bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accessing the Eternal: Dreaming “The Dreaming” and Ceremonial Performance
Authors: Hume Lynne 
Published: February 2004

AbstractAustralian Aboriginal cosmology is centered on The Dreaming, which has an eternal nature. It has been referred to as “everywhen” to articulate its timelessness. Starting with the assumption that “waking” reality is only one type of experienced reality, we investigate the concept of timelessness as it pertains to the Aboriginal worldview. We begin by questioning whether in fact “Dreaming” is an appropriate translation of a complex Aboriginal concept, then discuss whether there is any relationship between dreaming and The Dreaming. We then discuss Aboriginal ceremonial performance, during which actors are said to become Dreaming Ancestors, using as a frame of reference the “flow” experience explicated by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi together with Alfred Schutz's “mutual tuning‐in relationship.”
Winged Helix Transcription Factor CPCR1 Is Involved in Regulation of β-Lactam Biosynthesis in the Fungus
Acremonium chrysogenum
Authors: Schmitt Esther K. , Bunse Astrid , Janus Danielle , Hoff Birgit , Friedlin Ernst , Kürnsteiner Hubert , Kück Ulrich 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

Winged helix transcription factors, including members of the forkhead and the RFX subclasses, are characteristic for the eukaryotic domains in animals and fungi but seem to be missing in plants. In this study, in vitro and in vivo approaches were used to determine the functional role of the RFX transcription factor CPCR1 from the filamentous fungus
Acremonium chrysogenum
in cephalosporin C biosynthesis. Gel retardation analyses were applied to identify new binding sites of the transcription factor in an intergenic promoter region of cephalosporin C biosynthesis genes. Here, we illustrate that CPCR1 recognizes and binds at least two sequences in the intergenic region between the
pcbAB
and
pcbC
genes. The in vivo relevance of the two sequences for gene activation was demonstrated by using
pcbC
promoter-
lacZ
fusions in
A. chrysogenum
. The deletion of both CPCR1 binding sites resulted in an extensive reduction of reporter gene activity in transgenic strains (to 12% of the activity level of the control). Furthermore,
Acremonium
transformants with multiple copies of the
cpcR1
gene and knockout strains support the idea of CPCR1 being a regulator of cephalosporin C biosynthesis gene expression. Significant differences in
pcbC
gene transcript levels were obtained with the knockout transformants. More-than-twofold increases in the
pcbC
transcript level at 24 and 36 h of cultivation were followed by a reduction to approximately 80% from 48 to 96 h in the knockout strain. The overall levels of the production of cephalosporin C were identical in transformed and nontransformed strains; however, the knockout strains showed a striking reduction in the level of the biosynthesis of intermediate penicillin N to less than 20% of that of the recipient strain. We were able to show that the complementation of the
cpcR1
gene in the knockout strains reverses
pcbC
transcript and penicillin N amounts to levels comparable to those in the control. These results clearly indicate the involvement of CPCR1 in the regulation of cephalosporin C biosynthesis. However, the complexity of the data points to a well-controlled or even functional redundant network of transcription factors, with CPCR1 being only one player within this process.
An
ste20
Homologue in
Ustilago maydis
Plays a Role in Mating and Pathogenicity
Authors: Smith David G. , Garcia-Pedrajas Maria D. , Hong Wei , Yu Zhanyang , Gold Scott E. , Perlin Michael H. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are conserved from fungi to humans and have been shown to play important roles in mating and filamentous growth for both
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and dimorphic fungi and in infectivity for pathogenic fungi.
STE20
encodes a protein kinase of the p21-activated protein kinase family that regulates more than one of these cascades in yeasts. We hypothesized that an Ste20p homologue would play a similar role in the dimorphic plant pathogen
Ustilago maydis
. The full-length copy of the
U. maydis
gene was obtained from a genomic library; it lacked introns and was predicted to encode a protein of 826 amino acids, whose sequence confirmed its identity as the first Ste20p homologue to be isolated from a plant pathogen. The predicted protein contained both an N-terminal regulatory Cdc42-Rac interactive binding domain and a C-terminal catalytic kinase domain. Disruption of the gene
smu1
resulted in a delayed mating response in a mating-type-specific manner and also in a severe reduction in disease production on maize. Unlike the
Ustilago
bypass of cyclase (
ubc
) mutations previously identified in genes in the pheromone-responsive MAPK cascade, mutation of
smu1
does not by itself act as an extragenic suppressor of the filamentous phenotype of a
uac1
mutant. Thus, the direct connection of Smu1p to MAPK cascade function has yet to be established. Even so, Smu1, though not absolutely required for mating, is necessary for wild-type mating and pathogenicity.
Candida albicans
Lacking the Gene Encoding the Regulatory Subunit of Protein Kinase A Displays a Defect in Hyphal Formation and an Altered Localization of the Catalytic Subunit
