Showing papers by "University College Cork published in 1994"

Accounting, “economic citizenship” and the spatial reordering of manufacture☆

Abstract: This paper addresses the roles of accounting within one of the most extensive programs of advanced manufacture undertaken by an American corporation. Three distinct levels of analysis are pursued: firstly, the profound alterations that were to be effected in the identity and mode of operation of a key assembly plant, and in the ordering of its manufacturing spaces, as diverse calculative and managerial expertises were brought into complex and tentative alignments within a factory modernization process; secondly, the hopes and ideals for advanced manufacture and for American competitiveness that were to be constituted and made operable within this process; and thirdly, the links formed between this ambitious program of plant renewal and the various appeals to a “new economic citizenship” that have become prevalent in debates on advanced manufacture. By focusing on the relays and interconnections between these three levels of analysis, and the shifting ensembles thus formed, we are able to explore the dynamics of a specific attempt to govern the economic and personal dimensions of an enterprise. The concern is with all of those programs and technologies, including accounting, which seek to act upon and to transform the conduct of manufacture and the conduct of persons in a certain way. For it is, we argue, through such interventions that a new mode of seeking to govern economic life is set in place. And it is through such means that a novel type of economic citizen is called upon to play a new set of roles within the enterprise and within the nation.

Clinical characteristics of a family with chromosome 17‐linked disinhibition‐dementia‐ parkinsonism‐amyotrophy complex

Abstract: We studied the clinical features, pathology, and molecular genetics of a family (Mo) with an autosomal dominant disinhibition, frontal lobe dementia, parkinsonism, and amyotrophy. We examined seven affected members and gathered clinical information on another six. The mean onset was at age 45 years. Personality and behavioral changes (disinhibition, withdrawal, alcoholism, hyperphagia) were the first symptoms in twelve. There was early memory loss, anomia, and poor construction with preservation until late of orientation, speech, and calculations. All affected members examined had rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Mean duration to death was 13 years. We studied the neuropathology of six individuals, five of whom had been examined in life. There was atrophy and spongiform change in the frontotemporal cortex, and neuronal loss and gliosis in the substantia nigra and amygdala. Two individuals, including one with fasciculations and muscle wasting, had anterior horn cell loss. There were no Lewy bodies, neurofibrillary tangles, or amyloid plaques. We call this disorder the "disinhibition-dementia-parkinsonism-amyotrophy complex" (DDPAC), based on the clinical syndrome found in this family and linkage to chromosome 17.

Swift-Hohenberg equation for lasers.

Abstract: Pattern formation in large aspect ratio, single longitudinal mode, two-level lasers with flat end reflectors, operating near peak gain, is shown to be described by a complex Swift-Hohenberg equation for class A and C lasers and by a complex Swift-Hohenberg equation coupled to a mean flow for the case of a class B laser.

Vitamin E and meat quality.

Abstract: Lipid oxidation is a major cause of deterioration in the quality of muscle foods. Oxidation leads to the production of off-flavours and odours, reduction of polyunsatu- rated fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins and pigments, lower consumer acceptability, and the production of compounds such as peroxides and aldehydes which may be toxic. Lipid oxidation is a free-radical-mediated process which occurs in raw muscle, and especially in cooked muscle. The process is believed to be initiated at the membrane level owing to the oxidation of the highly unsaturated membrane lipids. Modern trends towards convenience foods have resulted in an increase in the production of precooked and restructured meat products which are very susceptible to lipid oxidation. In addition, dietary recommendations favouring the consumption of less saturated fat have led to an increase in demand for foods containing higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids. However, such foods are very susceptible to peroxidation, and present the food technologist with new challenges.

Autolysis and proteolysis in different strains of starter bacteria during Cheddar cheese ripening

Abstract: Autolysis of and proteolysis by various Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains were monitored in cheese ‘juice’ extracted by hydraulic pressure up to 63 d ripening. Viability was lowest for strain AM2 (non-bitter), intermediate for strain HP (bitter) and highest for the defined mixed strains G11/C25 (non-bitter). Autolysis monitored by the levels of the intracellular marker enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) and post-proline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase proceeded in the order AM2 > G11/C25 > HP. Differences in autolysis between strains did not appear to be due to differences in stabilities of the marker enzymes, populations of non-starter lactic acid bacteria or levels of the marker enzymes in the strains. Proteolysis, as measured by gel permeation FPLC and free amino acid analysis of the cheese juice was highest for AM2, intermediate for G11/C25 and lowest for HP. The results of this study provided some evidence that different Lactococcus strains used for cheesemaking had different autolytic patterns during ripening, the effects of which on ripening and flavour development have not yet been clearly demonstrated.

Divergent lineages for oligodendrocytes and astrocytes originating in the neonatal forebrain subventricular zone.

