The porcine tumor necrosis factor-encoding genes: sequence and comparative analysis

We have cloned and sequenced a 10.22-kb fragment of the genomic locus of the porcine tumor necrosis factor-encoding genes, TNF-alpha and TNF-beta. A liver genomic DNA library, partially digested with Sau3AI, was cloned into the phage lambda EMBL4 and screened with a porcine TNF-alpha cDNA probe. Analysis showed that both the TNF-alpha and TNF-beta genes were present on the cloned fragment. In addition, the cloned fragment contained about 2 kb of repetitive sequences 5' to the TNF-beta gene. The TNF genes are arranged in a tandem repeat, as is the case for the human, mouse and rabbit TNF genes. The comparison of both genes with their human homologues displayed a considerable degree of conservation (80%), suggesting an equal evolution rate.

A 4 Mb high resolution BAC contig on bovine chromosome 1q12 and comparative analysis with human chromosome 21q22

The bovine RPCI-42 BAC library was screened to construct a sequence-ready ~4 Mb single contig of 92 BAC clones on BTA 1q12. The contig covers the region between the genes KRTAP8P1 and CLIC6. This genomic segment in cattle is of special interest as it contains the dominant gene responsible for the hornless or polled phenotype in cattle. The construction of the BAC contig was initiated by screening the bovine BAC library with heterologous cDNA probes derived from 12 human genes of the syntenic region on HSA 21q22. Contig building was facilitated by BAC end sequencing and chromosome walking. During the construction of the contig, 165 BAC end sequences and 109 single-copy STS markers were generated. For comparative mapping of 25 HSA 21q22 genes, genomic PCR primers were designed from bovine EST sequences and the gene-associated STSs mapped on the contig. Furthermore, bovine BAC end sequence comparisons against the human genome sequence revealed significant matches to HSA 21q22 and allowed the in silico mapping of two new genes in cattle. In total, 31 orthologues of human genes located on HSA 21q22 were directly mapped within the bovine BAC contig, of which 16 genes have been cloned and mapped for the first time in cattle. In contrast to the existing comparative bovine-human RH maps of this region, these results provide a better alignment and reveal a completely conserved gene order in this 4 Mb segment between cattle, human and mouse. The mapping of known polled linked BTA 1q12 microsatellite markers allowed the integration of the physical contig map with existing linkage maps of this region and also determined the exact order of these markers for the first time. Our physical map and transcript map may be useful for positional cloning of the putative polled gene in cattle.

Descriptive/Inferential Cognitive Processes and Evaluative Cognitive Processes: Relationships Among Each Other and with Emotional Distress

We aimed to delineate key constructs from two forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy: cognitive therapy and rational-emotive behavior therapy. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the interrelations among each other and with emotional distress. The key constructs of the underlying theories of these therapies (i.e., descriptive/inferential beliefs, evaluative beliefs) are often treated together as distorted cognitions and included as such in various scales. We used a cross-sectional design. Seventy-four undergraduate students (mean age = 24.68) completed measures of automatic thoughts and emotional distress. Three therapists trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy divided automatic thoughts into descriptive/inferential beliefs and evaluative beliefs by consensus. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. These constructs showed medium to high associations to each other and to distress. The relationship between descriptive/inferential beliefs and distress was mediated by evaluative beliefs. Descriptive and inferential cognitions may not produce emotions without first being appraised in terms of personal relevance.

Skill distribution and comparative advantage: a comparison of China and India

This paper empirically examines the different comparative advantages of two emerging economic giants, China and India, in relation to the different skill distribution patterns in each country. By utilizing industry export data on China and India from 1983 to 2000, we find that a country with a greater dispersion of skills (i.e., India, especially in the earlier years) has higher exports in industries with shorter production chains, whereas a country with a more equal dispersion of skills (i.e., China, especially in the later years) is found to have higher exports in industries with longer production chains. The causal relationship is fairly robust across different specifications. This empirical evidence supports our assumption that the likely mechanism for these results is the negative impact of low-skilled workers on input quality, which accumulates and becomes larger as the length of production chains and the proportion of low-skilled workers in the economy increase.