Authors: Cassola Alejandro , Parrot Marc , Silberstein Susana , Magee Beatrice B. , Passeron Susana , Giasson Luc , Cantore María L. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
switches from a yeast-like to a filamentous mode of growth in response to a variety of environmental conditions. We examined the morphogenetic behavior of
C. albicans
yeast cells lacking the
BCY1
gene, which encodes the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A. We cloned the
BCY1
gene and generated a
bcy1 tpk2
double mutant strain because a homozygous
bcy1
mutant in a wild-type genetic background could not be obtained. In the
bcy1 tpk2
mutant, protein kinase A activity (due to the presence of the
TPK1
gene) was cyclic AMP independent, indicating that the cells harbored an unregulated phosphotransferase activity. This mutant has constitutive protein kinase A activity and displayed a defective germinative phenotype in
N
-acetylglucosamine and in serum-containing medium. The subcellular localization of a Tpk1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was examined in wild-type,
tpk2
null, and
bcy1 tpk2
double mutant strains. The fusion protein was observed to be predominantly nuclear in wild-type and
tpk2
strains. This was not the case in the
bcy1 tpk2
double mutant, where it appeared dispersed throughout the cell. Coimmunoprecipitation of Bcy1p with the Tpk1-GFP fusion protein demonstrated the interaction of these proteins inside the cell. These results suggest that one of the roles of Bcy1p is to tether the protein kinase A catalytic subunit to the nucleus.
Regulatory Network Connecting Two Glucose Signal Transduction Pathways in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kaniak Aneta , Xue Zhixiong , Macool Daniel , Kim Jeong-Ho , Johnston Mark 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
senses glucose, its preferred carbon source, through multiple signal transduction pathways. In one pathway, glucose represses the expression of many genes through the Mig1 transcriptional repressor, which is regulated by the Snf1 protein kinase. In another pathway, glucose induces the expression of
HXT
genes encoding glucose transporters through two glucose sensors on the cell surface that generate an intracellular signal that affects function of the Rgt1 transcription factor. We profiled the yeast transcriptome to determine the range of genes targeted by this second pathway. Candidate target genes were verified by testing for Rgt1 binding to their promoters by chromatin immunoprecipitation and by measuring the regulation of the expression of promoter
lacZ
fusions. Relatively few genes could be validated as targets of this pathway, suggesting that this pathway is primarily dedicated to regulating the expression of
HXT
genes. Among the genes regulated by this glucose signaling pathway are several genes involved in the glucose induction and glucose repression pathways. The Snf3/Rgt2-Rgt1 glucose induction pathway contributes to glucose repression by inducing the transcription of
MIG2
, which encodes a repressor of glucose-repressed genes, and regulates itself by inducing the expression of
STD1
, which encodes a regulator of the Rgt1 transcription factor. The Snf1-Mig1 glucose repression pathway contributes to glucose induction by repressing the expression of
SNF3
and
MTH1
, which encodes another regulator of Rgt1, and also regulates itself by repressing the transcription of
MIG1
. Thus, these two glucose signaling pathways are intertwined in a regulatory network that serves to integrate the different glucose signals operating in these two pathways.
Wangiella(Exophiala)dermatitidisWdChs5p, a Class V Chitin Synthase, Is Essential for Sustained Cell Growth at Temperature of Infection
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Kauffman Sarah , Becker Jeffrey M. , Szaniszlo Paul J. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTThe chitin synthase structural geneWdCHS5was isolated from the black fungal pathogen of humansWangielladermatitidis. Sequence analysis revealed that the gene has a myosin motor-like-encoding region at its 5′ end and a chitin synthase (class V)-encoding region at its 3′ end. Northern blotting showed thatWdCHS5is expressed at high levels under conditions of stress. Analysis of the 5′ upstream region ofWdCHS5fused to a reporter gene indicated that one or more of the potential regulatory elements present may have contributed to the high expression levels. Disruption ofWdCHS5produced mutants that grow normally at 25°C but have severe growth and cellular abnormalities at 37°C. Osmotic stabilizers, such as sorbitol and sucrose, rescued the wild-type phenotype, which indicated that the loss of WdChs5p causes cell wall integrity defects. Animal survival tests with a mouse model of acute infection showed that allwdchs5Δ mutants are less virulent than the parental strain. Reintroduction of theWdCHS5gene into thewdchs5Δ mutants abolished the temperature-sensitive phenotype and reestablished their virulence. We conclude that the product ofWdCHS5is required for the sustained growth ofW. dermatitidisat 37°C and is of critical importance to its virulence.
C-Terminal Truncation of α-COP Affects Functioning of Secretory Organelles and Calcium Homeostasis in
Hansenula polymorpha
Authors: Chechenova Maria B. , Romanova Nina V. , Deev Alexander V. , Packeiser Anna N. , Smirnov Vladimir N. , Agaphonov Michael O. , Ter-Avanesyan Michael D. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

