bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility to Apoptosis in Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Receptor-deficient Brown Adipocytes
Authors: Valverde Angela M. , Mur Cecilia , Brownlee Michael , Benito Manuel
Published: September 2004

Fetal brown adipocytes are insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) target cells. To assess the importance of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in brown adipocytes during fetal life, we have generated immortalized brown adipocyte cell lines from the IGF-IR-/-mice. Using this experimental model, we demonstrate that the lack of IGF-IR in fetal brown adipocytes increased the susceptibility to apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. Culture of cells in the absence of serum and growth factors produced rapid DNA fragmentation (4 h) in IGF-IR-/-brown adipocytes, compared with the wild type (16 h). Consequently, cell viability was decreased more rapidly in fetal brown adipocytes in the absence of IGF-IR. Furthermore, caspase-3 activity was induced much earlier in cells lacking IGF-IR. At the molecular level, IGF-IR deficiency in fetal brown adipocytes altered the balance of the expression of several proapoptotic (Bcl-xSand Bim) and antiapoptotic (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) members of the Bcl-2 family. This imbalance was irreversible even though in IGF-IR-reconstituted cells. Likewise, cytosolic cytochrome c levels increased rapidly in IGF-IR-deficient cells compared with the wild type. A rapid entry of Foxo1 into the nucleus accompanied by a rapid exit from the cytosol and an earlier activation of caspase-8 were observed in brown adipocytes lacking IGF-IR upon serum deprivation. Activation of caspase-8 was inhibited by 50% in both cell types by neutralizing anti-Fas-ligand antibody. Adenoviral infection of wild-type brown adipocytes with constitutively active Foxol (ADA) increased the expression of antiapoptotic genes, decreased Bcl-xLand induced caspase-8 and -3 activities, with the final outcome of DNA fragmentation. Up-regulation of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) expression in IGF-IR-deficient cells by transduction with PGC-1α or UCP-1 ameliorated caspase-3 activation, thereby retarding apoptosis. Finally, insulin treatment prevented apoptosis in both cell types. However, the survival effect of insulin on IGF-IR-/-brown adipocytes was elicited even in the absence of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling. Thus, our results demonstrate for the first time the unique role of IGF-IR in maintaining the balance of death and survival in fetal brown adipocytes.
Echovirus 1 Endocytosis into Caveosomes Requires Lipid Rafts, Dynamin II, and Signaling Events
Authors: Pietiäinen Vilja , Marjomäki Varpu , Upla Paula , Pelkmans Lucas , Helenius Ari , Hyypiä Timo
Published: September 2004

Binding of echovirus 1 (EV1, a nonenveloped RNA virus) to the α2β1 integrin on the cell surface is followed by endocytic internalization of the virus together with the receptor. Here, video-enhanced live microscopy revealed the rapid uptake of fluorescently labeled EV1 into mobile, intracellular structures, positive for green fluorescent protein-tagged caveolin-1. Partial colocalization of EV1 with SV40 (SV40) and cholera toxin, known to traffic via caveosomes, demonstrated that the vesicles were caveosomes. The initiation of EV1 infection was dependent on dynamin II, cholesterol, and protein phosphorylation events. Brefeldin A, a drug that prevents SV40 transport, blocked the EV1 infection cycle, whereas drugs that disrupt the cellular cytoskeleton had no effect. In situ hybridization revealed the localization of viral RNA with endocytosed viral capsid proteins in caveosomes before initiation of viral replication. Thus, both the internalization of EV1 to caveosomes and subsequent events differ clearly from caveolar endocytosis of SV40 because EV1 uptake is fast and independent of actin and EV1 is not sorted further to sER from caveosomes. These results shed further light on the cell entry of nonenveloped viral pathogens and illustrate the use of viruses as probes to dissect caveolin-associated endocytic pathways.
GIPC Recruits GAIP (RGS19) To Attenuate Dopamine D2Receptor Signaling
Authors: Jeanneteau Freddy , Guillin Olivier , Diaz Jorge , Griffon Nathalie , Sokoloff Pierre
Published: September 2004

Pleiotropic G proteins are essential for the action of hormones and neurotransmitters and are activated by stimulation of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCR), which initiates heterotrimer dissociation of the G protein, exchange of GDP for GTP on its Gα subunit and activation of effector proteins. Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins regulate this cascade and can be recruited to the membrane upon GPCR activation. Direct functional interaction between RGS and GPCR has been hypothesized. We show that recruitment of GAIP (RGS19) by the dopamine D2receptor (D2R), a GPCR, required the scaffold protein GIPC (GAIP-interacting protein, C terminus) and that all three were coexpressed in neurons and neuroendocrine cells. Dynamic translocation of GAIP to the plasma membrane and coassembly in a protein complex in which GIPC was a required component was dictated by D2R activation and physical interactions. In addition, two different D2R-mediated responses were regulated by the GTPase activity of GAIP at the level of the G protein coupling in a GIPC-dependent manner. Since GIPC exclusively interacted with GAIP and selectively with subsets of GPCR, this mechanism may serve to sort GPCR signaling in cells that usually express a large repertoire of GPCRs, G proteins, and RGS.
Roles of the Mammalian Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion Mediators Fis1, Drp1, and Opa1 in Apoptosis
Authors: Lee Yang-ja , Jeong Seon-Yong , Karbowski Mariusz , Smith Carolyn L. , Youle Richard J.
Published: September 2004

