Imagining an Independent Milk Pricing System

Franklin Roosevelt\u27s Great Depression era policies have led to a stifled and bloated milk pricing system that leaves small dairy farmers in economic turmoil

Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Study the Dynamic and Catalytic Properties of R67 Dihydrofolate Reductase

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) using NADPH as a cofactor. Since THF is an essential factor for nucleotide biosynthesis, inhibition of this enzyme in bacteria with folate analogs such as trimethoprim results in bacterial cell death. Plasmid encoded R67 DHFR confers resistance to trimethoprim and is both sequentially and structurally unrelated to any known chromosomal version of the enzyme. R67 DHFR is a 34,000 Da. homo-tetramer containing a rare 222 axis of symmetry in the center of its active site pore. The active site pore is contacted by residues belonging to each of the four subunits. The enzyme can nonspecifically bind 2 NADPH’s, 2 DHF’s, or, in the case of the productive complex, 1 NADPH and 1 DHF. R67 DHFR employs the endo transition state as opposed to the exo transition state used by E. coli DHFR. In this study molecular dynamics approach using the CHARMM program is employed to study the dynamics of the enzyme and energetics of the hydride transfer step catalyzed by R67 DHFR in silico. Structural and dynamic properties of four different mutants are also examined

(SNP012) Lyle Beahm interviewed by Dorothy Noble Smith, transcribed by Sharon G. Marston

Records the reminiscences of Lyle E. Beahm, who was born in the Jewell Hollow area of Page County, Virginia, on a farm that would eventually become part of Shenandoah National Park. Describes his early home and family life, school days at the Shenk Hollow School, farm chores,and folk remedies. Discusses family gatherings, such as apple butter boilings, hog butchering and funerals. Briefly mentions the Civilian Conservation Corps, racial segregation and intra-family marriages. An unnamed woman, identified only as Mrs. in the transcript, and believed to be Eva Sours, contributes to the interview as well.https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/snp/1009/thumbnail.jp

A Study of the Variation of the Fluoride Content of Certain Waters in the Vicinity of Albuquerque

In the first part of 1935, the City of Albuquerque was investigating the possibility of obtaining an additional water supply from the Jemez Mountains, which are about fifty miles to the north of the City. Black and Veatch, consulting engineers for the City, were asked to make a complete study of the problem. The question of fluorides in the water came up because it was known that the fluorides would cause mottled enamel in human teeth when the water was used during childhood, if the content was above 0.9 parts per million by accepted fluorine analysis methods. The question arose as to how the fluoride content of the Jemez stream would vary over a period of months, and how it would vary as the stream progresses along Its course

(SNP011) Isaac William Beahm interviewed by Charles Anibal, transcribed by Joy K. Stiles

Records the reminiscences of Isaac W. Beahm, who was born in the Batman Hollow area of Page County, Virginia, on a farm that would eventually become part of Shenandoah National Park. Describes his early home life, the loss of both parents when he was six years old, and the difficulties of running a small farm at the beginning of the 20th century. Recalls his school days at the Rocky Branch School, farm chores, and various odd jobs he held, such as working at local saw mills and tanneries, as well as helping to construct Skyline Drive. Discusses family gatherings, such as apple butter boilings, hog butchering and the folk music and dancing that often ensued. The interview was conducted at the home of Mr. Beahm\u27s daughter, who is not named in the interview, but whose comments are interspersed throughout. Both Mr. Beahm and his daughter mention participating in the dedication ceremonies for the park, conducted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. The Beahms were one of the few families to move from the area voluntarily, prior to the opening of the park.https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/snp/1008/thumbnail.jp

Preliminary results from the heavy ions in space experiment

The Heavy Ions In Space (HIIS) experiment has two primary objectives: (1) to measure the elemental composition of ultraheavy galactic cosmic rays, beginning in the tin-barium region of the periodic table; and (2) to study heavy ions which arrive at LDEF below the geomagnetic cutoff, either because they are not fully stripped of electrons or because their source is within the magnetosphere. Both of these objectives have practical as well as astrophysical consequences. In particular, the high atomic number of the ultraheavy galactic cosmic rays puts them among the most intensely ionizing particles in Nature. They are therefore capable of upsetting electronic components normally considered immune to such effects. The below cutoff heavy ions are intensely ionizing because of their low velocity. They can be a significant source of microelectronic anomalies in low inclination orbits, where Earth's magnetic field protects satellites from most particles from interplanetary space. The HIIS results will lead to significantly improved estimates of the intensely ionizing radiation environment

