The role of the RecBCD recombination pathway in PilE antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is contentious and appears to be strain dependent. In this study, N. gonorrhoeae strain MS11 recB mutants were assessed for recombination/repair. MS11 recB mutants were found to be highly susceptible to DNA treatments that caused double-chain breaks and were severely impaired for growth; recB growth suppressor mutants arose at high frequencies. When the recombination/repair capacity of strain MS11 was compared to that of strains FA1090 and P9, innate differences were observed between the strains, with FA1090 and P9 rec ؉ bacteria presenting pronounced recombination/repair defects. Consequently, MS11 recB mutants present a more robust phenotype than the other strains that were tested. In addition, MS11 recB mutants are also shown to be defective for pilE/pilS recombination. Moreover, pilE/pilS recombination is shown to proceed with gonococci that carry inverted pilE loci. Consequently, a novel RecBCD-mediated double-chain-break repair model for PilE antigenic variation is proposed.

Brand awareness and brand image influence strategies of distribution channel management, particularly push and pull strategies within the channel. Thus, this research investigates brand awareness and brand image issues within tourism distribution channels. The eight major Australian domestic tour wholesaler brands were measured for the brand awareness of end consumers and travel agents. Also, brand image held in the minds of travel agents was researched. This research demonstrates that a combination of push and pull strategies could be used by domestic tour wholesalers to send appropriate messages to both travel agents and end consumers. This combination may be more effective than either strategy on its own because intangibility, heterogeneity, perishability and ownership issues affect the supply and demand of tourism services.

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