A search for soft X-ray emission associated with prominent high-velocity-cloud complexes

We correlate the ROSAT 1/4 keV all-sky survey with the Leiden/Dwingeloo HI survey, looking for soft X-ray signatures of prominent high-velocity-cloud (HVC) complexes. We study the transfer of 1/4 keV photons through the interstellar medium in order to distinguish variations in the soft X-ray background (SXRB) intensity caused by photoelectric absorption effects from those due to excess X-ray emission. The X-ray data are modelled as a combination of emission from the Local Hot Bubble (LHB) and emission from a distant plasma in the galactic halo and extragalactic sources. The X-ray radiation intensity of the galactic halo and extragalactic X-ray background is modulated by the photoelectric absorption of the intervening galactic interstellar matter. We show that large- and small-scale intensity variations of the 1/4 keV SXRB are caused by photoelectric absorption which is predominantly traced by the total N(HI) distribution. The extensive coverage of the two surveys supports evidence for a hot, X-ray emitting corona. We show that this leads to a good representation of the SXRB observations. For four large areas on the sky, we search for regions where the modelled and observed X-ray emission differ. We find that there is excess X-ray emission towards regions near HVC complexes C, D, and GCN. We suggest that the excess X-ray emission is positionally correlated with the high-velocity clouds. Some lines of sight towards HVCs also pass through significant amounts of intermediate-velocity gas, so we cannot constrain the possible role played by IVC gas in these directions of HVC and IVC overlap, in determining the X-ray excesses.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics main journa

Engineering Crystal Packing in RNA-Protein Complexes II: A Historical Perspective from the Structural Studies of the Spliceosome

Cryo-electron microscopy has greatly advanced our understanding of how the spliceosome cycles through different conformational states to conduct the chemical reactions that remove introns from pre-mRNA transcripts. The Cryo-EM structures were built upon decades of crystallographic studies of various spliceosomal RNA-protein complexes. In this review we give an overview of the crystal structures solved in the Nagai group, utilizing many of the strategies to design crystal packing as described in the accompanying paper

Seed bank dynamics govern persistence of Brassica hybrids in crop and natural habitats

This is the final version. Available on open access from Oxford University Press via the DOI in this record• Background and Aims: Gene flow from crops to their wild relatives has the potential to alter population growth rates and demography of hybrid populations, especially when a new crop has been genetically modified (GM). This study introduces a comprehensive approach to assess this potential for altered population fitness, and uses a combination of demographic data in two habitat types and mathematical (matrix) models that include crop rotations and outcrossing between parental species. • Methods: Full life-cycle demographic rates, including seed bank survival, of non-GM Brassica rapa x B. napus F1 hybrids and their parent species were estimated from experiments in both agricultural and semi-natural habitats. Altered fitness potential was modelled using periodic matrices including crop rotations and outcrossing between parent species. • Key Results: The demographic vital rates (i.e. For major stage transitions) of the hybrid population were intermediate between or lower than both parental species. The population growth rate (λ) of hybrids indicated decreases in both habitat types, and in a semi-natural habitat hybrids became extinct at two sites. Elasticity analyses indicated that seed bank survival was the greatest contributor to λ. In agricultural habitats, hybrid populations were projected to decline, but with persistence times up to 20 years. The seed bank survival rate was the main driver determining persistence. It was found that λ of the hybrids was largely determined by parental seed bank survival and subsequent replenishment of the hybrid population through outcrossing of B. Rapa with B. napus. • Conclusions: Hybrid persistence was found to be highly dependent on the seed bank, suggesting that targeting hybrid seed survival could be an important management option in controlling hybrid persistence. For local risk mitigation, an increased focus on the wild parent is suggested. Management actions, such as control of B. Rapa, could indirectly reduce hybrid populations by blocking hybrid replenishment.Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Natural Environment Research Council (NERC

STATIONS D’EPURATION A LITS FILTRANTS PLANTES DE MACROPHYTES WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS WITH MACROPHYTES

L’utilisation de marais pour l’amélioration de la qualité de l’eau est une technique très ancienne. Depuis que l’homme rejettedes effluents pollués dans le milieu naturel, les marais ont été impliqués – volontairement ou non – dans l’épuration de ceux-ci.De nombreuses recherches sont actuellement menées afin de mieux comprendre les phénomènes intervenant dans le sol pourl’épuration, l’influence des conditions climatiques, les tailles et formes des lits, la charge hydraulique et le type de plantesutilisées. Le présent travail se veut une contribution à la mise en valeur des techniques d’épuration des eaux usées domestiquespar lits plantés de macrophytes

Atomic and molecular interstellar absorption lines toward the high galactic latitude stars HD~141569 and HD~157841 at ultra-high resolution

We present ultra-high resolution (0.32 km/s) spectra obtained with the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and Ultra-High-Resolution Facility (UHRF), of interstellar NaI D1, D2, Ca II K, K I and CH absorption toward two high galactic latitude stars HD141569 and HD157841. We have compared our data with 21-cm observations obtained from the Leiden/Dwingeloo HI survey. We derive the velocity structure, column densities of the clouds represented by the various components and identify the clouds with ISM structures seen in the region at other wavelengths. We further derive abundances, linear depletions and H2 fractional abundances for these clouds, wherever possible. Toward HD141569, we detect two components in our UHRF spectra : a weak, broad component at - 15 km/s, seen only in CaII K absorption and another component at 0 km/s, seen in NaI D1, D2, Ca II K, KI and CH absorption. In the case of the HD157841 sightline, a total of 6 components are seen on our UHRF spectra in NaI D1, D2 Ca II K, K I and CH absorption. 2 of these 6 components are seen only in a single species.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, 4 figures, ps files Astrophysical Journal (in press

Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren

<p><b>Background:</b> Intestinal parasitic infections are a public health problem in developing countries such as Mexico. As a result, two governmental programmes have been implemented: a) "National Deworming Campaign" and b) "Opportunities" aimed at maternal care. However, both programmes are developed separately and their impact is still unknown. We independently investigated whether a variety of socio-economic factors, including maternal education and employment levels, were associated with intestinal parasite infection in rural school children.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 rural communities in two Mexican states. The study sites and populations were selected on the basis of the following traits: a) presence of activities by the national administration of albendazole, b) high rates of intestinal parasitism, c) little access to medical examination, and d) a population having less than 2,500 inhabitants. A total of 507 schoolchildren (mean age 8.2 years) were recruited and 1,521 stool samples collected (3 per child). Socio-economic information was obtained by an oral questionnaire. Regression modelling was used to determine the association of socio-economic indicators and intestinal parasitism.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> More than half of the schoolchildren showed poliparasitism (52%) and protozoan infections (65%). The prevalence of helminth infections was higher in children from Oaxaca (53%) than in those from Sinaloa (33%) (p < 0.0001). Giardia duodenalis and Hymenolepis nana showed a high prevalence in both states. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba hystolitica/dispar showed low prevalence. Children from lower-income families and with unemployed and less educated mothers showed higher risk of intestinal parasitism (odds ratio (OR) 6.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–22.6; OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.5–8.2; OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5–7.4 respectively). Defecation in open areas was also a high risk factor for infection (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.0–3.0).</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Intestinal parasitism remains an important public health problem in Sinaloa (north-western Mexico) and Oaxaca (south-eastern Mexico). Lower income, defecation in open areas, employment status and a lower education level of mothers were the significant factors related to these infections. We conclude that mothers should be involved in health initiatives to control intestinal parasitism in Mexico.</p&gt