Showing papers by "University of Alabama published in 1997"
TL;DR: This paper found that the pacific benefits of trade, both total and dyadic, have not been sufficiently appreciated and that democracies are relatively unlikely to become involved in militarized disputes with other democracies, while autocracies and democracies are prone to conflict with each other.
Abstract: The liberals believed that economic interdependence, as well as democracy, would reduce the incidence of interstate conflict. In this article, we test both their economic and their political prescriptions for peace, using pooled-regression analyses of politically relevant dyads for the Cold War era. We find that the pacific benefits of trade, both total and dyadic, have not been sufficiently appreciated. We also offer clear evidence that democracies are relatively unlikely to become involved in militarized disputes with other democracies, while autocracies and democracies are prone to conflict with each other. Since democratic dyads are more peaceful than autocratic dyads, it follows that democracies are more peaceful than autocratic states generally, ceteris paribus. Previous research at the national level of analysis, which led most to conclude that democracies have been no more peaceful than other states, did not consider that the incidence of conflict depends importantly upon the number of contiguous states, the character of their political regimes, and other factors. In addition, we find no evidence that states that have recently undergone regime changes, whether in the democratic or autocratic direction, are particularly conflict prone. Our results suggest the basis for a broader formulation of expected–utility theories of interstate conflict.
851 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss recent observations of accreting binary pulsars with the all-sky BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, which has detected and studied nearly half of the known pulsar systems, as well as new insights into long-term accretion torque histories.
Abstract: We discuss recent observations of accreting binary pulsars with the all-sky BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. BATSE has detected and studied nearly half of the known accreting pulsar systems. Continuous timing studies over a two-year period have yielded accurate orbital parameters for 9 of these systems, as well as new insights into long-term accretion torque histories.
769 citations
769 citations
591 citations
TL;DR: Calcium supplementation did not significantly reduce the incidence or severity of preeclampsia or delay its onset in healthy nulliparous women.
Abstract: Background Previous trials have suggested that calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preeclampsia. However, differences in study design and a low dietary calcium intake in the populations studied limit acceptance of the data. Methods We randomly assigned 4589 healthy nulliparous women who were 13 to 21 weeks pregnant to receive daily treatment with either 2 g of elemental calcium or placebo for the remainder of their pregnancies. Surveillance for preeclampsia was conducted by personnel unaware of treatment-group assignments, using standardized measurements of blood pressure and urinary protein excretion at uniformly scheduled prenatal visits, protocols for monitoring these measurements during the hospitalization for delivery, and reviews of medical records of unscheduled outpatient visits and all hospitalizations. Results Calcium supplementation did not significantly reduce the incidence or severity of preeclampsia or delay its onset. Preeclampsia occurred in 158 of the 2295 wome...
518 citations
TL;DR: The phase boundaries for metastable liquid-liquid separation in supersaturated hen egg white lysozyme solutions with 3, 5, and 7% (wlv) NaCl at pH= 4.5 and protein concentrations c between 40 and 400 mg/ml were determined using cloud point determinations.
Abstract: Using cloud point determinations, the phase boundaries (binodals) for metastable liquid-liquid (L-L) separation in supersaturated hen egg white lysozyme solutions with 3%, 5%, and 7% (wlv) NaCl at pH= 4.5 and protein concentrations c between 40 and 400 mg/ml were determined. The critical temperature for the binodal increased approximately linearly with salt concentration. The coexisting liquid phases both remained supersaturated but differed widely in protein concentration. No salt repartitioning was observed between the initial and the two separated liquid phases. After the L-L separation, due to the presence of the high protein concentration phase, crystallization occurred much more rapidly than in the initial solution. At high initial protein concentrations, a metastable gel phase formed at temperatures above the liquid binodal. Both crystal nucleation and gel formation were accelerated in samples that had been cycled through the binodal. Solutions in the gel and L-L regions yielded various types of precipitates. Based on theoretical considerations, previous observations with other proteins, and our experimental results with lysozyme, a generic phase diagram for globular proteins is put forth. A limited region in the (T,c) plane favorable for the growth of protein single crystals is delineated.
