Genetic and physical mapping of DNA replication origins in Haloferax volcanii

The halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii has a multireplicon genome, consisting of a main chromosome, three secondary chromosomes, and a plasmid. Genes for the initiator protein Cdc6/Orc1, which are commonly located adjacent to archaeal origins of DNA replication, are found on all replicons except plasmid pHV2. However, prediction of DNA replication origins in H. volcanii is complicated by the fact that this species has no less than 14 cdc6/orc1 genes. We have used a combination of genetic, biochemical, and bioinformatic approaches to map DNA replication origins in H. volcanii. Five autonomously replicating sequences were found adjacent to cdc6/orc1 genes and replication initiation point mapping was used to confirm that these sequences function as bidirectional DNA replication origins in vivo. Pulsed field gel analyses revealed that cdc6/orc1-associated replication origins are distributed not only on the main chromosome (2.9 Mb) but also on pHV1 (86 kb), pHV3 (442 kb), and pHV4 (690 kb) replicons. Gene inactivation studies indicate that linkage of the initiator gene to the origin is not required for replication initiation, and genetic tests with autonomously replicating plasmids suggest that the origin located on pHV1 and pHV4 may be dominant to the principal chromosomal origin. The replication origins we have identified appear to show a functional hierarchy or differential usage, which might reflect the different replication requirements of their respective chromosomes. We propose that duplication of H. volcanii replication origins was a prerequisite for the multireplicon structure of this genome, and that this might provide a means for chromosome-specific replication control under certain growth conditions. Our observations also suggest that H. volcanii is an ideal organism for studying how replication of four replicons is regulated in the context of the archaeal cell cycle. © 2007 Norais et al

‘The case Allsvenskan’ - Brand building within smaller teams (Malmö FF, Helsingborgs IF, AIK & Kalmar FF)

The purpose of this study is to investigate how smaller teams build their brand through, Sponsorship, Event, Stadium and Buying players and how these communication tools are perceived by existing fans and smaller teams, also how these tools are connected to Aaker’s (2010) Brand equity factors (Awareness, Associations, Perceived quality and Loyalty

Reachability in Biochemical Dynamical Systems by Quantitative Discrete Approximation (extended abstract)

In this paper, a novel computational technique for finite discrete approximation of continuous dynamical systems suitable for a significant class of biochemical dynamical systems is introduced. The method is parameterized in order to affect the imposed level of approximation provided that with increasing parameter value the approximation converges to the original continuous system. By employing this approximation technique, we present algorithms solving the reachability problem for biochemical dynamical systems. The presented method and algorithms are evaluated on several exemplary biological models and on a real case study.Comment: In Proceedings CompMod 2011, arXiv:1109.104

N=2 superparticle near horizon of extreme Kerr-Newman-AdS-dS black hole

Conformal mechanics related to the near horizon extreme Kerr-Newman-AdS-dS black hole is studied. A unique N=2 supersymmetric extension of the conformal mechanics is constructed.Comment: V2: the version to appear in NP

The patients’ perspective: Results of a survey assessing knowledge about and attitudes toward depression in PD

We report results of a survey assessing patients’ knowledge about and attitudes towards depression in Parkinson’s disease (PD). 345 patients from 8 tertiary care centers responded (43% response rate). Overall, patients were relatively knowledgeable about depression and its occurrence in PD. However, many patients believed that depression is a normal reaction to the illness. While many respondents would be reluctant to initiate a discussion of depression during a clinical evaluation, most would feel comfortable talking about depression with their physician if he or she asked them questions about their mood. Based on the results of this survey, we recommend the following approach for physicians: (1) inform PD patients that, although a frequent occurrence, depression need not be accepted as a “normal reaction” to PD; and (2) routinely inquire about depressive symptoms rather than waiting for the patient to spontaneously report them

Ornithopod and Sauropod Dinosaur Remains from the Maastrichtian Al-Khod Conglomerate, Sultanate of Oman

Fieldwork in the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Al-Khod Conglomerates in the Sultanate of Oman led to the discovery of a large bone fragment tentatively identified as a partial distal left humerus of a sauropod and an ornithopod dorsal vertebra. The very fragmentary state of preservation of the dorsal vertebra makes specific attribution difficult, but it shows remarkable similarities to the rhabdodontid dinosaurs Rhabdodon and Zalmoxes

