bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of specific SSR marker for Eegenome ofThinopyrumspp. using wheat microsatellites
Authors: Ming-Shan You , Bao-Yun Li , Zhi-Hui Tian , Zhao-Hui Tang , Shou-Bin Liu , Guang-Tian Liu 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWheatgrass,ThinopyrumLöve (ElytrigiaNevski), is one of the most important alien resources for wheat improvement. To determine the transferability of wheat microsatellite primers toThinopyrumspp., 40 wheat microsatellite primer pairs were selected to perform PCR analysis on 17 accessions ofThinopyrumspp. and two common wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Among the 40 primer pairs used, 25 pairs could produce PCR products on all or most of the alien species. Moreover, all of these 25 primer pairs, except Xgwm325, showed polymorphism in theThinopyrumaccessions. In total, 108 alleles were detected by the 25 primer pairs. The number of alleles per primer pair varied from 1 to 8, with an average of 4.3 alleles per primer. Although primer Xgwm325 did not detect polymorphic alleles inThinopyrumspp., it could be used as a specific SSR marker for them. It amplified four specific DNA fragments inThinopyrumspp. of length approximately 1400, 440, 120 and 100 bp. To verify the validity of these molecular markers, a further PCR programme with primer Xgwm325 was conducted on a full set of seven wheat–Thinopyrum elongatumdisomic addition lines and 15 disomic substitution lines. This showed that only the 100-bp fragment appeared in all materials possessing the alien chromosome, indicating that it was a molecular marker for the entire genome ofTh.elongatum, although primer Xgwm325 was specific for chromosome 6D in wheat.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms ofCBF4locus region ofArabidopsis thalianacorrespond to drought tolerance
Authors: Gang-Ping Hao , Zhong-Yi Wu , Mao-Sheng Chen , Ming-Qing Cao , Brunel Dominique , Pelletier Georges , Cong-Lin Huang , Qing Yang 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe levels of drought tolerance and nucleotide polymorphism at theCBF4locus were examined in a world-wide sample of 17 core accessions ofArabidopsis thaliana. The results showed that different accessions exhibited considerable differences in adaptation to drought stress. Compared with Columbia accession, the frequency of nucleotide polymorphism at theCBF4locus of 25av, 203av and 244av accessions, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion/deletion (Indel), was high, on average 1 SNP per 35.8 bp and 1 Indel per 143 bp. No significance in all regions of Tajima'sDtest indicated that the neutral mutation hypothesis could explain the nucleotide polymorphism in thisCBF4gene region. The higher polymorphism was the result of purification selection. Nucleotide polymorphism in the non-coding region was three times higher than in the coding region. This might indicate a recent relaxation of selection pressures on the non-coding region ofCBF4gene. In the coding region ofCBF4, SNP frequency was 1 SNP per 96.4 bp and one non-synonymous mutation was detected from 25av, 203av and 244av accessions: the amino acid variation gly↔val at position 205, caused by the nucleotide variation G↔T at position 1034 (corresponding to the nucleotide at position 19 696 of GenBank accession no. AB015478 as 1). Furthermore, four differential SNPs were discovered in haplotype 6 constituted by 203av, one of them located in the 3′ non-coding region (A↔C at position 1106) and the others in the 5′ non-coding region (A↔G, A↔C and G↔A at positions 27, 129 and 171, respectively). The drought tolerance assay indicated that accession 203av was the best at tolerating water deficiency. We propose that haplotype 6 is consistent with its drought tolerance.
Can developing countries benefit from export promotion?
Authors: Yin Xiangkang , Yin Xiangshuo 
Published: January 2005

