111 research outputs found
Toward a Symphony of Reactivity: Cascades Involving Catalysis and Sigmatropic Rearrangements
Catalysis and synthesis are intimately linked in modern organic chemistry. The synthesis of complex molecules is an ever evolving area of science. In many regards, the inherent beauty associated with a synthetic sequence can be linked to a certain combination of the creativity with which a sequence is designed and the overall efficiency with which the ultimate process is performed. In synthesis, as in other endeavors, beauty is very much in the eyes of the beholder.† It is with this in mind that we will attempt to review an area of synthesis that has fascinated us and that we find extraordinarily beautiful, namely the combination of catalysis and sigmatropic rearrangements in consecutive and cascade sequences
System and Method for Automated Rendezvous, Docking and Capture of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
A system for automated rendezvous, docking, and capture of autonomous underwater vehicles at the conclusion of a mission comprising of comprised of a docking rod having lighted, pulsating (in both frequency and light intensity) series of LED light strips thereon, with the LEDs at a known spacing, and the autonomous underwater vehicle specially designed to detect and capture the docking rod and then be lifted structurally by a spherical end strop about which the vehicle can be pivoted and hoisted up (e.g., onto a ship). The method of recovery allows for very routine and reliable automated recovery of an unmanned underwater asset
The interaction of Epstein-Barr virus encoded transcription factor EBNA2 with multiple sclerosis risk loci is dependent on the risk genotype
Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may be necessary for the development of Multiple sclerosis (MS). Earlier we had identified six MS risk loci that are co-located with binding sites for the EBV transcription factor Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 2 (EBNA2) in EBV-infected B cells (lymphoblastoid cell lines – LCLs). Methods: We used an allele-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR assay to assess EBNA2 allelic preference. We treated LCLs with a peptide inhibitor of EBNA2 (EBNA2-TAT), reasoning that inhibiting EBNA2 function would alter gene expression at these loci if it was mediated by EBNA2. Findings: We found that EBNA2 binding was dependent on the risk allele for five of these six MS risk loci (p < 0·05). Treatment with EBNA2-TAT significantly altered the expression of TRAF3 (p < 0·05), CD40 (p < 0·001), CLECL1 (p <0·0001), TNFAIP8 (p < 0·001) and TNFRSF1A (p < 0·001). Interpretation: These data suggest that EBNA2 can enhance or reduce expression of the gene depending on the risk allele, likely promoting EBV infection. This is consistent with the concept that these MS risk loci affect MS risk through altering the response to EBNA2. Together with the extensive data indicating a pathogenic role for EBV in MS, this study supports targeting EBV and EBNA2 to reduce their effect on MS pathogenesis
Bada Bang, Bada Boom: Dispersal of fall migrating cormorants to protect sportfish on Oneida Lake, New York
The interior population of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) continues to increase. As a result, conflicts between human interests and cormorants have intensified. The impacts of nesting, roosting, and migrating cormorants include predation at aquaculture facilities, interspecific competition with rare species including common terns {Sterna hirundo), and impacts to private property. In addition, heightened public and scientific debate regarding cormorant impacts on sportfish has accelerated the need for effective, socially acceptable methods for managing local conflicts. In 1998 and 1999, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and USGS, New York Fish and Wildlife Research Cooperative collaborated on a pilot project to investigate prospective methods and strategies for reducing predation of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) by fall migrating cormorants on Oneida Lake, New York. The goal of the cooperative program was to reduce stopover time, thereby reducing predation on fish stocks by migrating cormorants. A lakewide integrated non-lethal harassment and roost management program was initiated to disperse local and migrating cormorants from September to October each year. A variety of methods were used to manage cormorants including: electronic guards, propane cannons, mylar tape, human effigies, pyrotechnics, and dispersing birds with a boat. Harassment was focused on birds loafing on the water as well as day and night roosting sites (8 day and 2 night roosts). A total of 52,840 cormorants was dispersed (in many cases individual birds were harassed multiple times) using 1,518 pyrotechnics and 649 staff hours on the lake during the 2 years of the program. Surveys documented a 61%-98% reduction of the cormorants population on Oneida Lake compared to mean counts during the same time period from 1995-1997. Estimated total annual fish consumption by cormorants was reduced by 30% in 1998. Some off-site impacts of the program were seen with increased flocks of cormorants documented on nearby lakes
Ventricular‐Vascular Coupling in Marfan and Non‐Marfan Aortopathies
Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) and familial non–syndromal thoracic aortic
aneurysm and dissection (ns‐TAAD) are genetic aortopathies causing aortic
dilatation with increased aortic stiffness. Left ventricular (LV)
contractility and ventricular‐vascular coupling index (VVI) were compared
between MFS and ns‐TAAD and determinants of VVI were investigated. Methods and
Results: Patients with MFS (M 57, F 47) and ns‐TAAD (M 72, F 39) were studied
by echocardiography and compared with controls (M 77, F 71). Aortic geometry,
hemodynamics, LV work, LV contractility (end‐systolic elastance [Ees]), and
VVI were documented. Aortic sinuses were equally dilated in MFS (19.7±2.4) and
ns‐TAAD (19.8±1.8) compared to controls (16.2±1.4 mm·m−2, P<0.001). Aortic
stiffness index was increased in MFS (9.7±5.1) and ns‐TAAD (10.8±4.7) versus
controls (5.4±2.0, P<0.01); LV stroke work was unchanged in MFS (436±74)
compared to controls (435±60) but increased in ns‐TAAD (492±109 mJ·m−2
P<0.01). The LV Ees was reduced in MFS (1.32±0.19) compared to controls
(1.65±0.29 mm Hg·mL−1, P<0.01) but increased in ns‐TAAD (1.83±0.30, P<0.01)
and VVI was abnormal in MFS (0.71±0.11) compared to controls (0.62±0.07,
P<0.01) and ns‐TAAD (0.62±0.09). Treatment with β‐blockers was associated with
partial normalization of VVI in MFS. A VVI ≥0.8 was associated with increased
risk of death and heart failure in MFS. Conclusions: Left ventricular
contractility and ventricular‐vascular coupling are abnormal in MFS but
preserved in ns‐TAAD, and are independent of aortic stiffness, consistent with
intrinsic impairment of myocardial contractility in MFS
Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae. II: The Second Year (2009-2010)
As an extension of the project in Kato et al. (2009, arXiv:0905.1757), we
collected times of superhump maxima for 61 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly
observed during the 2009-2010 season. The newly obtained data confirmed the
basic findings reported in Kato et al. (2009): the presence of stages A-C, as
well as the predominance of positive period derivatives during stage B in
systems with superhump periods shorter than 0.07 d. There was a systematic
difference in period derivatives for systems with superhump periods longer than
0.075 d between this study and Kato et al. (2009). We suggest that this
difference is possibly caused by the relative lack of frequently outbursting SU
UMa-type dwarf novae in this period regime in the present study. We recorded a
strong beat phenomenon during the 2009 superoutburst of IY UMa. The close
correlation between the beat period and superhump period suggests that the
changing angular velocity of the apsidal motion of the elliptical disk is
responsible for the variation of superhump periods. We also described three new
WZ Sge-type objects with established early superhumps and one with likely early
superhumps. We also suggest that two systems, VX For and EL UMa, are WZ
Sge-type dwarf novae with multiple rebrightenings. The O-C variation in OT
J213806.6+261957 suggests that the frequent absence of rebrightenings in very
short-Porb objects can be a result of sustained superoutburst plateau at the
epoch when usual SU UMa-type dwarf novae return to quiescence preceding a
rebrightening. We also present a formulation for a variety of Bayesian
extension to traditional period analyses.Comment: 63 pages, 77 figures, 1 appendix, Accepted for publication in PASJ,
data correctio
Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae. VIII: The Eighth Year (2015-2016)
Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, arXiv:0905.1757), we
collected times of superhump maxima for 128 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed
mainly during the 2015-2016 season and characterized these objects. The data
have improved the distribution of orbital periods, the relation between the
orbital period and the variation of superhumps, the relation between period
variations and the rebrightening type in WZ Sge-type objects. Coupled with new
measurements of mass ratios using growing stages of superhumps, we now have a
clearer and statistically greatly improved evolutionary path near the terminal
stage of evolution of cataclysmic variables. Three objects (V452 Cas, KK Tel,
ASASSN-15cl) appear to have slowly growing superhumps, which is proposed to
reflect the slow growth of the 3:1 resonance near the stability border.
ASASSN-15sl, ASASSN-15ux, SDSS J074859.55+312512.6 and CRTS J200331.3-284941
are newly identified eclipsing SU UMa-type (or WZ Sge-type) dwarf novae.
ASASSN-15cy has a short (~0.050 d) superhump period and appears to belong to EI
Psc-type objects with compact secondaries having an evolved core. ASASSN-15gn,
ASASSN-15hn, ASASSN-15kh and ASASSN-16bu are candidate period bouncers with
superhump periods longer than 0.06 d. We have newly obtained superhump periods
for 79 objects and 13 orbital periods, including periods from early superhumps.
In order that the future observations will be more astrophysically beneficial
and rewarding to observers, we propose guidelines how to organize observations
of various superoutbursts.Comment: 123 pages, 162 figures, 119 tables, accepted for publication in PASJ
(including supplementary information
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