Integration of distributed terminology resources to facilitate subject cross-browsing for library portal systems

With the increase in the number of distributed library information resources, users may have to interact with different user interfaces, learn to switch their mental models between these interfaces, and familiarise themselves with controlled vocabularies used by different resources. For this reason, library professionals have developed library portals to integrate these distributed information resources, and assist end-users in cross-accessing distributed resources via a single access point in their own library. There are two important subject-based services that a library portal system might be able to provide. The first is a federated search service, which refers to a process where a user can input a query to cross-search a number of information resources. The second is a subject cross-browsing service, which can offer a knowledge navigation tree to link subject schemes used by distributed resources. However, the development of subject cross-searching and browsing services has been impeded by the heterogeneity of different KOS (Knowledge Organisation System) used by different information resources. Due to the lack of mappings between different KOS, it is impossible to offer a subject cross-browsing service for a library portal system. [Continues.

Integration of distributed terminology resources to facilitate subject cross-browsing for library portal systems

Purpose – The paper aims to develop a prototype middleware framework between different terminology resources in order to provide a subject cross-browsing service for library portal systems. Design/methodology/approach – Nine terminology experts were interviewed to collect appropriate knowledge to support the development of a theoretical framework for the research. Based on this, a simplified software-based prototype system was constructed incorporating the knowledge acquired. The prototype involved mappings between the computer science schedule of the Dewey Decimal Classification (which acted as a spine) and two controlled vocabularies, UKAT and ACM Computing Classification. Subsequently, six further experts in the field were invited to evaluate the prototype system and provide feedback to improve the framework. Findings – The major findings showed that, given the large variety of terminology resources distributed throughout the web, the proposed middleware service is essential to integrate technically and semantically the different terminology resources in order to facilitate subject cross-browsing. A set of recommendations are also made, outlining the important approaches and features that support such a cross-browsing middleware service. Originality/value – Cross-browsing features are lacking in current library portal meta-search systems. Users are therefore deprived of this valuable retrieval provision. This research investigated the case for such a system and developed a prototype to fill this gap

A biological product of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 strain for promoting banana plant growth and modifying rhizosphere soil microbial diversity and community composition

IntroductionBananas are not only an important food crop for developing countries but also a major trading fruit for tropical and semitropical regions, maintaining a huge trade volume. Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense is becoming a serious challenge to the banana industry globally. Biological control has the potential to offer both effective and sustainable measures for this soil-borne disease.MethodsIn order to explore the biocontrol effects of the biological agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 strain on banana plants, two cultivars, Brazilian and Yunjiao No. 1, with varied resistance to FWB, were used in greenhouse pot experiments.ResultsResults showed that the plant height and pseudostem diameter of banana-susceptible cultivar Brazilian increased by 11.68% and 11.94%, respectively, after QST713 application, while the plant height and pseudostem diameter of resistant cultivar Yunjiao No. 1 increased by 14.87% and 12.51%, respectively. The fresh weight of the two cultivars increased by 20.66% and 36.68%, respectively, indicating that this biological agent has potential effects on plant growth. Analysis of the rhizosphere soil microbial communities of two different cultivars of banana plants showed that TR4 infection and B. amyloliquefaciens QST713 strain application significantly affected the bacterial and fungal diversity of Yunjiao No. 1, but not in the cultivar Brazilian. In addition, TR4 infection and QST713 application changed the bacterial community composition of both banana cultivars, and the fungal community composition of Yunjiao No. 1 also changed significantly. Relevance analysis indicated that the relative richness of Bacillus and Pseudomonas in the rhizosphere of both cultivars increased significantly after QST713 application, which had a good positive correlation with plant height, pseudostem girth, aboveground fresh weight, leaf length, and leaf width.DiscussionTherefore, the outcome of this study suggests that the biological agent QST713 strain has potential application in banana production for promoting plant growth and modification of soil microbial communities, particularly in the TR4-infected field

Integration of distributed terminology resources to facilitate subject cross-browsing for library portal systems

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Integration of distributed terminology resources to facilitate subject cross‐browsing for library portal systems

