Stimulation of bacteriophage T4 middle transcription by the T4 proteins MotA and AsiA occurs at two distinct steps in the transcription cycle

The bacteriophage T4 encodes proteins that are responsible for tightly regulating mRNA synthesis throughout phage development in Escherichia coli. The three classes of T4 promoters (early, middle, and late) are utilized sequentially by the host RNA polymerase as a result of phage-induced modifications. One such modification is the tight binding of the T4 AsiA protein to the σ70 subunit of the RNA polymerase. This interaction is pivotal for the transition between T4 early and middle transcription, since it both inhibits recognition of host and T4 early promoters and stimulates T4 middle mode synthesis. The activation of T4 middle transcription also requires the T4 MotA protein, bound specifically to its recognition sequence, the “Mot box,” which is centered at position −30 of these promoters. Accordingly, the two T4 proteins working in concert are sufficient to effectively switch the transcription specificity of the RNA polymerase holoenzyme. Herein, we investigate the mechanism of transcription activation and report that, while the presence of MotA and AsiA increases the initial recruitment of RNA polymerase to a T4 middle promoter, it does not alter the intrinsic stability of the discrete complexes formed. In addition, we have characterized the RNA polymerase-promoter species by UV laser footprinting and followed their evolution from open into initiating complexes. These data, combined with in vitro transcription assays, indicate that AsiA and MotA facilitate promoter escape, thereby stimulating the production of full-length transcripts.

First steps toward harmonized human biomonitoring in Europe : demonstration project to perform human biomonitoring on a European scale

'Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives'

Shallow vs. Deep Integration in the Southern Mediterranean: Scenarios for the region up to 2030. MEDPRO Technical Report No. 13/March 2012

This research develops a quantitative analysis aimed at simulating the trade effects of various integration scenarios between the EU and its Mediterranean Partners (MPs). Results for shallow integration show that the completion of tariff removal is expected to produce limited gains, except in Algeria. However, further steps toward deep integration would lead to much more significant gains. In this regard, the elimination of non-tariff barriers is expected to increase EU exports to MPs up to 60%. In addition, MPs’ imports and exports to the EU could also considerably increase due to an improvement of logistics performance in these countries.

Public Procurement in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations. Paper No. 2 in the CEPS-CTR project "TTIP in the Balance" and CEPS Special Report No. 100/February 2015

For more than 20 years, the United States and the European Union have engaged in often-contentious negotiations over access to government procurement. The EU is dissatisfied with the level of procurement that the US has opened under the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and, as a consequence, it does not give the US its most comprehensive coverage. The US has been constrained in responding to the EU’s requests for greater access, especially to state procurement, by both its federal structure of government and by domestic purchasing requirements. At the current time, neither party has proposed a way to break the impasse. This paper reviews the current state of affairs between the US and the EU on government procurement, examining the procurement that they open to one another and the procurement that they withhold. It then proposes a strategy for the two sides to use the TTIP negotiations to move forward. This strategy includes both steps to expand their current commitments in the TTIP, as well as to develop a longer-term approach by making the TTIP a ‘living agreement’. This strategy suggests that the EU and the US could find a way to expand their access to government procurement contracts and at least partially defuse the issue.

Report to the President's research committee on social trends on social statistics in the United States.

Vol. I. Next steps in the development of social statistics, by S. A. Rice and collaborators.--vol. II. A guide to the statistics of social trends in the United States, by Florence Du Bois.--vol. III. Guides to vital statistics in the United States, by Joseph V. De Porte.--vol. IV. A guide to statistical series relating to wages in the United States, by Meredith B. Givens and Ernestine Wilke.

Opportunities to enhance the purchase of environmentally preferable products : a report to the Illinois General Assembly.

State government purchases a wide array of goods and services, ranging from office supplies to motor vehicles to energy. While purchasing officials are working to get the maximum value out of each dollar they spend, products with reduced environmental impacts are becoming increasingly available in the marketplace to help state agencies meet the challenge of operating more efficiently. Known as environmentally preferable or "green," these products can save energy and water, reduce waste generation and improve the workplace environment. ... This report provides recommendations on steps Illinois state government can take to expand the purchase of products that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The report was prepared by the Interagency Working Group on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, which was created by Governor Rod Blagojevich in response to House Resolution 797. The Working Group included representatives of the Capital Development Board; Department of Central Management Services; Department of Natural Resources, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Environmental Protection Agency; and Governor's Office of Management and Budget.

Proceedings of the Illinois Oral Health Summit and the Illinois Oral Health Plan : Illinois' response to the U.S. Surgeon General's report : Oral Health in America, convened by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health and held at the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health, Chicago Illinois on September 11, 2001.

Introduction: The major findings and suggested framework for action put forth by the U.S. Surgeon General form the basis for Illinois' plan. Augmenting this foundation is the collective wisdom of citizens, stakeholders and policy makers. The result is a comprehensive vision that can be embraced by all involved in the process. The plan articulates goals, priorities and strategies to improve the oral health of all Illinoisans. Its five policy goals reflect specific priorities and its recommended strategies and action steps suggest how to address each of them. The plan concludes with a call for the establishment of a select committee to monitor and provide guidance in the implementation of the plan.

Report to Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and the General Assembly of Illinois regarding context sensitive solutions.

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks effective, multimodal transportation solutions by working with stakeholders to develop, build and maintain cost-effective transportation facilities which fit into and reflect the project's surroundings -- it's context.

The management improvement initiative : progress report to the General Assembly, Public Act 97-0558 /

On August 25, 2011, Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 1488 into law, now Public Act 97-0558 (The Act). The Act specifically directs a Management Improvement Initiative Committee (The Committee) to implement recommendations outlined in the January 2011 report to the General Assembly as required under Public Act 96-1141. The Act directs the group, formed under the auspices of Public Act 96-1141, to continue their work based on categories of recommendations. Each recommendation area has the common goal of reviewing providers from redundant monitoring, auditing, and reporting requirements. Implementing the recommendations of the Act will result in efficiency in business process for our providers, reinvestment of dollars saved from inefficient or unrealized administrative costs, and ultimately foster a network of sustainable human services providers in Illinois while increasing the level of direct service by the State agencies, contracted providers, and communities, who are all facing current economic pressures in the fiscal crisis.