Abstract: Although previous studies have revealed that the prenatal rat ventricular zone contains separate progenitor cells for neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes during the development of the cerebral cortex as early as the beginning of neurogenesis (Luskin et al., 1993; Grove et al., 1993), it is still unclear whether there are bipotential progenitor cells in the neonatal telencephalic subventricular zone which give rise to both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes during the peak of gliogenesis. To investigate this possibility, discrete groups of clonally related cells, generated by infecting progenitor cells of the neonatal subventricular zone with a retroviral lineage tracer, were analyzed ultrastructurally. An intracerebral injection of retrovirus encoding the reporter gene E. coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ) was made into the subventricular zone of newborn rats. Two weeks later their brains were perfused, sectioned, and histochemically reacted with X-Gal to identify at the light microscopic level clones of lacZ-positive cells. The sections were processed for electron microscopy to enable the identity of clonally related cells to be assessed at the ultrastructural level. All of the clones analyzed contained cells of the same phenotype and could be divided into four distinct types: immature cell clones situated in the subependymal zone surrounding the lateral ventricle, oligodendrocytes clones, and white or gray matter astrocyte clones. Not all of the cells in every clone displayed ultrastructural features of a mature cell. Rather, in some glial clones the lacZ-positive cells appeared to be at different stages of differentiation. However, we never encountered clones which contained both macroglial subtypes or clones containing neurons. Although the existence of bipotential progenitor cells cannot be completely dismissed, our results indicate the absence of progenitor cells in vivo in the neonatal subventricular zone which divide and generate astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Consumption of thermally-oxidized sunflower oil by chicks reduces α-tocopherol status and increases susceptibility of tissues to lipid oxidation

Abstract: The effect of heated sunflower oil consumption on alpha-tocopherol status, fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of chicken tissues was investigated. Chicks were fed on diets containing (g/kg): fresh sunflower oil (FSO) 40, heated sunflower oil (HSO) 40 or heated sunflower oil (40) supplemented with alpha-tocopheryl acetate (HSE) to a similar alpha-tocopherol concentration as the FSO diet. Concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in tissues of chicks fed on HSO and HSE were significantly lower than those of chicks fed on FSO. Significant correlations were observed between plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration and the alpha-tocopherol concentrations of other tissues (r > or = 0.67, P < 0.005) and between log plasma alpha-tocopherol and plasma thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) concentrations (r -0.851, P < 0.001). The concentrations of TBARS in tissues of chicks fed on the various diets were generally very similar before stimulation of peroxidation with Fe-ascorbate. Susceptibility of tissues to Fe-ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation was increased by feeding HSO. Supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate reduced susceptibility to lipid oxidation to varying degrees, depending on the tissue. The results suggest that chronic ingestion of oxidized lipids may compromise free-radical-scavenging activity in vivo by depleting alpha-tocopherol in the gastrointestinal tract, or possibly in plasma and other tissues.

A transfer of self-discrimination response functions through equivalence relations.

Abstract: The present study tested the idea that human self-discrimination response functions may transfer through equivalence relations Four subjects were trained in six symbolic matching-to-sample tasks (if see A1, choose B1; A1-C1, A2-B2, A2-C2, A3-B3, A3-C3) and were then tested for the formation of three equivalence relations (B1-C1, B2-C2, B3-C3) Two of the B stimuli (B1 and B2) were then used to train two different self-discrimination responses using either detailed instructions (Subjects 1 to 3) or minimal instructions (Subject 4) on two complex schedules of reinforcement (ie, subjects were trained to pick the B1 stimulus if they had not emitted a response, and to pick the B2 stimulus if they had emitted one or more responses on the previous schedule) All 4 subjects showed the predicted transfer of self-discrimination response functions through equivalence relations (ie, no response on the schedule, pick C1; one or more responses on the schedule, pick C2) Subjects also demonstrated this transfer when they were required to discriminate their schedule performance before exposure to the schedule (ie, "what I intend to do") Four control subjects were also used in the study Two of these (Subjects 5 and 6) were not exposed to any form of matching-to-sample training and testing (nonequivalence controls) The 2 remaining subjects (7 and 8) were exposed to matching-to-sample training and testing that incorporated stimuli not used during the transfer test; C1 and C2 were replaced by N1 and N2 during the matching-to-sample training and testing, but C1 and C2 were used for the transfer tests (equivalence controls) All 4 subjects failed to produce the self-discrimination transfer performances observed with the experimental subjects