In eukaryotic cells, COPI vesicles retrieve resident proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and mediate intra-Golgi transport. Here, we studied the
Hansenula polymorpha
homologue of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae RET1
gene, encoding α-COP, a subunit of the COPI protein complex.
H. polymorpha ret1
mutants, which expressed truncated α-COP lacking more than 300 C-terminal amino acids, manifested an enhanced ability to secrete human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and an inability to grow with a shortage of Ca
2+
ions, whereas a lack of α-COP expression was lethal. The α-COP defect also caused alteration of intracellular transport of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein Gas1p, secretion of abnormal uPA forms, and reductions in the levels of Pmr1p, a Golgi Ca
2+
-ATPase. Overexpression of Pmr1p suppressed some
ret1
mutant phenotypes, namely, Ca
2+
dependence and enhanced uPA secretion. The role of COPI-dependent vesicular transport in cellular Ca
2+
homeostasis is discussed.
DNA Repair Functions That Control Sensitivity to Topoisomerase-Targeting Drugs
Authors: Malik Mobeen , Nitiss John L. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

DNA topoisomerases play critical roles in a wide range of cellular processes by altering DNA topology to facilitate replication, transcription, and chromosome segregation. Topoisomerases alter DNA topology by introducing transient DNA strand breaks that involve a covalent protein DNA intermediate. Many agents have been found to prevent the religation of DNA strand breaks induced by the enzymes, thereby converting the enzymes into DNA-damaging agents. Repair of the DNA damage induced by topoisomerases is significant in understanding drug resistance arising following treatment with topoisomerase-targeting drugs. We have used the fission yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
to identify DNA repair pathways that are important for cell survival following drug treatment.
S. pombe
strains carrying mutations in genes required for homologous recombination such as
rad22A
or
rad32
(homologues of
RAD52
and
MRE11
) are hypersensitive to drugs targeting either topoisomerase I or topoisomerase II. In contrast to results observed with
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
,
S. pombe
strains defective in nucleotide excision repair are also hypersensitive to topoisomerase-targeting agents. The loss of DNA replication or DNA damage checkpoints also sensitizes cells to both topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II inhibitors. Finally, repair genes (such as the