516 citations
TL;DR: The authors describes important distinctions among three strands of communication in the foreign or second language (L2) classroom: cooperative learning, collaborative learning, and interaction, which, when understood, can help us better comprehend language learning and teaching.
Abstract: This article describes important distinctions among three strands of communication in the foreign or second language (L2) classroom: cooperative learning, collaborative learning, and interaction. These three strands have different connotations, which, when understood, can help us better comprehend language learning and teaching. Cooperative learning refers to a particular set of classroom techniques that foster learner interdependence as a route to cognitive and social development. Collaborative learning has a “social constructivist” philosophical base, which views learning as construction of knowledge within a social context and which therefore encourages acculturation of individuals into a learning community. Interaction is the broadest of the three terms and refers to personal communication, which is facilitated by an understanding of four elements: language tasks, willingness to communicate, style differences, and group dynamics.
508 citations
TL;DR: Hare et al. as mentioned in this paper investigated a potential interaction between the quality of parenting that a child receives and callous-unemotional traits in the child for predicting conduct problems.
Abstract: A sample of 6- to 13-year-old clinic-referred (n = 136} and volunteer (n = 30) participants was investigated for a potential interaction between the quality of parenting that a child receives and callous-unemotional traits in the child for predicting conduct problems. Ineffective parenting was associated with conduct problems only in children without significant levels of callous (e.g., lack of empathy, manipulativeness) and unemotional (e.g., lack of guilt, emotional constrictedness) traits. In contrast, children high on these traits exhibited a significant number of conduct problems, regardless of the quality of parenting they experienced. Results are interpreted in the context of a model that proposes that callous-unemotional traits designate a group of children with conduct problems who have distinct causal factors involved in the development of their problematic behavior. Hare, Harpur, and their colleagues developed a two-factor model of psychopathy that has been shown to be useful for studying severe and chronic patterns of adult antisocial behavior (Hare, Hart, & Harpur, 1991; Harpur, Hare, & Hakstian, 1989). The model specifies two partially independent psychological dimensions: One dimension includes the interpersonal characteristics (such as superficial charm, callous use of others, absence of empathy) and emotional style (absence of guilt, shallow emotions, lack of anxiety) that have been hallmarks of the psychopathic personality (see Cleckley, 1976; McCord & McCord, 1964). The second dimension includes the unstable and antisocial lifestyle (such as multiple marriages, poor employment history, multiple arrests, aggression) that defines antisocial personality disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Several studies have shown that these two dimensions are separable through factor analysis and, more importantly, they have different correlates that could suggest divergent etiologies (Hare et al., 1990; Harpur, Hakstian, & Hare, 1988; Harpur et al., 1989). This two-factor model was tested in clinic-referr ed children and, consistent with the findings in adult samples, two separable psychological dimensions emerged in factor analyses (Prick, O'Brien, Wootton, & McBurnett, 1994). One dimension involved a callous-unemotional (CU) interpersonal style, and the second dimension involved poor impulse control and conduct problems. This second dimension was highly associated with traditional behavioral definitions of conduct problems such as definitions of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder (CD) from the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and
444 citations
TL;DR: The presence of callous and unemotional traits with significant conduct problems seems to designate a unique subgroup of antisocial children who show a very severe pattern of antissocial behavior and who correspond more closely to adult conceptualizations of psychopathy.
