The CYCLIN-A CYCA1;2/TAM Is Required for the Meiosis I to Meiosis II Transition and Cooperates with OSD1 for the Prophase to First Meiotic Division Transition

Meiosis halves the chromosome number because its two divisions follow a single round of DNA replication. This process involves two cell transitions, the transition from prophase to the first meiotic division (meiosis I) and the unique meiosis I to meiosis II transition. We show here that the A-type cyclin CYCA1;2/TAM plays a major role in both transitions in Arabidopsis. A series of tam mutants failed to enter meiosis II and thus produced diploid spores and functional diploid gametes. These diploid gametes had a recombined genotype produced through the single meiosis I division. In addition, by combining the tam-2 mutation with AtSpo11-1 and Atrec8, we obtained plants producing diploid gametes through a mitotic-like division that were genetically identical to their parents. Thus tam alleles displayed phenotypes very similar to that of the previously described osd1 mutant. Combining tam and osd1 mutations leads to a failure in the prophase to meiosis I transition during male meiosis and to the production of tetraploid spores and gametes. This suggests that TAM and OSD1 are involved in the control of both meiotic transitions

Establishment of Cohesion at the Pericentromere by the Ctf19 Kinetochore Subcomplex and the Replication Fork-Associated Factor, Csm3

The cohesin complex holds sister chromatids together from the time of their duplication in S phase until their separation during mitosis. Although cohesin is found along the length of chromosomes, it is most abundant at the centromere and surrounding region, the pericentromere. We show here that the budding yeast Ctf19 kinetochore subcomplex and the replication fork-associated factor, Csm3, are both important mediators of pericentromeric cohesion, but they act through distinct mechanisms. We show that components of the Ctf19 complex direct the increased association of cohesin with the pericentromere. In contrast, Csm3 is dispensable for cohesin enrichment in the pericentromere but is essential in ensuring its functionality in holding sister centromeres together. Consistently, cells lacking Csm3 show additive cohesion defects in combination with mutants in the Ctf19 complex. Furthermore, delaying DNA replication rescues the cohesion defect observed in cells lacking Ctf19 complex components, but not Csm3. We propose that the Ctf19 complex ensures additional loading of cohesin at centromeres prior to passage of the replication fork, thereby ensuring its incorporation into functional linkages through a process requiring Csm3

Superconducting magnetic energy storage scaled prototype for the Los Alamos utility

A complete analysis of the combined Department of Energy (DOE) - Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County electric utility was performed to determine the differential cost saving for diurnal load leveling by displacing one of several energy sources with energy stored from the Western Area Power Administration in a superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) unit. The base case for the model for comparison is the best concept considered to date - the planned DOE/County power pool composed of a number of sources. Advantageous displacement costs appear available based upon a SMES unit rated at 144 MWh and 20 MW. The prospect of a prototype SMES plant to demonstrate the technology seems to be favorable

Work-Family Research: A Broader View of Impact

We agree with many of the suggestions made by Kossek, Baltes, and Matthews (2011) that pertain to future directions for work and family research. They pose excellent avenues for the field to take. However, we offer an alternative viewpoint with regard to several of the assertions, both explicit and implicit, made along the way. We first address specific claims made by Kossek et al. with regard to family-friendly policy implementation, followed by a discussion of impact and the role researchers have with regard to the applied impact of scientific research. Finally, we note the importance of carefully considering when research is ready to be applied