804 research outputs found
Move Over or Move Out: Working Collaboratively with Former Chairs
Transitioning into the chairpersonâs role is a challenge under the best of circumstances, and this can be complicated by the presence of a previous chair. Similarly, it can be difficult for outgoing chairs to return to faculty status. This interactive workshop considers ways to facilitate smooth transitions when the old regime wonât move out of the way
Sensing centromere tension: Aurora B and the regulation of kinetochore function
Maintaining genome integrity during cell division requires regulated interactions between chromosomes and spindle microtubules. To ensure that daughter cells inherit the correct chromosomes, the sister kinetochores must attach to opposite spindle poles. Tension across the centromere stabilizes correct attachments, whereas phosphorylation of kinetochore substrates by the conserved Ipl1/Aurora B kinase selectively eliminates incorrect attachments. Here, we review our current understanding of how mechanical forces acting on the kinetochore are linked to biochemical changes to control chromosome segregation. We discuss models for tension sensing and regulation of kinetochore function downstream of Aurora B, and mechanisms that specify Aurora B localization to the inner centromere and determine its interactions with substrates at distinct locations.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant GM088313)Kinship Foundation. Searle Scholars Progra
Sports-related brain injury in the general population: An epidemiological study
Objectives
To determine the incidence, nature and severity of all sports-related brain injuries in the general population.
Design
Population-based epidemiological incidence study.
Methods
Data on all traumatic brain injury events sustained during a sports-related activity were extracted from a dataset of all new traumatic brain injury cases (both fatal and non-fatal), identified over a one-year period in the Hamilton and Waikato districts of New Zealand. Prospective and retrospective case ascertainment methods from multiple sources were used. All age groups and levels of traumatic brain injury severity were included. Details of the registering injuries and recurrent injuries sustained over the subsequent year were obtained through medical/accident records and assessment interviews with participants.
Results
Of 1369 incident traumatic brain injury cases, 291 were identified as being sustained during a sports-related activity (21% of all traumatic brain injuries) equating to an incidence rate of 170 per 100,000 of the general population. Recurrent injuries occurred more frequently in adults (11%) than children (5%). Of the sports-related injuries 46% were classified as mild with a high risk of complications. Injuries were most frequently sustained during rugby, cycling and equestrian activities. It was revealed that up to 19% of traumatic brain injuries were not recorded in medical notes.
Conclusions
Given the high incidence of new and recurrent traumatic brain injury and the high risk of complications following injury, further sport specific injury prevention strategies are urgently needed to reduce the impact of traumatic brain injury and facilitate safer engagement in sports activities. The high levels of âmissedâ traumatic brain injuries, highlights the importance in raising awareness of traumatic brain injury during sports-related activity in the general population
Determinants of small and micro enterprise registration results from surveys
Summary. -The relationship between governmental regulations and small and micro enterprises is the subject of increasing interest in developing countries. This paper examines the determinants of small and micro enterprise registration in Niger and Swaziland using a logit framework. Our surveys show that although virtually all firms in these countries are required to register, many do not. Several firm-specific factors are significant in explaining the probability of registering, including sector, location and size. Although Niger and Swaziland were reputed to possess differing regulatory environments, there is no evidence that the likelihood of registration depends on the country in which the firm is located
Avoid Yet Another Search: Programs that Support a Diverse Faculty
Retaining quality faculty members is a critical issue in collegiate settings. This session will give background on retention, including (1) a video showcasing faculty diversity issues, (2) a case study application activity, and (3) a description of retention initiatives. The session will conclude with a synthesis activity wherein participants will develop a list of activities that can promote retention in their own settings
Ionization of clusters in strong X-ray laser pulses
The effect of intense X-ray laser interaction on argon clusters is studied
theoretically with a mixed quantum/classical approach. In comparison to a
single atom we find that ionization of the cluster is suppressed, which is in