Abstract: Objective To test whether the presence of callous and unemotional (CU) traits designates a unique subgroup of children with conduct problems that corresponds more closely to adult conceptualizations of psychopathy. Method A clinic-referred sample of 120 children between the ages of 6 and 13 years were assessed using parent and teacher ratings of CU traits, as well as parent and teacher report on a structured interview assessing oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) symptoms. Results A cluster analysis of the ratings of CU traits and ODD/CD symptoms revealed four clusters of children, two of which had high rates of ODD and CD symptoms. One of these conduct problem clusters also exhibited high levels of CU traits ( n = 11). These children had a greater number and variety of conduct problems, a stronger history of police contacts, and a stronger parental history of antisocial personality disorder, despite being of higher intelligence than other children with significant conduct problems ( n = 29). Conclusion: The presence of CU traits with significant conduct problems seems to designate a unique subgroup of antisocial children who show a very severe pattern of antisocial behavior and who correspond more closely to adult conceptualizations of psychopathy.
435 citations
429 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the direct effects of perceived environmental uncertainty and the moderating effects of key managers on the effect of environmental uncertainty on Norwegian manufacturing firms' decision-making processes.
Abstract: This study, utilizing data drawn from a sample of 433 Norwegian manufacturing firms, examined the direct effects of perceived environmental uncertainty and the moderating effects of key manager ori...
TL;DR: It is shown that mutant CT S61F is an effective mucosal adjuvant when administrated intranasally and induces mucosal and systemic antibody responses which are mediated by CD4(+) Th2-type cells.
Abstract: We have characterized a nontoxic mutant of cholera toxin (CT) as a mucosal adjuvant in mice. The mutant CT was made by substitution of serine with phenylalanine at position 61 of the A subunit (S61F), which resulted in loss of ADP ribosyltransferase activity and toxicity. Mice were intranasally immunized with ovalbumin, tetanus toxoid, or influenza virus either alone or together with mutant CT S61F, native CT, or recombinant CT-B. Mice immunized with these proteins plus S61F showed high serum titers of protein-specific IgG and IgA antibodies that were comparable to those induced by native CT. Further, high protein-specific IgA antibody responses were observed in nasal and vaginal washes, saliva, and fecal extracts as well as increased numbers of IgG and IgA antibody forming cells in cervical lymph nodes and lung tissues of mice intranasally immunized with these proteins and S61F or native CT, but not with recombinant CT-B or protein alone. Both S61F and native CT enhanced the induction of ovalbumin-specific CD4+ T cells in lung and splenic tissues, and these T cells produced a Th2-type cytokine pattern of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 as determined by analysis of secreted proteins and by quantitation of cytokine-specific mRNA. These results have shown that mutant CT S61F is an effective mucosal adjuvant when administrated intranasally and induces mucosal and systemic antibody responses which are mediated by CD4+ Th2-type cells.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill1, Columbia University2, University of Illinois at Chicago3, University of Maryland, Baltimore4, University of Colorado Denver5, Mayo Clinic6, Duke University7, University of Alabama8, University of California, Los Angeles9, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center10, McGill University11, Baylor College of Medicine12, University of Pittsburgh13, GlaxoSmithKline14, Research Triangle Park15
TL;DR: The echocardiographic characteristics of participants in this trial; the relationships of echOCardiographic variables to hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, and quality of life; and the echoprostenol changes associated with prostacyclin therapy are described.
Abstract: Background Right heart failure is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in primary pulmonary hypertension In a recent prospective, randomized study of severely symptomatic patients, treatment with prostacyclin (epoprostenol) produced improvements in hemodynamics, quality of life, and survival This article describes the echocardiographic characteristics of participants in this trial; the relationships of echocardiographic variables to hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, and quality of life; and the echocardiographic changes associated with prostacyclin therapy Methods and Results The 81 patients enrolled in this multicenter trial were randomized to treatment with a long-term infusion of prostacyclin in addition to conventional therapy (n=41) or conventional therapy alone (n=40) for 12 weeks Echocardiograms and assessments of hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and quality of life were performed before and after the treatment phase On baseline evaluation, patients had marked right ventricul
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship among stock prices in eighteen national stock markets by using unit root and cointegration tests for the period 1961-92 and found that the world equity markets are weak-form efficient.