S. pombe rad8
+

gene) with no obvious homologs in other systems also play important roles in causing sensitivity to topoisomerase drugs. Since the pattern of sensitivity is distinct from that seen with other systems (such as the
S. cerevisiae
system), our results highlight the usefulness of
S. pombe
in understanding how cells deal with the unique DNA damage induced by topoisomerases.
Randomisation in trials: do potential trial participants understand it and find it acceptable?
Authors: Kerr C , Robinson E , Stevens A , Braunholtz D , Edwards S , Lilford R 
Published: February 2004

Objective:To examine lay persons’ ability to identify methods of random allocation and their acceptability of using methods of random allocation in a clinical trial context.Design:Leaflets containing hypothetical medical, non-medical, and clinical trial scenarios involving random allocation, using material from guidelines for trial information leaflets.Setting and participants:Adults attending further education colleges (n = 130), covering a wide range of ages, occupations, and levels of education.Main measures:Judgements of whether each of five methods of allocation to two groups was random in a medical or non-medical scenario. Judgements of whether these allocation methods were acceptable in a randomised clinical trial scenario, with or without a scientific justification for randomisation.Results:The majority of our group of participants judged correctly that allowing people their preference was not random, and that the following were random: using a computer with no information about the individual (recommended wording for MREC trial leaflets), tossing a coin, drawing a name out of a hat. Judgements were split over allocating people in turn (not a random allocation method but shares features with randomisation). Judgements were no different in medical and non-medical scenarios. Few of the correctly identified random methods were judged to be acceptable in a clinical trial scenario. Inclusion of a scientific justification for randomising significantly increased the acceptability of only one random method: allocation by computer.Conclusions:Current UK guidelines’ recommended description of random allocation by computer seems warranted. However, while potential trial participants may understand what random allocation means, they may find it unacceptable unless offered an acceptable justification for its use.
Whistleblowing in academic medicine
Authors: Rhodes R , Strain J J 
Published: February 2004

Although medical centres have established boards, special committees, and offices for the review and redress of breaches in ethical behaviour, these mechanisms repeatedly prove themselves ineffective in addressing research misconduct within the institutions of academic medicine. As the authors see it, institutional design: (1) systematically ignores serious ethical problems, (2) makes whistleblowers into institutional enemies and punishes them, and (3) thereby fails to provide an ethical environment.The authors present and discuss cases of academic medicine failing to address unethical behaviour in academic science and, thereby, illustrate the scope and seriousness of the problem. The Olivieri/Apotex affair is just another instance of academic medicine’s dereliction in a case of scientific fraud and misconduct. Instead of vigorously supporting their faculty member in her efforts to honestly communicate her findings and to protect patients from the risks associated with the use of the study drug, the University of Toronto collaborated with the Apotex company’s “stalling tactics,” closed down Dr Olivieri’s laboratory, harassed her, and ultimately dismissed her.The authors argue that the incentives for addressing problematic behaviour have to be revised in order to effect a change in the current pattern of response that occurs in academic medicine. An externally imposed realignment of incentives could convert the perception of the whistleblower, from their present caste as the enemy within, into a new position, as valued friend of the institution. The authors explain how such a correction could encourage appropriate reactions to scientific misconduct from academic medicine.
A Pleistocene amphisbaenian from Sicily
Authors: Delfino Massimo 
Published: February 2004

