#LSE alum helps #SierraLeone youth find a #WAYout

Michael Chandler is an alumnus of LSE and founder of the charity, WAYout. In this post, he describes how a trip to Sierra Leone in 2006 led to the conception of his passion

Development of Space Shuttle Rescue and Recovery Operations

As the first Space Shuttle launch was still in our future, many from NASA, the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA contractors were busy planning for not only a nominal launch and return, but contingency operations at the launch pad and landing sites. Prior to the first launch, detailed coordination, planning and simulations were conducted at all three locations and internal rescue procedures were taught at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Later in the Program, the Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) sites were added in Europe and Africa. For the 51L mission a new TAL site was brought on line in Morocco. However, upon launch, the Shuttle Program experienced it's first lost. During the following months a complete review of all contingency operations (launch and landing) was completed. Many enhancements were made based on the reviews following. A Mode VIII water rescue was developed for NASA by the DoD before the STS-26 launch. Different concepts were explored and being debated by NASA. Training of the contingency forces was required before final decisions were made forcing the teaching of two different sets of procedures. To assist with training, a video was developed for the fire/crash/rescue personnel. This accompanied the detailed extraction procedures that were developed by a combination of KSC and DoD firemen. Training for the fire/crash/rescue personnel at Vandenberg AFB was also being planned before the accident happen. The fire/crash/rescue mockup that was being built at Chanute AFB was diverted to Edwards AFB. Educational Objectives: With the emphasis on Commercial Crew Programs for Space flight it is important that all involved understand what is required to prepare for contingencies. Cost effective means of being prepared for contingencies are needed. Questions: 1. When should planning for nominal and contingency operations begin? 2. What type of training aids are needed for contingency operations? 3. Who were the major contributors to Shuttle contingency operations

Synthetic and biosynthetic studies on the polyketide metabolites LL-D253a and averufin

In Chapter 1 a brief outline of the range of naturally-occurring oxygen heterocycles is presented. This is follow ed by a com prehensive review of non-flavanoid naturally-occurring chromanones, including reference to any im portant biosynthetic studies. This is follow ed by a review of the synthesis of such compounds, concentrating on more recent developmentsChapter 2 concerns the biosynthesis of the chrom anone LL-D253a, a metabolite of P. p ig m e ntivora . A review of previous studies is presented, followed by a brief account of the existence of the phenonium ion, though t to be an intermediate in the biosynthesis of LL-D253a. The incorporation of sodium [2 - 2H3,13C]-acetate, and of diethyl [ 2 - 13C]-malonate, into LL-D253a give an insight into the mechanism of its form ation. Chemical manipulation of deuterium labelled LL-D253a derivatives has supported the existence of a "phenonium'' intermediate. Chemical synthesis of some postulated prrecursors to Ll-D253a was undertaken.Chapter 3 concerns the biosynthesis of averufin, known to be a precursor to aflatoxin B-|. An overview of aflatoxin biosynthesis is presented, and includes a detailed review of relevant studies reported since 1980. The incorporation of [ 2 - 2H2]-hexanoic acid, and of diethyl [ 2 - 13C]-malonate, into averufin is reported. These results confirm that averufin is a decaketide, but during its biosynthesis it is able to exchange with endogenous hexanoate. Attem pted chemical manipulation of averufin, and incorporation of [7 - 2H2]-averufin into aflatoxin B-, is discussed

The ISCIP Analyst, Volume II, Issue 6

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

RURAL VIRGINIA: PROVIDING FOR THE FUTURE THROUGH CHANGING POLICY

Community/Rural/Urban Development,

The ISCIP Analyst, Volume II, Issue 1

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

Differential coupling of gibberellin responses by Rht-B1c suppressor alleles and Rht-B1b in wheat highlights a unique role for the DELLA N-terminus in dormancy

During the Green Revolution, substantial increases in wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields were realized, at least in part, through the introduction of the Reduced height (Rht)-B1b and Rht-D1b semi-dwarfing alleles. In contrast to Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b, the Rht-B1c allele is characterized by extreme dwarfism and exceptionally strong dormancy. Recently, 35 intragenic Rht-B1c suppressor alleles were created in the spring wheat cultivar Maringa, and termed overgrowth (ovg) alleles. Here, 14 ovg alleles with agronomically relevant plant heights were reproducibly classified into nine tall and five semi-dwarf alleles. These alleles differentially affected grain dormancy, internode elongation rate, and coleoptile and leaf lengths. The stability of these ovg effects was demonstrated for three ovg alleles in different genetic backgrounds and environments. Importantly, two semi-dwarf ovg alleles increased dormancy, which correlated with improved pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) resistance. Since no negative effects on grain yield or quality were observed, these semi-dwarf ovg alleles are valuable for breeding to achieve adequate height reduction and protection of grain quality in regions prone to PHS. Furthermore, this research highlights a unique role for the first 70 amino acids of the DELLA protein, encoded by the Rht-1 genes, in grain dormancy

Fluctuation-dissipation ratios in the dynamics of self-assembly

We consider two seemingly very different self-assembly processes: formation of viral capsids, and crystallization of sticky discs. At low temperatures, assembly is ineffective, since there are many metastable disordered states, which are a source of kinetic frustration. We use fluctuation-dissipation ratios to extract information about the degree of this frustration. We show that our analysis is a useful indicator of the long term fate of the system, based on the early stages of assembly.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure