bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intersession reproducibility of mass spectrometry profiles and its effect on accuracy of multivariate classification models
Authors: Pelikan Richard , Bigbee William L. , Malehorn David , Lyons-Weiler James , Hauskrecht Milos 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMotivation: The ‘reproducibility’ of mass spectrometry proteomic profiling has become an intensely controversial topic. The mere mention of concern over the ‘reproducibility’ of data generated from any particular platform can lead to the anxiety over the generalizability of its results and its role in the future of discovery proteomics. In this study, we examine the reproducibility of proteomic profiles generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) across multiple data-generation sessions. We analyze the problem in terms of the reproducibility of signals, reproducibility of discriminative features and reproducibility of multivariate classification models on profiles for serum samples from early lung cancer and healthy control subjects.Results: Proteomic profiles in individual data-generation sessions experience within-session variability. We show that combining data from multiple sessions introduces additional (inter-session) noise. While additional noise can affect the discriminative analysis, we show that its average effect on profiles in our study is relatively small. Moreover, for the purposes of prediction on future (previously unseen) data, classifiers trained on multi-session data are able to adapt to inter-session noise and improve their classification accuracy.Contact: milos@cs.pitt.edu
First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Corynespora cassiicola on Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Italy
Authors: Garibaldi A. , Rapetti S. , Rossi J. , Gullino M. L. 
Published: September 2007

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an economically important herb in several Mediterranean countries. Approximately 80 ha are grown annually in Italy for fresh consumption and processing. In 2006, a damaging foliar disease of sweet basil cv. Genovese gigante was observed in several greenhouses located in the Liguria Region of northern Italy. A disease incidence of more than 50% was observed. Leaves of infected plants initially showed dark brown-to-black, 1 to 3 × 1.5 to 5.3 mm in diameter, circular spots surrounded by a chlorotic halo. Within 2 to 3 days, the spots coalesced, leading to extensive leaf necrosis with occasional shot holes. Stem lesions were brown, elongated, and irregularly dispersed. Although the distribution of the disease generally became uniform, it usually appeared originally in a patchy pattern at the central areas of the greenhouses, where temperatures and relative humidity were highest. Basal leaves were most severely affected by the disease when air circulation was apparently poor. Microscopic observations revealed light brown conidiophores, ending in sterigmata with conidia borne singly or in chains. Conidia were 31.9 to 212.2 μm (average 68.1 μm) long and 4.3 to 11.6 μm (average 7.8 μm) wide, with longitudinal cross walls. Such morphology is typical of Corynespora cassiicola (3). The fungus was consistently isolated from symptomatic leaves onto potato dextrose agar. The ITS region (internal transcribed spacer) of rDNA was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS6 and sequenced. BLASTn analysis (1) of the 215 bp obtained showed an E-value of 0.0 with C. cassiicola and the nucleotide sequence has been assigned GenBank Accession No. EF 545008. Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying leaves of 10 healthy 30-day-old potted O. basilicum plants cv. Genovese gigante with a 105 conidia per ml aqueous suspension. Plants in 10 pots sprayed with water only served as controls. Plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h after inoculation and maintained at 20 to 25°C. The first foliar lesions developed on leaves 3 to 4 days after inoculation, whereas control plants remained healthy. C. cassiicola was consistently reisolated from these lesions. The pathogenicity test was completed twice. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. cassiicola on O. basilicum in Italy. Other previous records of this disease were from India (2) and Brunei (4). References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) L. R. Devi et al. Indian Phytopathol. 32:150, 1979. (3) M. B. Ellis. CMI Mycol. Pap. No. 65, 1957. (4) W. T. H. Peregrine and K. B. Ahmad. Phytopathol. Pap. 27:1, 1982.
First Report of Burkholderia glumae Isolated from Symptomless Rice Seeds in China
Authors: Luo J. , Xie G. , Li B. , Lihui X. 
