Magnetic fields and differential rotation on the pre-main sequence

Maps of magnetic field topologies of rapidly rotating stars obtained over the last decade or so have provided unique insight into the operation of stellar dynamos. However, for solar-type stars many of the targets imaged to date have been lower-mass zero-age main sequence stars. We present magnetic maps and differential rotation measurements of two-higher mass pre-main sequence stars HD 106506 (~10 Myrs) and HD 141943 (~15 Myrs). These stars should evolve into mid/late F-stars with predicted high differential rotation and little magnetic activity. We investigate what effect the extended convection zones of these pre-main sequence stars has on their differential rotation and magnetic topologies. ©2009 American Institute of Physic

Observation of a possible superflare on Proxima Centauri

We report the observation on UT 2017 July 1 of an unusually powerful flare detected in near-infrared continuum photometry of Proxima Centauri. During a campaign monitoring the star for possible exoplanet transits, we identified an increase in Sloan i' flux leading to an observed peak at BJD 2457935.996 that was at least 10 per cent over pre-flare flux in this band. It was followed by a two-component rapid decline in the first 100 s that became a slower exponential decay with time constant of 1350 s. A smaller flare event 1300 s after the first added an incremental peak flux increase of 1 per cent of pre-flare flux. Since the onset of the flare was not fully time resolved at a cadence of 62 s, its actual peak value is unknown but greater than the time average over a single exposure of 20 s. The i' band is representative of broad optical and near-IR continuum flux over which the integrated energy of the flare is 100 times the stellar luminosity. This meets the criteria that established the concept of superflares on similar stars. The resulting implied ultraviolet flux and space weather could have had an extreme effect on the atmospheres of planets within the star's otherwise habitable zone

Crystallographic studies of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus and tomato spotted wilt virus N proteins

The Bunyaviridae family is a group of segmented negative sense RNA viruses (sNSV) that cause severe disease in both plants and humans. This group of viruses is further classified into the Orthobunyavirus, Tospovirus, Nairovirus, Phlebovirus and Hantavirus genera. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a potentially fatal tick borne viral meta-zoonotic haemorrhagic disease, which is caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a member of the Nairovirus genus. Despite the medical importance and severity of disease, the molecular biology of CCHFV remains poorly understood, primarily because outbreaks are sporadic, and its handling requires the highest containment facilities, bio-safety level 4 (BSL-4). Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a member of the Tospovirus genus, which are the only plant infecting members of the bunyaviruses. TSWV causes serious disease in over 80 plant families, including peppers, potatoes, lettuce and tomatos, causing approximately 80 million dollars worth of loss to the food industry per year. The pathogenesis of CCHFV and TSWV depends on the formation of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, in which their genomes and antigenome are entirely encapsidated by the virus-encoded nucleocapsid (N) protein. Only in the form of the RNP is the genome replicated, transcribed and packaged into new progeny particles. This work has implemented X-ray crystallography to better understand the structural and functional roles of the CCHFV and TSWV N proteins. This work presents the 2.1 Å crystal structure of the CCHFV N protein, which shows a high degree of structural homology with the N protein from another sNSV member Lassa virus (LASV), and reveals important insight into sNSV phylogenetics, and the interaction of CCHFV with the host cell. This work also includes the expression, purification, and crystallization of the TSWV N protein. Crystals generated from TSWV N protein diffracted to 2.6 Å and structure determination is ongoing

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 2: Mentoring (Hierarchical & Mutuality) & Adaptive Leadership

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 1: Gender Equity Case Study and Introduction to Action Research

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 9: Action Research Project Presentations

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 4: Transformational Leadership & Leading Change in Higher Education

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 7: Negotiation with Case Study

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 3: DISC Communication & Leadership & Implicit Bias

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women

Instructor Guides, TIGERS ADVANCE Trailblazers: Provost’s Mentoring Initiative for Faculty Session 6: Servant and Social Justice Leadership, Servant Leadership Case Study

TIGERS ADVANCE: Transforming the Institution through Gender Equity, Retention and Support, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded innovative and systematic institutional transformation approach to reduce gender inequality and improve opportunities for all early and mid-career faculty at Clemson, both men and women