Role of the ubiquitin system and tumor viruses in AIDS-related cancer

Tumor viruses are linked to approximately 20% of human malignancies worldwide. This review focuses on examples of human oncogenic viruses that manipulate the ubiquitin system in a subset of viral malignancies; those associated with AIDS. The viruses include Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus and human papilloma virus, which are causally linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, certain B-cell lymphomas and cervical cancer, respectively. We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which these viruses subvert the ubiquitin system and potential viral targets for anti-cancer therapy from the perspective of this system

Project Selection and Process Plan Design for Alternative IME 143/144 Final Project

Hundreds of students each year enroll in IME 143 or IME 144, freshman-level machining classes, and complete an air motor to demonstrate the skills they have acquired on a variety of manufacturing processes. The air motor, however is useful only as a teaching tool in the classroom; once the students bring them home, the air motor becomes little more than a trophy at best. With the capabilities of the machining lab, a final project can be developed that can have a benefit to people in need while maintaining educational value. This project details a process plan for a manual water pump. The pump can be donated for use in developing countries where access to clean water is still in desperate need. The process for manufacturing the water pump had to be deconstructed into specific machining processes and balanced appropriately between the machines available to the classes. The machining lab has a number of different machines that enable students to use 14 different processes. Unlike a production environment, all processes have to be used and balanced to make use of lab time. This often meant using sub-optimal processes and/or procedures. The critical benchmark for implementing the water pump into the curriculum is the cost. Students in IME 143/144 pay lab fees, which cover the cost of materials for the quarter. The fees are $10 for IME 143 and$50 for IME 144. Based on rough estimates from these lab fees, the actual cost of the air motor is between $10 and$20. As designed currently, the water pump has a material cost of about $30. However, this project is larger and more complex. It is recommended that one pump be made for every two students bringing the per student cost to about$15, within the cost range of the air motor

Do Multinationals or Domestic Firms Face Higher Effective Tax Rates?

To our knowledge, this paper provides the most comprehensive analysis of firm-level corporate income tax expenses to date. We use publicly available financial statement information to estimate firm-level effective tax rates (ETRs) for 10,642 corporations from 85 countries from 1988 to 2007. We find that multinationals and domestic-only companies face similar ETRs. We also find that, on average, ETRs declined by seven percentage points or 20% over the period. German, Japanese, Australian and Canadian decreases were large. American, British, and French declines were more modest. Nonetheless, because ETRs were falling worldwide, the ordinal rank from high-tax countries to low-tax countries changed little. Japanese firms always faced the highest ETRs. ETRs for tax havens and countries from the Middle East and Asia (ignoring Japan) were always lower than those for the U.S. and European countries. These findings should provide some empirical underpinning for ongoing policy debates about the taxation of multinational profits.

Characterization of Microgravity Effects on Bone Structure and Strength Using Fractal Analysis

Protecting humans against extreme environmental conditions requires a thorough understanding of the pathophysiological changes resulting from the exposure to those extreme conditions. Knowledge of the degree of medical risk associated with the exposure is of paramount importance in the design of effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures for space exploration. Major health hazards due o musculoskeletal systems include the signs and symptoms of hypercalciuria, lengthy recovery of lost bone tissue after flight, the possibility of irreversible trabecular bone loss, the possible effect of calcification in the soft tissues, and the possible increase in fracture potential. In this research, we characterize the trabecular structure with the aid of fractal analysis. Our research to relate local trabecular structural information to microgravity conditions is an important initial step in understanding the effect of microgravity and countermeasures on bone condition and strength. The proposed research is also closely linked with Osteoporosis and will benefit the general population

Cross-Country Comparisons of Corporate Income Taxes

To our knowledge, this paper provides the most comprehensive analysis of firm-level corporate income taxes to date. We use publicly available financial statement information for 11,602 public corporations from 82 countries from 1988 to 2009 to estimate country-level effective tax rates (ETRs). We find that the location of a multinational and its subsidiaries substantially affects its worldwide ETR. Japanese firms always faced the highest ETRs. U.S. multinationals are among the highest taxed. Multinationals based in tax havens face the lowest taxes. We find that ETRs have been falling over the last two decades; however, the ordinal rank from high-tax countries to low-tax countries has changed little. We also find little difference between the ETRs of multinationals and domestic-only firms. Besides enhancing our knowledge about international taxes, these findings should provide some empirical underpinning for ongoing policy debates about the taxation of multinationals.