Abstract: This study examines the relationships among stock prices in eighteen national stock markets by using unit root and cointegration tests for the period 1961--92 All the markets were analyzed individually and collectively in regions to test for market efficiency The results from unit root tests suggest that the world equity markets are weak-form efficient The cointegration test results show that there are only a small number of significant cointegrating vectors over the last three decades However, the number of significant cointegrating vectors increases after the October 1987 stock market crash, a result that is consistent with the contagion effect
TL;DR: Deligonul and cavusgil as discussed by the authors conducted a paradigm-level analysis of resource advantage (R-A) theory and argued that Hunt and Morgan (1995) offer resource-advantage theory as a replacement for p...
Abstract: Deligonul and cavusgil (1997) conduct a paradigm-level analysis of resource-advantage (R-A) theory. They argue that (1) Hunt and Morgan (1995) offer resource-advantage theory as a replacement for p...
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of angiotensin II on proliferation of erythroid progenitors by culturing CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells in liquid serum-free medium was investigated.
Abstract: Angiotensin II exerts a mitogenic effect in several in vitro models, but a direct effect on erythroid progenitors has not been documented. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonist, ameliorate posttransplant erythrocytosis, without altering serum erythropoietin levels. We studied erythroid differentiation and the effect of angiotensin II on proliferation of erythroid progenitors by culturing CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells in liquid serum-free medium favoring growth of erythroid precursors. Aliquots of cells were collected every third day, and were used for RNA preparation. AT1 mRNA was detected after 6 d. In these same samples, erythroid-specific mRNA (erythropoietin receptor) was also detected. AT1 protein was detected in 7-d-old burst-forming units-erythroid colonies by Western blotting. The CD34+ cell liquid cultures were used to incubate erythroid precursors with angiotensin II from days 6-9. After incubation, cells were transferred to semisolid medium and cultured with erythropoietin. Angiotensin II increased proliferation of early erythroid progenitors, defined as increased numbers of burst-forming units-erythroid colonies. Losartan completely abolished this stimulatory effect of angiotensin II. Moreover, we observed increased numbers of erythroid progenitors in the peripheral blood of posttransplant erythrocytosis patients. Thus, activation of AT1 with angiotensin II enhances erythropoietin-stimulated erythroid proliferation in vitro. A putative defect in the angiotensin II/AT1 pathway may contribute to the pathogenesis of posttransplant erythrocytosis.
TL;DR: In this article, the Defining Issues Test (DIT) of moral judgment is discussed in light of the recent challenge by G. Lind (1995) with the Moral Judgment Test (MJT), which is widely used in Europe.
Abstract: The Defining Issues Test (DIT) of moral judgment is discussed in light of the recent challenge by G. Lind (1995) with the Moral Judgment Test (MJT), which is widely used in Europe. The 2 tests represent alternative methods as well as support different conclusions about moral judgment. The key difference is a stage-consistency (MJT) vs. a stage-preference (DIT) approach. Construct validity is defined in terms of 7 types of studies, and the approaches are compared. The stage-preference approach systematically outperforms the stage-consistency approach. Benchmarking by using classic studies in moral judgment illustrates an empirical, multistudy, quantitative approach to moral judgment research.
TL;DR: This paper represents an attempt to offer a comprehensive bibliography of references on control charting using attribute data with a brief overview and perspective of some of the work in this ...
Abstract: This paper represents an attempt to offer a comprehensive bibliography of references on control charting using attribute data. A brief overview and perspective is given of some of the work in this ...
TL;DR: The results appear to explain the previously poorly understood relationship between chromium and adult-onset diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Abstract: A possible new mechanism for the amplification of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity in response to insulin has been identified. The chromium-containing oligopeptide low molecular weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) does not effect the tyrosine protein kinase activity of rat adipocytic membrane fragments in the absence of insulin; however, insulin-stimulated kinase activity in the membrane fragments is increased up to 8-fold by the oligopeptide. Using isolated rat insulin receptor, LMWCr has been shown to bind to insulin-activated insulin receptor with a dissociation constant of circa 250 pM, resulting in the increase of its tyrosine protein kinase activity. The ability of LMWCr to stimulate insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity is dependent on its chromium content. The results appear to explain the previously poorly understood relationship between chromium and adult-onset diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
TL;DR: The south-eastern United States and Gulf Coast of Mexico is physiographically diverse, although dominated by a broad coastal plain this paper, and the region has a humid, warm temperate climate with little seasonality in precipitation but strong seasonal in runoff owing to high rates of summer evapotranspiration.
