Molecular basis for the bifunctional Uba4-Urm1 sulfur-relay system in tRNA thiolation and ubiquitin-like conjugation.

The chemical modification of tRNA bases by sulfur is crucial to tune translation and to optimize protein synthesis. In eukaryotes, the ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (Urm1) pathway is responsible for the synthesis of 2-thiolated wobble uridine (U34 ). During the key step of the modification cascade, the E1-like activating enzyme ubiquitin-like protein activator 4 (Uba4) first adenylates and thiocarboxylates the C-terminus of its substrate Urm1. Subsequently, activated thiocarboxylated Urm1 (Urm1-COSH) can serve as a sulfur donor for specific tRNA thiolases or participate in ubiquitin-like conjugation reactions. Structural and mechanistic details of Uba4 and Urm1 have remained elusive but are key to understand the evolutionary branch point between ubiquitin-like proteins (UBL) and sulfur-relay systems. Here, we report the crystal structures of full-length Uba4 and its heterodimeric complex with its substrate Urm1. We show how the two domains of Uba4 orchestrate recognition, binding, and thiocarboxylation of the C-terminus of Urm1. Finally, we uncover how the catalytic domains of Uba4 communicate efficiently during the reaction cycle and identify a mechanism that enables Uba4 to protect itself against self-conjugation with its own product, namely activated Urm1-COSH

DigiCam - Fully Digital Compact Read-out and Trigger Electronics for the SST-1M Telescope proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The SST-1M is one of three prototype small-sized telescope designs proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, and is built by a consortium of Polish and Swiss institutions. The SST-1M will operate with DigiCam - an innovative, compact camera with fully digital read-out and trigger electronics. A high level of integration will be achieved by massively deploying state-of-the-art multi-gigabit transmission channels, beginning from the ADC flash converters, through the internal data and trigger signals transmission over backplanes and cables, to the camera's server link. Such an approach makes it possible to design the camera to fit the size and weight requirements of the SST-1M exactly, and provide low power consumption, high reliability and long lifetime. The structure of the digital electronics will be presented, along with main physical building blocks and the internal architecture of FPGA functional subsystems.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherlands. All CTA contributions at arXiv:1508.0589

Using muon rings for the optical throughput calibration of the SST-1M prototype for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) are ground-based instruments devoted to the study of very high energy gamma-rays coming from space. The detection technique consists of observing images created by the Cherenkov light emitted when gamma rays, or more generally cosmic rays, propagate through the atmosphere. While in the case of protons or gamma-rays the images present a filled and more or less elongated shape, energetic muons penetrating the atmosphere are visualised as characteristic circular rings or arcs. A relatively simple analysis of the ring images allows the reconstruction of all the relevant parameters of the detected muons, such as the energy, the impact parameter, and the incoming direction, with the final aim to use them to calibrate the total optical throughput of the given IACT telescope. We present the results of preliminary studies on the use of images created by muons as optical throughput calibrators of the single mirror small size telescope prototype SST-1M proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherlands. All CTA contributions at arXiv:1508.0589

Software design for the control system for Small-Size Telescopes with single-mirror of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The Small-Size Telescope with single-mirror (SST-1M) is a 4 m Davies-Cotton telescope and is among the proposed telescope designs for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). It is conceived to provide the high-energy ($>$ few TeV) coverage. The SST-1M contains proven technology for the telescope structure and innovative electronics and photosensors for the camera. Its design is meant to be simple, low-budget and easy-to-build industrially. Each device subsystem of an SST-1M telescope is made visible to CTA through a dedicated industrial standard server. The software is being developed in collaboration with the CTA Medium-Size Telescopes to ensure compatibility and uniformity of the array control. Early operations of the SST-1M prototype will be performed with a subset of the CTA central array control system based on the Alma Common Software (ACS). The triggered event data are time stamped, formatted and finally transmitted to the CTA data acquisition. The software system developed to control the devices of an SST-1M telescope is described, as well as the interface between the telescope abstraction to the CTA central control and the data acquisition system.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherlands. All CTA contributions at arXiv:1508.0589

Prototype of the SST-1M Telescope Structure for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

A single-mirror small-size (SST-1M) Davies-Cotton telescope with a dish diameter of 4 m has been built by a consortium of Polish and Swiss institutions as a prototype for one of the proposed small-size telescopes for the southern observatory of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). The design represents a very simple, reliable, and cheap solution. The mechanical structure prototype with its drive system is now being tested at the Institute of Nuclear Physics PAS in Krakow. Here we present the design of the prototype and results of the performance tests of the structure and the drive and control system.Comment: In Proceedings of the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2015), The Hague, The Netherlands. All CTA contributions at arXiv:1508.0589

The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936: a study to examine influences on cognitive ageing from age 11 to age 70 and beyond