During apoptosis, the mitochondrial network fragments. Using short hairpin RNAs for RNA interference, we manipulated the expression levels of the proteins hFis1, Drp1, and Opa1 that are involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion in mammalian cells, and we characterized their functions in mitochondrial morphology and apoptosis. Down-regulation of hFis1 powerfully inhibits cell death to an extent significantly greater than down-regulation of Drp1 and at a stage of apoptosis distinct from that induced by Drp1 inhibition. Cells depleted of Opa1 are extremely sensitive to exogenous apoptosis induction, and some die spontaneously by a process that requires hFis1 expression. Wild-type Opa1 may function normally as an antiapoptotic protein, keeping spontaneous apoptosis in check. However, if hFis1 is down-regulated, cells do not require Opa1 to prevent apoptosis, suggesting that Opa1 may be normally counteracting the proapoptotic action of hFis1. We also demonstrate in this study that mitochondrial fragmentation per se does not result in apoptosis. However, we provide further evidence that multiple components of the mitochondrial morphogenesis machinery can positively and negatively regulate apoptosis.
Arf1p Provides an Unexpected Link between COPI Vesicles and mRNA inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Trautwein Mark , Dengjel Jörn , Schirle Markus , Spang Anne
Published: September 2004

The small GTPase Arf1p is involved in different cellular processes that require its accumulation at specific cellular locations. The recruitment of Arf1p to distinct points of action might be achieved by association of Arf1p with different proteins. To identify new interactors of Arf1p, we performed an affinity chromatography with GTP- or GDP-bound Arf1p proteins. A new interactor of Arf1p-GTP was identified as Pab1p, which binds to the polyA-tail of mRNAs. Pab1p was found to associate with purified COPI-coated vesicles generated from Golgi membranes in vitro. The stability of the Pab1p–Arf1p complex depends on the presence of mRNA. Both symmetrically distributed mRNAs as well as the asymmetrically localized ASH1 mRNA are found in association with Arf1p. Remarkably, Arf1p and Pab1p are both required to restrict ASH1 mRNA to the bud tip. Arf1p and coatomer play an unexpected role in localizing mRNA independent and downstream of the SHE machinery. Hereby acts the SHE machinery in long-range mRNA transport, whereas COPI vesicles could act as short-range and localization vehicles. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–Golgi shuttle might be involved in concentrating mRNA at the ER.
A High-affinity Interaction with ADP-Actin Monomers Underlies the Mechanism and In Vivo Function of Srv2/cyclase-associated Protein
Authors: Mattila Pieta K. , Quintero-Monzon Omar , Kugler Jamie , Moseley James B. , Almo Steven C. , Lappalainen Pekka , Goode Bruce L.
Published: September 2004

Cyclase-associated protein (CAP), also called Srv2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a conserved actin monomer-binding protein that promotes cofilin-dependent actin turnover in vitro and in vivo. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this function. Here, we show that S. cerevisiae CAP binds with strong preference to ADP-G-actin (Kd0.02 μM) compared with ATP-G-actin (Kd1.9 μM) and competes directly with cofilin for binding ADP-G-actin. Further, CAP blocks actin monomer addition specifically to barbed ends of filaments, in contrast to profilin, which blocks monomer addition to pointed ends of filaments. The actin-binding domain of CAP is more extensive than previously suggested and includes a recently solved β-sheet structure in the C-terminus of CAP and adjacent sequences. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we define evolutionarily conserved residues that mediate binding to ADP-G-actin and demonstrate that these activities are required for CAP function in vivo in directing actin organization and polarized cell growth. Together, our data suggest that in vivo CAP competes with cofilin for binding ADP-actin monomers, allows rapid nucleotide exchange to occur on actin, and then because of its 100-fold weaker binding affinity for ATP-actin compared with ADP-actin, allows other cellular factors such as profilin to take the handoff of ATP-actin and facilitate barbed end assembly.
Role of Vma21p in Assembly and Transport of the Yeast Vacuolar ATPase
Authors: Malkus Per , Graham Laurie A. , Stevens Tom H. , Schekman Randy
Published: September 2004

