Distinct cellular expression pattern of annexins in Hydra vulgaris.

The annexins are a structurally related family of Ca2+ and phospholipid binding proteins whose function has not been clearly defined. Further investigations of annexin function may be enhanced by studying simpler organisms that express fewer annexin gene products. We previously characterized annexin XII from the freshwater cnidarian Hydra vulgaris (Schlaepfer, D. D., D. A. Fisher, M. E. Brandt, H. R. Bode, J. Jones, and H. T. Haigler. 1992. J. Biol. Chem. 267:9529-9539). In this report, we detected one other hydra annexin (40 kD) by screening hydra cell extracts with antibodies raised against peptides from highly conserved regions of known annexins. The 40-kD protein was expressed at less than 1% of annexin XII levels. These biochemical studies indicate that hydra contain a very limited number of annexin gene products. The cellular hydra annexin distribution was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence. Using affinity-purified antibodies to annexin XII, the epithelial battery cells were stained throughout the tentacle. A lower level of annexin XII staining was detected in peduncle region epithelial cells. No other cell types showed detectable annexin XII staining. The anti-peptide antibody that specifically detected the 40-kD hydra annexin, maximally stained the cytoplasm of nematocytes. The immunofluorescent results showed that annexin XII and the 40-kD annexin were not co-expressed in the same cells. Since the hydra annexins localized to specific subsets of the total hydra cell types, it is likely that these proteins perform specialized biological roles, and not general "housekeeping" functions which are part of the essential molecular machinery of all cells

User guide for WIACX: A transonic wind-tunnel wall interference assessment and correction procedure for the NTF

A three dimensional transonic Wind-tunnel Interference Assessment and Correction (WIAC) procedure developed specifically for use in the National Transonic Facility (NTF) at NASA Langley Research Center is discussed. This report is a user manual for the codes comprising the correction procedure. It also includes listings of sample procedures and input files for running a sample case and plotting the results

Widening the Pipeline: Identifying Practices and Structures That Effectively Recruit and Retain African-American Females in Undergraduate Computer Science Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The underrepresentation of women and women of color in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is of little surprise to those of us who have kept abreast of the statistical data supporting this phenomenon. In order for the United States (U.S.) to remain “economically and globally competitive” (Ong, 2011, p. 32), it needs to increase its “advanced domestic science and technology workforce” (Ong, 2011, p.32). Perhaps, it is not a coincidence that the majority of students attending U.S. colleges are female, and the number of minority students entering college is on the rise. However, when one looks at the number of women of color entering college and the number of whom are pursuing a STEM degree, there is a significant decrease. Furthermore, the pipeline is even narrower for women pursuing computer science (CS) degrees. This exploratory qualitative study was focused on one historically Black university located in the southeast region of the U.S. This study utilized a grounded theory qualitative inquiry approach to identify practices and strategies utilized by the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) to effectively recruit and retain undergraduate African-American women in its CS program. The findings suggest the importance of K-12 experiences, supportive relationships among students and faculty, industry partnerships, and relevant and challenging experiences

Interview with Barbara Haigler

In this interview on December 3, 2012, Robert Ryals speaks to Barbara Haigler, an alumnus of Winthrop University, about her memories of campus life. This interview covers Haigler’s time at Winthrop until her graduation in 1957. Among other things, Haigler discusses her memories of dorm life, classes, and social events. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/oralhistoryprogram/1114/thumbnail.jp

A Performance Practice Guide for :only.just.almost.never for Solo Vibraphone by Jay Alan Yim

Abstract Currently, there exists little scholarship on Dr. Jay Alan Yim’s percussion music, and none exists for :only.just.almost.never for solo vibraphone. Establishing a performance practice guide will allow future percussionists a glimpse into the compositional process of Yim and allow them to expand their repertoire to include this challenging music. The purpose of this project is to create a comprehensive performance practice guide for :only.just.almost.never for solo vibraphone by Jay Alan Yim. Resources Required This project relies mainly on the score of :only.just.almost.never for solo vibraphone. I have also conducted multiple interviews with Yim regarding his compositional process, sketches, and companion pieces within this writing paradigm. It should be noted that this work can be played with Yim’s other modular works in his cycle for piano,[1] string quartet,[2] woodwind trio,[3] and chamber ensemble;[4] all of these scores are available from the composer. Project Format This project is a written performance practice guide for :only.just.almost.never for solo vibraphone.[5] Thus, it consists of pedagogical advice in learning and performing this work accompanied by specific score examples, visual diagrams, photos, and audio links. In addition, this paper discusses practical analyses of this composition’s complex rhythms. The author has recorded :only.just.almost.never, which has informed the pedagogical writings within this project. [1] Jay Alan Yim, :[ten]dril (Shinkyoku Edition, 1999). [2] Jay Alan Yim, :memo/ryCircle (Shinkyoku Edition, 1998). [3] Jay Alan Yim, :circl/eSong (Shinkyoku Edition, 1997). [4] Jay Alan Yim, :dreamin/gField (Shinkyoku Edition, 1997). [5] Jay Alan Yim, :only.just.almost.never (Shinkyoku Edition, 2018)