PurposeAlthough economic theory generally does not support government intervention in international trade, casual observation shows that many developing countries adopt certain trade policies to promote their exports. The objective of this paper is to answer the question that whether developing countries can benefit from export promotion.Design/methodology/approachThis paper considers a developing country which has to import new technology from the world market to improve its productivity. If it has certain economic rigidities, the country is short of foreign exchange and domestic firms cannot import an adequate amount of new technology. Even if there is no rigidity, domestic firms may not have sufficient incentive to invest in new technology. Therefore, the government can step in to subsidize exports. Through an analytical model, this paper investigates in what conditions the measures of export promotion can stimulate production and employment, and improve efficiency and social welfare.FindingsThis paper analyzes two effects of export promotion: raising the incentive of capital investment and reducing capital goods shortage caused by foreign exchange constraint. These effects might be the economic rationale for developing country governments to promote exports. It is found that export promotion can definitely raise employment and productivity, but whether these measures can stimulate the supply to the domestic market and improve domestic welfare depends on the sufficient and necessary condition given in the paper.Originality/valueEstablishes an analytical model to investigate in what conditions the measures of export promotion such as export subsidies and domestic currency devaluation can stimulate production and employment, and can improve efficiency and social welfare.
Business ethics in TQM
Authors: Svensson Göran , Wood Greg 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe objective of this research is to introduce and describe a conceptual framework of business ethics in TQM.Design/methodology/approachIn order to highlight the concepts proffered, a case study in the Swedish retail industry was conducted. The data that underpin the case illustration have been collected as part of a larger research project in the Swedish retail industry. This paper draws on and reports the findings from one case of the larger research project that has been used in this instance to inform the role of business ethics in TQM. The case illustration is based on a qualitative approach. The data were collected through interviews with leading executives in the corporation,FindingsBoth time and context become crucial parameters to manage the quality and spectrum zones of core values in the marketplace. In fact, the necessary quality management of business operations has to be performed without delay, minimising the damage. Therefore, the importance of business ethics becomes evident in TQM. In the long run, TQM will not succeed in business operations unless business ethics is considered in the core values to support the techniques and tools applied.Research limitations/implicationsThe model has only been tested by relating it to one case in the Swedish retail industry.Practical implicationsTQM is dependent on the contextual and evolutionary issues in the marketplace. Therefore, TQM should be interpreted as a continuous process. The importance of continuously monitoring the spectrum zones and qualities of core values in TQM should not be under‐estimated. Therefore, business ethics should always be present in TQM. Further research would benefit from other case studies of how business ethics benefits TQM. Therefore, the dynamics of business ethics in TQM should be further explored.Originality/valueBusiness ethics needs to be an essential consideration of any TQM process. This paper examines how an organisation can incorporate this task.
Total quality management
Authors: Hoogervorst J.A.P. , Koopman P.L. , van der Flier H. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe core principles of total quality management (TQM) are considered to be incompatible with the traditional mechanistic way of organizing. It is believed that this constitutes a major reason for failed TQM programs: attempting to introduce its principles with the traditional mindset. Additionally, initiatives to change behaviour often fail due to the fact that no concurrent attention is given to the coherence and consistency of those macro‐organizational variables determining behaviour. These two primary reasons for TQM failures are the subject of this discussion.Design/methodology/approachFrom the perspective of TQM, the importance of a human‐centred approach to organizing is argued. The human‐centred approach to organizing fundamentally offers the possibility of aligning human interests with organizational interests. Rather than depersonalisation of work, with the possible danger of alienation, work offers possibilities for self‐realization and self‐development. This is considered to be the most fundamental contribution of TQM. It is thus argued that TQM in its ideal fundamental concept differs from the traditional mechanistic principles by offering genuine possibilities for employee development and self‐realization.FindingsIt is argued that TQM entails a human‐centred approach to organizing which is fundamentally incompatible with traditional mechanistic thinking. Further, the needed focus on employee behaviour requires attention to organizational culture, management practices, and organizational structures and systems, seen as macro variables determining behaviour. Absence of coherence and consistency among these variables when attempting to change behaviour has been argued to be another major source of TQM failures.Originality/valueEstablishing coherence and consistency among the three elements of the behavioural context should thus be a central focus area.
Editorial “Health for all”: an attainable goal or an idealistic dream?
Authors: Marks Ray 
Published: January 2005

PurposeReflects on the prevailing health inequities across the globe and attempts to address some of these global health determinants and related global injustices.Design/methodology/approachSpecifically focuses on potential directives for achieving the lofty goal of “health for all” through improved health promotion efforts.FindingsThe concept of “health for all”, envisages the attainment of a level of health that permits all the people of the world to lead a socially and economically productive life and this goal has been guiding health strategies all over the world for the past two decades. However, in the present day heterogeneous world, where wide disparities in health and social conditions exist between and within countries and regions, achievements in health are disturbingly dissimilar.Originality/valuePresents a health promotion perspective that could advance the ideal of “health for all”.
School‐based health education strategies for the improvement of body image and prevention of eating problems
Authors: O'Dea Jennifer A. 
Published: January 2005