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multisubunit complex composed of a peripheral membrane sector (V1) responsible for ATP hydrolysis and an integral membrane sector (V0) required for proton translocation. Biogenesis of V0requires an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized accessory factor, Vma21p. We found that in vma21Δ cells, the major proteolipid subunit of V0failed to interact with the 100-kDa V0subunit, Vph1p, indicating that Vma21p is necessary for V0assembly. Immunoprecipitation of Vma21p from wild-type membranes resulted in coimmunoprecipitation of all five V0subunits. Analysis of vmaΔ strains showed that binding of V0subunits to Vma21p was mediated by the proteolipid subunit Vma11p. Although Vma21p/proteolipid interactions were independent of Vph1p, Vma21p/Vph1p association was dependent on all other V0subunits, indicating that assembly of V0occurs in a defined sequence, with Vph1p recruitment into a Vma21p/proteolipid/Vma6p complex representing the final step. An in vitro assay for ER export was used to demonstrate preferential packaging of the fully assembled Vma21p/proteolipid/Vma6p/Vph1p complex into COPII-coated transport vesicles. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the interaction between Vma21p and V0was transient and that Vma21p/V0dissociation was concomitant with V0/V1assembly. Blocking ER export in vivo stabilized the interaction between Vma21p and V0and abrogated assembly of V0/V1. Although a Vma21p mutant lacking an ER-retrieval signal remained associated with V0in the vacuole, this interaction did not affect the assembly of vacuolar V0/V1complexes. We conclude that Vma21p is not involved in regulating the interaction between V0and V1sectors, but that it has a crucial role in coordinating the assembly of V0subunits and in escorting the assembled V0complex into ER-derived transport vesicles.
The Small Subunit Processome Is Required for Cell Cycle Progression at G1
Authors: Bernstein Kara A. , Baserga Susan J.
Published: September 2004

Without ribosome biogenesis, translation of mRNA into protein ceases and cellular growth stops. We asked whether ribosome biogenesis is cell cycle regulated in the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and we determined that it is not regulated in the same manner as in metazoan cells. We therefore turned our attention to cellular sensors that relay cell size information via ribosome biogenesis. Our results indicate that the small subunit (SSU) processome, a complex consisting of 40 proteins and the U3 small nucleolar RNA necessary for ribosome biogenesis, is not mitotically regulated. Furthermore, Nan1/Utp17, an SSU processome protein, does not provide a link between ribosome biogenesis and cell growth. However, when individual SSU processome proteins are depleted, cells arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This arrest was further supported by the lack of staining for proteins expressed in post-G1. Similarly, synchronized cells depleted of SSU processome proteins did not enter G2. This suggests that when ribosomes are no longer made, the cells stall in the G1. Therefore, yeast cells must grow to a critical size, which is dependent upon having a sufficient number of ribosomes during the G1 phase of the cell cycle, before cell division can occur.
Modulation of the Biological Activity of a Tobacco LTP1 by Lipid Complexation
Authors: Buhot Nathalie , Gomès Eric , Milat Marie-Louise , Ponchet Michel , Marion Didier , Lequeu José , Delrot Serge , Coutos-Thévenot Pierre , Blein Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2004

Plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are small, cysteine-rich proteins secreted into the extracellular space. They belong to the pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-14) family and are believed to be involved in several physiological processes including plant disease resistance, although their precise biological function is still unknown. Here, we show that a recombinant tobacco LTP1 is able to load fatty acids and jasmonic acid. This LTP1 binds to specific plasma membrane sites, previously characterized as elicitin receptors, and is shown to be involved in the activation of plant defense. The biological properties of this LTP1 were compared with those of LTP1-linolenic and LTP1-jasmonic acid complexes. The binding curve of the LTP1-linolenic acid complex to purified tobacco plasma membranes is comparable to the curve obtained with LTP1. In contrast, the LTP1-jasmonic acid complex shows a strongly increased interaction with the plasma membrane receptors. Treatment of tobacco plants with LTP1-jasmonic acid resulted in an enhancement of resistance toward Phytophthora parasitica. These effects were absent upon treatment with LTP1 or jasmonic acid alone. This work presents the first evidence for a biological activity of a LTP1 and points out the crucial role of protein-specific lipophilic ligand interaction in the modulation of the protein activity.
Megator, an Essential Coiled-Coil Protein that Localizes to the Putative Spindle Matrix during Mitosis inDrosophila
Authors: Qi Hongying , Rath Uttama , Wang Dong , Xu Ying-Zhi , Ding Yun , Zhang Weiguo , Blacketer Melissa J. , Paddy Michael R. , Girton Jack , Johansen Jørgen , Johansen Kristen M.
Published: September 2004

We have used immunocytochemistry and cross-immunoprecipitation analysis to demonstrate that Megator (Bx34 antigen), a Tpr ortholog in Drosophila with an extended coiled-coil domain, colocalizes with the putative spindle matrix proteins Skeletor and Chromator during mitosis. Analysis of P-element mutations in the Megator locus showed that Megator is an essential protein. During interphase Megator is localized to the nuclear rim and occupies the intranuclear space surrounding the chromosomes. However, during mitosis Megator reorganizes and aligns together with Skeletor and Chromator into a fusiform spindle structure. The Megator metaphase spindle persists in the absence of microtubule spindles, strongly implying that the existence of the Megator-defined spindle does not require polymerized microtubules. Deletion construct analysis in S2 cells indicates that the COOH-terminal part of Megator without the coiled-coil region was sufficient for both nuclear as well as spindle localization. In contrast, the NH2-terminal coiled-coil region remains in the cytoplasm; however, we show that it is capable of assembling into spherical structures. On the basis of these findings we propose that the COOH-terminal domain of Megator functions as a targeting and localization domain, whereas the NH2-terminal domain is responsible for forming polymers that may serve as a structural basis for the putative spindle matrix complex.
Interactions among Rax1p, Rax2p, Bud8p, and Bud9p in Marking Cortical Sites for Bipolar Bud-site Selection in Yeast
Authors: Kang Pil Jung , Angerman Elizabeth , Nakashima Kenichi , Pringle John R. , Park Hay-Oak
Published: September 2004

