Basal body multipotency and axonemal remodelling are two pathways to a 9+0 flagellum.

Eukaryotic cilia/flagella exhibit two characteristic ultrastructures reflecting two main functions; a 9+2 axoneme for motility and a 9+0 axoneme for sensation and signalling. Whether, and if so how, they interconvert is unclear. Here we analyse flagellum length, structure and molecular composition changes in the unicellular eukaryotic parasite Leishmania during the transformation of a life cycle stage with a 9+2 axoneme (the promastigote) to one with a 9+0 axoneme (the amastigote). We show 9+0 axonemes can be generated by two pathways: by de novo formation and by restructuring of existing 9+2 axonemes associated with decreased intraflagellar transport. Furthermore, pro-basal bodies formed under conditions conducive for 9+2 axoneme formation can form a 9+0 axoneme de novo. We conclude that pro-centrioles/pro-basal bodies are multipotent and not committed to form either a 9+2 or 9+0 axoneme. In an alternative pathway structures can also be removed from existing 9+2 axonemes to convert them to 9+0.

General well-being and academic performance.

A self-scoring version of the General Well-being Questionnaire, a measure of a comprehensive set of 32 factors that contribute to healthfulness, was used as a class exercise in discussing subtopics in health psychology. Scores for 37 women and 25 men were analyzed to estimate their relative association with final course grade. Six factors had significant correlations with grade, and three of the six significantly predicted final course grade with a multiple R of 522. The three predictors were Growth Environment, Effectence, and Medical Condition.

Effects of a community-wide smoking cessation program.

The evaluation of a low-cost community-wide smoking cessation campaign conducted in a major metropolitan area demonstrated a major impact on the number of people smoking, amount of cigarettes smoked, and expenses associated with smoking. The American Lung Association's 20-day self-conducted Freedom From Smoking program was used in conjunction with TV coverage. Standard telephone survey techniques determined that 5300 stopped and 26,500 reduced smoking. Major features of the program were evaluated and important differences were analyzed between males and females, users and non-users of the program manual, and success groups. Behavioral factors as opposed to historical factors appeared to be most important for success.

Identification of stress buffers.

A large amount of research has been published about the role of intervening variables as buffers for the effects of stress precursors on adverse stress impacts. A review revealed that most of these reports focused on single candidates or a subjectively selected constellation of variables using narrow definitions of both precursors and impacts with a variety of statistical procedures. A set of 22 variables was investigated to determine the relative importance of each as a stress buffer, using broadened measures for precursors and impacts. Discriminant analysis with t-test follow-up of data from 668 normally functioning men and women indicated the existence of 7 strong and 7 moderate buffers and a differential effect by sex. Reanalysis, comparing the results from other statistical procedures, concluded that there were 4 "true" buffers: sense of competence, exercise pattern, sense of purpose, and leisure activity. Eleven of the 22 demonstrated main effects independent of stress. This study discusses the importance of using standard statistical procedures with comprehensive measures in order to further knowledge about the human stress process.