Published: September 2007

Burkholderia glumae causes grain rot and seedling rot of rice (Oryza sativa L.). It is seedborne and has caused severe damage in Japan (1). Since 1997, efforts have been made to detect the pathogen in rice seeds in China (2), where no typical symptoms have been observed in the rice paddy fields. Isolation from 623 symptomless rice seed samples yielded two samples, originally produced in Hainan province, with possible B. glumae (0.32%). Six bacterial strains isolated from these two samples showed characteristics similar to those of the standard reference strain of B. glumae, LMG 1837T from Belgium, in phenotypic tests including the Biolog identification system (version 4.2; Hayward, CA), pathogenicity tests, and gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using the Microbial identification System (MIDI Company, Newark, DE) with aerobic bacterial library (TABA50). All strains were gram-negative aerobic rods, 1.5 to 2.5 μm × 0.5 to 0.7μm, and had 1 to 7 polar flagella. No green fluorescent diffusible pigment was produced on King's medium B. Colonies were gray-white, slightly raised with smooth margins, and appeared within 3 days on nutrient agar. A hypersensitive reaction was observed on tobacco cv. Benshi 24 h after inoculation. All isolates were identified as B. glumae with Biolog similarity of 0.68 to 0.87 and FAMEs similarity of 0.65 to 0.91. Identification as B. glumae was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (3) primers BG1: 5′-ACACGGAACACCTGGGTA-3′; and BG2: 5′-TCGCTCTCCCGAAGAGAT-3′. Inoculation of intact plants of cv. Jiayue with cell suspensions containing 108 CFU/ml of the six strains individually produced seedling rot and grain rot symptoms. The bacterium was reisolated from symptomatic rice plants. B. glumae was first reported from Japan as the cause of grain rot of rice in 1967 (1) and was isolated from symptomatic rice seeds in 1987 in Taiwan, China. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. glumae being isolated from healthy-looking rice seeds in China. This indicates that the pathogen is already in the mainland of China and there is a risk of a seedling rot outbreak if rice seedlings are raised indoors on a large scale for transplantation as it is in Japan. References: (1) T. Kurita and H. Tabei. Ann. Phytopathol. Soc. Jpn. 33:111,1967. (2) G. L. Xie et al. Acta Phytopathol. Sin. 32:114, 2002. (3) M. Yukiko et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 56:1031, 2006.
Low-Affinity Na+ Uptake in the HalophyteSuaeda maritima
Authors: Wang Suo-Min , Zhang Jin-Lin , Flowers Timothy J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractNa+ uptake by plant roots has largely been explored using species that accumulate little Na+ into their shoots. By way of contrast, the halophyte Suaeda maritima accumulates, without injury, concentrations of the order of 400 mm NaCl in its leaves. Here we report that cAMP and Ca2+ (blockers of nonselective cation channels) and Li+ (a competitive inhibitor of Na+ uptake) did not have any significant effect on the uptake of Na+ by the halophyte S. maritima when plants were in 25 or 150 mm NaCl (150 mm NaCl is near optimal for growth). However, the inhibitors of K+ channels, TEA+ (10 mm), Cs+ (3 mm), and Ba2+ (5 mm), significantly reduced the net uptake of Na+ from 150 mm NaCl over 48 h, by 54%, 24%, and 29%, respectively. TEA+ (10 mm), Cs+ (3 mm), and Ba2+ (1 mm) also significantly reduced 22Na+ influx (measured over 2 min in 150 mm external NaCl) by 47%, 30%, and 31%, respectively. In contrast to the situation in 150 mm NaCl, neither TEA+ (1–10 mm) nor Cs+ (0.5–10 mm) significantly reduced net Na+ uptake or 22Na+ influx in 25 mm NaCl. Ba2+ (at 5 mm) did significantly decrease net Na+ uptake (by 47%) and 22Na+ influx (by 36% with 1 mm Ba2+) in 25 mm NaCl. K+ (10 or 50 mm) had no effect on 22Na+ influx at concentrations below 75 mm NaCl, but the influx of 22Na+ was inhibited by 50 mm K+ when the external concentration of NaCl was above 75 mm. The data suggest that neither nonselective cation channels nor a low-affinity cation transporter are major pathways for Na+ entry into root cells. We propose that two distinct low-affinity Na+ uptake pathways exist in S. maritima: Pathway 1 is insensitive to TEA+ or Cs+, but sensitive to Ba2+ and mediates Na+ uptake under low salinities (25 mm NaCl); pathway 2 is sensitive to TEA+, Cs+, and Ba2+ and mediates Na+ uptake under higher external salt concentrations (150 mm NaCl). Pathway 1 might be mediated by a high-affinity K transporter-type transporter and pathway 2 by an AKT1-type channel.
The SnRK1A Protein Kinase Plays a Key Role in Sugar Signaling during Germination and Seedling Growth of Rice
Authors: Lu Chung-An , Lin Chih-Cheng , Lee Kuo-Wei , Chen Jyh-Long , Huang Li-Fen , Ho Shin-Lon , Liu Hsin-Ju , Hsing Yue-Ie , Yu Su-May 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSugars repress α-amylase expression in germinating embryos and cell cultures of rice (Oryza sativa) through a sugar response complex (SRC) in α-amylase gene promoters and its interacting transcription factor MYBS1. The Snf1 protein kinase is required for the derepression of glucose-repressible genes in yeast. In this study, we explored the role of the yeast Snf1 ortholog in rice, SnRK1, in sugar signaling and plant growth. Rice embryo transient expression assays indicated that SnRK1A and SnRK1B act upstream and relieve glucose repression of MYBS1 and αAmy3 SRC promoters. Both SnRK1s contain N-terminal kinase domains serving as activators and C-terminal regulatory domains as dominant negative regulators of SRC. The accumulation and activity of SnRK1A was regulated by sugars posttranscriptionally, and SnRK1A relieved glucose repression specifically through the TA box in SRC. A transgenic RNA interference approach indicated that SnRK1A is also necessary for the activation of MYBS1 and αAmy3 expression under glucose starvation. Two mutants of SnRK1s, snrk1a and snrk1b, were obtained, and the functions of both SnRK1s were further studied. Our studies demonstrated that SnRK1A is an important intermediate in the sugar signaling cascade, functioning upstream from the interaction between MYBS1 and αAmy3 SRC and playing a key role in regulating seed germination and seedling growth in rice.