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, selection of the bud site determines the axis of polarized cell growth and eventual oriented cell division. Bud sites are selected in specific patterns depending on cell type. These patterns appear to depend on distinct types of marker proteins in the cell cortex; in particular, the bipolar budding of diploid cells depends on persistent landmarks at the birth-scar-distal and -proximal poles that involve the proteins Bud8p and Bud9p, respectively. Rax1p and Rax2p also appear to function specifically in bipolar budding, and we report here a further characterization of these proteins and of their interactions with Bud8p and Bud9p. Rax1p and Rax2p both appear to be integral membrane proteins. Although commonly used programs predict different topologies for Rax2p, glycosylation studies indicate that it has a type I orientation, with its long N-terminal domain in the extracytoplasmic space. Analysis of rax1 and rax2 mutant budding patterns indicates that both proteins are involved in selecting bud sites at both the distal and proximal poles of daughter cells as well as near previously used division sites on mother cells. Consistent with this, GFP-tagged Rax1p and Rax2p were both observed at the distal pole as well as at the division site on both mother and daughter cells; localization to the division sites was persistent through multiple cell cycles. Localization of Rax1p and Rax2p was interdependent, and biochemical studies showed that these proteins could be copurified from yeast. Bud8p and Bud9p could also be copurified with Rax1p, and localization studies provided further evidence of interactions. Localization of Rax1p and Rax2p to the bud tip and distal pole depended on Bud8p, and normal localization of Bud8p was partially dependent on Rax1p and Rax2p. Although localization of Rax1p and Rax2p to the division site did not appear to depend on Bud9p, normal localization of Bud9p appeared largely or entirely dependent on Rax1p and Rax2p. Taken together, the results indicate that Rax1p and Rax2p interact closely with each other and with Bud8p and Bud9p in the establishment and/or maintenance of the cortical landmarks for bipolar budding.
Formation of Nuclear Splicing Factor Compartments Is Independent of Lamins A/C
Authors: Večeřová Jaromíra , Koberna Karel , Malínský Jan , Soutoglou Evi , Sullivan Teresa , Stewart Colin L. , Raška Ivan , Misteli Tom
Published: September 2004

Nuclear lamins are major architectural elements of the mammalian cell nucleus, and they have been implicated in the functional organization of the nuclear interior, possibly by providing structural support for nuclear compartments. Colocalization studies have suggested a structural role for lamins in the formation and maintenance of pre-mRNA splicing factor compartments. Here, we have directly tested this hypothesis by analysis of embryonic fibroblasts from knock-out mice lacking A- and C-type lamins. We show that the morphology and cellular properties of splicing factor compartments are independent of A- and C-type lamins. Genetic loss of lamins A/C has no effect on the cellular distribution of several pre-mRNA splicing factors and does not affect the compartment morphology as examined by light and electron microscopy. The association of splicing factors with the nuclear matrix fraction persists in the absence of lamins A/C. Live cell microscopy demonstrates that the intranuclear positional stability of splicing factor compartments is maintained and that the exchange dynamics of SF2/ASF between the compartments and the nucleoplasm is not affected by loss of lamin A/C. Our results demonstrate that formation and maintenance of intranuclear splicing factor compartments is independent of lamins A/C, and they argue against an essential structural role of lamins A/C in splicing factor compartment morphology.
Cleavages within the Prodomain Direct Intracellular Trafficking and Degradation of Mature Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4
Authors: Degnin Catherine , Jean François , Thomas Gary , Christian Jan L.
Published: September 2004

Pro bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is initially cleaved at a consensus furin motif adjacent to the mature ligand domain (the S1 site), and this allows for subsequent cleavage at an upstream motif (the S2 site). Previous studies have shown that S2 cleavage regulates the activity and signaling range of mature BMP-4, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Here, we show that the pro- and mature domains of BMP-4 remain noncovalently associated after S1 cleavage, generating a complex that is targeted for rapid degradation. Degradation requires lysosomal and proteosomal function and is enhanced by interaction with heparin sulfate proteoglycans. Subsequent cleavage at the S2 site liberates mature BMP-4 from the prodomain, thereby stabilizing the protein. We also show that cleavage at the S2, but not the S1 site, is enhanced at reduced pH, consistent with the possibility that the two cleavages occur in distinct subcellular compartments. Based on these results, we propose a model for how cleavage at the upstream site regulates the activity and signaling range of mature BMP-4 after it has been released from the prodomain.
Limits to Altruism: Organ Supply and Educational expenditures
Authors: Beard T. Randolph , Kaserman David L. , Saba Richard P.
Published: September 2004

