Intramolecular integration within Moloney murine leukemia virus DNA

By screening a library of unintegrated, circular Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) DNA cloned in lambda phage, we found that approximately 20% of the M-MuLV DNA inserts contained internal sequence deletions or inversions. Restriction enzyme mapping demonstrated tht the deleted segments frequently abutted a long terminal repeat (LTR) sequence, whereas the inverted segments were usually flanked by LTR sequences, suggesting that many of the variants arose as a consequence of M-MuLV DNA molecules integrating within their own DNA. Nucleotide sequencing also suggested that most of the variant inserts were generated by autointegration. One of the recombinant M-MuLV DNA inserts contained a large inverted repeat of a unique M-MuLV sequence abutting an LTR. This molecule was shown by nucleotide sequencing to have arisen by an M-MuLV DNA Molecule integrating within a second M-MuLV DNA molecule before cloning. The autointegrated M-MuLV DNA had generally lost two base pairs from the LTR sequence at each junction with target site DNA, whereas a four-base-pair direct repeat of target site DNA flanked the integrated viral DNA. Nucleotide sequencing of preintegration target site DNA showed that this four-base-pair direct repeat was present only once before integration and was thus reiterated by the integration event. The results obtained from the autointegrated clones were supported by nucleotide sequencing of the host-virus junction of two cloned M-MuLV integrated proviruses obtained from infected rat cells. Detailed analysis of the different unique target site sequences revealed no obvious common features

Increasing the efficiency of a piezoelectric aluminum nitride microstrip resonator by utilizing high temperature superconductors

High temperature superconductors have potential applications in the field of microwave devices and circuits. To utilize these materials in such a way as to increase the efficiency of these microwave devices would be beneficial for high efficiency/low noise applications. This dissertation accomplishes the following goals: (1) The design and fabrication of an initial device that increases the quality factor, Q, and therefore the efficiency of a high frequency thin film resonator which uses superconducting metal as the device\u27s electrode, (2) the measurement and characterization of this device, (3) the theoretical calculation and predicted performance of this device, and (4) the comparison of the measured response of this device with the measured response of a similar device made by the standard method using metals in place of the superconductor. Using a modified transmission line analysis approach, a theoretical microwave model of a superconducting metal electrode has been developed. These high temperature superconductor characteristics were modeled electrically by the two-fluid model using the modified transmission line model, and acoustically by using an extension of the Mason model for piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave resonators;Experimental test setups were designed to measure the direct current and microwave characteristics of the high temperature superconductors and devices. A high temperature superconducting microwave resonator structure was fabricated and compared with a similar non-superconducting resonator structure. All results were compared with the aforementioned theoretical results, and conclusions were drawn on the feasibility of the overall project;Aluminum electroded bulk acoustic wave resonators performed well at liquid nitrogen temperature as well as at room temperature. The high temperature superconductor bottom electroded bulk acoustic wave resonators with aluminum as the top electrode showed signs of acoustic activity of the aluminum nitride, but the results were not directly comparable to the aluminum electroded structures. More research will need to be performed on the acoustic properties of these high temperature superconductors to further understand and utilize these materials as electrodes on a thin film resonator

Validation of an Instrument for Assessing Conceptual Change with Respect to The Theory of Evolution By Secondary Biology Students

This pilot study evaluated the validity of a new quantitative, closed-response instrument for assessing student conceptual change regarding the theory of evolution. The instrument has two distinguishing design features. First, it is designed not only to gauge student mastery of the scientific model of evolution, but also to elicit a trio of deeply intuitive tendencies that are known to compromise many students’ understanding: the projection of intentional agency, teleological directionality, and immutable essences onto biological phenomena. Second, in addition to a section of conventional multiple choice questions, the instrument contains a series of items where students may simultaneously endorse both scientifically normative propositions and intuitively appealing yet unscientific propositions, without having to choose between them. These features allow for the hypothesized possibility that the three intuitions are partly innate, themselves products of cognitive evolution in our hominin ancestors, and thus may continue to inform students’ thinking even after instruction and conceptual change. The test was piloted with 340 high school students from diverse schools and communities. Confirmatory factor analysis and other statistical methods provided evidence that the instrument already has strong potential for validly distinguishing students who hold a correct scientific understanding from those who do not, but that revision and retesting are needed to render it valid for gauging students’ adherence to intuitive misconceptions. Ultimately the instrument holds promise as a tool for classroom intervention studies by conceptual change researchers, for diagnostic testing and data gathering by instructional leaders, and for provoking classroom dialogue and debate by science teachers

Change the World One Worm at a Time!