BACKGROUND: Cognitive ageing is a major burden for society and a major influence in lowering people's independence and quality of life. It is the most feared aspect of ageing. There are large individual differences in age-related cognitive changes. Seeking the determinants of cognitive ageing is a research priority. A limitation of many studies is the lack of a sufficiently long period between cognitive assessments to examine determinants. Here, the aim is to examine influences on cognitive ageing between childhood and old age. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is designed as a follow-up cohort study. The participants comprise surviving members of the Scottish Mental Survey of 1947 (SMS1947; N = 70,805) who reside in the Edinburgh area (Lothian) of Scotland. The SMS1947 applied a valid test of general intelligence to all children born in 1936 and attending Scottish schools in June 1947. A total of 1091 participants make up the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. They undertook: a medical interview and examination; physical fitness testing; extensive cognitive testing (reasoning, memory, speed of information processing, and executive function); personality, quality of life and other psycho-social questionnaires; and a food frequency questionnaire. They have taken the same mental ability test (the Moray House Test No. 12) at age 11 and age 70. They provided blood samples for DNA extraction and testing and other biomarker analyses. Here we describe the background and aims of the study, the recruitment procedures and details of numbers tested, and the details of all examinations. DISCUSSION: The principal strength of this cohort is the rarely captured phenotype of lifetime cognitive change. There is additional rich information to examine the determinants of individual differences in this lifetime cognitive change. This protocol report is important in alerting other researchers to the data available in the cohort

Energy inputs on potato storage in the farm stores

W pracy przedstawiono wyniki oceny technologii przechowywania ziemniaków luzem w przechowalniach wybranych gospodarstw rolnych pod względem skumulowanych nakładów energetycznych, przeprowadzonej w latach 2006-2008. Do obliczeń energochłonności przyjęto wskaźniki stosowane w IBMER oraz na podstawie literatury i badań własnych. Podczas badań zastosowano rejestratory do pomiaru zużycia energii elektrycznej przez urządzenia techniczne w przechowalniach, co umożliwiło precyzyjne określenie energochłonności przechowywania ziemniaków w badanych obiektach. Uzyskano następujące wskaźniki energochłonności: w obiekcie I - od 465,6 do 480,8 MJ*Mg-1, w II - od 300,8 do 419,7*MJ*Mg-1. Udział energii elektrycznej wyniósł odpowiednio: w obiekcie I - 33,7-44,8%, w II - 34,6-46,7%. Zastosowanie rejestratorów umożliwiło też określenie stopnia obciążenia silników elektrycznych napędzających urządzenia techniczne w przechowalniach. Wskaźnik efektywności energetycznej przechowywania ziemniaków w przechowalni I wyniósł 5,3, w II - 6,9 i był wyższy o 32%. Energochłonność przechowywania 1 Mg ziemniaków w przeliczeniu na jeden dzień była mniejsza w przechowalni II, która miała większą komorę, a okres przechowywania był dłuższy. W przechowalniach ziemniaków rachunek energetyczny może być pomocny w ocenie nowych technologii przechowywania, a pomiar zużycia energii elektrycznej przez urządzenia techniczne umożliwi racjonalny ich dobór pod względem potrzebnej mocy.Paper presents the results of evaluating in-bulk potato storage technology in the stores on two selected farms; evaluation was carried out within years 2006-2008, in respect of cumulated energy inputs. Calculations of energy consumption were based on the indices used at IBMER, on the literature data and own investigation results. Recorders were used to measure the electric energy consumption by technical devices in investigated stores; that enabled precise determination of energy consumed in potato stores. Following energy consumption indices were obtained: in object I - from 465.6 to 480.8 MJ*Mg-1, in object II - from 300.8 to 419.7 MJ*Mg-1. Respectively, the share of electric energy amounted to: in object I - 33.7 to 44.8%, in object II - 34,6 to 46.7%. Applied recorders enabled also to determine, to what degree are loaded the electric motors driving technical facilities in the stores. Energetic efficiency ratio of potato storage in the stores tested amounted to 5.3 in I object, and 6.9 in the II-nd, being higher by 32%. Energy consuming by storage of 1 Mg potatoes - recounted per 1 storage day - was lower in store II, having at disposal larger storing chamber and longer storage duration. The energetic calculation in potato stores may be helpful in evaluating new storage technologies; measuring electric energy consumption by the technical devices in stores will enable their rational selection in respect of adequate power rating