Biochemical and Structural Effects of Rigor Mortis-Accelerating Treatments in Broiler \u3ci\u3ePectoralis\u3c/i\u3e

This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of two selected rigor mortis-accelerating treatment systems employed in the prevention of the toughness associated with early-harvested (1 h post-mortem) broiler Pectoralis muscle. The treatments included 14 min of low voltage electrical stimulation (110 V, 1 A, pulsing 1 s on and 1 s off) combined with high temperature conditioning (39 C) and muscle tensioning (LV + HTC + MT); a 15-s high voltage stimulation (440 V, 1 A pulsing 2 s on and 1 s off) combined with muscle tensioning (HV + MT); and a control simulating commercial broiler processing practices. The rigor-accelerating treatments reduced pH and increased R-value (inosine:adenosine ratio) at 1 h post-mortem, but only the LV + HTC + MT treatment reduced sarcomere shortening. Both rigor treatments reduced the amount of measurable myofibrillar fragmentation. Cathepsin B and B + L activities were not affected by the rigor treatments. Calpain I activity was not detectable in any 24-h post-mortem sample. Calpain II activity at 24 h post-mortem was greater in muscles receiving HV + MT than from the LV + HTC + MT or control carcasses, but was reduced in all muscles by 24 h postmortem. An SDS-PAGE indicated a 30-kDa polypeptide that was absent at death and appeared in control and LV + HTC + MT muscles but to a lesser extent in HV + MT muscles. These results suggested that the LV + HTC + MT treatment has a greater tenderizing effect than the HV + MT treatment because the former achieves a better balance between reduced sarcomere shortening and myofibrillar fragmentation

Biochemical and Structural Effects of Rigor Mortis-Accelerating Treatments in Broiler \u3ci\u3ePectoralis\u3c/i\u3e

This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of two selected rigor mortis-accelerating treatment systems employed in the prevention of the toughness associated with early-harvested (1 h post-mortem) broiler Pectoralis muscle. The treatments included 14 min of low voltage electrical stimulation (110 V, 1 A, pulsing 1 s on and 1 s off) combined with high temperature conditioning (39 C) and muscle tensioning (LV + HTC + MT); a 15-s high voltage stimulation (440 V, 1 A pulsing 2 s on and 1 s off) combined with muscle tensioning (HV + MT); and a control simulating commercial broiler processing practices. The rigor-accelerating treatments reduced pH and increased R-value (inosine:adenosine ratio) at 1 h post-mortem, but only the LV + HTC + MT treatment reduced sarcomere shortening. Both rigor treatments reduced the amount of measurable myofibrillar fragmentation. Cathepsin B and B + L activities were not affected by the rigor treatments. Calpain I activity was not detectable in any 24-h post-mortem sample. Calpain II activity at 24 h post-mortem was greater in muscles receiving HV + MT than from the LV + HTC + MT or control carcasses, but was reduced in all muscles by 24 h postmortem. An SDS-PAGE indicated a 30-kDa polypeptide that was absent at death and appeared in control and LV + HTC + MT muscles but to a lesser extent in HV + MT muscles. These results suggested that the LV + HTC + MT treatment has a greater tenderizing effect than the HV + MT treatment because the former achieves a better balance between reduced sarcomere shortening and myofibrillar fragmentation

Characterization of biological types of cattle (Cycle VII): Carcass, yield, and longissimus palatability traits

The objective of this experiment was to provide a current evaluation of the seven most prominent beef breeds in the United States and to determine the relative changes that have occurred in these breeds since they were evaluated with samples of sires born 25 to 30 yr earlier. Carcass (n = 649), yield (n = 569), and longissimus thoracis palatability (n = 569) traits from F1 steers obtained from mating Hereford, Angus, and U.S. Meat Animal Research Center III cows to Hereford (H), Angus (A), Red Angus (RA), Charolais (C), Limousin (L), Simmental (S), or Gelbvieh (G) sires were compared. Data were adjusted to constant age (445 d), carcass weight (363 kg), fat thickness (1.1 cm), fat trim percent (25%), and marbling (Small35) endpoints. For Warner-Bratzler shear force and trained sensory panel traits, data were obtained on LM from steaks stored at 2°C for 14 d postmortem. The following comparisons were from the age-constant endpoint. Carcasses from L-, G-, and Hsired steers (361, 363, and 364 kg, respectively) were lighter (P \u3c 0.05) than carcasses from steers from all other sire breeds. Adjusted fat thickness for carcasses from A-, RA-, and H-sired steers (1.5, 1.4, and 1.3 cm, respectively) was higher (P \u3c 0.05) than for carcasses from steers from all other sire breeds (0.9 cm). Longissimus muscle areas were largest (P \u3c 0.05) for carcasses from L-, C-, S-, and G-sired steers (89.9, 88.7, 87.6, and 86.5 cm2, respectively) and smallest for carcasses from H- and RA-sired steers (79.5 and 78.4 cm2). A greater (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of carcasses from RA- and A-sired steers graded USDA Choice (90 and 88%, respectively) than from carcasses from other sire breeds (57 to 66%). Carcass yield of boneless, totally trimmed retail product was least (P \u3c 0.05) for RA- and A-sired steers (59.1 and 59.2%, respectively) and greatest (P \u3c 0.05) for G-, L-, C-, and S-sired steers (63.0 to 63.8%). Longissimus muscle from carcasses of A-sired steers (4.0 kg) had lower (P \u3c 0.05) Warner Bratzler shear force values than LM from carcasses of G- and C-sired steers (4.5 to 4.3 kg, respectively). Trained sensory panel tenderness and beef flavor intensity ratings for LM did not differ (P \u3c 0.05) among the sire breeds. Continental European breeds (C, L, S, and G) were still leaner, more heavily muscled, and had higher-yielding carcasses than did British breeds (H, A, and RA), with less marbling than A or RA, although British breeds have caught up in growth rate