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review current programmes and major issues surrounding preventive interventions for body image and obesity in schools.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was carried out by analysing papers cited in major literature databases from the last 50 years. This review describes and summarises activities from body image programmes and eating disorder prevention programmes in schools and outlines self esteem and media literacy approaches that have produced positive results in some large, randomised and controlled interventions.FindingsA total of 21 programmes met the inclusion criteria. Of these, four included males and 17 reported at least one improvement in knowledge, beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. The most effective programmes were interactive, involved parents, built self esteem and provided media literacy.Practical implicationsBody image concerns, eating problems and obesity among children and adolescents are becoming increasingly targeted for preventive health education and health promotion programmes. The role of health educators is complicated because of legitimate concerns that we must “do no harm” in our efforts to ameliorate both issues in schools. Health educators need to be careful to ensure that the implementation of programmes for the prevention of child obesity do not inadvertently create food concerns, body image issues, weight stigma, prejudice or eating disorders. Similarly, eating disorder prevention programmes must take care both not to condone obesity nor to glamorise or normalise dieting or disordered eating.Originality/valueThis paper provides health educators with an overview of important issues and suitable strategies to consider when implementing programmes for body image improvement and the prevention of eating problems and childhood obesity.
Prevention work with children disaffected from school
Authors: Gray Paul , Seddon Toby 
Published: January 2005

PurposeTo report on findings from the evaluation of two innovative community‐based prevention projects in the UK targeted at children disaffected from school, one involving football the other horticulture.Design/methodology/approachQualitative inquiry focusing on three areas: “theories of change” underpinning the projects; referral and operational processes; inter‐agency partnerships. Main methods were: an interactive event for 50 practitioners; semi‐structured interviews with project staff, project participants and other stakeholders; review of project documentation; observations.FindingsBoth the projects evaluated had clear and plausible “theories of change”. Referral processes were effective. Strong variations in “dosage” and length of project involvement appeared to be linked to differences in the effectiveness of the two projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe principal limitation to the research was the lack of case monitoring and outcome data that prevented any quantitative assessment of the projects. Further research is needed to establish the long‐term impact of this kind of targeted prevention work.Practical implicationsPrevention work targeted at children disaffected from school needs to be underpinned by clear “theories of change”. Effective work requires good relationships with referring schools, the delivery of multi‐faceted interventions and interventions to be of an adequate length.Originality/valueThe focus on “theories of change” or mechanisms is an original contribution to the prevention literature. The paper will be valuable for those working in drug action teams and local authorities in planning prevention work for young people. The two projects were highly innovative in involving pupils in two very different activities – football and horticulture.
The synergism of teleworking and information and communication technologies
Authors: Pérez Pérez Manuela , Martínez Sánchez Angel , de Luis Carnicer Pilar , José Vela Jiménez María 
Published: January 2005

PurposeAims to contribute to the teleworking literature by analysing the differences between teleworking adopters and non‐adopters regarding the use and impact of information and communication technologies.Design/methodology/aproachAnalyses the differences on the use and impact of information and communication technologies in a sample of Spanish companies. The data for the study come from a survey of a representative sample of 479 small and medium sized companies located in Galicia, a Spanish region in the northwest of the country. The data were obtained through interviews with the company managers (CEO, systems information manager, or technology manager) between May and October of 2003FindingsThe results indicate that teleworking companies have adopted more equipment (per company and per employee), and the differences are statistically significant for all type of information equipment but personal computers. Although there is a positive correlation between the number of equipment and firm size (number of employees), there are not statistically significant differences of firm size between teleworking adopters and non adopters. Firm size is not an explanatory variable of equipment use in the adopter companies.Originality/valueContributes to the teleworking literature by analysing the differences between teleworking adopters and non adopters regarding the use and impact of information and communication technologies
Stability of mutant serpin/furin complexes: Dependence on pH and regulation at the deacylation step
Authors: Dufour Erick K. , Désilets Antoine , Longpré Jean‐Michel , Leduc Richard 
Published: January 2005