My Capstone Project aims to blend the old with the new. It\u27s about taking tried-and-true farming practices and breathing new life into them with innovative, sustainable solutions. It seeks to balance making a living from the land and caring for it for future generations. The project\u27s core revolves around Organic Worm Tea, a natural product we\u27ve been developing and testing. This process involves rolling up our sleeves, getting our hands dirty, and observing the tea\u27s effect on various farms, including those run by immigrant farmers who bring unique farming traditions from their home countries. But this project isn\u27t just about my local farming community; it\u27s also about the bigger picture. My project aims to inspire more farmers to adopt these practices by showing that sustainable farming can pay the bills. Ultimately, this could trigger a ripple effect, transforming the world of agriculture into one that\u27s healthier and more sustainable

Laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry as a tool for chemical analysis

Laser excitation of atomic fluorescence overcomes several problems encountered when doing trace elemental analysis by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). One major problem encountered in AFS is light scattering, which may ultimately determine the minimum detectable atomic concentration. An atomic fluorescence spectrometer based on a wavelength-modulated continuous-wave dye laser is shown to diminish the light scattering signal and extend the minimum detectable concentration well beyond that obtained by using a mechanical chopper for the determination of Ba in a pre-mixed flame;A pulsed frequency-doubled dye laser was used to investigate the potential of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) as an atomic reservoir for AFS. The laser was used to obtain spatial profiles of the AFS signal from iron in the extended tail plume of an ICP. The limit of detection for iron in the ICP is comparable to that obtained in a conventional flame, but the ICP offers the significant advantage of relative freedom from matrix problems;The excitation of atomic fluorescence by lasers that are not inresonance with the atomic transition is also studied for the cases ofsodium and nickel. This off-resonant excitation opens the possibilityof multielement analysis by laser excited atomic fluorescence;spectrometry.(\u27 )The Ames Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energyby Iowa State University under contract No. W-7405-eng-82. Thiswork is supported by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences

Beyond Lawyer Assistance Programs: Applying the United States Marine Corps\u27 Concepts and Principles of Spiritual Fitness as a Means Towards Increasing the Health, Resiliency, and Well-Being of Lawyers—While Restoring the Soul of the Profession

(Excerpt) Lawyer Assistance Programs (“LAPs”) are recognized as an invaluable tool for increasing well-being by assisting lawyers to secure confidential treatment in order to overcome various addictions and mental health issues. The 2017 report by the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being underscores this notion by asserting that LAPs “play a pivotal role in lawyer wellbeing.” While this is true, the legal profession would do well to look beyond LAPs and broaden its discussion regarding wellness. In particular, the American Bar Association (“ABA”) should more robustly recognize and encourage spirituality as a means towards health, resiliency, and well-being, much like the United States Marine Corps (“USMC”) has done. Spirituality, as viewed by the USMC, is another valuable resource, among others, that is an important means to increase the health and resiliency of its members. Indeed, spiritual fitness is prominently referenced and has its own section in the official website of the USMC maintained by Headquarters Marine Corps. Along with this, General Robert B. Neller, then Commandant of the USMC, recognizing the importance of spiritual fitness in a 2016 ALMAR message to all Marines, stated that “[r]esearch indicates that spiritual fitness plays a key role in resiliency, in our ability to grow, develop, recover, heal, and adapt. Regardless of individual philosophy or beliefs, spiritual well-being makes us better warriors and people of character capable of making good choices on and off duty.” Setting aside the significant differences in the demands, work, and lifestyles of Marines as warriors compared to that of lawyers as white-collar professionals, there are enough similarities between the professions as they relate to wellness to link the concept of spirituality as a means towards increasing well-being among lawyers. For example, both professions often involve great difficulties and test the breaking point of its members; additionally, both professions often involve highly stressful work with long hours, considerable responsibility, and the need for excellence and results-generated productivity. Perhaps most importantly, both professions often involve weighty responsibilities and heavy burdens that entail enormous consequences and impact on other people. Certainly, the stress associated with these factors does not, in and of itself, cause addiction or mental health issues. But it undoubtedly often serves as a catalyst or trigger in some individuals for addictive behavior or certain mental health conditions, such as depression, which can spiral into destructive behavior or poor life choices

Viscous cavities

International audienceWe study experimentally the impact of solid spheres in a viscous liquid at moderate Reynolds numbers (Re similar to 5-100). We first determine the drag force by following the slowdown dynamics of projectiles. We then focus on the shape of the free surface: such impacts generate cavities, whose original shape is described and modeled. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics

AIDS And The Funeral Industry In Southeastern Africa

This paper examines the impact of AIDS on the Funeral Industry in Southeastern Africa.  It first presents an overview of AIDS in Southeastern Africa and then it delves into an examination of family funeral customs in select countries and how they have been affected by the AIDS epidemic.  These countries include:  Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, and Uganda.  Next, this paper takes a look at the impact of AIDS on hospital mortuaries in Zimbabwe.  This is followed by an examination of the rise in the number of orphans along with the effect of AIDS on the classroom setting.  Finally, four suggestions for fighting the disease are presented