Current U.S. law prohibits compensation for cadaveric organ donation. The resulting organ shortage causes thousands of deaths per year. The primary tool currently relied on by the organ procurement industry to increase organ supply is educational spending aimed at both industry professionals and the general public. This article evaluates the effectiveness of such spending across a fairly comprehensive and unique sample of free‐standing U.S. organ procurement organizations, controlling for the size of the organization, population demographics, and geographic region. The authors find no evidence that such spending is effective on the margin and conclude that the organ shortage is unlikely to be resolved by increased educational expenditures. (JEL I18, I11)
Extramarital Affairs, Marital Satisfaction, and Divorce: Evidence from Hong Kong
Authors: Fan C. Simon , Lui Hon‐Kwong
Published: September 2004

This article provides the first empirical study on how the perceived changes of marital satisfaction affect marital stability using a unique data set obtained in Hong Kong. It is found that the change of marital satisfaction due to extramarital affairs clearly increases the probability of divorce, but it is not the only determinant of marital instability. In particular, the presence of dependent children in a family and good marital quality before the discovery of extramarital affairs would lower the probability of divorce. Moreover, this article generates several interesting policy implications. (JEL D1, J1)
Isolating the Family Cap Effect on Fertility Behavior: Evidence From New Jersey's Family Development Program Experiment
Authors: Camasso Michael J.
Published: September 2004

This study examines the unbundled impacts of a family cap policy and enhanced JOBS program on the fertility of 2100 women on welfare who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups as part of New Jersey's welfare reform program. Data were collected quarterly from December 1992 through March 1997 on births, abortions, contraceptive pill use, and contraceptive sterilizations from welfare and Medicaid claim files. Results indicate that the family cap lowered births and increased abortions and contraception use but only for women who were short‐time welfare users. Enhanced JOBS exerted an independent effect on fertility of more chronic recipients. (JEL I38)
Transferring Measures of Adult Health Benefits to Children: A Review of Issues and Results
Authors: Agee Mark D. , Crocker Thomas D.
Published: September 2004

This article discusses issues involved in inferring the economic value of children's health from estimates of the value of adult health. A central theme is that if health benefit transfers across individuals are to be useful to policy makers, they must be founded on analytical as well as statistical commonalities. Whether the health benefits transfer issue is among adults or between adults and children, a vision that embeds the individual in a collective entity, such as a family with limited time and resources, can provide a common analytical structure having substantive economic content and able to accommodate varying measures of health. (JELI,D1,Q2)
Can/Should/Will A Niche Become the Norm? Organic Agriculture's Short Past and Long Future
Authors: Blank Steven C. , Thompson Gary D.
Published: September 2004

A theory is proposed that explains the evolution of a market based on a quality variant as it goes from being a niche to the market norm. Organic commodities are described as such a quality variant and used to focus on the economic and policy issues that arise during a market's evolution. It is shown how organic products in general can become the norm in many American commodity markets. However, there is disagreement over whether it should and much uncertainty about whether it will. The current status of two organic markets is discussed to illustrate empirical issues. (JEL Q130, Q110, Q100)
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Methods: Lessons in Simplicity from State Trustees
Authors: Ando Amy W. , Khanna Madhu
Published: September 2004

When natural resource damages are caused by releases of hazardous materials into the environment, government trustees must conduct Natural Resource Damage Assessments (NRDAs) to support claims to recover the value of lost or damaged resources. This article sets forth theoretical arguments that support efforts to develop unbiased simplified NRDA methods for use by government trustees and proposes a set of criteria that can be used to evaluate the quality of any such simplified method. The authors then describe the simplified methods being used by five states across the country, affording academic economists a rare view of the kinds of methods state agencies use in‐house. The article evaluates those methods against the criteria set forth and discusses the potential of other nonstate‐specific simplified NRDA methods (benefit transfer and Type A models) to do the job better. The new framework established can guide future research to design simplified methods that are less biased than the simplified methods currently in use by some states without compromising ease of implementation. (JEL Q5, K32)
Smoke‐free Ordinances Increase Restaurant Profit and Value
Authors: Alamar Benjamin C. , Glantz Stanton A.
Published: September 2004

This study estimates the value added to a restaurant by a smoke‐free policy using regression analysis of the purchase price of restaurants as a function of the presence of a smoke‐free law and other control variables. There was a median increase of 16% (interquartile range 11% to 25%) in the sale price of a restaurant in a jurisdiction with a smoke‐free law compared to a comparable restaurant in a community without such a law. This result indicates that contrary to claims made by opponents of smoke‐free laws, these laws are associated with an increase in restaurant profitability. (JEL I120, H000, D780)
Contract‐Based Trading Programs in Environmental Regulation
Authors: Keeler Andrew G.
Published: September 2004

Emissions trading markets have been successful in addressing pollution problems where regulated entities can be treated in a similar manner and precise control of emissions quantities across time and space is not critical. In other situations, trading must account for individual circumstances, complexity, and the patchwork of existing regulations. In these circumstances trading systems have elements of contracts, in that transactions are unique and must be negotiated and approved individually. Such programs imply a high payoff to improved environmental information and to innovations in trading systems that allow making better use of such information. (JEL Q21, Q25, Q28)
Examining Federal Impact Aid's Reimbursement for Local School Districts
Authors: Buddin Richard , Gill Brian , Zimmer Ron
Published: September 2004

