Cell cycle regulation of a Xenopus Wee1-like kinase

Using a polymerase chain reaction-based strategy, we have isolated a gene encoding a Wee1-like kinase from Xenopus eggs. The recombinant Xenopus Wee1 protein efficiently phosphorylates Cdc2 exclusively on Tyr- 15 in a cyclin-dependent manner. The addition of exogenous Wee1 protein to Xenopus cell cycle extracts results in a dose-dependent delay of mitotic initiation that is accompanied by enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2. The activity of the Wee1 protein is highly regulated during the cell cycle: the interphase, underphosphorylated form of Wee1 (68 kDa) phosphorylates Cdc2 very efficiently, whereas the mitotic, hyperphosphorylated version (75 kDa) is weakly active as a Cdc2-specific tyrosine kinase. The down-modulation of Wee1 at mitosis is directly attributable to phosphorylation, since dephosphorylation with protein phosphatase 2A restores its kinase activity. During interphase, the activity of this Wee1 homolog does not vary in response to the presence of unreplicated DNA. The mitosis-specific phosphorylation of Wee1 is due to at least two distinct kinases: the Cdc2 protein and another activity (kinase X) that may correspond to an MPM-2 epitope kinase. These studies indicate that the down-regulation of Wee1-like kinase activity at mitosis is a multistep process that occurs after other biochemical reactions have signaled the successful completion of S phase

Factors Affecting Moral Judgment in Business Students

This study examines the relationship between college major, religious orientation, informal curriculum, and certain student life experiences and moral judgment at an urban commuter institution. Particular attention is paid to business students. Research questions included the effect of college major, religious orientation, and informal curriculum on moral judgment. Students answered questions relating to the constructs using a survey incorporating Sarason’s Social Support questionnaire and Batson and Ventis’s Religious Orthodoxy Scale. Moral judgment was measured by the Defining Issues Test. Responses were analyzed using least squares multiple regression analysis. The results indicated statistically significant relationships involving moral judgment with college major, social support, and religious orientation. Finally, a t-test was undertaken showing that liberal arts and other students outscored business students on the Defining Issues Test. Implications for research and practice are offered

Accelerating Student Learning of Technology Terms: The Crossword Puzzle Exercise

The authors suggest using an alternative teaching methodology to impart knowledge regarding information systems phraseology and vocabulary. Specifically, a series of crossword puzzles or scrabbles are used to present information system (IS) terminology to students in an introductory business information systems course. The puzzle terms and answers are selected from a computer concepts textbook used by all students. The terms or phrases used are representative of those the students will need in later IS courses and IS related careers. Reported classroom results are given using statistical testing and qualitative feedback indicating that the exercises were both well received and effective as a conduit for learning

Building Camaraderie Through Information Processing: The Wuzzle Picture-Puzzle Exercise

Information systems (IS) and other instructors sometimes express frustration with coordinating and developing cohesiveness among their student project teams. The \u27wuzzle-picture puzzle\u27 exercise requires individual students, under the direction of the IS professor, to solve a series of information coded anagrams on their own, and then solve a similar series within a diversified team. The improvement concomitant with a diverse group of individuals in the second, wuzzle-puzzle condition demonstrates that cohesive and cooperative groups may indeed improve decision-making. This demonstration may be of special interest to the IS instructors as they encourage collaborative work. Further, systems practitioners may find the exercise useful for encouraging diversity in the workplace while improving teamwork, communication and cooperation among team members

Treating Water Contamination using Ultraviolet Radiation to Control Cryptosporidium and E.Coli

Concerns about the quality of drinking water in Ireland have come into sharp focus with the recent Cryptosporidium outbreak in Galway City. This article looks at how ultraviolet radiation can offer a potential solution in the control of Cryptosporidium contamination

Testosterone Effects On Renal Norepinephrine Content and Release in Rats With Different Y Chromosomes

The Y chromosome in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and stroke-prone rats has been shown to contain a locus that contributes to the hypertensive effect; both the sympathetic nervous system and testosterone may be involved. The objective of this study was to look at the effects of testosterone on renal norepinephrine (NE) release and content in the isolated perfused kidney in different Y chromosome backgrounds. The study involved male SHR, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and 2 consomic strains with different Y chromosomes (n=5 to 8 per group). Adult animals were castrated, and implants containing testosterone propionate were placed at the base of the neck. Blood testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay 2 weeks after castration. The left kidney was isolated and perfused with oxygenated Krebs solution at a constant flow and temperature with KCl and electrical stimulation of the renal nerves. Perfusate was collected and analyzed for NE by high-performance liquid chromatography. Lactate dehydrogenase analyses were performed as a marker for potential tissue damage. Renal perfusate and renal tissue NE levels were significantly elevated by testosterone. The average NE increase with a single testosterone implant was 13.2 ng/mL, and for a double testosterone implant it was 29.8 ng/mL. The Y chromosome from the SHR produced a significant increase in renal NE release compared with the WKY Y chromosome. Significance was shown between all groups: 1 versus 2 implants, P=0.0067; 1 versus sham implants, P=0.015; 2 versus sham implants,

Complete mitochondrial genome of the green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus (Mollusca: Mytiloidea), from long nanopore sequencing reads

We describe here the first complete genome assembly of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus, mitochondrion. The assembly was performed de novo from a mix of long nanopore sequencing reads and short sequencing reads. The genome is 16,005 bp long. Comparison to other Mytiloidea mitochondrial genomes indicates important gene rearrangements in this family

One-time deformable thermoplastic devices based on flexible circuit board technology

This contribution describes an efficient process flow for production of one-time deformable electronic devices based on standard circuit board technology and demonstrates multiple devices fabricated using this technique. The described technology has the potential to streamline and simplify the production of complex user interfaces which typically require extensive mechanical design and many components. The employed technique allows for the production of complex 3D shapes without the need to modify existing circuit board manufacturing equipment or processes significantly. To achieve this the device is manufactured in a flat state, encapsulated in a thermoplastic polymer laminate and deformed afterwards. This allows the usage of standard electronic components in surface mount packages, which are assembled using lead-free high-temperature solder. The circuit is deformed using a high-volume cost-effective thermoforming approach, where the encapsulating polymer is heated above its glass transition temperature and forced against a mold where it is allowed to cool down again. To enable significant out-of-plane deformations stretchable meandering interconnects are used, which were traditionally developed for dynamically stretchable devices. Fabrication of the circuit starts using a standard flexible copper clad laminate which is processed using the default techniques, the resulting circuit is then attached to a carrier board coated with a reusable high-temperature pressure sensitive adhesive. The interconnect and circuit outline is then defined using laser routing or punching, cutting the flexible circuit without damaging the carrier. The residuals not part of the circuit are removed, in a process akin to protective film removal, and solder paste is stencil printed on the circuit. Afterwards components are placed using a pick-and-place machine and the boards are reflow soldered. After functional testing and repair (if necessary) the circuits are placed in a vacuum press with a thermoplastic laminate, consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer and a rigid thermoplastic sheet. During this lamination the components are protected by a highly conforming press pad. Because the adhesion between the elastomer and the circuit far exceeds that between the circuit and the carrier the circuit is released readily as the thermoplastic laminate is peeled away. The resulting laminate is built up further using thermoplastic films and sheets, and finally deformed using a vacuum forming machine. The resulting device, which is trimmed to remove the clamping edges, can then be mounted in the final assembly. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated using a series of test vehicles, demonstrating the integration of complex circuits, connectors, and power circuitry. Finally, a series of design considerations that became apparent after initial reliability testing are discussed, together with the resulting design rules