A precise size-estimate for the small RNA products arising from Neurospora crassa Dicer activity

Neurospora crassa cell-free extracts prepared from strains containing one or both functional Dicer genes, but not from a strain lacking functional Dicer genes, converts radiolabeled double-strand RNA (dsRNA) in an energy-dependent manner into short RNAs with an estimated size of ~25-nt (Catalanotto et al. 2004). A smaller nucleolytic digestion product was also produced in an energy-dependent manner from either dsRNA or single-stranded RNA. Here we obtained more precise sizes for these products by electrophoresis of samples on a long (40-cm) denaturing DNA sequencing gel (20% polyacrylamide/7M urea)

UPRAVLJANJE NEZAPOSLENOŠĆU VISOKOOBRAZOVANIH OSOBA U GOSPODARSTVIMA U NASTAJANJU: KRITIČKA ANALIZA TEZA O NESRAZMJERU VJEŠTINA I NJIHOVOJ PREVELIKOJ PONUDI

Graduate unemployment and its management are challenges that leaders of the economy, managers and policy analysts grapple with on a daily basis. As a result, economic leaders and managers of economies have sought theoretical explanations to guide their management strategies of graduate unemployment. There are two competing theses to explain the problem: skills mismatch and skills oversupply. However, due to the seeming simplicity of basic tenets and policy implications of the skills mismatch thesis, many governments and laypersons have blamed graduate unemployment on it. This paper argues that policy solutions based entirely on skills mismatch may trigger another form of unemployment, oversupply of skilled graduates. Furthermore, oversupply of graduates is more likely to be the signifi cant cause of graduate unemployment than skills mismatch. An effective policy, therefore, is one that takes into account interventions to stimulate demand for labor while at the same time manages the supply of skilled labor. Such an approach will provide more sustainable solutions to graduate unemployment. In addition, the potential contributions of psychologists in the efforts towards the management of graduate unemployment are also outlined.Nezaposlenost visokoobrazovanih osoba i njezino upravljanje izazovi su s kojima se ekonomski vođe, menadžeri i analitičari politika svakodnevno suočavaju. Stoga se traže teoretska objašnjenja koja bi služila kao smjernice za strategije upravljanja nezaposlenošću visokoobrazovanih osoba. Postoje dvije suprotstavljene teze kojima se objašnjava problem: nesrazmjer vještina i njezina prevelika ponuda. Međutim, zbog prividne jednostavnosti osnovnih načela i implikacija teze o nesrazmjeru vještina, mnoge vlade i laici upravo nju postavljaju kao razlog za nezaposlenost visokoobrazovanih osoba. Ovaj rad predlaže da rješenja za politike koja se isključivo temelje na tezi o nesrazmjeru vještina mogu dovesti do drugog oblika nezaposlenosti, a to je prevelika ponuda kvalificiranih visokoobrazovanih osoba. Nadalje, prevelika ponuda visokoobrazovanih osoba vjerojatniji je razlog nezaposlenosti visokoobrazovanih osoba od nesrazmjera vještina. Djelotvorna politika je stoga ona koja uzima u obzir intervencije kojima se stimulira potražnja za radnom snagom, dok se istovremeno upravlja ponudom kvalifi cirane radne snage. Takav pristup pruža održiva rješenja za nezaposlenost visokoobrazovanih osoba. Uz navedeno, daje se obris doprinosa psihologa u odnosu na upravljanje nezaposlenošću visokoobrazovanih osoba

Defining a relevant architecture in South Africa

Architecture in South Africa is at a crossroads. Afteryears of repression and isolation during which contemporary architecture lost its way, there is now a desperate need for architects to respond to the social a nd cultural challenges of a society riven by massive material contrasts. Within architecture schools, a student body more representative of society than hitherto is engaged in projects which reflect the very diverse needs of the community. Central to the effectiveness of such teaching programmes is the presence of teachers fully engaged in practice, creating a responsible architecture fora renewed nation

ONTOGENY OF B LYMPHOCYTES : III. H-2 LINKAGE OF A GENE CONTROLLING THE RATE OF APPEARANCE OF COMPLEMENT RECEPTOR LYMPHOCYTES

The frequency of lymphocytes bearing complement receptors in the spleens of 2-wk old mice appears to be controlled by two independent genes. The presence of a "high" allele at either locus leads to intermediate or high frequency of CRL at 2 wk of age. One of the genes controlling complement receptor lymphocyte (CRL) frequency (CRL-1) is linked to the H-2 complex. Thus, in progeny of (AKR x DBA/2)F1 x DBA/2, all mice with a low frequency of CRL at 2 wk of age are homozygous for the H-2 type of the low CRL parent (DBA/2). Furthermore, in the B10 series of congenic mice, CRL frequency at 2 wk of age is similar to the frequency in the donor of the H-2 region. Thus, C57BL/10, B10.BR, and B10-D2 mice are all of the low CRL type while B10.A mice are intermediate in CRL frequency at 2 wk. C57BR and DBA/2, the donors of the H-2 complex of the B10.BR and B10.D2, respectively, are of low CRL type while the A/WySn, the donor of the H-2 complex in the B10.A, is an intermediate CRL strain. Similarly in the A/WySn series of congenic mice, A.CA, A.SW, and A.BY are all low CRL strains while the A/WySn is intermediate. Studies of CRL frequency in mice with recombinant H-2 chromosomes (B10.A(2R), (4R), and (5R); B6/TL+; and A/TL-) indicate that CRL-1 is to the right of the Ss-Slp genes and to the left of Tla

