Characterization of the PCMBS-dependent modification of KCa3.1 channel gating.

Intermediate conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels are gated by the binding of intracellular Ca(2+) to calmodulin, a Ca(2+)-binding protein that is constitutively associated with the C terminus of the channel. Although previous studies indicated that the pore-lining residues along the C-terminal portion of S6 contribute to the activation mechanism, little is known about whether the nonluminal face of S6 contributes to this process. Here we demonstrate that the sulfhydral reagent, parachloromercuribenze sulfonate (PCMBS), modifies an endogenous cysteine residue predicted to have a nonluminal orientation (Cys(276)) along the sixth transmembrane segment (S6). Modification of Cys(276) manipulates the steady-state and kinetic behavior of the channel by shifting the gating equilibrium toward the open state, resulting in a left shift in apparent Ca(2+) affinity and a slowing in the deactivation process. Using a six-state gating scheme, our analysis shows that PCMBS slows the transition between the open state back to the third closed state. Interpreting this result in the context of the steady-state and kinetic data suggests that PCMBS functions to shift the gating equilibrium toward the open state by disrupting channel closing. In an attempt to understand whether the nonluminal face of S6 participates in the activation mechanism, we conducted a partial tryptophan scan of this region. Substituting a tryptophan for Leu(281) recapitulated the effect on the steady-state and kinetic behavior observed with PCMBS. Considering the predicted nonluminal orientation of Cys(276) and Leu(281), a simple physical interpretation of these results is that the nonluminal face of S6 forms a critical interaction surface mediating the transition into the closed conformation, suggesting the nonluminal C-terminal portion of S6 is allosterically coupled to the activation gate

The Periodic Table of the Elements

The blueprint to the world of chemistry is encoded in the periodic table of the elements. This fundamental chart can be found in virtually all science classrooms in the world. The purpose of this project was to design a professional development course focusing on the periodic table of the elements. The target audience is college students working towards teaching science as a career, current teachers looking to enhance their understanding of the table, and resident teachers working towards continuing certification. In order to accomplish this purpose extensive literary research, the Washington State Academic Learning Requirements for science, published science lessons, and chemistry textbooks were all evaluated, reviewed, and utilized. Additionally, numerous other related sources of research were collected and reviewed. The activities presented are designed to provide an historical development of the table, hands-on laboratory activities investigating the properties of elements, and practical application of the table for introductory use in the classroom

The Potential Impact of a Proposed Ban on the Sale of U.S. Horses for Slaughter and Human Consumption

Both federal and state governments in the United States are being asked to enact laws that would make slaughtering of horses for human consumption illegal. In the past, the United States was one of the principal exporters of horsemeat to Europe. This paper examines the impacts of a proposed ban on the U.S. horse industry and the U.S. export market for horsemeat. Findings indicate a loss of approximately $300 per horse in the United States as a result of such a ban. The supply of U.S. exported horsemeat has declined during the past decade. The results suggest that the most significant factors influencing this decline are lower real prices and competing imports.horse slaughter, horsemeat, meat exports, Agricultural and Food Policy, Livestock Production/Industries,

Do Economic Restrictions Improve Forecasts?

A previous study showed that imposing economic restrictions improves the forecasting ability of food demand systems, thus warranting their use even when rejected in-sample. This study attempts to determine whether this is due solely to the fact that restrictions improve degrees of freedom. Results indicate that restrictions improve forecasting ability even when not derived from economic theory, but theoretical restrictions forecast best.Demand and Price Analysis,

Do Economic Restrictions Improve Forecasts?

A previous study showed that imposing economic restrictions improves the forecasting ability of food demand systems, thus warranting their use even when rejected in-sample. This study attempts to determine whether this is due solely to the fact that restrictions improve degrees of freedom. Results indicate that restrictions improve forecasting ability even when not derived from economic theory, but theoretical restrictions forecast best.Demand and Price Analysis,

State-of-the-art Assessment For Simulated Forces

Summary of the review of the state of the art in simulated forces conducted to support the research objectives of Research and Development for Intelligent Simulated Forces

Laboratory Measurements Of White Dwarf Photospheric Spectral Lines: H Beta

We spectroscopically measure multiple hydrogen Balmer line profiles from laboratory plasmas to investigate the theoretical line profiles used in white dwarf (WD) atmosphere models. X-ray radiation produced at the Z Pulsed Power Facility at Sandia National Laboratories initiates plasma formation in a hydrogen-filled gas cell, replicating WD photospheric conditions. Here we present time-resolved measurements of H beta and fit this line using different theoretical line profiles to diagnose electron density, n(e), and n = 2 level population, n2. Aided by synthetic tests, we characterize the validity of our diagnostic method for this experimental platform. During a single experiment, we infer a continuous range of electron densities increasing from n(e) similar to 4 to similar to 30 x 10(16) cm(-3) throughout a 120-ns evolution of our plasma. Also, we observe n(2) to be initially elevated with respect to local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE); it then equilibrates within similar to 55 ns to become consistent with LTE. This supports our electrontemperature determination of T-e similar to 1.3 eV (similar to 15,000 K) after this time. At n(e) greater than or similar to 10(17) cm(-3), we find that computer-simulation-based line-profile calculations provide better fits (lower reduced chi(2)) than the line profiles currently used in the WD astronomy community. The inferred conditions, however, are in good quantitative agreement. This work establishes an experimental foundation for the future investigation of relative shapes and strengths between different hydrogen Balmer lines.Laboratory Directed Research and Development programUnited States Department of Energy DE-AC04-94AL85000, DE-SC0010623National Science Foundation DGE-1110007Astronom

Death, organ transplantation and medical practice

A series of papers in Philosophy, Ethics and Humanities in Medicine (PEHM) have recently disputed whether non-heart beating organ donors are alive and whether non-heart beating organ donation (NHBD) contravenes the dead donor rule. Several authors who argue that NHBD involves harvesting organs from live patients appeal to "strong irreversibility" (death beyond the reach of resuscitative efforts to restore life) as a necessary criterion that patients must meet before physicians can declare them to be dead. Sam Shemie, who defends our current practice of NHBD, holds that in fact physicians consider patients to be dead or not according to physician intention to resuscitate or not