Unlocking the M13 (F1) virion : investigation into the role of pIII C domain of F specific filamentous bacteriophage in infection : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biochemistry at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Filamentous phage adsorb to the host cells by binding of the N2 domain of pIII to the tip of the F pilus. Binding of N1 domain of pIII to the secondary receptor (Tol A), triggers the opening of the virion by a poorly understood mechanism. Filamentous phage assembly is a secretion-like process. The assembly is terminated and virion released from the membranes by C domain of pIII. Because the infection is a reversal of assembly, it can be hypothesized that the C domain of pIII plays an active role in the infection. To test this hypothesis, we have set up a system in which virions carried a mixture of two types of mutant pIII molecules: i) functional N1N2 domains fused to a short C domain that can be incorporated but cannot terminate assembly and release the phage from the membrane: ii) C domain only, which can terminate phage assembly, but lacks the receptor-binding domains N1N2. The infectivity of the particles was as low as 0.21% that of the positive control setup in which virions carried a mixture of wild-type pIII and C domain. Therefore, a functional C domain covalently linked to the receptor domain N1N2 is required for infection. These findings suggest that simple binding of N1 domain of pIII to the periplasmic receptor TolA is not sufficient for infection. Rather, this interaction may, via functional C domain of pIII, trigger a conformational change required for the downstream events which result in the virion uncoating and DNA entry. To add further weight to this model, a "microphage" producing system was designed to produce short phage particles suitable for Cryo-EM structural analysis

A software tool for simulating practical chemistry

A software package has been written to allow a user to build and manipulate a simple chemistry experiment. Using a toolbox of equipment the apparatus can be interactively designed and the necessary chemicals added from a database. Selection of the appropriate physical and reaction conditions allows the experiment to be run both in real and virtual time, snapshots of the experiment being stored for subsequent modification and replay. The structure of the reaction data file allows any reaction to be designed with yields and both forward and backward reaction rates. Thus, the user has the opportunity to experiment with the best apparatus layout, reactant composition and physical conditions in order to achieve an optimal result. Some extensions of the current software are discussed

On the secondary instability of Taylor-Goertler vortices to Tollmien-Schlichting waves in fully-developed flows

There are many flows of practical importance where both Tollmien-Schlichting waves and Taylor-Goertler vortices are possible causes of transition to turbulence. The effect of fully nonlinear Taylor-Goertler vortices on the growth of small amplitude Tollmien-Schlichting waves is investigated. The basic state considered is the fully developed flow between concentric cylinders driven by an azimuthal pressure gradient. It is hoped that an investigation of this problem will shed light on the more complicated external boundary layer problem where again both modes of instability exist in the presence of concave curvature. The type of Tollmein-Schlichting waves considered have the asymptotic structure of lower branch modes of plane Poisseulle flow. Whilst instabilities at lower Reynolds number are possible, the latter modes are simpler to analyze and more relevant to the boundary layer problem. The effect of fully nonlinear Taylor-Goertler vortices on both two-dimensional and three-dimensional waves is determined. It is shown that, whilst the maximum growth as a function of frequency is not greatly affected, there is a large destabilizing effect over a large range of frequencies

BEEBS: Open Benchmarks for Energy Measurements on Embedded Platforms

This paper presents and justifies an open benchmark suite named BEEBS, targeted at evaluating the energy consumption of embedded processors. We explore the possible sources of energy consumption, then select individual benchmarks from contemporary suites to cover these areas. Version one of BEEBS is presented here and contains 10 benchmarks that cover a wide range of typical embedded applications. The benchmark suite is portable across diverse architectures and is freely available. The benchmark suite is extensively evaluated, and the properties of its constituent programs are analysed. Using real hardware platforms we show case examples which illustrate the difference in power dissipation between three processor architectures and their related ISAs. We observe significant differences in the average instruction dissipation between the architectures of 4.4x, specifically 170uW/MHz (ARM Cortex-M0), 65uW/MHz (Adapteva Epiphany) and 88uW/MHz (XMOS XS1-L1)

Challenges facing green space: is statute the answer?

Against a backdrop of austerity, characterised by public-sector funding cuts and a devolutionary agenda, this paper explores how legislation might address two, inter-related challenges which face public urban green space ('greenspace') in England and Wales; namely, responsibility for provision, and identification of supporting funds. It focuses on two proposals; first, the introduction of legislative powers to enable local authorities to create user-charging schemes, and secondly, the imposition of a local authority statutory duty to provide greenspace

The NASA low thrust propulsion program

The NASA OAST Propulsion, Power, and Energy Division supports a low thrust propulsion program aimed at providing high performance options for a broad range of near-term and far-term mission and vehicles. Low thrust propulsion has a major impact on the mission performance of essentially all spacecraft and vehicles. On-orbit lifetimes, payloads, and trip times are significantly impacted by low thrust propulsion performance and integration features for Earth-to-orbit (ETO) vehicles, Earth-orbit and planetary spacecraft, and large platforms in Earth orbit. Major emphases are on low thrust chemical propulsion, both storables and hydrogen/oxygen; low-power (auxiliary) electric arcjects and resistojets; and high-power (primary) electric propulsion, including ion, magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD), and electrodeless concepts. The major recent accomplishments of the program are presented and their impacts discussed

Money Stock Control with Reserve and Interest Rate Instruments Under Rational Expectations

This paper conducts a theoretical comparison of the potential effectiveness, in terms of money stock controllability, of interest rate and reserve instruments. Whereas previous studies have been basically static, the present analysis is carried out in the context of a dynamic macroeconomic model with rational expectations. Particular attention is paid to the distinction between contemporaneous and lagged reserve accounting (CRA and LRA). The criterion employed is the expectation of squared deviations of the (log of the) money stock from target values that are reset each period. Analysis in the basic model suggests the following substantive conclusions. (1) With a reserve instrument, monetary control will be more effective under CRA than LRA. (2) With a reserve instrument and LRA, control will be poorer than with an interest rate instrument. (3) For a wide range of parameter values, control will be better with a reserve instrument and CRA than with an interest rate instrument.

"Challenge Current Practice and Assumptions! Make waves!!” : What Works Scotland Collaborative Learning Event 23 & 24 February 2016 Queens Hotel, Perth

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