377 research outputs found
Innovativeness and Innovation: Implications for the Renewable Materials Supply Chain
innovativeness, innovation, supply chain management, triple bottom line, corporate social responsibility, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Demand and Price Analysis, Financial Economics, Q10, Q27, Q42, Q47,
Academic Perspectives on Agribusiness: An International Survey
The IFAMR is published by (IFAMA) the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. www.ifama.orgpromotion and tenure, agribusiness, teaching, grantsmanship, research, Agribusiness, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Productivity Analysis, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession, Q130,
Estimating GDP at the Parish (County) Level: An Evaluation of Alternative Approaches (Bulletin #890)
Gross Domestic Product or GDP is estimated for each parish from earnings and employment data from more than 60 industries in Louisiana.https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/agcenter_bulletins/1005/thumbnail.jp
The Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, III: MIRIM, The MIRI Imager
In this article, we describe the MIRI Imager module (MIRIM), which provides
broad-band imaging in the 5 - 27 microns wavelength range for the James Webb
Space Telescope. The imager has a 0"11 pixel scale and a total unobstructed
view of 74"x113". The remainder of its nominal 113"x113" field is occupied by
the coronagraphs and the low resolution spectrometer. We present the instrument
optical and mechanical design. We show that the test data, as measured during
the test campaigns undertaken at CEA-Saclay, at the Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, and at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, indicate that the
instrument complies with its design requirements and goals. We also discuss the
operational requirements (multiple dithers and exposures) needed for optimal
scientific utilization of the MIRIM.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figure
Characterizing Exoplanets in the Visible and Infrared: A Spectrometer Concept for the EChO Space Mission
Transit-spectroscopy of exoplanets is one of the key observational techniques
to characterize the extrasolar planet and its atmosphere. The observational
challenges of these measurements require dedicated instrumentation and only the
space environment allows an undisturbed access to earth-like atmospheric
features such as water or carbon-dioxide. Therefore, several exoplanet-specific
space missions are currently being studied. One of them is EChO, the Exoplanet
Characterization Observatory, which is part of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025
program, and which is one of four candidates for the M3 launch slot in 2024. In
this paper we present the results of our assessment study of the EChO
spectrometer, the only science instrument onboard this spacecraft. The
instrument is a multi-channel all-reflective dispersive spectrometer, covering
the wavelength range from 400 nm to 16 microns simultaneously with a moderately
low spectral resolution. We illustrate how the key technical challenge of the
EChO mission - the high photometric stability - influences the choice of
spectrometer concept and drives fundamentally the instrument design. First
performance evaluations underline the fitness of the elaborated design solution
for the needs of the EChO mission.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in the Journal of
Astronomical Instrumentatio
The infrared JHK light curves of RR Lyr
We present infrared JHK time series photometry of the variable star RR Lyr,
that allow us to construct the first complete and accurate infrared light
curves for this star. The derived mean magnitudes are =6.74 +/- 0.02,
=6.60 +/- 0.03 and =6.50 +/- 0.02. The magnitude is used to estimate
the reddening, the mass, the mean luminosity and temperature of this variable
star. The use of these RR Lyr data provide a more accurate absolute calibration
of the P-L_K-[Fe/H] relation, and a distance modulus (m-M)_0=18.48 +/- 0.11 to
the globular cluster Reticulum in the LMC.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication by MNRA
JWST/MIRI coronagraphic performances as measured on-sky
Characterization of directly imaged exoplanets is one of the most eagerly
anticipated science functions of the James Webb Space Telescope. MIRI, the
mid-IR instrument has the capability to provide unique spatially resolved
photometric data points in a spectral range never achieved so far for such
objects. We aim to present the very first on-sky contrast measurements of the
MIRI's coronagraphs. In addition to a classical Lyot coronagraph at the longest
wavelength, this observing mode implements the concept of the four quadrant
phase mask for the very first time in a space telescope. We observed single
stars together with a series of reference stars to measure raw contrasts as
they are delivered on the detector, as well as reference subtracted contrasts.
