Nikita Khrushchev\u27s Journey into America

Review of: Nikita Khrushchev’s Journey into America, by Lawrence J. Nelson and Matthew G. Shoenbachler

The first catalytic step of the light-driven enzyme protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase proceeds via a charge transfer complex

In chlorophyll biosynthesis protochlorophyllide reductase (POR) catalyzes the light-driven reduction of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) to chlorophyllide, providing a rare opportunity to trap and characterize catalytic intermediates at low temperatures. Moreover, the presence of a chlorophyll-like molecule allows the use of EPR, electron nuclear double resonance, and Stark spectroscopies, previously used for the analysis of photosynthetic systems, to follow catalytic events in the active site of POR. Different models involving the formation of either radical species or charge transfer complexes have been proposed for the initial photochemical step, which forms a nonfluorescent intermediate absorbing at 696 nm (

Nikita Khrushchev\u27s Journey into America

Review of: Nikita Khrushchev’s Journey into America, by Lawrence J. Nelson and Matthew G. Shoenbachler

Scenario-Based Training: Scenario Complexity

This paper presents and extends the definition of scenario complexity in support of the Next-generation Expeditionary Warfare Intelligent Training (NEW-IT) project. First, key concepts are defined with a focus on two specific characteristics: task complexity (Wood, 1986) and task framework (Campbell, 1988). The authors then propose the inclusion of cognitive task elements to the traditional task complexity formulation as an integral extension when designing scenarios for higher-order thinking skills. In addition, the authors introduce the variable of cognitive context moderators to the developing equation. Demonstration of the proposed formulation is then presented with three examples of the instantiation. Finally, operationalization and future direction for scenario-based training are discussed. Copyright 2010 by Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Inc. All rights reserved

Using landscape habitat associations to prioritize areas of conservation action for terrestrial birds.

Predicting species distributions has long been a valuable tool to plan and focus efforts for biodiversity conservation, particularly because such an approach allows researchers and managers to evaluate species distribution changes in response to various threats. Utilizing data from a long-term monitoring program and land cover data sets, we modeled the probability of occupancy and colonization for 38 bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the robust design occupancy modeling framework, and used results from the best models to predict occupancy and colonization on the Iowa landscape. Bird surveys were conducted at 292 properties from April to October, 2006-2014. We calculated landscape habitat characteristics at multiple spatial scales surrounding each of our surveyed properties to be used in our models and then used kriging in ArcGIS to create predictive maps of species distributions. We validated models with data from 2013 using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Probability of occupancy ranged from 0.001 (SE 0.70). The most important predictor for occupancy of grassland birds was percentage of the landscape in grassland habitat, and the most important predictor for woodland birds was percentage of the landscape in woodland habitat. This emphasizes the need for managers to restore specific habitats on the landscape. In an era during which funding continues to decrease for conservation agencies, our approach aids in determining where to focus limited resources to best conserve bird species of conservation concern