Prospectus, September 21, 1977

ONLY 830.1 NIGHT STUDENTS? PARKLAND NIGHT CLASSES: GOING, GOING, GOING…; Activity Day today: music, food, games; Insurance for Parkland students now available; Parkland Events; Stoeber tops Jones for Stu-Go Vice-Prexy slot; Blue Angels at Willard Airport; Editorial: Who cares for people?; Scholarships are given to area persons; Counseling Service provided: each college division; Parkland news in brief; What to do with a bad case of ivy? Maybe Jack Frost can help; Holograms: three-D images or \u27miracles\u27; 100,000 children hurt each year; SSU invites students to Career Day; U. of I. to burn liquid radioactive wastes; Early books, manuscripts on display in U. of I. Library Rare Book Room; Home health care to be topic at CHI program; Animation Festival at T-Bird will end today; \u27Jazz, Blues and Langston Hughes\u27 to be topic of talk; Young are growing older, old are living longer; Classifieds; Women spikers trample Kankakee; Saskatoon Buzzsaws cut Al \u27Albino\u27 Catfish; Gymnasium: Tennis courts installed; LaBadie pleased with Cross Country team\u27s performance; Sigma Omega participate in walk; New rules this week: Mike O\u27Neill 12 for 12, wins Fast Freddy No. 2; Parkland golfers gracious hosts, finish at bottom in own tournament; Tennis anyone?; Maupin refractures ankle bone, sophomore\u27s status uncertain; Fishbein frys Cobras, first defeat of year; Fast Freddy Football Forecasthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1977/1012/thumbnail.jp

Magnetic deflections and possible sources of the ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in the AGASA-HiRes-Yakutsk cluster

The cluster of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays observed by the AGASA, HiRes and Yakutsk experiments is studied with respect to possible deflections of particles in regular magnetic fields. Best-fit positions of a potential source of these clustered particles are found, with account of the errors in energy estimation, both in the frameworks of particular models of the Galactic magnetic field and treating the direction and the amount of deflection as free parameters. The study suggests that an unknown regular component of either Galactic or extragalactic magnetic field may dominate over modelled components in the direction of the cluster. Possible sources of the cosmic rays in that direction are considered.Comment: 18 pages, 3 eps figures, iopart.cl

Soybean aphid biotype 1 genome: Insights into the invasive biology and adaptive evolution of a major agricultural pest

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious pest of the soybean plant, Glycine max, a major world-wide agricultural crop. We assembled a de novo genome sequence of Ap. glycines Biotype 1, from a culture established shortly after this species invaded North America. 20.4% of the Ap. glycines proteome is duplicated. These in-paralogs are enriched with Gene Ontology (GO) categories mostly related to apoptosis, a possible adaptation to plant chemistry and other environmental stressors. Approximately one-third of these genes show parallel duplication in other aphids. But Ap. gossypii, its closest related species, has the lowest number of these duplicated genes. An Illumina GoldenGate assay of 2380 SNPs was used to determine the world-wide population structure of Ap. Glycines. China and South Korean aphids are the closest to those in North America. China is the likely origin of other Asian aphid populations. The most distantly related aphids to those in North America are from Australia. The diversity of Ap. glycines in North America has decreased over time since its arrival. The genetic diversity of Ap. glycines North American population sampled shortly after its first detection in 2001 up to 2012 does not appear to correlate with geography. However, aphids collected on soybean Rag experimental varieties in Minnesota (MN), Iowa (IA), and Wisconsin (WI), closer to high density Rhamnus cathartica stands, appear to have higher capacity to colonize resistant soybean plants than aphids sampled in Ohio (OH), North Dakota (ND), and South Dakota (SD). Samples from the former states have SNP alleles with high FST values and frequencies, that overlap with genes involved in iron metabolism, a crucial metabolic pathway that may be affected by the Rag-associated soybean plant response. The Ap. glycines Biotype 1 genome will provide needed information for future analyses of mechanisms of aphid virulence and pesticide resistance as well as facilitate comparative analyses between aphids with differing natural history and host plant range