Abstract: The south-eastern United States and Gulf Coast of Mexico is physiographically diverse, although dominated by a broad coastal plain. Much of the region has a humid, warm temperate climate with little seasonality in precipitation but strong seasonality in runoff owing to high rates of summer evapotranspiration. The climate of southern Florida and eastern Mexico is subtropical with a distinct summer wet season and winter dry season. Regional climate models suggest that climate change resulting from a doubling of the pre-industrial levels of atmospheric CO 2 may increase annual air temperatures by 3-4°C. Changes in precipitation are highly uncertain, but the most probable scenario shows higher levels over all but the northern, interior portions of the region, with increases primarily occurring in summer and occurring as more intense or clustered storms. Despite the increases in precipitation, runoff is likely to decline over much of the region owing to increases in evapotranspiration exceeding increases in precipitation. Only in Florida and the Gulf Coast areas of the US and Mexico are precipitation increases likely to exceed evapotranspiration increases, producing an increase in runoff (...)
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the relation between leadership style and empowerment and its effect on job satisfaction among the nursing staff of a regional medical center and found that both transformational and transactional leadership were positively related to job satisfaction, as was empowerment.
Abstract: Objective The authors explore the relation between leadership style and empowerment and its effect on job satisfaction among the nursing staff of a regional medical center. Background Several empirical studies on transformational leadership-found that transformational leadership behaviors were positively related to work team success and leadership effectiveness. Transformational leadership processes have also been suggested to enhance followers' work-oriented values and shape the self-efficacies of followers. Employee empowerment may be influenced by the perception that the organization cares about its employees' well-being and that their work is valued. Empowering nurses may increase job satisfaction and improve patient care. Leadership style and empowerment influence job satisfaction among workers. Methods All nursing department staff were invited to complete a self-report questionnaire with no identifying information. Leadership style was measured using Bass's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, empowerment was measured with items from Spreitzer's Psychological Empowerment instrument, and job satisfaction was measured by Warr, Cook, and Wall's job satisfaction questionnaire. Results Both transformational and transactional leadership were positively related to job satisfaction, as was empowerment. Differences in the contributions of empowerment and leadership style in predicting job satisfaction for licensed and unlicensed workers was evident. Conclusion Designing interventions that allow for the relative influence of leadership style as well as empowerment on varying classifications of nursing personnel may be a more effective strategy and have a greater effect on staff attitudes and behaviors.
TL;DR: To further understand the role of the ZWI gene in trichome morphogenesis, the wild-type ZWICHEL gene is cloned by T-DNA tagging, and it is reported here that it encodes a member of the kinesin superfamily of microtubule motor proteins.
Abstract: Little is known about how cell shape is controlled. We are using the morphogenesis of trichomes (plant hairs) on the plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model to study how cell shape is controlled. Wild-type Arabidopsis trichomes are large, single epidermal cells with a stalk and three or four branches, whereas in zwichel (zwi) mutants the trichomes have a shortened stalk and only two branches. To further understand the role of the ZWI gene in trichome morphogenesis we have cloned the wild-type ZWICHEL (ZWI) gene by T-DNA tagging, and report here that it encodes a member of the kinesin superfamily of microtubule motor proteins. Kinesin proteins transport diverse cellular materials in a directional manner along microtubules. Kinesin-like proteins are characterized by a highly conserved “head” region that comprises the motor domain, and a nonconserved “tail” region that is thought to participate in recognition and binding of the appropriate cargo.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the management and subsequent outcomes of patients with a prehospital electrocardiogram (ECG) in a large, voluntary registry of myocardial infarction.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors develop a framework for addressing privacy concerns that arise when direct marketers utilize consumer information by identifying the underlying dimensions of the privacy construct and examining the relationships between those dimensions and direct marketers' consumer information practices.