The Behavior of Bacteria Designed for Biodegradation

Abstract: Mineralization of organic molecules by microbes is essential for the carbon cycle to operate. The massive mobilization of compounds stored in natural resources, or the introduction of xenobiotics into the biosphere, leads to unidirectional fluxes, which result in the persistance of a number of chemicals in the biosphere, and thus constitute a source of pollution. Molecular biology offers the tools to optimize the biodegradative capacities of microorganisms, accelerate the evolution of "new" activities, and construct totally "new" pathways through the assemblage of catabolic segments from different microbes. Although the number of genetically engineered microbes (GEMs) for potential use in biodegradation is not large, these recombinant microbes function in microcosms according to their design. The survival and fate of recombinant microbes in different ecological niches under laboratory conditions is similar to what has been observed for the unmodified parental strains. rDNA, both on plasmids and on the host chromosome, is usually stably inherited by GEMs. The potential lateral transfer of rDNA from the GEMs to other microbes is significantly diminished, though not totally inhibited, when rDNA is incorporated on the host chromosome. The behavior and fate of GEMs can be predicted more accurately through the coupling of regulatory circuits that control the expression of catabolic pathways to killing genes, so that the GEMs survive in polluted environments, but die when the target chemical is eliminated.

Detection of a novel common mutation in the ryanodine receptor gene in malignant hyperthermia: implications for diagnosis and heterogeneity studies

Abstract: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal autosomal dominant disorder of skeletal muscle and is triggered in susceptible people by all commonly used inhalational anaesthetics. To date, the ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) has been shown to be mutated in a small number of malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) cases. To determine if a common RYR1 mutation exists that might account for a significant number of MHS cases, we have investigated the RYR1 gene in unrelated patients for the presence of new mutations by the single-stranded conformation polymorphism method and have identified a novel Gly341 Arg mutation which accounts for approximately 10% of Caucasian MHS cases. The implications of this common mutation in MHS diagnosis and heterogeneity studies are discussed

Molecular characterization of lactococcal bacteriophage Tuc2009 and identification and analysis of genes encoding lysin, a putative holin, and two structural proteins.

Abstract: Bacteriophage Tuc2009 is a temperate bacteriophage with a small isometric head and is isolated from Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris UC509. The phage genome is packaged by a headful mechanism, giving rise to circularly permuted molecules with terminal redundancy. The unit genome size is approximately 39 kb. A map of the phage genome on which several determinants could be localized was constructed: pac, the site of initiation of DNA packaging; lys (1,287 bp), specifying the phage lysin; S (267 bp), specifying a putative holin; and mp1 (522 bp) and mp2 (498 bp), each specifying one of the phage's structural proteins. lys, S, mp1, and mp2 were further characterized. lys and S are partially overlapping and appear to be part of one operon. The lysin shows homology to the lysins of the Streptococcus pneumoniae phages Cp-9, Cp-1, and Cp-7. The putative holin, which is thought to be involved in the release of lysin from the cytoplasm, contains two strongly hydrophobic presumptive transmembrane domains and a highly charged C-terminal domain.

Influence of diet on lipid oxidation and membrane structure in porcine muscle microsomes

Abstract: The effect of oxidized dietary lipid (corn oil) and dietary vitamin E (α-tocopherol) on the fluidity of porcine muscle microsomal membranes was investigated. Using the membrane probe diphenylhexatriene, fluorescence anisotropy measurements showed that microsomal membrane fluidity decreased during FeCl 2 -induced lipid peroxidation. Microsomes from pigs fed an α-tocopherol-supplemented diet (200 mg of α-tocopheryl acetate/kg of diet) were significantly less susceptible (P<0.05) TO FECL 2 -induced lipid peroxidation and to changes in membrane fluidity compared to muscle microsomes from pigs fed a basal diet (10 mg/kg of diet)

Reading Cournot, Reading Nash: The Creation and Stabilisation of the Nash Equilibrium

Abstract: The concept of the Cournot-Nash equilibrium is central to noncooperative game theory and the latter's use in macroeconomic theory. This paper considers the creation of this theoretical construct, examining the separate contributions of both Cournot and Nash, and showing how the two were ultimately joined together in the eyes of contemporary economic theorists. Rather than simply showing how Cournot served as a precursor to Nash, the author challenges the traditional approach and emphasizes the shifts in interpretation of their respective contributions. In so doing, he addresses some pertinent questions about the manner in which economic theorists view the evolution of their own discipline. Copyright 1994 by Royal Economic Society.

Hunt versus Anderson: Round 16

Abstract: Argues that the philosophical debate in marketing, led by Shelby Hunt and Paul Anderson, is no longer providing new insights and is symptomatic of the anthropocentrism of the social sciences. This anthropocentrism has had consequent implications for meta‐theoretical frameworks that describe the field and has limited the breadth of philosophical discussion in marketing. Also argues that this discussion should now move beyond the subject‐object debate and identifies writers who have variously tried to transcend the paradigm. Argues that the debate should move from epistemological to ontological and metaphysical issues and that marketing′s philosophical discussion should also be broadened to include debate on aesthetics, theology and technology.