Characterization of biological types of cattle (Cycle VIII): Carcass, yield, and longissimus palatability traits

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate alternative sources of tropically adapted cattle germplasm and compare them with Angus- (AN) and Hereford- (HE) sired steers. Carcass, yield, and longissimus thoracis palatability traits from F1 steers (n = 621) obtained from mating AN and U.S. Meat Animal Research Center III cows to HE, AN, Brangus (BR), Beefmaster (BM), Bonsmara (BO), or Romosinuano (RO) sires were compared. Data were adjusted to constant age (426 d), carcass weight (340 kg), fat thickness (1.0 cm), fat trim percentage (25%), and marbling (Small00) endpoints. For Warner- Bratzler and slice shear force and trained and untrained sensory panel traits, data were obtained on LM from ribeye steaks stored at 2°C for 14 or 15 d postmortem. The following comparisons were from the age-constant endpoint. Carcasses from BM-, AN-, and BR-sired steers (358, 355, and 351 kg, respectively) were heavier (P \u3c 0.05) than carcasses from steers from HE (343 kg) and BO (331 kg) sires; RO-sired steers (318 kg) had the lightest (P \u3c 0.05) carcasses. Adjusted fat thicknesses for AN- and BM-sired steers (1.3 and 1.2 cm, respectively) were greater (P \u3c 0.05) than for steers from BR (1.0 cm) and BO (0.9 cm) sires; RO-sired steers (0.8 cm) had the least fat thickness. Longissimus areas were larger (P \u3c 0.05) for BO- and BR-sired steers (84.4 and 84.1 cm2, respectively) than for BM- and HE-sired steers (80.8 and 80.2 cm2, respectively). A greater (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of carcasses from AN-sired steers graded USDA Choice (69%) than other sire breeds (17 to 47%) except HE (52%). Carcass yield of boneless, totally trimmed retail product was least (P \u3c 0.05) for AN-sired steers (60.1%) and greatest (P \u3c 0.05) for RO- and BO-sired steers (64.4 to 63.5%). Considering all measurements, AN LM tended to be more tender and BM LM tended to be least tender. American composite breeds BM and BR were heavier, fatter, lesser yielding, with similar marbling scores but less tender LM than BO and RO. Angus carcasses were similar in size, fatter, lesser yielding, with more marbling and more tender LM compared with BM and BR. Bonsmara and RO provide tropically adapted germplasm and produce carcasses that are lighter, leaner, greater yielding, with similar marbling and LM that tend to be more tender than carcasses from BM and BR

Characterization of biological types of cattle (Cycle VI): Carcass, yield, and longissimus palatability traits

Carcass (n = 568) and longissimus thoracis palatability (n = 460) traits from F1 steers obtained from mating Hereford (H), Angus (A), and U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (U.S. Meat Animal Research Center) III cows to H, A, Norwegian Red (NR), Swedish Red and White (RW), Friesian (F), or Wagyu (W) sires were compared. Data were adjusted to constant age (471 d), carcass weight (356 kg), fat thickness (1.0 cm), percentage of fat trim (24%), and marbling (Small35) end points. For Warner-Bratzler shear force and trained sensory panel traits, data were obtained on longissimus thoracis steaks stored at 2°C for 14 d postmortem. The following comparisons were from the age-constant end point. Carcasses from H- and A-sired steers (377 and 374 kg, respectively) were the heaviest (P \u3c 0.05) and carcasses from W-sired steers (334 kg) were the lightest (P \u3c 0.05). A greater (P \u3c 0.05) percentage of carcasses from Aand W-sired steers graded USDA Choice (88 and 85%, respectively) than carcasses from other sire breeds (52 to 71%). Adjusted fat thickness for carcasses from Asired steers (1.3 cm) was highest (P \u3c 0.05), followed by H-sired steers (1.1 cm) and W- and F-sired steers (0.9 cm); NR- and RW-sired steers (0.8 cm) had the lowest (P \u3c 0.05) adjusted fat thickness. Longissimus thoracis area was not different (P \u3e 0.05) among sire breeds (mean = 80.6 cm2). Carcass yield of boneless, totally trimmed retail product was least (P \u3c 0.05) for A-sired steers (60.1%), intermediate for H-sired steers (61.5%), and similar (P \u3e 0.05) for all other sire breeds (62.5 to 62.8%). Longissimus thoracis steaks from carcasses of A- (3.7 kg) and W-sired (3.7 kg) steers had lower (P \u3c 0.05) shear force values than longissimus thoracis steaks from other sire breeds (4.1 to 4.2 kg). Trained sensory panel tenderness, juiciness, or beef flavor intensity ratings for longissimus thoracis steaks did not differ (P \u3e 0.05) among the sire breeds. Sire breed comparisons were affected by adjusting data to other end points. Heritability estimates for various carcass, yield, and palatability traits ranged from very low (h2 = 0.06 for percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat) to relatively high (h2 = 0.71 for percentage of retail product yield). Relative to the other sire breeds, Wsired steers had the highest percentage of USDA Choice, Yield grade 1 and 2 carcasses, but their carcasses were the lightest