bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and ecological shifts in a land snail caused by the impact of an introduced predator
Authors: Chiba Satoshi 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIntroduced predators have become major threats to native animal species in oceanic islands. A number of studies have shown that alien predators have caused serious extinctions of island endemics. However, little attention has been paid to the evolutionary impacts of alien predators on native species. The present study shows that predation by black rats, Rattus rattus, has resulted in ecological and morphological changes in the land snail Mandarina anijimana from the island of Anijima in the Ogasawara archipelago. The frequency of empty predated shells has increased over the past 17–19 years in southern areas of the island. The shells of these snails were found to be significantly higher, smaller and darker in the survey in 2006 than in the survey in 1987–1989 performed in central and southern parts of Anijima, where predation by Rattus was serious. M. anijimana were formerly restricted to shallow broad‐leaved litter, whereas they are currently found in deep palm litter, where predation pressure from Rattus may be lower. This suggests that increased predation pressure by Rattus has changed the habitat use of M. anijimana. The close association between shell morphology and habitat use of Mandarina species suggests that the habitat shift induced by the predation of Rattus has caused these changes in the shell morphology of M. anijimana over a period of 17–19 years.
Colony growth in Myrmica rubra with supplementation of myrmecochorous seeds
Authors: Fokuhl Gerriet , Heinze Jürgen , Poschlod Peter 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMyrmecochory is an important ant–plant relationship, which presumably has benefits for the reproductive success of ant colonies through the nutritional value of elaiosomes. In a feeding experiment, we provided elaiosomes of Scilla bifolia and Corydalis cava to colonies of Myrmica rubra. Seeds were transported by ant workers to their nests and the elaiosomes were removed afterwards. After 3 months, elaiosome‐supplemented colonies contained significantly more worker pupae than control colonies, whereas the number of new female sexuals was reduced. This result is discussed as a possible long‐term benefit for M. rubra colonies through myrmecochory by colony growth.
Carbon isotope dynamics during leaf litter decomposition with reference to lignin fractions
Authors: Osono Takashi , Takeda Hiroshi , Azuma Jun‐ichi 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe studied the dynamics of the stable C isotope ratio (δ13C) of Swida controversa and Fagus crenata leaf litter during decomposition for 35 months with reference to the relative enrichment of the residue by lignin fraction‐derived C. The study was carried out on upper and lower parts of a forest slope in a cool temperate forest in Japan. The enrichment of lignin fraction‐C was associated with a decrease in the δ13C of S. controversa residue. The decrease in δ13C was greater at the lower than the upper site for S. controversa. In contrast, the relative increase in lignin fractions in F. crenata residue was not associated with the changes of δ13C. 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, which revealed the relative decrease in alkyl‐C and O‐alkyl‐C and the relative increase in aromatic‐C and carbonyl‐C, provided further evidence for the contribution of the selective preservation of lignin of plant origin to the increase in the lignin fraction.
Searching for potential microRNA-binding site mutations amongst known disease-associated 3′ UTR variants
Authors: Chuzhanova Nadia , Cooper David N. , Férec Claude , Chen Jian-Min 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
The 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of human protein-coding genes play a pivotal role in the regulation of mRNA 3′ end formation, stability/degradation, nuclear export, subcellular localisation and translation, and hence are particularly rich in cis-acting regulatory elements. One recent addition to the already large repertoire of known cis-acting regulatory elements are the microRNA (miRNA) target sites that are present in the 3′ UTRs of many human genes. miRNAs post-transcriptionally down-regulate gene expression by binding to complementary sequences on their cognate target mRNAs, thereby inducing either mRNA degradation or translational repression. To date, only one disease-associated 3′ UTR variant (in the SLITRK1 gene) has been reported to occur within a bona fide miRNA binding site. By means of sequence complementarity, we have performed the first systematic search for potential miRNA-target site mutations within a set of 79 known disease-associated 3′ UTR variants. Since no variants were found that either disrupted or created binding sites for known human miRNAs, we surmise that miRNA-target site mutations are not likely to represent a frequent cause of human genetic disease.