Interrelationships between pollutant concentration, extent of adsorption, TiO2-sensitized removal, photon flux and levels of electron or hole trapping additives 1. aqueous monochlorophenol—TiO2(P25) suspensions

Abstract: Results are presented for the equilibrium extent of dark adsorption and the initial rates of TiO2(P25)-sensitized photocatalytic decomposition (PCD) for monochlorophenols (Cp) in aqueous suspension at various initial concentrations. When a high flux (2×1018 min−1 per 30 ml of suspension) of photons at 365±10 nm was used, a zero-order dependence of PCD on eq[4-Cp]aq was observed, allied to a low apparent efficiency. Apparent efficiencies were much higher under a much lower UV flux (1.7×1016 min−1) and the dependence of the initial rate on eq[4-Cp]aq then resembled that frequently associated with a Langmuir—Hinshelwood-type saturation. However, the equilibrium extent of dark adsorption of the monochlorophenols onto TiO2 determined experimentally was very small at eq[Cp]aq⩽100 ppm, above which it increased slowly in a manner consistent with an adsorption isotherm of the multilayer type. Additions of Ag+ to the suspension greatly increased the inital PCD rates and the apparent efficiency attainable with a high photon flux, such increases being consistent with decreased hole—electron recombination due to electron localization on the adsorbed Ag+. Results are also reported from the competition-type kinetic experiments at moderate intensities in which 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (CHBzA), isopropanol or furfuryl alcohol were added to the suspensions to compete against 4-Cp for holes and/or OH. radicals photogenerated at the TiO2—aqueous solution interface. These results cannot be rationalized solely in terms of hole scavenging by well-adsorbed CHBzA or of homogeneous scavenging of OH. radicals by alcohols in the bulk aqueous phase.

Transverse modes and patterns of electrically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor lasers

Abstract: Generation of high-order transverse modes and patterns in electrically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting semiconductor lasers (VCSELs) has been investigated experimentally. Both Gauss-Hermite modes and Gauss-Laguerre modes have been observed in large-aperture VCSELs operated well above threshold. The experiments show that these spatial patterns can be controlled by external light injection.

The importance of fixation procedures on DNA template and its suitability for solution-phase polymerase chain reaction and PCR in situ hybridization

Abstract: Conventional solution-phase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ PCR/PCR in situ hybridization are powerful tools for retrospective analysis of fixed paraffin wax-embedded material. Amplification failure using these techniques is now encountered in some centres using archival fixed tissues. Such 'failures' may not only be due to absent target DNA sequences in the tissues, but may be a direct effect of the type of fixative, fixation time and/or fixation temperature used. The type of nucleic acid extraction procedure applied will also influence amplification results. This is particularly true with in situ PCR/PCR in situ hybridization. To examine these effects in solution-phase PCR, beta-globin gene was amplified in 100 mg pieces of tonsillar tissue fixed in Formal saline, 10% formalin, neutral buffered formaldehyde, Carnoy's Bouin's, buffered formaldehyde sublimate, Zenker's, Helly's and glutaraldehyde at 0 to 4 degrees C, room temperature and 37 degrees C fixation temperatures and for fixation periods of 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours and 1 week. DNA extraction procedures used were simple boiling and 5 days' proteinase K digestion at 37 degrees C. Amplified product was visible primarily yet variably from tissue fixed in neutral buffered formaldehyde and Carnoy's, whereas fixation in mercuric chloride-based fixatives produced consistently negative results. Room temperature and 37 degrees C fixation temperature appeared most conducive to yielding amplifiable DNA template. Fixation times of 24 and 48 hours in neutral buffered formaldehyde and Carnoy's again favoured amplification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reversal of Ferroelectric Domains by Ultrashort Optical Pulses

Abstract: The response of a soft-phonon ferroelectric material subjected to a high-intensity optical pulse of duration much shorter than the period of the phonon is modeled using a classical, finite-temperature simulation. It is found that complete, permanent reversal of the orientation of the ferroelectric domains may occur even when the energy per atom imparted by the light pulse is much less than the average thermal energy. The result raises the possibility of using the effect to create optical switches or data storage media with switching times less than 10 psec.

Isolation from food sources, of lactic acid bacteria that produced antimicrobials

Abstract: The potential of lactic acid bacteria, isolated from a variety of foods, to inhibit indicators representative of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria associated with food products was examined. Fruit and vegetables were a poor source of lactic acid bacteria but large numbers were readily isolated on MRS agar from cheese, milk and meat samples. Approximately 1000 isolates from each of the food samples were examined by the deferred antagonism procedure to determine their ability to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua and Pseudomonas fragi. Listeria innocua was the bacterium predominantly inhibited by isolates from the cheese, milk and meats, but antagonism was also observed to a lesser extent against the other indicators. The only inhibition observed for isolates from vegetable material was directed against Staph. aureus. The majority of inhibitor producers were effective against only one of the indicators but a small number were isolated which inhibited two or three.