Metro de Madrid rolling stock models and comparative studies relating to comfort

This paper presents the work carried out by Metro de Madrid and the Railway Technology Research Centre (Polytechnic University of Madrid), aimed at setting up rolling stock simulation models with a high level of detail. To do this, the features of the SIMPACK simulation tool used to create models have been briefly outlined, explaining the main features of models in two of the series modelled: 7000 and 8000. Finally, the results obtained from comparing comfort in the 7000 and 8000 series are presented.

Cloning and comparative analysis of the human pre-T-cell receptor alpha-chain gene.

In immature T cells the T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain gene is rearranged and expressed before the TCR alpha-chain gene. At this stage TCR beta chain can form disulfide-linked heterodimers with the pre-T-cell receptor alpha chain (pTalpha). Using the recently isolated murine pTalpha cDNA as a probe, we have isolated the human pTalpha cDNA. The complete nucleotide sequence predicts a mature protein of 282 aa consisting of an extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain, a connecting peptide, a transmembrane region, and a long cytoplasmic tail. Amino acid sequence comparison of human pTalpha with the mouse pTalpha molecule reveals high sequence homology in the extracellular as well as the transmembrane region. In contrast, the cytoplasmic region differs in amino acid composition and in length from the murine homologue. The human pTalpha gene is expressed in immature but not mature T cells and is located at the p21.2-p12 region of the short arm of chromosome 6.

Genetic and comparative analyses reveal an alternative secondary structure in the region of nt 912 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA.

Mutations at position 912 of Escherichia coli 16S rRNA result in two notable phenotypes. The C-->U transition confers resistance to streptomycin, a translational-error-inducing antibiotic, while a C-->G transversion causes marked retardation of cell growth rate. Starting with the slow-growing G912 mutant, random mutagenesis was used to isolate a second site mutation that restored growth nearly to the wild-type rate. The second site mutation was identified as a G-->C transversion at position 885 in 16S rRNA. Cells containing the G912 mutation had an increased doubling time, abnormal sucrose gradient ribosome/subunit profile, increased sensitivity to spectinomycin, dependence upon streptomycin for growth in the presence of spectinomycin, and slower translation rate, whereas cells with the G912/C885 double mutation were similar to wild type in these assays. Comparative analysis showed there was significant covariation between positions 912 and 885. Thus the second-site suppressor analysis, the functional assays, and the comparative data suggest that the interaction between nt 912 and nt 885 is conserved and necessary for normal ribosome function. Furthermore, the comparative data suggest that the interaction extends to include G885-G886-G887 pairing with C912-U911-C910. An alternative secondary structure element for the central domain of 16S rRNA is proposed.

Evaluation of seismometer wave gage and comparative analysis of wave data at Yaquina and Coquille Bays, Oregon /

"September 1985."

Bi-monetism; the money of commerce and the money of the state. An inquiry into their relations to each other, and to gold, silver and paper, as materials for money.

Mode of access: Internet.

Learning and generalization of structural descriptions : evaluation criteria and comparative review of selected methods /

"February 1980."

Canadian workmen's compensation acts and cases : containing comparative tables and references to the acts of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, together with a digest of cases decided thereunder and comparative references to the English act of 1906 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Advertising 1972. Hearings, Ninety-second Congress, second session, on S. 1461, to require the furnishing of documentation of claims concerning safety, performance, efficacy, characteristics, and comparative price of advertised products and services [and] S. 1753 amendment no. 1118 to establish a National Institute of Advertising, Marketing, Society. May 16, 18, and 31, 1972

"Serial no. 92-72."

1910. Census of Missouri. Collateral and comparative census figures collated from thirteenth decennial census statistics of the United States.

Mode of access: Internet.

Description of a direct route for the Erie Canal, at its eastern termination, with estimates of its expense, and comparative advantages.

Mode of access: Internet.