Evaluation of Water‐Holding Capacity for Wheat–Soy Flour Blends
Authors: Traynham T. L. , Myers Deland J. , Carriquiry A. L. , Johnson L. A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe water‐holding capacities (WHC) of wheat flour when partially replaced with defatted soybean flour (DSF) or low‐fat soybean flour (LSF) were evaluated. Wheat flour was replaced at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12% levels with DSF or LSF based on sample weight and/or soybean flour protein content. WHC (g water/g flour) was quantified after centrifuging hydrated samples at 1592×g (3,000 rpm) and/or 4,424×g (5,000 rpm) for 30 min. Results showed that at both centrifuge speeds, all wheat–soybean flour blends had WHC greater than wheat flour with the exception of 2% blends based on weight. Wheat–soybean flour blends had lower WHC at 5,000 rpm than at 3,000 rpm. In general, the WHC increased as the proportion of soybean flour increased. Differences in WHC were greatest between the samples containing 2 and 12% soybean flour. WHC values among the 6, 8 and 10% samples were not significantly different for both wheat–DSF and wheat–LSF blends. Blends containing LSF were observed to have comparable WHC to wheat–DSF blends.
DFprot: a webtool for predicting local chain deformability
Authors: Garzón José Ignacio , Kovacs Julio , Abagyan Ruben , Chacón Pablo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSummary: DFprot is a web-based server for predicting main-chain deformability from a single protein conformation. The server automatically performs a normal-mode analysis (NMA) of the uploaded structure and calculates its capability to deform at each of its residues. Non-specialists can easily and rapidly obtain a quantitative first approximation of the flexibility of their structures with a simple and efficient interface.Availability: http://sbg.cib.csic.es/Software/DFprotContact: pablo@cib.csic.es
Overexpression of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors in Arabidopsis Restricts Fungal Infection by Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Lionetti Vincenzo , Raiola Alessandro , Camardella Laura , Giovane Alfonso , Obel Nicolai , Pauly Markus , Favaron Francesco , Cervone Felice , Bellincampi Daniela 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Pectin, one of the main components of plant cell wall, is secreted in a highly methylesterified form and is demethylesterified in muro by pectin methylesterase (PME). The action of PME is important in plant development and defense and makes pectin susceptible to hydrolysis by enzymes such as endopolygalacturonases. Regulation of PME activity by specific protein inhibitors (PMEIs) can, therefore, play a role in plant development as well as in defense by influencing the susceptibility of the wall to microbial endopolygalacturonases. To test this hypothesis, we have constitutively expressed the genes AtPMEI-1 and AtPMEI-2 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and targeted the proteins into the apoplast. The overexpression of the inhibitors resulted in a decrease of PME activity in transgenic plants, and two PME isoforms were identified that interacted with both inhibitors. While the content of uronic acids in transformed plants was not significantly different from that of wild type, the degree of pectin methylesterification was increased by about 16%. Moreover, differences in the fine structure of pectins of transformed plants were observed by enzymatic fingerprinting. Transformed plants showed a slight but significant increase in root length and were more resistant to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea. The reduced symptoms caused by the fungus on transgenic plants were related to its impaired ability to grow on methylesterified pectins.
Overproduction of Abscisic Acid in Tomato Increases Transpiration Efficiency and Root Hydraulic Conductivity and Influences Leaf Expansion
Authors: Thompson Andrew J. , Andrews John , Mulholland Barry J. , McKee John M.T. , Hilton Howard W. , Horridge Jon S. , Farquhar Graham D. , Smeeton Rachel C. , Smillie Ian R.A. , Black Colin R. , Taylor Ian B. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Overexpression of genes that respond to drought stress is a seemingly attractive approach for improving drought resistance in crops. However, the consequences for both water-use efficiency and productivity must be considered if agronomic utility is sought. Here, we characterize two tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lines (sp12 and sp5) that overexpress a gene encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, the enzyme that catalyzes a key rate-limiting step in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis. Both lines contained more ABA than the wild type, with sp5 accumulating more than sp12. Both had higher transpiration efficiency because of their lower stomatal conductance, as demonstrated by increases in δ 13C and δ 18O, and also by gravimetric and gas-exchange methods. They also had greater root hydraulic conductivity. Under well-watered glasshouse conditions, mature sp5 plants were found to have a shoot biomass equal to the wild type despite their lower assimilation rate per unit leaf area. These plants also had longer petioles, larger leaf area, increased specific leaf area, and reduced leaf epinasty. When exposed to root-zone water deficits, line sp12 showed an increase in xylem ABA concentration and a reduction in stomatal conductance to the same final levels as the wild type, but from a different basal level. Indeed, the main difference between the high ABA plants and the wild type was their performance under well-watered conditions: the former conserved soil water by limiting maximum stomatal conductance per unit leaf area, but also, at least in the case of sp5, developed a canopy more suited to light interception, maximizing assimilation per plant, possibly due to improved turgor or suppression of epinasty.