AbstractRecent analysis of the fossil herpetofauna recovered from the latest Middle or earliest Late Pleistocene layers of the site called "K 22" (San Vito Lo Capo, TP, Sicily) revealed the presence of a single vertebra that unquestionably belongs to the order Amphisbaenia. Although it is not possible to assign it at family level, the presence of an undetermined amphisbaenian in the Pleistocene of Sicily represents the last European occurrence of this order outside the present range corroborating the idea that the modern Italian herpetofauna is relatively impoverished if compared to the Pleistocene one, and that this loss of biodiversity not only affected the peninsula but its islands also.
Reproduction in the nest building vizcacheras frog Leptodactylus bufonius in central Argentina
Authors: Jofré G.M. , Reading C.J. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA population of vizcacheras frogs Leptodactylus bufonius was studied at a man-made pond in the north of Córdoba Province in central Argentina during December 2000 and 2001. Breeding females were larger than breeding males with both sexes attaining sexual maturity at two years of age and most living to a maximum age of four years. The sex ratio of the breeding population was approximately 1.2♂ : 1♀. Although the numbers of eggs and tadpoles found in sealed nests was the same as the number of eggs found in the ovaries of unspawned females, between-year differences in egg production per female were found. Nests were constructed by males, at night, and then abandoned for at least 24 hours. Amplexus and spawning occurred within the nest. The nest was then vacated and the female sealed the nest aperture with wet mud. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded inside sealed nests were less extreme than those recorded outside the nest.
Hibernation, habitat and seasonal activity in the adder, Vipera berus, north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Stefan 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis study concerns five of the northernmost adder, Vipera berus, localities in the world that are situated in the basins of Tornio, Lainio and Vittangi rivers, between 300 and 450 m.a.sl. The study area lies approximately 150 km north of the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. Three different kinds of slopes were used as hibernation sites, slopes on moraine ridges, slopes in canyons and on mountains. All were characterized by stony south facing slopes without topsoil and shading trees. Open areas of peat bogs and marshlands were always found within a kilometre's distance from the hibernation sites. Except pregnant females that remained around the hibernation sites, the adders were found feeding on voles in these areas from mid-June to mid-August showing a distinct shift in habitat use between seasons. The total length of the activity period was found to be 17-18 weeks.
Individual Variation in the Strength of Territory Defense in Male Song Sparrows: Correlates of Age, Territory Tenure, and Neighbor Aggressiveness
Authors: Hyman Jeremy , Hughes Melissa , Nowicki Stephen , Searcy William 
Published: February 2004

AbstractIn many species, the ability to defend a territory is essential for a male to obtain any reproductive success at all, and even among territorial individuals, variation in the strength of territory defense could have a significant impact on how much reproductive success is obtained. Previous studies have documented consistent individual differences in the vigor with which male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) defend their territories, as measured by the strength of their reactions to territorial intrusions simulated through song playback. Variation in the strength of defense could reflect intrinsic differences among individuals in their resource holding potential (RHP), or variation in extrinsic factors. In this study, we examined whether variation in the strength of territory defense corresponds to differences in intrinsic factors such as the age or experience of the territory owner, the extrinsic factor of the level of aggression shown by neighbours, or both. Results indicate that males that previously held territories on the study site, regardless of whether they were holding the same territory as the previous year, show higher levels of territory defense than males that are new to the study site, and, assuming that returning males are older males, suggest that age is more important than experience on a specific territory in determining strength of territory defense. In addition, we found evidence that males with high levels of territorial aggression tend to be spatially clustered. The pattern observed suggests that a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the expression of individual differences in territorial aggression.
Thomas Langurs (Presbytis thomasi) Discriminate Between Calls of Young Solitary Versus Older Group-living Males: a Factor in Avoiding Infanticide?
Authors: Assink  , Sterck  , Wich  
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe ability to differentiate among calls from different individuals has been shown for a number of animal species and several functions have been suggested. One hypothesis, developed for lions (Panthera leo), is that the ability to distinguish between calls from neighbour versus strange males is linked to the avoidance of infanticidal ( i.e. strange) males. Since infanticide is widespread among primates, we tested the applicability of this hypothesis to Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi). Young adult males, that mostly reside in all-male bands or are solitary (called AMB males), were more likely to be infanticidal than adult, usually older, males that reside in mixed-sex groups (called MSG males). We use playbacks to demonstrate that Thomas langurs are able to differentiate between loud calls from AMB male strangers and MSG male strangers. Thomas langur males responded more vigorously to playbacks of calls from AMB (i.e. more likely to be infanticidal) males than to calls from MSG males. Females showed a more cautious response to the calls from AMB males than to the calls from MSG males. Both these reactions are in accordance with the infanticide hypothesis and suggest that Thomas langurs differentiate between loud calls of AMB and MSG stranger males and incorporate this information in their behaviour to avoid infanticide.