Effects of electron transfer on the stability of hydrogen bonds.

The measurement of the dimerization constants of hydrogen-bonded ruthenium complexes (12, 22, 32) linked by a self-complementary pair of 4-pyridylcarboxylic acid ligands in different redox states is reported. Using a combination of FTIR and UV/vis/NIR spectroscopies, the dimerization constants (KD) of the isovalent, neutral states, 12, 22, 32, were found to range from 75 to 130 M-1 (ΔG0 = -2.56 to -2.88 kcal mol-1), while the dimerization constants (K2-) of the isovalent, doubly-reduced states, (12)2-, (22)2-, (32)2-, were found to range from 2000 to 2500 M-1 (ΔG0 = -4.5 to -4.63 kcal mol-1). From the aforementioned values and the comproportionation constant for the mixed-valent dimers, the dimerization constants (KMV) of the mixed-valent, hydrogen-bonded dimers, (12)-, (22)-, (32)-, were found to range from 0.5 × 106 to 1.2 × 106 M-1 (ΔG0 = -7.78 to -8.31 kcal mol-1). On average, the hydrogen-bonded, mixed-valent states are stabilized by -5.27 (0.04) kcal mol-1 relative to the isovalent, neutral, hydrogen-bonded dimers and -3.47 (0.06) kcal mol-1 relative to the isovalent, dianionic hydrogen bonded dimers. Electron exchange in the mixed valence states imparts significant stability to hydrogen bonding. This is the first quantitative measurement of the strength of hydrogen bonds in the presence and absence of electronic exchange

Automatic analysis of Swift-XRT data

The Swift spacecraft detects and autonomously observes ~100 Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) per year, ~96% of which are detected by the X-ray telescope (XRT). GRBs are accompanied by optical transients and the field of ground-based follow-up of GRBs has expanded significantly over the last few years, with rapid response instruments capable of responding to Swift triggers on timescales of minutes. To make the most efficient use of limited telescope time, follow-up astronomers need accurate positions of GRBs as soon as possible after the trigger. Additionally, information such as the X-ray light curve, is of interest when considering observing strategy. The Swift team at Leicester University have developed techniques to improve the accuracy of the GRB positions available from the XRT, and to produce science-grade X-ray light curves of GRBs. These techniques are fully automated, and are executed as soon as data are available.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of ADASS XVII (ASP Conference Series

A synthetic biochemistry platform for cell free production of monoterpenes from glucose.

Cell-free systems designed to perform complex chemical conversions of biomass to biofuels or commodity chemicals are emerging as promising alternatives to the metabolic engineering of living cells. Here we design a system comprises 27 enzymes for the conversion of glucose into monoterpenes that generates both NAD(P)H and ATP in a modified glucose breakdown module and utilizes both cofactors for building terpenes. Different monoterpenes are produced in our system by changing the terpene synthase enzyme. The system is stable for the production of limonene, pinene and sabinene, and can operate continuously for at least 5 days from a single addition of glucose. We obtain conversion yields >95% and titres >15 g l-1. The titres are an order of magnitude over cellular toxicity limits and thus difficult to achieve using cell-based systems. Overall, these results highlight the potential of synthetic biochemistry approaches for producing bio-based chemicals

Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme.

Most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase, Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase (DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes

Saturday Night Live Club Lamb Sale

“Competition is said to be the backbone of the stock show industry,” (Davis, 1998). A statement spoken in a 1998 thesis paper on the junior livestock industry still holds water in today’s world. Youth livestock exhibition, especially in California, continues to grow in the number of youth participants and the number of livestock entries at shows (Switzer, 2019). It is the responsibility of livestock breeders to breed, raise, and sell their livestock to maximize the opportunity for youth to acquire livestock to show. In his research, Wendt discusses the capabilities of purchasing livestock through online platforms. He speaks to the wide variety of livestock outside of Oklahoma, where the study was conducted, and how much easier it was to find stock on the internet for his agricultural students (Wendt, 2014). Although technology has advanced to market and sell livestock in a digital era, the practicality of modern day live auctions will remain intact Livestock exhibition and youth livestock sales promote improvement in life skills. Future education goals in youths were reported to be positively impacted around those who are involved in the livestock industry (Evans, 2019). The industry only exists if it is continually feed by consumers. There are hundreds of live and online sales each year, so it was only fitting to bring one to the Central Valley of California. Consigners from across the United States have already shown interest in the sale and the author noted providing another opportunity for youth to purchase show quality livestock exists. The author will establish a youth livestock sale called the Saturday Night Live Sale and it will be hosted in Modesto, California

Medical Claims at NCAA Institutions: The Athletic Trainer\u27s Role

Context: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions are required to certify insurance coverage of medical expenses that result from athletically related injuries sustained while partaking in an NCAA event. This means that the student-athlete must be covered either by their parent’s/guardian’s insurance, their own personal insurance coverage, and/or the institution’s insurance program. Institutions assign this role to a variety of employees, including head athletic trainers (ATs), assistant ATs, athletic administrators, business managers, secretaries, or other institution employees. In 1994 Street, Yates, Lavery, and Lavery observed that the head AT was responsible for administering medical insurance/claims payment at 51% of the institutions studied. The tasks necessary to pay athletic medical claims require a lot of paperwork and can be very time consuming. Additionally, insurance rules and regulations are complicated. Anecdotally, ATs do not always feel well suited to perform these tasks. Objective: Investigate the ways that athletic associations/departments coordinate athletic medical claims and how often an AT is assigned to be the administrator who oversees policies and procedures related to athletic medical claims. Design: Cross sectional. Setting: Participants completed a web-based questionnaire. Patients or Other Participants: Responses from 184 (38%) ATs employed in collegiate settings (Division I 26.1%; Division II 28.8%, Division III 45.1%) were analyzed. Intervention: None. Main Outcome Measures: Demographics. Results: The mean number of full-time ATs on staff was 3.8 (n=97). The head AT was primarily responsible for the payment of athletic medical claims at 48.4% (n=89) of institutions and the assistant AT was responsible at 13.6% (n=25) of institutions. A non-AT was responsible at 38% (n=70). The mean hours spent on this task by head ATs (n=86) was 6.17 hours per week and the mean hours spent by assistant ATs (n=22) was 10.32 hours per week. Most respondents (62.0%, n=103) reported no formal training in athletic medical insurance claims payments whereas 20.5% (n=34) reported the individual responsible had had formal, with 17.5% (n=29) stating they were not sure what training the individual had received. When asked where they felt it was most appropriate to learn these concepts, respondents reported: within an accredited AT program curriculum (36% n=56), on the job training (34% n=52), or CEU event (30% n=46). Conclusions: It is clear that ATs at NCAA institutions are responsible for the administration of athletic medical claims. ATs are spending a large amount of time each week on medical claims, although most have no formal training. An AT may not be the most ideal individual to handle these medical claims; but if an AT is going to continue to be responsible for this task, AT programs should increase the emphasis of this content within the curriculum and CEU opportunities should be made available to ensure athletic medical claims are handled effectively