Cytokinin Import Rate as a Signal for Photosynthetic Acclimation to Canopy Light Gradients
Authors: Boonman Alex , Prinsen Els , Gilmer Frank , Schurr Ulrich , Peeters Anton J.M. , Voesenek Laurentius A.C.J. , Pons Thijs L. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Plants growing in dense canopies are exposed to vertical light gradients and show photosynthetic acclimation at the whole-plant level, resulting in efficient photosynthetic carbon gain. We studied the role of cytokinins transported through the transpiration stream as one of probably multiple signals for photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients using both tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We show that substantial variation in leaf transpiration parallels the light gradient in tobacco canopies and experimental reduction of the transpiration rate of a leaf, independent of light, is sufficient to reduce photosynthetic capacity in both species, as well as transcript levels of the small subunit of Rubisco (rbcS) gene in Arabidopsis. Mass spectrometric analysis of xylem sap collected from intact, transpiring tobacco plants revealed that shaded leaves import less cytokinin than leaves exposed to high light. In Arabidopsis, reduced transpiration rate of a leaf in the light is associated with lower cytokinin concentrations, including the bioactive trans-zeatin and trans-zeatin riboside, as well as reduced expression of the cytokinin-responsive genes ARR7 and ARR16. External application of cytokinin to shaded leaves rescued multiple shade effects, including rbcS transcript levels in both species, as did locally induced cytokinin overproduction in transgenic tobacco plants. From these data, we conclude that light gradients over the foliage of a plant result in reduced cytokinin activity in shaded leaves as a consequence of reduced import through the xylem and that cytokinin is involved in the regulation of whole-plant photosynthetic acclimation to light gradients in canopies.
The changing role of the trainer
Authors: Sloman Martyn 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of helping people to learn and look for techniques that really do help people learnDesign/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a case study approach.FindingsThe paper concludes that the dominance of the classroom‐based training course in workplace learning is no longer appropriate for a global economy where change happens so quickly and with such regularity that classroom‐based, fact‐dominated learning soon becomes out of date/not suitable for everyone.Originality/valueThis paper helps organisations recognise the need for training and helps them think about what type of training is best for their organisation and employees.
Enhancing access to digital information resources on heritage
Authors: Sattar Chaudhry Abdus , Pei Jiun Tan 
Published: January 2007

PurposeDue to various historical differences in organising, documenting and managing information across cultural institutions, cross‐domain resource discovery in the cultural heritage sector remains problematic. Leveraging on the lessons learnt from current efforts to enhance access to networked digital cultural resources, this paper seeks to explore the development of a taxonomy for the same purpose.Design/methodology/approachA methodology was developed for the construction of a 500‐term taxonomy for a Singapore‐based cultural heritage network. Based on this taxonomy, the benefits and problems of developing such a knowledge organisation system for a cultural network are also discussed.FindingsCollecting terms and concepts from various external and internal sources was sufficient to kick‐start the taxonomy development process. One of the key aspects of the Integrated Museum and Archives System (IMAS) taxonomy is its ability to show a broad overview of the all the resources held by the National Heritage Board, regardless of originating institution.Originality/valueNo single scheme currently best fits the needs of cultural networks, but all can benefit from each other's learning process. The development of the IMAS taxonomy particularly benefited from the insights provided by faceted classification and the possible relationships between terms and concepts in ontology. Such guidelines and recommendations also provide much ground and basis for the NHB to start a framework for standardising documentation practices.