MIRI's coronagraphs achieve raw contrasts greater than at the smallest
angular separations (within ) and about further out (beyond
). Subtracting the residual diffracted light left unattenuated by the
coronagraph has the potential to bring the final contrast down to the
background and detector limited noise floor at most angular separations (a few
times at less than ). MIRI coronagraphs behave as expected from
simulations. In particular the raw contrasts for all four coronagraphs are
fully consistent with the diffractive model. Contrasts obtained with
subtracting reference stars also meet expectations and are fully demonstrated
for two four quadrant phase masks (F1065C and F1140C). The worst contrast,
measured at F1550C, is very likely due to a variation of the phase aberrations
at the primary mirror during the observations, and not an issue of the
coronagraph itself. We did not perform reference star subtraction with the Lyot
mask at F2300C, but we anticipate that it would bring the contrast down to the
noise floor.Comment: submitted to A&
Brain mapping in cognitive disorders: a multidisciplinary approach to learning the tools and applications of functional neuroimaging
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With rapid advances in functional imaging methods, human studies that feature functional neuroimaging techniques are increasing exponentially and have opened a vast arena of new possibilities for understanding brain function and improving the care of patients with cognitive disorders in the clinical setting. There is a growing need for medical centers to offer clinically relevant functional neuroimaging courses that emphasize the multifaceted and multidisciplinary nature of this field. In this paper, we describe the implementation of a functional neuroimaging course focusing on cognitive disorders that might serve as a model for other medical centers. We identify key components of an active learning course design that impact student learning gains in methods and issues pertaining to functional neuroimaging that deserve consideration when optimizing the medical neuroimaging curriculum.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Learning gains associated with the course were assessed using polychoric correlation analysis of responses to the SALG (Student Assessment of Learning Gains) instrument.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Student gains in the functional neuroimaging of cognition as assessed by the SALG instrument were strongly associated with several aspects of the course design.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our implementation of a multidisciplinary and active learning functional neuroimaging course produced positive learning outcomes. Inquiry-based learning activities and an online learning environment contributed positively to reported gains. This functional neuroimaging course design may serve as a useful model for other medical centers.</p
MAGE-A cancer/testis antigens inhibit MDM2 ubiquitylation function and promote increased levels of MDM4
Melanoma antigen A (MAGE-A) proteins comprise a structurally and biochemically similar sub-family of Cancer/Testis antigens that are expressed in many cancer types and are thought to contribute actively to malignancy. MAGE-A proteins are established regulators of certain cancer-associated transcription factors, including p53, and are activators of several RING finger-dependent ubiquitin E3 ligases. Here, we show that MAGE-A2 associates with MDM2, a ubiquitin E3 ligase that mediates ubiquitylation of more than 20 substrates including mainly p53, MDM2 itself, and MDM4, a potent p53 inhibitor and MDM2 partner that is structurally related to MDM2. We find that MAGE-A2 interacts with MDM2 via the N-terminal p53-binding pocket and the RING finger domain of MDM2 that is required for homo/hetero-dimerization and for E2 ligase interaction. Consistent with these data, we show that MAGE-A2 is a potent inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of MDM2, yet it does not have any significant effect on p53 turnover mediated by MDM2. Strikingly, however, increased MAGE-A2 expression leads to reduced ubiquitylation and increased levels of MDM4. Similarly, silencing of endogenous MAGE-A expression diminishes MDM4 levels in a manner that can be rescued by the proteasomal inhibitor, bortezomid, and permits increased MDM2/MDM4 association. These data suggest that MAGE-A proteins can: (i) uncouple the ubiquitin ligase and degradation functions of MDM2; (ii) act as potent inhibitors of E3 ligase function; and (iii) regulate the turnover of MDM4. We also find an association between the presence of MAGE-A and increased MDM4 levels in primary breast cancer, suggesting that MAGE-A-dependent control of MDM4 levels has relevance to cancer clinically
Hydrothermal dolomitization of basinal deposits controlled by a synsedimentary fault system in Triassic extensional setting, Hungary
Dolomitization of relatively thick carbonate successions occurs via an effective fluid circulation mechanism, since the replacement process requires a large amount of Mg-rich fluid interacting with the CaCO3 precursor. In the western end of the Neotethys, fault-controlled extensional basins developed during the Late Triassic spreading stage. In the Buda Hills and Danube-East blocks, distinct parts of silica and organic matter-rich slope and basinal deposits are dolomitized. Petrographic, geochemical, and fluid inclusion data distinguished two dolomite types: (1) finely to medium crystalline and (2) medium to coarsely crystalline. They commonly co-occur and show a gradual transition. Both exhibit breccia fabric under microscope. Dolomite texture reveals that the breccia fabric is not inherited from the precursor carbonates but was formed during the dolomitization process and under the influence of repeated seismic shocks. Dolomitization within the slope and basinal succession as well as within the breccia zones of the underlying basement block is interpreted as being related to fluid originated from the detachment zone and channelled along synsedimentary normal faults. The proposed conceptual model of dolomitization suggests that pervasive dolomitization occurred not only within and near the fault zones. Permeable beds have channelled the fluid towards the basin centre where the fluid was capable of partial dolomitization. The fluid inclusion data, compared with vitrinite reflectance and maturation data of organic matter, suggest that the ascending fluid was likely hydrothermal which cooled down via mixing with marine-derived pore fluid. Thermal gradient is considered as a potential driving force for fluid flow
- âŠ