Effectiveness of the energy inputs on potato production in selected farms

W pracy oceniono produkcję ziemniaków w gospodarstwach rolnych pod względem skumulowanych nakładów materiałowo-energetycznych w latach 2006-2008. Zakres badań obejmował analizę i ocenę technologii produkcji ziemniaków w aspekcie energochłonności poszczególnych zabiegów oraz ich struktury. Oceniono energię skumulowaną w czterech strumieniach: maszynach, paliwie, robociźnie oraz materiałach i surowcach. Największą energochłonność skumulowaną stwierdzono w materiałach i surowcach do produkcji ziemniaków - 60,1% w gospodarstwie I i 59,1% w gospodarstwie II. Przeanalizowano również udział energii skumulowanej, wydatkowanej na poszczególne zabiegi (prace maszynowe), tj.: uprawę gleby, nawożenie, sadzenie, pielęgnację mechaniczną, ochronę, zbiór i transport. Największą energochłonność skumulowaną uzyskano podczas zbioru ziemniaków w gospodarstwie I, gdzie jej średnia wartość wyniosła 3 688 MJ x ha-1, a w II - podczas transportu ziemniaków z plantacji do przechowalni gospodarstwa - 4 559 MJ x ha-1. Na podstawie uzyskanej wartości energetycznej z plonu ziemniaków i wartości zużytej energii obliczono wskaźnik efektywności energetycznej produkcji ziemniaków, który w gospodarstwie I wyniósł 2,15, a w gospodarstwie II - 2,00.Production of the potatoes was evaluated in respect of cumulated material and energy in-puts. The study, conducted within 2006-2008 on two farms, analysed potato production in aspect of the energy inputs on particular technological treatments as well as their structure. The cumulated energy consumption was considered in four streams: machines, fuel, human labour, material and raw-materials. The highest cumulated energy consumption was stated in the materials and raw-materials used to potato production, amounting to 60.1% in the farm I, and 59.1% in farm II. The share of cumulated energy was also analysed, as expended on particular technological treatments (machine works), i.e. the soil tillage, fertilization, planting, mechanical cultivation, plant protection, harvesting and transport. The highest cumulated energy consumption was observed during potato harvesting in the farm I, where its average value reached 3 688 MJ x ha-1, whereas in the farm II - during transporting potatoes from the field to storage on the farm - 4 559 MJ ha-1. On the basis of energy obtained from the yield of potatoes and the value of energy consumed, an index of energy efficiency at potato produc-tion was calculated; this index amounted to 2.15 and 2.00 for the farms I and II, respectively

Cumulated energy consumption of green pea production for the canned food

W pracy oceniono technologię produkcji grochu zielonego w gospodarstwie rolnym pod względem skumulowanych nakładów materiałowo-energetycznych w latach 2004 i 2006. Zakres badań obejmował ocenę energochłonności skumulowanej poszczególnych zabiegów oraz analizę ich struktury. Do obliczeń energochłonności produkcji grochu zielonego na konserwy zastosowano metodę opracowaną w IBMER oraz wykorzystano literaturę i wyniki badań własnych. Nakłady materiałowo-energetyczne przeanalizowano i oceniono z uwzględnieniem czterech strumieni energii: uprzedmiotowionej w ciągnikach, maszynach, częściach zamiennych i materiałach wykorzystywanych do napraw, bezpośrednim nośniku energii, którym jest paliwo, pracy ludzkiej oraz w materiałach i surowcach. Największą energochłonność skumulowaną stwierdzono w materiałach i surowcach do produkcji grochu zielonego: 61,5% w 2004 r. i 62,5% w 2006 r. Przeanalizowano również udział energii skumulowanej, wydatkowanej na poszczególne zabiegi (tj. prace maszynowe, takie jak: uprawa gleby, nawożenie, siew, ochrona, zbiór i transport). Największą energochłonność skumulowaną uzyskano podczas zbioru grochu, gdzie jej średnia wartość wyniosła 4485 MJ·ha-1 i stanowiła 44,1%. Na podstawie uzyskanej wartości energetycznej z plonu grochu i wartości zużytej energii obliczono wskaźnik efektywności energetycznej produkcji grochu zielonego przeznaczonego na konserwy, który wyniósł 1,01 w 2004 r. i 0,97 w 2006 r.The study evaluated technology of green pea production in the farm, in respect of cumulated material and energy inputs in years 2004 and 2006. The scope of research included evaluation of cumulated energy consumption for particular operations and an analysis of their structure. To calculations of energy consumption in green pea production for the canned food, the method elaborated by IBMER was applied, as well as the literature data and results of own investigations were used. The material-energy inputs were analysed and evaluated, considering four streams of energy: objectified in the tractors, machines, spare parts and materials used to repairs, in direct energy carrier (the fuel), in the human labour, and in the materials and raw materials. The highest cumulated energy consumption was statred in materials and raw materials to green pea production: 61.5% in 2004, and 62.5% in 2006. The share of cumulated energy expended on particular operations (i.e. machinery works, such as soil tillage, fertilization, sowing, plant protection, harvest and transport) was analysed, too. The highest cumulated energy consumption was obtained during harvesting of pea, where its average value reached 4485 MJ·ha-1, making 44.1%. On the basis of determined energetic value for the pea yield and value of consumed energy, an energetic efficiency index was calculated for production of green pea provided for canned food; it amounted to 1.01 and 0.97 in years 2004 and 2006, respectively