The Exosome Subunit Rrp44 Plays a Direct Role in RNA Substrate Recognition

The exosome plays key roles in RNA maturation and surveillance, but it is unclear how target RNAs are identified. We report the functional characterization of the yeast exosome component Rrp44, a member of the RNase II family. Recombinant Rrp44 and the purified TRAMP polyadenylation complex each specifically recognized tRNAiMet lacking a single m1A58 modification, even in the presence of a large excess of total tRNA. This tRNA is otherwise mature and functional in translation in vivo but is presumably subtly misfolded. Complete degradation of the hypomodified tRNA required both Rrp44 and the poly(A) polymerase activity of TRAMP. The intact exosome lacking only the catalytic activity of Rrp44 failed to degrade tRNAiMet, showing this to be a specific Rrp44 substrate. Recognition of hypomodified tRNAiMet by Rrp44 is genetically separable from its catalytic activity on other substrates, with the mutations mapping to distinct regions of the protein

Special L-values of t-motives: a conjecture

We propose a conjecture on special values of $L$-functions in a function field context with positive characteristic coefficients. For $M$ a uniformizable $t$-motive with everywhere good reduction we conjecture a relation between the value of the Goss $L$-function $L(M^\vee, s)$ at $s = 0$ and the uniformization of the abelian $t$-module associated with $M$. When $M$ is a power of the Carlitz $t$-motive the conjecture specializes to a theorem of Anderson and Thakur on Carlitz zeta values. Beyond this case we present numerical evidence.Comment: in International Mathematics Research Notices (2009

Output from Bose condensates in tunnel arrays: the role of mean-field interactions and of transverse confinement

We present numerical studies of atomic transport in 3D and 1D models for a mode-locked, pulsed atom laser as realized by Anderson and Kasevich [Science 281 (1998) 1686] using an elongated Bose condensate of ${}^{87}$Rb atoms poured into a vertical optical lattice. From our 3D results we ascertain in a quantitative manner the role of mean-field interactions in determining the shape and the size of the pulses in the case of Gaussian transverse confinement. By comparison with 1D simulations we single out a best-performing 1D reduction of the mean-field interactions, which yields quantitatively useful predictions for all main features of the matter output.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

X-ray Insights into the Nature of Weak Emission-Line Quasars at High Redshift

We present Chandra observations of nine high-redshift quasars (z=2.7-5.9) discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with weak or undetectable high-ionization emission lines in their UV spectra (WLQs). Adding archival X-ray observations of six additional sources of this class has enabled us to place the strongest constraints yet on the X-ray properties of this remarkable class of AGNs. Although our data cannot rule out the possibility that the emission lines are overwhelmed by a relativistically boosted continuum, as manifested by BL Lac objects, we find that WLQs are considerably weaker in the X-ray and radio bands than the majority of BL Lacs found at much lower redshifts. If WLQs are high-redshift BL Lacs, then it is difficult to explain the lack of a large parent population of X-ray and radio bright weak-lined sources at high redshift. We also consider the possibility that WLQs are quasars with extreme properties, and in particular that the emission lines are suppressed by high accretion rates. Using joint spectral fitting of the X-ray spectra of 11 WLQs we find that the mean photon index in the hard X-ray band is consistent with those observed in typical radio-quiet AGNs with no hint of an unusually steep hard-X-ray spectrum. This result poses a challenge to the hypothesis that WLQs have extremely high accretion rates, and we discuss additional observations required to test this idea.Comment: 13 pages (emulateapj), 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Blood Transfusion in Elective Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients

To standardize the use of blood transfusion in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1008/thumbnail.jp

Utilizing a Protocol to Reduce Post-Operative Urinary Retention in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Foley catheters have not routinely been used for our total joint patients for many years, leading staff to bladder scan and straight catheterize patients postoperatively. Bladder scanning and catheterization were identified as an inconsistent practice. Patients were commonly straight catheterized when nurses determind bladder scan volume and time of last void; yet the amounts for both and decision to catheterize were inconsistent. Also, the clinical evaluation and treatment was inconsistent among physicians. Variations in practice included rationale for a urology consult, use of medications for urinary retention, and documentation. Baseline urinary retention condition codes ranged from 8-18%, which led our team to choose urinary retention as a performance meansure in 2012 for The Joint Commission Disease Specific Care Certification. Objective: Describe the clinical and cultural impact the total joint urinary protocol has on decreasing urinary retention.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1054/thumbnail.jp

Relationship between and implications of the isotope and pressure effects on transition temperature, penetration depths and conductivities

It is shown that the empirical relations between transition temperature, normal state conductivity linearly extrapolated to the value at the transition temperature, zero temperature penetration depths, etc., as observed in a rich variety of cuprate superconductors, are remarkably consistent with the universal critical properties of anisotropic systems which fall into the 3D-XY universality class and undergo a crossover to a quantum critical point in 2D. The variety includes n- and p-type cuprates, comprises the underdoped and overdoped regimes and the consistency extends up to six decades in the scaling variables. The resulting scaling relations for the oxygen isotope and hydrostatic pressure effects agree with the experimental data and reveal that these effects originate from local lattice distortions preserving the volume of the unit cell. These observations single out 3D and anisotropic microscopic models which incorporate local lattice distortions, fall in the experimentally accessible regime into the 3D-XY universality class, and incorporate the crossover to 2D quantum criticality where superconductivity disappears.Comment: 19 pages, 17 figure

Awareness of the Red Dress Symbol and Heart Disease among College Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of concern and knowledge about heart disease among college women and to explore the relationship between awareness of the Red Dress symbol and knowledge of risk factors for heart disease. Female college students (n = 475) completed a survey. While 63% believed they are informed about heart disease, only 43% identified heart disease as the leading cause of death in women. Breast cancer (36%) was listed as the one greatest health concern facing women, followed by heart disease (29%). Chi-square analysis revealed that a significantly greater proportion of participants familiar with the Red Dress symbol (n = 157) identified heart disease as the greatest health problem facing women and the leading cause of death of women than participants unfamiliar with the symbol (n = 318). Participants familiar with the symbol identified 0.4-0.5 more correct choices on two questions related to causes of and activities to prevent heart disease than women unfamiliar with the symbol. College women are a prime target for a Red Dress campaign due to their low level of awareness. Young women can reduce their risk of developing heart disease through prevention