TL;DR: Intestinal stages of I. belli have been observed in AIDS patients but not immunocompetent patients, and maintenance treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is needed because relapses often occur once treatment is stopped.
Abstract: Coccidial parasites of the genus Isospora cause intestinal disease in several mammalian host species. These protozoal parasites have asexual and sexual stages within intestinal cells of their hosts and produce an environmentally resistant cyst stage, the oocyst. Infections are acquired by the ingestion of infective (sporulated) oocysts in contaminated food or water. Some species of mammalian Isospora have evolved the ability to use paratenic (transport) hosts. In these cases, infections can be acquired by ingestion of an infected paratenic host. Human intestinal isosporiasis is caused by Isospora belli. Symptoms of I. belli infection in immunocompetent patients include diarrhea, steatorrhea, headache, fever, malaise, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss, blood is not usually present in the feces. The disease is often chronic, with parasites present in the feces or biopsy specimens for several months to years. Recurrences are common, Symptoms are more severe in AIDS patients, with the diarrhea being more watery. Extraintestinal stages of I. belli have been observed in AIDS patients but not immunocompetent patients. Treatment of I. belli infection with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole usually results in a rapid clinical response. Maintenance treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is needed because relapses often occur once treatment is stopped.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the evolution of non-homogeneous deformation in loose masonry sand and found that temporary modes of strain localization, observed during macroscopically uniform deformations of a specimen, gave way to a single, persistent shear band.
Abstract: Experimental results are presented which characterize the behaviour of a loose, fine-grained, water-saturated sand tested under globally undrained and drained conditions in a plane strain apparatus. The objective of this investigation is to provide insight into the phenomenon of shear banding in loose sand. Together with local measurements of boundary forces and deformations, stereophotogrammetry is used to investigate the progression of strain localization in plane strain compression. Typical results and findings concerning the evolution of non-homogeneous deformation are presented in detail. Shear banding occurred in both undrained and drained experiments on loose masonry sand. In general, temporary modes of strain localization, observed during macroscopically ‘uniform’ deformations of a specimen, gave way to a single, persistent shear band. A clear pattern of onset of the formation of the persistent shear band, mobilization of the maximum effective friction and complete formation of the band was observ...
TL;DR: Designing interventions that allow for the relative influence of leadership style as well as empowerment on varying classifications of nursing personnel may be a more effective strategy and have a greater effect on staff attitudes and behaviors.
Abstract: Objective The authors explore the relation between leadership style and empowerment and its effect on job satisfaction among the nursing staff of a regional medical center. Background Several empirical studies on transformational leadership-found that transformational leadership behaviors were positively related to work team success and leadership effectiveness. Transformational leadership processes have also been suggested to enhance followers' work-oriented values and shape the self-efficacies of followers. Employee empowerment may be influenced by the perception that the organization cares about its employees' well-being and that their work is valued. Empowering nurses may increase job satisfaction and improve patient care. Leadership style and empowerment influence job satisfaction among workers. Methods All nursing department staff were invited to complete a self-report questionnaire with no identifying information. Leadership style was measured using Bass's Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, empowerment was measured with items from Spreitzer's Psychological Empowerment instrument, and job satisfaction was measured by Warr, Cook, and Wall's job satisfaction questionnaire. Results Both transformational and transactional leadership were positively related to job satisfaction, as was empowerment. Differences in the contributions of empowerment and leadership style in predicting job satisfaction for licensed and unlicensed workers was evident. Conclusion Designing interventions that allow for the relative influence of leadership style as well as empowerment on varying classifications of nursing personnel may be a more effective strategy and have a greater effect on staff attitudes and behaviors.