This article was published in Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives [© Emerald Group Publishing Limited] and the definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1108/00012531011074663Purpose – The paper aims to develop a prototype middleware framework between different terminology resources in order to provide a subject cross-browsing service for library portal systems. Design/methodology/approach – Nine terminology experts were interviewed to collect appropriate knowledge to support the development of a theoretical framework for the research. Based on this, a simplified software-based prototype system was constructed incorporating the knowledge acquired. The prototype involved mappings between the computer science schedule of the Dewey Decimal Classification (which acted as a spine) and two controlled vocabularies, UKAT and ACM Computing Classification. Subsequently, six further experts in the field were invited to evaluate the prototype system and provide feedback to improve the framework. Findings – The major findings showed that, given the large variety of terminology resources distributed throughout the web, the proposed middleware service is essential to integrate technically and semantically the different terminology resources in order to facilitate subject cross-browsing. A set of recommendations are also made, outlining the important approaches and features that support such a cross-browsing middleware service. Originality/value – Cross-browsing features are lacking in current library portal meta-search systems. Users are therefore deprived of this valuable retrieval provision. This research investigated the case for such a system and developed a prototype to fill this gap

Distinct N7-methylguanosine profiles of circular RNAs in drug-resistant acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Post-transcriptional methylation modifications, such as the N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification, are increasingly acknowledged for their role in the development and resistance to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study employed MeRIP-seq technology to investigate the m7G sites within circular RNAs (circRNAs) derived from human AML cells and drug-resistant AML cells, in order to identify these sites more comprehensively. In addition, a detailed analysis of the relationship between m7G and drug-resistant AML was conducted. The bioinformatics analysis was utilized to predict the functions of specific methylated transcripts. The findings revealed a significant difference in m7G level between AML cells and drug-resistant AML cells, suggesting a potentially critical role of m7G in circRNAs in drug-resistant AML development. The methylation of M7G could affect the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression during the development of AML resistance, which could further influence the regulation of resistance-associated target genes in AML. Furthermore, gene ontology analysis indicated that the distinct distribution pattern of circRNAs with m7G methylation in drug-resistant AML cells was correlated with metabolism-related pathways. These results suggested a potential association between drug-resistant AML and m7G methylation of circRNAs. Moreover, the results revealed a novel role of m7G RNA methylation in circRNAs in the progression of AML chemoresistance

Natural Frequency of Coal: Mathematical Model, Test, and Analysis on Influencing Factors

The difficulty in enhancing the low permeability of deep coal seams is the key problem restricting gas extraction. The technology of coal rock resonance and permeability enhancement excited by vibration wave is hailed as a new technology to enhance coal seam permeability. In particular, the effect of resonance and permeability enhancement is remarkable when the excitation frequency is exactly the same as the natural frequency of coal. In order to promote the application of the technology, the first step is to explore the variation characteristics of coal natural frequency and its influencing factors. In this study, two mathematical models of coal natural frequency were established, and the variations and influencing factors of coal natural frequency were discussed through an experiment on the natural frequency of coal. The results show that coal vibration has multiorder natural frequency which grows with the increase of the order. In addition, the natural frequency of coal is closely related to its elastic modulus, density, size, mass, stiffness, and other physical and mechanical parameters. The larger the coal size and mass are, the lower the natural frequency would be. The natural frequency parallel to the bedding plane is higher than that perpendicular to the bedding plane. For the saturated coal sample, moisture changes its density and reduces its elastic modulus. Consequently, its natural frequency is lower than that of the dried coal sample. The difference of organic matter and mineral content coal of different rank affects the physical and mechanical properties of coal, which leads to the difference in natural frequency of different-rank coals. The natural frequencies of different-rank coal show bituminous > anthracite > lignite. The natural frequencies of coal samples under different influencing factors are all tens of Hz. Thus, the vibration excitation of coal under the low-frequency condition is the focus of future research. The study can provide a theoretical basis for the technology of coal resonance and permeability enhancement excited by vibration wave

TFIIB-related factor 2 over expression is a prognosis marker for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer correlated with tumor angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine BRF2 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the relationship of BRF2 protein with clinicopathologic factors, tumor angiogenesis and prognosis. METHODS: Both BRF2 protein and intratumoral microvessels were examined by immunohistochemical staining in 107 non-small cell lung cancer patients. Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) was measured by counting CD-34 positive immunostained endothelial cells. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses were utilized to investigate the BRF2 expression status in tissues. RESULTS: A notably higher level of BRF2 expression was found in NSCLC tissues at protein levels. In addition, univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that BRF2 protein over-expression and high MVD were significantly associated with tumor relapse. Although BRF2 overexpression and high MVD indicated poor 5-year overall survival (p = 0.004 and p = 0.019, respectively), multivariate analysis demonstrated that only BRF2 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor for unfavorable overall survival (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: BRF2 is a promising biomarker to identify individuals with poor prognostic potential and a possible target for anti-angiogenic therapy for patients with early-stage NSCLC