AbstractFurin proteolytically cleaves a wide variety of proprotein substrates mainly within the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) but also at the cell membrane and in endosomal compartments where pH is more acidic. Incorporation of furin recognition sequences within the reactive site loop (RSL) of α1‐antitrypsin (AT) leads to the production of furin inhibitors. In an attempt to design more stable, potent, and specific serpin‐based inhibitors, we constructed a series of AT and α1‐antichymotrypsin (ACT) mutants by modifying the P7–P1 region of their RSLs. The biochemical properties of these variants were assessed by evaluating their propensity to establish SDS‐resistant complexes with furin in a variety of conditions (pH 6.0–9.0) and by measuring their association rate constants. The effect of pH during the initial steps of complex formation was minimal, suggesting that the acylation step is not rate‐limiting. The decrease in stoichiometry of inhibition (SI) values observed in AT variants at high pHs was a result of the reduced pH‐dependent deacylation rate, which is rate‐limiting in this mechanism and which suggests increased complex stability. Conversely, the SI values for ACT mutants had a tendency to be lower at acidic pH. Transiently transfecting HEK293 cells with these mutants abolished processing of the pro‐von Willebrand factor precursor but, interestingly, only the ACT variants were secreted in the media as uncleaved forms. Our results suggest that reengineering the reactive site loops of serpins to accommodate and target furin or other serine proteases must take into account the intrinsic physicochemical properties of the serpin.
Identifying Plasmodium falciparum cytoadherence‐linked asexual protein 3 (CLAG 3) sequences that specifically bind to C32 cells and erythrocytes
Authors: Ocampo Marisol , Rodríguez Luis E. , Curtidor Hernando , Puentes Álvaro , Vera Ricardo , Valbuena John J. , López Ramses , García Javier E. , Ramírez Luis E. , Torres Elizabeth , Cortes Jimena , Tovar Diana , López Yolanda , Patarroyo Manuel A. , Patarroyo Manuel E. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAdhesion of mature asexual stage Plasmodium falciparum parasite‐infected erythrocytes (iRBC) to the vascular endothelium is a critical event in the pathology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. It has been suggested that the clag gene family is essential in cytoadherence to endothelial receptors. Primers used in PCR and RT‐PCR assays allowed us to determine that the gene encoding CLAG 3 (GenBank accession no. NP_473155) is transcribed in the Plasmodium falciparum FCB2 strain. Western blot showed that antisera produced against polymerized synthetic peptides from this protein recognized a 142‐kDa band in P. falciparum schizont lysate. Seventy‐one 20‐amino‐acid‐long nonoverlapping peptides, spanning the CLAG 3 (cytoadherence‐linked asexual protein on chromosome 3) sequence were tested in C32 cell and erythrocyte binding assays. Twelve CLAG peptides specifically bound to C32 cells (which mainly express CD36) with high affinity, hereafter referred to as high‐affinity binding peptides (HABPs). Five of them also bound to erythrocytes. HABP binding to C32 cells and erythrocytes was independent of peptide charge or peptide structure. Affinity constants were between 100 nM and 800 nM. Cross‐linking and SDS‐PAGE analysis allowed two erythrocyte binding proteins of around 26 kDa and 59 kDa to be identified, while proteins of around 53 kDa were identified as possible receptor sites for C‐32 cells. The HABPs' role in Plasmodium falciparum invasion inhibition was determined. Such an approach analyzing various CLAG 3 regions may elucidate their functions and may help in the search for new antigens important for developing antimalarial vaccines.
Improving the alkalophilic performances of the Xyl1 xylanase from Streptomyces sp. S38: Structural comparison and mutational analysis
Authors: De Lemos Esteves Frédéric , Gouders Thierry , Lamotte‐Brasseur Josette , Rigali Sébastien , Frère Jean‐Marie 
Published: January 2005

AbstractEndo‐β‐1,4‐xylanases of the family 11 glycosyl‐hydrolases are catalytically active over a wide range of pH. Xyl1 from Streptomyces sp. S38 belongs to this family, and its optimum pH for enzymatic activity is 6. Xyn11 from Bacillus agaradhaerens and XylJ from Bacillus sp. 41M‐1 share 85% sequence identity and have been described as highly alkalophilic enzymes. In an attempt to better understand the alkalophilic adaptation of xylanases, the three‐dimensional structures of Xyn11 and Xyl1 were compared. This comparison highlighted an increased number of salt‐bridges and the presence of more charged residues in the catalytic cleft as well as an eight‐residue‐longer loop in the alkalophilic xylanase Xyn11. Some of these charges were introduced in the structure of Xyl1 by site‐directed mutagenesis with substitutions Y16D, S18E, G50R, N92D, A135Q, E139K, and Y186E. Furthermore, the eight additional loop residues of Xyn11 were introduced in the homologous loop of Xyl1. In addition, the coding sequence of the XylJ catalytic domain was synthesized by recursive PCR, expressed in a Streptomyces host, purified, and characterized together with the Xyl1 mutants. The Y186E substitution inactivated Xyl1, but the activity was restored when this mutation was combined with the G50R or S18E substitutions. Interestingly, the E139K mutation raised the optimum pH of Xyl1 from 6 to 7.5 but had no effect when combined with the N92D substitution. Modeling studies identified the possible formation of an interaction between the introduced lysine and the substrate, which could be eliminated by the formation of a putative salt‐bridge in the N92D/E139K mutant.