Economic Interdependence and the Sovereignty of Debtor Nations: A Comparison of Mexican and Argentine Reactions to International Monetary Fund Stabilization

Part I of this Note examines the concept of sovereignty and the role of the International Monetary Fund (Fund) as an instrument of supranational or joint sovereignty. Part II traces the development of economic dependence in Mexico and Argentina, examines the history of both public and private lending to these nations, and suggests that their current indebtedness is an extension of a chronic need for imported capital. Part III discusses the growth of international bank lending to developing countries in the 1970\u27s, and Part IV examines the Fund\u27s role in the renegotiation of sovereign debt. Part V addresses the relationship between modern economic interdependence and sovereignty. The Note concludes that the relationship between commercial bank creditors and their sovereign debtors is one that has grown beyond the legal mechanisms that coordinate international economic relations

Deriving a Framework for Estimating Individual Tree Measurements with Lidar for Use in the TAMBEETLE Southern Pine Beetle Infestation Growth Model

The overall goal of this study was to develop a framework for using airborne lidar to derive inputs for the SPB infestation growth model TAMBEETLE. The specific objectives were (1) to estimate individual tree characteristics of XY location, individual bole height (IBH), diameter at breast height (DBH), length of crown (CrHT), and age for use in TAMBEETLE; (2) to estimate individual tree age using lidar-estimated height and site index provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO); and (3) to compare TAMBEETLE simulation results using field measurements and lidarderived measurements as inputs. Diameter at breast height, individual bole height, and crown length were estimated using lidar with an error for mean measurements at plot level of 0.16cm, 0.19m, and 1.07m, respectively. These errors were within root mean square error (RMSE) for other studies at the study site. Age was estimated using the site index provided by SSURGO and the site index curves created for the study area with an RMSE of 4.8 years for mean plot age. Underestimation of tree height by lidar and error in the site index curve explained 91% of the error in mean plot age. TAMBEETLE was used to compare spot growth between a lidar-derived forest map and a forest map generated by TAMBEETLE, based on sample plot characteristics. The lidar-derived forest performed comparably to the TAMBEETLE generated forest. Using lidar to map forests can provide the large spatial extents of the TAMBEETLE generated forest while maintaining the spatially explicit forest characteristics, which were previously only available through field measurements

Biostratigraphically constrained ages of Mississippian mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sequences, STACK play, Anadarko basin, Oklahoma

The ages of Mississippian stratigraphic intervals within the STACK play of the Anadarko basin remain poorly understood due to the lack of biostratigraphic constraints. Godwin (2018) refined outcrop stratigraphy of Meramecian and Chesterian strata in northeastern Oklahoma and described siltstones and carbonates similar to those observed in STACK rocks. The four principal conodont biozones in the Meramecian through middle Chesterian outcrop sections were recognized in conodonts recovered from the Pan American, Barnes D-2 core from Major County. These results revealed that given the recovery of distinct taxa, these four key biozones are recognizable in a subsurface section and provide a mechanism for constraining the ages of the Mississippian intervals in the study area.A sequence stratigraphic framework based on depositional facies and vertical stacking patterns within the Barnes core was correlated with the principal biozones and electrofacies from wireline logs. The contact between the Meramecian and Chesterian ages was identified honoring biostratigraphic constraints. The Osagean and Meramecian boundary however, could not be resolved due to limited conodont recovery. Osagean rocks may still be present in the Barnes D-2 core, in the approximately 200 feet of Mississippian carbonate section below the first identified biozone. Using stratigraphic surfaces including radiogenic intervals on the gamma-ray curve, wireline logs were correlated to identify clinoform geometry. Thirty (30) selected wireline logs were used to construct a cross section that illustrates the Mississippian stratigraphic architecture subparallel to paleodip. This cross section begins in Major County with the Pan American, Barnes D-2 in Section 23, T.22N., R.16W., and terminates with the Pan American, Effie B. York well in Section 13, T.18N., R.09W., northwestern Kingfisher County. This correlation shows that most of the Mississippian section in the Starr-Lacey field area, western Kingfisher County and eastern Blaine County, is early Chesterian and Meramecian

