I. FOREWORD

 


The working research information here is shared with the understanding that each item is unpublished and is not to be cited in publications without specific consent of the author. The Maize Genetics Cooperation News Letter, in common with other research newsletters, "is particularly suitable for information not usually suitable for scientific journals: continuing updating of gene symbols and nomenclature, location of mutants, strains and stocks, . . . Short technical notes, short research findings, observations, new ideas and compilations of data . . . " (H. V. Wyatt, 1986). Sharing these things here, we contribute to the advancement of biology and to the power of shared technical knowledge.

Information here is in the form of "notes" and is not "published" in the sense used by some refereed journals, which require that there has been no prior publication. Because cooperators have reported experiencing some difficulties with journals on this, I would like to offer the following suggestions to ensure against misunderstanding of our News Letter:

1) In publications, refer to MNL notes in the text, never in the bibliography. Specify "unpublished data", or "personal communication" (i.e., with the colleague's consent). The volume and page numbers might be given, as an aid to the reader.

2) Emphasize, in preparing your MNL notes, brief technical notes, updates, mutants, mapping data, and the like. Avoid presenting comprehensive material and analyses that are better directed to formal publication.

3) Never refer to MNL notes as "published".

4) If challenged, forward these comments as a statement of the purpose, intent, and policy of the cooperators who contribute to this News Letter.
 
 

Because so many cooperators helpfully supply their material in electronic form, we are able to concentrate more now on updating, summarization, and compilations. Both Zealand 1990 and the Symbol Index reflect this concentration.

Gifts to the Endowment Fund for support of the News Letter total over $63,000. Please see the listing, in the front of this issue, of donors whose generosity has made this total. We are all grateful for the support of our colleagues and of organizations with which we have common interests. Part of our support also comes from the National Science Foundation, from the Integrated Mapping Project.

A warm acknowledgement for advice and ideas is given to my colleagues, Shiaoman Chao, Diego Gonzalez de Leon, and Dave Hoisington. Dave originated the foundation for the refined gene list and linkage maps in this issue. Diego's help this year with computer trickery, copy refinement, and composition was invaluable. Their participation makes the editing work feasible and efficient.

Shirley Kowalewski not only cajoled the word-processor, edited the copy, and screened the year's literature, but also gave special creative advice at critical moments. Mary Ann Steyaert booked addresses and subscriptions through the year, and artfully prepared the mockup. Randall Grogan swiftly and efficiently set up our computer system. Denis Hancock lashed our computers when needed. Chris Browne kept research materials going and helped with vital tasks. Rosalind Richards ensured that office and secretarial needs were efficiently met. Ray Baxter, Ann Blakey, Jack Gardiner, Chang-deok Han, Susan Melia-Hancock, Masumi Katsuta, Elizabeth Lee, and Madhavi Reddy helped with proofing of copy and with library work. At University Printing Services, Yvonne Ball and Dale Kennedy and their staff again efficiently and carefully made sure that the job was done promptly and well.

Included in this issue are systematic organelle maps, once again generously volunteered by Steven Rodermel and Lawrence Bogorad and by Christiane Fauron. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

For submission of notes for the next issue (Number 65, 1991), please see details inside the back cover.

If you wish to subscribe to this News Letter please use the form in the back of this issue. Gifts to the Endowment Fund, toward our goal of $100,000, will be very much appreciated.
 


Ed Coe


Please Note: Notes submitted to the Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter may be cited only with consent of the authors

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