Gender‐egalitarian culture and differences in strategic integration among women and men in HR director positions
Authors: Brandl Julia , Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Reichel Astrid 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how differences in strategic integration between women and men in HR director positions vary in an international comparison and particularly how gender‐egalitarian cultural values influence the level of these differences.Design/methodology/approachCross‐country comparison of HR managers involving 22 countries based on the 2004 Cranet survey.FindingsConsistent with the hypothesis, findings show a negative relationship between gender‐egalitarian values and sex differences in strategic integration.Practical implicationsEnhanced understanding of impact of cultural egalitarianism on cross‐national differences in segregation of women in the HR profession.Originality/valueLevel of segregation of women in HR director positions varies with the prevalence of gender‐egalitarian cultural values.
Drivers and sources of supply flexibility: an exploratory study
Authors: Mendonça Tachizawa Elcio , Giménez Thomsen Cristina 
Published: September 2007

PurposeMany researchers have studied manufacturing flexibility, but supply chain flexibility is still an under‐investigated area. This paper aims to focus on supply flexibility, the aspects of flexibility related to the upstream supply chain. Its purpose is to investigate why and how firms increase supply flexibility.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory multiple case study was conducted. Seven Spanish manufacturers from various sectors (automotive, apparel, electronics and electrical equipment) were analysed.FindingsThe results show that firms need supply flexibility for a number of important reasons (manufacturing schedule fluctuations, JIT purchasing, manufacturer slack capacity, low level of parts commonality, demand volatility, demand seasonality and forecast accuracy), and that companies increase this type of flexibility by implementing two main strategies: “improved supplier responsiveness” and “flexible sourcing”. The results also suggest that the supply flexibility strategy selected depends on the type of uncertainty (mix, volume or delivery).Research limitations/implicationsThis paper has the limitations common to all case studies, such as the subjectivity of the analysis, and the questionable generality of the results. Moreover, there may be some sort of country bias because only Spanish firms have been analysed.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing literature by empirically investigating the main reasons for companies needing to increase supply flexibility and how they increase this flexibility, and suggesting some factors that could influence the selection of a particular supply flexibility strategy.
Product lifecycle information acquisition and management for consumer products
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Moore Philip R. , Wong Chi‐Biu , Pu Jun‐Sheng , Kwong Chong Seng 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to capture and manage the product lifecycle data for consumer products, especially data that occur in distribution, usage, maintenance and end‐of‐life stages, and to use them to provide information and knowledge.Design/methodology/approachA lifecycle information acquisition and management model is proposed, and an information management system framework is formulated. The information management system developed is then used in actual field trials to manage lifecycle data for refrigeration products and game consoles.FindingsIt has been demonstrated that valuable services can be delivered through a lifecycle information management system.Practical implicationsLifecycle information management systems can open new horizons for product design which are sustainable and environmentally sensitive. They also contribute to the wider exploration of eco‐design and development of next generation consumer products (e.g. smart home appliances).Originality/valueExisting lifecycle information systems cannot support all phases of the product lifecycle. They mainly manage the lifecycle data only during the design and manufacture stages. Lifecycle data during distribution, usage, maintenance and end‐of‐life stages are usually hard to acquire and in most cases lost. The lifecycle information management system developed can capture them, and manage them in an integrated and systematic manner to provide information and knowledge.
Supply chain product co‐development, product modularity and product performance
Authors: Lau Antonio K.W. , Yam Richard C.M. , Tang Esther P.Y. 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how an organization can achieve higher performance through integrating supply chain product co‐development (SCPC) and modular product design.Design/methodology/approachBased on a comprehensive review of literature on product development, supply chain management and system theory, the four proposed hypotheses concerning the relationships among SCPC, product modularity (PM), manufacturing capabilities and product performance (PP) were tested empirically through a sample of 251 Hong Kong manufacturers.FindingsSCPC is found to have a direct and positive relationship with PM and PP. PM improves flexibility and customer service and in turn PP.Research limitations/implicationsGiven the cross‐sectional nature of the study and the focus on manufacturing industry, future research should replicate this study in different industries with more longitudinal studies.Practical implicationsThe study provides solid evidence that managers should involve their suppliers, internal functional units and customers early in their design stages, especially in the decisions relating to PM. The study has also demonstrated that product co‐development affects PP in both direct and indirect ways.Originality/valueThe present study empirically verifies the relationships between supply chain integration and modular product design by means of SCPC and PM. Similar empirical research is absent from the literature on relevant disciplines.