Corporate governance, structure and accountability as affected by national government infrastructure in developing countries

Businesses in developing countries face different challenges than those in economically developed countries. Markets and supply chains are less well-established. Dissemination of information is uneven. Because governmental infrastructure has limited ability to support business operations, businesses take on responsibilities that elsewhere are handled by a central government. This study reviews key elements of corporate governance. The study then reviews the banking and manufacturing sectors in Zimbabwe with attention to the presence or absence of financial infrastructure, legal infrastructure, market challenges, supply chain and government involvement to support corporate governance structures and systems. Recommendations for policy and practice changes are recommended. The present analysis of Zimbabwe can guide research on and policy recommendations for governance in other developing countries

A Conceptual Model of the Role of Communication in Surrogate Decision Making for Hospitalized Adults

OBJECTIVE: To build a conceptual model of the role of communication in decision making, based on literature from medicine, communication studies and medical ethics. METHODS: We proposed a model and described each construct in detail. We review what is known about interpersonal and patient-physician communication, described literature about surrogate-clinician communication, and discussed implications for our developing model. RESULTS: The communication literature proposes two major elements of interpersonal communication: information processing and relationship building. These elements are composed of constructs such as information disclosure and emotional support that are likely to be relevant to decision making. We propose these elements of communication impact decision making, which in turn affects outcomes for both patients and surrogates. Decision making quality may also mediate the relationship between communication and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Although many elements of the model have been studied in relation to patient-clinician communication, there is limited data about surrogate decision making. There is evidence of high surrogate distress associated with decision making that may be alleviated by communication-focused interventions. More research is needed to test the relationships proposed in the model. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Good communication with surrogates may improve both the quality of medical decisions and outcomes for the patient and surrogate

Clinically aggressive central giant cell granulomas in two patients with neurofibromatosis 1

Background Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder caused by a spectrum of mutations affecting the Nf1 gene. Affected patients develop benign and malignant tumors at an increased frequency. Clinical findings include multiple cutaneous café-au-lait pigmentations, neurofibromas, axillary freckling, optic gliomas, benign iris hamartomas (Lisch nodules), scoliosis, and poorly defined soft tissue lesions of the skeleton. Kerl first reported an association of NF1 with multiple central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs) of the jaws. There have since been 4 additional published cases of NF1 patients with CGCGs of the jaws. Clinical cases We report on 2 patients who presented with NF1 and aggressive CGCGs of the jaws. In both cases, the clinical course was characterized by numerous recurrences despite mechanical curettage and surgical resection. Conclusions We review proposed mechanisms to explain the apparent association between NF1 and an increased incidence of CGCGs of the jaws. While the presence of CGCGs of the jaws in patients with NF1 could represent either a coincidental association or a true genetic linkage, we propose that this phenomenon is most likely related to NF1-mediated osseous dysplasia. Compared to normal bone, the Nf1-haploinsufficient bone in a patient with NF1 may be less able to remodel in response to as of yet unidentified stimuli (e.g. excessive mechanical stress and/or vascular fragility), and consequently may be more susceptible to developing CGCG-like lesions. Alternatively, the CGCG in NF1 patients could represent a true neoplasm, resulting from additional, as of yet unidentified, genetic alterations to Nf1-haploinsufficient bone

Communicating with Clinicians: The Experiences of Surrogate Decision‐Makers for Hospitalized Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To describe communication experiences of surrogates who had recently made a major medical decision for a hospitalized older adult. DESIGN: Semistructured interviews about a recent hospitalization. SETTING: Two hospitals affiliated with one large medical school: an urban public hospital and a university-affiliated tertiary referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Surrogates were eligible if they had recently made a major medical decision for a hospitalized individual aged 65 and older and were available for an interview within 1 month (2-5 months if the patient died). MEASUREMENTS: Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using methods of grounded theory. RESULTS: Thirty-five surrogates were interviewed (80% female, 44% white, 56% African American). Three primary themes emerged. First, it was found that the nature of surrogate-clinician relationships was best characterized as a relationship with a "team" of clinicians rather than individual clinicians because of frequent staff changes and multiple clinicians. Second, surrogates reported their communication needs, including frequent communication, information, and emotional support. Surrogates valued communication from any member of the clinical team, including nurses, social workers, and physicians. Third, surrogates described trust and mistrust, which were formed largely through surrogates' communication experiences. CONCLUSION: In the hospital, surrogates form relationships with a "team" of clinicians rather than with individuals, yet effective communication and expressions of emotional support frequently occur, which surrogates value highly. Future interventions should focus on meeting surrogates' needs for frequent communication and high levels of information and emotional support

Timing of Do‐Not‐Resuscitate Orders for Hospitalized Older Adults Who Require a Surrogate Decision‐Maker

OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency of surrogate decisions for in-hospital do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and the timing of DNR order entry for surrogate decisions. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Large, urban, public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalized adults aged 65 and older over a 3-year period (1/1/2004–12/31/2006) with a DNR order during their hospital stay. MEASUREMENTS: Electronic chart review provided data on frequency of surrogate decisions, patient demographic and clinical characteristics, and timing of DNR orders