Production of No-Tillage Burley Tobacco

In the early 1970\u27s, researchers at the University of Kentucky produced burley tobacco by using no-tillage methods. These studies were abandoned a few years later due to poor growth, poor plant survival, and the lack of adequate weed control as the contributing factors. In 1984, the experimental production of no-tillage burley tobacco was reinitiated with the hopes that the newer herbicides would perform more effectively for no-tillage tobacco production. Burley producers could realize several potential advantages to no-tillage tobacco production if the yields produced by no-tillage were equal to or near those of conventional tillage. These potential advantages would include: the elimination of the need for plowing and disking a field in preparation for transplanting, reduced soil erosion, reduced soil water evaporation, cleaner cured tobacco, more flexibility in timing during transplanting and at harvest, and possibly lower production costs

Egyptian Moonlight : An Oriental Love Song

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/1374/thumbnail.jp

Web accessibility: how does your state eye up?

Since the passage of Section 508 federal law, several states have instituted their own web accessibility policy. Many have not instituted a policy. This paper compares U.S. web site accessibility with the quality of state web site policies. The results show a disparity between policy, adherence, and practice

An improved method for surface immobilisation of RNA: application to small Non-Coding RNA - mRNA pairing

Characterisation of RNA and its intermolecular interactions is increasing in importance as the inventory of known RNA functions continues to expand. RNA-RNA interactions are central to post-transcriptional gene regulation mechanisms in bacteria, and the interactions of bacterial small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) with their mRNA targets are the subject of much current research. The technology of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is an attractive approach to studying these interactions since it is highly sensitive, and allows interaction measurements to be recorded in real-time. Whilst a number of approaches exist to label RNAs for surface-immobilisation, the method documented here is simple, quick, efficient, and utilises the high-affinity streptavidin-biotin interaction. Specifically, we ligate a biotinylated nucleotide to the 3' end of RNA using T4 RNA ligase. Although this is a previously recognised approach, we have optimised the method by our discovery that the incorporation of four or more adenine nucleotides at the 3' end of the RNA (a poly-A-tail) is required in order to achieve high ligation efficiencies. We use this method within the context of investigating small non-coding RNA (sRNA)-mRNA interactions through the application of surface technologies, including quantitative SPR assays. We first focus on validating the method using the recently characterised Escherichia coli sRNA-mRNA pair, MicA-ompA, specifically demonstrating that the addition of the poly-A-tail to either RNA does not affect its subsequent binding interactions with partner molecules. We then apply this method to investigate the novel interactions of a Vibrio cholerae Qrr sRNA with partner mRNAs, hapR and vca0939; RNA-RNA pairings that are important in mediating pathogenic virulence. The calculated binding parameters allow insights to be drawn regarding sRNA-mRNA interaction mechanisms

Liquid Rocket Engine and Test System

The goal of this project is to design the University of Akron’s first design team built liquid propulsion rocket engine and testing system. The creation of this engine and testing system will create new opportunities for the Akronauts Rocket Design Team moving forward, allowing the team to enter more prestigious competitions, and will also enable students to better pursue opportunities in the space and defense industry by exposing them to more relevant industry experiences. The liquid rocket engine designed by the team will utilize ethanol and liquid nitrous oxide to generate approximately 500 lbf of thrust. An accompanying test system was designed for this motor with modularity and safety in mind. These design foci will enable the team to safely test motors of various thrust capacities without needing to make major modifications to the system. To verify the safety of the rocket engine and testing system, the team did hand calculations and computer analysis of critical components and their designs. To further verify the safety and functionality of the systems, physical testing of individual components and assembled subsystems will be completed once components are acquired

Hfq binding changes the structure of Escherichia coli small noncoding RNAs OxyS and RprA, which are involved in the riboregulation of rpoS

OxyS and RprA are two small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) that modulate the expression of rpoS, encoding an alternative sigma factor that activates transcription of multiple Escherichia coli stress-response genes. While RprA activates rpoS for translation, OxyS down-regulates the transcript. Crucially, the RNA binding protein Hfq is required for both sRNAs to function, although the specific role played by Hfq remains unclear. We have investigated RprA and OxyS interactions with Hfq using biochemical and biophysical approaches. In particular, we have obtained the molecular envelopes of the Hfq–sRNA complexes using small-angle scattering methods, which reveal key molecular details. These data indicate that Hfq does not substantially change shape upon complex formation, whereas the sRNAs do. We link the impact of Hfq binding, and the sRNA structural changes induced, to transcript stability with respect to RNase E degradation. In light of these findings, we discuss the role of Hfq in the opposing regulatory functions played by RprA and OxyS in rpoS regulation

Record of an alleged Solitary Eagle in Oaxaca is a Great Black Hawk

In a recent article in this journal (García-Grajales et al., 2018), an adult Great Black Hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga) was mistakenly identified as an adult of the Solitary Eagle (Buteogallus solitarius). The Solitary Eagle differs from the Greater Black Eagle in having the longest and widest wings, and the shortest tail. These characteristics give it a more triangular shape in flight. These differences are easy to see in Figures 1–3. The same authors also cite a case of the nesting of the Solitary Eagle in Mexico (Smith, 1982). However, after reviewing photos of the young, we consider that this record is probably the Common Black Hawk (B. anthracinus). The illustrations of the Solitary Eagle in field guides of Mexico and Central America (Howell & Webb, 1995; Van Perlo, 2006) demonstrate greater similarity with the Great Black Hawk, contributing to the frequent confusion of the two species if used without consulting the text. The new features published here and in Clark et al. (2006) and Clark and Schmitt (2017) should help with correct identification of Buteogallus species in the future.En un artículo reciente en esta revista (García-Grajales et al., 2018), un adulto del Aguililla Negra Mayor (Buteogallus urubitinga) fue identificado erróneamente como un adulto del Águila Solitaria (Buteogallus solitarius). El Águila Solitaria difiere del Aguililla Negra Mayor en tener las alas más largas y anchas, y la cola más corta. Estas características le confieren una forma más triangular en el vuelo. Estas diferencias son fáciles de apreciar en la Figuras 1–3. Los mismos autores también citan un caso del anidamiento del Águila Solitaria en México (Smith, 1982). Sin embargo, después de revisar fotos de las crías, consideramos que este registro probablemente se trata del Aguililla Negra Menor (B. anthracinus). Las ilustraciones del Águila Solitaria en guías de campo de México y Centroamérica (Howell & Webb, 1995; Van Perlo, 2006) demuestran mayor similitud con el Aguililla Negra Mayor, contribuyendo a la confusión frecuente de las dos especies si se utilizan sin consultar el texto. Las nuevas características publicadas aquí y en Clark et al. (2006) y Clark y Schmitt (2017) deben ayudar a su correcta identificación en el futuro