striking contrast to the observed behavior of rare-gas clusters in intense
optical laser pulses. We have identified two effects responsible for this
phenomenon: A high space charge of the cluster in combination with a small
quiver amplitude and delocalization of electrons in the cluster. We elucidate
their impact for different field strengths and cluster sizes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Relativistic ionization-rescattering with tailored laser pulses
The interaction of relativistically strong tailored laser pulses with an
atomic system is considered. Due to a special tailoring of the laser pulse, the
suppression of the relativistic drift of the ionized electron and a dramatic
enhancement of the rescattering probability is shown to be achievable. The high
harmonic generation rate in the relativistic regime is calculated and shown to
be increased by several orders of magnitude compared to the case of
conventional laser pulses. The energies of the revisiting electron at the
atomic core can approach the MeV domain, thus rendering hard x-ray harmonics
and nuclear reactions with single atoms feasible
Phage display selected magnetite interacting Adhirons for shape controlled nanoparticle synthesis
Adhirons are robust, well expressing, peptide display scaffold proteins, developed as an effective alternative
to traditional antibody binding proteins for highly specific molecular recognition applications. This paper
reports for the first time the use of these versatile proteins for material binding, and as tools for
controlling material synthesis on the nanoscale. A phage library of Adhirons, each displaying two variable
binding loops, was screened to identify specific proteins able to interact with [100] faces of cubic
magnetite nanoparticles. The selected variable regions display a strong preference for basic residues
such as lysine. Molecular dynamics simulations of amino acid adsorption onto a [100] magnetite surface
provides a rationale for these interactions, with the lowest adsorption energy observed with lysine. These
proteins direct the shape of the forming nanoparticles towards a cubic morphology in room temperature
magnetite precipitation reactions, in stark contrast to the high temperature, harsh reaction conditions
currently used to produce cubic nanoparticles. These effects demonstrate the utility of the selected
Adhirons as novel magnetite mineralization control agents using ambient aqueous conditions. The
approach we outline with artificial protein scaffolds has the potential to develop into a toolkit of novel
additives for wider nanomaterial fabrication
Acute Effects of Aerosolized S-Nitrosoglutathione in Cystic Fibrosis
This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm.165.7.2105032#.VJCPDXs4d41.S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a naturally occurring constituent of airway lining fluid, enhances ciliary motility, relaxes airway smooth muscle, inhibits airway epithelial amiloride-sensitive sodium transport, and prevents pathogen replication. Remarkably, airway levels of GSNO are low in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We hypothesized that replacement of airway GSNO would improve gas exchange in CF. In a double-blind, placebo controlled study, we administered 0.05 ml/kg of 10 mM GSNO or phosphate buffered saline by aerosol to patients with CF and followed oxygen saturation, spirometry, respiratory rate, blood pressure, heart rate, and expired nitric oxide (NO). Nine patients received GSNO and 11 placebo. GSNO inhalation was associated with a modest but sustained increase in oxygen saturation at all time points. Expired NO increased in the low ppb range with GSNO treatment, peaking at 5 minutes but remaining above baseline at 30 minutes. There were no adverse effects. We conclude that GSNO is well tolerated in patients with CF and improves oxygenation through a mechanism that may be independent of free NO. Further, GSNO breakdown increases expired NO. We suggest that therapy aimed at restoring endogenous GSNO levels in the CF airway may merit study
Band gap modulation of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks by defect engineering
We report a defect-engineering approach to modulate the band gap of zirconium-based metal-organic framework UiO-66, enabled by grafting of a range of amino-functionalised benzoic acids at defective sites. Defect engineered MOFs were obtained by both post-synthetic exchange and modulated synthesis, featuring band gap in the 4.1-3.3 eV range. First principle calculations suggest that shrinking of the band gap is likely due to an upward shift of the valence band energy, as a result of the presence of light-absorbing monocarboxylates. The photocatalytic properties of defect-engineered MOFs towards CO2 reduction to CO in the gas phase and degradation of Rhodamine B in water were tested, observing improved activity in both cases, in comparison to a defective UiO-66 bearing formic acid as the defect-compensating species
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