comparing
k
cat
/

K
m

ratios, of 1, 8, and 26 for wild-type
P. furiosus
TA,
P. furiosus
TA with D440H, and
P. furiosus
TA with M439W and D440H, respectively, were found. Our results suggest that His414, Gly415, Met439, and Asp440 play important roles in substrate recognition and transglycosylation. Therefore, this study provides information useful in engineering glycoside hydrolase family 13 enzymes.
Relative Abundances of Proteobacterial Membrane-Bound and Periplasmic Nitrate Reductases in Selected Environments
Authors: Bru D. , Sarr A. , Philippot L. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Dissimilatory nitrate reduction is catalyzed by a membrane-bound and a periplasmic nitrate reductase. We set up a real-time PCR assay to quantify these two enzymes, using the
narG
and
napA
genes, encoding the catalytic subunits of the two types of nitrate reductases, as molecular markers. The
narG
and
napA
gene copy numbers in DNA extracted from 18 different environments showed high variations, with most numbers ranging from 2 × 10
2
to 6.8 × 10
4
copies per ng of DNA. This study provides evidence that, in soil samples, the number of proteobacteria carrying the
napA
gene is often as high as that of proteobacteria carrying the
narG
gene. The high correlation observed between
narG
and
napA
gene copy numbers in soils suggests that the ecological roles of the corresponding enzymes might be linked.
Transcription and Regulation of the Bidirectional Hydrogenase in the Cyanobacterium
Nostoc
sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Sjöholm Johannes , Oliveira Paulo , Lindblad Peter 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

The filamentous, heterocystous cyanobacterium
Nostoc
sp. strain PCC 7120 (
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120) possesses an uptake hydrogenase and a bidirectional enzyme, the latter being capable of catalyzing both H
2
production and evolution. The completely sequenced genome of
Nostoc
sp. strain PCC 7120 reveals that the five structural genes encoding the bidirectional hydrogenase (
hoxEFUYH
) are separated in two clusters at a distance of approximately 8.8 kb. The transcription of the
hox
genes was examined under nitrogen-fixing conditions, and the results demonstrate that the cluster containing
hoxE
and
hoxF
can be transcribed as one polycistronic unit together with the open reading frame alr0750. The second cluster, containing
hoxU
,
hoxY
, and
hoxH
, is transcribed together with alr0763 and alr0765, located between the
hox
genes. Moreover, alr0760 and alr0761 form an additional larger operon. Nevertheless, Northern blot hybridizations revealed a rather complex transcription pattern in which the different
hox
genes are expressed differently. Transcriptional start points (TSPs) were identified 66 and 57 bp upstream from the start codon of alr0750 and
hoxU
, respectively. The transcriptions of the two clusters containing the
hox
genes are both induced under anaerobic conditions concomitantly with the induction of a higher level of hydrogenase activity. An additional TSP, within the annotated alr0760, 244 bp downstream from the suggested translation start codon, was identified. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays with purified LexA from
Nostoc
sp. strain PCC 7120 demonstrated specific interactions between the transcriptional regulator and both
hox
promoter regions. However, when LexA from
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803 was used, the purified protein interacted only with the promoter region of the alr0750-
hoxE
-
hoxF
operon. A search of the whole
Nostoc
sp. strain PCC 7120 genome demonstrated the presence of 216 putative LexA binding sites in total, including
recA
and
recF
. This indicates that, in addition to the bidirectional hydrogenase gene, a number of other genes, including open reading frames connected to DNA replication, recombination, and repair, may be part of the LexA regulatory network in
Nostoc
sp. strain PCC 7120.
Quantification of 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol-Producing
Pseudomonas fluorescens
Strains in the Plant Rhizosphere by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Mavrodi Olga V. , Mavrodi Dmitri V. , Thomashow Linda S. , Weller David M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

A real-time PCR SYBR green assay was developed to quantify populations of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG)-producing (
phlD
+
) strains of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
in soil and the rhizosphere. Primers were designed and PCR conditions were optimized to specifically amplify the
phlD
gene from four different genotypes of
phlD
+
P. fluorescens
. Using purified genomic DNA and genomic DNA extracted from washes of wheat roots spiked with bacteria, standard curves relating the threshold cycles (

C
T

s) and copies of the
phlD
gene were generated for
P. fluorescens
strains belonging to genotypes A (Pf-5), B (Q2-87), D (Q8r1-96 and FTAD1R34), and I (FTAD1R36). The detection limits of the optimized real-time PCR assay were 60 to 600 fg (8 to 80 CFU) for genomic DNA isolated from pure cultures of
P. fluorescens
and 600 fg to 6.0 pg (80 to 800 CFU, corresponding to log 4 to 5
phlD
+
strain CFU/rhizosphere) for bacterial DNA extracted from plant root washes. The real-time PCR assay was utilized to quantify
phlD
+
pseudomonads in the wheat rhizosphere. Regression analysis of population densities detected by real-time PCR and by a previously described
phlD
-specific PCR-based dilution endpoint assay indicated a significant linear relationship (
P
= 0.0016,
r
2
= 0.2). Validation of real-time PCR assays with environmental samples was performed with two different soils and demonstrated the detection of more than one genotype in Quincy take-all decline soil. The greatest advantage of the developed real-time PCR is culture independence, which allows determination of population densities and the genotype composition of 2,4-DAPG producers directly from the plant rhizospheres and soil.
Chlamydial CT441 Is a PDZ Domain-Containing Tail-Specific Protease That Interferes with the NF-κB Pathway of Immune Response
Authors: Lad Sonya P. , Yang Guang , Scott David A. , Wang Guizhen , Nair Priyanka , Mathison John , Reddy Vijay S. , Li Erguang 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Chlamydia
species are bacterial pathogens that affect over 140 million individuals worldwide. Ocular infection by
Chlamydia trachomatis
is the leading cause of preventable blindness, and urogenital tract infection by
Chlamydia
causes sexually transmitted disease. As obligate intracellular organisms,
Chlamydia
species have evolved mechanisms to evade the host immune system, including the degradation of the transcription factors regulatory factor X5 and upstream stimulation factor 1, which are required for the expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules I and II by CPAF and cleavage of p65 of the NF-κB pathway by the encoded CT441 protein. Here, we report the characterization of CT441 as a tail-specific protease. CT441 contains a PDZ domain of protein-protein interactions and a Ser/Lys dyad catalytic unit. Mutation at either Ser455 or Lys481 in the active site ablated CT441 activity of p65 cleavage. In addition, we found that the production of CT441 Tsp, which was detected at the middle and late stages of an infection, correlated with p65 cleavage activity. In addition to high homology, human and mouse p65 proteins also contain an identical C-terminal tail of 22 amino acid (aa) residues. However, only human p65 was susceptible to cleavage. Using molecular biology approaches, we mapped the p65 cleavage site(s) to a region that differs from that of mouse p65 by 6 aa residues. Additionally, the substitution of T352 with a proline inhibited p65 cleavage. Together, the study demonstrates that CT441 is a tail-specific protease that is capable of interfering with the NF-κB pathway of host antimicrobial and inflammatory responses.