Progress report on the Heavy Ions in Space (HIIS) experiment

One of the objectives of the Heavy Ions In Space (HIIS) experiment is to investigate heavy ions which appear at Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) below the geomagnetic cutoff for fully-ionized galactic cosmic rays. Possible sources of such 'below-cutoff' particles are partially-ionized solar energetic particles, the anomalous component of cosmic rays, and magnetospherically-trapped particles. In recent years, there have also been reports of below-cutoff ions which do not appear to be from any known source. Although most of these observations are based on only a handful of ions, they have led to speculation about 'partially-ionized galactic cosmic rays' and 'near-by cosmic ray sources'. The collecting power of HIIS is order of magnitude larger than that of the instruments which reported these results, so HIIS should be able to confirm these observations and perhaps discover the source of these particles. Preliminary results on below-cutoff heavy-ions are reported. Observations to possible known sources of such ions are compared. A second objective of the HIIS experiment is to measure the elemental composition of ultraheavy galactic cosmic rays, beginning in the tin-barium region of the periodic table. A report on the status of this analysis is presented

Measuring and modeling energy and power consumption in living microbial cells with a synthetic ATP reporter

Background: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main energy carrier in living organisms, critical for metabolism and essential physiological processes. In humans, abnormal regulation of energy levels (ATP concentration) and power consumption (ATP consumption flux) in cells is associated with numerous diseases from cancer, to viral infection and immune dysfunction, while in microbes it influences their responses to drugs and other stresses. The measurement and modeling of ATP dynamics in cells is therefore a critical component in understanding fundamental physiology and its role in pathology. Despite the importance of ATP, our current understanding of energy dynamics and homeostasis in living cells has been limited by the lack of easy-to-use ATP sensors and the lack of models that enable accurate estimates of energy and power consumption related to these ATP dynamics. Here we describe a dynamic model and an ATP reporter that tracks ATP in E. coli over different growth phases. Results: The reporter is made by fusing an ATP-sensing rrnB P1 promoter with a fast-folding and fast-degrading GFP. Good correlations between reporter GFP and cellular ATP were obtained in E. coli growing in both minimal and rich media and in various strains. The ATP reporter can reliably monitor bacterial ATP dynamics in response to nutrient availability. Fitting the dynamics of experimental data corresponding to cell growth, glucose, acetate, dissolved oxygen, and ATP yielded a mathematical and circuit model. This model can accurately predict cellular energy and power consumption under various conditions. We found that cellular power consumption varies significantly from approximately 0.8 and 0.2 million ATP/s for a tested strain during lag and stationary phases to 6.4 million ATP/s during exponential phase, indicating ~ 8–30-fold changes of metabolic rates among different growth phases. Bacteria turn over their cellular ATP pool a few times per second during the exponential phase and slow this rate by ~ 2–5-fold in lag and stationary phases. Conclusion: Our rrnB P1-GFP reporter and kinetic circuit model provide a fast and simple way to monitor and predict energy and power consumption dynamics in bacterial cells, which can impact fundamental scientific studies and applied medical treatments in the future

Exploring the Training and Practice Experiences of Male School Counselors

Males are underrepresented as school counselors and may experience stigma associated with being viewed as less masculine, sexual deviants, or unqualified. Despite these aspects, research has shown benefits for school stakeholders based in the diverse perspectives male school counselors can provide. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to understand the lived experiences of 25 male school counselors from across the United States. Based on the thematic analysis findings, we will discuss specific implications and recommendations for male school counselor training, supervision, and practice

Chemical modeling of waste sludges

The processing of waste from underground storage tanks at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and other facilities will require an understanding of the chemical interactions of the waste with process chemicals. Two aspects of sludge treatment should be well delineated and predictable: (1) the distribution of chemical species between aqueous solutions and solids, and (2) potential problems due to chemical interactions that could result in process difficulties or safety concerns. It is likely that the treatment of waste tank sludge will begin with washing, followed by basic or acidic leaching. The dissolved materials will be in a solution that has a high ionic strength where activity coefficients are far from unity. Activity coefficients are needed in order to calculate solubilities. Several techniques are available for calculating these values, and each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. The techniques adopted and described here is the Pitzer method. Like any of the methods, prudent use of this approach requires that it be applied within concentration ranges where the experimental data were fit, and its use in large systems should be preceded by evaluating subsystems. While much attention must be given to the development of activity coefficients, other factors such as coprecipitation of species and Ostwald ripening must also be considered when one aims to interpret results of sludge tests or to predict results of treatment strategies. An understanding of sludge treatment processes begins with the sludge tests themselves and proceeds to a general interpretation with the aid of modeling. One could stop with only data from the sludge tests, in which case the table of data would become an implicit model. However, this would be a perilous approach in situations where processing difficulties could be costly or result in concerns for the environment or health and safety