Predictive Factors of Organizational Support Communication in Volunteer Mentor Retention

Research has shown that long-term volunteer retention is critical for sustaining the viability of youth mentoring programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Data from recent studies have indicated that volunteers must continue their service for at least 1 year in to have a sustainable effect on the mentee. Results from prior studies have indicated that the support provided by the agency to the volunteer can predict volunteer retention. However, a gap in current literature exists regarding the effect of support communication on volunteer retention. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the relationship between organizational support, communication, and retention of volunteers in the BBBS agency. The VPM was developed to explain the life cycle of volunteerism and was the theoretical framework for this study. The primary research question examined how well the variables related to organizational support communication predict the likelihood of volunteer retention. This study used secondary data collected by BBBS as part of the support communication process they provide to their volunteers. Results from a logistic regression analysis revealed that the amount of face-to-face contact and the number of match support specialists positively predicted volunteer retention of at least 1 year. Results from this study can contribute to social change by informing best practices on the types of support communication for long-term volunteer retention. Specifically, leaders and managers of volunteer agencies should develop policies and procedures that maximize the amount of face-to-face communication provided to volunteers from the agency

Identifying the Cytotoxic Effects of Mycobacteriophage Genes

A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and reproduces in bacteria. During productive infections—those that result in construction and release of infectious phage particles—key host cell metabolic processes are modified by the infecting phage and redirected toward making new phage particles. Protein-protein interactions are likely involved in this process. In this work, gene 80 of mycobacteriophage Vix, a gene cytotoxic to host strain Mycobacterium smegmatis, was studied. Our hypothesis was that an interaction between the Vix80 gene product and a host cell protein caused growth inhibition. Comparative analysis of the Vix80 protein sequence shows a conserved domain of unknown function 2786 (DUF2786) near the N-terminus. The Vix80 gene was dissected, and the N-terminal 66 residues, encompassing the entire DUF2786 domain, was found to be cytotoxic to M. smegmatis. DUF2786 was found to be homologous to a region of three M. smegmatis ORFs, two of which are related by alternate initiation points of the same sequence. Using in vitro protein pull-down and in vivo two-hybrid analyses, efforts are underway to look for possible interactions of Vix80 with itself and the three host proteins. As part of this process, different constructs of the Vix80 protein were expressed in Escherichia coli. We have determined that certain Vix80 constructs are also lethal to the E.coli host cell, while others permit growth, suggesting a conservation of cytotoxic function. Identifying the relevant phage and host gene products and understanding how phage exploit their host’s weaknesses could lead to new therapeutic options for many bacterial illnesses

Purdue College of Pharmacy Experience with Blood Pressure Screenings at the Indiana State Fair

The objective of this community outreach initiative is to develop and implement a student-led blood pressure screening at the Indiana State Fair in conjunction with the Purdue College of Pharmacy and the Hook’s Drug Store Museum. Under the mentorship of two pharmacy faculty members, third- and fourth-year professional PharmD students and pharmacy fellows hold a nine-hour blood pressure screening at the Indiana State Fair each year. The screening is held at the Hook’s Drug Store Museum and the students and fellows sign-up in teams of 3-4 to host the event. Fair-goers visiting the screening have their blood pressure taken using automated blood pressure devices and the readings are recorded into one of three categories: ≤140 mmHg/≤90 mmHg, \u3e140 mmHg/\u3e90 mmHg, or \u3e150 mmHg/\u3e100 mmHg. All patients receive a card with their blood pressure reading, are counseled on hypertension management and possible health complications, and receive a sticker that reads “I had my blood pressure checked at the Indiana State Fair/Purdue College of Pharmacy.” Students complete a reflection following their involvement. Data from the last five years was analyzed. Over the five years, a total of 838 fairgoers have utilized the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked. In addition, 50 pharmacy students, two fellows, and two faculty members have participated in hosting the screening. There has been growing involvement over the years, with 213 individuals visiting the booth in 2019. There has been a steady increase in the percentage of patients with a blood pressure reading in the lowest category. Participation in the Indiana State Fair has become a tradition for the College of Pharmacy as students enjoy and are grateful for such learning opportunities. This initiative allows students to develop and apply their clinical knowledge and communication skills while improving health and awareness of community members