In 1950, Congress created the Federal Impact Aid Program to compensate local school districts for lost tax revenue or increased burdens resulting from federal activities, including the placement of military bases within school districts. Currently, Impact Aid provides nearly $1 billion per year in subsidies to approximately 1400 local school districts that enroll over 1.2 million eligible children. This current study examines the adequacy of the funding in the Impact Aid program as an example of how the existing public finance literature provides the tools to help policy makers make informed decisions. (JEL H0, H7, 12)
The Policy Anticipation Hypothesis: Evidence from the Federal Funds Futures Market
Authors: Burger John D.
Published: September 2004

In an era of increasingly transparent policy making by the Federal Reserve, market participants appear to interpret each economic announcement based on the implication for monetary policy. As a result, when macroeconomic news arrives economic agents revise their expectations of upcoming policy decisions and interest rates move accordingly. This article provides empirical support for this policy anticipation hypothesis utilizing the Federal funds futures market to proxy for policy expectations. The results indicate that once one controls for the role of policy anticipation the impact of many announcements on bond yields becomes statistically insignificant. (JEL E4, E5, G1)
Consumption and Remittances in Migrant Households: Toward a Productive Use of Remittances
Authors: Zarate‐Hoyos German A.
Published: September 2004

This article reviews the magnitude of remittance flows into Mexican households and examines the consumption patterns of remittance‐receiving households. A thorough understanding of the dynamics of remittances and consumption in migrant households in Mexico should inform policy makers of the best ways to channel these resources into productive uses. The Mexican Income and Expenditure Survey for 1989 is used to compare and test patterns of consumption and uses of remittances in urban and rural Mexico. (JEL F2–F22, O1–O15)
Chronic Ethanol Enhances Ectodomain Shedding in T Cells and Monocytes
Authors: Zhao Xue‐Jun , Oliver Peter , Song Kejing , Schurr Jill , Zhang Zili , Kolls Jay K.
Published: September 2004

Background: Chronic ethanol (EtOH) has been shown to augment tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α production, and this has been associated with EtOH‐induced liver injury. We have recently described a chronic in vitro cell culture model where chronic ethanol exposure results in significantly augmented TNF production in Mono Mac 6 cells, a human monocytic cell line. This enhanced TNF production was redox regulated and associated with increased levels of TNF messenger RNA (mRNA) as well as increased processing of TNF by TNF converting enzyme (TACE), the enzymatic activity of which is regulated by the cellular redox state. We hypothesized that chronic ethanol through oxidative stress activates TACE‐mediated ectodomain shedding of the preformed substrates p75 and p55 TNF receptors in Mono Mac 6 cells and L‐selectin in Jurkat T cells.

Methods: Mono Mac 6 or Jurkat T cells were treated with EtOH (0, 50, or 100 mM) for 4 to 6 days. Shedding of p75 and p55 TNF receptors (Mono Mac 6 cells) or L‐selectin (Jurkat T cells) was induced by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate for Mono Mac 6 cells and PMA alone for Jurkat T cells. Shedding was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for shed molecules in the cell supernatant as well as the cell‐associated proteins recovered from cell pellets. Steady‐state mRNA levels for p75 TNF receptor and L‐selectin were determined by ribonuclease protection assay. Cell surface L‐selectin and TACE were measured by flow cytometry, and cell associated p55 and p75 TNF receptors were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Chronic EtOH exposure for 6 days resulted in a significant dose‐dependent increase in shedding of p75 and p55 TNF receptors from Mono Mac 6 cells and L‐selectin from Jurkat T‐cells. The enhanced shedding was correlated with an alcohol‐induced increase in mRNA levels and cell surface protein levels for these TACE substrates. Although chronic EtOH exposure increased the total amount of p75 and p55 TNF receptor and L‐selectin shed into the media, the efficiency of shedding was suppressed by EtOH. In the case of Mono Mac 6 cells, the EtOH exposure increased superoxide production. Inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) oxidase and hydrogen peroxide partially prevented the increased production of p75 TNF receptor in these cells.

Conclusions: These results suggest that chronic EtOH up‐regulates p75 and p55 TNF receptors on monocytes and L‐selectin on T‐cells. However, the TACE‐mediated shedding efficiency of these substrates may be inhibited in the presence of EtOH. These results may have implications in monocyte signaling and T‐cell trafficking, which may, in part, contribute to immune dysregulation associated with chronic ethanol.
A Pilot Evaluation of the Safety and Tolerability of Repeat Dose Administration of Long‐Acting Injectable Naltrexone (Vivitrex®) in Patients With Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Johnson Bankole A. , Ait‐Daoud Nassima , Aubin Henri‐Jean , van den Brink Wim , Guzzetta Richard , Loewy John , Silverman Bernard , Ehrich Elliot
Published: September 2004

Background: Oral naltrexone is currently used as part of a treatment regimen for alcohol‐dependent patients, but its clinical utility is hampered by poor patient adherence. A long‐acting injectable naltrexone formulation (Vivitrex®) was designed to facilitate patient adherence by providing an extended duration of therapeutic naltrexone over 1 month, thereby eliminating the need for daily dosing.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intramuscular repeat dose administration of this extended‐release naltrexone formulation in DSM‐IV alcohol‐dependent patients. Thirty patients were randomized to treatment with injectable naltrexone (400 mg; n= 25) or a matching placebo injection (n= 5) and were dosed once every 28 days over 4 months. Psychosocial treatment was offered to patients in both treatment groups. Outcome measures related to drinking activity and trough plasma concentrations of naltrexone and its primary metabolite, 6‐β‐naltrexol, were evaluated.