TL;DR: In this article, a new index, N2, was proposed for the Defining Issues Test (DIT), which is based on the P index and has been used for over 20 years.
Abstract: For over 20 years, the Defining Issues Test (DIT) has used the P index. In view of criticisms, a search has been underway for a new index. The authors propose a working definition of construct validity, systematically reanalyze existing data sets ("classic" studies) with new indexes, and make comparisons to trends obtained using the P index. The criteria for construct validity are (a) sensitivity to educational interventions, (b) differentiation of age-education al groups, (c) upward movement in longitudinal studies, (d) correlations with moral comprehension, (e) correlations with prosocial behavior, and (f) correlations with civil libertarian attitudes. As meta-analysis demonstrates, a new index, N2, generally outperforms the P index. In the early 1970s, Larry Kohlberg found amusement by comparing the research project on the Defining Issues Test (DIT) to alchemy. The alchemist's dream of the middle ages had been to transmute the "base metals" into gold. At the time, Kohlberg was beginning work on revising his scoring system and was mindful of the complexities involved in analyzing moral judgments and the arduous work required of a scorer. Kohlberg pointed out similarities between alchemy and the attempt to derive a measure of moral judgment from a multiple-choic e test. Obtaining moral development scores by simply asking participants to rate or rank statements seemed too good to be true—it was like trying to turn lead into gold. Nevertheless he was supportive of the exploration of new sources of information on moral judgment (Kohlberg, 1979), although he did make sure that we were alert to the possible problems with such an approach. Years later, once we had developed computer programs to score the DIT, we joked with Kohlberg about doing morality research "untouched by human hands'1—the very thought of which he also found preposterously amusing. For over 20 years, DIT researchers have relied on the P score to index moral judgment and for that long we have tried to find a better index. Not only did we aspire to find a
TL;DR: In baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transcriptional regulation of the INO1 gene has been studied in detail and its expression is sensitive to the availability of phospholipid precursors as well as growth phase.
TL;DR: An antipeptide, hGRβ-specific antibody termed BShGR is produced against the unique 15-amino acid peptide at the carboxy-termini of the human glucocorticoid receptor protein.
Abstract: Alternative splicing of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) primary transcript produces two highly homologous protein isoforms, termed hGR alpha and hGRbeta, that differ at their carboxy-termini. In contrast to the well characterized hGR alpha isoform, which modulates gene expression in a hormone-dependent fashion, the biological significance of hGRbeta has only recently begun to emerge. We and others have shown that the hGRbeta messenger RNA transcript is widely expressed in human tissues and that the hGRbeta protein functions as a dominant negative inhibitor of hGR alpha in transfected cells. Unfortunately, these initial studies did not determine whether the hGRbeta protein was made in vivo. Such analyses are hindered because available anti-hGR antibodies cannot discriminate between the similarly sized hGR alpha and hGRbeta proteins. Therefore, to investigate the expression of the hGRbeta protein, we have produced an antipeptide, hGRbeta-specific antibody termed BShGR. This antibody was made against the unique 15-amino acid peptide at the carboxy-terminus of hGRbeta and recognizes both the native and denatured conformations of hGRbeta, but does not cross-react with hGR alpha. Using BShGR on Western blots and in immunoprecipitation experiments, we detected the hGRbeta protein in a variety of human cell lines and tissues. Immunocytochemistry was then performed with BShGR on HeLa S3 and CEM-C7 cells and on tissue sections prepared from lung, thymus, and liver to assess the cellular and subcellular distribution of hGRbeta. In all immunopositive cells, hGRbeta was found in the nucleus independent of glucocorticoid treatment. Within tissues, the hGRbeta protein was expressed most abundantly in the epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchiole of the lung, forming the outer layer of Hassall's corpuscle in the thymus, and lining the bile duct in the liver. As a potential in vivo inhibitor of hGR alpha activity, expression of hGRbeta may be an important factor regulating target cell responsiveness to glucocorticoids.