Cluster J Mycobacteriophages: Intron Splicing in Capsid and Tail Genes

Bacteriophages isolated on Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 represent many distinct genomes sharing little or no DNA sequence similarity. The genomes are architecturally mosaic and are replete with genes of unknown function. A new group of genomes sharing substantial nucleotide sequences constitute Cluster J. The six mycobacteriophages forming Cluster J are morphologically members of the Siphoviridae, but have unusually long genomes ranging from 106.3 to 117 kbp. Reconstruction of the capsid by cryo-electron microscopy of mycobacteriophage BAKA reveals an icosahedral structure with a triangulation number of 13. All six phages are temperate and homoimmune, and prophage establishment involves integration into a tRNA-Leu gene not previously identified as a mycobacterial attB site for phage integration. The Cluster J genomes provide two examples of intron splicing within the virion structural genes, one in a major capsid subunit gene, and one in a tail gene. These genomes also contain numerous free-standing HNH homing endonuclease, and comparative analysis reveals how these could contribute to genome mosaicism. The unusual Cluster J genomes provide new insights into phage genome architecture, gene function, capsid structure, gene mobility, intron splicing, and evolution. © 2013 Pope et al

Characterizing Sterol Defect Suppressors Uncovers a Novel Transcriptional Signaling Pathway Regulating Zymosterol Biosynthesis

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Ethylene- and pathogen-inducible Arabidopsis acyl-CoA-binding protein 4 interacts with an ethylene-responsive element binding protein

Six genes encode proteins with acyl-CoA-binding domains in Arabidopsis thaliana. They are the small 10-kDa cytosolic acyl-CoA-binding protein (ACBP), membrane-associated ACBP1 and ACBP2, extracellularly-targeted ACBP3, and kelch-motif containing ACBP4 and ACBP5. Here, the interaction of ACBP4 with an A. thaliana ethylene-responsive element binding protein (AtEBP), identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen, was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. The subcellular localization of ACBP4 and AtEBP, was addressed using an ACBP4:DsRed red fluorescent protein fusion and a green fluorescent protein (GFP):AtEBP fusion. Transient expression of these autofluoresence-tagged proteins in agroinfiltrated tobacco leaves, followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, indicated their co-localization predominantly at the cytosol which was confirmed by FRET analysis. Immuno-electron microscopy on Arabidopsis sections not only localized ACBP4 to the cytosol but also to the periphery of the nucleus upon closer examination, perhaps as a result of its interaction with AtEBP. Furthermore, the expression of ACBP4 and AtEBP in Northern blot analyses was induced by the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, methyl jasmonate treatments, and Botrytis cinerea infection, suggesting that the interaction of ACBP4 and AtEBP may be related to AtEBP-mediated defence possibly via ethylene and/or jasmonate signalling

Cluster J Mycobacteriophages: Intron Splicing in Capsid and Tail Genes

Bacteriophages isolated on Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 represent many distinct genomes sharing little or no DNA sequence similarity. The genomes are architecturally mosaic and are replete with genes of unknown function. A new group of genomes sharing substantial nucleotide sequences constitute Cluster J. The six mycobacteriophages forming Cluster J are morphologically members of the Siphoviridae, but have unusually long genomes ranging from 106.3 to 117 kbp. Reconstruction of the capsid by cryo-electron microscopy of mycobacteriophage BAKA reveals an icosahedral structure with a triangulation number of 13. All six phages are temperate and homoimmune, and prophage establishment involves integration into a tRNA-Leu gene not previously identified as a mycobacterial attB site for phage integration. The Cluster J genomes provide two examples of intron splicing within the virion structural genes, one in a major capsid subunit gene, and one in a tail gene. These genomes also contain numerous freestanding HNH homing endonuclease, and comparative analysis reveals how these could contribute to genome mosaicism. The unusual Cluster J genomes provide new insights into phage genome architecture, gene function, capsid structure, gene mobility, intron splicing, and evolution