Exogenous technological change and wage inequality in rural India: a theoretical note
Authors: Banik Arindam , Bhaumik Pradip K. , Iyare Sundayo 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical model to explore the economic consequences of an exogenous skill‐biased technological change.Design/methodology/approachThe paper develops a theoretical model based on assumptions and conditions that replicate those of a government‐sponsored poverty reduction programme in India.FindingsThe paper finds that, under certain stated conditions, wage inequality between artisans with improved toolkits and those without is likely to increase, while, under a different set of conditions, this is likely to decrease.Research limitations/implicationsActual wage inequality implications of specific exogenous skill‐biased technological changes need to be studied to take the theoretical model further.Practical implicationsOne major implication is that, when government help is provided by way of an exogenous skill‐biased technological change to a fraction of workers, it may have the unintended consequence of increasing wage inequality between the beneficiary and the non‐beneficiary workers. In extreme cases, it may even lower the equilibrium wages of the non‐beneficiary workers.Originality/valueThe paper brings out the critical role of efficiency units of workers with skill‐biased technology (artisans with improved toolkits) and those without these in determining the wage inequality between these categories of workers (artisans) based on a theoretical model of the trajectory along which the rural economy moves.
Performance of initial public offerings and privatized offers
Authors: Peter Suren 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate returns of initial public offerings (IPOs) in an emerging market and differences in the returns of privatized and non‐privatized offerings.Design/methodology/approachMarket‐adjusted return is computed as daily cumulative excess returns for six‐ and 12‐month periods. Long‐run performance is measured by calculating market‐adjusted buy and hold return assuming that shareholders pursue strategies of 1, 2 and 3 years.FindingsThe paper finds that underpricing exists even in emerging markets and at a higher level than in developed countries. Average returns are over 55 per cent and is comparable with that of Malaysia, Mexico, Poland and Thailand. POs generally outperform the market, with the privatized IPOs offering superior excess returns than the non‐privatized IPOs. Excess returns diminish by the end of three years. The pattern of the returns seen in this case is different to similar studies elsewhere, where excess returns are observed over four to five years after the initial listing.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of IPOs investigated here is comparatively small. However, because the sample consists of a mix of privatized vs non‐privatized companies, the results provide useful insights on factors that may drive the unusual returns. While underpricing is common in most IPOs, the state when privatizing enterprises seem to be offering investors excessive returns.Originality/valueThis paper provides researchers and policymakers some insights into the workings of capital markets in emerging economies.
Society of Scholarly Publishing (SSP) Annual Meeting
Authors: Gelfand Julia 
Published: September 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight sessions and themes of the annual Society of Scholarly Publishing conference.Design/methodology/approachConference report Building on Technology 2.0 and Library 2.0, this theme was on Scholarly Communication 2.0 and even though there was some obvious overlap well known by librarians, there was plenty of creative and new ideas that were shared.FindingsThe role of the reader and library user are of more importance than in the past and new products and services now cater to that increasingly emphasized role.Originality valueChange in readership, product development, marketing, branding, and nearly everything in the scholarly publishing marketplace has determined that new partnerships and interests are evolving.
Impediments to Harnessing Scholarly Electronic Journals on the Internet in Developing Countries: A Nigerian University Case Study
Authors: Olatunji Ajegbomogun Frederick 
Published: September 2007

PurposeElectronic journals continue to usually be the format of choice for institutional serials subscriptions. However, in developing countries this is not always the case, due to access and connectivity issues. Harnessing electronic journals is the aim this paper.Design/methodology/approachThe study was designed to ascertain the impediments to harnessing scholarly electronic journals on the internet in developing countries: University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria: as a case study. To this end, a questionnaire method was used to obtain data. Of the users surveyed, 79.4 per cent returned the questionnaire. Questions were raised on users’ accessibility, usefulness, access point and impediments to harnessing electronic journals on the internet. The identified problems were based on socio‐psychological phenomenon, inadequate provision of computer facilities, power outage and inadequate infrastructure such as telecommunication. Hence, these facilities are still poorly developed in developing countries.FindingsInsufficient administrative infrastructure and resources are the major contributing factors and reasons why harnessing of e‐journals is not more ubiquitous and common in Nigeria.Originality valueThe paper offers some useful suggestions on how to tackle these problems through constant training of users on the use of internet, networking all libraries’ computer terminals, provides stand‐by generator, and put in place a technical‐oriented manpower. Finally, there is a need to overhaul the telecommunication industry so as to get a better result in term of Information Technology development in the developing countries.