Results: Injectable naltrexone was generally safe and well tolerated. Reported adverse events were mild to moderate and resolved without intervention; only two patients discontinued due to adverse events. The most common adverse events (nausea and headache) occurred at a similar rate for patients in both treatment groups. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that therapeutic levels of naltrexone were delivered throughout the four 1‐month treatment cycles.

Conclusions: The results of this pilot study provide the basis and methods for a larger, more definitive trial to determine the utility of this long‐acting injectable naltrexone formulation in the treatment of alcohol‐dependent patients.
Perturbation solutions for highly frictional granular media
Authors: Thamwattana Ngamta , Hill James M.
Published: September 2004

In this paper, we deal with the materials possessing angles of internal friction
ϕ
for which 1 − sin
ϕ
is close to zero, and we use the solution for sin
ϕ
= 1 as the leading term in a regular perturbation series, where the correction terms are of order 1 − sin
ϕ
. In this way we obtain approximate analytical solutions which can be used to describe the behaviour of real granular materials. The solution procedure is illustrated with reference to quasi–static flow through wedge–shaped and conical hoppers. For these two problems, the obtained perturbation solutions are shown to be graphically indistinguishable from the numerical solutions for high angles of internal friction, and for moderately high angles of internal friction the perturbation solutions still provide excellent approximations.
Monte Carlo simulation of coherent effects in multiple scattering
Authors: Meglinski Igor V. , Kuzmin Vladimir L. , Churmakov Dmitry Y. , Greenhalgh Douglas A.
Published: September 2004

Using a combination of the stochastic Monte Carlo technique and the iteration procedure of the solution to the Bethe–Salpeter equation, it has been shown that the simulation of the optical path of a photon packet undergoing an
n
th scattering event directly corresponds to the
n
th–order ladder diagram contribution. In this paper, the Monte Carlo technique is generalized for the simulation of the coherent back–scattering and temporal correlation function of optical radiation scattered within the randomly inhomogeneous turbid medium. The results of simulation demonstrate a good agreement with the diffusing wave theory and experimental results.
How effectively do marketing journals transfer useful learning from scholars to practitioners?
Authors: Crosier Keith
Published: September 2004

The author's career experience provides the impetus for a survey of the extent to which marketing journals succeed in transferring useful knowledge from academics to practitioners. The Flesch Reading Ease measurement method is used to compare 475 articles published in 14 English‐language journals during 2003. Scores are found to range from zero to a figure only just inside the “fairly easy” range, the average is in the middle of “difficult”, and the mainstream marketing titles are grouped at the low‐readability end of the distribution. Analysis of variance confirms that differences within the sample are significant. The author draws personal conclusions, and suggests possible extensions of this exploratory study.
Assessing and improving service performancefor maximum impact: insights from a two‐decade‐long research journey
Authors: Parasuraman A.
Published: September 2004

Starting in 1983, and sponsored by the Marketing Science Institute (MSI), the service research journey has consisted of multiple research phases that have covered a variety of sectors, employed both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and included interviews with managers, employees and customers of dozens of organizations. The focus of this paper has been on understanding, measuring and improving service quality. The research has produced concepts, models and tools, which are now widely used for evaluating service quality in the commercial sector.
Worker Participation and Firm Performance
Authors: Preston Alison C. , Crockett Geoffrey V.
Published: September 2004

Assessing the robustness of empirical estimates, and thus the generality of theoretical models, is an important objective in applied research. Accordingly, this paper offers a further test of the Freeman-Lazear employee involvement model. The theoretical model posits that the form and level of bargaining has an important bearing on levels of employee involvement chosen by management. Sub-optimal levels of employee involvement are predicted for firms engaged in workplace level distributive or competitive bargaining. In contrast to earlier tests of the model based on British and German data, findings in this paper (based on the 1995 Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey) provide little support for the theorised relationships.
The Customer as Ally: The Role of the Customer in the Finance Sector Union’s Campaigning
Authors: Cutcher Leanne
Published: September 2004

In recent years the Finance Sector Union has pursued a range of strategies which rely on the incorporation of customers into its campaigns. These strategies extend from the employment of a discourse of shared worker and customer concerns in its communications with union members and the public through to the development of alliances with consumer and community groups. While easy to advance in an industry where customer disillusionment and frustration is widespread, these appeals for solidarity and the formation of alliances are not unproblematic. In the light of lessons drawn from US literature on community campaigning and the experiences of other Australian unions, this article explores the limitations and potential of union strategies that seek to incorporate the customer and evaluates the alliances formed between the Finance Sector Union and community groups.
Non-Standard Employment and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from the Hilda Survey
Authors: Wooden Mark , Warren Diana
Published: September 2004