Mechanism isolates load weighing cell during lifting of load

Load weighing cell used in conjuction with a hoist is isolated during lifting and manipulation of the load. A simple mechanism, attached to a crane hook, provides a screw adjustment for engaging the load cell during weighing of the load and isolating it from lift forces during hoisting of the load

Boring Mechanism of Polydora websteri Inhabiting Crassostrea virginica

The boring mechanisms of species of polydorid polychaetes are little understood due to lack of experimental evidence and direct observations. In thepresent studies the boring mechanism of adults and metamorphosing larvae of Polydora websteri was investigated by (1) inducing adults and larvae to settle against test substrates, (2) observing behavior in natural burrows and in artificial blisters composed of transparent Pliobond films surrounding Iceland spar substrates, (3)removing the giant setae of worms prior to tests of boring, (4) applying the giant setae to substrates, and by (5) testing for production of acid.All the layers of oyster shell, including conchiolin, were bored. Calcareous substrates and Iceland spar were penetrated rapidly by adults without the assistance of the giant setae. Nor were these organs essential to the boring of a larva. A characteristic type ofbehavior involving close contact with the substrate during backwards and forwards movements and periods of immobility always preceded boring. The worms produced acid, probably some common product of metabolism, which can account for these results

Structure/function relationships in the rosette cellulose synthesis complex illuminated by an evolutionary perspective

Cellulose microfibrils are a key component of plant cell walls, which in turn compose most of our renewable biomaterials. Consequently, there is considerable interest in understanding how cellulose microfibrils are made in living cells by the plant cellulose synthesis complex (CSC). This remarkable multi-subunit complex contains cellulose synthase (CESA) proteins, and it is often called a rosette due to its six-lobed shape. Each CSC moves within the plasma membrane as it spins a strong cellulose microfibril in its wake. To accomplish this biological manufacturing process, the CESAs harvest an activated sugar substrate from the cytoplasm for use in the polymerization of glucan chains. An elongating glucan is simultaneously translocated across the plasma membrane by each CESA, where the group of chains emanating from one CSC co-crystallizes into a cellulose microfibril that becomes part of the assembling cell wall. Here we review major advances in understanding CESA and CSC structure/function relationships since 2013, when ground-breaking insights about the structure of cellulose synthases in bacteria and plants were published. We additionally discuss: (a) the relationship of CSC substructure to the size of the fundamental cellulose fibril; (b) an evolutionary perspective on the driving force behind the existence of hetero-oligomeric CSCs that currently appear to dominate in land plants; and (c) how cellulose properties may be regulated by CESA and CSC activity. We also pose major questions that still remain in this rapidly changing and exciting research field

Cotton fiber: a powerful single-cell model for cell wall and cellulose research

Cotton fibers are single-celled extensions of the seed epidermis. They can be isolated in pure form as they undergo staged differentiation including primary cell wall synthesis during elongation and nearly pure cellulose synthesis during secondary wall thickening. This combination of features supports clear interpretation of data about cell walls and cellulose synthesis in the context of high throughput modern experimental technologies. Prior contributions of cotton fiber to building fundamental knowledge about cell walls will be summarized and the dynamic changes in cell wall polymers throughout cotton fiber differentiation will be described. Recent successes in using stable cotton transformation to alter cotton fiber cell wall properties as well as cotton fiber quality will be discussed. Futurec prospects to perform experiments more rapidly through altering cotton fiberwall properties via virus-induced gene silencing will be evaluated

What is the best way to diagnose menopause?

No single test for menopause is highly sensitive and specific. The best predictors that a woman will enter menopause within 4 years include age at least 50 years, amenorrhea for 3 to 11 months, and menstrual cycle irregularity within 12 months (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B; based on multiple prospective cohort studies). For diagnosing perimenopause, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is most useful for clinical situations in which the pretest probability, as based on history, is midrange (SOR: B, based on 1 systematic review and 2 cross-sectional studies)