The social and technological origins of the information society
Authors: Weller Toni , Bawden David 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the theory of a control revolution in nineteenth century England, and its social and technological implications for the information society. It takes up where most historical interpretations of the industrial revolution end, and before most analyses of the digital era begin. The work focuses on three distinct types of technological advance – in transportation, in communication, and in the processing of information – without adopting a technologically deterministic argument.Design/methodology/approachHistorical analysis, based on both primary and secondary sources.FindingsThe article first considers the introduction of the railways, and makes a case in that there were two crises of control involving railway technology in the nineteenth century: a crisis of communication, and a crisis of organisation. It goes on to assess the growth of bureaucracy and organisation in commerce. The expansion of government surveillance power towards the end of the nineteenth century is also discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is broad in its scope and therefore some necessary omissions and limitations have been made. Many of the terms used throughout have entire literatures on their meanings, but it is not the intention of this paper to engage further with these debates, and it is acknowledged that within this limited discussion there is room for some ambiguity surrounding terms. Such concepts have been defined as far as possible within the article. The impact of warfare and military organisation are key themes, and while extremely relevant, deserve fuller discussion elsewhere. Also, while there would have undoubtedly been effects upon the British Empire from English industrialisation and the resulting crises of control, it has not been possible to discuss the implications of differing socio‐economic and political conditions within the Empire in this paper. The increasing sophistication of other professions such as finance and accounting in this period have not been considered, although again, this is an area which deserves individual study[1].Originality/valueThe research takes a step towards demonstrating that the origins of the information society can be traced back to the structural and organisational implications of the control revolution of the nineteenth century. The methods of control created the basic communication infrastructures still used in 2005, and set the precedent for government intervention and social surveillance. It concludes by discussing the potential crises of control within the information society.
The serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to conceptualize the serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices. The term “serendipity” is defined as the mix of leadership effectiveness by accident and sagacity in management and business practices.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a conceptual discussion of the serendipity of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices.FindingsThis paper contributes a number of models and a matrix that are introduced to address the underlying criteria of the cause‐effect relationship between leadership effectiveness and organizational achievements.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper challenges the idealistic picture that flourishes in the management literature and in management practice of the direct, positive impact of leadership on prosperous management and business practices. In fact, it reinforces and underpins the critical or sceptical views of leadership effectiveness raised in the literature.Practical implicationsNormally, views of organizational achievements are based on the assumption that contextual, timely and skilful precisions in leadership effectiveness are high. Shareholders and stakeholders may benefit from a thorough examination of these issues in organizational achievements. It would not be surprising to find that leadership effectiveness in management and business practices to a minor or major extent is derived from pure luck and coincidence in contextual and timely precisions: right place, right time. This means that such leadership effectiveness may be based on serendipity rather than skilfulness in terms of organizational achievements.Originality/valueThe authors contend that the term “serendipity” contributes to enhance the ongoing discussion in the literature of the link between leadership effectiveness and organizational achievements. It also provides a fundament of understanding, explanation and prediction of leadership effectiveness in management and business practices.
Contextual implications for transformational and servant leadership
Authors: Humphreys John H. 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine whether there is historical support for the proposal of Smith, Montagno and Kuzmenko that the specific cultures associated with transformational and/or servant leadership would be more or less applicable, based on context. Moreover, its purpose is also to demonstrate that a historical approach can be used effectively to examine such constructs.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a historical examination of the military retreats of Xenophon, a transformational leader, and Chief Joseph, a servant leader, during very similar contextual crises.FindingsGiven similar contexts, the historical record offers support for the proposal of Smithet al.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, the retreats of Xenophon and Chief Joseph were separated by many hundreds of years and miles. Also inherent with this type of methodology is simple disagreement among readers. Although this author finds great similarity in the retreats of Xenophon and Chief Joseph, there are certainly differences that could be scrutinized as well. Moreover, others might be dissatisfied with the selection of Xenophon and Joseph to represent the leadership styles presented, or with the conclusions regarding their effectiveness. Such debate should be encouraged and could provide additional avenues for future research. Further, the current study considered leader effectiveness only as it related to the achievement of the organizational goal(s). It could be that Joseph's cohorts were more satisfied, committed, etc. than were the followers of Xenophon. This line of inquiry should also be pursued.Practical implicationsThis research suggests that transformational leader behavior is likely to be more appropriate during times of significant organizational change.Originality/valueThis is the first study that has examined the speculation of Smithet al.and the first to demonstrate that a historical approach can add to one's understanding of such constructs.