It is widely assumed that non-standard employment arrangements, and especially casual employment, involve employment conditions that are inferior to more traditional employment arrangements. This paper uses data from the first wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examine this issue. These data suggest that workers do not necessarily see non-standard employment as undesirable. First, workers on fixed-term contracts are more satisfied with their jobs than other workers. Second, the lower levels of job satisfaction among casual employees are restricted to those working full-time and even then the size of the effect is only marked among male employees.
Changing Patterns of Employee Voice: Case Studies from the UK and Republic of Ireland
Authors: Wilkinson Adrian , Dundon Tony , Marchington Mick , Ackers Peter
Published: September 2004

In this paper we examine a wide range of employee voice mechanisms from a total of18 case studies from the UK and Republic of Ireland. We examine how voice is defined by managers and how they link voice with improved economic efficiency. The evidence suggests that employee voice is more extensive in terms of its ‘scope’ and ‘impact’ than a decade ago, although the ‘level’ at which employees have a say remains the preserve of managerial control. The evidence also suggests that the link between voice and organisational performance is problematic. The conclusion argues that organisations now face a diffuse and persistent range of concerns from highly articulate employees. In this respect, managing employee voice will be closely related to managing diversity.
Orientations to Paid Maternity Leave: Understanding the Australian Debate
Authors: Baird Marian
Published: September 2004

Despite the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s recommendation in December 2002 for a national paid maternity leave scheme for Australia, no such scheme has yet been introduced and the concept remains contested socially, politically and industrially. The paper suggests that the explanation for this confusion and contestation may be understood in terms of the various orientations to paid maternity leave in current Australian debates. As a way of understanding the policy paralysis more clearly, the paper proposes a typology of these orientations to paid maternity leave. This typology shows that each of the existing orientations hinders the introduction of universal access to paid maternity leave for Australian working women. In order to change this and to constructively progress policy development, it is argued that a new policy orientation based on ‘social feminism’ and a ‘new equity’ is required. Unlike other orientations, this one recognises equality and difference and places the rights and needs of working women at its core.
“It’s Not Just Numbers”: Union Employees’ Perceptions of Union Effectiveness
Authors: Burchielli Rosaria
Published: September 2004

This paper presents a new approach to the measurement of union effectiveness: using a framework derived from existing theory, this is applied in an Australian setting, capturing the views of ninety-eight union officials, administrative and industrial staff, through a qualitative empirical study.
Trait and density mediated indirect interactions in simple food webs
Authors: Křivan Vlastimil , Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: September 2004

This article compares indirect trait‐mediated interactions in simple resource–consumer–predator food webs with those that are density‐mediated. It focuses on two well documented responses of consumers to predation risk: decrease in consumer activity and habitat switch. These behavioral effects are transmitted to resources and they cause similar indirect effects as those which are mediated by density changes in consumers. Two indirect interactions are studied in this article: trophic cascades, and apparent competition. Results for density only, trait only and combined density and trait mediated interactions are compared and discussed with respect to manipulation with predator density (top‐down manipulation) and resource environmental capacity (bottom‐up manipulation). The article shows that trait‐mediated effects on species equilibrial densities are similar to those of density‐mediated, but they are often highly non‐linear. Thus, they may have potential for even stronger impact on food webs than those which are density mediated.
Additive apportioning of species diversity: towards more sophisticated models and analyses
Authors: Couteron Pierre , Pélissier Raphaël
Published: September 2004

As a follow‐up to the recent interest in simple additive models for diversity partitioning, we have used the analogy with ANOVA models to propose a consistent framework that allows both (i) apportioning the amount of regional diversity into environmentally and/or geographically‐related components (ii) detecting individual species' habitat preferences using permutation tests. We addressed geographical aspects by relating diversity partition to dissimilarity measurements. An illustration based on an inventory of trees in a tropical rain forest of French Guiana is provided.
Conservative resource utilization in the common blue butterfly–evidence for low costs of accepting absent host plants?
Authors: Bergström Anders , Nylin Sören , Nygren Georg H.
Published: September 2004

We studied host plant preference of the common blue butterfly, Polyommatus icarus, and larval performance on two different host plants, Oxytropis campestris and Lotus corniculatus. The study species is a small lycaenid butterfly believed to be relatively sedentary. The study populations originated from two different and widely separated geographical areas. In one area both hosts are naturally occurring, with O. campestris being most abundant at the study sites, in the other area only one of the host plants, L. corniculatus, is present. There was no difference in oviposition preference or larval performance between populations from the two different areas. Hence, P. icarus from sites dominated by O. campestris has not evolved a higher preference for or better performance on this host plant. More surprisingly, P. icarus from the area were O. campestris is completely absent has retained not only good larval performance on this host plant but also high female preference for it. This conservatism at a large geographical scale is seen even though there seems to be genetic variation present in both populations, at least for preference but perhaps also for performance. We suggest that such lack of variation in resource utilization between populations may be evidence for weak selection against “preferences” for plants that are rare or absent. A combination of other constraining factors may also contribute to some degree, especially stepping‐stone gene flow between populations.